"I must say, milord, you look very handsome in golden doublet worn over a golden tunic," said Roderick as he brushed dust away from Tywin's doublet.
Tywin chuckled, "If you thought that'll gladden me, Roderick, you've been mistaken. None shall shine more gloriously than my sister tonight." The two were standing just before the doors to the great hall of the Red Keep, where the wedding was already ongoing. Unfortunately, they arrived an hour late. Behind Tywin was the wagon of gold with Prince Duncan sitting over the gold trapped in chains. A most hilarious scene indeed.
"Don't worry, milord, no one would be more beautiful than Lady Genna tonight, but it wouldn't hurt if you could endear some ladies too," Roderick smiled mischievously as he moved his eyebrows upside down.
"Shut up, Roderick. It's time we enter."
Suddenly the great doors were opened and a page boy opened his mouth to speak. But Tywin stopped him, he wanted to introduce himself by his own words.
While Roderick dragged the wagon, he entered the hall, "My lords and ladies, your graces the king, the queen, the crown prince and his wife," he roared, "I present to you, myself, Lord Tywin Lannister, heir to Casterly Rock and the brother to our beloved bride." Sounds of claps erupted for him but suddenly, the halls descended into gaps and murmurs as the sight of Prince Duncan was unveiled.
Tywin kept walking, holding his head high and wearing a satisfied smile on his face. No one also stopped him, they were all amazed by the sight. Finally, he and Roderick reached the high tables were the royal family were seated. Tywin first and foremost went to his sister and Prince Aerys. "My prince, lady sister," he greeted them, "I apologies for my tardiness, your uncle was most responsible for it, which by the way, is one of the gifts I present to you, along with the wagon of gold."
"May I ask why you have my son in chains, my lord?" King Aegon asked.
"Oh, why don't you hear it from himself, your grace?" Tywin turned to his manservant, "Roderick, release him."
When Roderick unchained Prince Duncan, he jumped down from the wagon and turned to the king, "Your grace, I bring to you the tale of atrocities of your most-beloved ward. Lord Lannister," the prince spat his name with disgust, "Dares to storm into the castle of Lord Reyne, demand him gold and unsheathe sword to accomplish his cause. This man-child dares to invite a prince of the land to a duel and has the audacity to chain him!"
"Oh, so that's your defense, insulting others?" Tywin asked, "Prince Duncan, you speak of Lord Reyne, the same lord who feigned severe illness so that he could get away from my demands—which I stress, were the king's demands. Let's not forget that it was you who invited me to a duel and openly operated to harm me in order to win the duel. So, don't you speak of audacities and whatnot."
The king glared at the prince, "Is this true, Duncan? Did you inflict conflict in Lord Tywin's mission?"
"I…I…" the prince stammered, "I knew not he got ordered from you, your grace!"
"That's a lie. I explicitly said in many occasions that I was there with the king's order."
"This cannot be true, I must be in some fever dream," the king murmured, "Prince Duncan, what were you trying to accomplish by dueling Lord Tywin, and according to him, harming him? Were you hopeful to prompt Lord Lannister to start a rebellion?"
"I was trying to prevent a rebellion!" the prince exclaimed, "Lord Tywin acted brashly, father. He would've prompted Lord Reyne to raise arms against his liege lord."
"In that case, you should've taken Lord Tywin's side," the king snapped, "Did you not know of Lord Reyne's massive debt to Lord Lannister? Were you trying to defend the dishonourable against the just and lawful cause of my ward?!"
"I…"
"Silence!" the king roared as he raised from his seat abruptly, "I always thought that the spirit of the Dragonknight of the Breakspear were inflamed in you, Duncan, but alas, I now see that the only token of our lineage in you is that of Aerion Brightflame. You have disobeyed me and played by your foolish rules long enough, I'm imposing penalties to you now."
"What… what kind of penalties?" said the prince worriedly.
The king thought for a moment, "The position of the royal plumber has been vacant since Lord Tywin's transition to the City Watch. Since you are so fond of small folk, now you have to work like them and earn your living."
"What…" Prince Duncan's face appalled with the king's words.
"And you might start your work right now. I believe you can acquire your tools from the majordomo. Good luck," King Aegon then waved his son off.
For a second, the prince stood there, mayhaps hoping that his father was jesting, but then he turned around to exit the hall. Tywin stopped him midway and whispered to his ears, "Be careful with the canals down there, my prince, they can be quite smelly." He then tipped him on shoulder and cleared his way. The prince slowly walked out of the hall, embarrassed and humiliated.
The wedding resumed to its normal course when the king sat again. A servant brought a chair for Tywin, and by his protest, he then brought another one for Roderick. Thus, they sat side by side at the end of the long table.
"That was quite an episode, wasn't it, Roderick?" Tywin asked.
"Indeed, my prince, I couldn't take my eyes off of the scene."
"I concur," Tywin did not mention the fact that he enjoyed all of it.
Tywin's gaze drifted to Prince Jaehaerys, who seemed very conflicted and was constantly chattering with his wife, Princess Shaena. The end of their chat was when the princess gave him a chest kiss and sweetly smiled at him. After that Prince Jaehaerys raised from his seat and turned to the king, "Your grace!" he cried.
"What is it, Jaehaerys?" said the king with a kinder tone.
"I have a declaration I wish to announce."
The king raised an eyebrow, "Be free to do that, my son."
Princes Jaehaerys then braced himself, as if he was preparing himself for something grand, "Your grace, seven years ago my brother and I agreed that my son should marry my daughter. At that time, I was blind to Prince Aerys' disaffection with Princess Rhaella and forced myself to take a blind eye on his clear infatuation with Lady Genna. If it wasn't for Lord Tywin's determination, this might have been my son and my daughter's wedding. But now I understand how wrong I was."
The prince lowered his head and sighed, then again raised his head high, "Your grace, I always blindly followed my brother and thought he knew best, a belief shattered by tonight's events. This has inflicted doubt in me, I fear what kind of king I would be when I so easily fell for one or another's sweet words. I have as your crown prince."
Everyone was silent. The king, Prince Aerys, and even Tywin listened at Prince Jaehaerys with widened eyes.
"But not everything is black; my son, Prince Aerys, is a man defied by boldness. His sense of adventure is even inspiring for someone like me. Witnessing how he has made friends with two future lord paramounts has bring me this conclusion: my son is more of a king than I could ever be; and I cannot accept the position of kinghood while I know there's men more competent than me. Thus, I hereby renounce my rights to the crown in favour of my son. I wish him to succeed you, father, and not me."
Tywin's mouth was opened agape, he couldn't believe the scene before him. The sound of claps then erupted for the prince, as if people felt how generous and selfless he was with renouncing his position. This just further proves my theory that both of King Aegon's sons are too lazy to take up anything, he mused.
The king raised his hand and the claps were accordingly stopped. "My son," he turned to Prince Jaehaerys, "There is nothing I can do but to grant you your wish. From this moment, you are simply Prince Jaehaerys and no longer the crown prince and my heir. Rest assured that your son will inherit me."
"Thank you, father," said the prince as he sat down.
Tywin's mind first thought of how Prince Aerys felt about this sudden transition. He looked at the prince and saw how distressed he was. He considered his duty to comfort him. So, he and Roderick rose from their seats and went to where the prince and Genna were seated. The two fell on one knee because how higher they were, height wise.
"Are you alright, my prince?" Tywin asked.
"I don't think so, Tywin," the prince answered, "I mean, who could feel alright when something like this happens. I feel the weight of the world on my back. I'm not ready to the crown prince!"
"Nonsense," said Genna, "You were already the next-in-line, Aerys, only now you have moved a rank upwards. You're the best to inherit the king, I'll tell you that."
"I agree with my sister, my prince. You have performed well in every tasked entrusted with you. I honestly don't know anyone better than you to succeed King Aegon. You can continue his silver years with a golden reign."
"But how can I silent this growing feeling that I might fail, Tywin? How can I be sure to have a better reign than my predecessors?"
"Very simple, love," said Genna, "You only need to make Tywin your hand, with his tact and your spirit, the kingdom will thrive more than it did during Jaehaerys' time."
"Now, wait, Genna. I cannot simply become the hand of the king…"
"You either do that or I will make Roderick a Kingsguard," Genna smiled innocently at him, af if Tywin did not know what she was planning.
"Technically, it's me who appoint knights…" Prince Aerys started.
But Roderick interrupted him, "That's a great honour, milady, but I'm afraid I cannot accept it, for I only serve for Lord Tywin."
"Very kind of you, Roderick," said Tywin.
"But I think Genna has a good idea, Tywin, you should be my hand."
Becoming hand of the king was truly a great honour. Tywin couldn't believe how lucky he was in this night, perhaps it was because he had worn his lucky shirt? "My prince, I would gladly serve you as the hand of the king. I will make sure that you would never feel anxious about ruling."
"Thank you, my friend."
Suddenly they hear the king clapping. He raised from his seat and declared, "Now, it is time we dance in happiness for this merry night. Bards, play your best music, for my lady wife and I wish to compete all the dancers!"
Accordingly, Tywin and Roderick walked to the centre of the hall to dance, as it was expected of him.
"Milord, would you like to dance with me?"
"No, Roderick, I'm still not that lonely," said Tywin as he searched for a partner and he found one amongst the crowd, "In fact, I have found the perfect dance partner. Entertain yourself while I dance, will you?"
He did not wait for an answer as he walked steadfastly to Princess Rhaella, who sat alone by herself. She sensed him nearing, and therefore turned to look at him with her glowing eyes, "My Lord Tywin, I wager you wish for a dance?"
"If her grace grants me one," Tywin shrugged, "Though, I don't mind if she doesn't, for I can see many other ladies awaiting my call."
"Oh, but what a dull hunt would it be if your prey was willing, right?" she smiled as she raised from her seat and extended her hand to him, "Accompany me to dance floor, will you?"
"I live to oblige you, princess," said Tywin as he accepted her hand and led him to the centre of the hall and then they began to dance slowly with the music.
"Hmm, so many dancers tonight, and not all of white hair," the princess commented and Tywin had to agree with her, from the corner of his eyes he could see the king and the queen and Aerys and Genna dancing affectionately.
"You honour me to add another one to the crowd, princess."
"The honour is all mine to dance with such a good dancer, my lord."
Tywin chuckled, "I acquired this ability in one of my adventures with my manservant, your grace. Roderick and I were forced to dance for eleven hours in a mummer's farce."
Princess Rhaella chuckled softly, "That does not seem comparable to your wilder adventures, my lord. Such the one you had in Castamere and the whole Queen's fiasco."
"I couldn't succeed in the latter if it wasn't for the helps of my compatriots, princess. Your brother, Roderick, Genna even you participated in my victory."
"Oh, please, my lord. I did so little compare to your sister and I wish I was more active then."
"You were only four namedays, princess. Yet, you boldly wore golden dress to express your support for my sister. If that isn't true bravery I know not what is."
The princess smiled and was about to speak again when the music stopped and another tune began. "I believe it is time we switch partners, my lord. I think I would like to dance with my brother."
"Your wish is granted, princess," said Tywin, "Only if you promise you won't elope with him."
Princess Rhaella laughed, "Don't worry, I won't," she winked playfuly and departed to Prince Aerys.
In a second, Tywin found his hands entwisted with Genna's. "Sister," he greeted her.
"Tywin," Genna smiled at him, "I see you're quite smitten with my friend over there."
"I beg to differ," said Tywin with a wicked smile, "I believe it is your friend who's smitten with me."
"Keep saying that to yourself," she laughed heartedly.
Tywin softened his smile, "I'm sorry I wasn't at your wedding, Genna."
"It wasn't anything special, Tywin, well except the kiss Aerys and I shared." And Tywin, for the first time in his life, saw his sister blush lightly.
"But it's a weird feeling, isn't it? One day you're Lady Lannister and the next you're the Crown Princess."
"Oh, I'm quite used to such changes, Tywin," said Genna, "I still cannot believe that one day I was to wed Emmon Frey."
"Freys are your past, Genna, and queenhood is your future," said Tywin.
"I know. And I owe all these to you, Tywin," Genna almost sobbed.
"Don't cry, Genna, people might think you spite your husband," said Tywin seemingly harshly, in truth, he did not like to see her sister crying.
"You're right, you're right," Genna wiped the tears from her face.
Around the same time the music began to fade while it seemed Prince Aerys now intended to speak, "My lords and ladies, I hope you've all had a pleasant night. Now, if you allow us, my lady wife and I would like to retreat to our chambers, right Genna?"
Genna looked at Tywin, who nodded in agreement. She then left her brother to entwist her hands with Prince Aerys. The two shared a chest kiss before they walked down the hall and exit it while everyone cheered for them.
Even Tywin could feel tears falling down his face.
"Would you like a handkerchief, milord?" Roderick suddenly asked him with a handkerchief in his hand.
"Thank you, Roderick, I appreciate it," said Tywin as he took the handkerchief.