Lord Otto Hightower was not stupid, he knew that his daughter Allicent becoming queen was only the first step to making sure his blood sat on the iron throne. The second step was making powerful allies, and who was stronger than House Tyrell.
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The King had laughed at him. The King had laughed at his Hand. The king had Laughed at the father of the Queen. The King had laughed at Otto Hightower. He had laughed right in Otto's face at his suggestion. And though it was a dumb suggestion at that, Otto was running out of options for King Viserys would not name Prince Aegon heir. As the days passed it was looking more like Hightower blood would not sit upon the Iron Throne.
"Are you alright?"
Otto sharply turned at the soft voice. A young woman stood before him, no older than nine and ten. Her flaming locks had been pulled away from her face into an intricate braided updo, though a few strands remained framing soft hazel eyes. Maren Tyrell stood in front of him.
"My lady," Otto bowed his head at the young woman in greeting.
Maren offered the older man a kind smile as she stepped closer to him, only stopping when the two were chest to chest. Red hair brushed against Otto's chin as he tilted his head down to look into Maren's eyes.
"It is improper for us to be seen alone at this time of night." Otto breathed.
"I do not care for that right now I merely wish to know if you are alright. You left the tent rather quickly. I wished to thank you for the invitation on my family's behalf."
"I'm afraid I do not know what you speak of, the invitation came from the king himself."
"You and I both know that the King did not think of it himself." Maren sent him a pointed look. Placing a hand on the older man's arm Maren once again thanked him before turning away and disappearing into the darkness.
...
The next day after the Hart had been slain by the King and all the men had returned from the hunt, Otto sat beside the King for the midday meal. The hand could not help thinking of his conversation with the Tyrell girl from the night before. There had been no doubt that she had been as beautiful as the people of the Reach said but to find out how intelligent and intuitive she was was a surprise.
"What are you thinking of Otto?" The King asked. Viserys' Hand had seemed preoccupied all morning.
"I have been considering remarrying, my King."
"And what fine lady, pray tell, has caught your eye, my friend?"
"The young Lady Tyrell."
"Ah yes. The Reach's rose. She is quite the beautiful young lady."
"I wish for your blessing, my King, to offer a marriage proposal to Lord Tyrell."
"There is no need to ask Otto, you already have it."
All of the sudden the crowd grew quiet as Princess Rhaenyra rode in on her horse drenched in blood and dragging a boar behind her. While the crowd's attention stayed on the bloodied princess, Otto felt his wander to the large green tent sat near his own house's. Lady Maren Tyrell stood behind her father, the redhead had been in the process of handing her father a cup of wine when the princess had rode in. Otto found it admirable how the young lady served the men of her house, clearly she had been well taught by her septa.
...
If Lord Alistair had been ecstatic when he had received an invitation to the Prince's second name day celebration from the King he was even happier to receive an invitation from the King's Hand to spend more time with the royal family in the Red Keep. Lord Tyrell could only assume that the King wished to have Marion Tyrell and Princess Rhaenyra pursue a courtship, the older lord just couldn't help imagining how this could further his family's status.
"My family and I would be overjoyed to stay in the Red Keep longer," Lord Tyrell's smile threatened to crack the bald man's face. "Thank you Ser Hightower, your House has always been House Tyrell's closest alliance and friends." Lord Tyrell's laugh came from deep within his belly as the Lord Paramount slapped the other man's shoulder.
"Yes, well the King and Queen will be pleased to hear your acceptance." Ser Hightower attempted to smile but it came out more like a grimace as he turned away from Lord Tyrell.
AN: Otto and Maren finally had a conversation!! As I write I feel like she's a sort of Luna Lovegood variation. I just imagine her as a flowy and whimsical kind of person so I hope that comes across somewhat.
