Rich Man / Tyland Lannister / Aislynn Hightower

30. Screams

''We thank you for coming, uncle.'' Aislyn remarked, Alicent nodded in agreement.

''I worried that given leave of your father's shadow, you might wither in King's Landing's sun. But you stood tall. Know that Old town stands with you.'' Hobart assured. Aislynn looked to the sea of green at the hightower table. 

"So sweet he is." Aislynn declared. "Am I overshadowing you? This is quite the dress." Alicent laughed out as Aislynns gaze shifted.

"You look perfect."

"I chose red with purpose." AIslynn assured. "You look perfect my dear." 

"I didnt fuck things up?" Alicent whispered. 

"no. Never." Aislynn assured.   "Finny dance with me." Aislynn declared reaching for him.

''Has anybody ever told you you're nearly as pretty as your brother?'' Daemon said as he danced around Laena

''Well, you flatter me, my Prince.'' LAena told him ''I was sorry to hear about your lady wife.''

''Don't be, I wasn't. My lady was never very kind to me.''

''I know who it is.'' Joffrey mused to Laenor. "The handsome paramour."

"Who?''

''Ser Criston Cole.'' Joffrey remarked

''Her sworn protector?'' Laenor countered looking across the dance floor to him.

''Look at him. The man is fully cunt-struck.'' Joffrey agreed

"Not enjoying the party Ali?" Arthur questioned.

"After that entrance everything must be a bore." John added.

"You look beautiful Ali." Tommy remarked as he filled his cup.

"Thanks, Tom." Alicent whispered. He wrapped an arm around her. 

'A Targaryen prince, a dashing knight, and a dragon rider. You appear to be every young maiden's dream.'' Laena remarked to daemon

''That's only because you don't know me yet.'' Daemon countered

''I believe Ser Criston has bloodied that white cloak of his with your bride's maidenhead.'' Joffrey sniggered

''Oh, keep your voice down.'' Laenor hissed

''Perhaps that is something we might remedy, my Prince.'' Laena offered moving around him her hand trailing down his chest.

''Perhaps it is.'' Daemon agreed walking off.  Aislynn smiled as she ducked under Finn's hand as she tried to spin.

"Finn, can I step in?" Tyland questioned. 

"I can play with Titus." Finn agreed heading off. Aislynn smiled swaying with Tyland. 

"Your mother is holding my baby." AIslynn whispered her smile stuck on her face but Tyland heard the edge in her voice. 

"Yes." Tyland agreed. 

"I dont want Ceira corrupting my baby." Aislynn remarked. 

"Its just so I can keep my hands on you." Tyland assured. "Rather have her with Jason?" 

"No. My brothers are here and they I trust." Aislynn countered. 

"Lets not talk about my manipulative mother." Tyland begged holding her closer. 

''This is a good thing. She knows your secret... and now you know hers.'' Joffrey offered walking off. ''They make a handsome match, don't they?'' Joffrey questioned.

''What?'' Criston questioned turning to Joffrey.

''Well, the Princess and Ser Laenor.'' Joffrey told him smugly. ''Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, or the Knight of Kisses, they call me, though I don't know why.'' He introduced.

'' I'm on watch. What's your business?''

''You don't know me, Ser Criston. But we are both deeply invested in this union.''

''If you have something to say, Ser Joffrey, speak it.'' Criston hissed

''Ser Laenor is quite dear to me. As I know... the Princess is to you. We should swear to each other to guard them, and their secrets, because if those are kept safe... then so are we all'' Joffrey told him.

''Might I have this dance?'' Daemon said stepping into his place on the dance floor.

''Of course, my Prince.'' Harwin remarked stepping away from Rhaenyra immediately.

''Is this what you want?'' Daemon asked

''I was not aware that what I wanted matter to you.' Rhaenyra countered

'This is not for you.'' he told her ''he is a good man in a fine night he will bore you senseless.''

"Ali come dance with me." Tobias requested pulling on her hand. Viserys smiled back at them. 

"Okay," Alicent agreed rising up from her chair. 

''Marriage is only a political arrangement I hear.'' Rhaenyra reminded him.

''Mine was recently dissolved.'' Daemon reminded her.

''so take me and then has this not been your purpose?'' She countered ''I am not yet married but the hours past swiftly you are surely unarmed cut through my fathers kings guard take me to Dragon stone and make me your wife.'' he stared down at her grabbing her face in his hands when screams rang out.

It was madness as everyone tried to get away from the fighting, pushing and shoving. Aislynn didnt know what was going on. Her gaze snapped to her kids. Tobias was with Ali, Amelia was with Ceira and Arthur. 

"TITUS!" Aislynn shouted. 

Joffrey felt lightheaded blood trickled from his nose as Criston beat joffrey to a pulp.

"What in the Seven Hells is going on?"

"Stop this!" Corlys demanded.

"Aislynn," Tyland blocked her from the rampage. 

''Where's Rhaenyra?'' Viserys shouted.

''Princess?'' Harwin shouted.

''Put me down!'' Rhaenyra declared as Harwin carried her over his shoulder leading her away. 

"Come on Aislynn," Tyland remarked pulling her back. 

"TITUS!" 

"MAMA!" Titus screamed out. Aislynn threw an elbow back pushing through the people. Titus wailed out hiding under the table, she lifted the table cloth and he launched himself at her. "Mama," Titus whimpered. 

"Oh baby," Aislynn coed holding onto him. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" 

"I'm..." He breathed heavily as he clung to her. 

"Too much excitement for one day." Aislynn whispered into him. "Come on, lets find daddy, he makes everything better."