𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕔𝕦𝕓𝕤 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕖𝕖𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕠𝕠 ; (ℂ𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕚 𝕩 𝕆ℂ🐺🦁)

𝟙𝟟 - ℕ𝕖𝕨 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕞𝕤, 𝕟𝕖𝕨 𝕤𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤

𝕋𝕙𝕖 pendant dangled from the taxidermied snake's mouth with mocking harmlessness, swinging softly back and forth. "No note?", I asked, frowning. Cersei shook her head. "There's no need. Just look at this, the message couldn't be clearer. They blame us for the death of Oberyn and his sister, and every other tragedy that has befallen their accursed country." "But why bring Myrcella into this? What has she ever done to them?" Exasperated, Cersei sighed. "Clearly you've never experienced a feud, Vallery - how could you, holed up in the North like that - but that's how it goes. Family is family, and they will take any Lannister they can get their hands on to hurt us as a whole." "I know what a feud is", I replied pointedly, "but Myrcella is a Baratheon - in name, at least. Yes, she's your daughter, but the message will not ring the same." "She isn't the target here", Cersei said, softer now, "she is the pawn. They want to hurt me by hurting her." She clenched a trembling fist. "I will burn their cities to the ground if they touch her!" I rubbed a placating hand on her shoulder and leaned down to rest my head against hers. "We won't let it come to that. Is there any way to get her out of there without violence?" Cersei exhaled deeply, attempting to calm the anger boiling in her eyes. "If we could slip her out unnoticed..." "I could go", I offered. She whirled around, cupping my hand with her own. "No. I can't lose you too, it's too dangerous. If something goes wrong... I'll send Jaime, it's about time he acted a father to her anyways. He'll get her back, he has to." "He will", I reassured her, sensing the fear that remained in her voice. She nodded quickly, a somewhat forced smile returning to her face as she got up suddenly and caught me in her arms. "Yes. In the meantime, we should focus on the Tyrell issue." I wasn't buying it, not one bit. "Cersei", I said, not letting her avoid my gaze, "how many times do I have to tell you? You don't need to hide anything from me. You're worried about her, I completely understand. I don't expect you to still that anxiety at a moment's notice." "It isn't that", she quickly assured me, clasping my hand tightly and kissing it. "I know I can trust you with anything, and I always will. I just need to take my mind off it, or I'll go crazy. Please, let us talk about something we can actually fix right now." "Alright." I planted a brief kiss on her forehead.

"So, the Tyrells. Why are they a problem? I know they are deceptive, notorious liars, but so far they seemed harmless in terms of actual power. Their gold is currently saving us from financial collapse as far as I know. What's changed?" "Tommen. Joffrey's blood is barely cold, and Margaery already has her claws in the next brother", Cersei growled. I chewed my lip, thinking. "Well, you're his Hand now, a least for a while, perhaps you can convince him not to trust her." Cersei threw her hands up in a defeated gesture. "You think I haven't tried? That smirking whore is too damn persuasive. She actually had him attempt to get me to return to Casterly Rock once they're married!" "Two can play that game." I walked to the side table to pour two glasses of wine. "She wants to turn him against you, fine, do the same. Use her own moves against her, make Tommen see her falsehood." Taking the glass I offered her, she tilted her head pensively. "But how? If we both keep tugging and tearing at him, we'll rip him apart. No, the problem needs to be attacked straight at the root." I had a thought, one that stirred my conscience uncomfortably, but I voiced it nonetheless. "What if the counter-manipulation came from somewhere she didn't expect? My sister is good friends with her. If I were to talk to Margaery, give her some new perspectives on the queen..." Cersei considered the idea, looking not at all opposed. "And you think she would trust you?", she asked after a moment. "Only one way to find out", I shrugged.

The ceremony was very straightforward. They had kept it small, out of fear that tragedy would strike again if they weren't careful. "I am hers and she is mine" - "I am his and he is mine", Tommen and Margaery were saying, "from this day until the end of my days." They kissed, and the crowd waited for them to turn to face them again before applauding. From where I was standing, I could not see Cersei's face, but even from behind, I could feel the cold anger radiating from her. As the couple waited for the cheers to fade, smiling breathlessly, I disappeared into the crowd, slipping out of the sept unnoticed to go to Margaery's chambers, where she would undoubtedly go to change before the feast. I did not have to wait for long before the door opened and she entered, looking surprised even though her guards had to have told her I was inside. I quickly got up from where I was seated at a table near the entrance.