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Otto found himself traversing the halls with purpose. They had received important guests today, Lord Marq Ambrose had seen fit to send his lady wife along with his eldest daughter and two eldest boys. It was Otto's hope the girl may become one of Helaena's ladies in waiting, their sigil was a yellow field strewn with red ants, and knowing his granddaughter's fondness for the creatures he thought it could be a good start. Hobert had a high opinion of their fighting prowess and Ormund agreed, they were surely not a great house but any house joining their cause regardless of strength and influence was welcome.
Aegon and Aemond had gone hunting to give the boys a warm welcome. Marq's second son was to stay and train as a squire after all, so it was best if he got acquittanced with the princes. Especially knowing Aemond's fondness for the yard, a friend would do him well, and if his reserved grandson refused once again, a new challenge surely wouldn't go remiss. Aegon on his part was not one to hunt but he was fond enough of the dogs, his presence at least would spark conversation regardless of Aemond's thoughts on the matter.
Meanwhile his daughter and granddaughter entertained the Lady Ambrose and her own daughter. The gardens were most beautiful at this time of the year, and he was sure the two women would appreciate the new tapestries with some of the faith's fables.
The Council had been dismissed hours ago and he had finished today's duties over the tower of the Hand as well. Seeing as the sun started to flirt with the horizon, he thought it would be a good time as any to inquire about his family's daily activities. Knowing Alicent as he did Otto could guess where she would be at this time, so that is where he was directed, his grandsons he could question at a later date.
His grandchildren's rooms were luminous albeit empty. Giggles could be heard further into the apartments, following them showed a charming scene. The twins playing on the floor while the wetnurse took care of their three month old brother. It seemed he was early, hopefully that being an indication the women were having a good time together.
Jaehaerys called for him first, raising his arms and giving him the biggest smile at his disposal. He had always been fond of the boy, his calm and inquisitive behaviour a breath of fresh air after having to deal with his wild grandchildren. Otto was sure the boy would make a good king, perhaps even surpassing his namesake if the seven allowed.
Jaehaera soon followed, happily gesturing for him to join them on the floor besides the toy dragons they so loved. The pleas for him to play with them were soon to come, the wetnurse looking apologetic and informing him their nursemaid would return posthaste.
With his own children he had been forced to be strict and guide them on the right path, once he returned to court he had been forced to try and right the King's deficient parenting of his grandchildren, even Helaena he had been bound to help, it was imperative to impress upon her the duties of a good queen after all. But his great grandchildren? Well, he supposed those he could spoil, it would be many years still before Jaehaerys was crowned, and hopefully he wouldn't be here to see such an event.
It had been quite some time since he had been requested to play. His lady wife had always been the one to handle such things, always happy to watch their son's training, play dolls with their only daughter and even entertained that strange fixation Gwayne had with horses at seven. He did remember entertaining a two year old Aegon some afternoons in which his dear daughter had been too tired and too pained to handle the lively boy. Yet he didn't think himself strong enough to throw the twins into the air as he had done with their father, age collects its dues before one realizes and it had been some long twenty years.
"Please grandsire please! Play banquet with us!" Jaehaera requested, rosy cheeks and a pout on her fair face.
"Please grandsire, it'll be fun I promise. Play with us!" Jaehaerys insisted, offering a tiny silver cup to him.
He crumbled once Jaehaera's little hand grasped his, her big lilac eyes shining wetly, so similar to Alicent's and in turn his late lady wife.
"You can be the queen if you want, so play with us." She told him with the most pitiful voice a child of six could muster.
Otto accepted, for the gods knew their other grandsire would not play with them, much less visit them in their rooms. He could humour them for now.
Putting on a small silver tiara he reasoned this game could also help them learn about proper banquet etiquette, if anything.
Jaehaerys proclaimed himself a knight as honourable as Ser Cole and as strong as Ser Westerling. Jaehaera was not one to stray and affirmed her position as princess of the realm. And then the two troublemakers, giggling like two little loons dubbed poor Maelor the court fool. Obviously, the stuffed dragons Shrykos and Morghul were important Ladies and Lords of the realm, while Jaehaera's doll was her most trusted lady in waiting.
Otto toasted first, for luck in Jaehaera's search for suitors and then to wish safety in Jaehaerys' travels, which he was informed would consist of many adventures. They all sipped at their empty cups and pretended to eat, duck with caramelized onions and berries, roasted lamb with potatoes and spices and many many pies. Gently he instructed Jaehaerys on how to enunciate his own toast, which always should be for the health of his hosts first and perhaps to revere a lady's beauty. The boy found himself stammering at first but managing to string the words fairly well by the end. The boy shone under his praise, happily chattering away afterwards about the adventures he was planning to seek, the tourneys he was going to win and the legendary sword he was bound to find, just like Florian the Fool, ballads would be sung about his exploits for sure.
Such was his excitement Otto could not help but add onto it, being happy to explain he would not need seek any legendary sword, for he was sure to inherit Blackfyre from his father. It was Valyrian, and strong enough to conquer a whole continent with. Darksister, once their great uncle Daemon had been dealt with, would pass to Maelor, Daeron or to Aemond whoever their father deemed worthy. At that Jaehaera complained. It was not fair she said, as Darksister had once belonged to Visenya so why could it not belong to her?
The beginning of a tantrum could be sensed, and Otto felt at a momentary loss of words. How would one explain to a child she would have no need of swords, especially with two fierce brothers who'd undoubtedly move mountains to defend her. Jaehaerys thankfully knew his twin enough to choose the right words. Promising her Darksister if she managed to beat him in combat just like Visenya could with Aegon. It was as good a compromise as any, although he doubted it ever would come to pass. Hopefully with time Jaehaera would forget all about swords and flourish into the propper lady she would undoubtly become.
It was most endearing when either of them put on a serious face, leaning to their stuffed dragons and pretended to listen, nodding along the tale and then relying it for everyone in their small table. Of course Lord Morghul and the Lady Shrykos had much to say, persuading him to ban green peppers, explaining why dragons not only should be allowed in the castle but also in their bed and begging his assistance to convince their Lady mother a diet of only pie and honey cakes was the way to make everyone happy.
It was stroking his beard, feigning to be deep in thought and with the silver crown atop his head how Alicent and Helaena found him. The twins’ shrieks of elation what alerted him they were indeed being watched. The begging to play with them started anew, tugging on their mother's skirts for her to sit with them amongst the cushions. His Ali was the one to end the ruckus, dinner would be served soon, and toys had to be orderly put away before starting. With a hint of having cherry cake for desert she had the two little ones on the move.
He raised once again with achy knees, his body no longer agreeing with sitting cross-legged on the floor apparently, and was quick to ask about the progress of their goal. His daughter was happy to relay it had gone well and that the Ambrose girl seemed sweet. Helaena on her part was too diverted to contribute, her nimble fingers fishing the tiny tiara from atop his head at the end of her mother's account.
Mayhap it was a tad embarrassing for a man in his position to be found in such a situation, thankfully it was his daughter and granddaughter the ones to find him as such. Those two would halt their mouths and accept his bribes for silence, that anecdote never to be told again until he was laying cold under the earth. He did not even want to think of the disaster it would have been if instead of them it had been his grandsons the ones to find him in such a position. He wouldn't be able to live it down, worse, the two cretins would make haste to write to Oldtown about it as to inform Daeron. But the boy was another loose mouthed one and would not waste even a minute before telling Lyonel and Ormund, who in turn would be quick to tell Hobert. And that he could not allow, the gods knew Hobert would write to him even from his sickbed if only there was a chance to jest at his expense. The warrior better give his strength if that came to pass, he didn't think he could withstand his brother calling him Queen again and bringing back his refusal to remarry exaggerating how he spent more time with the King than the man's wife. If that ever came to pass, he would probably be forced to ride back to Oldtown and smother him personally.
For now he settled into a cushioned seat and waited for the others to do the same, dinner would be served soon and he was due to some rest.