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                      King's Landing

Euphraise walked briskly towards the Tower of the Hand, her mood soured by the sudden interruption of her scholarly hour. She wore a pale green, kimono-style gown not unlike Cersei's, although the sleeveless fully covered her shoulders. It was embroidered with emerald stones that depicted leaves that cascaded down the sleeves until the elbow. Keeping the gown together was a white string invisible to the eye, decorated with a silver belt engraved with two lions facing each other. Her long, dark hair was in a single braid, a simple, silver circle adorning her forehead.

Tywin Lannister awaited her presence, sitting on one of the crimson chairs across a table filled with paperwork and a
small chess board.

"Lord Hand. " Euphraise greeted, giving her father-by-law a curtsy.

"No need for such formalities, Euphraise. Have a seat." he
offered.

Euphraise followed his seemingly innocuous offer,  "To what do I owe you the pleasure? "

"To congratulate you, of course. Joffrey has informed me that you are expecting a child. "

"... Yes, what of it?"

Euphraise's voice held a hint of annoyance as she took a seat opposite Tywin. She preferred to be with her lion now rather than meeting with her father-in-law.

Tywin leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady and calculating. "What of it?" he repeated, in a mocking tone. "It means that the Lannister bloodline will continue. It means my legacy will continue."

Euphraise felt anger rise in her at hearing his words. She had no desire to be a pawn in the Lannisters' tumble for power and control. She had married Tyrion out of love, not as a pawn. She wouldn't let the Lannister use her child as a pawn either.

"I am not a broodmare, Lord Hand," she said, her voice firm, holding a bit of anger to it. " And, my child will be no pawn in your game.

Tywin's eyes narrowed, his expression turning cold. "You forget your place, Lady  Euphrasie. You are a Lannister now, your duty is to provide heirs for House Lannister. Your child will be born into the wealthiest powerful family in Westeros.

Euphraise felt a surge of boldness rises within her. She had always been an independent woman of intelligence. She refused to bend to the Lannister's will.

The Tyrell girl cleared her throat and spoke. " Yes, but my child will also be a Tyrell.

The Old Lion glared at the Tyrell girl sternly determined to put her in her face once and for all. " Your child is a  Lannister and I will see to it that your son is treated and educated up to high standards.

" And, one day maybe grant your son a title  and land." He added. " It depends if he earns his spot in the family.

Euphraise shook her head in amusement at her father-in-law's words.  " How can you be so sure it's a boy, my lord."

" The master has informed me you've been showing signs of carrying low," Tywin replied. " And, even if it's not a boy you are still young and fertile enough to carry another child."

Her bright eyes narrowed as she heard Tywin speak. She had always known that her marriage to Tyrion was a strategic decision for the Lannisters, but she had hoped that at least her stepfather would respect her as a person and not just as a vehicle. to create heirs. She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.

"Lord Hand, I understand the importance of continuing the Lannister line," she began her voice even. "But I won't be treated like some whore.

Tywin's expression remained neutral, his eyes cold and calculating. "You may have been a Tyrell by birth, but now you are a Lannister. And as a Lannister, you must ensure the survival and prosperity of our house."

Eyebright gripped the handrail, her frustration growing. "I know my duty, my lord. But I have a duty to my child. My child won't be a pawn in your chess game.

Tywin's expression softened a bit, a hint of respect in his eyes. "You are a sturdy woman. I understand now why my son fell for you. But don't mistake my intentions. I will ensure that your child receives the best education and the best opportunities, but he will be raised as a true Lannister.

Euphraise nodded, her boldness never breaking. "I understand, my lord. I will do what is imperative for the sake of my husband and unborn child.

Tywin leaned back in his chair, a small smile on his lips. "I'm glad we have come to an understanding. "

Euphraise bowed and walked out of the room, her mind racing with a master plan to guarantee her husband's and child's safety.

                  »»————- ★ - ★ ————-««      

In Kamakura, two wolves were in disbelief at what they were hearing from Empress Kyoko about their brother's treacherous plot against their older sister.

The young wild wolf shook his head, he glanced up at the Empress and said. " You must be mistaken, mother.  " I know my brother, Robb, he would never commit such a horrible act like what you are suggesting.

Arya's eyes enlarged at how her little brother addressed the empress and said. " Rickon, she's not our mother."

" Well, she is to me, " Rickon said. " More so than our real mother." If I can call you that, your imperial fitness."

Kyoko's eyes teared up at what she heard coming out from the boy's mouth. She had grown to love the boy as her own and wanted nothing more for him to be happy.

Once upon a time ago, she had longed to be a mother and have a child of her own. After losing her child, she and Fuytuski tried to have another baby but suffered from infertility issues.

The Empress had lost all hopes of ever having a child of her own. But, now her dream had finally come true through Rickon.  Though she didn't give birth to him then again blood doesn't make a family.

Kyoko glanced up at Rickon and said. " You may call me whatever you wish to, little one."

Rickon glanced back tearfully at his motherly figure who had raised him into the man he was today.  He felt somewhat guilty for replacing his biological mother with another woman, but then again she never made time for him.

The young she-wolf was not a fan of the loving moment and spoke up. " Little brother, have you forgotten that this isn't your home?  " Winterfell is our home, it's where we grew up and where our family is."

" What family would that be? " The young wild wolf said, in a sarcastic tone, glancing at his sister. " Winterfell was burnt down to the ground by Theon and the ironborn.

"  Father is dead and gone, Bran is probably dead as well; Robb and Mother have lost their minds, and The Lannisters are hunting for us as we speak! " He exclaimed.

" It's time to get real, sister, " Rickon said. " We will never see Winterfell again, we are exiles now."

Arya shook her head, not listening to her brother's words, refusing to hear them. " You're wrong, we will return home one day. " Robb will win the war and bring us all home

The youngest stark chuckled at her sister's words wondering if she would ever see sense one day. " Oh, Robb will bring you home all right. " Well, more like stick you in a marriage with a Frey boy.

" What! " The young she-wolf exclaimed. " What are you talking about."

" Haycate informed me that for Robb to pass Lord Walder's bridge, he had to marry one of his daughters which he had forsaken his vow, " Rickon said.

" So, to sway things over with the Freys he offered your hand in marriage to one of Lord Walder's youngest sons,  Elmar Frey. " He added.

The young she-wolf's eyes widened in surprise and anger at what she had been told.  " Robb would never do that to me, even if he did he knows I would never agree to it."

Kyoko stared at the young she-wolf in pity, hoping she would see through her brother's intentions. " He did, Arya."

" As well as barter  Elaena's  infant daughter up to another Frey boy " She added.

" Naelasella is just a baby, " Arya said. " That doesn't sound like something that Robb would do."

" Because he's a desperate sister, " Rickon replied. " All kings get to a point where they will do whatever it takes to keep their crown.

" And in our brother's case, he will use us as his scapegoats." He added. " With Mother in his head, there's no telling how screwed he has gotten.

" Rickon, language, " Kyoko said, scolding him.

" Apologies, Mother, " The young Stark mumbled.

Arya started to feel her whole world crashing down on her in a split second. Everything she had thought she knew about her family was wrong, Robb was not the brother she once knew anymore and her mother was more screwed up than she was ever before.

The young she-wolf stood there silently unsure of what to say and cleared her throat. " Does Elaena know?"

" Yes, "  A voice said behind her.

Arya turned around and saw Fuyutsuki standing there looking better than before. " Tuski," she said, greeting him.

Kyoko glanced up in surprise seeing her husband walking without a cane, glad he was getting better but a frown formed on her face wishing he would just rest. "

She immediately embraced her husband, coming to his side and placing an arm on his waist. " My love, you should be resting."

The magician glanced up at his wife smiling at her and tried to wave her concerns down. " Darling, I'm fine, I've been in bed for weeks. " I need to return to normal activity.

" You mean putting yourself in dangerous situations, " Kyoko said, her eyes enlarging at her husband.

" My sweet, I'm okay, " Fuyutsuki said, reassuring his love. " I just had a little setback, I'm better and now I have to take care of things.

The Empress stared at her husband with a questionable look on her face and replied.  " Like what, you need to remain here in Kamakura where you are safe."

Fuyutsuki shook his head at her knowing he wouldn't be able to get through to her, she was too stubborn for her good sometimes.

He leaned down toward her and whispered in her ear making sure the young wolves didn't hear. " Lord Tywin will be coming for all of us soon enough, once he's done dealing with the young wolf and Baelon Greajoy he will turn his focus on Kamakura.

Kyoko's eyes began to darken at the mention of the old demon lion and said. " Let him try to come for us, my love."

" I will slaughter him and his armies within days, " She added." We have 3 times the number he does and a strong navy fleet.

" What of Elaena and Daenerys? " Fuyutsuki said, in a whisper tone, rhetorically. " They don't have the men to fight Lord Tywin off, their armies and dragons are still growing.

" Lord Tywin knows that Elaena is alive thanks to a babble-drunk little lion. " He added. " He will be looking for her and the children everywhere, The Lannisters will do anything to get Ser Jaime's heirs back in their grasp."

" We will protect them, " Kyoko said, reassuring her husband's worries. " They are more than welcome to stay here with us.

The magician smiled at his wife thankfully for the hospitality she was offering for the two dragons. " Thank you."

" You guys know we can hear you, " Arya said, crossing her arms against her chest.

The husband and wife pair turned around to face the children, smiling at them.

The young wild wolf glanced at them in suspension wondering what else they were hiding from them.  "Anything else you guys wish to share with us before we figure it out ourselves?

" No, " Fuytuski said. " Speaking of, it's getting time for you two off to bed now."

The young wolves whine out in protest claiming they weren't tired but were ignored.

Kyoko ushered the two wolves out of the room and to their chambers.

Fuytuski stood there lost in his thoughts wandering around the place. Wondering what the old demon lion was planning, he had gotten words from  King's Landing by the master of spies himself warning him to be cautious for the lion would strike any day against him and his clan.

The magician tightened his fists as he experienced an intense burst of willpower. He couldn't afford to be overcome by dread. He had to outsmart the old demon lion and defend his people if he wanted to keep his clan safe.