A few hours later Visenya was in her room with her sister, Rhaella. The events of the dinner that had followed prior had left both of them upset, Visenya more than her sister.
During the royal dinner to which Tywin and his wife were invited, their dear brother chose to remind everyone of the bad traits of his character that had become more prominent as he remained in power.
Since he still craved Lady Joanna, despite Rhaella having sent her to Tywin to protect her, did not go unnoticed by how the King kept looking at her but it was his words that threatened to forever ruin the relationship between him and his hand.
"Tell me, my Lady, are your breasts sacking now after nursing two kids?" he had asked her and then laughed, making the Lannister woman embarrassed by his words.
Those words had not settled well with Tywin, who was furiously glaring at the King through his emotionless mask. While he could not truly do much at that moment, it was Visenya that did.
"My Lady, I am planning to excuse myself to recover. Would you like me to escort you back to your chambers, I am sure your children will need you as well"
Her words had been placed in the perfect sentence as if she had rehearsed them a dozen times before speaking them out loud. Since she was still The Princess, Lady Joanna did not refuse and she had allowed the Targaryen female to escort her out of the hall and away from her vulgar brother.
This made her husband feel the faintest of gratitude, pleased that he was not alone in this game. Visenya knew she was chasing her luck, especially after her plan at the Tournament, but she still got out of her way to assist his wife.
Tywin realized, who his true allies were at that moment. Especially since after the feast, he had asked to be resigned from his position as Hand but the King had refused him; not allowing him to argue any further
After Visenya had returned Lady Joanna to her chambers, she had taken the path to her own. Not long since she had entered and changed to a less formal dress, did her dear sister knock on her door.
The mistreated and abused queen seemed to smile after 4 years, more than happy to have her sister back. As they were growing, Rhaella had always been looking after her sister, despite having only 4 years of difference.
The two girls stuck to one another like peas in a pod, supporting each other during tough days on the court. They shared almost everything, leaving very few things to become secrets. Of course, after her marriage to their brother; their time had become limited.
Busy with the baby, not often did the two women meet but Visenya kept a tab on her; even when she was far away. The news of miscarriages had reached her while in Dragonstone and her heart wished to be with her sister, to offer comfort.
Alas, she could not yet return but she did send ravens that seemed to offer some hope to her older sister. However, now, she was back and she intended to be there for her more often. Suitors be dammed, there were more important things at play than marriage and babies.
Rhaella was busy braiding Visenya's white hair as they both sat comfortably on the couch in front of the fire. While the queen had a softer snowy white hue in her hair, Visenya had a colder undertone; many comparing it to the one of silver instead.
"Thank you for protecting, Rhaegar" she finally said as she smiled, the whole mood bringing her back happy childhood memories of them braiding each other's hair when they were younger.
Visenya smiled as she kept her back straight and her head stable. She wore a simple black dress with no sleeves and silver embroidery at the edges. Her shoulder had been wrapped by bandages after stitches had been applied.
No true damage had taken place but it would take her many moons before she could wield her sword properly. Visenya could live with that since she doubted she would have the privilege to train after pissing off her brother.
The scratch on her cheek had already been treated with medicinal salve and the Maester had promised it would not leave a scar, not that she truly cared about it. After all, the one on her shoulder would scar and take time before it would fade away.
"Do not thank me, Rhaella. You know that I adore the boy as if he was my own and I will always protect my family" she reminded him, making her sister smile more.
There was a nice silence between them, the only sound being the cracking of flames as they devoured the wooden logs fed to them. After a long pause in their talk, the Queen chose to speak again. "Did you dream it?" she finally found the courage to ask.
Ever since she was a child, Visenya had odd dreams. They did not come often but when they did, they would leave her shaking and confused. She had admitted the dreams first to her dear sister and eventually to her grandfather.
One of their ancestors, Danny the Dreamer had similar dreams; going as far as to dream the fall of Old Valyria itself. Aegon V speculated that his granddaughter had inherited the same gift; although with her ancestry it was never known before.
Visenya could still remember how often her grandfather would ask her if she had any dreams or how that creepy wood witch would stare at her whether with intrigue or jealousy; one could never truly tell.
Her dreams used to come often as a child but after the Incident at Summerhall, they seemed to have stopped or come more rarely. When Visenya had passed her 9th name day, she had a dream of three dragons flying above Westeros with a Targaryen riding them.
She had excitedly told her grandfather about it, her fascination with dragons starting from a young age. By now, it was known that King Aegon had become equally obsessed with dragons and hatching them.
Upon hearing of her dream, he was more than determined to hatch them and during their stay at Summerhall, he had brought with him 7 eggs; to honour the 7 Gods of Valyria. However, a fire that broke during the night only ended up killing the King, his brother and his nephew while destroying the place for good.
Back then, Visenya was young and never truly understood what had taken place. She had miraculously survived the flames, some saying she walked right through them without a single burn on her skin but that was only rumours.
Nowadays, the Princess often thinks back to that dream and feels guilt residing in her stomach when the thoughts become too much. Sometimes, she thought that it was her dream that led to that fire; for if she had never spoken about it then her Grandfather would have never tried to hatch them.
Yet, she often pushed those thoughts to the side. She had learnt not to think too much of the past and rather focus on her present and most importantly; the future.
"Visenya?" Rhaella's voice snapped her from her thoughts, only to realize she had been too silent and was simply staring into the flames.
"Forgive me, sister," she said as she placed her hand above her own. "My thoughts drifted away but to answer your question, I did. Although not in detail, I suspected what could take place and so I worked on finding more before putting down a plan" she confessed.
Her older sister embraced her from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder as both stared into the fire.
"Your dreams are a gift, Visenya but I believe only paired with that sharp mind of yours do they truly work" she said, amusing her younger sister as they both stayed like that for a moment.
The Queen was present when the fire took place for she had also given birth at the same time. It was a terrifying experience for many and the grief coming from it was what had taken the life of their father a few years after.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and the two girls exchanged a look. A servant opened the door and bowed deeply to the two women. "Forgive me for interrupting you, Your Grace, Princess. The Hand of the King has requested your presence in his study, Princess"
A silent exchange was between the two sisters before the servant was dismissed. Once the young man was gone, a sly smirk appeared on the Queen's lips as they both stood up.
Visenya, too familiar with it, rolled her eyes. "Do not start it, sister. This is mostly a formal discussion on the assassination" she explained but her words did not seem to persuade her.
"Of course. After all, you two had started to spend more time together before you departed for Dragonstone" she reminded her.
"He is a married man, Rhaella and with two children. Our relationship is purely professional, a mere discussion on the situation of the realm"
There was this twinkle in her violet eyes and the Queen kept smirking. "But of course, I never mentioned anything else of such nature," she said, proving that her sister sometimes could be as sly as a fox.
Visenya reached the study of the Hand rather quickly since it was located in the same part of the Red Keep as the royal chambers. The two Lannister Guards stationed outside were expecting her and one of them was chivalrous enough to open the door for her.
She walked in, her head held high as her black dress fell nicely around her body, the white bandages around her shoulder matching the white shade of her hair under the light of the candles in the study.
She had never been in that particular room before and she could not help but quickly study it. There were the Lannister red banners and Lion sigils on almost every corner of the wall, a sword and a crossbow hanging close by to one another but unused.
There was a wooden desk occupied by an ink pot, quills and papers; some blank and some not. The desk was stationed towards the window, giving an incredible view of the city since the Study was located in one of the tallest towers of the Red Keep.
There was a door by her right, closed and leading to the private quarters of the Hand where he could reside, although he did have additional chambers on the same floor; where his wife and children currently were.
Her eyes eventually fell on Tywin, who was busy reading a letter under the light of candles. He had noticed her, his green eyes glancing up at her for a moment but he returned his focus on the letter.
Visenya did not mind, understanding that stopping a task midway was the worst thing one could do. She remained quiet and explored the room with silent steps, taking more and more of the details existing there.
Eventually, she heard the chair scrapping against the floor and she turned her head to see Tywin standing up. "Forgive me, Princess, I had to finish an important task," he said, sincerity in his voice, which was a rare thing.
She graced him with an honest small smile, that she also gave away rarely unless it was to her sister or nephew. "It is quite alright, Lord Hand. What is it that you requested my presence for?" she asked him.
Tywin moved around the desk and headed for a small table on the other side of the wall. A jug of wine was placed, along with two goblets. He had his back turned on her as he started to pour the red liquid.
"Pray do tell, princess, how exactly did you become aware of the assassination attempt against the Crown Prince?" he asked as he turned to look at her, marching her way with a goblet in each hand.
Visenya had turned fully to face him, and could not help but smirk at his question. Somehow, she was not fully surprised by his question. After all, it was his job to keep an eye on almost everything that was going on to ensure the peace and the life of the King were not facing any threats.
She accepted the goblet from him and swirled the red liquid inside, her amber eyes glancing at it as she did. "There are always rumours, my Lord, and sometimes those are based on truth rather than twisted lies" she started, her eyes moving to glance from the wine at him, her face serious and her gaze; deadly. "I met a man if the 7 can call him that, whose little birds talk to him. Alas, the details of his work are hidden even from me but for the right price and offer; his lips expose secrets and conspiracies" She took a sip of the sweet wine, something that was not common in the Capital. "Arbor Wine?" she asked him since only one place could truly make such sweet and enjoyable wine.
Tywin observed her closely, his own goblet having moved barely an inch as his attention was fully on her. When she spoke of a man with little birds, he almost thought she was mocking him but he knew she was never going to do that.
Whatever those little birds truly were, whatever means this man had to obtain information; did not matter. In the end, the rumours were true and the Crown Prince was saved by the Princess. Although, the Hand still wondered what exactly the aim was for the archer could have aimed for the king instead.
He would find out eventually, once those damn assassins cracked under the interrogation purpose; he would make them crack.
"Do you believe my plan was rushed?" she finally asked him, snapping him from his thoughts and his staring. He lifted an eyebrow at her question and she shook her head in mild amusement. "I respect your opinion, My Lord, and thus I ask it once again. I am well aware that my plan was odd but effective in the end. Do you think against it?"
He took a moment to think and enjoy a few of the sweet wines. He never answered her but based on her question, it was clear she had already understood the origin of it.
"It was an unusual plan, few could truly execute it but it was what made it successful. Everyone can remember a basic plan, used by many across the years but few truly can think of a new one instead" he said, taking yet another sip before he lowered his cup. "The aftermath, I suspect was not calculated" he continued, his eyes travelling to the scar across her cheek; caused by her brother's ring. "However, it was a move made to protect the family; that is what I respect"
His confession caught her off guard since Tywin was not a man to talk about family truly; always keeping his out of any discussion. In addition, he never truly respected anyone or said it out loud; since so few could truly rise enough in his eyes and high expectations.
Hearing his words and his passive tone of admitting his respect for her, even trivial, pleased Visenya more than she expected. For in the end, she did not truly do anything for respect; even though she had earned it across the years from many other people.
"I am pleased to hear that, Lord Hand. Family is what truly matters in this life. Any Lord or Lady unable to realize that or willing to risk it for selfish reasons; should not be in any position of power or family in my opinion" she said, taking a few more sips of the wine.
There was something in his green eyes that got her attention. Was it agreement, or perhaps curiosity? Maybe even Pride? She could not tell for he was always good at hiding it behind a stoic facial expression.
"Wise words, Princess. Very few, in our time, do remember the importance of family...and legacy" he commented. "Pray my curiosity, but what would have happened if the rumours were just that? Why take the risk of your well-being in such a plan? Based on your Cyvasse games, I can say with almost certainty that you would have found other ways to succeed"
This made her think for a moment as they both kept standing up. She glanced at the window and headed towards it, the view of the city by night light was drawing her while her mind worked the perfect answer.
"If those rumours were proven to be empty, Lord Hand, I would have switched places with my son after the last jousting and allowed him to take the credits. He would not fully agree but I would not have exposed myself unless necessary" she explained, her attention fully outside and her back half turned at him. She had her free hand resting behind her back, keeping her posture straight while the other hand kept holding the goblet. "A woman afraid to get her hands dirty will never survive on her own in this world"
Tywin watched her as she walked towards the window, mentally debating whether she would expose the other part of her plan; if things had taken a different turn. He took the chance to study her, seeing how much those 4 years had changed her.
Long gone was any sign of a girl on her face and body, the maturity of a woman taking their place instead. Her skin was smooth and slightly paler from the luck of the sun in Dragonstone, her jawline slightly sharp and her cheekbones more prominent. Her white hair with a tint of grey was braided and fell on her back, wild strands having escaped and moving with the wind coming from his open window.
"Wise words and while I do not fully approve of the more crude paths for a lady, I do admire the perspective of it" he said as he approached her, his goblet at hand. "Nonetheless, it was a successful plan with a desired result and a unique return of Your Highness back to the court"
His words made her smirk as she turned to face him, reading between the lines of his words. He was pleased to have her back, mostly because now she would stay and with her own influence growing; she was becoming more and more valuable in this game.
After the incident with Aerys, it was clear to both of them where they stood in everything. Just like before, it was the two of them against the reckless ruler and while still unofficial; both knew that this was the beginning of their partnership.
The two of them clung to their goblets faintly. "It is good to be back" she confessed and then both of them took a few sips of the sweet wine at the same time, their eyes looking at one another with a new level of respect; while the Gods in the Heavens above them were already getting ready for the next part of their plans for them.