I should've turned her down, I thought as we continued our walk.
The silence between us was an uncomfortable one—unwanted, yet persistent.
Lannisport was never as lively as King's Landing or Oldtown, but it had its own night-life… just not near the walls. Here, the poor lived stacked atop one another, and the streets emptied early. Only my guards trailed behind us—far enough not to hear our conversation, close enough to die for me if needed.
They were the more serious of my men, the ones who didn't live for drink or brothels. They preferred the yard, the new training gear, and discipline. Orton was among them. At first, I had worried about him—his brother was the Mountain after all—but Orton proved nothing like that brute. Humble. Generous. Respected. Even Jaime said he had real potential with a sword. I truly had lucked out.
"You know," the woman beside me said, "talking might help with the awkwardness."
I raised a brow at her casual tone. "Then perhaps you can start by giving me your name?"
She shot me a sideways glance. "Alysanne."
I nodded and opened my mouth to introduce myself, but she cut me off.
"I know who you are—Cerion Lannister. Half the city speaks of you like you're a gift from the Seven. Though I suppose anyone could earn that title if they promise the smallfolk a more comfortable winter."
"And what does the other half of the city think?" I asked. Winning the trust of the people was one of my goals in this world. Fear and love were both tools, and I intended to wield both.
"Well," she said, smirking faintly, "some call you a genius. Others, a charlatan. And a tiny group says you're a demon from the Seven-Hells."
"Oh?" I hummed. "And what do you think?"
Her eyes lit up as if she had been waiting for that question.
We kept walking and talking, and at some point I realized the streets around us had gone deathly still. No merchants, no drunks, no stray dogs—just me, Alysanne, and my guards. A chill crawled up my spine.
I slowed. Trap.
A voice came from behind me.
"Earlier you asked what I think of you," Alysanne said. Her tone had gone cold. "I think you're a bastard who should've died long ago."
She was suddenly holding a dagger. She was so close I couldn't react in time—
—but an axe slammed down between us, stopping her blade.
Ryner. Former Essosi sellsword. Quick as lightning.
"My lord—behind us!" Orton barked.
Shouts erupted. I spun and saw dozens of figures emerging from alleyways, cornering us.
"Fuck—this was a trap from the start!" one of my guards snarled.
Alysanne stepped back, voice rising so all her people could hear.
"You think you're a good man because you play the kind lord? You're a Lannister. Your House has drenched the realm in blood for power and gold!"
A man in the crowd yelled, "Die peacefully!" and loosed an arrow.
I cut it mid-air. Steel sheared cleanly. I exhaled.
"It can't be helped," I muttered. I glanced at my guards. Their eyes gleamed—they were ready, eager for their first real battle.
"Kill them all," I ordered, surging forward toward Alysanne.
Our swords clashed.
"Why are you doing this?" I demanded as steel rang around us.
"Your House betrayed the king!" she spat. "We tried to kill you at Falhall, but that drunken oaf ruined everything. Tonight, you die. The Lannisters must pay for the sins they committed in King's Landing!"
"You target me for something I never did," I growled. "I see now—being good to the likes of you was the true mistake."
I pressed forward, fury rising.
"Just die, you bitch!"
My sword came down with all my strength, and she stumbled back, crashing to the ground.
"You thought I'd just lie down and die?" she hissed, lunging again.
I parried, slipped inside her guard, and sliced her arm open. She screamed.
"You think you can attack me whenever you please? Today, I'll show you hell."
I thrust my blade into her chest. She dropped to her knees, crawling away, gasping.
"You should've thought before dragging me out here," I said—and brought my sword down, severing her head.
Behind me, steel clattered. I turned to see that most of the attackers had already been cut down by my guards.
"What are you waiting for?" I snapped. "Finish the rest."
And without looking back, I began walking away.
I had finally understood the true nature of this world.
-----------------------------------
A/N: Hey guys I am thinking of using POV in the story. What do you guys think 🤔