𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 | The hunt

{ Lyra }

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𝕿he windows from the Stark atrium provided the perfect view of the main courtyard and the hunting party that was about to set out from it. King Robert was easily discernible, from the glittering of the gold crown on his head. He was stumbling around, and Lyra came to the conclusion that the man was, once more, drunk.

Every time that the Stark girl had seen the king, he either had a mug of ale or wine in his hand, or he was already drunk. So, she normally tried to steer well clear of him.

Looking away from the staggering king, Lyra looked closer to the entrance of the keep and noticed that the remainder of the royal family was there, surrounded by the court goers. They all looked stiff, as if this was something terrible for them to experience, as they watched the king and his entourage gallop out of the gates. It was sad that they seemed so tense around those they considered friends.

Elia appeared at her side, leaning in to Lyra's side and covering her grey dress in more fur. Lyra leant down to press a kiss to the large puppy's head, giggling as Elia licked her forehead.

"Come, pup, father wants to see us," The wolf perked up, her head tilting to the side as she began to prance towards the door. Opening it, Lyra smiled over at Tylar, who was picking at his nails with a dagger. "Are you okay?"

Tylar glanced up, smiling and nodding as he sheathed the dagger.

"Of course, my Lady," Straightening up, he took to following Lyra out of the Stark residence and towards the Tower of the Hand. "I see the king left for a hunt?"

"He did," Tylar paused, a small smirk growing on his face as they walked through the central inner courtyard of the keep.

"Did your prince go with him?"

"No," Lyra raised an eyebrow at Tylar, who in some ways reminded her very much of Robb and Jon. 

"Well, are you going to be spending all afternoon with him again?" Lyra blushed, before a teasing grin grew on Tylar's face. "You are, aren't you?"

They reached the Tower of the Hand as Lyra tried to calm her blush, glaring at a snickering Tylar. It was like having her brothers with her once more, and Lyra had forgotten how annoying the teasing was.

"You're not funny,"

"No. I'm hilarious," She glared at him, grinding her teeth, before knocking on her father's door and waiting for him to call her in.

"Come in," Lyra opened the door, smiling at her father's brooding form. He looked up from the papers on his desk at the sight of her. "Lyra, come and sit."

"You wanted to speak with me?" Lyra sat down in the chair, noting her father's haggard appearance and the dark circles beneath his eyes. "What's the matter, father?"

"Lyra, there's been...an incident," Lyra's eyebrows furrowed at the man's words, looking at him with worry.

"What's happened? Are mother and the boys alright? Did something happen with Bran?" Her father shook his head to all of the questions, sighing once more.

"We might have to leave the Capital soon," Lyra's jaw dropped open, in what would have been a comical fashion if it wasn't such a shocking situation. "I haven't told your sisters yet and I don't want them knowing, or panicking. This stays between you and I for now."

"Why? Why is this happening and why are you telling me?" Her father smiled sadly, shaking his head.

"Lyra, you're betrothed to the prince. I can't just steal you away from your intended, even if I am your father," Lyra felt her heart sink. "Your place is now in the Capital, unless you break your betrothal to him. But that's your choice."

"I...I..." Lyra stuttered, her eyebrows furrowing as she thought of what to do. But, her mind was coming up blank. "I don't know."

"We won't be leaving tonight anyway, but first light in the morning," Lyra nodded at her father's words. "If you break off your betrothal with the prince, then I can take you away from this place. If you don't, I am unable to. But the choice is yours."

Lyra gulped. She was being asked to choose between her family and her future. The answer should have been simple, family. But the pendant hanging around Lyra's neck was a stark reminder of what she gained to lose if she left. 

"I need to talk to the prince," Her father nodded, as Lyra swept from the room with Elia by her side. Tylar was leaning against the wall opposite the door, but straightened up when he saw Lyra's pale face.

"My Lady?" Lyra waved him away, turning out of the centre of the keep and storming towards the gardens. She needed to talk to the prince and work out what she was going to do. "My Lady, please. What happened?"

"I...I just need to talk to the prince and then I'll tell you," Tylar nodded, as they reached the garden. Tylar stopped at the entrance as he watched the teenager continue further in, her eyebrows knitted together.

Lyra took a left, spotting the pavilion. Entering it, she let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding, when she saw that the prince was already in the pavilion. The older teenager looked up from his book, raising an eyebrow at Lyra's pale face.

"My Lady?" Standing up, Joffrey reached for her hand gently, his eyebrows furrowing at the tremors in her hand. "What is it?"

"My father wants to leave the Capital," Joffrey tensed up, his stature growing cold as he waited for her to continue. "But I can't..."

"Because you're betrothed to me," Lyra nodded, still trembling. She had no idea what to do, and all of this pressure was now being placed onto her to make a decision. "Well, what do you want to do?"

"I...I don't know," Lyra bowed her head, trying to sort through her thoughts, before she felt hesitant hands on her waist, pulling her into a chest. It was just what she needed, as she threw her arms around the prince and clung to him for support as she thought.

"If you want to leave, I won't stop you," Joffrey's voice was calm, as it normally was. Her grip tightened on the teenager, leaning her head against his shoulder as she listened. "I don't want you to be unhappy."

"But, what about you?" Joffrey paused at that, before shaking his head.

"I don't matter," Lyra's head shot up, almost knocking him in the jaw. "What matters is your family and getting you home."

"No, you do matter. It's your life that this will affect as well," Joffrey's lip quirked up into a half-smile, before he released her and stepped back. Lyra sighed, before reaching for his hands again. "Your Grace, I don't want to do anything that will hurt you."

"You wouldn't be able to," He turned away from her, his shoulders tensing up once more as he leant on the wall that overlooked the cliffs. "I release you from your betrothal with me so that you are free to go back to your home."

Lyra's eyebrows furrowed, as a decision was made in her mind. Walking over, Lyra placed her hand over Joffrey's and leant against the balcony to watch the ships in the harbor once more. Out of her peripheral vision, Lyra could see Joffrey's raised eyebrow.

"I don't accept," He huffed, before turning his hand upwards so that Lyra could interlace their fingers once more. 

Hiya,

Joffrey and Lyra are adorable beans as is Tylar. Let me know what you think and I'll see you soon,

Love Li xx