The events that followed were a frenzy. Panic ensued and there were screams and loud frantic talking. Joffery stared at the sight of his mother wailing over his grandfather's dead body for several minutes. He seemed frozen and terrified. For once, Sansa thought he looked like a normal boy.
"Hound! Loras! Kill the assassins! Do something!" Joffery screamed.
"Where are the assassins? Do you intend us to kill the wine? His dinner plate?" The Hound growled.
"So-Someone must have poisoned him! F-Father! Father!" Cersei yelled.
Sansa turned to Tyrion, who looked at the sight in a daze.
"We mustn't leap to conclusions. We must have the Maesters perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death. There is no need to panic." Tyrion said.
"No need to panic! Our father is dead you little imp! It was you wasn't it! You killed father as you killed mother!" Cersei yelled.
"R-Ridiculous. My uncle would never be so foolish as to poison him while I drew breath! This must be our enemies. Stannis...he must have a mole, or perhaps is using his witchcraft to kill from afar." Joffery said.
"Or perhaps he merely chocked on a morsel of his food." Oberyn said. Sansa hadn't even seen him arrive. He moved like a cat.
"One mustn't leap to conclusions. We need to withdraw for now. Tend to our women who are no doubt traumatized. Have the Maesters examine him and we can begin an investigation on the morrow." Tyrion said.
"I...I won't leave him yet." Cersei said, still sobbing. It was strange how grief warped her beauty, Sansa thought.
"Feel free to accompany us as we bring his body in. However, an autopsy should be performed as quickly as possible. Maester Ballabar and Frenken are quite accomplished and will take care of your father well." Pycele said.
The Hound was the one who did the heavy lifting in the end. Sansa was able to glance once more at Margaery, who was adopting a careful mask of sorrow and fear.
Tyrion and Sansa quietly withdrew back to their home.
"It's strange. I've hated that man for near as long as I've known him. And yet now that he's gone..." Tyrion said.
"You don't feel happy?" Sansa said.
"No. I'm not sure how I feel." Tyrion said.
"Him dying...it was for the best." Sansa said.
"I know that." Tyrion said.
"Now our plan can proceed without his interference. It was all necessary." Sansa said.
"A worthy sacrifice for the good of the Kingdom and for our future." Tyrion said.
"I'm sorry." Sansa said.
"You don't have to be." Tyrion said. A long silence fell between them, but it did not feel uncomfortable.
"Tyrion...do you know what would happen to me if people found out about my...appetite for women?" Sansa said.
"Many men would have more than a few happy fantasies." Tyrion said. Sansa giggled and elbowed him.
"Cut it out, I'm serious." Sansa said.
"If the faith had teeth here, you'd be harshly punished. They'd send you to the dungeons to torture you until you renounced your sin and promised to never again bed with women. If you didn't, you'd die. You might die anyway depending on the insanity of the fanatic in question. As it is, the Faith has no teeth. If I was a harsher husband, I could ensure the same happens to you, but as I quite enjoy you being exactly who you are and aren't a vengeful little prick you don't have to worry. No, you probably have little to worry about from bedding with female whores. Besides the usual blackmail. And of course Joffery...who knows what Joffery would do if he found out. It's your fondness for Margaery that poses the biggest concern. Cuckholding the king is treason, as you know." Tyrion said.
"Both myself and Margaery would die." Sansa said.
"Brutally." Tyrion said sadly.
"That's terrible." Sansa said.
"And that's why we are doing what we are doing. To put to an end such terrible things." Tyrion said.
"I'm going to need more books. I need to study, only then can I help you in all the ways that I need too." Sansa said.
"Of course. You can have whatever books you like. But don't feel obligated to try and protect me. You are still young." Tyrion said.
"Old enough to be tried and murdered." Sansa said.
"True enough." Tyrion said.
The rest of the evening slid by uneventfully, Tyrion didn't even have any more wine. They fell asleep and the only dreams that Sansa had was of her lips on Margaery's
Tyrion was gone the entire next morning and much of the afternoon, leaving Sansa largely alone and nervous for most of that day. The only company she had were her handmaids, and for some reason, her favorite handmaid, Shae, was not one of them. This was inconvenient for Sansa, who thought that perhaps if she could take Shae up on her prior offer of sex she could relieve some of the nerves she was feeling.
Tyrion finally came back a bit before dinner. He came carrying several books with him, which he set on the nearest table.
"Sorry I've been gone for so long. Numerous matters needed to be tended to concerning my father's death and funeral." Tyrion said.
"Of course. You need not apologize." Sansa said.
"I brought you a couple of books. One concerning trials related to individuals of your...preference. It's grim material but I felt you might want to know. I also brought a text that is a bit more...cheerful on such matters, that might help you on nights were you feel depressed and miserable. The other texts you wanted you should be receiving over the next few days and weeks. I've sent for them." Tyrion said.
Sansa walked up to her husband, bent low to her knees and gave him a hug.
"You are a true friend, Tyrion. Thank you." Sansa said.
"This is the very least I can do for you Sansa." Tyrion said. He sounded utterly sincere.
"After dinner. Could we play some Cyvasse?" Sansa said. Tyrion and her had played a bit of it when they had the time. Sansa had not yet won even one game, but she was improving steadily.
"Yes, I would like that." Tyrion said.
The two of them did exactly that, and that night Sansa nearly won.