182 AC - Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands - Seat of Power: Rhaegar I Targaryen
The first year of Rhaegar's rule was about to end, and things seemed to have calmed down so far. An order has once again been established, and the past summer was favourable enough for the crops.
The winter was almost upon them and one could feel the change in temperatures as the days grew shorter and the air colder. Yet that did not stop the people of the Crownlands from living their lives.
Visenya had been rather busy so far, balancing her duties as Lady Lannister but also as a member of the small council. Many Lords were against the idea at first but after she proved how good she was, the majority stopped commenting.
However, due to the many duties; she often found herself neglecting her past time hobbies like training or riding. She did try to make up for the when she had the chance, but she was rather busy most of the time.
One of the calmer days, when there was not a lot of work to deal with; Visenya grabbed the chance and chose to use her free time wisely, but visiting the training grounds.
All alone in the worn-out sparring area, she had exchanged her fancy dresses for a simple tunic and a pair of pants; to have the freedom of movement. With her hair tied into a ponytail, she started with some archery before shifting to sword combat.
She could have asked for Barristan or Jaime to join her, but she did not want to pull them off their duty. She could train fine on her own, as she had done multiple times.
Her Lannister Guard stood by the entrance, watching her in silence. He was a mere precaution, a condition that Tywin had bestowed for her safety; despite her arguments.
The soldier was loyal and silent, always ensuring she was out of danger. Not that she really was but Tywin did not wish to risk anything. While that might sound extreme or controlling to some, it made Visenya smile for this was a way to show how much he cared.
After all, he had already lost a wife once and while the circumstances were different; he was not going to stand aside. Plus, considering some were not happy with the growing power Visenya was obtaining through her new roles; it made sense that he wished to prevent any "attacks" from taking place.
Visenya was busy sparing against the training dummy, bringing her sword from a different direction but stopping her blade inches away from the doll. This exercise helped straighten her arms and train her control with the blade, for as the White Bull used to say...
"A proper knight knows when to stop his blade from harming"
She finished yet another set and just as she stopped her blade a single inch away from the dummy's neck, she heard clapping.
Slightly out of breath, she blew one stray strand off her face and straightened her back. Withdrawing her sword, she turned towards the source of the sound.
With slow but confident steps, a figure was making its way towards her. Long black hair moved with the evening wind, brown eyes held danger and darkness within them. Exotic features and tanned skin made the person stand out, as well did their more controversial and southern clothes.
"Very impressive, Princess" the person said, their voice having a noticeable accent. "That dummy is quite a challenging opponent"
Visenya did not seem to share his humour, nor his attempt to playfully insult her just to draw a reaction from her.
She lowered her sword but did not sheath it, red-flecked amber eyes always locked on the form of her latest visitor.
"Prince Oberyn" she greeted the young man, with whom she shared a certain degree of familiarity. "It is a surprise to find you here and not entangled with women and men in one of the many brothels"
Prince Oberyn was the older brother of Elia Martel and the second born in the Royal Dornish line.
Dorne, the most south of the 7 Kingdoms, was the only place Aegon and his dragons did not conquer. Instead, the Dornish managed to shoot Queen Rhaenys from the sky while on top of her Dragon.
Ever since the peace agreement, Dorne had been semi-independent. While loyal to the Crown, they were allowed more freedom and of course; the title of Prince or Princess for its royal members.
"Your brothels might be famous, princess; but being in your presence is far more precious" Oberyn commented, making his way towards her.
"Is that so? Most men offer formal invites on such occasions. They do not sneak upon the woman they wish to see'" she argued back and despite her tone; her lips formed a small smirk and betrayed how she felt inside. She then glanced towards the entrance and saw her guard leaning heavily on the wall, barely moving. "Let alone put their respectful guards to sleep for an easier entrance"
Oberyn chuckled and came to a halt two feet away from her. He offered her his signature toothy grin, white pearly teeth only making his features more attentive.
"Your Lannister puppies do not listen to small talk. It was a far easier approach to just offer him some time for recovery"
At his words, Visenya could no longer remain serious and rolled her eyes at the antiques of the man in front of her.
Any other woman would have been insulted and perhaps appalled by his approach and words, especially those who knew the fearsome reputation of the Red Viper.
Visenya, on the other hand, was rather calm and one might dare to say that she was rather comfortable around him. Or at least, she did not seem to hold any true hostilities.
Rarely could someone intimidate her but equally rarely could someone make her smirk, amuse and even be that close to her presence without a threat from her.
The Dragoness knew the familiar Viper, and while not as personally as one would expect; they were not entirely strangers either.
They had met a few times since Elia was married to Rhaegar and the Dornish Prince was rather close to his only sister. Thus, the Dragoness and him had spent some time together; away from prying eyes.
However, what no one truly knew; was the fact that their past went further back, before the marriage. For once upon a time, those two had met while quite younger and things had been planned to be different between them.
"What do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Prince Oberyn? Shouldn't you be spending time with your sister? And Mayhap had informed ahead of your arrival?"
Oberyn did not seem to mind her tone but rather enjoyed the whole moment. It had been almost a year since they last saw each other, if not some more; back at Harrenhal.
"My sister is aware of my visit, Princess. I did inform her in advance but if you feel left out, I will personally send you letters next time" he went as far as to wink at her and grabbed her free hand, placing a kiss on the back of it. "The pleasure remains all the same"
Visenya slowly withdrew her hand right after the kiss, not charmed by his antiques like any other woman. She was always immune to his compliments and had become rather good at setting her boundaries when it came to him.
"I see you learnt from last time when it came to boundaries, didn't you, Prince Oberyn?" She asked, the tips of her lips curving up as a smirk formed on her lips.
Oberyn placed his hand above his left nipple. "Your daily reminder has been of great help, Princess" he joked, referring to the nice little scar she had gifted him years ago; when he tried to overstep her personal boundaries and steal a kiss.
He has thought she would be charmed and flustered by the move but he was proven wrong when Visenya brought out a dagger from beneath her skirt.
The next... was a nice story that Oberyn sometimes enjoyed narrating to interested women and men in the brothels, without of course mentioning Visenya by name.
Oberyn took notice of the sword still in her hand and smirked, an idea popped into his mind.
"Since you have finished your dangerous opponent the training dummy, how about you try your luck against a Viper?"
Surprised by his offer, she did not hide it. However, she was not about to refuse either; not when such a chance was given to her.
She took a few steps back and fixed her grip on her sword, the valyrian sword of her family fitting perfectly in her hand. "Are you sure you are up for the challenge?"
Oberyn's smirk remained and he walked towards the weapons positioned in neat rows by the nearest wall. He grabbed a spear and tested it on his hand, spinning it twice.
"I assure you, Princess... I am more than ready for it" he got into position and she copied, choosing one of her safest stances.
She had never sparred with him before but both had a reputation of their own, with Oberyn's being the most famous one. He was an excellent partner and his usage of spear offered a new challenge and one she would gladly welcome.
The sparring lasted for some time until both Dragon and Viper were out of breath. No one had been disarmed even though both parties came very close to doing so.
Thus, they chose to call it a tie; for the sake of peace between their competitive natures.
Visenya sheathed her sword and pushed some stray strands out of her face while Oberyn left the spear where he first found it.
"Not bad, Princess." He commented and offered a genuine smile, his eyes glowing with energy from their little spar.
She returned her smile, though hers was smaller. "You are worthy of your title, Prince Oberyn. I must admit, I never had to go against a spear before"
He seemed amused by her words as he walked her way. "Handling a spear is an art. One you Westerosi have yet to master" he replied with the same pride and cockiness. "In Dorne, the spear is part of our life and we honour it"
She could not help but roll her eyes at his unnecessary drama but she was amused nonetheless. "Better not comment on it" she replied back, earning a chuckle from him.
"Fear not, Princess. I am not a man easily insulted by the sharp tongue of a woman" he said, not once using her name.
For some reason, Oberyn seemed to refuse to call her Visenya and as hell he was not going to call her Lady Lannister. Whether he was slightly bitter by her marrying Tywin or just his character to use whatever titles he wished for others...that she didn't know.
She did not correct him though, having already realised that nothing would change if she did. Deep down, a part of her did enjoy being called like that; a reminder that while not a candidate for the throne, she was still and always will be... a Princess of the Seven Kingdoms.
"That I have come to realise" she replied and smirked. "Mayhap one of your most outstanding qualities" she added next, not able to help herself.
Oberyn stopped in front of her, showing his pearly white teeth. "I knew there were things you liked bout me, Princess. Had you not changed the decision back then, you would have found even more things to like"
Now it was the time for her to roll her eyes, no matter how unladylike it was. "Don't make me regret taking that compliment back"
His smirk remained and he withdrew a vial from a pocket she had yet to notice. "Consider this a gift"
She took the vial from him, their fingers brushing against one another faintly. She arched an eyebrow and dared to pull the lid, carefully taken aback by the smell once she brought it close to her nose.
"Poison" she concluded and capped the small vial.
He seemed pleased with her deduction skills. "Widow's blood" he informed her. "Makes someone's bowels slowly fail, leading to a rather nasty death" She was surprised by the gift. "Keep it, in case you ever get tired of lying with the old lion and wish for some more freedom.
She could not help but scoff in amusement at his words. "Mayhap, not him but I will keep it in mind if I ever find a man's annoyance too much"
Her targeted insult made him laugh, as they both stood in front of one another. "Sharp tongue, Princess. I always admired that part. You would have fit perfectly in Dorne"
Visenya started to walk towards her sleeping guard and he quickly fell into sync with her, remaining close by her right side. "I told you and your mother before. I cannot rule the Seven Kingdoms from Dorne" she reminded him. "However... I can always pay a visit. Your mother told me the Water Gardens is a jewel I need to see from close"
"If you wish to visit, I will personally take you there," he said. "Perhaps you join Elia on her next visit"
She came to a halt next to her sleeping guard. "Mayhap. Remains to be seen" she corrected him and then glanced at the soldier. "When will your sleeping drug fade?"
To her surprise, Oberyn delivered a few good slaps on the soldier's cheek. This seemed to stir him awake, his mind foggy from sleep.
While he was trying to recover, Oberyn grabbed the chance and her hand smoothly. "See you around, Princess" he placed a kiss on the back of her hand and started to walk away before the soldier could register what was going on.
She could not help but shake her head faintly but a smile had appeared on her face, while she watched him put more and more distance between them.
Unbeknownst to them, someone had been watching them for a while. From one of the tallest balconies existing in the Red Keep, Tywin was spying on them like a predator.
His knuckles had turned white from the intensity he held the railings, his jaw clenched with enough force to feel it numb when he tried to move it. His eyes were hard and cold, hatred and jealousy directed to the cocky Prince that seemed to be a little too friendly with Visenya.
By the time the two of them left his field of vision, his temper neither had nor subsidised but he was also not going to let it slide. He was not a man that shared and neither was one that liked secrets... such as those that Visenya apparently held from him.