After Tywin had managed to free himself from some of the Lords, he had started to walk around and search for his wife. Last time he spotted her with Trystan, which was what had eased his mind temporarily.
As he walked, he spotted Cersei with a smirk on her face and the two of them started to walk side by side, like father and daughter. Ever since the event of the Small Council, they hadn't truly talked, but Cersei had been more behaved than before.
He would like to believe that she accepted her upcoming marriage to Loras, although a part of him doubted.
"You're in rather a good mood," he pointed out, which he did not expect since Joffrey was getting married to a girl that Cersei did not like and knew was trying to manipulate him.
"I suppose I am," his daughter confessed.
Her father chuckled faintly, knowing her too well.
"I won't ask why."
"Small pleasures," she explained to him rather vaguely with a smile, but then noticed that he was not focused on her.
Instead, his attention had been locked ahead where they spotted Oberyn, Visenya, and a Dornish woman talking; the smiles upon their lips giving away the good time they were having.
Of course, she would get his attention, she thought bitterly, but walked by his side nonetheless while making their way towards the trio.
They seemed to be discussing something and Oberyn was the one to see them first. Visenya realized it last, her smile dropping upon sensing the intimidating presence of her husband right behind her.
He moved to be by her left, his gaze hard, and he barely glanced at her.
She could, though, sense the anger radiating from him as he tried to stare down the Dornish prince.
However, Oberyn was unfazed by it and instead was amused; seeing the jealousy that was written all over the face of the Old Lion.
"Your Grace. Lord Tywin."
Out Of formalities, Tywin had to greet back although it was clear he did not wish to. "Prince Oberyn."
"I don't believe you have met Ellaria. This is the Lord Hand Tywin Lannister and Cersei Lannister, the Queen Regent. I suppose it is the former Queen Regent now. Lord Hand and Lady Cersei, Ellaria Sand." He said, not caring about the glare sent to him by Cersei after mocking her title.
He was in the mood to mess around with all the Lions, especially in front Of the man that he wished for years to kill. He had his chance now and he was not going to miss it.
Ellaria offered a small smile. "My lord. My lady." She eyed each one Of them carefully, her eyes casting on Tywin just a moment longer.
The Old Lion put a fake smile on his face. "Charmed. I see you have already met my Lady Wife, Visenya Lannister" he said, moving his hand to place it around her waist.
The movement was subtle but the Dragoness could feel the pressure of his fingers and the tightness Of his grip. She kept the small fake smile Of hers, giving nothing away but she could tell Tywin was feeling threatened and jealous around Oberyn.
Cersei, who seemed clueless of everything, focused on the woman. She was young, with a beautiful body and her outfit was attracting a lot Of attention from men and even some women alike. "Can't say I've ever met a Sand before. I'm not quite sure what to call you".
This made Ellaria drop her smirk, realizing where this discussion was going and could see right through the Lioness' fake smile while her green eyes burned with jealousy and hatred.
"Ellaria" works for everyone else. We are everywhere in Dorne. I have 10,000 brothers and sisters," she explained, her tone rich with her accent.
There was this small silence between them, with Tywin simply glaring at Oberyn, mentally challenging him to make any move against his family.
Visenya was sending a passive side glare at Cersei for her manners while Ellaria was openly trying not to snarl at the Lioness' attitude.
Oberyn was amused by it but chose to interfere.
"Bastards are born of passion, aren't they?" he asked, popping a grape between his lips. "We don't despise them in Dorne."
"No? How tolerant of you," Cersei continued, and Visenya felt the need to interfere, but Tywin increased his grip on her waist, to the point she felt the mark of his fingers upon her skin despite the dress material acting as a barrier.
The Dornish prince was not going to accept any insults. He took notice of the very subtle move of Tywin but kept his focus on his daughter.
"I expect it is a relief, Lady Cersei, to give up your regal responsibilities. Wearing the crown for so many years must have left your neck a bit crooked," he said.
Tywin watched in silence, expecting to see how his daughter would recover from that while Visenya exchanged a look with Ellaria; both having different reactions to this 'civilised' discussion.
Cersei kept her fake smirk, clearly in the mood to test her wits.
"I suppose you'll never know, Prince Oberyn. It's a shame your older brother couldn't attend the wedding."
The Old Lion saw his chance and decided to interfere.
"Please give him our regards. With any luck, the gout will abate with time and he will be able to walk again," he said.
Oberyn's eyes darted from Cersei to Tywin, both having moved to trap Visenya between them; who silently watched them going and was clearly not against it.
This amused him, seeing the Lions in action, but he was also in the mood for some more discussion on 'sensitive topics'.
"They call it the rich man's disease. A wonder you don't have it."
"Noblemen in my part of the country don't enjoy the same lifestyle as our counterparts in Dorne," Tywin argued back, making Ellaria focus on him impressed and even tempted.
Oberyn smirked.
"So I have heard. It is a shame for all the noble ladies that cannot do much about it," he commented, hiding his targeted insult, but the Old Lion took notice.
Tywin's eyes seemed to almost glow with hatred, taking insult in his words as the accusation was obvious and rather ridiculous; considering it was far from true. He knew Visenya did not say anything of such sorts and it was just the way of the Prince to get under his skin, which he had succeeded.
At the same time, Visenya's fake smile had disappeared and a small frown had replaced it. She sent silent warning looks at Oberyn, evident by how faintly she narrowed her golden eyes that not once looked away from him.
Don't you dare go there, her look said, but her expression seemed to amuse the Dornish Prince.
"People everywhere have their differences. In some places, the highborn frown upon those of low birth. In other places, the rape and murder of women and children is considered distasteful." He said, deciding to go there. Then, he turned to look at Cersei. "What a fortunate thing for you, former Queen Regent that your daughter Myrcella has been sent to live in the latter sort of place."
The discussion had turned a nasty turn, the threat so clear and open that only a fool would not realize it.
Visenya could feel the grip on her waist, a mark was certain to remain and it had even started to become uncomfortable. She cleared her throat and looked at Tywin, seeing him so close in snapping and attacking; something that Oberyn had tried to accomplish and waited.
"Lord Husband" Visenya said, placing her hand on his chest; her voice calm and attempting to draw attention to her.
Tywin snapped his gaze her way, clearly not happy with her interference and also still fuming silently from the open accusations. However, upon seeing her amber eyes and the fact that he was now glaring at her and not Oberyn; his sharp gaze softened.
It was a very subtle change but it was one Oberyn took notice of. He hid his surprise but also his smirk, seeing that the Old Lion could actually be tamed in the end and by a Dragon nonetheless.
Yet, he said nothing since he had made his point and was clear that while Visenya was present; a fight would not take place. A pity in his eyes but he got new insight into this 'Odd' couple, one that he could not wait to use later on.
Tywin took a deep breath and turned to look at the Dornish Prince, not giving him the satisfaction any longer.
"I do believe it is time we return to our tables," he said. "Prince Oberyn, Lady Ellaria."
Cersei was about to open her mouth and argue, but her father sent a warning look that immediately shut her up.
She offered another fake smile at the Dornish couple, and the three Lannisters walked away.
The Old Lion had made sure not once to remove his hand from her waist, his grip still locked as he guided her further and further away from Oberyn; who watched with a smirk while he put another grape between his lips.
"Your temper," Visenya said under her breath as they walked side by side with Cersei quickly following.
Despite the passing years, the constant use of a sword and also horse riding had left his arms rather strong. Something she was often reminded of when they spent their nights doing anything but sleeping.
He seemed to understand, but he did not release her nor loosen his grip on her. If it were to leave a mark, then so be it, a reminder not to try her luck with the Dornish Prince allowed.
"One I would not have to worry about if you had not been left alone with the Prince," he said in a lowered tone as they moved towards the Head Table. "Where is Trystan? He was supposed to be with you."
"I sent him away to discuss with the Prince. You told me to take care of it," she reminded him, offering a small fake smile as they passed in front of the table the Tyrells were sitting.
"Is this how you take care of it?" he asked rhetorically, but said nothing else as they reached their destination.