The Princess and the Queen 6: The Proud Lion

Tyland Lannister looked around the room. They were all in the solar that usually belonged to the Lord of Casterly Rock.

This was Jason's before, and now it should be mine.

Throughout the past few years, Tyland served as castellan of the Rock whilst his older brother was at King's Landing, married to Princess Rhaenyra and serving on the Small Council.

The solar was all too familiar to Tyland now. It was thirty feet wide and thirty feet across and certainly spacious. On the wall behind Tyland hung a massive tapestry showing the great King Loreon I, known as Loreon the Lion, riding a lion and slaying Morgon Banefort in battle. In front of the wall was the desk used by the Lord of the Rock, consisting of a miniature golden lion and a stone carving of Casterly Rock. A half-empty golden pitcher of honeyed wine also was on the desk, alongside quills and parchment. Tyland sat at the desk, tapping his fingers on the heavy oak.

On Tyland's right was the entrance to the solar, a door made of oak and lined with gold. It stood nine feet tall, yet it looked tiny compared to the twenty feet high ceiling of the room. On the left of the room hung shields and banners used by the great lions of the past. They all depicted the same banner; a golden lion proudly standing on a field of crimson. Some were starting to fade, and some were caked in mud and blood. The oldest looked threadbare, whilst the newest shone in the daylight. The shield at the top left was thought to have been used by Lann the Clever himself, and the latest shield on the wall belonged to Lord Tymond Lannister, Tyland's father.

Ahead of Tyland was a view of the sunset sea. Blue and green waves gently sloshed at each other whilst the morning sky was a light blue. There were no clouds today, and the air felt warm and mild. Off in the distance, Tyland could see fishing boats the size of ants and heard gulls squawk as they flew around the great Rock.

Despite the solar being too large and decedent for Tyland's liking, it felt somewhat cramped. He was not accustomed to having so many people present here. Usually, it would be just him and whoever he happened to be speaking to. Today, six people were crowded in the solar, including Tyland. Everyone still looked tiny compared to the massive ceilings and the wide-stretching walls, but it was strange to have so many people in here.

The situation calls for that many people, I guess.

The faces were all familiar to Tyland. His wife, Johanna, sat on the chair across the desk but turned slightly to face the rest of the room. Tyland's mother, the Lady Ceira, stood by the window, watching over the waves solemnly. She looked like a combination of the Mother and Crone due to her uncanny stillness. Tommen, Tyland's brother, paced back and forth, going from the left to the right of the room. Tion, Tyland's cousin, as well as goodbrother to Tommen, stood leaning against the wall on the right, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Tion's younger brother, Lancel, was next to him, his right foot leaning on the wall and spinning a knife in his hands.

Tyland was also accustomed to seeing his family wear the traditional colours of House Lannister. He expected to see everyone in fabulous crimsons, shimmering golds, and sometimes even brilliant greens and magnificent purples to show off their wealth. Johanna would be the exception; she usually wore the red and gold of the Lannisters, but sometimes she opted for the creams and whites of House Westerling. However, everyone was wearing black today. There was no crimson or gold or green or purple in sight. If anyone wore a ring or a necklace, it was made of black steel. Whether someone wore a doublet or a surcoat or a jerkin, it was made of black. Be it leather or silk or fabric, it was black. Tyland's mother also had a sheer black veil, hiding her pale face and sad green eyes.

He wore no different. He wore a simple black leather doublet that had a black lion embroidered onto it. He also wore black breeches and boots but opted for no jewellery, as he felt it was not appropriate.

Would Jason have done the same if it were my funeral? Somehow, I doubt it.

Tyland thought back to their father's funeral. Jason wore black, but his clothing was studded with black gemstones, and he wore a ring made of black Valyrian Steel on his finger. That was not to say that Jason was happy. It was quite the opposite, in fact. Jason was always their father's favourite, and their mother's too. Tyland's older brother was inconsolable, crying his eyes out until his silken cloak was wet with tears. Tyland did not dislike Jason for his preference either; he just noted that despite being twins, they were very different men.

Jason had the pride and glamour of a Lannister, whilst I have the cunning and ambition.

They occasionally disagreed, as all siblings did, but hatred never lingered between the two. However, Tyland could not help but feel the smallest amount of resentment that he was not born first.

It is horrible to think that, but it would have been much easier if I were the older twin.

All those many years ago, they both had dreams of marrying Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.

The Realm's Delight is what we all called her.

They both bet on having the chance to court the Princess, and Jason won the opportunity. Tyland was unhappy at that. He complained to their mother that usually, a second son would be the one to marry into a royal family, so both brothers' bloodlines would continue. The elder brother would continue through his House and the younger through the royal family.

It should have been me; I should have married Princess Rhaenyra.

Tyland instead was left to be the castellan of Casterly Rock, a thankless role, whilst his brother's bloodline would continue both through the Iron Throne and as Lord of the Rock. Tyland's bloodline, through his wife Johanna and his children, Tyshara and Cerelle, would likely never inherit anything. Until now, that was.

Maybe if I had married her, none of this would have happened.

He thought that if he were in his brother's position, he would ensure that he would have had at least two sons with the Princess, and this whole farce would have been avoided.

In truth, I still do not understand how Jason let this happen to him.

Regardless of what happened, though, there was no changing the past. Instead, Tyland had to solve the entire mess his goodsister had caused.

It's funny; I spent most of my life wishing I was Lord of the Rock. Now that I am, or should be, it feels bitter since Jason is gone.

"What should we do about this?" Tommen asked as he continued to nervously walk across the room.

"It's simple," said Tion. "We disown Joffrey."

"And how do you presume we do that? None of us are Joffrey's father," Johanna replied.

"And neither was Jason," Tion stated bluntly.

"We bring the case to King Viserys. It is plain to see that Joffrey is a bastard. He shall hear our complaints, and Ty shall inherit the Rock," Lancel suggested.

"Yet Jason explicitly claimed Joffrey as his on his deathbed," sighed Johanna.

"That could be for a multitude of reasons. He may have been drugged up, or-" Lancel said.

"Tyrek confirmed that he was in the right state of mind when he passed. He was with Jason throughout all of it," Johanna said.

"Then what?" Tommen demanded. "If we can't try to claim Joffrey is not Jason's, then what?"

"We still can, can't we?" asked Tion. "It is clear as day to anyone who has eyes that he looks nothing like Jason. Ty is living proof of Jason's memory. Then Lannister blood shall inherit the Rock."

And you shall move further up in the line of succession.

"That is the plan, then? We bring the matter to His Grace, and Joffrey gets attained as a bastard. It's simple, then," said Lancel.

It was simple. Too simple.

But why did Jason explicitly claim Joffrey as his? Surely, Jason would have known whether the babe was of his seed or not.

Tyland's mind went back to some years ago, to the second name day celebration of Baelon. On one late night, Jason drunkenly said that he and Rhaenyra no longer share bedchambers. Upon hearing it, Tyland did not think much of the statement, but upon seeing little Lord Joffrey, it all returned to him and clung to his mind.

"If we do that, then the Princess shall be disinherited by His Grace," Tyland's mother said calmly, still staring out to the waves ahead of her.

Everyone turned to her instantly.

"And why would that be our problem?" Lancel asked haughtily.

"Her entire bloodline shall no longer be in line for the Iron Throne," she replied. "That includes Baelon."

Tyland sighed and ran his fingers through his long, golden hair.

"Aye, Lannister blood would inherit the Rock, but my grandson shall be disinherited," she continued, turning to face everyone. The whites of her eyes were red from crying, and her pale face against her black attire made her seem like a wraith. "That is why Jason made sure to reaffirm that Joffrey was his son."

"And to avoid being seen as a cuckold," Tion added.

"This brief, mortal life is nothing but the pursuit of legacy. And we would be desecrating all over Jason's legacy if we let him be remembered as a cuckold and allow his son, my grandson, to be disinherited. What would be in store for Baelon then? He is only a boy of four. The Velaryons would likely try and get him sent to the Night's Watch to avoid conflicting claims. Very well, do whatever it takes for Ty to become the Lord of the Rock, but if it means that Baelon is stripped of his titles and his future standing, I shall not allow it to happen."

"And how do we do that, mother?" Tommen asked. "If Ty is to become Lord of the Rock, that would mean Joffrey is disinherited, and that can only happen if he is decreed to be a bastard by the King. If we even manage to achieve that, Baelon would lose everything. If Baelon is to remain as a Prince, Joffrey must become the Lord of the Rock."

"We would become laughingstocks if that were to happen. Allowing bastard blood to become Lord of Casterly Rock," scoffed Tion.

"There may be another solution," Johanna said. "We could try and ensure that Baelon becomes Lord of the Rock instead. He would surrender his claim to the Throne, but Lannister blood would remain as the head of House Lannister, and Baelon would still inherit something."

"Who are we to decide what titles Baelon inherits or not, though? We forget, Princess Rhaenyra is his mother; I doubt she would give up her son's claim on the throne," Tommen responded.

"She might, if she is disinherited herself," suggested Johanna. "She would have nothing to fight for, and then she would accept her son at least amounting to something."

"It's viable," Tyland said, finally voicing his thoughts. "But we would still be shitting over Jason's legacy by accusing him of being a cuckold."

"Princess Rhaenyra shat over Jason's legacy first by actually cuckolding him!" replied Lancel.

"What does it matter, so long as Baelon inherits?" Tion laughed. "Lady Ceira shall receive her wish of Baelon not being disinherited, and Lannister blood shall inherit the Rock. House Lannister would just lose out on a chance of a royal marriage, which is something we can always aim for many years in the future."

"The plan seems viable; it is likely the best option we can aim for. What more is there to complain?" Johanna asked.

"Who is to say that this would even work?" sighed Tommen, frowning.

"You stress too much," Tion remarked with a smirk on his face.

"Tom does not lie," Tyland calmly said. "We would be facing an uphill battle to prove the son is not Jason's."

"Why would it be? It is obvious," Lancel scoffed.

"No, it is not. Jason said that Joffrey was his, and Tyrek confirmed all of this to me. It would seem self-serving if any of us were to bring this to His Grace, since it would move all of us further up in the line of succession," Tyland replied.

"Then we accuse the Princess of being complicit in Jason's death," said Johanna. "The timing of all of it was suspicious to everyone, and I certainly think she had a part in it."

"And yet Tyrek said that the Princess was distraught on the night of his death. From her reaction, he doubts she had any involvement, whether that is true or not."

Tyland instantly thought that Princess Rhaenyra was guilty of killing his brother upon seeing Joffrey, and still thought it too. Tyrek, who was formerly the maester at Casterly Rock before travelling to King's Landing along with Jason, was a second cousin of Tyland and wiser than most. Despite being a maester, Tyrek's loyalties still lay with House Lannister, and Tyland doubted he would lie about Rhaenyra's reaction.

"Besides, it was not only him who witnessed the Princess' reaction that night," Tyland continued. "Half the Red Keep would have seen her hysterics. As per Tyrek, no guilty person would react in such a manner. That is, unless, she is a master of mummery... regardless, I think her guilty, but it would be nigh impossible to prove that it was even her, no matter how heavy our suspicions are."

"If that is out of the question, what do you propose, Tyland?" demanded Tion.

Tyland thought long and hard about what to do. Only a cup of wine later, he finally came to a decision. He laid it out, step by step, what he would tell the Princess, what House Lannister's actions would be, and what shall happen if the plan failed.

"If you have any objections, state them now," Tyland coldly asked.

Nobody seemed to have any. However, Tommen and Lancel both seemed to grimace at the suggestion. Tommen's concern did not worry Tyland, as he seemed to be nervous about every damned suggestion there was today. Lancel's didn't, too, as he was so low in the line of succession of House Lannister that his opinion hardly mattered.

He also does not like the plan since he would not move further up in the line of succession.

Tyland's mother and Johanna approved of it, however. That was what was most important to Tyland. So long as his mother, wife, and children were happy and House Lannister thrived, Tyland would be satisfied.

Do I truly need approval? I am the rightful Lord of Casterly Rock.

After their discussion, they all made their way to the castle sept, where Septon Tywald, another Lannister cousin, led them all in prayer. The sept was one of Tyland's favourite parts of Casterly Rock, despite him not being much of a religious man.

In truth, I love every inch of the Rock, from the Golden Gallery to the Lion's Mouth.

The sept was seven-sided, and the walls were made of polished stone and quartz. The ceiling was made of painted glass and had a seven-pointed star in crimson and red on it. On each side of the sept, statues of the seven stood there as they had for the past thousand years, made of pure gold, still glimmering in the candlelight which dimly lit the sept.

Septon Tywald's prayer and speech were the usual for funerals, and Tyland had heard the same speech many times before, some even in this sept. He remembered the funeral of his father, where he stood between his brothers Tommen and Jason. Jason was the deceased this time, and only Tommen stood by him, on his left. Nobody stood on Tyland's right.

Following the prayer in the sept, Jason would be interred in the Hall of Heroes. Most of those buried in the great hall were ancestors of Tyland, but all were Lannisters. Some were heroes of the past, who died valiantly in battle, and some were mere Lords of the Rock.

Jason deserves to be buried here too, as he was the Lord of Lannister, yet his manner of passing is not one for the histories.

The Hall of Heroes was massive. Its ceiling was raised eighty feet from the ground, supported by smooth stone pillars. Tyland could only imagine what sorcery was used in order to build this behemoth of a castle. All around the hall were majestic statues of the great Lannisters, every single one made of pure gold. He could see Lann the Clever sitting in the centre on a massive throne carved into the shape of two lions' heads. There was also King Tybolt, who stood proudly in his golden armour, pointing Brightroar ahead of him, and King Gerold the Great, who stood next to a golden lion and was surrounded by the skulls and the corpses of a hundred squids.

Jason's resting place was already prepared. A plot near the entrance of the hall. His statue was not yet built, but he was to be buried next to Lord Lyman, a more recent Lannister, and King Tommen II, who rode on a prancing horse, pointing Brightroar towards a golden volcano. His body was lying on a raised table, and he wore bright golden armour that still shone against every other golden item in the hall. His hair tumbled down his shoulders, and his green eyes were covered by pebbles. His face was twisted into a scowl, and a sword was laid on his chest.

Just behind his body, a raised platform was placed, so people who wished to give eulogies could stand and address the crowd. Fewer people were here compared to the funeral in the sept. Even more people would be at the feast, however, with people coming from all across the Westerlands and even beyond to pay their respects but also celebrate his life.

Jason would have wanted the feast to be as grand as possible.

Many people spoke at the eulogy, retelling stories and japes and what they would miss about Jason. Adrian Tarbeck spoke of the time Jason spent a month at Tarbeck Hall, and Marlon Crakehall, Jason's former squire, told a funny tale of when Jason forgot his horse before a joust. All of the speeches were met with applause and warm responses. That was until Princess Rhaenyra spoke.

She walked up the platform whilst she fidgeted with the silver rings on her fingers. Tyland noticed a golden ring studded with an amethyst on the little finger of her left hand, just like Jason's.

Was those the rings my mother gifted them?

The Princess wore a black dress that covered her arms, shoulders, and neck. Her skirts were wide and long, but ended just before the ground. A black headpiece covered her silver-gold hair whilst a sheer black veil shielded her face. She looked over at the small crowd and gently cleared her throat. Everyone seemed bemused or outright displeased at her presence, apart from Baelon, who held tightly on Tyland's mother's skirts, and Ser Lorent Marbrand, who bowed his head whilst the Princess spoke.

"H-He was a good man..." she began. "And a good father... I shall miss his japes, his smile, his kindness..."

Someone in the crowd yawned, but the Princess ignored it. She continued to speak about her husband and the years of marriage to him. She talked long about how fiercely protective Jason was over Baelon. It sounded almost as if she was apologising to Jason at times, and she was in tears by the end of it all. Baelon let out sniffles too, and his grandmother put her bony arm around him.

If you loved him so much, why did you have a bastard with another man?

She concluded the speech with a heartfelt goodbye to her husband, which Tyland even felt somewhat comforting. However, unlike the previous eulogies, it was not met with any applause. Everyone just looked blankly at her. The exception to it was Baelon, whose soft claps echoed around the Hall of Heroes. Tyland almost felt sorry for her.

She did love him, at least for a time. I cannot doubt that.

However, he still had doubts about whether she was involved in his brother's death. Tyland made sure to remember that no matter how bad he felt for her. The Princess then smiled slightly at Baelon and walked off the platform, joining her son below.

After the Princess came Tommen, then Lancel, and then Tyland's mother. Tommen was not a man of many words, but still tearfully talked about how Jason taught him how to ride a horse and swing a sword. Lancel told a funny story about how Jason taught him how to impress girls in their youth, which was met with laughter amongst the crowd. Tyland's mother's speech brought everyone to tears as she spoke of how much she would miss her little boy. After her, came Tion.

Tion sauntered up to the platform and cleared his throat.

"Jason was like a brother to me, too, and I shall certainly miss him," Tion began. "True, Andal, Lannister blood coursed through Lord Jason's veins, as it has for millennia, running through the blood of every Lannister Lord in history."

Tyland noticed Lancel roll his eyes whilst Tommen just stared at him blankly. Rhaenyra, meanwhile, took Joffrey from the handmaiden's arms and tightly held the babe to her chest.

She is brave; I do give her that.

"Did we not agree on what to do?" Johanna whispered to Tyland, annoyance in her voice.

"I'll speak to him later," Tyland gently whispered, holding her hand tightly.

Tion continued to talk about pure blood and how it runs thick and true and must never run thin. Tyland had to hold himself from laughing at the audacity of his cousin's words.

Fucking fool. Just because my decision does not further him up the line of succession.

Eventually, Tion finished his speech, and it was met with somewhat of an applause. Tyland applauded, too, but kept his face still, and his claps were few. Tion then walked down from the platform and put his arm on Tyland's shoulder before returning to the crowd.

"Remember, cousin, we are Lannisters," Tion whispered. Tyland just turned and looked at him reproachfully without saying a word before going up to the platform to give the final speech of the day.

"Despite being mere minutes older than me, he was still my big brother. He protected me always, despite me clearly being the better fighter," Tyland said, which was met by some chuckles. "See the armour that he wears now? He wore it once before, on my twentieth name day, for a tourney at Lannisport. Many of you were there, in fact. He wore our mother's favour, and promised he would give me all of the winnings if he were to win the jousts."

Tyland's mother smiled slightly, the memory taking her back to all those years ago.

"You might think he fought bravely, defeating Ser Marlon and Ser Lorent and other great knights, before winning the grand prize?" asked Tyland. "No... he was defeated in the first round by a hedge knight..."

The crowd burst into laughter, and even Tyland smiled slightly.

He told me once to make sure his funeral was not a sombre one.

After the japes, however, Tyland recounted their childhood, from the days they were only knee height up to the last time Tyland saw him. He began to cry slightly, but before anyone could see his tears, he quickly wiped them away.

"I can speak on hours of my big brother, but there is a feast awaiting us in the Golden Gallery, and my brother would hate if we were to not feast and celebrate his life," Tyland announced, concluding his speech. "One final tribute, however... my brother left a son, Prince Baelon, who shall one day make a fine King of the Seven Kingdoms..."

Tyland looked at Baelon; the boy was almost smiling as Ser Lorent rubbed the boy's long hair. The Princess, meanwhile, looked paler than a weirwood. Tyland cleared his throat.

"And he left another son... Joffrey... who shall make a brilliant Lord of Casterly Rock when he comes of age. Both lads, however, shall be shining examples of Lannister pride, following in the path of their father."

The Princess' purple eyes widened in shock, and she almost smiled. Johanna, Tyland's mother, Tommen, and most of the others began to clap. As soon as they did, everyone else did, too, including Tyland's cousins. Tion, however, scowled as he clapped and was one of the first to leave the hall and make his way to the Golden Gallery for the feast.

Tyland walked down from the platform and towards the Princess and Baelon. The young boy was still dejected but seemed to perk up for a moment upon seeing Tyland.

The poor lad mistook me for Jason.

"Princess," Tyland said.

"Ser Tyland," Princess Rhaenyra replied.

"Before the feast, would you care to join me in the solar," Tyland asked, lowering his voice. "I have an important matter to speak of."

"Y-Yes... I shall..." she replied nervously.

Before leaving for the solar, Tyland went over to his two daughters, Tyshara and Cerelle, and gave them small embraces. They were both almost two now, and their blue-green eyes twinkled in the candlelight of the hall. Both had dark blonde hair, but Tyshara kept hers loose whilst Cerelle's was tied up. Tyland then looked at Johanna, who softly smiled at him, providing him encouragement for later.

All fifteen minutes of the walks to the solar were in silence. Tyland was accompanied by two household guards, whilst Princess Rhaenyra was by Ser Lorent of the Kingsguard. Baelon and Joffrey were left with Tyland's mother in the meanwhile. As they arrived at the solar, Tyland requested Ser Lorent and the household guards to remain outside whilst he and the Princess spoke.

They entered the solar. It was peaceful all the way up hear. The only sound was the waves hitting the cliffs hundreds of feet below, and occasionally the sound of birds. The sun had started to set by now, and the sky looked a beautiful mix of orange, crimson, pink, and red as it dropped into the black and blue Sunset Sea below. There was only a small amount of wind, which gently brushed Tyland's honey-coloured hair.

"Please, Princess, take a seat. Wine?" Tyland calmly asked as he poured a cup for himself.

"No, thank you, Ser," she replied, smiling somewhat. "Why have you brought me all the way here to speak?"

Tyland grimaced and took a drink of the wine. It was sweet and fresh, just as Tyland liked.

"Joffrey," Tyland said. "It's a good name for a Lannister."

"Yes..." she nervously replied.

"I remember Jason used to love that name. He said he wanted to name his firstborn Joffrey, if I recall correctly. So, tell me, Princess... was the babe enough of an insult to my house, or did you wish to humiliate us further by choosing that name?" Tyland asked, leaning forwards.

"N-No..." Princess Rhaenyra stuttered. "It was to honour him..."

"To honour him," he laughed. "You honoured him well by fucking another man whilst you were married."

"Fucking another man?" gasped Princess Rhaenyra. "That's a vile accusation, and untrue regardless. Jason claimed him as his own... just because Lord Joffrey has dark hair-"

"Please, Princess..." Tyland sighed. "I know Joffrey is not yours, and before I say what I mean to say, I would appreciate some honesty from you. Or is that too much to ask? Joffrey was born between the relationship between you and Ser Harwin Strong, was he not?"

"How-"

"It is common knowledge that he is your personal shield... and you opted for him not to come with you all the way here. Joffrey's existence is an insult, and Ser Harwin's presence even more so. For that, I commend you, at least," he scoffed. "Was he the father of Joffrey? I want your explicit confirmation."

She nodded slightly whilst maintaining eye contact with Tyland all the while. "He was," she whispered.

"Good," Tyland replied. "So you admit he was a bastard? And as you know, many of us are not pleased that bastard is now the Lord of Casterly Rock. And many of us are even of the opinion that I am the rightful Lord of the Rock, not Joffrey."

"Jason accepted Joffrey as his own; my father acknowledges him as the Lord of the Rock... even you did just earlier..."

"I did do that, Princess," said Tyland. "But what I can also do is claim that Joffrey is an abomination, a bastard born out of wedlock. My accusations may not even result in Joffrey and you being disinherited, but it shall be heard around the Seven Kingdoms... and that would not help your claim to the throne. I know full well that many would prefer your younger brother to ascend following your father, including the power and might of Driftmark. For me to bring up Joffrey's parentage, no matter if it costs me a head, would be devastating for you."

"Then why have you not done it, then?" she asked defiantly. "Do not make an empty threat."

"I believe you are mistaken. That was not a threat, Princess," Tyland smiled. "I intend to carry out my threats. Joffrey may be the Lord of Casterly Rock, but I am essentially his regent, and the entire Westerlands would follow my command over that of your whelp. If I were to withdraw the West's support of you, I could do it in an instant. But, I haven't, but for two reasons... the first is Baelon, he is still my dear mother's grandson, and she still wishes for the lad to ascend the Iron Throne. And the second is due to Maester Tyrek. When you see him again, you should give him your largest thanks, because he may very well be the reason you still have a hope of seeing the Iron Throne one day."

"Maester Tyrek?"

"Yes... it was his words that confirmed that my brother did not disown Joffrey on his deathbed, and he confirmed that Jason had not taken leave of his senses either. He also reckons that you did not play a part in brother's death."

"I did not..." she sighed. "I swear it, as a Targaryen, on my mother's memory."

"And what is your oath worth, Princess?" Tyland scoffed. "I am still uncertain of whether you had a hand in this, but due to Tyrek's account, I am somewhat inclined to believe him. Yet, I hope I am not being taken for a fool."

"No... no..." she pleaded, with tears bubbling in her eyes, just like at the funeral earlier. "Joffrey is not mine, I admit that... but I did not have a part to play in Jason's death... I swear... you are not being taken for a fool..."

Tyland nodded.

I still do not trust her, but how else do I honour my brother's memory whilst also ensuring Lannister blood inherits the Rock?

"Very well, Princess," said Tyland. "What I offer you now is a lifeline, and you would do very well to accept my terms."

"What are the terms?"

"By all rights, I am the Lord of the Rock, but I am willing to allow Joffrey to continue as Lord unchallenged when he comes of age. For that to happen is for Joffrey to marry my eldest daughter, Tyshara, when he comes of age. He would rule as Lord of Casterly Rock and Lord Paramount of the Westerlands, and shall have my complete support. My bloodline shall eventually inherit the Rock, and true Lannister blood shall run through the Lords of House Lannister still, as it has done for thousands of years.

"I do not have any objections to that," she said, nodding.

"Good. Because there is also another condition?"

She paused. "And what is that?"

"Baelon is to marry Cerelle, when they both come of age," Tyland said curtly.

Princess Rhaenyra smiled and let out a breath.

"Do you have an objection to that?"

"You wish for your own blood to be on the Iron Throne too."

Tyland looked at her for a moment. "Yes, yes, I do."

Who doesn't?

"But that is not essential for Lannister blood inheriting the Rock. Joffrey wedding Tyshara would be enough for that."

"Yes, it would be," Tyland said, shrugging. "But we all have ambitions, don't we? And my support is conditional on you accepting both betrothals."

"Baelon may be betrothed to another," she replied, frowning.

"Who?"

"Princess Baela, my half-sister. To unite mine and Queen Laena's bloodlines."

Tyland grimaced.

I was not expecting this.

"You said may be. That means the betrothal is not formalised?" asked Tyland.

"No, not yet-"

"Then we shall betroth Baelon and Cerelle before you return to King's Landing."

"Why can I not only accept Joffrey and Tyshara's betrothal only?"

"Because if Baelon and Cerelle are not betrothed, the Westerlands shall no longer support your endeavours. As I said before, the real power and loyalty of House Lannister are with me, not Joffrey. I am aware that Driftmark and Oldtown have united in alliance against your claim, preferring Prince Daeron instead... House Velaryon and House Hightower are two of the three most powerful houses in the realm, and House Lannister is the other. Casterly Rock's support is invaluable to your claim, and it relies on you accepting both betrothals. Either both happen, or neither. The choice is up to you," Tyland said, leaning back and taking a sip of wine. "And besides, I do not see how a marriage between Baelon and Baela shall benefit your claim... if I were Corlys Velaryon, I would only be infuriated further. But as I said, it is all your choice."

Now to see whether this gamble pays off.

She laughed slightly before fiddling with the rings on her fingers.

"May I have the wine now?" she asked.

Tyland poured it for her.

Following a cup of the honeyed wine, the Princess had finally come to a decision.

"Very well, I accept your terms," she sighed. "Joffrey and Tyshara are to marry when they come of age... as shall Baelon and Cerelle."

Tyland nodded.

"In twelve years' time, Cerelle shall move eastwards to live with your household, in order to prepare for her role of Queen Consort, and Joffrey shall relocate to the West to learn how to become the next Lord of Casterly Rock," he said, finishing his cup of wine.

The Princess nodded in agreement. Tyland then stood up.

"Then we are finished here. The betrothals are done, and the gold of Casterly Rock, the power of the Westerlands, and the support of House Lannister shall be with you, Princess."

Now I just pray that I do not regret this.