It was not your place to do so

Proofread by: Akisu.

"You shouldn't have done that, Lady Barbrey... it was not your place to do so."

Lord Lannister never showed his emotions and this time was no different.

"Well please excuse me for that my Lord. Ra*e is not a popular practice in my lands, with castration as a penalty if I might add, so I'm not used to the southern customs in relation to this." she didn't give even an inch to the old Lion and why should she?

House Dustin was as rich as the Lannister's and every day that passed they moved further away by a little from the Lions and their gold mines in wealth, just because they became wealthy recently doesn't mean they are worst than the lions.

This is what she wished for her whole life, to stand as equal's with the biggest names in Westeros and her son gave it to her.

As smart as Tywin was, he didn't look for other sources of income before, just counting on the gold mines that were abundant in the Westernlands, he kept his position stable.

Yet the mines that were explored for hundreds of years or more started to slowly run out.

Tywin was disturbed when news of more and more mine shafts were reported dry without any signs of gold.

"What brings you here Lady Barbrey." he asked the obvious.

"You tell me Lord Lannister. I assume you already knew your little trick at the King's court will be useless so here I am." she stayed silent just as he did neither willing to speak first.

Unexpectedly for Tywin the woman in front of him had more wit than even some of his bannermen, clearly silence didn't make her feel uncomfortable.

"You have a monopoly for exporting some goods that I would be willing to take off your hands." he started slowly, quietly but firmly.

"That we do. But why do you think I will let you take over the deal? You should already know how much it is worth Lord Lannister." she didn't say no which the old Lion noted in his mind meaning if the price is right...

"What do you want for taking a step back Lady Barbrey?" his fingers interlocked on his desk, he waited patiently.

"There's nothing you can give me that I don't already have." was the reply that came to her mind when she thought about it.

"Gold. Gold is what I have and you don't Lady Barbrey." they both looked at each other like two predators competing for territory. "And a peaceful mind that you would have if you agree..." he again stood up to pour some wine for them.

Walking to the wine jar he grabbed it, yet his eyes never left the mirror observing the woman.

He could see how she tried to calm her trembling hands, evidently his reputation did not pass yet.

If anyone would see the victorious smirk on Tywin face he would think him an imposter.

Knowing that all that the Lady did up till now was a front he pushed further after walking back with two wine glasses.

"You will agree Lady Dustin. Both of our houses can not afford the potential conflict, your house with one heir and my house..." he trailed off. "Well, my house as well."

"So what do you propose?" Lady Dustin said fidgety, a detail that did not escape the old Lion's eye.

"Sell us the contract. We will take over the delivery. Based on my information even if you let go of your monopoly on these few materials you will still have relatively good income." looking at how confident he was her face changed into anger.

"Relatively good income?! The thing that you propose will make my house lose out on millions of gold dragons a year! Not even speaking about the impact of our partners! You know full well how much it will cost us Lord Lannister!" she stood up and shouted at the man.

"Sit." he looked at her with his usual authoritative gaze and commanded.

Lady Barbrey tried to defy for a moment, but finally sat down again.

"I know what I'm asking. The alternative is less... optimistic." he stood up and moved closer to her invading her personal space.

He was almost euphoric seeing the fear in her eyes. "From my information the contract is for 10 years and one already passed. The amount you received from the buyers was for 3 years..." he continued.

"Four." Lady Barbrey quickly corrected the man, but bit her tongue a second later embarrassed at allowing herself to be so easily manipulated.

"Four..." his lips curled up a bit. "I will pay for the rest of the contract. 1 million dragons for each year totaling 6 million..."

"That's a robbery and you know it Lord Lannister!" that was enough for her. The amount proposed was at least two million dragons lighter then what they would get normally.

"I understand your position Lady Barbrey, but this is not a negotiation..." he made his stand. "We could pay more, but we would need to get something of equal value..." she saw he already had something on his mind so she waited. "Like for example... the construction plans for your warships with few of the already build ones to be sure there is no misgivings on your side..." Lady Barbrey looked at him furious and didn't even plan to hide her anger.

"Don't reject me yet Lady Barbrey. It's not like you will be unguarded with the other houses having sufficient fleet."

"If I refuse?" she looked emotionally defeated.

"If I remember correctly your knights were the ones to start the attack from before..." this light threat worked.

"Two million dragons and 5 ships. That's my final word." Lady Barbrey clearly wanted to leave and did not hide it looking at her defeated posture.

"We did not understand each other correctly Lady Barbrey. Two million was the offer for all the ships... or the lives of your knights..." the look he gave her said it all. No negotiations, no alternative, just pure submission was expected.

What could she do, she still receive 8 million golden dragons for it all.

"I will send you the documents..." she wanted to leave, but was stopped by the guard at the door.

"Oh don't worry, please sign this and we will take care of the rest of the necessary procedures between the buyers and Iron bank." he was already prepared. "I did hear that you liked to use their services as a 3rd party guarantor.

He was right, as per her son's advice each contract for a small pay was kept in Iron bank with them being the institution responsible for checking if the condition from both sides were fulfilled.

Truthfully, more and more merchants decided on this type of security measures whenever they could afford it.

What happened next was easy to predict. A representative from Iron bank was present during the signing of agreement in which Lady Dustin transferred the rights to supply the merchants with products that were popular in Westernlands, Tywin wanted to take even other products, but this time he hit a wall.

Knowing he won already and had pushed the woman to the brink he didn't continue, he already had what he wanted and then some.

35 additional warships were a perfect cherry on the top of the cake for him, and in four years he would be able to start his plan to push House Lannister to new heights with the trade agreement and his new ships, and all that for 8 million gold dragons, an amount that of course hurt his pockets, but it was worth it.

Lady Dustin while resigned still had her pride that was left by the old Lion mostly untouched.

She walked out of the solar moving slowly while Ser Hadrian and Ser Bryce offered her their hands for support.

Lord Lannister watched keenly, smiling in his heart while the broken woman was led away.

The guards and the lady left the castle under smiling Lannister eyes, they already knew that their Lord got what he wanted from her, he always did.

Mocking words could be heard while they walked making the two knights grit their teeth.

They walked slowly increasing the pace, a distance away from the castle the hunchback Lady started to straighten up, her thin lips with every step curled up more into an evil smile.

When they arrived at the carriage she was again the Lady Dustin everyone knew and more.

"Send for our men and ask the other houses to help us guard the cargo." she ripped off the mask of the weak, pressured woman that was in front of Tywin before.

"How much my Lady?" Ser Bryce was excited when he asked.

"8 million dragons." her cunning smile finally showed her real feelings.

"Isn't this 3 million more than what you expected my Lady?" Ser Hadrian was happy for his Liege Lady.

"It is Ser Hadrian, and we managed to get rid of all the useless, old warships. Contact our merchants, I want them to slowly increase the contract values with the Lannister's, of course the consequences of not keeping the deal should be severe." she walked inside the carriage leaving the rest to her men. "We're done here, after everyone is healed we're moving to King's Landing, can't keep the Lord Hand waiting."