A Wolf and A Lion || Jaime Lannister Love Story

Chapter 35 . Everything Has Changed

"Jaime has fled the city. Give me leave to bring him back to justice." Ned began to say as he looked upon the cold expression of Cersei Lannister, and the calculating look coming from Robert Baratheon.

Ned woke up to the sight of them both, noticing that the wound on his leg was treated and wrapped up in a cloth. He was in his own chambers when the memory of what happened at the brothel came rushing back to him. He was unsure of how long he passed out; unsure of how many hours or even days went by that Aurelia Stark was left in the hands of a Lion.

Cersei was fuming, as she should, in regards to Tyrion's capture and what she believes to be Ned attacking Jaime. Truthfully, she knew the fact that Jaime started the brawl in the first place as a solution to Aurelia being taken away by her own father; even the thought of that repulsed her. She realized then that Jaime cared for Aurelia whether Cersei chose to admit it or not, or whether Jaime tries to deny it himself. If he had not cared, Jaime would have no problem in having Aurelia return to Winterfell, then he'll deal with his father on his own accord. But alas, he did not.

    "He is only fighting for the imp of a brother we have, Tyrion. Not some Stark whore who has no place in the South." Cersei tried to calm her own self. She wasn't certain that Jaime would have done the same thing if it was her in that position, and not Aurelia. Cersei could not place where her anger resonated from; whether it was from Catelyn Stark believing that she could kidnap Tyrion as she please, or Jaime and Ned fighting against one another, or because she was aware that Jaime harbors feelings towards Aurelia.

Cersei found out what happened when she was informed of it, as Ned was brought back to the Red Keep. The wound on his leg stemmed from a spear adorned by the colors of red and gold for the entire small council to see. Cersei cursed her twin brother for acting reckless. With Jaime being the one who attacked Ned and butchering his men, it would taint the Lannister name and amount to Jaime's already ruthless reputation around the nobility.

It was Cersei who was the one to spur the claim of Ned attacking Jaime when he came out of the brothel as a drunk, but even that accusation was weak. None wanted to believe it; and neither did Robert. He knew his friend more than anyone in this city. Ned was too honorable to have betrayed Catelyn in such a way. The only time he would believe that Ned willingly chose to come to a brothel, would be the day when someone tells him that Lyanna Stark is still alive, and that was never going to happen.

"I took you for a King." Cersei sneered at Robert when she realized he had not respond to Ned's wishes. She could never understand the position the King was being thrusted upon.

"Hold your tongue." Robert chastised her,

"He's attacked one of my brother's and abducted the other. I should wear the armor and you the gown." Cersei continued to taunt him, but Robert had enough of her this time. The sound as Robert's hand strike against Cersei's cheek reverberated against the walls, shocking Ned as he flinched upon witnessing it. Robert can be brutal but he was never one to be fond of violence. Cersei let out a small smirk as her hand touch the stinging pain coming from her cheek where it was slowly turning red. Never in their eighteen years of marriage did Robert ever hit her, but she was not surprised today.

"I shall wear this like a badge of honor." Cersei mocked,

"Wear it in silence, or I'll honor you again." Robert chided with a thunderous voice, taking a step closer to Cersei and glared at her with fury.

Cersei gave one last scornful look at a bedridden Ned, and Robert a deathly glare before she walked away and slammed the door shut. She did not want for the two men to see the humiliation etched across her.