The heart of the lion

Tywin's pov

Tywin watched his youngest son as he spoke. He saw the fear and the courage in his eyes. He saw the intelligence and the kindness in his words. He saw the resemblance and the difference in his face.

He tried to hate him. He tried to blame him for killing his wife during birth. He tried to ignore him and neglect him. He tried to make him suffer and regret.

But he couldn't. He couldn't hate him. He couldn't blame him. He couldn't ignore him. He couldn't make him suffer.

He loved him. He loved him more than he loved his other children. He loved him more than he loved anyone else.

He loved him because he had the most beautiful ocean green eyes, the same as his wife. He loved him because he had made a promise to his wife before she died. He loved him because he was brilliant and talented, more than anyone else.

He was proud of him. He was proud of what he had achieved and what he could achieve. He was proud of how he had grown and how he could grow. He was his legacy

He was proud of Alan Lannister, heir to the Westerlands and future lord of Casterly rock.

But he didn't show it. He didn't show any emotion or affection. He didn't show any praise or approval. He didn't show any love or pride.

He showed only coldness and harshness. He showed only commands and demands. He showed only power and control.

He showed only what a Lannister should show. In the end

Tywin nodded and agreed to Alan's request. He gave him the time he wanted before the wedding. He knew that it was a reasonable and wise request. He knew that it would benefit both Alan and Sansa, and their future marriage.

He was about to retire to his chambers, when Alan spoke again.

"Father, there is one more thing I need to ask you."

Tywin raised his eyebrows and looked at Alan with curiosity and suspicion. He wondered what else his son wanted from him.

"What is it?" he asked.

Alan took a deep breath and said.

"I want Castemere."

Tywin felt a surge of surprise and interest. He couldn't believe what he had heard. He couldn't believe what his son had asked him.

He looked at Alan with a thoughtful expression and said.

"Castemere? Why do you want Castemere?"

Alan looked at his father with a sincere and earnest expression and said.

"Castemere is the ancestral seat of House Reyne, the former rivals of House Lannister. It was destroyed by you and your father during the Reyne-Tarbeck rebellion. It was flooded and abandoned, and no one has lived there since then."

He paused and continued.

"I want to rebuild Castemere. I want to restore its glory and honor. I want to make it a symbol of our strength and generosity. I want to make it a place where we can welcome our friends and allies, and where we can deter our enemies and foes."

He looked at his father with a hopeful and respectful expression and said.

"I want Castemere as my own land and castle. I want it as part of my inheritance. I want it as a gift from you."

Tywin felt a mix of emotions. He felt admiration and pride for his son's ambition and vision. He felt curiosity and doubt for his son's motives and intentions. He felt temptation and challenge for his son's request and proposal.

He thought for a moment and said.

"Castemere is a ruin. It will take a lot of time and money to rebuild it. It will take a lot of skill and courage to rule it. It will take a lot of wisdom and patience to maintain it."

He looked at his son with a stern and serious expression and said.

"Are you sure you can handle it? Are you sure you are worthy of it?"

Alan nodded firmly and said.

"Yes, father. I am sure. I can handle it. I am worthy of it."

Tywin smiled coldly and said.

"Very well then. You can have Castemere. But on one condition."

Alan looked at his father with curiosity and anticipation. He asked.

"What is the condition?"

Tywin leaned forward and said.

"You have to prove yourself. You have to prove that you are a true Lannister. You have to prove that you are my heir."