A/N: I had almost considered leaving it there-a wedding night with an optimistic view on the future- but of course I couldn't stop writing lol. Please enjoy this short chapter!
They had actually left her alone for a full day after the wedding. For that, Sansa was grateful, but she was not surprised when Cersei floated into her rooms the morning after, a simpering smile painted on her lips. The queen had embraced her and called her sister, but every action was dripping with iciness. Cersei sent some servants to fetch some pastries and some wine. Sansa had quickly glanced towards the window, judging it to not yet be noon. Still, when the wine came, she forced herself to drink deeply. She would need it to get through this conversation.
The two women sat together and Cersei reached out and gripped her hand tightly.
"How are you feeling, little dove?" Now that she was a married woman and by law Cersei's sister, the nickname was a little weary. Still, Sansa forced herself to look down with a shamed look on her face.
Cersei and the rest of the court truly believed Tyrion had forced her to consummate the marriage. Sansa hated pretending like he had ravished her, but knew he was right: it was better than the alternative. And if the queen was going to believe her, she had to lie convincingly.
"I-I am well, your grace." she mumbled, peeking up through her lashes and seeing Cersei's smug face veiled with a look of concern. Sansa was truly a better actress.
"Oh, my sweet sister. I am so sorry for what that little imp made you do. Are you in pain?" Sansa nodded, not meeting the queens gaze. Cersei cooed and squeezed her hand. "I shall send for the Grand Maester. There is a tonic I used frequently after...Well, it works wonders." For a moment, Sansa truly looked at the golden woman opposite her. She wondered if Cersei really did have to consult Pycelle after rough coupling with the late king. Pity oozed through her at the thought. No wonder the queen was so brittle.
"Thank you, your grace" she spoke honestly. But Cersei's lip curled into a catlike smile again.
"I shall instruct him to keep it stocked and on hand until you grow big with child. I'm sure my brother will use you nightly until then. Perhaps it will ease your pain from all his perverse actions."
Sansa allowed her eyes to go wide in fear at the queens words. "Nightly?" she croaked. Cersei nodded.
"Yes, little dove. And hopefully his monstrous seed will be overruled by yours. If you birth a little imp like him, you will either be ripped apart from the delivery or live to see your child fed to the dogs. My father will not allow another creature like my brother to carry the Lannister name..."
Sansa didn't have to fake the color draining from her cheeks. She knew eventually she would carry Tyrion's child. She hadn't even thought about the possibility of delivering a dwarf. She knew what had happened to Lady Joanna. She could die if her child was like the father and that was terrifying. She couldn't even find it within herself to react to Cersei's words and she sat there in stunned silence.
Cersei waited patiently, taking a cake an licking the honey from her fingers. Finally, Sansa came to and nodded shakily. "I understand, your grace."
"Good!" Cersei spoke cheerfully, flashing her one of her cold smiles. "Come now, tell me...in what ways did my brother use you? I'm sure you have questions. My little brother must have done things a septa would never mention."
Annoyance fluttered through her. She knew she must convince Cersei that Tyrion bedded her, but there was no reason to continue as if he had been cruel.
"Lord Tyrion was kind, your grace. He was as gentle with me as he could be. It was indeed painful, but no more so than with normal maidens, I would guess. He is a good man."
Cersei's frown deepened with each word until she was practically scowling at her. "Is that so?" she snarled and Sansa nodded. "Well...perhaps he was gentle this time, but you can't hope that a man with his reputation will be so kind for very long. Either that or he will quickly return to the brothels. An unskilled little girl like you will not be able to satisfy his needs for very long. You'll be nothing more than a brood mare used to whelp his children." All pretenses of the motherly figure she had started with had faded. She stood abruptly and left in a swirl of silk, leaving Sansa alone.
The sudden departure had surprised Sansa, but she quickly recovered, crossing to the door and bolting it shut. She didn't want anymore unexpected visitors today.