Vain men surrounded him, too prideful of their statures. They did not care about reputation, upbringing, the sacrifice one had to make for the sake of family — he could only watch as his eldest son spoke with the knights of the Kingsguard, trying to keep a frown away from his face.

Was that why he had an heir? So that he could watch as his family drank wine and threw itself into the arms of a fate that did not favor them? How could they, after the years Tywin had wasted trying to make a name for himself — for his family — to abandon the basic notions of how a Lannister acted?

He could see it in the eyes of Cersei, how those green orbs lingered after Jaime for quite too long to be considered proper, then how her gaze darted once more to instead settle upon the dragon prince as he sang tunes that would've brought maidens to tears.

Another tourney, more time for him to spend chastising himself for raising a family that did not know how to properly act. At least he hadn't brought the imp with him — that, surely, would've been an insult to all of those who surrounded Tywin at that moment.

His goblet of wine was empty once more. He hadn't even noticed it until he lifted the gem-encrusted chalice to his lips and found himself drinking nothing. The taste of air reminded him why he even bothered to attend these outings when King Aerys only became more unhinged by the day.

"If you'll excuse me."

Tywin didn't spare any of the men another glance, they were unworthy of it. They could call for his presence, but he knew that none of them truly wished for him to be there amongst their circles. Pleasantries that he couldn't be bothered with anymore, not as he approached his old age.

He stopped a maid on her way, holding out his goblet for her to fill, and she did so without ever looking up to meet his eyes. Out of respect or fear, he did not know, nor did he care.

For a few moments, he rendered himself to standing alone, with only the company of his goblet of wine and the ability to observe in silent contemplation. Some could kneel at the feet of the king, others would laugh, and dance, and sing, meanwhile others...

He found himself staring at you, the daughter of a lord he could not care for, a house too small for him to ever truly remember the motto of. You did not push yourself to be in the middle of sharks, because, surely, you were nothing but a mere minnow.

And yet, the old lion found himself watching you from afar.