Chapter 4: 4. Taking a loss
It was around sunset, both Kevan and I were making our way to hall where we usually had our meals. We were a little bit early; I had planned to socialize with the rest of the family. On entering the hall, we were the first there and had a seat. Lady Jeyne Marbrand accompanied by a plump Tygett toddling next to her arrived. From the look on her face, she was pissed off and from the way she looked at me, I was the cause.
"Your father wishes to speak with you, Lord Frey arrive a short while ago complaining how you maimed one of his sons. Why? Tywin, I know that you're angry with the way father has been doing thing, but this cannot go on. No matter how this wedding came to be, it already is." Her Anger now turned to tears. "Stop fighting your father, please I beg you. If not for him, do it for me and your brothers and sitter. Your time will come."
She approached me and began fixing my hair. "I have no doubt that you will one day be a great Lord. As you know, your father was never supposed to be the heir to Casterly Rock. He had always live a carefree life, free of responsibility. Your grandfather had never approved of anything he did nor did he care, but when your uncles died. Your grandfather named him heir even knowing of his short comings, he hoped that your father would grow into the position.
He once told me that even if he didn't House Lannister was so deeply entrenched into the Westerlands, and our finances were so vast, even two generations could spend enough to bankrupt our House. Fortunately we won't have to worry about two generations. You will be the Lord and when that happens, I have no doubt that you will turn the situation around."
I looked at her trying to figure out if it was that she truly believed in me or was she just naïve. The problem with Tytos wasn't him spending money. He was loaning it to every impoverished lord and soon to be merchants according to the books.
They would swindle him and when they couldn't pay they would give him a sad story and he would forgive their debts. Either way, that wasn't the problem, House Lannister would weather the storm. In the books, Tywin when he came of age would use this as an opportunity to call in all debts and make a name for himself.
My problem was this marriage with House Frey. I couldn't stand the fact that Genna was being married to Emmon Frey, he had no prospects besides what House Lannister would give him. Even if I didn't care for as a sister, Genna was a potential asset, she was a daughter of House Lannister's main branch and the book version was also a very competent. She would be wasted on the little rat. There was also the fact that I was already biased against House Frey coming into this world, just like all the nobles who were in it.
I took her hand and looked into her eyes, "Yes mother, I will try my best not to openly oppose father." I tried my best to sound sincere and even hugged her. I could feel her tension release. Even if I wasn't her original son, I was still in his body. In the eyes of everyone I was Tywin and I wasn't going to play the role. She grabbed and hugged me back. Even if their relationship wasn't an extremely warm one, she did love him and he loved her.
I looked over at Kevan and he was playing with Tygett, Genna had just walked in. She immediately ran over unaware of the conversation that had just taken place. "Tywin please you talk to father about the wedding, please." This earned her a stern look from our 'mother'.
I took her hand. "Don't worry, Lord Frey is with father right now and I will go speak with them." I still reassured her and left 'mother' with a bewildered look, she was trying to rationalize that we just had a conversation about me not fighting my 'father' on this. "Don't worry mother, I am not going to fight with him." I reassured as I walked to his office or chancery as they called it.
.........…..
As I arrived, I notice that there were 2 house guards and 2 of Walder Frey's men outside the door. The guard knocked and announced that I was here to see Tytos. I was allowed to enter and there was my father seated behind his desk, he was seated slightly slouched forward with his hands nervously tapping on the desk. His posture seemed to suggest that he was troubled. On the opposite side sat Walder Frey, He was a skinny man with long features, and his hair was thin and starting to grey. For a man that was in his mid-40s he already looked 50.
As I entered the room I could see that we were both doing the same thing. He was sizing me up the same way I was doing to him. I could tell because he gave me a look from top to bottom and the back up and our eyes met, neither of us willing to lose this staring competition until fucking Tytos intervened.
"Ah Tywin, I have a serious matter to speak with you about." We had both broke our gazes at the same time so I would call it a draw. "Yes, I am here. Lord Frey" I greeted him dryly, if it could be considered a greeting by acknowledging his existence.
"Lord Frey has a serious grievance against you, that you maimed one of his sons. I would like an explanation as to what happened as well an apology from you to him for injuring his son" Tytos asked without even realizing that he had insinuated I was at fault.
"Do you ask an aggrieved to apologies to their attacker?" I simply asked keeping a neutral tone. I could see this wasn't what they were both expecting.
"Are you trying to say that my son attacked you? Then how in the seven hells does he have a broken ankle and the Maestar says it will take months before he walks again and that he may never make a complete recovery. And you walk in here in perfect health and expect US to believe that he attacked you." Walder Frey raised his voice in an indignant manner.
So this was how he was going to play it. I had anticipated that he would show up before the evening was finished but he had acted faster than I thought, he must have already laid the ground work with Tytos before I arrived. "Lord Frey, I am standing right here, I am not hard of hearing. You and your family may not respect my father or House Lannister, but you will not berate me. Your son called my father a craven and a toothless lion and threatened me."
"LIES."
Walder went as stiff as a board as he stood. I could read his expressing, he was indignant that I had just spoken to him in such a manner.
"Enough, Tywin sit down, Lord Frey, please have a seat, this is a serious matter and I assure you we will get to the bottom of it." Tytos said trying to placate the man.
"Lord Frey just called your son a liar and you offer him assurances. I say his son called you a toothless lion and a craven and you don't even flinch." My stare was now cold as I looked at Tytos. I took the chair and adjusted it and I sat down now facing Walder Frey.
"Lord Frey, let's not stand on airs, your son over reached and tried to teach me a lesson on the training yard. I got the better of him and he was injured, there are dozens of witnesses, Lannister-men who saw and heard everything. This is about your son marrying my sister. So let us get to the real reason we are here." Walder Frey was shocked at how blunt I spoke to him, he slowly lowered himself back into his seat. Tytos was left speechless.
"I don't see how any of this has anything to do with the wedding, stop trying to change the topic." Walder replied now in a more measured tone, while looking at me trying to figure out what direction these talks would go.
The truth was I didn't have what it took to break this wedding agreement. Walder Frey was too committed to securing ties to House Lannister and Tytos was too craven to try and back out. It would mean conflict and he was scared of conflict.
"Lord Frey, you could care less about your third son, beside his injury was neither crippling nor life threatening. What you are interested in is my sister the most. What if I told you that there was a way to end this conflict with me, the future heir of Casterly Rock."
"Are you going to let this child speak to me in this manner?" Frey asked Tytos who was still trying to find his words.
"Lord Frey, will you throw away this opportunity to squash the enmity now, just to try to get one over on me now. I thought you were a man who was far sighted and not just in it for immediate benefits." This got his attention back to me.
"Ok, speak, let me hear what your terms are."
The truth was I had tried to figure a way out of this marriage for Genna and I had none, short of killing Emmon or Walder, but that would definitely cause a war, guest rights and such. House Frey would demand justice and if I was found as the culprit, Tytos wouldn't defend me. I also didn't have and alternative proposal for who Genna should be engaged to. If in the future she could control Emmon like her book counterpart did, maybe that wouldn't be as bad. The best I could do was gain some assurances.
"How much is the dowry?" I asked looking at Tytos. He hesitated to answer but I just continued to look at him until Walder answered. "50,000 gold dragons." He said with a nasty grin.
'MOTHER FUCKER' I cursed in my mind as I closed my eyes and put my head down and sighed. After a moment of thinking I looked up at Walder. "Very well, the dowry will be paid and I will not show any future hostilities. However, I want an agreement signed to by you and Emmon; after this wedding, he will remain here at Casterly Rock with my sister until she has seen her first moon's blood. He will not consummate the marriage until then.
In return he will be allowed to serve as a knight and not be mistreated. In the future, if an opportunity comes and suitable lands and a title can be awarded to him it will. So that they may form a cadet branch of House Frey, he will be granted it regardless of his accomplishments. My sister will remain in the West until that time that lands can be awarded. What say you?"
Walder and Tytos were shocked at the generous terms I had given him. He again gave me that nauseating smirk of his, it only accentuated his rodent like features that Frey's were known for. I remembered in the books that this was bound to happen anyway as Riverrun had been granted to Emmon and Genna after the war of the Five Kings.
This way I would be able to keep her close to home where she could be protected. I would even let the marriage stand. However, I wouldn't let her sire his children, even if I had to allow my 'sister' to cuck her future husband until a more permanent arrangement could be made. Her children will inherit everything and I will bring them into the fold.
Walder Frey's time on this earth was also limited. House Frey as well, I would find a way to purge it and seize control. Walder Frey may have won this round, but as they say; 'A Lannister always pays his Debts'. When I act, I will make sure that there will be no opportunity for them to retaliate when the time come. Walder was contented to play for prizes, I was playing for higher stakes. Even house Frey would have a part to play for me in the future.
"Ahh, I guess I misjudged you, Tytos, you have such an intelligent and admirable son. I wish my sons showed even half of your initiative. I will accept your offer and we will sign your agreement. Are you sure you are not interested in marrying any of my daughters. I'll let you choose which one you want, I might even let you have a few of my bastards as your mistresses." He half joked, half looked expectantly.
"I think there have been enough talk about marriage to last a decade, so I will decline." 'Go ahead and celebrate you old rat, I will make sure you suffer before your end, and your end won't be quick.' "Father, please do not forget that there were some matters that I need to speak with you before the evening is up. Also Lord Frey, I will have our Maester draw up the document and sent to you before the following day, will that be okay with you father?" Just like I expected, Tytos just quickly agreed and nod his head. 'Why did I even bother?'
After that I was excused, Tytos would join us for dinner and then we would talk. The entire incident with Aenys Frey had been completely ignored. Now I would need to have a conversation with Genna. I was going to make sure she would completely dominate Emmon Frey, he may marry to her but she would be in charge. I would also to what I needed to ensure she would be loyal to me.
.........…..
I returned to the hall with 'my family', I informed my mother that the entire matter had been taken care off and she didn't have to worry. I didn't elaborate and left Tytos to fill her in later. Instead I choose to join Kevan, Genna and Tygett, in a game of piggy in the middle while we waited on Tytos. My mother, even joined in with us. It was fun, something Tywin hadn't done in years. For a brief moment I felt what it was like to be in a normal family again. Tytos eventually arrived and joined in.
Afterwards we had dinner, the tension from this morning had disappeared. As I sat there, I admired 'my family', even with all the political turmoil that was being caused by Tytos, I could see them, living normally and happily. Tytos wasn't meant to be a Lord of a Great House, he was better suited to being a dad of a middle class suburban family, maybe in another life.
With regards to the release schedule, I work fulltime and attend classes for the next couple of months. This is a hobby, that I am committed to, that said I will try to release a chapter every 2-3 days. In the meanwhile, I will push out as much as I can. Thanks for any support and if you can leave a review, I would appreciate it as well as lore and writing critiques.
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