Jacqueline didn't spend long with Tyrion. She had nothing to tell him and he didn't appear too surprised by that, leading her to believe that her journey was just a way for Tyrion to move forward with a bolder plan to secure his brother's freedom. Or perhaps the dwarf realized it would be impossible to free Jaime without winning on the battlefield, something he had no control over. Jacqueline was thankful Tyrion didn't keep her long. Her face hurt and she was tried and need of a bath. The Queen didn't call on her that night either, probably mulling over the best way to punish Jacqueline for abandoning her guards.

As for her injuries inflicted by Ser Meryn, the right side of her face stayed red for the rest of day, but no bruising was visible when she awoke in the morning, though it hurt to move her jaw. The swelling of her cut lip also faded with the passing hours. The rest of her body wasn't as lucky. Her thigh and upper arm were covered in blue and yellow-edged bruises from where she had collided with the stone steps. Her limbs were stiff when she awoke and she had trouble dressing herself.

It was well into the afternoon when the Queen summoned her. She looked the same as always: shinning blonde hair pulled up into an elaborate style with green eyes that somehow were calm yet terrifying at the same time. Draped in Lannister red, the Queen sat beside a desk, a glass of wine in hand, as her handmaiden escorted Jacqueline into the solar. Jacqueline was wearing black once again, resuming her mourning, a detail that earned her a sneer from the Queen. The quiet handmaiden bowed politely and then disappeared back out the door, leaving Jacqueline alone with Cersei for the first time since Robert's death. In the past, she had avoided it, knowing full well that the Queen didn't like her nor wanted her around. After all, it was her who suggested that the Tyrells foster her at Highgarden. Jacqueline could only hope that this conversation would be short. Thankfully, Cersei got straight to her point, not even waiting for Jacqueline to rise from her own bow.

"What happened in the Stark camp?" Her voice was clipped and stern. Jacqueline kept to the truth, omitting a certain kiss and Robb's late night visit to her tent. The Queen just starred at her as she spoke, seemingly forgetting the cup of wine she held in her hand. "Why did you not allow the guards to escort you?"

"It was clear the Northmen would not permit them to enter the camp, your grace. I felt it was better to compromise on that then risk being denied the opportunity to negotiate at all." Jacqueline kept her voice even as she recited that words she had planned ahead of time.

Cersei's lips curled up into a threatening smirk. "What kind of deal did you make with the Starks?" Her tone was uncomfortably even and calm.

"Your grace, I don-" she was was cut off when Cersei rose to her feet.

"Don't lie to me. I know you committed treason in the camp and I will know of what kind." She was striding towards Jacqueline now, wine set haphazardly aside. Caught off guard by the Queen's sudden change in demeanor, Jacqueline stepped backwards until she collided with the stone wall. "What did you do that night you stayed in the Stark camp? Did you make some secret deal with the them?"

"No, I - I was trying to get them to release Ser Jaime." Cersei raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. "I thought that - that if I could talk to Robb Stark alone he would see that the trade was reasonable." Now she had the Queen's attention, who reminded silent but never stopped glaring at her with those green eyes. Jacqueline knew the Queen saw her as a child, as a little girl who was dumb to the ways of the world. It was the part Jacqueline played to avoid being sucked into the political world of King's Landing. And, forcing fear to write itself across her face, it was the part Jacqueline was willing to continue play if it saved her life. She only hoped she was reciting the proper lines.

"I tried," Jacqueline began again, looking down at the floor. "I thought that in private, he would listen to me. But he wouldn't. I was wrong. I was stupid."

The Queen stepped closer, forcing Jacqueline to pushed herself harder against the wall. "What are you babbling about, girl?"

Jacqueline sucked into a deep breath before continuing, barely taking time to pause between words. "Robb showed interest in me at Winterfell. I thought that if I gave him what he wanted, he would agree to release Ser Jaime. But I was wrong." Jacqueline knew Cersei had certain expectations of her. And so she met them. She knew the Queen enjoyed upsetting those she deemed weaker than her, but tears also made her comfortable, annoyed. So, Jacqueline willed tears to appear in the corner of her eyes. It wasn't hard as she pressed her bruised body against the wall. The two women were of the same height, so Jacqueline stared into the Queen's green eyes, as the older woman contemplated what was said. Her eyes were the same as Jaime's. Jacqueline cried hard, unable to speak even if she wanted to.

With a look of satisfied disgust, nose scrunched up and lips twisted into a deep scowl, the Queen stepped away, returning her attention to the cup of wine. "You're a stupid little girl," she said between sips. "And Tyrion was foolish to think you could influence anyone with anything. No matter what you gave them. Get out!" Jacqueline hid her face in her hands as she darted out the door. She didn't wipe away the forced tears until she was safely in her room.

It was her fault. She should have listened to Robb, should have went with Lady Catelyn to the Stormlands. Jacqueline should have been there. She should have saved Renly. How she particularly would have done that was out of her reach. The rumors were that he was killed by a shadow. Some suggested that it was Stannis's shadow. In truth, she would have been as helpless in the Stormlands as she was in King's Landing but that didn't stop the guilt. That seemed to be all she felt nowadays: guilt.

But Renly was said and they said it was Stannis who killed him, in some manner of way. Jacqueline knew Stannis would never accept the title Renly had bestowed upon himself but she didn't think he would kill his younger brother. She was too tired to cry. Robert and Renly were dead, leaving behind her and Stannis. And the war wasn't over yet. Unlike with Robert, Jacqueline wasn't allowed to mourn Renly, at least not publicly. The black gowns stayed in the back of her wardrobe and she made no special trips to the sept.

Still, she had taken to going a couple times a week since returning from the Stark's camp. Jacqueline would have rather spent the time in the seclusion of her chambers but she didn't want it seem like she was hiding from the world. Most of the time when she kneeled before the alter of the Crone, she wasn't praying. She simply enjoyed the momentary silence, and sometimes she would fall asleep on her knees. Cersei had left her alone since their confrontation, but Jacqueline knew she was being watched. She was certain a number of her handmaidens were spying on her and Jacqueline had to resist the urge to make due without them but that would only draw more suspicion. Joffrey had left her alone as well, and Jacqueline made sure she wasn't around him unnecessarily.

Young Sansa appeared to be doing the same. Jacqueline wanted to befriend the girl. She knew what it was like to be alone in King's Landing. And they were both in the same situation: stuck in enemy territory while their brothers waged war against the Lannisters. Only, Sansa was still alive because she was betrothed to Joffrey and Jaime was still held by the Starks. Jacqueline wasn't quite sure why she was still alive. Was she not worth the effort of an execution? Sansa looked lonely, but Jacqueline was worried about casting more unneeded attention the Stark girl's way by attempting to befriend her. So Jacqueline kept her distance.

Renly was gone but Stannis was still struggling to secure the allegiance of the stormlords who had supported Renly, if the rumors were true. And then sooner or later, Stannis would turn his army towards King's Landing. She wasn't sure how soon that would be but Tyrion had set about seeing that all the gates were properly reinforced. Jacqueline wanted her brother, her last brother, to take what was rightfully his, hopefully killing Joffrey in the process. She was just unsure of what would become of her in the process.

*Author's Note*

Short chapter. Didn't really turn out the way I wanted it too but :/ . Again, sorry for the wait but law school is kind of the worst.

Thanks for reading xoxoxo