At the sound of her voice going higher then he was ever used to hearing, he couldn’t help but grin. “It may have been manipulative of me…” Viserys closed the distance between them, still lingering just away enough so she didn’t feel cornered. “But, she was a ruse. To gauge your reaction.” It was cruel means to go about courting but it gave him some sense of stability, that he knew what he was doing and didn’t feel like he was child learning how to do something and failing repeatedly. “Should I not make you any promises than? Is that what you desire?” He asked, leaning towards her. More down then into, but he halted his movements as he realized what he was feeling towards her was starting to kindle into affection.
“I don’t care to see any man try to court you, even attempting.” He told her, his voice growing lower, his eyes focused on hers before he reminded himself he wasn’t in charge. He was courting her, the Queen. So, he leaned back, and as his thought drifted to his sister and how happy she had seen interacting with Jon Snow, he rubbed the back of his head. “Lord Eddard informed me of some more…basic courting techniques..I know you hate flowers, and you probably have enough books to satisfy you. But…I had this made.” He went to his bedside drawer and pulled out a ring that was in the shape of a stag, it’s antlers branching out. The Stag and ring base was black with golden antlers. He held it out in his hand, nerves piled up in his stomach as he waited for her to take it.
“You should probably go ahead first, back to your guests. I don’t want anyone to start any rumors if we should appear at the same time.”
Relena could not help but laugh, upon hearing Viserys’s explanation, it just a quick laugh, and her hand soon covered her mouth, but a few giggles managed to escape her lips. “I will give you that, you are a really good liar and most men would have probably not come up with an idea like that but then again you had more time to think than most.”, she said, hardly believing a single word he said. “Please, do as both a favour and don’t treat me like a fool, I know that I am just a means to an end to you, as I am to any other man, at least give me the courtesy of acknowledging that I am smart enough to realize that.” Ever since she had become queen, Relena had to realize that she wasn’t just a girl any more, when people looked at her they saw the crown, when people touched her, they touched the throne and when people craved her they craved power. She had long accepted the fact that no one wanted her, all they wanted was her claim.
The young queen had tensed up, when she saw him approaching her, therefore there was a slight relive in the way she carried herself, when Viserys leaned back. The discomfort she felt had nothing to do with him, at least not directly, she wasn’t used to male attention and the moment men became willing to pay her any attention she had to start always expecting the worst. Relena’s eyes followed the Targaryen with raised eyebrows and a stretched neck, for she was curious to see what he was doing, once she saw it, there was a smile upon her lips for the briefest of moments. “I thank you, I truly do, for it is beautiful, but I fear a ring could… would give the wrong signal to the court. I hope you understand.”, the young stag explained, to excused herself, turning towards the door. She glanced back once more, before vanishing to rejoin the court.
Viserys gave a slight laugh as she laughed, realizing she didn’t believe him but let it play out. “You’re right. I’m a fool not to believe you would see behind the lie” He commented.
He himself smiled when he saw her smile. It was the briefest of smiles but he couldn’t help but think she would take the ring. She would wouldn’t she? The smile and her words…His face fell as she went on to speak, and the nerves that had started to subside turned into a churning of disappointment. Viserys clamped his hand over the ring, feeling foolish now, for not realizing earlier what a ring of all things could have meant. If only Lord Eddard had-No. Viserys told himself. He couldn’t blame Lord Eddard. It was himself who had decided on a ring.
He looked back at the ring, unsure of what to do with it. Part of him wanted to throw it and another part of him wanted to just give it to her no matter what anyone would think, but he put the ring on his nightstand and gave a deep sigh shaking his head at his own actions. Once Relena had left, he waited, exiting his room once he had given Relena ample time to get back to the court. As he passed a hallway he paused, gathering himself before he was seen by the public again. Making sure to make small talk with the Lords and small council, answering and asking questions and talking about the current state and affairs of Westeros.
“A lot would have changed had that been the case.” He replied. “Not sure I’d want to flirt with her if such things were the case. But, we shall never know.” Viserys looked back at Relana, seeing her face as the aftermath of the vomit became hard to look away from. “Personal guest or not…” he started to say as a servant came to help him. Okay, maybe being a personal guest was nice. Viserys was ushered off as the scene was cleaned up.
Viserys found himself in his guest room, the servant helped him and once he was rid of his ruined clothing he slipped on new bottoms, unsure of what kind of tunic to where since his Targayren colored one was done for. He decided on a black tunic with gold colorings, it wasn’t one he’d want to wear in such an event as this one, but it would have to do as the tunics he had here was given as a gift. Just as he was about to put it on, he heard a knock, assuming it was the servant asking for him, he spoke without looking as he got the Tunic from the wardrobe. “Come in” He slowly turned around, slipping the undershirt on, then putting the tunic on, his eyes met who had come in the room and Viserys’s face flushed, going from pink to red very quickly.
“Why didn’t you tell me…Relena!” Viserys exclaimed, making sure he was properly dressed. “You needen’t come check up on me.” The silver haired Targayen couldn’t believe she had left the guests and the party to…No. He was just seeing things…Wishful thinking, prehaps? “Relena.” Viserys began, walking towards her, stopping just a few feet away from her. “Were you…jealous, earlier? I know we are courting, and it’s been going on almost two months, but, it’s not as if we are already set to be married. I hope you understand that if we do wed, I won’t be like your father or my brother. I’d be faithful to you.”
For a moment Relena remained with her guests, before excusing herself. Viserys had stepped in front of her so that she didn’t have to humiliate herself, paying him a short visit was the least she could do. Since she had waited for him to tell her that she could enter, she had actually expected him to be fully dressed, but she quickly felt the need to lower her gaze and her cheeks turned soft pink. “I just wanted to make certain that you have everything you need.”, she explained, her eyes still refusing to look directly at him.
“Jealous?”, the raven haired girl repeated with a high-pitched voice as her head suddenly shot up. “Of… of course I wasn’t jealous, like you said, we are just courting, not more.”, she pointed out clearly a bit flustered.
“I should probably return to my guests.”, she mumbled. The young queen turned around to leave, her hand had already reached for the door, when she suddenly turned back. “But if we are to marry, I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t make the same promises that every man makes, the same promises that every man breaks.” After all, even the honourable Ned Stark couldn’t keep himself to just one woman, if he had failed so miserably, how high were the odds for any other man? “We are courting for only two months and you already could not yet keep your eyes off of other women, you didn’t even have the decency to deny it, how do you imagine that will work when we are married?”
At the sound of her voice going higher then he was ever used to hearing, he couldn’t help but grin. “It may have been manipulative of me…” Viserys closed the distance between them, still lingering just away enough so she didn’t feel cornered. “But, she was a ruse. To gauge your reaction.” It was cruel means to go about courting but it gave him some sense of stability, that he knew what he was doing and didn’t feel like he was child learning how to do something and failing repeatedly. “Should I not make you any promises than? Is that what you desire?” He asked, leaning towards her. More down then into, but he halted his movements as he realized what he was feeling towards her was starting to kindle into affection.
“I don’t care to see any man try to court you, even attempting.” He told her, his voice growing lower, his eyes focused on hers before he reminded himself he wasn’t in charge. He was courting her, the Queen. So, he leaned back, and as his thought drifted to his sister and how happy she had seen interacting with Jon Snow, he rubbed the back of his head. “Lord Eddard informed me of some more…basic courting techniques..I know you hate flowers, and you probably have enough books to satisfy you. But…I had this made.” He went to his bedside drawer and pulled out a ring that was in the shape of a stag, it’s antlers branching out. The Stag and ring base was black with golden antlers. He held it out in his hand, nerves piled up in his stomach as he waited for her to take it.
“You should probably go ahead first, back to your guests. I don’t want anyone to start any rumors if we should appear at the same time.”
Viserys tried not to look back at the Lannister woman, feeling like if he did or didn’t he would be pounced upon for challenging or for becoming prey. He felt better when he realized Relena was near him, if he dared to look he might see her right next to him and his hand brushed against hers. “Right.” Viserys spoke, finally managing to get his gaze back to Relena, looking at her and gave a small sigh, relieved as Cersei soon left, gone off to go stare someone else down hopefully. “Not my fault my father chose a Dornish woman then her for his eldest son’s wife” He grumbled, starting to wish another Targayren male was around to share some of this blame he was getting for his family and their deeds he could have never have done anything to change.
“I find it sad that a Beggar King can dance with the Queen, while Noble men of Great Houses find themselves incapacitated in doing the same” Viserys tried to shake himself out of what fear Cersei had gotten him in and glanced at a few of the Lords that had dared to get close to her. Challenging them to move and ask Relena for a dance. One a bit drunk then most would prefer to be. Viserys watched him with a careful eye and he staggered towards Relena trying to ask for a dance. Viserys started to snort at the comment, managing to stop it half way through as he could see the man about to retch in front of and possibly on the Queen, so Viserys stepped forward in front of Relena, not only protecting her from what harm the drunk could do but from the vomit to stain her dress. “I spoke too soon it seems” The silver haired male was horrified as the stench reached his nose and he himself fought back a gag at the sight.
“Quite the irony, isn’t it? Had he chosen my mother, perhaps there wouldn’t have been a rebellion at all, your brother would most likely be sitting on the throne and you could would probably still be flirting with that lady.”, Relena said, her hand having towards the woman from earlier. “But alas, the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms wasn’t good enough for your father.”, the raven haired pointed out, her eyes falling upon Cersei for a moment again.
The young queen straightened her back, before turning towards the voice with a stern expression. “Your queen would be more than delighted to dance with more of her subjects, if only they would display the bravery or at least the manners for such a venture, for I am certain that no high lord, no, no subject would ever dare insult a personal guest of her grace in her presence.”
Relena was focusing on the man that had spoke, so much so that she didn’t even notice that one man had apparently drunken enough to find the bravery to at least attempt to speak to her, that wasn’t until Viserys stepped in front of her. Her eyebrows arched slightly when he did this, for at first she was confused by this act, but just a moment later the raven haired woman was more than happy that he had done so. With an open mouth and widened eyes she looked at this revolting scene. “I suggest you retire for at least a moment, both of you.”, she said, before waving for a servant. “And please bring our guest something to clean himself with.”
“A lot would have changed had that been the case.” He replied. “Not sure I’d want to flirt with her if such things were the case. But, we shall never know.” Viserys looked back at Relana, seeing her face as the aftermath of the vomit became hard to look away from. “Personal guest or not…” he started to say as a servant came to help him. Okay, maybe being a personal guest was nice. Viserys was ushered off as the scene was cleaned up.
Viserys found himself in his guest room, the servant helped him and once he was rid of his ruined clothing he slipped on new bottoms, unsure of what kind of tunic to where since his Targayren colored one was done for. He decided on a black tunic with gold colorings, it wasn’t one he’d want to wear in such an event as this one, but it would have to do as the tunics he had here was given as a gift. Just as he was about to put it on, he heard a knock, assuming it was the servant asking for him, he spoke without looking as he got the Tunic from the wardrobe. “Come in” He slowly turned around, slipping the undershirt on, then putting the tunic on, his eyes met who had come in the room and Viserys’s face flushed, going from pink to red very quickly.
“Why didn’t you tell me…Relena!” Viserys exclaimed, making sure he was properly dressed. “You needen’t come check up on me.” The silver haired Targayen couldn’t believe she had left the guests and the party to…No. He was just seeing things…Wishful thinking, prehaps? “Relena.” Viserys began, walking towards her, stopping just a few feet away from her. “Were you…jealous, earlier? I know we are courting, and it’s been going on almost two months, but, it’s not as if we are already set to be married. I hope you understand that if we do wed, I won’t be like your father or my brother. I’d be faithful to you.”
Part of him wanted to just stop dancing, he swore he could feel the hatred for him as they danced. He knew he had messed up so he figured he would dance with her in silence and as they danced he heard a few men speaking on how they wanted to dance with her and why the filthy Targayren was taking up her time. His hand on her hip gripped slightly tighter and his eyes narrowed as he could see the countless number of men that wanted her just because she was a queen. But…Isn’t that why he too was doing this? Because she was Queen and the way to get his status of King back. No matter if it was a King consort.
He felt his stiff shoulders relaxed as he took in her scent, feeling her hand in his. It was an odd feeling and he wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling but it calmed it and he slowly began to distance himself from her as they danced, twirling her and then twirling him back, his breathing hitched when he saw her dress twirl, the hair around her face gently falling back into place, her stern gaze on him.
Viserys slowly let her hand go as the music died down, almost unaware that he had practically stopped dancing a few beats before the music died, staring at Relena. “I believe others would want to dance with you…” Viserys stated, clearing his throat. Shaking himself from his thoughts and watched a few men stumbling foreword, scared to ask her to dance. “I should check on Daenerys.” He explained, about to leave in his sister’s general direction until he saw her having a pleasant talk with Jon Snow. “Or not” he mumbled under his breath, his back turned to Relena and froze as he saw Cersei’s eyes staring him down, suddenly feeling like death was upon him.
Relena’s mood only darkened during the dance, not because of anything Viserys did, but rather because it seemed like the high lords of Westeros weren’t aware of the fact that females indeed possessed ears. She didn’t get much attention, especially not from men before she became queen, back then she was rarely seen outside her chambers and while she wasn’t unattractive, compared to the renowned beauty of her mother, and the beauty her sister would clearly grow up to be someday, she wasn’t the most desirable option, especially since the thing she was most renown for was the fact that she was quite the sickly child, barely making it to adulthood, but all these worries seemed to be washed away once the crown was put upon her head, st that moment she became the most eligible woman in all of the Seven Kingdoms.
For marring her would make any man king and Relena was aware of the fact that most of them expected her to hand over power to her husband the moment they were married, oh how foolish men could be.
“Well.”, the queen said, straightening out the fabric of her dress. “It will be quite hard to dance if no man is brave enough to ask me.”, she said, glancing at the lords that were staring at her and who just a moment ago seemed braver than any Lannister lion, of whom none dared to make a single step into her direction and if Relena was honest, she didn’t mind.
“You have to forgive her.”, the young stag said, after a moment of silence, at first she had not noticed her mother’s glares, but when the Tagaryen froze in his movement she followed his eyes to find the lioness. “She is my mother, no person will ever be good enough for any of her children.”, Relena said, turning her head back towards the silver haired men. “Also your family spurned her so…” , she added, stepping next to Viserys again.
Viserys tried not to look back at the Lannister woman, feeling like if he did or didn’t he would be pounced upon for challenging or for becoming prey. He felt better when he realized Relena was near him, if he dared to look he might see her right next to him and his hand brushed against hers. “Right.” Viserys spoke, finally managing to get his gaze back to Relena, looking at her and gave a small sigh, relieved as Cersei soon left, gone off to go stare someone else down hopefully. “Not my fault my father chose a Dornish woman then her for his eldest son’s wife” He grumbled, starting to wish another Targayren male was around to share some of this blame he was getting for his family and their deeds he could have never have done anything to change.
“I find it sad that a Beggar King can dance with the Queen, while Noble men of Great Houses find themselves incapacitated in doing the same” Viserys tried to shake himself out of what fear Cersei had gotten him in and glanced at a few of the Lords that had dared to get close to her. Challenging them to move and ask Relena for a dance. One a bit drunk then most would prefer to be. Viserys watched him with a careful eye and he staggered towards Relena trying to ask for a dance. Viserys started to snort at the comment, managing to stop it half way through as he could see the man about to retch in front of and possibly on the Queen, so Viserys stepped forward in front of Relena, not only protecting her from what harm the drunk could do but from the vomit to stain her dress. “I spoke too soon it seems” The silver haired male was horrified as the stench reached his nose and he himself fought back a gag at the sight.
She seemed to care. It was odd, for him to hear her speak in a such a way. He swore she hated him, friendly and cordial when she had to be, to make the courtship work. He stared at her, dumbfounded by what to do or say next as his eyes settled on her. Hearing the court musicians start up once more he took her by the hand, leading her to where others had been dancing, bowing and kissed her hand. “I wish to stay here. If you can forgive my wondering eyes, may I have this dance?” He asked her, sincerity in his voice as he spoke. “I did not mean to offend you, My Queen. My eyes may have wondered but my thoughts never strayed.” He told her.
Relena was about to angrily turn around and leave him standing there when she felt him take her hand and she was certain, had they not been surrounded by the courtiers, she would have just pulled her hand back and done what she had originally intended, but alas they were in public and the Queen of Westeros could not act like any other insulted lady would. Therefore, she bit her teeth tightly together, curtsied and silently began to dance. But if he believed that such flowery phrases could simply wash away the young stag’s anger, he truly had no idea what kind of woman was standing in front of him.
Part of him wanted to just stop dancing, he swore he could feel the hatred for him as they danced. He knew he had messed up so he figured he would dance with her in silence and as they danced he heard a few men speaking on how they wanted to dance with her and why the filthy Targayren was taking up her time. His hand on her hip gripped slightly tighter and his eyes narrowed as he could see the countless number of men that wanted her just because she was a queen. But…Isn’t that why he too was doing this? Because she was Queen and the way to get his status of King back. No matter if it was a King consort.
He felt his stiff shoulders relaxed as he took in her scent, feeling her hand in his. It was an odd feeling and he wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling but it calmed it and he slowly began to distance himself from her as they danced, twirling her and then twirling him back, his breathing hitched when he saw her dress twirl, the hair around her face gently falling back into place, her stern gaze on him.
Viserys slowly let her hand go as the music died down, almost unaware that he had practically stopped dancing a few beats before the music died, staring at Relena. “I believe others would want to dance with you…” Viserys stated, clearing his throat. Shaking himself from his thoughts and watched a few men stumbling foreword, scared to ask her to dance. “I should check on Daenerys.” He explained, about to leave in his sister’s general direction until he saw her having a pleasant talk with Jon Snow. “Or not” he mumbled under his breath, his back turned to Relena and froze as he saw Cersei’s eyes staring him down, suddenly feeling like death was upon him.
“Everything that happens at my court is my business!”, Relena insisted. She had spent years seeing her mother live in misery, idly having to sit by, watching her husband flirt and sleep with as many women as it pleased him and Relena would most certainly not share in her mother’s misery. If this courtship was to work, something that became more and more doubtful, she would not allow Viserys to do as Robert did. If it was treason for the wife of a king to have other men, then it certainly also had to work the other way around when a queen was ruling. “But if you wish to not make your… amorous activities my
business, feel free to return to Yunka.”
She seemed to care. It was odd, for him to hear her speak in a such a way. He swore she hated him, friendly and cordial when she had to be, to make the courtship work. He stared at her, dumbfounded by what to do or say next as his eyes settled on her. Hearing the court musicians start up once more he took her by the hand, leading her to where others had been dancing, bowing and kissed her hand. “I wish to stay here. If you can forgive my wondering eyes, may I have this dance?” He asked her, sincerity in his voice as he spoke. “I did not mean to offend you, My Queen. My eyes may have wondered but my thoughts never strayed.” He told her.
“he/she can’t make you feel the way i make you feel”
“you’re too good for her/him ”
“is there someone else?”
“you were flirting with them”
“they were flirting with you”
“i don’t want you talking to them again”
“i can’t stop picturing you with him/her”
“the thought of you with him/her makes me sick”
“tell me i have nothing to worry about”
“The gods probably do care. The result if this working out or not
will have an effect on their people.” Viserys commented. “See this is
where we differ. You are the Queen. You can do mostly as you
please…The Hand is there to act as ruler when you are not there. As he
did with your father.” Viserys reminded her. “Granted for your safety
in general it would be good to let people know where you are going…”
He added quickly before he headed off towards the pavilion, knowing
exactly where she was talking about and had to remind himself to be
mindful of how fast he was walking and that while he had memory of this
place and some things may be better then hers.
“I suppose you
are right. But I feel like there wouldn’t be as much weight and
pressure. In an arranged marriage, it’s not a guarantee, granted, but
it’s more set in stone than a standard courting.” He paused as he leaned
back against one of the stone pillars and looked at her, a small smile
on his face. “It would indeed. I was told I would be king one day…I
got selfish and grew closer to madness in mind due to the stress and my
exiled status. But then I survived an experience that should have killed
me…Death doesn’t change many men but for some it does.” Viserys
shrugged, not implying Joffrey should have a similar experience to what
he had but a wake up call seemed in order.
“I heard talk of a
tourney being held for your Name Day, I’d like to attend it by your
side, if you’d allow it. I haven’t seen one in too long and I know it
may be different than Daenery’s pits in Mereen, but hopefully she too
finds joy in it as I know I’ve done in the past.” Viserys stated, his
eyes down cast to the ground for a moment as he wondered if he was still
doing a shit job at courting a woman. “I’ve oddly been enjoying your
company, Queen Relena. You remind me much of my sister and you both are
not just any women. You don’t roll over and look pretty.”
His eyes flickered back to her and he cleared his throat. “Not to say
you are not pretty. You are quite beautiful. But there is more to you
than just looks and status. You have a love of reading, that’s been
quite clear.” He was starting to fumble his words, unsure of where to go
next with his words as he tried to imagine A. what she’d like to here,
B. What he truly thought of her as he’d gotten to know her and C. What
the Hand and advisors would want him to say. It was an odd mixture and
he gave a heavy sigh.
Goldnwulf 