Rich Man / Tyland Lannister / Aislynn Hightower

43. Slap

It had been a year since the dreaded incident. Aislynn felt awful that there wasn't more she could do to help aemond. But aemond was resilient.

"Rhaenyra married, Daemon." Alicent remarked calmly. "And she is pregnant it seems. What happens to the Strong lad when she births true born sons into the world..."

"Great, two psychopathic people will sit the throne one day." Aislynn agreed.

"We spent the entire council meeting skirting around them." Tyland remarked.

"Because the king is weak." Aislynn agreed. "And cant control his family."

"He always said he never wanted to control Rhaenyra." ALicent recalled.

"Maybe that is the problem, those two get away with murder and they are untouchable." AIslynn remarked. "And what will viserys do? Now that they had a real heir?"

"Do you have something to say Lady Aislynn?" Viserys questioned from behind them.

"Oh no." Tyland murmured. Alicent tensed but Aislynn spun around.

"Yes." Aislynn agreed. "I have many things to say about your firstychild and brother and in fact, you." AIslynn decided.

"Say it then." Viserys remarked.

"Someone took their bravery tinctures this morning." Aislynn decided, her little heels clicking as she moved to viserys. "You exiled Daemon, forgave him, exiled him again, then at his own wifes funeral he and rhaenyra made a mockery of you while your bastard grandson stabbed out Aemond's eye." Aislynn remarked.

'ooohh shit." Aegon whispered peering around the corner.

"What's she on about?" Amelia questioned.

"Hush I love Aislynn in dragon mode." Aegon waved a dismissive hand.

"Lion mode." Amelia corrected.

"You are weak if you can't control your own brother. How do you control your people if your own brother will not listen to you," Aislynn was unapologetic as she looked at Viserys shocked face. "Maybe I should wear the crown and wield a crown while you wear the gown." Aislynn decided "They wed and are expecting. They killed off their spouses what kind of ruler do you think they will be? Maybe thats what you did. Got rid aemma. Replaced her with someone that could reproduce even though you dont give a damn about alicent or the children she gave you. Maybe rhaenyra and daemon are just like you-"

Viserys had gotten over his shock and smacked Aislynn. Aislynn flatered back, holding her cheek. Tyland rushed to her holding onto.

"Aislynn," tyland rasped there was a cut on her cheek from his ring. She couldnt believe he actually stood up to her. Took him how many years?

"I did my duty for the realms, I have been a good king-" viserys demanded but he seemed to be having a hard time breathing.

"And a shit husband and father." Aislynn agreed. Turning back to viserys looking him over with disgust. Aislynn forced him away from him. Then that beautiful commanding and terrifying woman, Aislynn had the nerve to laugh. "All of you Targaryens are weak and cowardly, but Alicent's children will be strong because they are Hightower proud but you and your brother and your know it all bitchy daughter.. No." aislynn decided. "You are all the same. We are done holding our tongues we are done playing by your rules... it took you this long to grow a pair... funny since you dont actually have one anymore." She chuckled. "maester!" Aislynn called out. "The king is tired. Help him back to bed."

"Yes my lady." Viserys glared back at her best he could. It wasnt threatening though. Otto came up behind them and touched aislynns chin.

"The king hit you?" Otto questioned.

"The king is in a lot of pain. He needs something stronger for the pain." Aislynn said calmly as she linked her arm with ottos. "You understand me father?"

"Yes." Otto agreed.

"And alicent sweet alicent must not know what we are planning." Aislynn added.

"Of course not." Otto agreed.

"Aislynn?" Alicent called chasing after her. "Are you alright?"

"Right as rain." Aislynn assured. "Just going to clean this off," the tip of her finger grazed her cheek. "Put a bit of tincture on it and father why dont you check on the maester."

"Good idea." Otto agreed.

"He hit you..." alicent whispered.

"I meant what I said. I dont regret it." Aislynn assured. Tyland was flustered and didnt know what to say. He held onto Aislynns hand as they walked he could punch the king for hurting his wife. Could he? Aislynn seemed to notice tylands mental dilemma.

"Ty, honey," aislynn cooed. "Dont worry. Im fine. Just the tipping point."

"Mama!" Tytos demanded running past his diblings and cousins as the end of the hall. Their gaze shifted.

"Hi baby boy," aislynn cooed picking him up.

"You got an ochie." Tytos remakred. "I kiss it better." He kissed her cheek.  "All better?"

"All better thank you Tytos." Aislynn agreed. "You all enjoy the show?"

"He hit you." Titus corrected. "I would have killed him."

"Not yet." Aislynn countered "but one day." She agreed.

"Mum," Amelia whispered. "Are you alright?"

"Just a slap. Nothing to worry about.  Hes a weak man-" aislynn knew they saw the sting of the slap still on her face. Viserys must have used all his strength to hit her. It still stung. But the king hitting innocent women would be good for their cause in the end. Aislynn was a tough woman. You do t survive in westeros without thick thin and a plan B.