The event took quite a while since a lot of lands had to be distributed or given, and even more men had to be knighted for their bravery during the battle. In the end, the crowd was free to go and all the nobles would gather at the back gardens to enjoy some fresh fruits, snacks and wine in honour of the new alliances, the saviour of the city and the victory over Stannis.
Visenya had met with Tywin the moment she left the throne room with Trystan, her eyes falling on her husband's form. He wore one of his signature black high-collared jackets that were decorated with golden outlines of lions, with a red sash diagonally across his chest. He had the brooch already on his jacket and he was dressed to perfection, his clothing matching hers just right. He offered her his elbow and she took it before the two of them joined the others in the garden.
Winter had yet to come and that day, surprisingly, had been rather favourable. The sun above King's Landing was still warm, the day still young and the weather was good enough for them to host the celebrations.
Many court ladies and paramount Lords approached them, mostly to congratulate Tywin for his job at saving the city and being the new Hand of the King. Visenya remained by his side, offering a small smile and just being there.
It was his time and his glory; for that she did not interfere and did not draw any attention to herself. She did, however, keep an eye on him and when she realized some Lord was trying to get on his good side by trying too hard, she would find ways to excuse themselves and leave.
She had his back and he had hers, like two sharks swimming in a sea filled with eels, which would easily try to bite them when their backs would be turned. They were the top predators, they were the ones with the power, but the others were the crowd and the numerical advantage.
Halfway through the reception and after getting themselves some fresh water, Visenya noticed Ser Loras talking to some ladies, charming them with his good looks. Their eyes met and she excused herself from Tywin before walking his way.
She felt his eyes on her back, observing each elegant, confident step she took while the back of his mind was filled with suspicions, curiosity and the smallest of jealousy. His staring, though, did not remain for long as yet another Lord approached him, forcing him to focus on them mostly but always aware of where his wife was.
Loras excused himself from the ladies and met the Dragoness halfway through. She offered him a small greeting smile.
"Ser Loras, allow me to congratulate you for your knighthood," she said since he was one of the many brave men to receive the honourable title of a knight.
He bowed his head just a tad. "Thank you, my Lady. I believe I should also express my congratulations on your very persuasive Renly impression."
"I tried my hardest, ser. I would also like to inform you that the armour has been cleaned and delivered to your chambers, as promised," she informed him, earning a small expression of surprise from him.
Then, he gave a more formal head bow. "Thank you, my Lady," he expressed, gratitude evident in his eyes.
"It was only right, Ser Loras. We are to be family soon."
The corners of his lips lifted to a small smirk. "Indeed we are."
His father, Lord Mace and Lord Mathis started to approach them. Loras saw it as a sign to leave but it was clear he took a small liking to the Dragoness and could see a potential ally in her; an ally both for him and mostly his sister.
His grandmother had warned him to be careful around her but he did not see any reason to do so. Her Lord Husband, sure, for he was the biggest and most dangerous fish in the ocean—but her? He could not truly see it.
"My Lords," she greeted them with a small formal bow as the golden decorations and jewellery glowed with the rays of sun falling on them.
"Lady Lannister, we were just discussing you," Lord Mace said.
"You did, my Lords? May I ask about the topic?" she asked, trying to be as mannered and proper as possible.
They were not in war and they were not in battle. Right now, they were in the court as noble lords and ladies respectively. People were watching, were eavesdropping and some roles had to be filled.
"Of your combat role, my lady," Lord Mathis informed.
His liege nodded and took two goblets from a passing servant while Lord Mathis already had one in hand.
"You led the vanguard well and portrayed Renly Baratheon perfectly. I could see those Baratheon soldiers running away from you, truly thinking you were a ghost," he joked and laughed on his own.
Visenya gave a small pleased smile, not sharing his humour but appreciating the praise nonetheless.
"I should thank you then, my lords. If you had not put your faith in me, the plan would not have worked that way in the first place."
"You did and I am glad I did not regret it, Lady Lannister," Lord Mace said and grinned. "And now, we are to be family. I am glad to know my daughter will have someone like you by her side," he continued and brought his goblet forward, Lord Mathis doing the same.
"I will make sure to look after her, my Lord. We are to be family and we will stand next to one another in and out of combat," she said and let her goblet cling against theirs before taking a sip of the red wine.
Just then, Margaery was seen walking close by and Lord Mace wasted no time to call her over.
"Margaery, my dear," he started as the young girl approached them timidly. "Have you met Lady Lannister?" he asked in an attempt to properly introduce them.
The Young Rose immediately bowed. "My lady, it is an honour to meet you from close. I have heard many things about you," she said, her voice sweet and her act of the innocent deer played to perfection.
Visenya played her part, giving a small bow of her own.
"The honour is all mine, Lady Margaery. Please, there is no need for formalities. You are to be wed to my grandson very soon."
The two lords let them leave, feeling proud that their plan to bring Margaery close to Visenya was a success. They knew that the best way to keep an eye on Tywin was through his wife and what better way than to let the young Margaery work her magic and appeal to the mother side of the Dragoness.
What they were not aware of, though, was the fact that Visenya wanted to approach Margaery for her own reasoning. It mostly had to do with Tywin's plan, a reassurance that they would not be taken off guard by the Tyrells now that they had their own hands on the Iron Throne.
A smile formed on the girl's lips, part of it genuine by the sweet tone of the older woman. Her grandmother had warned her strictly to be careful around the famous Dragoness and not underestimate her, but at the same time to also get close to her.
"It is a great honour to be married to His Majesty," she said, a clear lie that she saw right through.
The Dragoness started to walk slowly and Margaery followed suit, clinging to her side.
"I am sure it is," she said with a tone that was too similar to Cersei's. "How do you find King's Landing so far?" she took a sip of her wine.
The young rose had to lift her head due to their height difference but did not feel intimidated by the commanding presence of the woman by her side. She had seen her when she first entered the room and honestly, she admired her.
The way she made the room look smaller, how easily she made her way during the small celebration with or without her husband—as if she had never left the court she was born into.
"It is a very beautiful city, although I did not have the chance to see it properly," she confessed.
"I do believe this will change. As the future Queen, you will meet your subjects and hear their needs."
"I was told you are very experienced with that, my lady, and the matters of the court," Margaery started, earning the full attention of the older woman. "It will be an honour to learn from you and it is a reassurance to know you will also be present from now on," she continued, acting like the shy, scared girl her grandmother told her to be.
"The court is full of snakes, lies and fake smiles. You have to be the toughest in there but never show it. Everyone tries to be better than the others, to offer the most in a conversation, but no one ever tries to be loved and good."
Those were the words her grandmother had told her, the advice she had given her before letting her leave with her escort, a day after her father, to arrive at King's Landing with the perfect timing.
If Visenya bought the act or saw it right through it, it did not show. Her expression never changed, her smile never grew bigger or smaller and her step remained the same. She was mostly focused forward, occasionally turning her head a few inches to look at the young woman by her side.
"If you are worried about the court and the noble ladies, there will be no need," she started, her smile forming into a small charming smirk. "I cannot let my future granddaughter on her own, now can I?" she asked rhetorically, but the message was clear.
I will have your back.
Of course, only an idiot would not expect this to be a two-way deal. Sooner or later, Visenya would come to collect and Margaery knew that. However, she was ready to handle it when the time would arrive.
For now, she would play the naive and clueless noble girl with the golden heart, pretending she did not expect some sort of repayment for having such a powerful ally by her side.
"Thank you, Lady Lannister. I am relieved to hear that. The court here is very different from what one would expect," she confessed.
And the acting continues, the Dragoness thought as she had not missed the theatrics and lies that everyone had wired in their heads.
"It is, but I am certain a smart lady such as you will learn fast," she fake-complimented, acting her part.
She truly had not missed that, but she had been doing it for so long, it came naturally to her. The sweet talking, the fake smiles and the custom formalities were part of her, coming whenever she needed them without much of a try. She did not like it, but she kept playing because that was the only way to survive there.
Like a shark, the moment you stop swimming, you are dead. Similarly, in court, the moment you stop acting and show your true self, you can consider yourself dead.
Lord Baelish noticed them through the crowd and started to walk towards them, a fake smile on his lips that made Visenya feel uneasy. Coming to a halt, she waited for him to come, a passive way to exert her power by making him come to her.
Margaery noticed and most likely noticed the smallest of face changes on the Dragoness.
"Thank you for this talk, Lady Lannister. I look forward for us to get to know each other better," she said, bowed and started to walk away.
Visenya noticed her walking towards an isolated and quiet Sansa, clearly trying to befriend the lonely girl. The Dragoness knew that could be bad for them if those two were to build any type of friendship.
The Tyrells now had the Iron Throne—they could not aim higher, but that did not mean they could not form secret alliances behind everyone's back. Why have only one powerful house as your ally when you can add a second one, ensuring multiple supports and your web spread to each corner of Westeros?
"Lord Baelish," she greeted, forced to look from the two young girls to the man now standing in front of her.
The said Lord took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it, always paying attention to her fake smile and the small tightness of her jaw as a response.
"My Lady, may I be bold enough to say that you look magnificent in dresses," he complimented.
She withdrew her hand and tightened the grip on her goblet, her fake smile never leaving as passing people watched them from afar, curious for gossip.
"Thank you, Lord Baelish. I can see you are becoming more confident without my Lord Husband around," she pointed out and saw how he tried not to make his fake smile disappear.
I will act my role, but I will not make it easy for him either, she thought and held back her smirk.
"I am but just one of the many men admiring your presence, my Lady. It has been years since you were last seen at court, let alone be known as the Lady Wife of the Hand."
She did not let his words affect her, but internally she could see what he was doing. He was playing her game, trying to hide his intentions and his comments behind manners, fake compliments and praises.
"It has indeed, but I have returned, as my Lord Husband has, per the King's request," she reminded him. "How can I leave when two great houses are to be united? It would not be proper of me not to attend the ceremony as the Tyrells and the Lannisters unite under the holy union," she continued, once again throwing a reminder of how much power she suddenly had behind her.
She had Joffrey as her grandson and also his family, she had Tywin as the most powerful man in Westeros and now she would have Margaery through her marriage to Joffrey. She was going to be the most powerful woman once again, now even more powerful than she was when the world still knew her as the Dragon Princess.
Petyr realized what she was insinuating—a clear show of power and a warning that she was not a simple Lady Wife of a Lord Paramount. She was a woman who would be wise not to try to backstab or plan against her because she had powerful figures covering her back.
"Of course, my Lady. I am certain His Grace is pleased to have his family around and Lady Margaery have a respectable figure such as yourself to look up to," he said, quickly trying to save himself. "I never managed to also congratulate you for your role as Renly Baratheon's Ghost."
Sneaky little mockingbird, Visenya thought.
"I thank you, my Lord. Your plan was a success and your smart thinking has been rewarded properly," she commented, offering him only the tiniest of praise.
She saw his lips twitch in annoyance, now realizing he was playing a game he could not win. He might be good at sweet-talking others and using his words to earn trust and win allies, but she mastered the game.
She honey-coated her words and manipulated lords, ladies, tribesmen and even her own brother, to the point of earning his approval to marry the man he hated and who was a threat to his power.
Petyr Baelish could try all he wanted, but she was always five steps ahead of him. There was only one man that ever had beaten her at that game—and she was married to him.
There was a quick small silence between them that was eventually interrupted by Trystan. The young Lion approached them, his green eyes narrowing at the form of Petyr. He did not like him, in general, and he did not approve of him being so close to his mother.
He knew she could handle it just fine, but that did not mean he would sit around to do so. His father was already glaring daggers at the cocky Lord and was ready to interfere, despite the Lords surrounding him.
To save him from all the trouble, the half Lion had moved accordingly and entered their private discussion more smoothly than butter did on bread.
"Lord Baelish, Mother," he greeted, giving a formal bow only to his mother and none to Baelish, quickly putting him down.
His actions pleased his mother and annoyed Petyr, who hid it behind a forced smile.
"Ser Trystan. I shall let you two talk and I will see you around in court, my lady," he said and left, not daring to kiss her hand again with Trystan around.
Once he was far enough, Visenya let out a heavy sigh and felt her shoulders relaxing.
"Your timing could not be more perfect," she commented in High Valyrian, her fake smile dropping and she could feel the muscles on her face aching from the unusual prolonged movement.
She drunk a few sips of her wine and let Trystan guide her towards one of the many trees that offered shade.
"It would either be me or father and he would not have let him go so easily" he pointed out, answering her in the same language, one she had taught him since he was a child. At his words, she glanced at the direction of her husband, seeing him faintly more relaxed now that the threat was gone.
His small jealousy and protectiveness amused her. "He would not have, indeed" she agreed and took notice that her son was often looked in the direction of Sansa and Margaery. "Your attention is suspiciously a lot on the young Stark Girl" she said in a lower tone as they came to a halt beneath a tree.
Trystan cleared his throat and placed both hands behind his back, mimicking his father in almost every aspect. "I am mostly keeping an eye on her. Her life here has not been...easy, to put it mildly" he explained, since he had not written that many letters to her about Joffrey's behaviour; not wishing to distract her from the war and rescuing Jaime.
Visenya did not have to be told more to understand what he meant. Cersei was a hard character of her own and Trystan had already written a few things about the behaviour of the boy-king in general.
"It shouldn't have been but it is not too late to change it. Now that your father and I are present, she will be safer" she informed him.
Trystan kept looking around him, acting as if they were having a casual conversation in order not to attract unwanted attention to them. "Being no longer married to him makes her safer" he commented.
She sipped some of her wine and also watched around, pretending that their topic of discussion was something simple and not the fate of their 'prisoner'. "She is not free, though. She will never truly be. With the war going on, your father will, rightfully so, keep her close and find a way to tie her to us" she explained and heard the small sigh that escaped his lips.
He was a little more relaxed around her, having missed her presence and her comforting voice. He did not fully drop his guard since they were in open space but he did choose to be little but more honest.
"I know and I honestly feel sorry for her. She pays for the mistakes of others and rather unfairly" he confessed in a lower tone.
His mother moved and placed her hand on his shoulder, making him look at her. There was this softness in her unique orbs, this motherly comfort that could be felt and never had to be spoken.
"It is unfair but it is how the world works, Trystan. She might be a caged bird but she has the luck to be in a far bigger cage than she would be in other situations. That alone does beat a part of the unfairness and it is the best thing that can happen in this world" she advised him, once again speaking like a woman far older than she was.
She had spent her whole life in court, in the public eye and in situations where she was a prisoner; both figuratively and literally. She knew too well how everything worked, what was necessary to happen and how worse situations like that could be.
She had experience many lacked and she was from the few, who let such incidents wise her up, now showing it in the form of wise pieces of advice and comforting words.
"I know" he confessed, his gaze softer and a small sad smile forming on his lips. "Thankfully you are here to help with that"
She moved her hand to his shoulder. "I am proud of what you have done for her and how rightfully you acted" she said, aware by his letters and a few things from her own spies, of what he had done while she was away.
He placed his hand on top of hers. "Thank you, Mother" he said, his smile not changing but there was this warm feeling within him; the feeling of knowing he had made her proud and that she was once again around him.
Sometimes, he felt her presence was truly needed. He had grown to be independent of her, spending the last few years away from her and surrounded by his siblings and foreign people. Yet, having her around already made everything look better or at least gave him this feeling that things would turn better.