OK everyone. Get ready to discover who will be blamed for Joffrey's death, and who Olenna Tyrell proposes to marry Margaery.


TYRION XII

The list of activities the Crown was engaged in was without end. Tyrion went through the ledgers during the last days to find all the income's sources the Crown had. At least now, they were Tommen's incomes, not Joffrey's. The revenues came from many various taxes through all the Seven Kingdoms and from participations in many economic activities. Tyrion came to the conclusion yesterday, after a very careful inspection, that half the brothels of King's Landing were owned by Littlefinger, while the other half were owned, partially or entirely, by the Crown. Littlefinger really controlled all the brothels in the capital, and probably most of those outside the city as well. No wonder he had such a wide spy network. It didn't encourage Tyrion to resume his visits in brothels.

Tyrion wanted to leave this stinking city as soon as possible. He couldn't bear it anymore. Sansa was eager to leave as well, even if life was much better since Joffrey was dead and Cersei on her way to Stokeworth. His sister left silently yesterday, accompanied by a hundred guards. She wouldn't leave Lady Tanda's castle anytime soon. Tyrion and Kevan finally decided to send Cersei there instead of Rosby since Lord Rosby had been her ally here in King's Landing. Furthermore, Gyles Rosby was old and could die any day with his cough, and it would be unwise to send Cersei to a castle without heir. Castle Stokeworth would be a better place. Cersei would be close to King's Landing, but she would never come back to the capital.

A few days ago, Jaime made a very interesting discovery that put an end to their search for Joffrey's assassin. The small council listed the names of the people who had been close to the jug of wine that killed Joffrey very soon after the wedding. They searched the rooms of all these people and Jaime found a vial of the Strangler in the apartment of a fellow kingsguard. The vial was half empty. It didn't take long for them to establish the guiltiness of the man. Varys also revealed a conversation Cersei had with this kingsguard not long before the royal wedding. After they asked questions to Lady Sera Durwell, the handmaiden who brought the wine to Joffrey and his bride, they had a confirmation the knight was with her in the cellar when she came to fill the jug.

Tyrion remembered very well the meeting of the small council when they confronted the kingslayer with the facts. They were all there. Kevan, Tyrion, Jaime, Mace Tyrell, Varys, Oberyn and Pycelle. Tyrion hoped the latter would die very soon. Then finally the grub came inside the room and stood before them.

"Ser Meryn Trant," began Kevan. "You're well aware your king died and how, are you?"

"I am, my lord," the knight answered immediately. "It will be my pleasure to cut the head of the monster who killed our king once he'll be found." He had shot a murderous glare to Tyrion at this moment. Tyrion knew the knight hated him because he was humiliated at the trial by Tyrion's witnesses, and probably because of the threat when he beat Sansa. Tyrion had used the opportunity to crush Ser Meryn's dreams.

"In this case, Ser Meryn, you can cut your own head right now." The knight had looked at him, incomprehension plain on his face. Then Jaime had put the vial on the table and spoke.

"Perhaps you could explain us, Ser Meryn, how this vial ended up in your rooms? It contains the Strangler, the very poison that killed the king you swore to protect."

Ser Meryn's face had showed complete confusion at this moment. He stammered. "I don't know what you're talking about, ser. I never had this in my rooms."

"We found it there, Ser Meryn," Kevan said bluntly. "And we have two people who saw you in the cellar when Lady Margaery's handmaiden came to bring wine to King Joffrey. She talked with the cellar's boy for several minutes. You had all the time you needed to poison the wine."

The kingsguard panicked at this moment. "This is a lie! I swore to protect the king! I would never do such a thing. It's this whore of Highgarden! She's the one who poisoned him."

"The whore of Highgarden," Tyrion had repeated. "That's strange. Cersei calls her that way sometimes."

"Quite strange, indeed," Varys bolstered. "Not as strange as the discussion Ser Meryn had with the queen a few days ago when he promised her he would do anything to protect our king from his bride. Do you deny the words you had with the former Queen Regent, ser?"

Meryn had looked more lost than ever. "I never… I never… These are all lies! LIES!"

"You tried to kill Lady Margaery," Tyrion had pointed out. "Too bad you missed your target. Instead you killed your own king."

"You tried to poison my daughter!" Tyrion never saw Lord Mace Tyrell angry before. Kevan had risen from his seat at this moment.

"Ser Meryn Trant, you are accused of the murder of your king, Joffrey Baratheon the First of his Name. You're also accused of attempt of murder against your queen, Lady Margaery of House Tyrell. Bring him."

Ser Meryn had struggled to get free from the half dozen red cloaks who brought him to the black cells. In the end, they had to knock him out. Tyrion's head was filled with satisfaction when he saw one of the soldiers hit Meryn Trant and send him into an involuntary sleep. Another debt was paid.

Tyrion was quite happy of the outcome of Joffrey's murder. He wasn't about to mourn his nephew. He still remembered how he mistreated Sansa and shot with a crossbow on people asking for bread. Tommen would be a much better king and Kevan would be here to advise him and teach him how to rule. Joffrey and Cersei were gone, a pompous child beater would end up his head on a spike, and Tyrion would leave the capital very soon with Sansa. They only had to attend Tommen's coronation before they left.

However, Tyrion had to admit he found it quite strange Ser Meryn Trant tried to kill Margaery Tyrell this way. It was his style to obey whatever vicious order Cersei or Joffrey gave him, but to poison the queen? Unless Cersei gave him specific orders about it, but even Cersei didn't seem a likely suspect for the murder. His sister could act blindly and viciously, but she wasn't stupid enough to murder Margaery in such an obvious way. She would have tried something more subtle. Cersei denied she ordered Ser Meryn to kill Margaery, but she confessed she ordered him to protect Joffrey at all cost. She even asked for Ser Meryn to be executed immediately for killing her son. Ser Meryn trying to kill Margaery this way seemed quite unlikely in Tyrion's eyes, but they had strong evidence against him and Tyrion wasn't about to defend the kingsguard who used to beat his wife. That would be a good riddance, whether Ser Meryn was guilty or not of this crime. Anyway, Tyrion told his doubts to Kevan who promised to keep an eye open for other possibilities.

Sansa wasn't dissatisfied when Tyrion told her Ser Meryn would end dead because of Joffrey's murder. She hated Ser Meryn at least as much as Tyrion did. Lady Mira Forrester also looked happier than the previous days. That was no surprise since Sera Durwell was her friend and she was released after Ser Meryn was accused. As for Sansa, her behavior towards him had gone back to normal. There had been a few days after the royal wedding during which Sansa nearly turned back to the way she acted in the first weeks of their marriage. Tyrion hadn't understood. For a time he wondered if he did something wrong to her. He began to think she might have started to think ill of him for some reason or another. It started after the royal wedding. In fact, she started to act strangely with him right after they kissed that night. Tyrion had come to accept he didn't dream. Sansa really kissed him. But after this, she had been uncommunicative with him.

Finally, a few days ago, perhaps the day before they discovered Ser Meryn's involvement, Sansa had talked to him. Tyrion had been very close to laugh at her after she explained him everything. She was afraid Tyrion might have a bad opinion about her after she kissed him so suddenly. There was absolutely nothing in Sansa's behavior that was to blame. Sansa simply felt uncomfortable because she thought she didn't act properly and she didn't think she was ready to bring their marriage to another step. Tyrion didn't have anything to reproach her about this. Sansa had been forced to marry him and he didn't want to put any pressure on her. He would only share her bed (as a husband) once she would want and feel ready for it. As for not acting properly, Tyrion thought he had an idea why Sansa thought so. Her mother was a very pious and dutiful woman and she transmitted it to her daughter. Also, Sansa loved songs and stories. In these, knights and princes were always the ones to go to the lady, not the opposite. Tyrion had no prejudice about the way love relationships should start or work. As long as his wife loved him, he didn't care. He wondered if Sansa loved him. There was no way to know for sure now. She didn't hate him at least. Tyrion hoped she would love him one day, but he would give her all the time she needed. She felt quite reassured after their discussion and their life came back to normal. It was nearly as if the kiss never happened, though Tyrion wasn't about to forget it.

The door of his solar opened and Podrick came in, followed immediately by Oberyn Martell. The Dornishman pushed Podrick aside unceremoniously. He went directly to Tyrion's desk and sat without permission in a chair before it, a look between seriousness and anger. The Red Viper without a single doubt.

"It's alright, Podrick. You can leave us. Prince Oberyn and I had to meet anyway."

Podrick seemed hesitant to leave, but Tyrion gave him a look to make him understand he had to. To be true, Tyrion didn't like to be alone with the Red Viper, but Bronn wasn't present and Podrick wouldn't be able to do anything against Prince Oberyn, especially without any weapon, so his presence would only make the Dornishman believe Tyrion didn't trust him. It was better to be alone with him. Podrick left and closed the door.

Tyrion turned his attention to his uninvited guest. "What can I do for you, Prince Oberyn?" Tyrion had good suspicions of what it could be.

"Justice. For my sister." Tyrion's suspicions were confirmed. "You told me no one could rape or murder without being punished as long as you were Lord. I want to see it in practice."

Tyrion pressed his lips together. It was a dangerous ground. "Prince Oberyn, this is not as easy as you may think."

"I saved your life at this trial. I could have taken the offer of your sister to condemn you for Gregor Clegane's head. I thought you would have enough gratitude to grant me the same thing."

"I won't forget what you did for me, Prince Oberyn. A Lannister always pays his debts. But you must understand I cannot only order the death of one of my bannermen like this, nor assassinate him. My father kept him at his service for many years. I promise you will have the head of Gregor Clegane, but not right now."

"When will that be?"

Tyrion couldn't answer this. As Lord of the Westerlands, he had to give justice to his people, so it wouldn't be difficult to find enough charges to sentence Gregor Clegane to die, but he couldn't give a specific time to the prince of Dorne.

"Soon." Tyrion simply answered.

The Red Viper wasn't happy about it. It was quite obvious. "If you don't kill Gregor Clegane now, then I will do it myself." A silence followed. "Will you stop me?"

"I don't want the alliance between Dorne and the Crown to suffer. I wouldn't mind if you killed Gregor Clegane. No one will mourn him in the Westerlands or anywhere, perhaps only his men, and I can take care of them very easily once he's dead. However, if you die fighting him, and this is a likely outcome to a fight between you two, then I fear your brother may not be very happy. I cannot put at risk our alliance. I think you know just like me how fragile it is already."

Prince Oberyn peered at him. "You promise to give me Gregor Clegane's head soon?"

"I promise. You will have the head of the man who killed your nephew, your niece and your sister. And if you don't have it, then you have the right to kill me."

Prince Oberyn's serious glare turned into a laughing expression. "You know I won't kill you. I may be the Red Viper and a mad man according to many people, but I know my brother wouldn't approve if I killed the Lord of Casterly Rock. No. If you don't have Ser Gregor killed soon, I'll kill him myself. And if your men try to stop me, then I'll kill them too."

The Red Viper left with a wide grin upon his face. That wasn't good. It was the third time since the trial ended that Prince Oberyn and Tyrion had a discussion about this issue. Cersei promised him Ser Gregor's head if he condemned Tyrion, but Oberyn Martell finally decided to spare him. Tyrion still didn't know why, but since the trial was over the prince always demanded the head of the man who killed his sister and her two children. Tyrion had revealed during their first discussion after the trial that the Mountain killed Elia's children on his father's order, but also had to confess there had been no order to kill Elia Martell. Gregor Clegane did it with his own freewill. Tyrion didn't blame Oberyn for his lust of revenge against the Mountain, but he couldn't take the risk to have him killed by the mad dog. Tyrion decided to have Gregor Clegane executed for the crimes he committed on his own lands. He had done so many horrible things that it would be very easy to find him guilty for even a single crime worth death, nor would it be difficult to link his men with those crimes. However, Tyrion would bring evidence before he executed Gregor Clegane. That would be a message at the same time, to show Tyrion wouldn't tolerate mad dogs in his army or among his bannermen. He already had a good idea who he might give Clegane's lands to.

However, Prince Oberyn had come back to ask him Ser Gregor's head a second time. Tyrion didn't give his word to kill Gregor Clegane during their first meeting. He planned to kill him, but he didn't want to tell Prince Oberyn. He only said accidents could happen, even to mountains. However, he told the Red Viper during the royal wedding that rape and murder wouldn't stay unpunished under his rule. That's what brought the prince a second time. Tyrion had to promise him he would have Ser Gregor Clegane dead and would send his head to Dorne once it would be done. But it seemed the Red Viper wanted the Mountain dead right now, and to kill him himself. Tyrion forbade it during their second meeting, and he just did the same for their third. He wondered if Prince Oberyn would put his threat to execution and try to kill Clegane by himself. Tyrion hoped he wouldn't. He feared the Red Viper wouldn't survive the encounter. If Oberyn Martell died, Tyrion didn't want to imagine what might happen to Myrcella. Perhaps he should consider having the Mountain killed secretly, though Tyrion didn't appreciate assassination.

He went back to work. He had the impression only ten minutes had passed when Podrick came back to remind him of the small council meeting. It was near the end of the afternoon. When Tyrion arrived, only Kevan, Tommen and Varys were already there. Kevan decided to have their new king assist all the meetings of the small council. This one would be his first. He wouldn't take any decision for now, but this way he would learn what it was to rule. Tyrion decided to give Tommen his first example of financial matters.

"Uncle, before we begin, I would like to say this would be a good idea to ask the Vale of Arryn to start again paying its taxes and to give us its arrears. Ever since the war began, we received nothing. If Baelish is really our ally, then it would be time he proves it. Our chests would need to be refilled."

"I agree with you, Tyrion, but it will be better to wait for the siege of Riverrun to end before we order it. For now, the king should only ask."

Kevan turned his eyes to Tommen after he answered. The king simply confirmed. "We will wait for the siege of Riverrun to end before we order the Vale to pay its taxes."

He was far better than Joffrey. A few minutes later, they were all here. Tommen was presiding at the head of the table. Kevan, Tyrion, Jaime and Oberyn sat at his right, Varys, Pycelle and Lord Tyrell at his left. On a sign of head from Kevan, Tommen opened his first small council meeting.

"My lords, I thank you all for your presence. I will let Ser Kevan preside this small council meeting."

"As you wish, your Grace," Kevan answered. "The sieges at Riverrun and Storm's End are still going on. There is no change for now. Raventree is also besieged by the Brackens and nothing new has come from there either. But it is only a question of time before the three castles surrender. They don't have enough garrisons to defeat their besiegers, and they will starve at a moment. But peace won't be established as long as one castle will resist. There is also the question of the attack against Dragonstone. Lord Tyrell, how much time before the Redwyne fleet arrives?"

"They will be here in approximately two months," Lord Tyrell stated.

"Very well. Once Dragonstone is taken and Stannis captured or killed, the fleet will have to turn west and attack the Iron Islands. What is the situation of the fights in the North, Lord Varys?"

Varys answered in his sweet voice as always. "For now, the siege of Moat Cailin continues and Roose Bolton's army is still mostly held south of the Neck by the Ironmen holding the fortress. His son, Ramsay, gathered a host he's leading to the north of Moat Cailin. The Ironmen are still resisting, for now, but when the two armies will meet, I'm afraid the besieged men won't be able to hold very long. They are already considerably weakened by diseases, starvation, lack of water, even if we didn't consider the harassment they have to face from the crannogmen."

"What are crannogmen?" Mace Tyrell asked. Tyrion wasn't surprised the Fat Flower didn't know about them. Varys explained indifferently.

"Men living in the Neck among the swamps. Sworn to the Warden of the North, though they didn't fight in the war. As far as we know, they didn't concern themselves with the War of the Five Kings and are no threat. They only fought the men of the Iron Islands so far."

"Varys is right," Tyrion added. "The crannogmen are no threat. They will fight against whoever takes Moat Cailin from the Warden of the North, nothing more."

Tyrion knew more about the crannogmen than he admitted, but he knew better than to talk about it. House Reed ruled the Neck from Greywater Watch, a castle built upon a crannog that moved from place to place. It made it difficult to find for enemies. All fools who would try to attack the crannogmen would get lost in the swamps, and killed by the reptiles, snakes and insects before they could find their castle. Howland Reed was the current head of this house as far as Tyrion knew. He was a great friend of Lord Eddard Stark, Sansa's father, and fought side by side with him during Robert's Rebellion. He and Ned Stark were the only ones to survive the fight at the Tower of the Joy. A useless fight considering Lyanna Stark was found dead after the fight. So much blood for nothing. Well, perhaps not completely nothing.

"What are the fortresses Balon Greyjoy still holds in the North?" Kevan asked.

"Moat Cailin, Torrhen's Square, and Deepwood Motte. Once the Neck is secured by Roose Bolton and Moat Cailin has fallen, the two other strongholds won't remain in Ironborn hands for long." Varys couldn't have summarized the situation better. Balon Greyjoy wouldn't keep what few lands he conquered during the War of the Five Kings for long. His rebellion would most likely end by the Iron Islands crushed again. Kevan's next words only reinforced Tyrion's beliefs.

"As soon as Dragonstone will have fallen, the Redwyne fleet will come back to the Sunset Sea and attack the Iron Islands with the fleet based in Lannisport. We will put an end once and for all to the rebellions of the Iron Islands."

Tyrion hoped it would be the case. He smelled the men burning in Lannisport. His uncle should have sent the Redwyne fleet against them right now. They were a much greater threat than Stannis stuck alone on his rocky island with less than five thousand men.

The Lord of Highgarden decided to make demands as he always did. "My Lord Hand, I know King Joffrey just died, but our alliance stipulated that my daughter, Margaery, would marry the king. I was hoping our new king would agree to marry my daughter."

Mace Tyrell didn't choose his time to make such demands. "For now, we must focus on the king's coronation, Lord Tyrell. It will take place in a week. I'm sure the king will consider the marriage proposal with great interest after that. I promise you our alliance will be maintained. Your daughter will be married very soon."

Kevan's words seemed enough for the Fat Flower. Tyrion's uncle looked at Tommen and the boy finally said the good words. "It will be a pleasure for me to consider the hand of your daughter, my lord."

"Furthermore," Kevan added, "I would like you to be judge again for Ser Meryn Trant's trial in a fortnight, Lord Tyrell. It would please the king as well if Prince Oberyn accepted to act as judge too."

The two men accepted, Mace Tyrell with great enthusiasm, Oberyn with indifference. The prince of Dorne was obviously bored by all this. The discussion went to the construction of the royal fleet. Tyrion objected they still didn't have enough money and that it would only get worse with winter coming. He told them they would have to dismiss some gold cloaks. There were four thousand and five hundred of them right now, and they would only be able to afford the new fleet if they reduced their numbers. Kevan decided they would progressively reduce the number of gold cloaks to two thousand men and would begin the construction of the fleet. Finally. Cersei never wanted to reduce their numbers and they were of no use after the Battle of Blackwater. Tyrion's successor would have an easier job.

Varys brought them some news from Slavor's Bay as well. For now, Daenerys Targaryen was still holding Meereen, though the Wise Masters of Yunkai took back their city and reintroduced slavery. Slavery was also reintroduced in Astapor by a butcher named Cleon, only the slaves were now the former Good Masters. It seemed for now the Dragon Queen wouldn't sail to Westeros. Tyrion wished he could see one of her three dragons. The meeting ended with this. Tyrion was about to leave with his ledger when his uncle called him.

"Tyrion, please stay. We have to talk. Jaime, accompany his Grace to his chambers."

Tyrion was left with his uncle who turned on his seat to face him. Kevan cleared his throat.

"Tyrion, you're going to leave for Casterly Rock soon after Tommen's coronation."

"This time I hope it will be for real. I was supposed to leave a few days after Joffrey's wedding," Tyrion said sarcastically.

"Joffrey's death changed the situation. We couldn't foresee that. This time you'll leave for real. You're not needed here for Ser Meryn's trial."

"Then let's hope we won't have another murder on our hands. You don't want us here for Tommen's wedding?"

"Your presence won't be necessary for it either. Anyway, it is quite possible Tommen won't marry before a few years."

His uncle's words surprised Tyrion. "What do you mean, Uncle? I know we couldn't engage Tommen and Margaery so soon after Joffrey's death, but we need the Tyrell army and their resources to win this war. And the Tyrells will follow us only if Margaery is queen. They won't wait a few years."

Kevan joined his hands on his knees. "Mace Tyrell doesn't seem to be aware of that already, but I had a discussion with Olenna Tyrell yesterday. She proposed me another way to unite our two houses. After thinking about it, I believe this would be a better option for House Lannister."

Tyrion knew Olenna Tyrell was the real power in the Tyrell family, much more than her son. That was the reason he discussed with her to reduce the cost of the royal wedding and not with the Fat Flower. He wondered how painful a discussion with her had been for Kevan.

"I didn't think the Tyrells would give up their chance to have Margaery as queen. I agree we must secure the Reach on our side, but a union between Tommen and Margaery seems to be necessary for that," Tyrion argued.

"It doesn't seem to be the opinion of Lady Olenna. She proposed us to wed her granddaughter to someone else. That would allow Tommen to remain available for some alliance that would present more advantages. And her proposition would link House Tyrell and House Lannister in a much stronger way than a marriage between Tommen and Margaery."

"Very well, what was her proposition? I don't see what match could be of more benefits to the Tyrells for they would be ready to give up their chance to have a Tyrell queen. Especially for the Queen of Thorns to believe it would be better for House Tyrell."

"She proposed me to marry Lady Margaery to my nephew."

Tyrion had to chuckle on this. The Queen of Thorns didn't know what she was asking. "Jaime is a kingsguard. He will never forsake his oath, Uncle. Father tried not long after he came back to make him leave and he refused. He refused to be the heir of Casterly Rock several times, and I don't believe he will accept it anymore now."

Kevan was looking at him straight in the eyes. "It's not Jaime she was talking about."

Tyrion felt his smile fall as he slowly understood what Kevan meant. His uncle was looking at him with a very serious expression. He wasn't joking. In fact, Kevan Lannister barely laughed more than Tywin Lannister, though at least he smiled more.

"You can't mean it," Tyrion said.

"I can, and I do." Tyrion had the impression to be brought many months ago to a conversation he had with his father. Only this time, he had it with his uncle, and not about the same woman.

"I am already married."

"You are, and your marriage is still unconsummated," Kevan pointed out.

"I already told you. I will not disown Sansa. She is my wife."

"Tyrion." His uncle looked at him a different expression, something between understanding and sadness. "I understand this may seem inappropriate, especially after we just recognized the girl Lady of Casterly Rock. But you must think about House Lannister as well. A marriage between Lady Margaery and Tommen would make the Tyrells the main pillar of Tommen's reign. Tommen is a soft and kind boy, but Margaery will have a great influence on him, just like she had with Joffrey. With time, the Tyrells will be the ones to hold the Iron Throne in practice. Margaery's children will get the Iron Throne and the Stormlands. The Tyrells will be too powerful and we won't be able to keep our hands on Tommen. The Tyrells will replace us as the most powerful family of all the Seven Kingdoms."

"You forget we still have the Westerlands, and the North through Sansa. And once Riverrun will surrender, Genna and Emmon Frey will have the Riverlands. We will have three kingdoms just like them."

"The Riverlands are the poorest region of the Seven Kingdoms, and the North doesn't offer many resources, except very strong warriors, and it is very far. And these two kingdoms will require years if not more to secure, even with Sansa Stark. The Tyrells will have kingdoms who have been touched by war much less than ours and with much more resources. They will have the upper hand, no matter what we do. By marrying you to Margaery Tyrell, we secure a very strong alliance with the Tyrells and the Reach, and stop them from getting their hands on Tommen and the Stormlands." Kevan stopped for a moment. Tyrion sent him gazes to show he wouldn't flinch. "Think about it, Tyrion. You need an heir. Margaery Tyrell is very beautiful. She is older than Lady Sansa, but still very young. And Olenna Tyrell assured me her granddaughter wasn't opposed to the marriage and would do her duty as wife without complaints. You wouldn't have to wait as you have to with your current wife. And Margaery Tyrell will be much more welcomed as Lady of the Westerlands than Sansa Stark. You even told me yourself the Northerners wouldn't fight for your son from Sansa for certain if you had one. This marriage is a much finer match than your actual one."

Tyrion reflected about Kevan's words. Margaery Tyrell, the Rose of Highgarden. That wasn't a bad match at all, his uncle was right. It was in fact the best match someone could imagine for him. The girl was considered by many as the most beautiful woman in all the Seven Kingdoms, and Tyrion himself had to concede it wasn't far from the truth. She would be quite welcomed in the Westerlands, just like she was here in King's Landing. No one would complain about her being the Lady of Casterly Rock and she was very good to bring everyone on her side. She was intelligent too and knew how to maneuver among court intrigues. She could be of great help for Tyrion. She was still quite young, perfectly able to bear children, but also an experienced woman. Tyrion spent enough time with women to know it. The Tyrell girl was no maiden at all, even if nothing had happened with Renly or Joffrey. Tyrion had nothing against it. Many men would take offense if their wife had been deflowered before their wedding, but Tyrion didn't share this opinion. There was no risk he would hurt her and he didn't expect their private life would be boring.

As Tyrion was beginning to find the offer quite attractive, he remembered his time with Sansa. Images and words flowed through his mind. Their wedding. The moment he wrapped the red cloak around her shoulders. Their walk in the gardens. Their discussions during dinners. Her testimonies and the defense she organized for him during the trial. Her looks of worries when he was injured or in the box of the accused. Her lovely voice when she sang the Mother's Hymn. How beautiful she was for the royal wedding. Her red hair. Her deep blue eyes. Her pale and soft skin. Her delicate hands. Her lips. Her smiles. Her kiss. He remembered the kiss they shared this night, before Joffrey's death interrupted it. She kissed him willingly, and she had seemed to like it. They were sleeping in the same bed ever since he got out of prison, always maintaining a physical contact. Sometimes they were just holding hands, other times Sansa laid her head on his chest. When she did, he would put his arm around her shoulders, sometimes moving his hand on her back, on her neck, or in her hair. She never flinched from him. Quite the opposite, Tyrion had the impression it made her calmer. When he would look at her face as she had fallen asleep, he would find her at peace, smiling faintly. There were only a few days after Joffrey's death when Sansa distanced herself from him that she would sleep far away from him, but after their conversation everything came back to normal. She only needed time. Tyrion hoped that one day he and Sansa would be closer and really be husband and wife, and right now it seemed very likely. He only had to wait for Sansa to be ready.

I swore to protect her. I said vows before dozens of people. I put the cloak on her shoulders. She saved me at the trial. Tyrion couldn't reject Sansa. A long time ago, he abandoned a woman he loved. He wouldn't do it again. Sansa was his wife. He looked straight into his uncle's eyes.

"Uncle, you asked me a few weeks ago to set aside Sansa for the sake of House Lannister. I'm sure you remember what I answered back then."

"I remember very well. But now we're talking about a marriage and an alliance with…"

"Can you remind me why my father refused to marry someone else after my mother died? Even if it would have been for the benefit of the family?" Tyrion cut his uncle. After a moment, the Hand of the King repeated the same answer he gave weeks ago.

"Because he loved her."

"Then you know why I refuse to disavow my wife. Sansa is the Lady of Casterly Rock, and she will remain the Lady of Casterly Rock until she dies. You can tell the Queen of Thorns she should have proposed this match before your brother decided to arrange a marriage between me and Sansa."

Kevan sighed. "I know to recognize a lost cause when I face one. Very well, Tyrion. I cannot force you to marry Lady Margaery Tyrell anyway. But this is a great opportunity we miss."

"I don't care. Don't forget to give my message to Lady Olenna." Tyrion left his chair and walked to the door, but was stopped by his uncle's voice.

"You once told me you weren't your father, Tyrion. It's true, you're not Tywin. But now I realize that of all his children, you're the one who looks the most like him."

Tyrion resumed his walk and left the small council room. He was deep into his thoughts after what Kevan told him, but his mind was also entirely focused on Sansa. He nearly felt ashamed that he considered even a moment putting her aside for someone else. He was close to lust for the Rose of Highgarden at this time. He hoped this thought wouldn't haunt his sleep, especially when Sansa would be only a few inches from him.

When he entered their rooms, Sansa was standing on the balcony, looking outside as the sun set on the horizon. Even with her back turned on him, Tyrion could admire the beauty the sunlight created when it hit her auburn hair. She was breathtaking as always. He felt stupid to have desired Margaery Tyrell, even for a single minute.

"My lady," he greeted her. Sansa didn't turn to face him. Tyrion found it strange. "Sansa, do you hear me?"

"Yes, I hear you." There was something dark in her voice. Tyrion didn't like it.

"Is there something wrong?"

Sansa took some time before she answered. "Margaery came to visit me two hours ago. She told me her grandmother proposed to marry her to someone else than Tommen, and that you uncle was quite favorable to the idea."

Tyrion closed his eyes. He didn't expect he would have to tell Sansa. After all it was only a proposal and he refused it anyway. There was no need to tell her. "It seems you learned it before me. My uncle just told me now about it, at the end of the small council meeting."

"So, do I have to leave?" Tyrion was taken aback by Sansa's question. He expected even less that she would ask it with such a voice. She looked about to cry.

"To leave?"

"Yes, I guess I have nothing to do here if I'm not your wife any longer."

Tyrion could barely believe what he heard. Sansa thought he was going to abandon her? "Wait a minute, Sansa. I just told Kevan to go to hell with the Tyrell's proposal."

Sansa then turned to face him. Her face showed total surprise. "What? But I thought… I thought you would…"

"That I would do what? Put an end to our marriage and marry Margaery Tyrell instead of you? I refused to annul our marriage the last time. Do you really think I would accept now? Unless you want me to annul it now…"

"No, I don't want it. I mean, I don't want you to get an annulment, but I thought that… after I… I mean after I refused to… well you know, what happened a few days ago."

Tyrion had to smile at this. Sansa still couldn't talk about a simple kiss without searching her words or blushing. "Sansa, I told you I would wait. It doesn't bother me, not really. I don't want to marry someone else."

Sansa was staring at him in confusion, but she gained back her composure with time. "I'm sorry. I thought you would prefer to marry Margaery. She told me once you were good-looking. Especially with your scar."

Tyrion was quite dumbfounded by this revelation. "The Rose of Highgarden has very strange tastes." They both chuckled. Tyrion approached of Sansa and looked up in her eyes. "Sansa, as long as you want to remain with me, I will be your husband, no matter what happens."

"Thank you, Tyrion," she finally said after some hesitation. They smiled at each other.

The dinner arrived not long later and they had a pleasant conversation as always. Sansa had started to learn the names of all the families of the Westerlands and their seats for when they would leave for Casterly Rock, but she had a few questions to ask Tyrion about some of them. She also mentioned to Tyrion the requests some lady or another made to her during the day, but they weren't very important. One of the most important was from Lady Elena Broom who asked Sansa if she could come back to Casterly Rock with them so she could visit her nephew, Ser Benedict Broom, the master-at-arms at the seat of House Lannister. Tyrion decided he could rest for this evening and spent his time with Sansa, essentially talking and sharing jokes with her until time came to sleep.

When they got into bed, Sansa laid her head on his chest. It was the first time she did it since the kiss. She had never gone farther than laying her forehead against his arm since this night. Tyrion allowed himself to bury his face into her hair, smelling the sweet natural fragrance escaping from this auburn net. Sansa didn't seem to be bothered by it. He caressed her neck and her arms where her nightgown let her skin bare. She didn't show any sign of revulsion as he did so. She was soon asleep, and Tyrion fell asleep not long after her, the woman he loved curled over him.


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