𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐧

There was a high likelihood that she was absolutely not supposed to be where she currently was, however, Daciana had always lost the struggle against boredom. That, and her family's age old hatred for the Targaryans meant she'd had little opportunity to explore the Red Keep. "Oh gods," she turned the corner and nearly ran into someone, "forgive me, I wasn't expecting anyone." She pressed a hand to her chest, and scrambled for an excuse for her presence.

aurelio liked to think there was a certain freedom that came with being the cousin of the princess - well, that, or he opted to ignore any warnings he was given. a part of the red keep was off limits? not to him. needless to say, he was caught off guard to find out he wasn't alone. "it's fine," he smiled, "i didn't think anyone else knew about this place."

        ❝  it's  too  warm.  ❞        stated  with  little  tact expected of one who bore their title. the north's princess in possession of a demeanor identical to the land she hailed from. grey eyes observed their surroundings. captivity didn't suit the wolf, used to the northern woods that stretched endlessly, but they supposed the gardens provided an illusion of freedom, transparent as it was.        ❝  but i suppose the flowers are nice.  ❞

"we might have to agree to disagree on that point," florian responded with a smile, "i suppose it is quite warm for a northerner," he couldn't help but laugh. "you suppose? that doesn't sound very convincing," he paused, "might i show you around? i might just be able to change your mind."

❛   no,   it   wouldn't   be   -   would   it?   ❜   his   words   are   quiet,   spoken   mainly   for   himself   out   of   some   kind   of   years   building   bitterness.   for   how   he   loves   his   children,   and   yet   receives   only   disdain   when   he   has   done   nothing   to   deserve   it.   ❛   do   excuse   us,   my   lady.   i   will   return   to   you   anon.   ❜   her   hand   is   brought   to   his   lips,   a   soft   kiss   pressed   upon   it.   before   it   is   lowered,   and   his   lady   curtsies   before   leaving   with   some   amount   of   haste.   once   she   is   gone,   lancel   turns   to   his   son.   ❛   what   might   i   do   for   you,   jason?   ❜

apart from years of love and affection that they'd never get back, there wasn't anything jason needed from his father. at least nothing he could come up with at the given moment. "must i need anything?" he responded, opting to take a defensive approach almost immediately. "can i not simply engage in conversation with my father?" he continued, his voice raising slightly as he arched an eyebrow.

❛   charm?   oh,   yes.   they're   beautiful.  ❜   they   aren't   -   not   really.   they   are   nothing   in   comparison   to   highgarden's   own   -   nor   even   those   of   staerdale.   what   they   are,   the   princess   thinks,   is   an   elaborate,   confusing   structure   built   to   trap   and   distract.   within   are   flora   from   across   the   realms,   and   they   do   delight   -   but   the   hedges   are   cold   -   much   like   the   keep   itself.   ❛   if   slightly   unkept.   i   wouldn't   like   the   children   to   run   through   here   -   too   many   dangers   to   them.   ❜

"i'm quite fond of the various fruit trees," florian continued, though, it was clear he didn't really mean it. he'd always been a fan of gardens, but there was only so much that could be said about the gardens of king's landing and he'd pretty much covered it. "it does seem like it would be easy for one to become lost," his brow furrowed, "tell me, are the gardens of staedale safe? i hate to think of the children spending all of their time indoors."

a second glance at the gardens is given , even if he disagrees with the sentiment . there is nothing that piques his interest in the royal gardens and he won't show false niceties so easily . arthur gives a shrug , not wanting to ignore the lord altogether , yet he knows anything out of his mouth would come with attitude . ❝ do they ? ❞ he questions , eyes squinted at a dull display of flowers . ❝ you need not pretend with me , my lord , there's no garden as impressive as highgarden . ❞

"now, now, lord hightower," florian smiled, "we can never be sure who is listening," he feigned a moment of sincerity before ultimately letting out a loud laugh. there was no need to continue his act in the presence of a friend. "you're quite right," he laughed again, "these gardens are quite pitiful in comparison."

        fire  burned  beneath  dragon  prince's  flesh,  memory of the last attack two years prior still vivid within his mind and now another had struck at the very heart of the dragons' pride. lady lannister a tragic addition to the crime. however, those at court were presented the facade of a tense but composed heir as he walked the halls, violet hues subtly observing all, which was how he noticed the other approaching out of the corner of his eye, turning toward them before they spoke.        ❝  is there something i can help you with, my liege?  ❞

aurelio didn't make a habit of seeking out prince jacaerys, not unless it was a matter of some importance. or it concerned his cousin, which just happened to be his current motivation. "pardon the interruption your grace," aurelio managed to smile, though the words sounded especially forced, "might you tell me where i could find my cousin?"

❛   your  condolences  are   much   appreciated.  ❜    if   unneeded.  they'd  never  been  close,  cersei   and  he   (   but   that  need   not  be   known  ).  his   lord  father  never   had   allowed  it,   not  with   her  as  his  direct   competition.  in  truth,   he   saw   her  as  little   more  than  an   obstacle.   they  all  are.   his  aunt  in   the  captiol,  his   cousins  nearly   all  fools.   he's  not   one   himself  to  think  there   might   not  be  some  red  in   his  own  ledger  that  might  bring  suspicion  upon  him  for   this.  thus,  as  they  wander  the  gardens,  they  play  the  role  of  mourning  cousin  well.  ❛   it  is  difficult.  i   find  myself  putting  the  need  to  discover   the   identity  of   her   murderer   before   mourning  myself.  ❜

jason was hesitant to even approach his father, let alone engage in conversation with the older male. it was unfortunate that the older male didn't give him much of a chance, that was, until jason heard what his father had to say. as usual, his father had failed to notice him. it took a considerable amount of willpower to keep from laughing. it wasn't the place, he told himself. he did, however, allow a scowl to appear on his face as he ultimately opened his mouth to respond. "that's not why i'm here."

unknown to commotion taking part on the grounds, the liege had taken upon themselves to wander around the fortress. he'd grown tired of the mingling in the ballroom as the dancing, grew to be a nuisance in his opinion. instead, he'd taken themselves to the gardens in hopes of finding some symbol of tranquility. a goblet in hand, contained a dornish wine, he'd sipped on for a couple minutes before a sense of edge felt in his gut. eyes being felt on them, the dornish, quirked an eyebrow at the stranger. "who goes there?", he asked, "show yourself, i know you're there. "

while it hadn't been aurelio's intention to sneak up on the liege, one might be forgiven for thinking otherwise. what with tensions running high and all. not to mention, there was something rather suspicious about aurelio's lackadaisical attitude. "no need to sound off the alarms," he spoke loudly, his hands raised in front of him as he stepped into quentyn's line of sight. "aurelio rogare at your service," he smiled. he made no effort to provide an explanation for what he was doing.

❛   one   would   think   the   court   might   be   slightly   more   concerned   -   what   with   the   rumour   a   woman's   been   tossed   off   a   balcony.   ❜   dunstan   is   cavalier   in   his   words,   for   he   too   holds   little   concern   -   or   so   he   acts.   from   across   the   crowded   ballroom   his   sister   is   visible,   and   thus   he   can   rest   far   more   easily   -   even   if   he   does   not   find   truth   in   the   matter.   ❛   i   shouldn't   be   all   too   surprised,   we   seem   to   be   near   out   of   arbor   wine.   ❜

in lieu of a direct response to dunston's statement, jason opted for a vague shrug of his shoulders. "the shock hasn't set in yet," he stated, rather bluntly even for him. "either that or they're heavily intoxicated," this comment was accompanied with a laugh.