Chapter Two
Kailyah's POV
Kailyah was ordered to be on bedrest when she woke again, which left her plenty of time to think. It seemed to be all she did, in between her rounds of visitors. Even her father came, distant and awkward as he always was when he was sober enough to realize he barely knew his children. Her mother came frequently, nearly every hour. Uncle Jaime spent his shift 'guarding her' by regaling her with stories of his battles and jousts, promising to win the next one for her, and crown her at the end. Jasper came often, bringing her trinkets from her rooms and flowers he thought she liked from the garden. Her favorite was Uncle Tyrion, who would sit with her for hours, reading her stories out of large tomes. Jasper and her would sit on the bed, listening with rapt attention until Kailyah nodded off, still weak and easily tired. Uncle Renly came to visit occasionally, with stories and gossip of the ladies of court. Uncle Stannis and Grandfather couldn't come, but both sent her letters of well wishes.
When Kailyah was alone though, all she could do was think. It felt like the images were burned in her brain, like she could recite it word for word. She would find ideas and throw them away just as quickly, crying frustrated tears. Her mother caught her once, gathered her in her arms and begged her to tell her what was wrong. Kailyah didn't know what to say, so she stayed silent. How do you tell someone you love that you saw their death and can't think of a single way to stop it. That was when she realized this was going to take years. There is no one solution or fix-all that guarantees peace and prosperity, she would likely be working for it for the rest of her life.
But that was okay, Kailyah decided. Because no matter what, no matter what her mother did or how wrong it was, she loved her family, even the ones she hadn't met yet. and this time she was going to make sure they all survived. So she started to plan. The first thing she did was find a safe place, somewhere no one could find her, deep in the catacombs under the castle. Then she wrote and wrote everything, every little detail she could remember. She made a list of things she couldn't allow to happen and things she couldn't control, and at the end of it all, it came down to the Starks. She couldn't allow them to go to war with the Starks.
TLR
Tywin's POV
"Hush, my darling, everything is alright. You are safe." It was late in the night when Tywin finally emerged from his office, back aching and fingers cramping slightly from hunching over his desk and writing letters and missives all day. Everybody in the Rock should have been abed, so the soft sound of voices and quiet sniffles teased his curiosity into entering the royal wing, where he found his eldest daughter awake, rocking her only daughter in her arms. Both were donned in nightgowns with their hair braided away from their faces, and Tywin's granddaughter's emerald eyes were red rimmed and miserable. She looked nothing like the curious, clever girl who'd arrived with her mother and twin earlier that week, and that alone had Tywin holding his tongue against scolding his only daughter for coddling the girl.
He supposed he could understand Cersei's worry, the little one had nearly died only three months ago. Every Maester he'd consulted claimed the poison slipped into the Prince's meal, eaten by the Princess when Robert ordered the twins to switch seats (apparently he couldn't stand to be surrounded by golden haired Lannisters), should have killed her. It had certainly killed the kitchen maid who'd been seen eating her leftovers. Anyone who'd looked into the case claimed the Seven themselves had kept the girl alive, and the Septons piled on, begging the King and Queen to bring her to the Sept, so they may be blessed by her presence.
Tywin supposed it was a good thing, especially considering that Kailyah lived. King Robert had left his Keep the moment they discovered foul play was afoot, riding through the streets and roaring for his daughter's would-be assassin's head. He did what he did best, rallying the people behind an innocent girl, taken away from him. As much as the peasants of Kings Landing were beginning to stir against their lazy, wasteful King, they rallied behind the little princess, and soon many came forward with accusations of a Targarian loyalist, a former Maester, whispering about ending King Robert's line.
The King and his Kingsguard had chased him down ruthlessly, tearing through the streets, roaring for blood. The trail ended with a struggling old man dragged out of his burning home, a faded, dust covered Targerian flag the only evidence found of his crime. He was executed that very night, and Kailyah had woken as the sun rose the next day.
Cersei had been hovering since then, keeping her twins close, though the little ones had worked together to convince their Mother to allow them their bi-yearly trip to Casterly Rock, with double the guards following along, along with food tasters for each of the members of the royal family.
Thank the Gods the children were generally well behaved, as Cersei gave into their every whim. Tywin hadn't felt a need to comment on it, as the worst they'd done is abandon their guard to explore the Rock. He had caught Cersei and Jaime scolding a pouting Kailyah, who'd apparently been caught trying to sneak down to Lannisport. The girl reminded Tywin worryingly of Jaime, what with her independence (not including her attachment to her twin) and her love of exploring, though she had a strange intelligence to her eyes that intrigued Tywin. His granddaughter looked at people like she could see right through them, like even at her young age she knew their secrets.
Jasper often holed himself up into the library with Tyrion, who he'd quickly taken a shine to, much to Tywin's annoyance. The two of them got on annoyingly well, despite their age difference and Tywin and Cersei's repeated attempts to separate them. He did appreciate his grandson's apparent intelligence and his growing love for debate, as Tyrion taught him not to trust everything written as fact, showing him to compare different narratives and argue his points. He would make a good King, if guided by the right person.
Tywin tried to focus his attention on his grandson, but while the boy was quiet and respectful, he had little care for anything but his twin, his Uncle, his Mother, and any book he could get his hands on. Tywin tried to engage him, but it only seemed to work when Kailyah was there, asking the questions Tywin hoped the future King would and dragging her brother into conversation, encouraging him and arguing his points in turn.
Tywin allowed the young girl to join them, feeling a small pang of fondness for the girl- so like her mother, she was. He assumed her brush with death had given the adventurous girl perspective over what was truly important, continuing the greatness of their House, but he could still see flashes of that playful little girl he remembered. He saw none of them in the miserable four year old Cersei held now, and he turned silently, leaving her to her Mother.
He flinched slightly, pausing in the hallway as Cersei started to sing a familiar song, one he hadn't heard since his own children were young.
"Days in the sun
Where my life has barely begun
Not until my whole life is done
Will I ever leave you."
"Johanna."
TLR
Jasper's POV
"I am not!"
"You are! You're different, and you need to tell me what's wrong!" Jasper insisted, angry. The crown prince had finally confronted his sister on her strange behavior since her recovery. She was quiet, something monumental for Kailyah. She was quick to tears but hated it when anyone saw them, and she disappeared for hours at a time, sending the palace into a panic. She would refuse to tell anyone where she went, only saying she was 'exploring', which she never used to do without him. She willingly attended most of her lessons, and pushed him to do the same, when they used to stay up into the night, plotting different ways to get out of them, and what they would do with their newfound freedom when they escaped their evil Septas.
"Nothings wrong!"
"Yes it is!" Jasper yelled. "You're serious all the time, and you never want to play or explore with me, you just disappear! You keep leaving!" Jas was horrified to find frustrated tears in his eyes, but found the same thing in his twins. "Just… tell me. You know I'll help, whatever it is." He begged, taking his twins hand. Kailee searched his eyes, for what he did not know, before sitting down and dragging him with her, keeping a hold on his hand.
"I saw something. Something I can't really explain. I don't know how or why… but when I was sick, I saw our family's future. Something awful happens, and I have to stop it." She kept her eyes on their hands, playing with his fingers, waiting for his reaction. Jasper was silent for a few moment's, and then-
"You didn't have to lie!"
"I'm not lying!" Kailee snapped, annoyed.
"It was probably just a fever dream! Master Pycelle said-"
"It wasn't!"
"It is to!"
"It was real! I can prove it!"
"Magic isn't real!"
"Says who! Dragons are magic, and those are real."
"That's different!"
"No it's not!"
"What are you two arguing about now?" Their mother asked, striding into their rooms.
"Kailee says that magic is real!" Jasper tattled before she could say anything. Her worry about her mother finding out was quickly overshadowed by wanting to prove her brother wrong, and Jasper fell over as Kailyah slammed a pillow into the side of his head.
"It is! Magic is real, mama."
"It is." Cersei agreed, lips quirked up when her twins heads snapped towards her, stunned.
"Really?" They asked at the same time, before remembering their fight and turning to glare at the other.
"Really." Cersei promised, sitting gracefully on a nearby settee. "I could tell you if-"
"Now, now!"
"Tell us now!" Her children begged, scrambling over to crawl into her lap, looking up to her expectantly.
"There are many types of magic in this world, my love's. Dragons and witches and unexplainable things. When I was your age, maybe a little older, my friend and I found a witch in the Westerlands, who could see the future. We asked her to tell us ours."
"What'd she say?" Kailyah begged, tugging slightly on her skirt to get her attention and Jasper turned his shocked blue eyes to his sister.
"She told me I could ask her three questions. She told me I wouldn't wed the Targerian Prince, I would wed the King. She told me I would be Queen." Her smile turned tense for a moment, before softening again. "She told me- she told me I would have the children. "
"But Mama, you only have two!" Jasper protested.
"Then it seems you will be a big brother, my darling boy. A little brother or sister." Her smile returned at the thought, and she leant down to kiss her twins on the forehead.
"Did she tell you anything else, Mama?" Kailyah asked eagerly.
"No, sweetling." Mother lied. Kailyah pouted and Cersei smiled, hugging her gently. "I know, not very exciting. I do know a few tales…" They ended up taking their supper in the nursery, listening attentively to their mothers stories. They ranged from the witches of Essos, to the dragon stories their Father refused to tell them, and Jasper promised himself he would write to Uncle Tyrion to ask him for more. Later that night, after their Mother had put the twins to their beds and left the nursery, Jasper rolled out of his bed, tip-toeing over to Kailyah's and shaking her awake.
"What?" Kailyah yawned, rubbing her eyes.
"Did you really see the future?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"But-"
"Jas! Did you wake me up just to argue with me?" Kailyah snapped, and Jasper shrugged slightly, running his fingers through his messy golden curls.
"Sorry! It's just- it's not easy to believe." Kailyah sighed, scooting over so he could sit next to her. Jasper climbed onto the bed, pulling the covers over them both.
"It was real scary, Jas. It was- awful. I wouldn't lie about something like that." Jasper's eyebrows furrowed and he tilted his head to the side, considering it. Kailee lied to their teachers and their Septa's and sometimes their Mother, but never to Jasper.
"What happened that was so bad?"
"There was- it was a war. It lasted years, and it destroyed everything. Our whole family died."
"That's our future?" Jasper demanded, horrified.
"If we don't change it, then yes."
"We can change it?"
"That's what they told me."
"Who? How?"
"The gods, I suppose." Kailyah lied. If her twin didn't believe her about the visions, she knew there was no way he would believe a three eyed raven appeared and told her she had to stop a war. "They didn't exactly tell me how, they just showed me what would happen and told me to fix it."
"Well that's not helpful at all." Jasper huffed, making his older sister giggle. "I'm still not sure I believe you."
"You don't have to believe me, you just have to help. I can show you the tunnels they showed me, the ones under the castle. I know secrets too, but I'm not sure how to prove them to you. Oh! Next year, mamas gonna have a baby boy named Joffrey. He's gonna have yellow hair and green eyes and he's gonna be kind of mean. Then she's gonna have a girl named Marcella and a boy named Tommen. They'll have yellow hair and green eyes too."
"Really?"
"You'll see."
TLR
"Woah." Jasper breathed, staring down at his new little brother squalling in his crib. His face was beet red as he wailed, making it difficult to see the small tufts of golden hair at the top of his head. He calmed slowly as Mother picked him up, opening his small green eyes as his hands fisted in Mothers loose braid.
"My darlings, this is your new little brother, Joffrey. You'll take care of him, won't you?" Mother asked, smiling adoringly at her new baby.
"Of course, Mother." Kailyah promised, reaching out to press her finger to Joffrey's little fist, beaming when his fist curled around it. Jasper just stared at the babe, before turning his stunned eyes to his twin as the implications set in. He waited a bit as Kailyah and Mother fussed over the babe, before tugging his twin out the door, demanding she come play. They walked the halls silently until they reached the nursery.
"It's real?" Jasper asked as the doors closed behind them.
"It is." Jasper went quiet for a moment before slowly reaching out and taking his twins hand, twining their fingers together.
"What do we do?"
TLR
Kailyah's POV
"Please?" Kailyah begged, tugging on her uncle's white cape, shielding her eyes from the sun glinting off his armor.
"No." Jaime continued making his way through the Keep, keeping his steps slow enough to accommodate his six year old niece, trailing after him and clinging to his cape.
"Please?"
"No."
"You can't say no to me, I am the princess!" Kailyah finally snapped, annoyed.
"And yet here I am, saying no again."
"I'll tell Mama."
"Your Mother will agree with me on this one."
"But Uncle Jaime..." Kailyah tripped and Jaime sighed, bending to scoop her up into his arms and continuing through the castle. Kailyah had skipped her lessons and dodged her guard, again, and it fell to Jaime to track her down, again. He'd found her in the depths of the castle in the Maesters library, digging through old tomes. It was the last place he'd expected to find her, for as much as Kailyah loved stories, she didn't have the patience for long, boring old books, unlike her brother.
"Why do you want to swing a sword, anyway?"
"I need to learn!"
"You do not need to learn how to swing a sword, Kailee. That is what you have guards for."
"Elia Martell had guards." Jaime stopped abruptly, staring down at his niece, stunned. "It didn't save her."
"How- how did you even know about that?" He had to swallow twice, throat suddenly drier than the Sands of Dorne, like the Kingdom itself had stirred at the mere mention of her name.
"Does it matter?"
"That won't happen to you, Kailyah. I won't let it."
"You can't always be there, Uncle Jaime. I need to learn. I don't want to be helpless forever, I want to be able to protect myself." Kailyah held his gaze, more serious than he had ever seen her, and he sighed.
"It will be hard, Kailyah. I will not go easy on you."
"I don't want you to."
"We'll start tomorrow." It was hard, and the first few days left her so sore that she could barely move. They woke at sunrise every morning, and Jaime smuggled her out of the Keep to a private training area. Kailyah dragged her twin with her often, and encouraged Jasper to take his sword lessons more seriously. Jas indulged her, and found he was a born prodigy with a sword. He quickly surpassed his twin in skill, and Jaime was delighted to share his craft with his nephew. Jasper grew more confident and quickly grew to love swordplay nearly as much as his books. He began training with the guards in the courtyard, much to their Fathers delight, before the King's attention fell away.
Over the next two years, Kailyah learned the basics of wielding a sword, and while she never once beat Jaime or Jasper, she was confident she could hold her own against Lordlings around her age and common people at the least, which was quite a feat for a then seven year old.
"Your greatest advantage is going to be people underestimating you, they don't expect women to be able to fight. If you're smart and quick, you should be able to save yourself."
"But won't they know I can fight if I carry a sword?" Jaime had hired a new instructor for her the next day, who taught her how to use daggers, long and short, and when he noticed her skill with them, got her started with archery and throwing knives. The daggers felt right in her hands the way swords never did, and she fell in love with them quickly. She took to throwing knives quickly as well, and left practice with her hands and fingers covered in small, thin cuts and a wide smile, eagerly discussing her progress with her uncle every day.
Her mother found out eventually, of course, and she was furious. It took Jaime pulling her aside and quietly explaining Kailyah's motivation for learning to finally calm her down. Though the Queen had always written what happened to Rhaegar's wife and children off as collateral damage, and gleefully climbed over their bodies to become the new Queen, the thought of that happening to her daughter sickened her.
Cersei allowed the lessons to continue, gritting her teeth past her rage when Robert found out and boasted that 'his wild girl was just like his Lyanna!' He called for a feast, setting up targets in the throne room and demanding his daughter show them their skill, practically dragging her little girl to the center of the room, his fat meaty hand gripped far too tight around her little shoulders to be comfortable. His grip grew tighter as he drank, boasting about his daughter's wild spirit to his Lords and not letting the clearly nervous girl leave his side until well into the night.
Cersei finally got her away from him and tucked the little girl into bed, kissing her forehead and soothing her quiet apologies for her fathers words. She brushed Kailyahs long raven hair back and caught sight of a large lingering red mark on her shoulder. Cersei dreamed of taking her daughter's dagger and slitting her husband's throat that night.
TLR
"Keep your spine straight, princess." Septa Laora ordered, and Kailyah gritted her teeth, doing as she was told while fantasizing about shoving the old hag into the fountain. "Stop fidgeting."
"Stop touching me!" Kailyah snapped, yanking her shoulder out of the woman's grip, finding she couldn't stand it for another second. Kailyah hated being touched by anyone but her family, she could live with dances or small, fleeting touches, but extended contact made her skin tingle in a way she hated, and Septa Laora clung to her like she'd run away at any moment. To be fair, she had done it before, but still. The princess straightened up, putting her hands back in the proper position as her Septa sputtered indignantly behind her. Kailyah couldn't stand the old woman, and Septa Laora certainly felt the same.
She used to go to the Queen in hopes of support against her rambunctious daughter, but Cersei never cared to help, favoring her only daughter despite her rebellious behavior. Laora quickly gave up, wanting to keep the title of the Princess' Septa, and the status it gave her.
Cersei did finally sit Kailyah down and ask her gently to behave for her lessons, but only after Kailyah and Jasper smuggled a large crate of frogs they'd been collecting for weeks to the Septa's room and let them loose as she slept. (Cersei suspected Jaime helped, but her twin always denied it when asked, trying and failing to hide a mischievous grin.) She pressed the importance of these lessons, and after a long negotiation, Kailyah agreed to behave (on the condition that they make a trip to Highgarden next spring.)
Kailyah was trying. She really was, but Septa Laora was more convinced of her own importance than Baelish, and Kailyah couldn't stand it. But she gritted her teeth and continued to walk through the gardens as her Septa quizzed her over the great Houses of Westeros.
"House Greyjoy of Pyke, their sigil is a golden Kraken on a black field, last rebellion was last year. Current head is Balon Greyjoy-"
"Kailee!" The princess' head snapped up and she lit up, taking off despite her Septa's protest's to scoop up the golden haired toddler stumbling towards her.
"Joff!" Kailyah spun the giggling boy in a circle, kissing his cheek loudly before setting him down as Laora reached her side, panting slightly from the short sprint.
"Princess Kailyah, it is not appropriate-"
"You wouldn't be yelling at my daughter, would you Septa?"
"I- no, Your Grace. You must understand-"
"I must do nothing. You must show your Princess the proper respect."
"O-of course, Your Grace. I apologize."
"I am not the one you need to beg forgiveness from."
"But- Your Grace-" Cersei simply arched an eyebrow, hands falling to rest on her daughter's shoulders as Kailyah hid her amused grin in Joffrey's hair. Septa Laora reluctantly turned to the seven year old, cheeks reddened slightly. "I apologize, princess. I should not have raised my voice at you, it will not happen again."
"You're forgiven." Kailyah said faux graciously, lips twitching despite her best efforts.
"Shall we return to your lessons?" She asked through gritted teeth.
"But Septa Laora, you promised we would be finished early today!" Kailyah lied, batting her eyes sweetly. Her Septa went to protest before her eyes caught on the Queen's expectant gaze.
"Of course, Princess. I must have forgotten. I shall see you tomorrow." She bowed stiffly before walking away, not wanting to be caught arguing with the princess before the Queen. Kailyah grinned, watching her go, and Joffrey tugged on her hand, pouting up at her.
"Play." He demanded, tugging her back where he came from, and Kailyah agreed easily, releasing his hand so he could run ahead.
"You shouldn't harass your Septa, sweetling." Mother scolded gently, and Kailyah grinned up at her.
"I'll stop when you will." Cersei's lips turned up and she shook her head.
"Kailee! Play." Joffrey demanded, shoving a wooden toy into her hand and plopping down on the stone path, looking up at Kailyah expectantly.
"We have to get back to the playroom, silly." Kailyah teased, and Jofferys face screwed up into a scowl, cheeks going red.
"No! Now!" He yelled, raising the wooden toy in his hand and launching it at the ground. It shattered on impact, and Joffrey went still for a moment, before his face flushed red and tears filled his eyes, and he burst into tears.
"It's alright, sweetheart, we can order you a new knight." Cersei promised, picking him up and propping her toddler on her hip.
"Now?" Joffrey sniffled.
"No, my darling, it will take a few day's to make." Joffs face screwed up again and he screeched, throwing himself around in his mothers arms. Cersei sighed tiredly, setting him down to be sure he wouldn't fall and watching him throw himself to the ground, sobbing. Kailyah winced at the noise and knelt next to her brother, rubbing his back.
"It's okay Joff, you have more in your room!" Joffery just screamed louder, and Kailyah quickly lost her patience, catching his chin and tugging him to meet her eyes. "Hey. That's enough." Joffrey went quiet, suprise by the stern tone almost no one used on him, especially his favorite sibling. "You cannot be upset about something you caused. You threw your toy, you broke it. Now you have to wait for a new one. Screaming and crying isn't going to fix it." Kailyah released him and Joffery sniffed, rubbing his eyes. "If you still want to play, let's go to your room and find some toys. I bet you have more knights in there. Okay?"
"Okay." Joff sniffed, and Kailyah smiled, helping him up and wiping his tears before kissing his cheek.
"Good! Let's play."
TLR
"My Queen! We welcome you, your Grace, and your beautiful children to our humble home!" Mace Tyrell greeted, bowing grandly. He stooped low to kiss Cersei's hand, and her mother hid her annoyance behind a cold smile.
"Thank you for welcoming us to your home, Lord Tyrell. These are my children, Princes Jasper and Joffery Baratheon, and my eldest, Princess Kailyah Baratheon."
"An honor, my Prince's, Princess. These are my children, Willas, Garlan, Loras, and Margery." Mace gestured to the four children gathered behind him, who all bowed and curtsied gracefully. All four were dressed in their house colors, teal and gold finery. Willas was tall at fourteen, favoring one leg and leaning on a gold handled cane. He was handsome, and shared the same light brown curls as his siblings. Next to him was Garlan, stockier than his brothers, just starting to lose the lingering baby fat in his face. Loras was next, only a couple inches taller than his sister, with the same fair, lovely features as her own. Margery was last, her clever hazel eyes bouncing back and forth between the twins.
The royal children were dressed in their Mothers colors, as they usually were when outside of King's Landing. Jasper and Joffery wore fine red and black leathers, their golden curls combed back from their faces, and Joffery, only three, stood next to his sister, trying to look as serious as he could while his hand fisted her skirt. Kailyah wore a miniature version of her Mothers gown, a crimson, robe-like dress with long, billowing sleeves and a gold belt.
"My, you lad's are going to grow as strong as the King! And little Princess, you have every bit of your Mother's beauty! I am certain-"
"Oh, come now Mace, they've had a long journey, and I'm certain they're in no mood for your endless blathering." A voice snapped from behind him, and Kailyah perked up as Maces' rounded cheeks pinkened.
"Lady Olenna, we have missed your wit at court." Cersei greeted as her twins shared a look.
"Unfortunately I'm needed here, I'm certain Highgarden would burn should I leave it unattended for too long." Olenna chuckled, curtsying slowly, leaning on her cane, but still managing to seem graceful. "What brought you to Highgarden, Your Grace?"
"My daughter." Cersei's hand fell to rest on Kailyah's shoulder, squeezing gently.
"My Uncle Renly came last year, he told me all about how beautiful it was." Kailyah smiled sweetly as The Queen of Thorns eyes fell to her, assessing.
"Ah, yes, I remember. We helped him pot a red Dahlia bush, he wished to gift it to you for your name day."
"It's thriving on my balcony."
"Well if you like them, I'm certain you'll love our gardens, they're absolutely stunning in the springtime. Walking through them is hard on my old bones, but I'm sure my granddaughter will be able to escort you."
"I'd be honored, Princess." Margery curtsied, meeting Kailyahs eyes. "If you like the Gardens, you must return someday in the Autumn. Harvest season here is beautiful, and we have the most wonderful feasts and festivals."
"I would love to see it, Lady Margery. If it is as beautiful as the rest of the Reach, I'm sure I'll be very impressed. And you must come see the Capital in the Summer, there is a Tourney almost every week, and the cove behind the Keep is beautiful, the water is always warm, and it brings in the prettiest seashells."
That was the start of a beautiful friendship. While Lord Mace harassed their mother, hinting at a betrothal between their children and a place on the Small Council, Jasper, Loras, and Garlan sparred together, and Loras seemed thrilled to test his skills against Jaime. He was very good, considering his age, and devoured any advice Jaime gave him. Kailyah's Uncle quickly took an interest, taking the boy under his wing for the month they'd spent in Highgarden. While Jasper enjoyed spending time with Maces' middle children, he quickly grew to favor Willas, spending hours with him in the Tyrell library, reading and debating over everything imaginable.
Kailyah however spent most of her time with Margery, and by extension, Loras, who wasn't often away from his favorite siblings side. They spent their days in the garden and riding through the dense forest behind their castle. When they weren't with Loras, Margery and Kailyah spent their time learning at Olenna Tyrell's knee, and Kailyah found it thrilling. Her mother had already begun teaching her daughter the merits of manipulating men with her body, Lady Olenna taught them to manipulate everyone.
If she wasn't mistaken, Olenna had become fond of Kailyah as well, though she wasn't foolish enough to think the old woman wouldn't turn on her in a moment if she thought it would better her house, so she and Jasper made sure to be careful what they said. The Tyrells and Baratheons all knew very well that their friendship was manufactured, that they'd all been told to build relationships with the other influential House, but it grew more genuine very quickly, and the children were all saddened when it came time to leave.
TLR
Besides learning to defend herself and making sure Jasper could too (the thought of things going wrong again and her brother dying in battle gave her nightmares), she also started harassing her Grandfather, Tywin Lannister. Their Mother often brought them and their siblings to Casterly Rock for the summer, and Grandfather also visited Kings Landing at least once a year. Whenever he was nearby, he would take Jasper to his solar for lessons in politics and battle tactics. Kailyah used to help her twin avoid him, but now dragged Jasper away from his books and library to their Grandfathers solar, sitting in on lessons with him. Tywin never commented on her deciding to stay, he figured out very quickly that the only reason his grandson came was because of his sister's influence.
One day, Kailyah appeared in his office without her brother, sitting in a chair across from his desk that dwarfed her, idly kicking her feet that didn't quite touch the floor and waiting patiently for him to acknowledge her. Jasper was holed up in the library with Uncle Tyrion, and he had actively refused to leave until he finished his book on Aegon, the first conquer of the seven Kingdoms. Tywin finally set down his quill and folded his hands, looking over the desk at her and arching an eyebrow.
"You would side with the house being attacked."
"Oh?"
"A house with great wealth and fertile lands asks you for your protection against another with a strong navy that could one day oppose you." She quoted. "For example, the Ironborn attacking and raiding the Reach. The Tyrells' goods and wealth are invaluable, especially when winter comes. I would investigate the matter, then send for the lords of both houses, and should the matter not be settled peacefully and negotiation fall short, I would protect the Reach, keeping the Tyrells wealth and good favor while ending a potential enemy." Tywin's lips quirked up and he leaned back in his chair, watching his granddaughter closely.
"And would the reward be worth the soldiers you lose while attacking the Ironborn?"
"Yes. The Ironborn have shown they will never abide by the crown's rules unless they have no other choice, they will never be dependable allies, and if left to gain power in the Reach, they will grow more bold, perhaps looking toward the rest of Westeros. Stopping them in the Reach before they can gain enough power to become a threat to the crown is well worth the risk." Tywin allowed a small smile as he watched the nine year old princess.
"Well done." Kailyah beamed, brighter than the sun rising over the mountains before schooling her face and looking to him eagerly for her next lesson. "Why are you so interested in learning? Do you wish to rule one day? To be Queen?" Kailyah cocked her head to the side, thinking.
"I think I'd be a good queen. Jasper doesn't really wish to rule anyway." Tywin didn't answer, watching her steadily. "But if I were Queen, then something would have happened to Jasper, or Joff. I don't want anything to happen to them."
"Then why? Someday, you will be the Lady of a great house, and battle tactics will be of no use to you."
"They will! Politics are like battle, only without a sword. And I need to know how to win."
"To what end? What do you wish to win?"
"Peace, for my family. We have many enemies, many people who would see us dead, given a chance. Many people hate the Lannisters, but you know how to make them obey you anyway. I need to learn how to do that." Tywin watched her, and the little girl met his eyes bravely, green eyes clashing.
"Winter is coming, and you have limited funds. Do you trade with the North, for wood and furs, or with the Reach, for food, and seeds for the summer?"
"How much of each do we have in our stores, and how much time until Winter?"
TLR
"You didn't need to yell at him."
"He was being a prat!" Jasper snapped, glaring over the edge of his book at his sister.
"He was, but it didn't warrant being screamed at in the courtyard, in front of the knights."
"He was being obnoxious, and I was trying to practice. He was-"
"He was trying to spend time with you." Jasper went quiet, eyes catching on the wet patch on Kailyahs shoulder, made by his little brothers tears.
"Joff was boasting over being better than every knight there, and when he was challenged and knocked to the ground he accused Loras of assaulting a prince and threatened to have him beheaded."
"He did, and it shouldn't go unpunished. But that wasn't the right way to do it." Jasper looked away sullenly, and Kailyah sighed. "He's been crying."
"I'm not sorry." Jasper insisted. "I shouldn't have done it in the courtyard, but I would've said the same thing behind closed doors."
"He was trying to impress you, Jas. He certainly didn't go about it the right way-" Jasper scoffed and Kailyah sighed. "He just wants to spend time with you."
"I don't. Not when he's acting like that."
"So show him a better way."
"That's not my job! Why should I-"
"Because mine is to make him a functioning human being who can be let out in public unsupervised and not start a war! And you wanted to help!" Kailyah finally snapped, and Jasper went quiet. She took a deep breath, and let it out through her nose. "Father is never going to give him a thought, you know that. He needs someone to look up to. Someone to teach him boundaries and spend time with him and make him feel important without being insufferable. So no, it's not your job, but I can't do this alone and I'm asking for your help." Jasper set his book down and reached over to take his twins hand.
"I'm sorry. I- I'll try to be better."
"I'm sorry too. It's- not fair. You shouldn't have to deal with this." Kailyah sighed, leaning her head on her twins shoulder.
"I want to. If it helps you. I won't make you do this alone, I promise."
TLR
"Eat your breakfast, Joff." Kailyah encouraged, rubbing the sullen boy's back as he leant slightly against her side. The five year old shook his head, turning and hiding his face against her shoulder. Mother had left with Father, already shouting at each other before they even made it out the door. Father had spent the morning shouting at his second son, and his wife when she argued with him. Kailyah had stayed in the dining room with her unnervingly silent brother, trying to get him to eat his untouched breakfast.
Joffrey had a habit of going quiet when he was upset, and Kailyah hated it. He always started out loud, arguing and shouting and begging to be heard, and when he inevitably retreated to his room, he got louder, screaming and throwing things and breaking anything he could. Then came the crying, then shaking, and finally silence. It could last hours or days, and Kailyah hated it.
"Please?" Joffrey just shook his head, and Kailyah sighed, kissing the top of his head.
"Finish your breakfast, Joff." Jasper ordered, strolling into the room, still in his training clothes, with two wooden practice swords in hand, one a lot smaller than the other. "You'll need your strength for practice." Joffrey's head lifted and he hesitantly met his brother's eyes.
"Practice?" He asked quietly.
"You cannot threaten to behead anyone who best's you." Jasper said sternly, and Joffrey ducked his head. "So you and I are going to make sure no one can beat you. Okay?" Joffrey's head lifted, and a bright smile slowly appeared as he reached for his fork.
"Okay."