In 422 AC, shortly after the death of his elderly father, Barthogan I ascended the throne and turned his coronation into a grand celebration for both nobles and common folk. In front of tens of thousands in Wolf Square, he proclaimed himself emperor and declared his realm an empire. Later, through a royal decree, he changed the titles of all the kings who came before him to 'emperor' as well, and ordered the history books to record them as such.

Today, Eddard I is listed in historical records as the First Emperor and the Founding Emperor. This has led to a widespread misconception about him among the public."

— Maege Locke, Head of the History Department, University of Winterfell.

" Promise me, Tyrion," said a very familiar voice. " You will protect Ceryse."

Tyrion woke up in his bed drenched in sweat. Sleep had brought him no comfort lately. These nightmares were a problem that neither whores nor medicine could solve.

Same thing every time, he thought to himself with a laugh. It wasn't scary anymore— it had started to become downright boring.

The conversation he'd had with his brother before the Battle of Tarbeck had echoed in his mind ever since he'd heard the news of the Red Wedding. Jaime had believed he would die as he marched the army to war, but he was determined to take Mace Tyrell with him before that happened. He thought that if the fat rose died, the Reach army would disband and go home to fight among themselves. But that was more a desperate hope than a realistic plan. Even if Mace Tyrell died, his son Willas would take his place.

Uncle Kevan had arrived just in time, and they managed to drive off the Reach army. It was a tremendous stroke of luck— truly tremendous. The gods must have wanted to give House Lannister a consolation prize before they kicked it in the ass, Tyrion thought.

The fury that erupted after the Red Wedding was immense, and Tyrion had skillfully used that fury to bring his family together. After his idiot brother, his whore of a sister, and their poor uncle who suffered through their stupidity all died, Tyrion had been left as the only adult of sound mind in House Lannister. He had a pile of cousins to care for and a one- year- old niece to protect.

Tyrion did something he never thought he would: he missed his father.

First, a leader had to be chosen for House Lannister. The options were an ugly dwarf or a one- year- old incest baby. If the late Lord Tywin had risen from his grave and seen the state of House Lannister, he would've thrown himself off a cliff. Tyrion almost wanted to resurrect him just to see the look on his face.

Tyrion had managed to establish himself as the leader and supreme authority over the entire Lannister lineage, yet he chose to make his niece the queen. Because he had promised Jaime he would protect his daughter— and who in this world is more protected than a monarch?

Besides, a golden- haired little girl sitting on a golden throne next to a hideous dwarf was so absurdly cute that even Eddard Stark might feel mercy for House Lannister just for the sight of it.

Tyrion didn't even entertain the idea of fighting Eddard Stark— he simply had no way to do so. Sure, House Lannister still held Casterly Rock, and the castle was absolutely impregnable, but beneath the rock there was nothing but gold. And no matter how much you love gold, you can't eat it.

All Eddard Stark had to do was lay siege to the castle for a year or two, prevent any aid from reaching them, and then walk through the gates over the corpses of a starving garrison. He could take a castle that hadn't been conquered in thousands of years without losing a single man. Now that would make for a great song.

Even so, Tyrion still had hope. If the stories about Eddard Stark were true, he was an honorable and just king. He wouldn't treat Ceryse or Tyrion as criminals.

Though, from what I've heard, he has two bastards. I suppose that's about as honorable as a king can get.

" Are the gifts for King Stark ready?" he asked his servant, Damon Lannister.

" Yes, Lord Hand. All your instructions have been followed to the letter, though the Stark soldiers insist on inspecting the chests before letting them into the camp."

Of course they're afraid of wildfire. Tyrion let out a deep sigh. If King Stark believed they had access to wildfire production methods and said so aloud... House Lannister would be finished. No house in Westeros would shelter them.

" Let them inspect as much as they want." I wanted to surprise King Stark— what a shame.

" I will be appearing before King Stark shortly, and if I don't return... you know what to do."

Damon nodded firmly and bowed deeply before Tyrion with great respect.

" The Farmans just left," offered Artos Brax. " What do you think they proposed?"

" Not hard to guess," Tyrion deflected. " The only marriageable one in House Farman is Lord Farman's third son, twenty years old. Not much of a catch and too old. Their offer can't compete with ours," he added with a hint of hope.

" King Stark will see you now," said one of the Wolfguards whose name Tyrion did not know.

Tyrion walked inside with calm steps. King Stark did not particularly look handsome or charismatic, but he radiated the aura of a ruler, demanding respect.

Tyrion and the king did not speak for several minutes. The king's attention was entirely elsewhere, focused on the parchment in his hands. Tyrion felt a wave of dread— if King Eddard was being deliberately disrespectful, then the outcome of this meeting was already decided before it even began.

After a while, King Stark looked up and saw Tyrion. The moment he saw him, he threw the parchment onto the table and stood up. " Forgive me," he said hurriedly. " I just received important news. I was too lost in thought to notice my surroundings."

" No harm done," Tyrion replied, greatly relieved to know the disrespect wasn't intentional. " May I ask what news was so urgent?" he asked before realizing the blunder— such messages could well be top secret for the Three Kingdoms alliance. He silently cursed himself for the slip.

" Khal Barbo appears to have been killed before he could begin his campaign toward Volantis," Ned Stark said, evidently seeing no issue in sharing the information. " The Dothraki fractured again and retreated before the war even started."

Tyrion nodded. That was indeed bad news for Westeros. The Valyrian alliance— formed by Qohor, Norvos, and Volantis— could now coordinate freely and prepare for an invasion without resistance.

" Make your offer," King Stark cut in curtly. " My time is short."

Tyrion gestured to the man beside him, who brought forward a heavy chest and placed it before the king. " This is my offer."

The king stood and approached the chest, opening it. When he saw the fabrics inside, he raised an eyebrow. He lifted one of the banners and stared at the pattern in stunned silence.

" What is this?"

" This…" Tyrion swallowed what remained of his pride. " If you accept our fealty, this will be our new banner."

The banner showed the classic golden lion of House Lannister, but it was not painted over a red background— instead, it stood on the grey of House Stark. This banner was a clear symbol of complete submission to the Starks.

Tyrion could not have explained the offer better. Everything was on the table for House Lannister's survival. Pride and honor could be regained later.

" They said you were good at politics," King Stark said after a while. " Clearly, they were right."

" It is an honor," Tyrion bowed his head respectfully. " House Lannister offers you full fealty, on the condition that we remain Lord Paramount of the Westerlands. Additionally, we offer Queen Ceryse's hand in marriage to your second son, Edwyle."

" You want my son to marry a girl born of incest," Eddard Stark said as he took his seat. " If I accept this, the reputation of House Stark will be tarnished, and my grandchildren from Edwyle will be judged all their lives. Tell me, Tyrion Lannister— why should I accept your offer? Why not simply crush House Lannister?"

" Because the Lannisters, like the Starks, have endured for thousands of years— and there's a reason for that. Our roots are not easily severed. Because within the stones of Casterly Rock, there is still ambition, still fury, and still gold. Because Ceryse is an innocent child, not responsible for the sins of her parents. And you, Eddard Stark, are many things— but you are not the kind of cruel man who would scorn a child." He knelt before the king. " Your son will rule the Westerlands under the Stark name. I am ready to give him— and you— my complete loyalty. My only condition is that the children born of Ceryse carry the Lannister name. The Lannisters must continue to rule the Westerlands— as your grandchildren."

King Eddard said nothing. He pierced Tyrion with a gaze sharp as a blade, studying him carefully, looking for even the faintest hint of a lie. At last, he spoke.

" Does House Lannister possess wildfire?"

" We do not know how to produce it," Tyrion answered immediately. " At present we only have one barrel left. Enough to blow open Casterly Rock's gate— and nothing more."

" Lord Varys said the same," the king murmured to himself. Tyrion couldn't hide his surprise at what he'd just heard. Was the Spider still alive?

" All remaining wildfire will be turned over to us," the king said finally.

Does that… mean he's accepting the offer? " As you wish, Your Grace," Tyrion said, elated.

" Lady Ceryse will be raised in Winterfell."

" That can be arranged immediately."

" I will assign a castellan to Casterly Rock. He will speak in my name. Unless he gives an unreasonable order, you will follow his instructions to the letter."

" I accept."

" You will serve my son Edwyle with full loyalty. If we find even a shred of reason to doubt your loyalty, we'll mount your head on a spear."

" I'm ready to pay whatever price it takes," Tyrion replied without hesitation.

Eddard Stark took a deep breath. He looked to his loyal advisors— Rodrik Ryswell, Brynden Tully, and Willam Dustin. All three men nodded in approval.

The king glanced back at the banners inside the chest. " The golden lion of the Lannisters doesn't look right on a Stark grey field. And to be honest, it resembles the banner of House Reyne. No need to disturb the bones of the late Lord Tywin— keep your old colors."

" Thank you," Tyrion said with gratitude. This gesture was a sign of mutual respect.

" Very well," said King Stark as he left the room. " It seems we have an agreement."