Blake

Dragonstone was one of Westeros greatest fortresses, though it would never compare to Storm End, in Father's opinion at least. Whether or not that was his jealousy speaking, or simple fact, she was uncertain. Father was well known throughout the Seven Kingdoms for holding a grudge, but that was because they simply didn't understand him. Father was a just, if a rather strict, man in a world that was full of opportunistic men. Though at times his ideas were very unrealistic, at best. Blake wasn't a prude by any means, but she was pretty sure that attempting to ban brothels across all the Seven Kingdoms was a bad idea. Uncle Robert and Uncle Renly had laughed in her Father's face, along with the rest of the Small Council. Blake hadn't been there, still with a recovering Shireen on Dragonstone, but Father had ranted about it to Ser Davos enough times that she could remember his arguments in her sleep. That didn't stop Father from banning brothels and whores from the entire island of Dragonstone.

It likely wouldn't mean much, Dragonstone was an island, and the rest of the Seven Kingdoms were much more populated, and thus, had more brothels and whores than Ser Davos could count. Also, there was no real way to prove if someone was a whore, as opposed to just being slutty. The former smuggler was up to a hundred words now, with help from Blake and Shireen, who was teaching him his letters, using her own lessons with Maester Cressen.

"King's Landing smells." Shireen complained as they rode in a small wheelhouse through the streets of the largest city of Westeros. Her bright Baratheon blue eyes mirrored Blake's own amber ones. The half of her face that had been infected in greyscale had healed nicely, appearing more like burned skin that was slowly healing rather than brittle rock. It still marred her face, but given what the alternative was, Blake couldn't argue with the results.

"It does." Blake agreed. A dozen mounted guards with black stags etched onto their armor surrounded the wheelhouse, escorting them through the busy streets of the capital with Ser Waymar Royce taking the lead. Ser Davos, on the other hand, rode on an old mare beside them, Father had sent the old smuggler to serve as their escort to the Red Keep, accompanied by the young Royce. The smuggler hsd been a bit melancholy returning to King's Landing, even if he did point out quite a few sights about the city, including some old clients of his. "I dread visiting King's Landing, the stench stays on any dresses I wear."

And she wouldn't be able to practice combat, not without being seen by the Spider, or a Lannister pawn. Eyes and ears were everywhere, and while Father did give her permission to practice her skill at arms, his one condition was keeping it a secret. In return, he made arrangements for a companion to join her, Brienne of House Tarth. She was tall with blonde hair that was cut short, and a nose that had been broken several times. She stayed behind on Dragonstone with Mother, who had refused to come along, claiming that she needed to pour over new tomes that Ser Rolland Storm had brought from Oldtown upon Father's order. Mother had developed a rivalry with Melisandre, the Red Priestess that decided to make Dragonstone her home after curing Shireen. The two often erupted into loud debates over their magic, which got annoying after a while, especially when Mother was teaching Blake what was supposed to be an easy cantrip. She wished Brienne came along as well, but the blonde also disliked the capital and wanted to stay with Mother.

Brienne had been bullied for her interests being in swords and maces instead of needlework and singing. It was unnatural in the Stormlands, much less the Crownlands or most of Westeros, really. Though, Blake did hear of rumors about a minor Lannister girl that decided to also pick up the sword, and had fought her way through a swathe of knights single-handedly. Her first thoughts had immediately been about Yang, but the blonde brawler always refused to fight with a blade back on Remnant, and well, she wouldn't have been as subtle as this girl was. No, the Lannister was likely some random girl, like Brienne. Some distant cousin who Tywin didn't mind running around acting as a man.

"I hope the Red Keep smells better." Shireen's nose twitched. Her hope would be a disappointment, as their noses would likely get used to the smell by the time they departed for Dragonstone. That and depending on the wind, they'd still be able to smell the city from the Keep.

Blake's eyes drifted towards the opening in the wheelhouse, carefully pulling the curtain to allow light in. The Red Keep was dangerous, and filled with Lannisters, members of the Queen's family, her cousin's family. Blake had already visited the Red Keep several times, spending time with her cousins Myrcella and Tommen. They were sweet children, the spitting image of their Mother, yet Joffrey's presence always spoiled whatever cheerful mood they happened to be in. She hoped he wouldn't ruin Shireen's first visit to King's Landing. If he did, she was going to make sure he regretted it. She could easily sneak into his room and exact some revenge on him, after all.

"It will, I promise." Blake reassured her little sister with a small smile. She wished the others would've been able to meet Shireen. She was a sweet girl, curious, and very well-read, even for her age. "They have oils and perfumes from Braavos that help to hide the smell, placed in metal pots."

"Really?" Shireen asked with wide eyes, her dark hair hiding the half of her face that was scarred. It was times like this, she was reminded that Shireen was still a young girl at heart, even if she was a very well-educated one.

Blake answered with a short nod. "Of course, I would never lie to you." And she wouldn't hold back her feelings like she did in her past life, nor would she run from her problems all the time. She would make sure that things would be better this time.

That was a promise.

Weiss

The gardens of the Gold Keep smelled like fresh flowers, to nobody's surprise. Father and Mother had spent a fortune on it, as a way of providing a pleasant place for an evening or morning stroll. Plus, it served as a fresh source of herbs for the kitchens, and could be converted into a vegetable patch in case of a siege. It was one of her family's best investments, and it was a pleasant place to have a picnic without leaving the Gold Keep's grounds.

"Would you like another lemon cake, Rosamund?" Weiss asked, giving her sister a brief glance. Alis and Alysanne, her constant companions, joined them to make it seem more like a tea party rather than a simple lunch. Ser Cedric and Ser Robart stood a few feet away, engrossed in their own conversation, likely about which whorehouse they enjoyed the most. The gestures they made certainly gave her that impression, as did their chuckling.

"Of course." Rosamund beamed, her golden curls framing her pretty face. She had been stuffing her face with an apple cake when Weiss opened her mouth. Wiping her lips politely, Rosamund nodded with bright green eyes. Weiss, a bit reminded of Ruby, gave a small laugh as she handed Rosamund a handkerchief.

"They taste fantastic." Alysanne added with a slight giggle. She would be the one sharing Weiss' bed tonight, to keep her company, while Alis would join Rosamund in her own room. Life was boring and mundane, a far cry from the constant near-death experiences from Remnant. It was one part nice, not having to constantly fear for her life, and one part, well, bored. Going from a high risk life in Remnant, to a sedentary lifestyle in a medieval backwater, was certainly quite a change.

Thankfully, Weiss' bouts in the training yard and her own personal workout routine ensured that her body was now lithe muscle, unlike most of her contemporaries. Too bad skating was only possible during the winters, but at least she was able to remember some of her ballet lessons, some of which she passed onto Rosamund whenever Septa Loria or Mother weren't around. Weiss claimed it was a dance from Braavos, one that she had saw in passing during one of her many trips into Lannisport itself.

Rosamund eagerly started to munch on her lemon cake as Weiss watched with soft eyes. Was this how Winter felt when she had been a child? The elder Schnee would've loved Dramen and Ceria, and maybe Willow would've been able to find happiness here, away from Jacques. It was a nice dream, but one that would likely never happen, the same as wishing she would be able to find Ruby, Blake and Yang again.

"M-My Lady Weiss." A young voice interrupted her train of thought, forcing Weiss to tear her eyes away from her sister.

"Hello Podrick." Weiss said softly. The young boy had grown from the small infant he had been when Cedric first brought him to the Gold Keep. He was ten-ish or eleven years old, she wasn't exactly sure, since not even Cedric knew when Pod had been born.

"Y-Your L-Lord Father is requesting y-your presence in his s-solar." Podrick stuttered. The poor boy obviously was quite nervous at speaking to a girl, much less one of her stature. He wore a simple brown doublet with the sigil of House Payne sown on the chest.

"Now?" Weiss' smile turned into a small frown. This was unusual, and was giving her a strange sense of deja vu. Why would they send him to get her, and not one of the servants? What was going on?

"Y-Yes m-my Lady." Podrick answered, his thin, straight hair framing his rather plain face. He looked down to avoid her gaze. "I-I am to escort you."

Strange, Father usually sent Robert Brax to fetch her. This was ominous, and yet, she felt a flicker of excitement flow through her veins. Was it because the Brax boy was close to being named a knight and such a duty was now beneath him? Or was it something else?

"Very well." Weiss said evenly, hiding her emotions with the ease of someone who had a past life's worth of experience. It was an easy feat from years from practice both in Atlas, and here. She turned to Alis, who was seated to her left. "Please, continue to enjoy the sweets."

"As you command, my Lady." Alis frowned, which was replaced by an unsteady smile a few seconds later. Weiss couldn't blame her, this was a bit unusual, and she was a friend after all.

"And don't eat too much. Mother wouldn't want you ruining your appetite for supper." Weiss' eyes drifted to Rosamund, who gave her a sheepish smile. Ah, to be young and carefree again.

"But they're so sweet!" Rosamund attempted to counter, which made Weiss and Alysanne burst into soft giggles. Ruby would've loved her.

Weiss smiled and stood from her chair. The movement immediately earned Ser Cedric's attention, tearing him away from his conversation with Ser Robart. Good, at least he was still keeping an eye on her, no matter what, even if she didn't need his protection. Having Ser Cedric as her sworn sword was more of a symbol, a show of strength, even if he was far from being as skilled as Ser Jaime Lannister.

"Lead onwards, Podrick." Weiss gave the boy a small smile, which helped turn his pale cheeks a shade of red. Hopefully he would grow into a skilled knight and serve her for many years to come. Weiss would have need for skilled knights once she became the Lady of Lannisport. Pod looked away and started to waddle in the direction of the garden's exit.

Cute.

Podrick and Cedric remained in the hallway after Weiss entered her Father's solar, as this was a sensitive matter, according to Podrick. She had been inside often, shadowing Father as he managed the affairs of the Gold Keep and Lannisport. It was tedious work, having to balance the needs of the nobles and that of the merchant class, in addition to the smallfolk, and demands from Lord Tywin. Running a city was similar to running the SDC at times, even if there were some differences here and there, on top of the sheer technology gap that made the job that much more difficult. Father was seated behind his desk when Weiss walked in, looking down at a few opened letters.

"Father." Weiss said with a polite curtsy, dipping into a low bow as she approached. Father looked up, his blond and bushy beard hiding the lower half of his face. She could see his eyes smiling, and returned the favor with her own eyes.

"Weiss." Father replied, not moving from his spot behind the great wooden desk where he did his business. He motioned towards the seat in front of his expensive desk, a richly decorated wooden chair emblazoned with lions in gold leaf. "Please, have a seat."

Weiss did as she was told, sitting in the chair with her back straight and her hands in her lap. Mother's absence was noticeable, she was generally present whenever Father had a rather important meeting, one that he needed to send Pod to pry her from Rosamund's tea party. They sat in silence for a few minutes until Father decided to speak, he was having difficulties figuring out how to word what he was about to say, she guessed.

"We have received an offer for your hand, from House Bettley." Father said slowly, holding up a letter. Weiss raised a lone eyebrow, stopping herself from scoffing. That was strange. Marriage offers had stopped coming in after Weiss' last betrothed died in a mysterious accident. The Redwyne boy had died during the Greyjoy Rebellion, and after she had flowered and betrothed to Doggett, that boy ended up dead during a hunt with Weiss' cousins.

The boy had wandered away from the hunting party and had been found mauled by a shadowcat, or at least that's what Daven claimed. The ravens and crows were already feasting on his body, the feline long gone when he was found. Westerosi were a superstitious lot, and with two dead fiancées before the age of ten and five, marriage offers became a scarcity, even for a dowry as rich as hers. "They wish to grant us access to their quarry and mines in exchange for your hand, and a few thousand gold dragons."

Weiss placed a hand on her chin in thought, considering the possible benefits such an alliance would bring to them. "Quarry and mines? Are they worth such an investment? Have their mines run dry?"

"Their mines have fallen into disrepair and have been untouched for generations." Father continued. Weiss narrowed her eyes. This could be a decent offer if their mines had gems, silver or gold. Hell, even iron would work, even if it would be greatly undignified for most of the Houses. House Bettley was a minor family, sworn to House Lefford of the Golden Tooth, Alysanne's family. "With coin, they can be repaired and put to work."

And with Weiss having Lannister and Velaryon blood, the Bettley boy would be nothing more than her own puppet. A cruel thought, since he would be her husband, but Weiss' future and that of Rosamund's was much more important. She didn't have time for a fairytale romance or love, as nice as that would be.

"If the mines and quarry are worth investing in, then this should be a fine betrothal." Weiss decided. She just hoped he was plain looking instead of ugly, and at least willing to understand the pecking order. She'd hate to have to explain things to him in the sparring ring.

"I agree." Father nodded. "I shall send our response with a rider instead of a raven. Two letters, depending on their observation of the quarry and mines." A letter to reject, and a letter to accept, a smart idea.

"Good." Weiss smiled. If everything went according to plan, then she would soon be married, and gain another source of income to invest in Lannisport. There was only so much the Penny Tax could do. Besides, it would also bring them more income, having better trade ports to sell their goods from was a major benefit, if they were willing to listen.

All she had to do was hope he didn't die on her like the last two.

A/N

This came out faster than we expected, and now it's the end of the timeskip arc! It must be the House of the Dragon influence.

Yang and Jaune's whereabouts have been hinted at, while Ruby's has been hinted at just slightly, if I remember right. Time to see how the butterflies unfold in the story to come.

We hope it was fun!