𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 | Politics

{ Joffrey }

✧✦✧

𝕯rumming his fingers on the arm of his chair, Joffrey waited for the remainder of the Small Council to enter the room. He was tired and sore, after riding and hunting for the better part of two days, and he wanted to have a hot bath. Unfortunately, as soon as he had returned, he had been dragged into this Small Council meeting.

His grandfather was standing at the head of the table, as everyone congregated around him and his grandfather, Tyrion watching the interaction with a raised eyebrow. A tense silence fell across the table.

"Intimate. Lovely table. Better chairs than the old Small Council chamber," He pretended to inspect the room carefully, as Joffrey raised an amused eyebrow. "Conveniently close to your own quarters. I like it."

"What news of Jamie?" There was a pause for a second as no one spoke, and Joffrey took some joy in watching Littlefinger and Varys squirm under his grandfather's glare. "Twenty thousand unwashed Northerns have known about his escape for weeks. Collectively, you control more spies and informants than the rest of the world combined. Do you mean to tell me that none of you has any notion of where he is?"

"We are trying, My Lord," Varys began, glancing between Tywin and Joffrey.

"What do we have, then?" Joffrey rubbed his forehead, fighting a yawn. He was shattered, exhausted from the hunt, and the heat of the room was making it easier to drift off.

"Robb Stark, his wife and most of his bannermen are in Riverrun for the funeral of his grandfather Lord Hoster Tully," Varys read off of his notes in front of him, as Joffrey scribbled it down onto a piece of paper. Lyra would want to know how her brother was when they talked later. "In Stark's absence, Roose Bolton holds Harrenhal, which would seem to make him Lord of Harrenhal, in practice if not in name."

"Well, let him have it," Tywin stated, turning to look at Littlefinger. "The name suits our purposes far more than that useless pile of rubble. The Lord of Harrenhal will make a worthy suitor for the widow Arryn."

"For which I am extremely grateful to you, My Lord. Lady Arryn and I have known each other since we were children. She had always been positively predisposed to me," Littlefinger replied and Joffrey narrowed his eyes.

There was something suspicious about Littlefinger marrying Lyra's aunt, especially when the man was completely enamored with Lyra's mother and Sansa.

"A successful courtship would make Lord Baelish acting Lord of the Vale," The maester's croaky voice rattled around in Joffrey's ears, as he made another note.

"Titles do seem to breed titles,"

"You'll leave for the Eyrie as soon as possible and bring Lysa Arryn into the fold. Then the young wolf can add his own aunt to the list of people who have taken up arms against him," Tywin replied and it was a clever plan, in practice. The only problem was that Robb would know about it in a little under a day. Joffrey would tell Lyra, who would send a letter to Robb's wife and she would tell Robb.

"Far be it from me to hinder true love, but Lord Baelish's absence would present certain problems," Tyrion began, looking over at his nephew as he continued to speak. "The royal wedding may end up being the most expensive event in living memory. Summer has ended, hard days lie ahead. Not a good time to leave the crown's finances unattended."

"I agree. That is the reason I am naming you Master of Coin," Joffrey stated, not bothering to look up as he scribbled onto a sheet of paper. Tyrion was shrew, cunning and trustworthy. It would be wise to have him on the counsel.

"Master of Coin?" Tyrion appeared incredulous, as he looked over at Joffrey with wide eyes, but his nephew ignored him in favor of writing.

"It would appear to be a position that best suits your talents," That might have been a nice statement for some people, but when it came from Joffrey's grandfather and was directed towards Tyrion, it was rude.

"I'm quite good at spending money, but a lifetime of outrageous wealth hasn't taught me much about managing it," Tyrion tried to counter, as the family drama began to air at the Small Council table. Joffrey sighed once more, as his mother's chuckle reached his ears.

"I have no doubt you will prove equal to this challenge," Cersei laughed lightly, as Joffrey tried to tune it all out.

"Hear, hear."

✧✦✧

The meeting drew to a close as the remaining members filed out of the room. Joffrey took a moment, grabbing the papers in front of him, and his jacket from the back of the seat.

"Grandson," The teenager paused in the doorway, before turning around to look at his grandfather. "We have yet to talk, and I feel like we should."

"What can I do for you?" Talks with the eldest Lannister often never ended well for Joffrey. Tywin was a known perfectionist, who often nit picked every decision that he made, critiquing as he went. The man grabbed his own paper, retreating into his office and leaving the door open for Joffrey to follow.

The teenager paused again, hesitating, before stepping in and taking a seat at the desk, slinging his jacket over his shoulders.

"Why did you turn down Margaery Tyrell for marriage?" Joffrey's eyes narrowed, formulating his argument as his grandfather raised an eyebrow at him.

"I am already betrothed to Lyra Stark," Joffrey replied, keeping his demeanor calm. "If I break off the marriage, then it could further aggravate the hostilities between the North and the South. If they still have my uncle, then I felt that would be an unwise decision."

Tywin hummed, before leaning back in his chair and studying the teenager in front of him.

"You've changed," Joffrey quirked an eyebrow. "Your demeanor is different than it was when I last saw you."

"I have become king in a period of war,"

"No, you have fallen in love with the girl," Tywin leant forward, as Joffrey narrowed his eyes at the statement.

"I've given you a reasoning, grandfather," Joffrey stood back up, looking at the man from the corner of his eye. "I will aim to find another way to join the Tyrell family and our own, you have my word."

"Be careful, my boy," Joffrey tensed up in the doorway as Tywin spoke. "Love is dangerous. It often blinds our thoughts and controls our judgement. You should be wise not to let the same thing happen to you, just like it did your father."

Joffrey made sure to slam the door on the way out, pounding down the stairs, a dark expression on his face. Turning a corner, Joffrey found himself on the familiar path to the walled garden, knowing that it was the one true place he could relax.

The pavilion came into sight, causing a wave of relief to overcome the young king, who slowed his pace as he entered. Sure enough, Lyra was inside, reading a book with Elia by her feet.

"I thought I'd find you here," He murmured, trying not to startle the girl, who turned back towards him with a smile.

"Joff!" Placing the book down, Lyra threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. He wrapped a tentative arm around her waist, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. "How was the hunt? I did not know that you had returned."

"I was pulled into a Small Council meeting as soon as I entered the courtyard," Lyra nodded, not releasing her hold on him. Joffrey sent her a half-grin. "But, I did manage to hunt down a stag and a lot of rabbits."

"Very impressive," Lyra smiled again, before raising an eyebrow. "What about the Small Council meeting?"

"Decidedly unimpressive," She giggled, as Joffrey felt a smile tug at his lips, although his grandfather's words were playing in the back of his mind. "But, Littlefinger is set to marry your aunt. The one in the Vale?"

"Lysa?" Joffrey nodded, as Lyra's eyes widened, before she narrowed her eyebrows once more. "But that makes little sense. Littlefinger is in love with..."

"With your mother, yes," Joffrey shook his head, reluctantly parting from Lyra's hold to hand her a sheet of paper. "It is yet another ploy to try and sabotage your brother."

"I shall send a letter to Eliza on the double then," Lyra smiled once more, as Joffrey stifled yet another yawn. "Meanwhile, you should go and rest. If you've been hunting for a few days, then sleep is a priority."

Hiya,

First of all, almost 8k views. My jaw has dropped right now, that's amazing.

Um, here's another chapter and yeah things are gonna get more interesting now. I'm super excited for this. Joffrey is straight up not having a fun time because of family.

Thanks,

Li xxx