The Golden Dragon

Chapter IV

Dyanna turned in front of the mirror, studying her dress before nodding in satisfaction. Her eyes met Cassana Estermont's questioning face. "What?" She asked turning around as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Your Grace, if I may be honest," Cassana began, "You look more reserved than you usually do." The second Princess of Westeros frowned and looked back at the mirror, the opaque fabric brushing against her throat. I guess I do look different. I'm not going to a funeral, but I do have that look about me,  she thought.

Dyanna had dressed in her house colors, black and scarlet red. None of her other ladies had brought up her sudden desire to wear the dark colors of the Targaryens and not the bright fabrics that she usually dressed in. Dyanna curled her lips inward as she looked at her reflection, digging her teeth into the sensitive flesh. It felt strange to be surrounded by black and red, but it felt like armor and it made her feel safe.

The silver and pearls were gone and in place of them was gold. It was plaited around her waist in a form of a belt. It stood out on the black dress and the panels of the skirt that hung around her legs. Dyanna's silver locks were pulled up and leaves of gold were coiled throughout the updo. Her sleeves opened up, revealing the blood-red silk underneath and heavy black embroidery laced through the whole dress. 

Cassana waved towards a lady who brought over a dragonbone box and opened it, revealing the four sets of stud earrings. Dyanna's fingers ran over each pair like a spider skittering across its cobweb as she studied them with a calculated eye. Finally, she paused over the pair of ruby earrings. No one brought up anything as Cassana helped the princess put on her jewels and neither did they speak up as she called for one of the ladies to hand her a cloak lined with grey fur.

When the door was opened, Dyanna pulled it around her shoulders with one smooth sweep. She sucked in a breath before stepping out of her lush room.

__________

"It appears the princess and I have different interests," he said and the old king sighed. "She will come around."

"Your Grace, I don't want to pressure her into something she is against-" "Nonsense," Aegon declared, waving a hand in the air.

Tywin sighed and pulled out his dagger as he recounted the events after he had been politely rejected by Princess Dyanna. He had tried not to let it get to him, but he was not used to being denied anything. However, the princess interested him and he found himself wanting her.

He chuckled when the image of her surprised face appeared in his mind. The way her eyes widened with shock but filled with warmth before closing off and her face turned serious. Looking at her from afar, one could almost assume that she was older than she actually was. 

That is what Tywin had thought before he saw her at the ball. Her smile, her laugh, the way she whispered with her sister made her seem real. Flesh and blood, not just her house words. When Dyanna danced, she came to life and when their hands joined, Tywin found that he became flustered when he looked at her. So he focused on the small white feather in her hair.

"Tywin Lannister," a voice said curtly, causing him to look up and snap out of his memories.

"Princess!"

Tywin turned around and bowed quickly, but the dagger cut clean across his thumb. Dyanna stopped walking and her eyes zeroed in on the blood.

"You're hurt," she pointed out, her voice softening. She hesitated before lifting her sleeve and pulling out her handkerchief as Tywin straightened. He studied her as she avoided his gaze, letting the two of them sit in a heavy silence. Dyanna's ladies were held back by Cassana which he was grateful for.