#crvwncd

things are turning out better than he hoped. capping off the year by coming to winterfell was the best decision after he's missed out on so much. he owed his wife a great deal for letting him do what needed to be done, and he's all about making it up to her just like he promised. now that they're expecting, there's nothing more important than aisha. he'd ease up on the work if he had to, well, he'd try at least. ❝ see? this isn't so bad , it's not the kind of resort we had in mind , but it's still… beautiful . ❞ he had promised a holiday trip somewhere bright and sunny, where they can lounge in a beachfront cabin. but he had to be a short flight away from the office in case something comes up.

❝ great, you're here ! ❞ she began, scrolling through notes of activities she ought herself to engage in before the year ends. all for personal growth, discover new passions, and all that sounded good on the papers. but what were they if not distractions? a bedazzled array of headlines to steer attention away from her father's passing... that one was private, personal. ❝ now , baking . everyone's doing it these days and posting all about it . it looked like a fun thing to do with a friend . please , tell me you know how to ? ❞

"That  is  very  kind  of  you,  my  liege.  I  do  agree  that  mistakes  do  require  a  certain  amount  of  forgiveness.  But  I  also  find  that  my  propensity  for  doling  out  chances  is  directly  in  line  with  the  previous  offence.  Should  it  be  malicious,  lets  say,  then  I  am  far  less  forgiving,  and  far  less  likely  to  grant  the  opportunity  for  the  person  to  strike  again."  He  shrugged  his  broad  shoulders,  arms  crossed  in  front  of  his  chest.  It  was  likely  not  an  unusual  stance  to  take,  though,  and  he  felt  quite  comfortable  with  sharing.  There  were  some  in  the  court  he  would  grant  no  forgiveness  and  no  more  chances  to,  but  she  knew  who  she  was.

dornish lord bear witness to the consequences of being drunk on wine and merriment . a liege from the reach stitched with boisterous laughs , brimming with impudence while seeking a dance with those nearby . if not for some of his companions , a mess would have been made at the table . ❝ well , that was ... interesting . ❞

"Princess.  It  seems  as  though  we  have  been  paired  for  this  dance."  He  offered  his  hand  and  a  smile.  Forever  a  man  bound  by  his  ambitions,  he  certainly  would  not  pass  an  opportunity  to  make  acquaintance  of  one  of  the  Essosi  royals,  even  if  it  was  the  younger,  rather  than  the  Crown  Princess.  He  had  little  to  do  with  any  of  them,  even  in  King's  Landing,  and  was  curious  as  to  what  made  the  Queen  so  eager  to  ally  with  them,  and  what  better  time  to  find  out  than  a  celebration,  with  the  introductions  already  made  for  him  by  the  aquamarine  dance  card  given  to  him?  "If  there  is  any  reservations,  I  promise,  I  am  better  at  dance  than  I  am  at  the  joust."

With  so  much  tragedy  that  still  followed  the  court,  Amos  could  feel  it,  like  a  weight  that  pressed  down  on  the  very  air.  He  couldn't  help  but  wonder  if  Highgarden  had  been  the  correct  choice,  sometimes  wondering  if  the  ghost  of  the  lost  Tyrell  wandered  the  halls.  He  was  not  a  father,  not  yet,  but  he  couldn't  imagine  welcoming  so  many  into  his  home,  in  the  aftermath.  It  made  him  cautious  of  his  face,  of  how  he  was  perceived.  A  certain  amount  of  reverence  was  required.  He  ran  a  thumb  over  a  delicate  petal  in  the  garden,  retracting  hand  before  he  could  damage  it.  "The  tales  of  Highgarden's  beauty  have  not  been  overstated.  To  receive  an  invitation  was,  of  course,  an  honour,  and  I  am  glad  to  see  so  many  of  the  court  having  made  the  journey."

a sliver of mischief rests on the lady marbrand's cheeks , delicate fingers pressed against the column she hides behind , peeking to see her septa's frustrated steps tracing hers . never has she felt this frustration at home , all that she was taught seemed for naught as she witnesses the workings of king's landing . as she yields to resolve , she turns to find a familiar face , the same crafted smile to dispel her doubts remained on her lips . ❝ you showed up at the right moment , my lady . the rest of my afternoon is at your disposal . ❞ the smile was kept , as though she is not on the verge of a spiral . she thought knew others well , a glimmer of hope kept even as they all donned masks at the masquerade . she can only but laugh , what a foolish thought that perhaps the masks are only ever changed . she links her arms with the other lady , leaning into the fondness of childhood memory she can muster . ❝ please , please tell me it is outside you are headed , dove . ❞

in the confides of their chamber , he did not have to pretend . he was no ship captain , no mercenary , and certainly , no noble lord . he did not have to carefully curate his presence , to play the role of a fool , a quiet observer , not even a cunning ironborn . in the confides of their chamber , he only needed to be her husband . ❝ has today treated you kindly , my love ? ❞ if only knew how to find the right words to say , to not only show her but speak of it without it sounding like an apology for having placed upon her hands the burdens of the noble born . ❝ or has trouble found its way to you ? ❞ he teases , childlike smile brushing itself on the corners of his lips .