As Iona had predicted, the event in the square had gone perfectly. She spent the entirety of the next day helping to distribute and serve soup and bread to the poor of King's Landing. She had seen thousands come and go, granting each and everyone with food, a blanket and a blessing.
The Kitchens of the surrounding areas had been paid well for their services, and for the never-ending supply of soup and bread which had been made every minute of the day to keep up with demand.
Iona had even convinced her betrothed to come along for a few moments, to announce the plans of several soup kitchens. This had earnt him the respect and gratitude of them all, and Iona could tell he was pleased by it.
At his words they had all kneeled and made cries of thanks, and he had struggled to keep the smirk off his face.
Iona had made sure not only to spread good word of the Prince, but to make sure she was known amongst the many. She made sure that they knew that she, Iona Stark, future Queen of Westeros was the one who had instigated it all, and was the one who had worked hard for many hours in the sun to ensure their comfort.
She was not disappointed.
The following day was sure to be a long day.
She was forced into a gown, for the sake of her sister, to attend a tourney which had been held in her father's honour. She only cared for tourneys if she could compete in them, and in this, she could not... Well, not as herself.
Shooing her handmaiden out, she pulled on breeches, underneath her dress.
Then, she left her room and made her way down to meet her father, so that he could walk her and her sisters to the stands.
Iona sat between her father and sister, Sansa. Joffrey sat in the royal stands with his father and family. His father was already drunk. Iona could not wait to see the day when he died and the crown was passed onto Joffrey, who would be one day worthy of it - after many sessions with Iona. They would not be an embarrassment to the realm when they ruled.
She had to focus to stop herself from jumping up and yelling at the jousters, either in support or neglect.
Halfway through the day she excused herself, saying she would return to her chambers, though she managed to sneak into the tents of the competitors. Bribing a squire, she was able to convince him to dress her and then to go and announce that a Ser 'Wolfe' had joined the list.
She prayed that she would not be put against the Mountain - she could compete well, but not against him.
She marched out with her visor down, and mounted the horse that was lead to her.
She addressed the royal family before readying herself to charge at her opponent. Her opponent wasn't particularly renowned for jousting, but he was certainly good at it. Iona had faith in her abilities and just wanted to hear the applause when she won.
Charging into a gallop, with the heavy jousting pole steady in her grasp she charged towards him. There was an overwhelming crash, and Iona found herself still on her horse, and her opponent not.
As she had expected, there was an uproar of applause and cheers, and she dismounted her horse and took a bow. This was crucial moment - did she reveal herself, or not. Her decision was swayed when the king beckoned her towards the stand and demanded that she reveal herself. Tugging off her helmet, anyone who was close enough to see gasped. Her father looked shocked and slightly disappointed, though that did not phase her.
"Your Majesty,"
"Iona Stark?" The king bellowed "Gods! You never fail to surprise us!" A roar of laughter escaped the king and he applauded her.
Her betrothed's face was unreadable.
He stormed off, and beckoned her to follow.
The Queen was glaring at her and only then did her smile falter. She had needed to impress her, but at the end of the day, one day she would be Queen, not Cersei, and then her opinions would not matter. She bid them all farewell and followed Joffrey into the keep, all the way to his room. The Hound had followed, but there was no one else as everyone was still at the tourney.
"How dare you make of fool of me like that!" Joffrey seethed, glaring at her.
He tried to intimidate her with his height, but he sadly failed - being the same height as her.
A look of pure fury brushed her face before she angrily replied, "Make a fool of you?! You should be proud of me."
"You are a lady - and you have just jousted against a man!"
"It may pain you to remember that I won! Lady? Why does that limit me?! Have you not heard the stories? Nymeria... all of those. They were women who fought and won for their kingdoms." Iona growled, clenching her fists.
"If you are to be my wife, then you will learn to-"
"If you are to be my husband you will learn to respect me and my wishes. If you want a pathetic, submissive little bitch who dreams of dresses and kittens, marry my sister." She hissed before going taking a step towards him threateningly, though she changed her mind, spun on her heel and marched out of the room, fuming.
Joffrey was left there, taken aback by her behaviour. He had never been treated like this - ever. It was rather a wake up call.
He had to give himself a moment to recover.
How dare she speak to him in such a way? He was the Prince!
Iona was just like him, and he loved her for it. He had such an admiration for her, that he dare not show in public. Perhaps this had been refreshing... and was actually a good thing. Joffrey was so exhausted by people wrapping him in a woollen blanket. Iona was a fresh, cold douse of water that made him feel so good.
Though she would not be allowed to storm away from him without repercussions.
