Torches flickered along the dark stone walls, stretching the Iron Throne's twisted shadow halfway across the hall. The far end lay swallowed in darkness.
Cersei felt shadows closing in from all sides. Enemies were everywhere, and her allies were nothing but fools. One only had to look at the small council. All of them, except Qyburn, looked half-asleep. Jaime, dear Jaime. He had been gone for half a month without a word. Marbrand didn't know. Kevan didn't know. Where had he gone?
She paced back and forth, restless. She needed help. She needed her brother. Folding her hands together, she closed her eyes and prayed silently to the Seven.
Father, judge the fallen whore Margaery Tyrell.
Mother, grant your mercy to Joffrey's soul.
Warrior, lend me your courage and bring my brother back to me...
Creak.
The doors of the throne room opened. A golden head poked inside. The guards did not stop him, which meant—
Cersei rose to her feet, joy lighting her face, until she saw who it was.
"Tyrion!" she hissed, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What are you doing here?"
"Why shouldn't I be?" Tyrion said with a grin. "Perhaps the gods above heard your prayers..."
"Where is Jaime?"
Another golden head appeared behind the first. The older brother was broader, stronger, and more weathered than the younger.
"This is what you did behind my back?" Cersei stared coldly at her twin. "You went and brought back this villain, this demon? We… Joff, your king, has only just died! And you betray me?" Her voice trembled, on the verge of tears. "How could you… how could you abandon me at a time like this..."
"Tyrion can help shoulder the burden," Jaime said. "The situation is slipping out of control."
"A Lust Demon, not a demon, and not a villain," Tyrion corrected her calmly. "I hear you've been keeping the post of Hand of the King warm for me, so I thought I might as well take this heavy burden onto my shoulders."
Cersei merely watched him coldly as the arrogant Lust Demon sprawled at the long table, planting his feet atop it.
The queen dowager did not move.
"Brother, it seems things don't quite match what you told me," Tyrion said, turning his head toward Jaime. "Coming to see our sister first was a mistake. We should have a proper drink instead, then visit Uncle Kevan before tomorrow's Small Council meeting. What do you think?"
Clack.
A brooch dropped onto the table and slid to Tyrion's feet. He bent down to pick it up and saw, by the torchlight, that it was a hand.
"My thanks for the king's generosity," Tyrion said, pinning it to his lapel. "May I ask which king rules now?"
"The queen's generosity," Cersei said flatly. "Your sister's generosity."
"Why not the Queen's?" Tyrion asked. "You've imprisoned Margaery Tyrell?"
Cersei shot Jaime a furious look. "I did not imprison her. She committed crimes. I ordered her arrest..."
"What?" Tyrion sprang to his feet, looking from his brother to his sister. "Arrest? I thought it was house confinement. When did that change?"
"She bears responsibility for the king's death, and she is licentious by nature, living a life of debauchery." Cersei turned to Jaime with a smug smile. "Yes, when you left, she was merely confined. But afterward, multiple witnesses accused her before the High Septon, so I ordered her imprisoned. I act swiftly and decisively."
"You're mad!" Tyrion's voice shot up. "Joff's death was an accident! What proof do you have?"
"I have no proof," Cersei replied coolly. "But I know it was her."
"Licentious by nature?" Tyrion stared at her in disbelief. "You're accusing her of adultery? Have you lost your mind? She was carrying a child. Joff's child. The future king!" His face went pale, though the dim light hid it well. "Do you have evidence?"
"I have witnesses. Singers, knights, all willing to testify," Cersei said, lifting her chin. "Foolish brother, do you really think I understand nothing?"
"This is slander against royal blood," Jaime said at last.
"If the child is a boy, with golden hair and green eyes, a proper Lannister, then the rumors will collapse on their own," Cersei said. "But until then, that little whore will not use her belly to reach for the throne. Tommen will serve as regent. In ten months, I will raise the child myself. I'm still young, am I not?"
"She's a Tyrell," Tyrion said, his brow tightening in pain. "Our most important ally. Lord Mace will not stand by while you humiliate his daughter. Gods above, sister, please wake up. Don't destroy everything. Release Margaery Tyrell. Withdraw all charges. Kill those who gave false testimony. Otherwise, power will become poison..."
"Do you see, Jaime?" Cersei said. "I told you long ago that our brother is a coward. You have Father's sword. I have Father's courage. All he has left is Father's caution. Too much caution is nothing but cowardice."
"What you call courage is ignorance," Tyrion said coldly. "So how do you intend to deal with the Tyrells?"
"Mace Tyrell is besieging Storm's End in the Stormlands. Willas Tyrell is holding Highgarden against ironborn raids. Garlan Tyrell is laying siege to Brightwater Keep. And Loras, in white armor, is fighting a bitter battle on Dragonstone." Cersei's smile grew ever sweeter. "At least half of them will be finished."
Poor roses, Tyrion thought, a pang in his chest. The Reach commanded sixty thousand men and four great lords. Half of them were bleeding for the realm, and this foolish woman dared to—
"If half of them are finished, then so are we," Tyrion said, trying to stir what little sense his sister possessed. "The Westerlands alone cannot support a kingdom."
"That's why I'm giving you the authority of Hand of the King," Cersei said. "Jaime is an undefeated swordsman, and aren't you also undefeated by your own account? Besides, we still have the Westerlands, the Riverlands, and the North. Half the realm is under our control. What's wrong with that?"
"We only have the Westerlands and the Riverlands," Tyrion shot back. "The North is still under Roose Bolton's control."
Jaime had been routed by Robb at the Whispering Wood, and I don't even command ten thousand men. Sister, you've placed your trust in the wrong person, he thought.
"Is Sansa with child?" Cersei asked.
"Not yet."
"Then Joffrey was far more capable than you."
Tyrion studied his sister for a long moment.
"Let's end this conversation here," he said at last. He turned away. "I'll be staying in the Tower of the Hand."
He left.
"We'll see each other tomorrow morning, brother," Cersei said behind him. "The Lannisters have always carried the bearing of kings. It's time you witnessed a true queen."
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on P@treon.
[Upto 50 chapters ahead for now]
[email protected]/BlurryDream