kind but cruel

for once, the walk to his rooms didn’t contain the careful joy they usually held. it was apparent to all in highgarden when lynesse would visit cedric; her hips would sway and her feet would move as if she were dancing on water. laughter would spill from her lips and her trusted ‘steed’ would hop along next to her. frog was with her at least, she had him close with her since leaving highgarden. he seemed to judge character well enough, and she was in such murky territory while being betrothed to willem. he was the hand to another king and she had to play an odd sort of balance between the two. the loyalty she needed and the loyalty that her heart demanded. frog’s feet shuffled on the floor next to her, his tail wagging excitedly as if he knew where they were going and who they were seeing. as if nothing had ever changed.

after a few moments, they passed through the familiar guards. one of them was kind enough to comment that it was good to see her, and that she remained mostly unharmed. the bandage wrapped around her torso and peeked through the open back of her crimson gown. the maester instructed to keep it open, so she displayed it with a sense of nonchalance. what was another scar, after all? she made her way through the doors and pushed the sparkle back into her eyes, before watching the staff move away. it took a few moments before she finally got a look at him.

gods, he seemed so worn down and it caused her to frown. eyes immediately betraying the thoughts she never spoke. her eyes looked away from him to go get something to drink, hands fumbling as she heard frog make his way onto the bed without invitation. the beast huffed and it caused lynesse to smile, but not turn toward him. she kept still, paralyzed with her own self-doubt. ‘you know, you are starting to resemble emeric.’

a quick movement later and her emotions got the better of her, she stood next to him. despite the dark circles, the injury, the overall look of him--cedric was still the most handsome man in all the kingdoms to her. her hand rested on his, but she couldn’t bring herself to smile. frog made a noise similar to a whine and it seemed to mirror her own feelings. ‘i am--the most happy that you are generally well.’

Cassana: …

true to who she was as a person, lynesse remained locked in her rooms, her chest pinned to the bed as the wind pricked at her nude back. the septa tried to work the bandage off carefully, but it still felt harsh and rough no matter the touch. lynesse groaned in agony as the scabbing caught the fabric, her leg jolting upwards and hitting the woman in the process. ‘fucking seven hells that hurt! sorry septa, but gods that was horrid--’ she said through gritted teeth and unparalleled annoyance. the creaking door interrupted the ordeal and lynesse turned pale eyes to look over at her betrothed. she had forgotten about him. perhaps she should have sent a note. ‘will, how lovely to see you. you almost missed the show.’

shattering glass was a sound that echoed in her ears like a phantom of a memory. decorum gave way to instinct and within seconds the lady hightower was crouched over, her hands placed strategically over her head. a jagged edge found its way to strike through her gown, ripping flesh as it made a sharp gash into her back. the blood swelled to the surface and drenched through the delicate fabric. her body twitched into a rigid form as the sky seemed to fall above her. lynesse yelped as the adrenaline rushed and she moved as quickly as she could, her eyes shifting to the tarth girl that was before her. the lady hightower could not make out what had happened in the chaos but the pain from her wound pulled her away from focus as she attempted to crawl toward the other woman.