COMPANION

something has happened to me for sure

In the halls of the Red Keep, an unlikely couple drew the eyes and whispers of courtiers and nobles alike. Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, known for his calculated mind and ruthless ambition, had taken Gianna Lannister as his wife. Gianna, with her wild mane of blonde hair and striking green eyes, was a woman of stark contrasts. Her personality, a mix of nonchalance and unpredictability, was reminiscent of a lazy cat.

Gianna's laid-back, deadbeat nature baffled many. She was often seen lounging about, seemingly indifferent to the intricate politics that surrounded her. This carefree attitude, however, only served to endear her more to Otto, whose obsession with her was nothing short of disturbing.

King Viserys I Targaryen often found himself horrified by the way Otto clung to Gianna. Whether it was in court, at feasts, or even during private moments, Otto was never far from his wife, always holding her close as if she might vanish if he let go. Gianna, for her part, seemed unfazed on the surface. She would stand there, scratching her head or rolling her eyes, giving the impression that Otto's behavior was merely a mild inconvenience.

-

Internally, however, Gianna was deeply disturbed by Otto's obsessive nature. She had initially married him out of convenience and to secure her family's position, but she hadn't anticipated the extent of his fixation. Otto's constant need to be near her, to touch her, and to proclaim his love in possessive whispers unnerved her. Yet, Gianna, ever the master of deflection, soon found ways to forget or ignore his behavior, treating it as one of life's many annoyances.

In public, her demeanor remained unchanged. She laughed, joked, and maintained her carefree façade, while Otto's intense gaze followed her every move. Aemma Targaryen, the queen, often found the couple adorable, completely missing the underlying tension.

"They are such a lovely pair," Aemma would say with a smile. "Look at how devoted Otto is to her."

Viserys could only sigh in response, his discomfort evident. "Devoted isn't the word I'd use," he muttered, shaking his head.

-

Otto and Gianna's children, Alicent, John, and Gerion, each had their own unique perspectives on their parents' relationship. Alicent, the eldest, was a keen observer. She saw beyond her father's public mask and understood the depth of his obsession with her mother. While it troubled her, she remained silent, knowing that confronting her father would lead to nothing but strife.

John, the playful middle child, often made light of the situation. He would tease his mother about how she managed to charm the stern Hand of the King into becoming her doting shadow. Gianna's laughter would echo through the halls as she ruffled John's hair, her deadbeat nature shining through in those moments of levity.

"Mother, you've turned Father into a lovesick puppy," John would joke, earning a rare chuckle from Gianna.

"Better a puppy than a lion," she would quip back, her green eyes twinkling with mischief.

Gerion, the youngest and bravest of the three, was more vocal in his disapproval. He admired his mother's strength and carefree spirit and felt that Otto's suffocating affection was undeserved. He often clashed with his father, not out of disrespect but from a place of protectiveness over Gianna.

"Father, can't you see you're smothering her?" Gerion would argue, his voice filled with frustration.

Otto's response was always the same: a calm, unnerving smile. "Your mother is my everything, Gerion. You will understand one day."

-

Despite the underlying tensions, Otto's devotion to Gianna never wavered. He would often surprise her with lavish gifts and grand gestures of affection, though Gianna's reactions remained indifferent. She would accept the gifts with a nonchalant smile, scratching her head and wondering how to pawn them off later.