Lion Dressed As A Stag

Cleaning Up The Mess

Leo was a little blindsided that Ned called a meeting so soon after they had arrived in the capital. As Leo pushed open the door he heard Renly speaking.
"Winter may be coming, but I'm afraid the same cannot be said for my brother. Leo has been handling the king's affairs for a little over a year now." He said to Ned.
"Speaking of, you're late nephew." Renly said as the men turned to see Leo walking in.
"I had to make sure my soon to be family was settled in." Leo answered taking a seat at the head of the table.
"I heard father called for a tournament in honor of Lord Stark and his new position. How much is he offering in prizes?" Leo asked looking over to Lord Bealish. Petyr handed a summons letter to both Ned and Leo.
"40,000 Gold Dragons to the champion, 20,000 to the runner-up, 20,000 to the winning archer." Ned read off.
"Has this been sent out yet?" Leo asked.
"Not yet, your grace. They will be sent by nightfall." Pycelle told him.
"Hold them till morning. Half the price of the rewards, these tournaments may be good for morale but not when father had run up his debt so far. three million is enough to keep us under grandfather's thumb. It's not a place I'm comfortable staying." Leo told him.
"Are you telling me the crown is three million in debt?" Ned asked him.
"He is telling you the crown is six million in debt." Petyr answered him.
"How could you let this happen?" Ned asked them.
"My father is a drunk and a fool that likes to spend more than we have. He ran the vaults clean quite some time ago. That's why I took over matters here. I can't get rid of the tournaments and festivals completely because that would make bringing in money impossible, so I change a few things here and there when I can and it usually slips under his nose." Leo explained to him. Ned stood roughly in irritation.
"Forgive me, my lords, your grace. I'm- I had a long ride." Ned said obviously wanting to end this meeting.
"I have to agree, I could use a cool bath and warm food. Let us resume some other time." Leo said standing as well. Ned sent him a thankful nod before leaving the room. Leo wasted time stacking a few papers as every filed out of the room. He knew the looks Petyr was sending him meant he wanted to talk.
"I know you know. Lysa told me of all your help." Petyr told him. Leo looked up from the papers and grinned at the man. With a hum, Leo grabbed the front of his tunic.
"You see yourself as brilliant." Leo said as he took a few steps forwards forcing Petyr to take a few back.
"You are nothing but a man that sees himself as untouchable. I wonder what gave you that complex? Couldn't have been me, don't tell me a few pleasant words, and a little corporation on my part made you think I needed you." Leo told him shoving him back roughly. Petyr gripped Leo's arm roughly as his upper half hung out the high window.
"You can't." Petyr rushed out. Leo pulled a face of mock horror before it fell into a cold smirk.
"Why not? I know a few people I like much more than you that would fit rather comfortably in your position." Leo told him. Petyr panicked at his words and let out a few fumbled babbles.
"Shut up, if I kill you it will be a spectacle. I'll put on a show, I'll watch you bleed." Leo finished the last part in a breathy tone directly into his ear. He pulled the man back in and tossed him roughly to the floor.
"Don't think you can ever threaten me." Leo told him straitening his sleeve before stepping out of the room.

Leo made a fast pace to his mother's room.
"Leave." He snarled out once he spotted his brother sitting before Cersei. Joffrey was quick to his feet and out of the room at his brother's command.
"What's the matter, my darling boy?" Cersei asked him handing over a cup of wine.
"People are testing my patience today. We need to move my wedding up, I need the old man gone and fast. Once he is gone I can fill the spots of the pathetic men he placed on the conceal." He said tossing himself into the chair across from her.
"I'll see to it." Cersei agreed as she stood and walked behind Leo. The prince may not hold any real love for others but she was still his mother, and her soft fingers in his hair calmed him.
"Do you have a plan?" She asked him softly.
"Not yet, I need a bride before they are dead. I need the North before another of their lords die in the capital." He told her.
"My perfect boy." Cersei praised him kissing the top of his head.
"The Tyrells..." Leo trailed off tilting his head in thought.
"What of them?" Cersei asked taking her seat once again. 
"They have a daughter do they not? Perhaps we wed Joffrey to her. Plus I hear she is a real beauty." He told her.
"She is said to be wed to your uncle Renly." Cersei said shaking her head. Leo hummed in thought.
"What else do they have to offer? They have a son but Myrcella is too young for that. Last I checked Renly had ahold of that one too." Leo sighed setting down his cup.
"Why the sudden interest in Tyrells?" Cersei asked him.
"Debt. It was the topic of conversation once again. Tyrells are a wealthy family, if we can tie ourselves to them they are more likely to pull us out from under grandfather." He told her. Before looking her in the eye and smiled.
"What is it?" She asked a little uneasy.
"Loras is well know within the circles of men who enjoy men. You are soon to be without a husband. I keep you here to be with Jamie of you agree to marry Loras, I keep Loras happy in the way I know how to best and you pop out another babe that I convince him to take claim of and everyone is happy." Leo suggested.
"They will want their heir home once he is married." Cersei countered.
"I am nothing if not a convincing man, mother. I simply would be lost if I had to send my sweet sweet mother away so soon after losing my father, I need someone here that knows how this all works to make sure I do what's best for the people." He told her letting large fake tears fill his eyes. Cersei laughed at the display and nodded her head in agreement.

(Thank you for reading!)