Chapter 1: Valerie Lannister
Casterly Rock 114 AC
In the year 114 AC a baby girl was born.
In the throes of childbirth, a mother faced a grueling struggle, enduring pain with steadfast determination. As each labored breath echoed through the room, the little girl was finally born.
However, as the difficult process unfolded, her final breath marked the end, leaving behind a story of sacrifice and the harsh reality of mortality. And thus, Eleanor Baratheon's tale ended, marking the start of Valerie Lannister's.
Days went by, a bittersweet dawn unfolded, casting a tender light on the contrasting emotions that fled the air. Grieving hearts gathered to mourn the loss of their beloved lady, her absence leaving an indelible void in the community. Yet, amidst the sombre echoes, the joyous celebration of a new born life.
Valerie Lannister was beautiful, she mirrored both her parents perfectly, possessing the golden locks and blue eyes reminiscent of Tyland Lannister, she carried the grace and beauty inherited from her late mother. She was perfect.
However, not everything that appears flawless is without subtler nuances beneath the surface.
And Tyland Lannister would soon come to understand that as the years went by.
118 AC
Tyland and his twin brother Jason Lannister shared a quiet moment, seated together, observing the joyful chaos of their children at play. Amidst the laughter and exuberance, Francis darted around with his little sister Valerie in tow, their playful energy echoing through the air. Alongside them, Lyssa Lannister, the eldest of Jason's children, joined in the spirited game.
"How have you been brother," Jason broke the silence.
"I've been alright," Tyland responded, his gaze fixed on the children. Jason sighed. "Ever since she passed, you haven't been the same," he murmured, concern etched across his face. "It's understandable, but I wish you would speak to me, brother." Tyland met his brother's eyes, about to respond when a sudden, piercing scream shattered the conversation.
The scream echoed through the air, cutting their conversation short. Tyland and Jason exchanged alarmed glances before swiftly turning their attention toward the source of the commotion. Rushing towards the scene, they found Lyssa on the ground, bleeding. Valerie stood nearby, her face a mix of concern and guilt. Lyssa lay near a tree, blood seeping from her head. Tyland ran to his daughter, desperate to know what happened, however all he found were tears streaming down her face.
"Francis talk to me." Tyland looked at his eldest who was also frightened.
"Valerie...sh- she and Lyssa were fighting..a-and I don't know...she suddenly flew back- she hit the tree...and-," he stammered.
Tyland froze, he looked at Valerie, who was still crying and peeking at Lyssa.
"Do not tell your uncle what happened do you hear me," Tyland ordered. Francis nodded and Tyland approached his brother and niece.
Jason and Tyland rushed Lyssa to a Maester. But at that point it had been too late. Lyssa bled to death. When inquired, Tyland lied and said that Lyssa had slipped and hit her head.
And so it begins, the Lannisters face yet another sorrowful loss at the hands of Valerie Lannister.
A month has passed since Lyssa's death, and since then Valerie has been carefully watched and kept out of the watchful eye of the people that lived in Lannisport.
As she grew, these strange occurrences only grew more frequent. Tyland would find the paintings and vases in her room floating around in the middle of the night. When Valerie got too angry, any nearby glass would shatter. Sometimes these occurrences would happen when she had nightmares or if she got too excited.
Tyland was beyond puzzled. This was his daughter, his only daughter. What had they done wrong for her to turn out this way? Tyland decided he would not let his daughter suffer such a curse. He would find the best maesters and they would cure her. She would be the perfect little girl she was meant to be.
And that is exactly what happened. From that day on, Valerie was constantly surrounded by maesters, so much so that rumors began to circulate about her health. Whispers spread, suggesting the child was gravely ill. Tyland did not mind these rumors; in fact, he welcomed them. They served to conceal the truth, protecting his daughter from prying eyes—especially those of his brother and sister-in-law. However, secrets could only be kept for so long.
When Tyland was appointed Master of Ships, the weight of his new position made it impossible to avoid the inevitable conversation. He needed someone he could trust to care for Valerie in his absence. His brother took the news better than expected, but it was his usually composed wife who spiraled, and understandably so. At first, Johanna refused outright; she could not bring herself to care for the child who had taken her firstborn daughter, but her husband gave her no choice in the matter. Jason's calm demeanor shocked Tyland but not nearly as much as the "gift" they received from Otto Hightower—a maester from Oldtown, accompanied by a letter.
There was nothing overtly sinister about the letter itself. It simply wished for the young lady's swift recovery from her illness and expressed hope that the Maester, one of the finest scholars from Oldtown, would assist in her care. Yet, it was the underlying intentions of Otto Hightower that left Tyland feeling uneasy.
He was no fool; he understood that in this world, few acted without ulterior motives. Hightower's seemingly benign gesture reeked of calculation, but what could he gain from this? The Hightowers were masters of manipulation, playing their cards with a deftness that left their rivals in the dust.
Perhaps the only way to truly understand Otto Hightower's intentions was for Tyland to go to King's Landing himself. The capital thrummed with political intrigue, and he knew that firsthand experience could provide clarity that letters and distant reports could not.
Johanna might struggle to provide Valerie with the affection she needed, but Tyland took solace in the bond between the siblings. Francis adored his sister, and his playful spirit could offer Valerie the warmth and acceptance that Johanna found difficult to give.
Weeks later, Tyland left Casterly Rock, ready to assume his new position. He carried with him the weight of responsibility, not only for the treasury but also for the future of his family. As he rode, he felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension, knowing that his journey was not just about his new role but also about confronting the Lord Hand himself.
HEYY!!
Some edits were made to this chapter, it's now longer and has more backstory.
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