CERSEI IX

She woke that morning with a smile on her face. Cersei Lannister was giving her first born son, her pride and joy, her flesh and blood and King to be wed - and she was more thrilled than imaginable with the bride. Serving girls brought her a summer wine and hot bread with sweet fruits to break her fast.

"Today is a day I've been waiting for, and it's been too long a wait," she smiled at one of the women, who she rarely spoke to other than to give orders or requests.
"I imagine so, Your Grace. May your son and the princess have a blessed marriage," the server bowed her head gently in a nod and left Cersei in peace.

But I don't want to be alone, she thought, oddly. Since Robert's death, the Queen saw only her family, the council and Qyburn. She avoided speaking to hand maidens and serving girls, only thanking them quietly and sending them away. But now, all she wanted was for everyone she saw to share in her joy.

She was soon dressed for the morning and made her way to her sons chambers, which he would soon share with his bride. This morning, she was garbed in a light red sleeveless gown, and a golden cape embroidered with the Lannister lion.

"Mother," he beamed when he opened his chamber door, clothed only in a red silken robe with a cup of wine in his hand.
"My son," she smiled, wrapping her arms around him, her heart filled with happiness.
"You look well," he smiled, shutting the door behind them, "come here. I want to show you something."

The King lead her to his nightstand where he opened a draw and revealed a box.
"What's this?" she raised her brows in curiosity.
"A gift. Open it."
She did so, staring down at a golden choker, fashioned with a Lannister lion at the center with the Martell sun behind it and spear laid flat at the base of the lion's mane. It was beautiful.
"William," she breathed, "did you design this?"
"With some help. Do you like it?"
"It's lovely, should I wear it today?"
"I would love you to. I've had one made for Sarafine as well. For you two to match," his smile told of how happy he truly was. She looked into his eyes and saw; he was not worried of war or dragon girls or treasonous houses - only his love and his family. Tears welled up in her eyes for a moment.
"I'm so proud of you, William," she breathed, laughing at her display of emotion while he took her in his arms.

Joffrey entered the room and greeted them both, William also revealing a gift for him; a ring fashioned with the Baratheon and Lannister sigils.

Next, she visited the Queen-to-be's chambers. Sarafine was eating breakfast when she arrived, clothed in a silken robe similar to William's. It was a white so bright that it shone against her Dornish skin and made her glow equally as bright. Hand maidens filled the tub with hot water and her wedding gown was presented over a mannequin.
"Princess," Cersei smiled when she saw her, "today is your day."

They shared a sweet embrace.
"I just received a gift from William," she beamed, "on the note he left, it says that ours will match."
"They do," Cersei admired the piece identical to her own as the red rubies and polished gold shone around Sarafine's neck.
"Princess, your bath is ready," a handmaiden informed.

Sarafine took a deep breath and Cersei held her hands.
"You're my daughter officially today."
"I'm the luckiest woman in the world," she beamed.
"Let me wash your hair for you," the Queen offered, wishing to stay in her company.

The Princess let her robe slip from her and climbed into the tub, her young body sinking into the water that had been scented with lavender oil, Cersei's favourite scent. The Queen took the seat by the copper bath and sat the bucket into the water, being careful to place the fabrics of the cape behind her shoulders. She gently poured the water over the head of the girl she'd come to love as her own, remembering her own wedding day.

She'd never met Robert, and her nerves were as heightened as her excitement. Tomorrow, I'll be the Queen, she had thought. But when she saw him standing there in the Great Sept, her words changed. Tomorrow, I'll be his queen. Her smile had been so true and her eyes so bright that day, just as they were now. She washed the long and dark locks of the Princess with beautiful oils and potions, and Cersei realised that Sara may be feeling precisely as she did once.

"You aren't just taking on a husband, but a Realm too," Cersei reminded, "only the strongest of women are fit for this role, which is why I'm so happy to hand it over to you."
"I've learnt all that I know from you," she turned, "I will never be able to repay you for everything you've done for me, Cersei."
"You never have to," the Queen smiled proudly.

My daughter, she thought as she ringed water out of her hair, my son is truly marrying the most beautiful girl in the Seven Kingdoms, and I'm so glad that she has a soul to match.

She was soon dressed herself, in her own chambers, her hair placed in an elegant arrangement of braids and curls as golden as the choker she donned. Her garb was a shoulder-baring gown with patterns in crimson and deep-golden silks. The sleeves were elaborate, hanging three or more feet down from where they met her wrists. Her Lannister lion was delicately emblazoned on the sides of the sleeves, jewels and fine fabrics making up the mane and the face. She wore rings and a golden chain around her wrist that Robert had gifted her, and a piece of her own wedding gown was sewn into the inside of the bodice - hidden from all but remembered by her. This is truly my proudest moment, she breathed, looking into the mirror.

When she visited him again, his belt was being fastened around the sash of black velvet he wore over his left shoulder. The King's surcoat was a mixture of a rich and bright gold with subtle tones of Martell orange, embroidered in black with a combination of suns, spears, lions and stags.
"You look wonderful," she smiled, Joffrey already dressed next to him.
"As do you, mother."

The servant went to take the crown to her son.
"Allow me," she interjected, taking the golden ring of sigils in her hands and delicately placing it atop his head, having to stretch her height somewhat. She rested her hands on his arms from behind, smiling at his image.

He's a true King, Robert, she thought, and we raised him well.

- A/N -

Alas, the final chapter of pre-wedding fluff 3 Everyone's so happy aw

I'm curious, who's your favourite character in this story? Let me know in a comment!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you on Friday for the next instalment!