A Holiday by Decree

~~ Day 4 ~~

Sansa spent her dinner with Tyrion confused.

It started when she joined him on the patio off the dining area. She had liked the sight of his blond curls lifting in the seabreeze, but she also found him frowning at the ocean sunset.

She greeted him warmly, but his response had been cool, and throughout dinner he was once again reserved. She made upbeat smalltalk about her afternoon, but Tyrion's interactions all felt stunted.

Was he bothered by dining together when he didn't want to? Or maybe it was the opposite - was he mad because she had not spent the afternoon with him? Maybe he was just tired. She recalled he had mentioned trouble sleeping the night before last…

By the time the meal was coming to a close, Sansa still could not read him at all. She was telling herself to try not to get angry or hurt feeling from it, when Tyrion pulled his napkin from his lap. Instead of leaving though, he announced rather stiffly, "My lady, I should apologize for my lackluster behavior, but I received a message earlier that I'm needed back in the capital. I shouldn't delay going back tomorrow morning. I'm afraid it's been on my mind all night."

"That's both a shock and a shame," Sansa replied, searching her feelings and her mind for the words upon hearing of his sudden departure. Disappointment but also worry filled her. "Is what's calling you back serious?"

"It's to be seen…" he trailed cryptically. His dark expression made Sansa feel no better.

"Well, you'll need time to pack," she commented. Should I offer to help? she wondered and decided against it. She wanted to spend more time with him though. Her feelings had just begun to bud; yet, the opportunity to explore their significance was being cut short with no promise that there would ever be another chance. "Would you have time for tea in the sitting room, even just for a bit? The staff say they can serve a variation of the mint tea we like over ice."

"No, the ship leaves very early," Tyrion said. Rising from his seat and having pushed it in, he added, "I appreciate the offer though… You have been very good about sharing your holiday with me. I assure you, I won't forget it."

Sansa studied his sad smile and for a wild moment thought of asking if his departure pained him as much as it did her. Instead, sensing he was eager to go, she quickly rose and curtsied perfunctorily before blurting out, "Please don't hesitate to let me know when you're North again - you'll have Winterfell's hospitality."

"Thank you, though I doubt Queen Daenerys' Hand will be needed North anytime soon - I hear the Queen in the North rules on her own quite well. I hope you enjoy your stay, Sansa. Goodbye," he said, his tone at least warming slightly on his references to her, Sansa thought.

Then following a bow in her direction, Tyrion left.