No, [he intones with an inarguable finality that lesser men have envied,] it is not.
[Tywin remains unamused as a rule, but that doesn't entirely remove the possibility of him being amusing. It's difficult to imagine that he made a more diplomatic answer than 'No,' to the offer itself, and some people might find that funny. Walder Frey does not continue to press the offer, nor is he likely to renew it in similar terms. As a younger man, Tywin felt keenly that his sister was wasted in an unbecoming Frey union. It finally served a purpose — he made it serve a purpose — only recently, but that is as close as their families need bind.]
If there's a Lady of Casterly Rock while I live, it will mean my acknowledgment of Cersei as such.
[This shouldn't be treated as an indication of his intent regarding inheritance. He is simply leaving clear the obvious path of retreat, if the Queen Regent (by some incredible feat of her own incompetence) renders her position in King's Landing untenable. That he has considered the possibility this far reveals less his affection and more his lack of faith. There was a time it went without saying, and it remains true that he would not say it himself, but nothing short of necessity would compel him to unseat Joanna's memory from her rightful place.]
Which exhausts my eligibility and leaves us to discuss yours.
[The best response to bitter wine (if his recalcitrant malformed son can be believed) is to continue drinking until the taste is beneath notice. Tywin is not, for his part, discomfited by the potential of this conversation. When he's present, he is intensely present, and drinking has done little to dull that. His attention is a forceful thing in itself when it isn't distributed in his responsibilities. Littlefinger has it undivided.]
You're satisfied, I imagine.
[He imagines no such thing in actuality, since that would involve thinking more of Littlefinger's forthcoming nuptials than he has. He's not overcurious. It wasn't even strictly a question, though it certainly sounds in want of some reply.]
no subject
[Tywin remains unamused as a rule, but that doesn't entirely remove the possibility of him being amusing. It's difficult to imagine that he made a more diplomatic answer than 'No,' to the offer itself, and some people might find that funny. Walder Frey does not continue to press the offer, nor is he likely to renew it in similar terms. As a younger man, Tywin felt keenly that his sister was wasted in an unbecoming Frey union. It finally served a purpose — he made it serve a purpose — only recently, but that is as close as their families need bind.]
If there's a Lady of Casterly Rock while I live, it will mean my acknowledgment of Cersei as such.
[This shouldn't be treated as an indication of his intent regarding inheritance. He is simply leaving clear the obvious path of retreat, if the Queen Regent (by some incredible feat of her own incompetence) renders her position in King's Landing untenable. That he has considered the possibility this far reveals less his affection and more his lack of faith. There was a time it went without saying, and it remains true that he would not say it himself, but nothing short of necessity would compel him to unseat Joanna's memory from her rightful place.]
Which exhausts my eligibility and leaves us to discuss yours.
[The best response to bitter wine (if his recalcitrant malformed son can be believed) is to continue drinking until the taste is beneath notice. Tywin is not, for his part, discomfited by the potential of this conversation. When he's present, he is intensely present, and drinking has done little to dull that. His attention is a forceful thing in itself when it isn't distributed in his responsibilities. Littlefinger has it undivided.]
You're satisfied, I imagine.
[He imagines no such thing in actuality, since that would involve thinking more of Littlefinger's forthcoming nuptials than he has. He's not overcurious. It wasn't even strictly a question, though it certainly sounds in want of some reply.]