Tyrion kept a close eye on her for the rest of the breakfast, though Sansa couldn't blame him. He seemed willing to let her keep her secrets for now in regards to her conversation with his father, and Sansa was grateful. She would have to tell him eventually of Lord Tywin's conditions on their departure, but it could wait. Sansa took the moment of relief she had received to enjoy the lemon cakes and the gift display in front of her.
The rotund Lord of the Reach was just now presenting a finely wrought golden chalice to Joffrey.
"Your grace, it is my honor to present you with this wedding cup," He placed the enormous goblet on the table in front of Joffrey, who leant forward to inspect it. It was a fine piece, decorated on each side by jeweled representations of the sigils from all the seven kingdoms. Obviously, the Tyrell rose glittered slightly larger than the others, but it seemed as if the ruby lion was also accentuated. Sansa bit a smile down at the sign, knowing that the whole kingdom considered Joffrey a Lannister and not a stag.
"May you and my daughter, Margaery, drink deep and live long!" A polite round of applause rose from the spectators and Lord Tyrell flushed with pride. It was an excellent gift from the bride's father to the groom.
"A handsome goblet, my lord" Joffrey spoke evenly and the most gentle Sansa had ever heard him. "Or, shall I call you father?" Titters broke out at the king's words and Mace turned even pinker.
"I should be honored, your grace..." More applause from the onlookers as Lord Tyrell made his way back to his seat. Sansa caught an approving nod from Tywin towards his grandson. Perhaps the old lion could truly make a difference with the boy.
Tyrion now shifted beside her and pulled himself off his seat, waving to his squire, Pod. Sansa moved to follow him, despite his assurances that he could go alone. But Sansa was not about to have him before the king alone, just as he never allowed her to be. Even in this safe environment, with Joffrey on his best behavior. It just wasn't necessary as long as she was present.
Pod lifted the heavy volume and set in on the table in front of the king as Tyrion and Sansa took their places before him. Tyrion was obviously nervous, anxious to see how the king would receive his gift.
"A book?" Joffrey questioned, not unkindly.
"The Lives of Four Kings, by Grand Maester Kaeth. Histories of the reigns of Daeron the Young Dragon, Baelor the Blessed, Aegon the Unworthy and Daeron the Good." Despite his relationship with nephew, this was a fine gift, one that had been hard to find and more expensive than Sansa thought Tyrion would ever spend on Joffrey. She couldn't help but admire this man she had been married too. He still tried so hard to please his family.
"A book every king should read." Tyrion finished softly, quietly proud of his fine gift. The silence stretched for a moment and the pride faded in Tyrion's eyes. Not able to stop herself, she reached over and placed a hand on her little husband's shoulder.
"Written in the good Maester's own hand," she said encouragingly, beaming up at the king, who regarded her with narrowed eyes. "One of only four copies in the world."
A heartbeat and a glance from his grandfather later, Joffrey took a deep breath and his face relaxed into a gentle smile. "Now that the war is won, we should all find time for wisdom. Thank you uncle, aunt..." he nodded knowingly and placed a hand on the books cover.
Cersei rolled her eyes and drank deeply from her goblet, but Tywin nodded approvingly and then dismissed them with a wave of his hand. Sansa squeezed Tyrion's shoulder and they went back to their seats, feeling relieved that their presentation was over. Another scattering of applause followed them as they returned to their places and Tyrion filled his goblet to the brim. Sansa placed a hand on his back and rubbed comforting circles, sending him an encouraging smile.
"It's over." She whispered gently and he returned her grin. Perhaps this wedding wouldn't be the end of them after all. Especially now that escape was so closely within their grip.
Her attention returned to the presentation as a white cloak stepped forward and unveiled a glittering sword.
"One of only two valerion steel swords in the capitol, your grace" Tywin was speaking, the closest to indulgently that Sansa had ever heard. Today was a day of firsts. "Freshly forged, in your honor." Joffrey's face had split into a wide grin as he pushed his seat back and rushed around the table to get a closer look. He quickly pulled the sword from its golden sheath and twirled it in his hand. The light reflected off the smooth blade and whistled through the air, causing the whole table to jump uneasily. Feeding from the fear in everyone's eyes, Joffrey's grin grew manic. He jumped closer to the table, bringing the sharp steel down hard on the priceless book presented to him moments ago. A large chuck of the corner flew off, sliced easily by the descending blade and papers fluttered into the air. As Joffrey raised his arms, preparing to further the damage, Tywin stood abruptly, glaring at his grandson.
"Your grace." His gravely tone held none of the indulgence it had a moment ago and was now cold and demanding. "You seem to have had an accident..."
It was as if ice water had been washed over the whole table as everyone stared, holding their breath. However, even Joffrey in his mania was not immune to Tywin's authority and he had quickly learned since the old lions arrival to obey. The grin had faded from his face and his arms slumped, bringing the blade down without ripping through more of the book. Tywin walked quickly around the table and snatched the blade from the king's hands. "Perhaps this shall stay in my possession until you can handle the responsibility." He hissed in Joffrey's ear just loud enough for the high table to hear, but to leave the masses ignorant. Joffrey's lips turned into a pout and he sent a glare towards Tyrion, as if it were his fault. Finding no weakness in the dwarfs stare, his gaze shifted to Sansa and his lip curled.
She met his gaze fearlessly though. Joffrey could not hurt her anymore. Not with Tyrion's protection and Tywin's promise to send them away. She hated relying on that murderer for her safety, but he was the only one able to control this malicious king. As green locked onto blue, Sansa felt untouchable for the first time. She did not whither under his glare and that only further infuriated him. He relinquished the blade without a fight, but on his way back to his seat he abruptly pushed the damaged book from its place, knocking it to the ground.
He turned back to his seat with a painted on smile and the breakfast went on as if nothing amiss had occurred. After a moment, Sansa stood quietly and made her way to the fallen book. She collected it, with difficulty due to it's weight and motioned to young Podrick. "Take this to our chambers" she whispered, meeting the king's gaze again before speaking a little louder. "Perhaps we can repair what damage has been done from this...accident so that our good king can still benefit from the text within."
Joffrey opened his mouth, prepared to snarl a response to her, but Tywin placed a firm grip on his wrist, halting him. "A grand idea, my lady." He nodded and Pod turned with the book in his arms, but his words held an unsaid warning not to push this any further. His gaze told her that his protection would not cover stupidity and Sansa read it immediately. Besides, there was nothing left to do. The book was on it's way to their chambers and with any luck, it would be on a carriage headed for the rock in a fortnight. Joffrey would never appreciate it, but it would be one of Tyrion's most prized possessions.