The wedding was a big event and the crowd clapped rather loudly when Joffrey kissed Margaery and sealed their marriage. Of course, until they would sleep together, the marriage was nothing but a fancy title.
Visenya had been observing how awkward Margaery felt and how hard she tried to hide it behind a small fake smile. She knew of Joffrey's nature, but she did not know that there were people pulling strings in the background to save her and the realm from another mad king.
Once the wedding was over, the guests started to filter out and slowly make their way towards the place where the reception and the feast would take place. In this small moment of people walking like a coordinated pack of sheep, Visenya had found an opening and left Tywin's side.
She found Olenna by the Gardens, staring ahead at the blue sea of Blackwater Bay. Their discussion was coded, their voices low, but they made it look as casual as both women stood by the edge of the path and looked ahead.
Their discussion was cut short when Tywin was seen approaching them.
Immediately, Visenya turned to face him and greeted him with a nod of her head. He eyed her carefully, passively admiring her outfit under the sun, and then looked at her latest company.
"I do not believe I am interrupting," he said and motioned for them to keep walking as guests were coming their way.
Olenna waved her hand dismissively. "Of course not. We were just talking about this beautiful wedding," the old woman said as the two women walked side by side.
However, Tywin moved swiftly to be between them and forced the two ladies to have a bigger distance between them. Olenna took notice and chuckled silently at the possessive and jealous nature of the Old Lion, something she had heard of rather often and now could say was all true.
"Since you were discussing the wedding, a bit much, wouldn't you say?" he asked, deciding to also join the discussion by having Olenna on his left and Visenya on his right, as per usual.
"It feels proportionate," Olenna commented.
"Proportionate to what?"
"The expected extravagance, of course."
"People who spend their money on this sort of nonsense tend not to have it for long."
The Queen of Thorns rolled her eyes. "You sound just like your Lady Wife. She told me the exact same thing," the older woman said, making him look at the Dragoness.
"Did she now?" he questioned, sending her a look.
She offered him a ghost smirk, playing along with the lie as if she had already rehearsed it. "Of course. I did learn from the best after all."
This seemed to please him, evident by the twinkle in his eyes. However, since they were not alone, he focused on the third person in this discussion.
"Hmmm," he exclaimed.
"You ought to try enjoying something before you die, Tywin, Visenya."
She said, being from the few to ever use their names so informally.
"You might find it suits you, both of you."
"The tunic that suits one person will not ensure it will fit the other."
Visenya quoted, earning the attention of the duo.
Tywin smirked faintly, clearly enjoying her smart and slightly snarky comment while she proved to share his thoughts on the whole idea and discussion topic.
Olenna, on the other hand, arched an eyebrow at her bravery to say those words, but one could see that she was amused by her attempt; trying to sound professional and proper in front of her Lord Husband when she could throw so much poison if she wished to.
The path ahead of them merged with another one that was made mostly by steps. Lord Mace was approaching them with a smile, clearly intending to join them.
However, his mother was not in the mood for it. "Not now, Mace. Lord Tywin, Lady Visenya and I are speaking" he snapped back, making the older man press his lip to a forced thin smile and rear back. "Anyway, I don't know what you're complaining about. I'm paying my share"
"Shall we stick golden roses in half the meat pies to commemorate your generosity?" Tywin commented, sarcasm flowing rather freely from his lips.
"No, your heartfelt thank you is its own reward" Olenna snapped back, earning a small ghost smirk from Visenya.
Tywin noticed and sent her a 100k. You are chasing your luck, it was telling her.
She lowered her head faintly but the smirk remained on her rosy lips. Sorry not sorry, was her silent reply.
Olenna took notice Of this small interaction, silently studying the two Of them now that she had the chance; since it was rare to do so out in the open. Tywin was always busy with his responsibilities and so was she. They would not truly be seen together other than some formal events and even then, their discussion or interactions were rather forced and fake; for the sake of appearances.
She chose to continue and save the younger woman from the claws Of the Lion, although she knew the Dragon never truly worried about such things. "l would imagine I'd be hearing it again before long. Wars are rather expensive. "The Iron Bank will have its due." How they love to remind everyone. Almost as much as you Lannisters with your debts," she said, throwing fire at their direction but mostly Tywin.
Yet the older Lion did not seem fazed by her words or was simply too good at hiding it.
"I'm not worried about the Iron Bank."
He told her, but she could see right through it.
"All three of us know you're smarter than that. Come, Tywin, let us celebrate young love."
She said and turned to Visenya.
"I do hope you will not mind if we share your Lord Husband as an escort."
Tywin arched an eyebrow, but before he could comment, he noticed the twinkle of mischief in her amber eyes.
"Not at all, Lady Olenna," she said as the two women wrapped their hands around each one of his.
The Old Lion did not comment, but he did send his wife a warning look of 'We will discuss this later.'
She offered him a soft smile, and the three of them continued walking down the path, towards the more open part of the Garden where the festivities and celebrations were to take place, along with the feast.
At the Head Table, Joffrey had taken a seat with Margaery. His mother and Tommen were present, but his uncles and grandparents were missing. While he was busy watching the party and the entertainment, Lady Olenna started to approach Sansa.
The Stark girl wore a dark purple dress made of a double material, with the upper part being a shade darker, offering a nice contrast and design. It was rather light, easy to move around, and it made her feel quite beautiful.
She was very happy to wear it, one of Doroh's designs, and she did not seem to mind when Cersei sent her a glare; clearly realizing it was not one of the plainer and boring dresses she had given her.
A black hairnet with jewels was worn above her braided hair, a gift from someone she had saved from Joffrey's claws what felt like an eternity ago.
"You look exquisite, child." Lady Olenna said as she stood by her side, observing her dress. "The wind has been at you, though. I haven't had the opportunity to tell you how sorry I was to hear about your brother." She continued her hands gently caressing the braids and even the hairnet with the expert fingers of a common thief. "War is war, but killing a man at a wedding is horrid. What sort Of monster would do such a thing? As if men need more reasons to fear marriage."
Just then, Tyrion chose to join them and take his place by Sansa's right, once again being a barrier between her and the rest of his toxic family; especially Joffrey. "My lady. My lady." He greeted them.
"Lord Tyrion, you see? Not as bad as all that. Perhaps if your pauper husband were to sell his mule and his last pair Of shoes, he might be able to afford to bring you to Highgarden for a visit" she joked, smirking at the scowl coming from the dwarf. "Now that peace has come and all is right with the world, it would do you good to see some of it. You must excuse me. It's time I ate some of this food I paid for."
Around the same time, Visenya could be seen walking with Trystan. Her son had extended his arm like a gentleman while his father had gone to speak with some Lords since he was the Hand of the King.
They walked slowly among the tables, choosing not to sit and eat yet. Visenya was not really in the mood to eat, too many things on her mind and she knew only when it was all over; would she be able to breathe properly.
Her son had noticed and had offered to walk her around since he could not stand being around Joffrey and his psychopathic dark humour. As they walked, they could hear a musician being busy singing the Reins Of Castamere.
" I do not wish to sound mean but I have gotten tired of hearing about that son" he said in High Valyrian, talking to his mother as they walked further and further away from the Head Table.
His words amused his mother. "Repetition does eventually bring boredom. I assure you, I am in your position and I have been hearing it far longer than you have " she shared his humour, making him smile as the presence Of one another helped ease their minds.
"You seem better, mother. Lately, you seemed...quite tired" Trystan said, offering a charming friendly smile to greet Lords but none stopped walking.
Visenya kept her small fake smile, her cheeks getting tired from it but she put up with it. "There is no need to be shy around me Trystan. I know I looked exhausted and troubled, I could see it in the mirror" she said as she looked forward, their tone normal but slightly lower in order not to draw any suspicions. "I should be the one asking how you are. You seem in a far better mood".
The boy cleared his throat, remembering the walk with Sansa at the Gardens and tried hard not to smile at the memory. "l have been trying, mother" he confessed. "Nothing has happened if that is what you are worried about. I just offer some companionship to Lady Sansa ".
She let her fingers tap his upper arm a few times. "l know and I am glad that you did However, I do hope you have not grown attached to her too much, my son".
This seemed to make him frown eyebrows and eventually turned his head to look at the profile of his mother. "What are you talking like you know something more?" he asked her.
Before she could reply, a voice called them over or better say, called her.
"Ah, Princess" the male voice with an accent said and the duo came to a halt close by a table with fruits and cheese piled into a pyramid.
"Prince Oberyn" Visenya greeted and offered a small head bow, a fake smile upon her lips. "Are you enjoying the festivities?" she asked all mannered, taking notice of the Dornish woman by his side.
"Hard not to. Although, they do lack some 'Dornish entertainment,'" he said and smiled, taking notice of her outfit.
"A beautiful dress, I must say. However, I do believe other colours would also be more suiting for you than the Lannister Red," he continued before taking notice of Trystan.
"Prince Oberyn, this is my son, Ser Trystan. Trystan, meet Prince Oberyn of Dorne," she introduced them.
"Prince Oberyn," the Half-Lion greeted, his face passive.
The Dornish man smirked and took notice of the tall young man, head tilted faintly to the side while he observed him.
"Pity, would have been nice to see some of your colours for a change," he commented and then turned to his companion, whose revealing open V dress exposed the matching bra she wore.
"Allow me to introduce you to my companion, Ellaria Sand. Ellaria, meet Lady Visenya Targaryen, wife of Lord Hand Tywin Lannister, and her son," he said, clearly refusing to put her name and the lion family name next to each other.
Trystan took notice and was surprised his mother did not comment, but he had also noticed there was this small informality between them that was not common. He kept his attention mostly to Ellaria's face, eyes refusing to go lower to the more exposed parts of her skin, something that the adults around him took notice of.
Ellaria smiled, amused by Trystan's attempts and did not seem to mind how controversial her outfit was.
"It is an honour to finally meet you, My Lady. Your achievements have not been forgotten in Dorne," the woman said, earning a small smile from the Dragoness.
"The pleasure of meeting is all mine, Lady Ellaria," she greeted with equal formality.
She then turned to Trystan.
"Would you mind if I talked with the Prince alone, Trystan?" she asked, although it was clear to him that this was not a question.
The Half-Lion was a little hesitant at first but nodded, trusting that his mother had it all under control.
"Of course, mother," he said and withdrew his hand.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Prince Oberyn, Lady Ellaria," he said, gave a very faint head bow, and walked away; to find Jaime since he was on patrolling duty as King's Guard and would not be sitting with his family.
Oberyn watched him go, his fake smile disappearing soon after.
"He looks like a Lion, but he doesn't act like one," he pointed as his companion fed him a grape.
Visenya watched him go before turning to him, her smile gone.
"He is half-Dragon, do not forget that," she said, a subtle warning hidden in her words.
Do not think of going after him like you plan for all the Lions, was the warning that the cocky prince understood quite easily.
"He is rather handsome, though," Ellaria commented with a smile, sensing the passive tension between them.
"Tall, strong, and so well-mannered. Your girls would have a field day with him," she continued, amusing him.
"They would eat him alive, the poor boy. From what I see, you must have had him quite sheltered, Princess," he said, grabbing another grape from the pile while Visenya grabbed a goblet from the tray of a passing servant.
"I have been focusing him on what is important. He is young, and he will get his chances, just like you did," she said, hiding her smirk behind the goblet as she drank some wine.
He chuckled.
"I see you are in the mood today. I do wonder what could have changed that."
"Wouldn't you like to know."
She turned to Ellaria.
"Forgive me, Lady Ellaria, we have left you out of our conversation."
The Dornish woman smiled.
"It is quite alright, my lady. I do understand. Oberyn has talked about you and your gift to him."
"Has he now? I do hope the story has not been twisted," she bemused, making him smirk.
"I am not a liar, My Lady. Nor do I feel offended when a woman has bested me, unlike the men you are surrounded by; let alone married."
As if the sudden change of discussion had summoned the man of the hour, Tywin made his way towards them with Cersei; invisible fire coming from his glare and all the annoyance and hatred directed straight at Oberyn.