Chapter 7
As they crossed him on the battlefield, Robert Baratheon liked to see the fear-stricken looks on his foe's eyes. He did not like seeing it in innocent children and young women.
Well, he almost laughed as his eyes drifted to the olive skin woman trying to convince a young boy to eat, the top of her breasts showing even in the demure neckline. They were not ladies of any court. Robert had been in the presence of whores too much not to recognize one, just because they changed their ways of dressing. By his account, most of the women in the house were whores – high classed ones at that.
One of the older women explained how they managed the resources. She tried to play it off, but Robert could see the truth. They would have starved if Lady Myrcella had not rationed the food from day one.
The Lady in question was undoubtedly the leader, but she had not been present at the table, for it seemed it was her time to treat the sick in the house next door. They were a well-organized house, almost like the best war camps.
Robert had one of the men write down herbs and other things they would need. He would also speak with Jon to send masons to help with the infrastructures. Lady Myrcella did plan to make this place into a crown orphanage, and Robert would rather not have it crumble to the ground during his reign.
His reign. He was the King. He cursed Jon and even Ned for it. Robert barely wanted to be Lord of Storm's End. He's not meant to be sitting at a table counting pennies or hearing people complain all day. And politics.
He'd been on the throne for about a moon turn, and Robert's head already hurt from listening to lickspittles.
You need a Queen. He could hear Jon say in his head, even now.
Cersei Lannister would be perfect. Jon had hinted as much. She was beautiful and charming and knew how to play her role at court. But behind those seductive green eyes and flirtatious touches, Robert could see the coldness and calculation inside.
Cassana Estermont had not been the warmest or the most beautiful of women. She had been proud, reticent, and rigid at times, but Storm's End had run smoothly, thanks to her management. His father would say to Robert that his wife was the best of women. His mother, however, was not cold like Cersei Lannister. His mother, however, was not frosty like Cersei Lannister.
Cersei Lannister was likely to stab him in the back if that served her purpose. Probably still with a smile on her face.
Lyanna would- Robert shook that thought away. It was not the time to think of his beloved.
He got up from the table and almost shouted when everyone followed suit, even the confused children. Gods, be damned, could they leave that stupid protocol at court?
"Be seated, my friends. I'll just get some fresh air."
Ser Barristan had not taken his seat back. Robert had to order him to take one when they began the meal. He knew better than to order the older man to stay put. He was Robert's new shadow, after all. Thankfully, Jaime Lannister had stayed put, in talks with his uncle and the little girl on his lap.
Robert found the gardens to be in a poor state but saw the evidence of children playing in the wood sticks and little rocks laid out in game positions. He also found the dark-haired beauty carrying a chest. He quickened his pace to catch up to her.
"Do you need help, my lady?"
She looked to him with knowing dark eyes. "If His Grace does not mind."
Ser Barristan seemed to want to choke on her lack of reference. Robert, however, wished to bed her even more for that. Robert wondered how much he would have to pay her to bring her back with him to the Red Keep.
"Where am I to take it?" Robert asked as he took on the weight. Robert didn't have trouble carrying it, but he was surprised the woman could carry such weight under her arms. He also had pointed out how Ser Barristan could not protect him with his hands otherwise occupied.
By the Gods, he had been on the battlefield, yielding a hammer, moons ago. He could do with a small trunk.
"To the other house, if you wouldn't mind following me."
Robert followed her gladly, trailing his eyes up and down her buxom figure, still noticeable under her shapeless brown gown.
Another whore, a higher-priced one, Robert knew from the sway of her hips and the confidence on her steps. Gods, Robert wanted the woman. But he also wanted to know what whores like her were doing in a place like this one. Especially when the city was full of wealthy knights and lords who could fill her purse. Even a King.
Unlike the voices and noise of children playing, this time, they were welcomed by screams, cries, and grumblings, all of which Robert was too well familiar with. The first floor was the same as the other building, but they entered through the backdoor into the kitchens, where another young woman was brewing something instead of cooking.
"Where are we to take this?" Robert asked, startling the other woman.
She immediately gave him a lower courtesy and glanced to the ground.
"Rise, my lady. What is your name, my lady?"
"Lily Devon, Your Grace," she introduced with apprehension in her eyes. A highborn, then. Devon was no name Robert knew, however. "In what can we help you, Your Grace?"
"I am just the deliveryman." He jested, and that made the girl curl her lips slightly.
"His Grace brought the instruments for the hospital and some herbs," the brunette said. Robert should have recalled her name, but he did not.
"Milk of the poppy?" She asked hopefully.
The brunette just gave Lady Lily a look. "You have herbs. Can you brew it?"
"I can't just brew Milk of the Poppy, Jayde. Perhaps the herbs will help."
Robert looked between the two women. "I can send for a maester," he offered. The girls turned to him in surprise. "The Red Keep has enough maester that can be of service."
"We would be most thankful, Your Grace," Lady Lily said with a heavy reference on her tone. Usually, Robert needed to promise much more to make people show such a tone.
"Would you like to meet with Lady Myrcella?" the lady asked.
Robert knew he should speak with Myrcella Lannister. "If you would not mind guiding me to her."
"Jayde," the lady turned to the whore. "Would you take His Grace to Lady Myrcella?" Her tone was cordial, but Robert sensed that undertone women had between them that man could not hope to understand.
Jayde's bright smile was able to fool most men. Had Robert not been sober, he would have fallen for it headfirst. "Of course."
"She is in room one."
As they felt, Robert tried to cover the tension by asking what the room had a name.
"Lady Myrcella and Septa Alda separated the patients by room. Room One is where most of the patients with serious but not contagious illnesses are. Room Two is where one finds the ones with less serious illnesses. They have access to the garden. Room Three is on the underground floor. Upstairs there are Room Four, where we place the patients with contagious illnesses, and Room Five and Six for the children."
"And is Room Three for?" Robert asked, noticing she did not name the function of such room.
"We call it the Mercy Room," Jayde said, looking down. "It is more the Stranger Room than anything. We take there the people who are likely to die soon."
That silenced the conversation, and soon they found themselves in Room One. Inside was what one would expect from a field of wounded soldiers. Just much better organized. Robert felt like he was back in the war, and his instincts immediately found Lady Myrcella.
She wore much of the same clothes, but the blue gown had an apron over it that splashes of red on it and whose whiteness saw better days. Lady Myrcella was sewing someone's wound, and Robert could see that the infection would likely result in the man losing his leg sooner than later. A Septa was washing his sweaty forehead and whispering some words of comfort while holding him to the bed.
Robert knew many Silent Sisters performed such tasks post battles. Even some woods witches, maesters, and septons. Still, seeing the daughter of Tywin Lannister lowering herself to such a taste with the skill that said it was far from the first time she had such a task was humblings.
Jayde went to the concentrated woman and whispered something in her ear. Lady Myrcella's pale green eyes went to Robert's, but her hands didn't stop working. Robert looked around the room while he waited. There were at least a dozen patients. Most of them were young men with fresh wounds. They could not be from the Sack. But Robert knew the streets were chaotic since the Lannister army got into the city. The Gold Cloaks barely kept the peace outside of Fea Bottom. Robert could guess the disorder in the poorest district.
Something needed to be done to calm the masses. Robert knew just what to do to pacify them.
"I can take it from here," Jayde said as Lady Myrcella finished.
She got up from her kneeling position and turned to Robert. "Would Your Grace mind following me?"
Did she know there was blood on her hands?
"Of course, my lady."
Lady Myrcella led him into a small room. Inside, two beds were pushed against the walls. The headboards touch, forming an L, with a chest at the foot of one of the beds. Next to the door was a small table with a basin and two pitchers of water underneath. The rest of the space was occupied by a square table, surrounded by four chairs, parchments and a plate with bread and bacon, and a couple of empty cups covering it.
"Make yourself as comfortable as possible, Your Grace." She spoke while turning to wash her hands on the basin. "I know it is not the comforts of the Red Keep."
Robert took one of the chairs and looked over the papers. They were listed patients by the illness or wounds, and some had a date in front of said numbers. It was an easy guess what those dates were. There were too many dates.
"At times, I think we lost more than we saved." Lady Myrcella said in a grieving tone as she took the chair in front of him.
Robert looked at her with more attention than he usually paid a woman.
Considering how Cersei Lannister spoke of her sister - and even some at court - Robert had not expected the woman to be so beautiful. And she was beautiful. Not in the extraordinary attractive way of Cersei Lannister, but in a prettier way that Robert barely paid attention to. She was like a flower from the Reach, delicate and dainty, with big eyes and pouty lips.
Her face was not as roundish, but Robert could not tell if her slopping cheekbones and pointy chin were naturally sharp or just the result of the gauntness of her face. The famed Lannister golden hair was covered by a coif, making it impossible to tell the shade or shape. Elbert said she had curlier hair than Cersei.
His friend, and even Ser Barristan, sang praises of her intelligence and sweet wit, but had Robert not seen the ways she went through for people who should matter little to her, he would think her another pretty lady of the court. One who was Tywin Lannister's daughter, but only with his physical traits. Myrcella Lannister seemed to lack most of her family's more ambitious attributes.
Lady Myrcella was not, however, what people said of her. No pretty flower spent weeks on rationed food to care for the wounded and the orphans of the poorest district of King's Landing.
And no cruel and cold woman did what she did for Elbert. She could have died at the Mad King's hand for it.
Myrcella Lannister, Robert was sensing, would not be just another pretty maid thrown at him.
"Those who you saved would likely die," Robert offered as comfort.
She gave him a little smile that had no true happiness. "Jayde and Lily tell me similar things, but I find it brings me little comfort. But His Grace is not here to hear the grieves of women," Lady Myrcella said in a dismissive tone like it expected that Robert would not care one bit for a hospital full of dying people.
Her father was Tywin Lannister, his mind remembered. Tywin Lannister cared little for the highborn in his service and his vassals. Those of lower birth were ants under his boot, Rober was sure. It shouldn't be that hard to think he extended some of his coldness towards his children.
Robert did not think much of the smallfolk who were victims of the Sack, but for how much the poor would cost the crown when they turned to crime. No one in the small council had spoken of them as actual victims of an invading army. But Robert had just eaten with children who lost everything but their lives and would likely be dead if not for the kindness of half a dozen women and some holy men.
All the council cared about was the Mad King's wife and his son at Dragonstone, or the Dornish cry for blood.
"The ladies outside?" Robert asked, curious about what she would say.
Robert was pleasantly surprised by the mirthfulness in her eyes. The hint of shine suited her. Her eyes looked less like Tywin Lannister's.
"Lily's father was a knight. He served the Gold Cloaks for many years and was knighted during the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Her mother was of minor nobility."
Robert hummed.
Myrcella's grin was almost surprising in such an innocent-looking face. Robert couldn't help but grin back. "And we both know Jayde is no lady of the court. Most of the girls were aren't. Lily might be the one of the highest birth."
"After yourself," he added with a smile.
"After myself."
"Still, not the companionship one expected the Lord of Casterly Rock's daughter to have." Especially a pious one. Robert wondered if her piety was just a cover, like with many other ladies, and that she was no maid at all.
The remained courtiers of Aerys' had a lot to say about Lady Myrcella, but they agreed on something: she had been Aerys's mistresses, willing or not.
"Robert cannot wed the mistress of the previous king," Jon had said in disgust as a council meeting.
The spider had been gentle in his reply. "His Grace did have certain – passions for the lady in question. But the sweet lady is too pious to have replied the king's passion," Varys had titled his head. "Yet, King Aerys was very protective of her Lady Myrcella, and she was moved to the quarters closer to his. Many believed he hoped to make her his new queen."
"I do not doubt Lady Myrcella is a maiden," Pycelle said in his slow way. "But … the lady does have certain behavior and reputation that would not suit for a Queen. His Grace would find a much worthy wife in Lady Cersei, for she has all that a Queen requires. She is the most beautiful and graceful-"
By the end of the speech, Robert wanted to fall asleep. He did not like Cersei Lannister. Sure, he liked her looks and would not mind taking her to his bed. But marrying her was another thing altogether.
The image of his Lyanna came to mind, and he drank the freshly poured wine in one go.
"Robert, Cersei Lannister is a maiden, younger, more biddable, and without any stain to her character." The man who was like a father stressed. "A much better candidate for your wife."
"Lady Cersei is proud, and both the Westerlands and King's Landing know of her less pleasing character," Ser Barristan had spoken for the first time. He did not turn to Jon Arryn like most, but Robert. "Does His Grace allow me to speak candidly?"
"I would rather, actually," Robert said drily before swallowing the wine in his goblet. The conversation was annoying him too damn much.
"Everyone from Casterly Rock to King's Landing is well aware that Lady Cersei hates her elder sister. Many witnessed the vanity of said hate. In the years I have known Lady Cersei, I can see this about her. His Grace will have the most beautiful Lannister, likely one of the most beautiful ladies of Westeros, but that is all you'll get. She is vain, spiteful, and greedy. And while the smallfolk and lower nobility would care little in normal occasions, Lady Cersei's hatred for her sister is known even to them. That is a problem. Lady Myrcella is the beloved of the smallfolk for a reason, Your Grace. She protected them and loved them in a way they had not seen. They called to see her as a new Good Queen." then he glared at Varys and back to Robert. "About the rumors, unlike Lord Varys, I have witnessed the Lady with the King, and trust me, Your Grace, if Aerys had done something to Lady Myrcella, she did not consent to it."
"Everyone speaks of how she dressed up as a Targaryen. As a mistress or soon to be Targaryen." Robert heard Jon speak, but his mind was on Ser Barristan's last words, and his grip on the goblet became tighter.
"Shut up," Elbert's voice had been colder than Ned ever was. "You are like a father to me, Lord Jon, but if you speak one more time of Myrcella's in that way, I'll walk out of this room and take her to Dorne myself. Then you'll have the most beloved woman in the kingdom marrying Oberyn Martell and putting Viserys on the throne."
"Elbert," Jon had said in shock. "Careful how you speak."
Robert signed for Elbert to continue. His friend had been much silent since he left the cells. Robert wanted to hear what he had to say, wanted to see some glimpse of the outspoken and laughing man he had been.
"Myrcella dressed like that to petition for my life. She let Aerys see her like that to beg for leave to feed prisoners. To release young boys and a pregnant woman who had no reason to be in the cells. And if Aerys has done something to her, he either took it by force, or she did it as a sacrifice to save others. So, don't talk about a woman you never met but has given everyone more than reasons to respect, as if she was a harlot willing to do anything for a pretty crown."
"No, they are not the ladies of songs," she said in a thoughtful tone. "But despite for all the preaching's of Septons and the bad languages about them, those girls were the ones willing to help out children. They never once turned back from it, even when they could be sleeping under warmer beds, full bellies, and a good purse. So, I won't call them anything but that they are. Women."
Robert understood the undertone. Never would he imagine seeing a highborn lady defends whore so fervently. It was almost comical. But in a way, Robert could understand her. He had been witnessing firsthand the duplicity of King's Landing. And what some would say about her in a way to curry favor with Cersei Lannister.
"You, too, left a warm bed and the comforts of a castle for this place."
Myrcella looked away from him, eyes fixed on the wall. "Aerys can be blamed for much-"
Robert noticed the trembling hands she tried to hide under her crossed arms. Some rumors were true, after all. Robert's hand turned into a fist. Was there no end to Aerys's crimes? He was starting to see why Jaime Lannister shoved a sword through him.
"But the Sack is not on him. It is on my father's hands."
"Aerys opened the gates. He and his son caused the war," Robert said with barely concealed anger.
She looked at him with a look that was three parts broken and one part anger. "They did start this. But my best friend and her children, children I helped raise, were the ones who paid the price." She was shaking in grief or anger or both, but she did not stop speaking, despite the wetness gathering around her eyes. "The closest thing I have to a mother and her son, a son I used to sing to sleep, will likely be the next ones whose dead bodies will haunt my nightmares. You got your revenge when you killed Rhaegar. You didn't get Lady Lyanna, and for that, I am sorry, but I'll never get to strike a hammer down the men whose crimes keep me awake at night."
By the end of her tirade, she was put and pacing. Robert watched, almost enthralled, by the candidness of her words. Was there married to be like that?
He remembered her letter. Her conditions.
"I am willing to order the arrest and deaths of those who killed Princess Elia's children." He said.
Princess Elia's children, it had been what she wrote. Not Rhaegar's.
"You mean my father's henchmen."
Robert nodded, giving her a look. "Would you, If I could, which I can't, ask me to order your father's arrest? Knowing that if proven guilty, he would in all likelihood be killed?"
Myrcella Lannister's smile was half heartbreak and dismay. "I love him," she said like it was a hard confession to make. A crime. "I love him, for he is my father and the only parent I had for a long time. At times, I think I loved him the most of his children. Maybe because I remember the man he used to be, maybe because I got to see more of the man he is under that mask of his. I do not know. But I hate him as well." She took a deep breath and returned to her seat as if she suddenly was too tired to stand, "But I could not see him die. So, the ones who did the crime shall have to be enough to calm some of my anger."
"For you and for Dorne, I hope."
Myrcella nodded in understanding. "They must not be very pleased to see Elia and her children murder put under the rug. Give them this, and they are less likely to poison our drinks."
"Would you help them?" He asked, as a jest, but in truth, he was curious with her answer. He remembered Elbert's words.
"And do what? I know little of you, and I know less of your brother. But if you were to die tomorrow, Lord Arryn and Lord Stark could call it a murder, your brother would likely follow you onto the throne, and the other half of the kingdom would take that opportunity to claim the throne for Viserys. We would be back to the same circle of war and pain and death. I had enough of all three."
Robert leaned back onto the chair.
He was stunned by her. And he now understood why no one seemed to understand Myrcella Lannister. To everyone, she was either the most pious of women or Aerys's mistress. Loved by the smallfolk but without the golden charms of her younger sister that had all courtiers followed her. But Robert saw the devotion of those who surrounded her, Myrcella's own devotion to the Martell princess. It could not be all for show.
Lyanna had been strong and fierce, a she-wolf.
But Myrcella wasn't like his Lyanna. She was as fragile as she was fierce.
It did not matter. Robert made his choice the moment he got her letter. The moment he saw the coldness in Cersei Lannister's eyes and saw the written plead of a woman who was willing to sell herself to any faith to feed children.
"Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch," Robert named. "Those are the men who you wish to see death."
It had taken Robert and Elbert a week to find the right men, but they had managed it.
Myrcella closed her eyes as if in pain. "Gregor Clegane," she uttered.
"You know him, I would guess? His brother is your sworn shield." Robert had figured that out with Elbert's help as well.
His friend came to some realization when they discovered the names, but he did not share it with Robert. Sandor Clegane, however, would have to be removed from his position. Robert would give him his brother's keep as compensation for his duty.
"Do not compare the two of them," she said with a gentle yet iron-willed tone. "I trust Sandor above all other men, and he has as much love for his brother as will do the Martell's."
Robert was surprised.
"Sandor's scars. I am sure someone must have told you about it. Who do you think caused them? Gregor Clegane has a wife, too, the poor woman. And had a sister no one seemed to remember, but for her younger brother."
"Some monsters do start young," Robert commented. Then, because the conversation was turning too somber, he approached the subject that brought him here. "We shall need to announce the marriage soon. My coronation is in the next fortnight. There will be a great feast and ball afterward."
"A perfect place to show the new age of peace for the kingdom," Lady Myrcella nodded, unbothered by his rapid change.
"People will expect me to announce it by them. I will invite your family to a dinner in the King's Solar beforehand."
Myrcella nodded. "Do I have your word that you will allow the Dowager Queen and her son to live?"
Robert was not too pleased with it, but he could not tell her that. "As long as they don't stay in the way of my rule. Viserys Targaryen shall be sent north with Ned and join the watch. The Queen can stay in Dragonstone if it is her wish."
The lady nodded in deep thought, and Robert wondered what she was thinking. She seemed too thoughtful. Married to a woman version of Stannis, that would be a curse.
"And what do you wish of me?" She asked, and Robert blinked.
"A wife," he replied, not understanding her question.
"I have seen many times of wives, Your Grace. I have seen marriages of great love and great despair. I have seen men idolize their wives and betray their vows the same night. I have seen husbands beat their wives but the faithful to them. I've seen married couples sleep on different beds every night and not share a word. What wife do you want?"
Lyanna. I want Lyanna.
Lady Myrcella gave him a sad smile and, for someone who did not approach him once during their conversation, her soft hand came to his. It was a cold hand, likely from the water she used to wash it, and very small next to his.
"I cannot be a ghost." She said softly, with a sad but caring gaze. "I understand you do not desire this marriage. Or any marriage. But many unions have started with two people who barely knew one other. But perhaps, like some, we might build something good out of it."
"I won't love you," he said and almost hit himself by how unkindly he sounded. Lady Myrcella's green eyes blinked in sadness for a second, but her soft gaze was soon back on.
"I know," she said with a sad understanding. "Your heart belongs to someone else. Still, you must want something out of a wife? Besides, children, that is."
It was because she looked so damned hopefully that he gave an answer he did not expect. "My parents were partners. My mother ruled the household, and I would spot them at times, going over their duties as if there was no barrier between them."
I wanted that with Lyanna.
"A partner," she said with a soft smile. A beautiful smile that left Robert he bit struck. "I can be that."
.
.
Author's Note:
I hope Robert did not come out too out of character. Or Mycella too opened. There is a reason for Myrcella's behavior. She barely knows Robert and she can only guess what he thinks of her, and she needs to show some of her cards: aka, wanting justice. Besides our girl is tired, she needed to let some of her feelings out.
I feel I need to talk a bit about the flashback and their opinions on Myrcella.
Jon Arryn is a man of his time. He married Lysa and we all know how it turned out. But he was "forced" to wed a "soiled" girl. To him, Myrcella was spoiled by Aerys and is disobedient to the men in her life which makes her a terrible candidate for Robert's wife.
Pycelle is Tywin's man. And Cersei's. And he knows Myrcella hates him. He also likely views Cersei as the "golden lioness" and Myrcella as "the other daughter" of great Lord Tywin (don't we hate Pycelle?). So he has to favor Cersei without compromising Myrcella.
Varys... Varys, unlike the previous two, is not blind. He knows there is power in a marriage with Myrcella, the darling of the smallfolk. Amazing PR. More alarming, Cersei is easy to manipulate, Myrcella is not. Varys might be the only person in King's Landing who sees Myrcella as the player she is. And he likes her, which means he would like to have her on his team. If Cersei marries the King, Myrcella can marry a man more willing to go to Varys' camp. So he needs to feed the rumors but not confirm anything.
And now, to my amazing readers.
anindhitania238: I agree. All my pre-cannon fanfics ideas have "save Jaime for Cersei" as a must. I love show!Cersei, mostly because she has little to do with book!Cersei and is actually an amazing villain. And I like reading the arc surrounding her in the books, but I hate book!Cersei. Actually, I think Jaime is, as of ADWD, the only main Lannister I like.
Guest (1): Everyone does like a Ned POV, and I shall deliver it. Well, young Robert is a bit grey, but I have this Robert might have some good in him. Especially if he lets Myrcella rule with him. Myrcella is a Woman With A Plan.
GabiLime14: Jaime's POV is my favorite until now. I love building his relationship with Myrcella. And having him realize that he had a good sister all this time and he simply ignored her because of Cersei. And he is a brat. Gerion will claim Marei with glee. Gerion is the Ned Stark of the South, Bruce Wayne of Westeros, before you know he'll have a small army of children with tragic backstories following him around.
.seed: Thank you much for your reviews. I am glad you like the story this far.
: Well, post-wedding day will be a Robert POV. And the diner will be a Myrcella POV. I don't know if I can write Cersei as a serious chapter, but I will write a chapter from her POV (the one where she finds out her husband to be)
Girl-luvs-manga: A Ned POV is on the way : )
Hackslash24x7: Will Olenna attend the wedding? Very likely. She does need to meet Myrcella.
Basker: Ned does know a lot. I will not punish my readers by having to read Elbert's heartbreak over Myrcella. You made an interesting point about Elbert's love that I myself debated over. I think it is a bit of both. He does love Myrcella because of her kindness and her courage, but because of the circumstances, he puts her on a pedestal. Is that love? I think it is devotion (on one note, his love for her Myrcella is more genuine than Robert's love for Lyanna), which is good because he can stay devoted to someone but fall in love with another person.
The funny thing about me writing this story: I don't like Robert. I adore his children. I hate the man. I agree with you, however, that Robert must have had something that made him a good person before the War for Ned to like him. And charisma cannot be the only answer.
Oh, complicated is the best way to describe what will be the Robert/Myrcella's relationship towards sex. I teased some of it in this chapter and in Myrcella's relationship with Jayde. I think Myrcella can come to an agreement with Robert about his constant employment of sex workers. And show him that they are human too that deserve respect. I am still thinking about how Robert will react to Myrcella/Jayde romance. He will likely want to join because he is Robert. But Myrcella and Jayde's romance is not about sex. It's about love. (If only Oberyn got along with them to explain polygamy). A clue about this marriage: Robert is likely to fall in love with Myrcella first.
You're on point about Cersei. In a way, Cersei is a bit like Sansa here. Arya gets along with everyone (especially those of lower background) and Sansa can't understand why. Cersei is just 100% cruel. And while most people would say they rather have Cersei, especially a young man, when it comes to the long haul, a person wants more than "fool's gold" (I love that expression). No bastard for Cersei. For now at least. Or Roberts. Myrcella is choosing the groom? Yes! And it is a better husband than Cersei deserves. But not Elbert. He is staying in King's Landing and Myrcella wants her sister away from her.
I too am sad about Marei's mom. Tywin is awful to any woman. But she'll live on her daughter and Myrcella's heart. Marei will know her mother… Myrcella's most complicated relationship is, without a doubt, with Tywin. But she won't poison his mead. Someone else might… who knows.
Poor Jaime has been going through some life-changing experiences.
Guest (2): Does Tywin care he broke his children as long they don't ruin his legacy? Jaime is growing to see past his hormones. Cersei is a hopeless case by now.
Lordfinn: Robert is surprised too. Trust me. Next Chapter: The dinner will be very explosive. But no wildfire. Just Cersei being Cersei.
Toraach: Myrcella is a good person. Too good to be a Lannister. And Jaime was an ungrateful brat but he's starting to see it. Tyrion has one parent: Myrcella. Robert is having some realizations as well (if he can stop staring at women's bodies for a minute, he might understand it). As I said, Gerion is the Ned Stark of the South, Bruce Wayne of Westeros, once he adopts a child, the child is his.
Yes, Robert won't be the same Robert. Not with Myrcella by his side, and some people – Elbert, and in the future Jaime and Tyrion – who aren't afraid to tell him the truth straight to his face. Joffrey will not exist (celebration dance). He won't be perfect, but he'll be a better King. Mostly because Myrcella will be a second Alysanne, whose husband is actually more willing to listen to her than Jaehaerys. Those poor Umbers what have they done to you. Smalljon is a sweet giant with a lovely voice, far too good for Cersei. Worse, Cersei has no concept of "saving money for winter". The umber people would likely starve by the first week of winter if Cersei is given control of the household accounts.
Jaime will have an important role to play in reforming the Kingsguard. He'll turn his mistake into the thing that makes him be remembered… in a great way. He might not marry, but it doesn't mean he can't be happy. Jaime clearly loves unconventional women, so I'll find him one that doesn't care if he never marries her. The vows of celibate are not that strongly upheld since Jaehaerys and Lewyn Martell had a mistress. Why can't Jaime? As long as he is discreet, the royal family won't care.
M (1): Did you like Robert now? I hope so. Not Robert for now, but soon!
Connorjholden: The existence of Myrcella can change a lot of things. There will be wars, of course, they are interesting to write, but it won't be because her children are bastards born out of incest. Myrcella knows … basically everything about Lyanna. She was the one who told Ned where Lyanna was. She knows Lyanna went willing with Rhaegar, and how that turned out. And she is not stupid, she knows about Jon.