Since the death of Robert Baratheon, the Red Keep had become to feel less like a prison to the Queen Reagent. Cersei was no longer forced to watch as whores left her husband's bed chambers, nor was she forced to hold her tongue. She had become the most respected woman in Westeros with a single flagon of wine and the hunt of a wild boar. She was no longer the domineering queen that was punished by her king for wanting to have a voice. Now that she had found her voice, she feared to lose it. Her betrothal to Loras Tyrell threatened to silence her, and her brother's marriage to Julianna pierced a dagger through her heart. Jaime had returned to King's Landing weeks ago after almost a year in captivity. In his absence, Cersei had found comfort in the young handmaiden that had come to serve beneath her. Now, with a single word from her father, they would both leave her behind. That was if she didn't interfere and Cersei had a long successful track record of interference - even if it went unrecognized.

She had heard whispers, her spies throughout the castle alerting her of a number of items being removed from the chambers that once belonged to her daughter, Myrcella. The words ignited a fire deep inside her. The chamber had been the last place she could feel connected to her daughter that had been shipped off to Dorne. With her fingers balled into fists at her side and Sir Myren Trant with his billowing white cap behind her, Cersei tore through the castle with the greatest intention of punishing the very person who made the order.

With each passing pillar, men carrying heavy chest out towards the dock had her stomach-churning. They were taking the rest of her belongings to Sunspear. Hands came together in front of her stomach, fingers wringing at one another until her skin was pink and raw. Cersei entered the clamour of armour behind her the only announcement she needed. Her face fell at the sight of the bare tables and bed stripped of the linens. The fundamentals remained and seemed to be replaced with trinkets. Moving to the bedside table her fingers grazed over calla lilies before dropping down to trace the brilliant shells that rested on the stained wood. The delicate shells near crumbled under her touch, reminding her of the ones she had collected from the sandy beaches that lined the beaches of Casterly Rock. Glancing back over her shoulder, a curvaceous silhouette caught glistening emerald eyes. Cascading gold tendrils danced along the back of the silken burgundy fabric. The dress tight around the woman's middle before falling down to the floor and dancing with each of the woman's steps.

"Myrcella-" the queen's voice was weak, her hand outreached to seek out the woman's shoulder only for her hope to fade. Her body was set red-hot with anger. Julianna, they had been clearing out the room for her. "I'm sorry," the queen chirped, the words far from sincere, "this was once my Myrcella's chambers. I had not been informed that we would be accustoming it for guests."

When the news that Jaimie Lannister had chosen to take a bride had broken, Julianna had been the talk of the town. No longer was she expected to serve the queen, if anything, Jaime was firm against it. Jules had spent most of her days confined to her room or walking the castle gardens alongside Lady Sansa - they were to be sisters soon after all. It was with Jaime's insisting, his father had agreed to move her to chambers more fitting for the Lady for Casterly Rock. She would no longer have to reside in the small quarters with nothing more than a bed and chamber pot. Now she had a view of the city, and she was counting the days until Jaime could join her in bed at her side. Joffrey's wedding was mere days away, her own was coming into view. The date was set for three days following the royal wedding. Close enough to not have to pay the vendors much more than their worth, but far enough away as to not outshine Margaery's big day. Julianna hadn't thought the latter had been possible, but Jaime was one of the most sought-after knights in Westeros. Once trapped in the oath of the kingsguard, news of his joining to the Westerling girl had quickly become the talk of the town. This had earned Julianna a fair share of glares from the future queen, but she was sure once the day arrived, Julianna would continue to pale in her beauty.

"Yes, Jaime thought it would be a nice fit," Julianna spun on her heels before taking a step back was pressed firmly to one of the towering pillars. There were no more huffs from tired men or grinding of heavy furniture against stone floors. The queen had cleared the room with her presence. The only other individual visible was Ser Myren as he shut the chamber door but he too quickly disappeared behind the heavy wood that fell shut with a hollow thud. Julianna lowered her gaze to the floor, the harsh stare of the queen left her heart heavy. After a moment, she spoke again; "I know this used to be your daughter's room-"

"Yes, before she was taken from me-"

"Taken?" Julianna's brows furrowed at their centre, casting shadows down over bright eyes as they watched as Cersei moved to the bed that was half draped in fresh linens. Ignoring the heavy train of her dress, Cersei began to shift the sheets into their place.

"Shipped off to Dorne," Cersei clarified gently, her mind racing with worry. The hatred of Martells for the Lannister ran deep. Cersei was sure it was only a matter of time they harmed her sister as The Mountain had Elia and her children. The thought was enough to bring her to illness, but the anger that fueled her kept the queen reagent poised as she tucked the corners of the sheets. "A betrothal is a fascinating thing. The promise of joining two powerful families." Cersei had grown up hoping to wed Rhaegar Targaryen, but with his fall to Robert, he had been forced to wed a valiant warrior that head lead to years of loathing. "The carrying on of a legacy. Myrcella and Trystane, Joffrey and Margaery, you and my brother," each arrangement threatened to take someone she loved away from her. Not only was she losing her children, but she was also losing her brother and a woman she desperately craved to be her paramour.

Seating herself down onto the bed Cersei pat the plush surface, silent beckoning her former handmaiden to her side. "In a matter of days, you will be a sister to me, Julianna. It must be so exciting for a girl like you, marrying into a Great House."

A girl like you. The words set Julianna's heart racing. Had Cersei found out the truth?

"Girl like me?" Julianna near choked out the words.

Careful strides carried Jaime's betrothed to the bedside, Cersei's hand meeting her to pull her down to sit at her side. The queen's fingers stroked at the smooth skin of the girl's hand, mesmerized by the freckles that painted her flesh.

"Such an ambitious girl, leaving her family when they align themselves with traitors. Seeking safety in King's Landing of all places. If it had been anyone but Tyrion to find you, you would have been hung for all to see. Your perfect little body left to rot under the summer sun. What a waste that would have been. Such beauty, you had my brother revoking his vows within weeks of his return," Cersei's voice was strong, her fingers travelling up the bare flesh of her arms, stroking her shoulders before finding her chin in a firm hold. The queen's grip forced sapphire hues to meet emerald. "A traitor's daughter meant to spend the rest of her days the Lady of Casterly Rock, serving my crippled brother…What makes you so special?"

Julianna's throat seemed to collapse as she tried to pull away from the queen, her firm hold only grew tighter. During the time in service to the queen, she had always been intimidated. Now as Cersei held her, her nails pressing into the delicate flesh of her cheeks, Jules was scared. There was nowhere for her to run with the guard outside her door. "My queen," Julianna mumbled out, gazing up through thick lashes to scan over Cersei's features. It wasn't anger she saw painted over her face, but jealousy. A pale brow arched up curiously, just who was Cersei envious of herself or Jaime?

Cersei's hold eased, her hands retracting back to rest upon her own lap. Her vision dropped, almost ashamed of the redness she had left behind on the girl's features. She watched, as Julianna's fingers came to trace over where Cersei had marked her, her full lips slightly parted. Cersei desired to steal the air between them and taste her, to bite down on her lower lobe and make her swell. Did she know the pleasure a woman could bring to another? Would Julianna let Cersei show her?

Reaching across, Cersei's touch was gentler now, caressing at the woman's leg encased in the think fabric of her gown. "Your wedding is rapidly approaching, have you had time to prepare? I imagine you have been kept quite busy."

"Lady Sansa and Lord Tyrion have been a great help," Julianna hummed gently, "it will be a small affair. I haven't had many worries but for the dress. The dressmakers haven't much time to prepare-"

"Such an innocent little flower," Cersei squeezed at the supple flesh of her thigh, "I'm sure Sansa has helped you prepare for the bedding ceremony." The girl's skin seemed to pale, pulling a smile onto Cersei's lips. "Don't tell me you've forgotten?" She edged closer to Julianna, she could feel the heat radiating off her body now. "It's Westerosi tradition, maybe your mother had been too benevolent to tell you. It's both wonderfully wicked and exciting at the same time. You will be hoisted from your chair by men who reek of sweat and ale. Their fingers will rip at your gown, leaving you naked and bare for all to see. They will jest, let their gaze and hands wander to unwanted places. Then, Jaime will take you into his bed and your joining will be consummated." Cersei leaned in so that her lips dragged over the shell of Julianna's ear. "I will share with you a little secret: he is a gentle lover m brother. Nothing like Robert who would stick his cock in any orifice, and was too drunk to know any better. Jaime Has only ever been with one woman-"

If only Cersei knew.

"-We couldn't stand being apart, he and I. Since birth, we had been inseparable. Always tangled up in each other's arms, discovering each other long before anyone could realize. Then one night, our mother's maid had caught us and Jaime had been cast to the other side of the castle and a guard placed at my door. The Targaryen's had web brother and sister for as long as I can recall, but our mother had threatened to tell our father if we ever touched each other again. It wasn't long after that Tyrion had killed her in her birthing bed. Our secret was lost with her… Jaime will know very well how to please you, in turn, you should know how to please him."

It had been a well-kept secret for years, with whispers of speculation rising when Ned Stark challenged Joffrey's birthright to the Iron Throne. With his death, and the wars that raged throughout Westeros the rumours had all but been confirmed by the King himself. All the while Tywin Lannister fought to silence defamation made against his house.

Since Jaime Lannister had walked into Littlefinger's brothel, Julianna had been groomed to resemble herself as close to the queen as possible. The whispers of Littlefinger's spies knowing all too well of the incestuous relationship they had held, but Julianna quickly learned that Jaime had not wanted a carbon copy of his sister. Jaime had wanted an escape from the hold his sister held over him, and he found that in Julianna. During their time together, she had learned quickly how to satisfy her knight beyond sexual pleasure. The ex-whore bit down on her lip, if anyone was to learn of their history she was sure they wouldn't let her wed her night, even if he had been the only one she had laid with. They would never believe her claims of loyalty and would be painted as the whore her father had intended her to be. She could only imagine what would be done to her if Tywin Lannister knew the truth. The thought sent chills down her spine, she surely would be killed-

"There is no need to fret," Cersei assured, her hands coming to rest on Julianna's back.

Blue eyes grew wide as she was forced to stand before the queen. Arms raised to cross over her breasts, doing her best to conceal the swells from view.

"No need to be shy my dear, Ser Meryn is just outside the door. No one will be coming through that door." Or out until Cersei was through with her. "When I was forced to spend time away from my lovers," Cersei stood from the bed and moved to the vanity at the edge of the room. Fingers traced over each item starting with the hairbrush through to the glass bottle of perfume shipped in from Essos - undoubtedly a gift. "I sought further companionship and learned that a woman can bring as much pleasure, if not more, than a man. I can teach you many things, Julianna."

"I shouldn't-" Julianna protested.

"I am not going to take your maidenhead, if that is your concern sweet Julianna," Cersei mocked, her through caught by a laugh not long after. "When my brother takes you, there may be some discomfort, but your body will know how to take him - and if you find that my dear brother cannot please you, or if you would like some practice before your bedding night, you know where my chambers are." Long strides carried her to the chamber door, and with a careful knock and the creek of the door, she departed leaving Jaime's bride naked and alone in her chambers. Then, in her solitude, Julianna let herself cry.