TW: Brief depiction of assault.


Myrcella had sent an invitation at breakfast, asking Cate to meet her in her chambers before lunch for hawking.

Cate braided back her hair and pulled out her glove and pouch. She sent for her merlin to be brought to the stables, and headed towards Myrcella's chambers.

One of the doors was open, and Cate could hear Myrcella speaking on the other side. A little grin coming to her face, she picked up her speed -

- And stopped when she heard Joffrey respond. "Or maybe I'll send you to the Iron Islands. How'd you like a kraken for a husband?"

"About as much as you'd like a wolf in your bed," Myrcella shot back. "Leave off before I tell Father what you said to me."

There were footsteps as Joffrey said, "What, about your -"

"Take your hands off -"

Cate stepped into the room. "Am I interrupting anything?"

Mycrella was backed up against a chest of drawers, her face red but oddly composed. Joffrey was pawing at her through her gown.

Cate was suddenly aware of the hutning dagger attached to the strap of her pouch. Her hand flew involuntarily to the pommel, which Joffrey didn't miss. He backed away, straightening his vest.

"I'm not sure what you thought you saw -" he started.

"You're right," Cate said. "I believe your father might be more familiar, though."

"Perhaps you should go ask him," Myrcella suggested.

Joffrey looked between the two women, growing more flustered and angry by the second. Finally, he stormed out of the room.

Cate rushed to Myrcella's side. "Are you -"

"Please step back." Her face was still red and calm, but Myrcella's arms were squeezed at her side. Cate did as she asked. "I … I'm sorry you had to see that."

She was apologizing? She wasn't the one who'd backed her sister up against a chest. Cate suddenly understood how Myrcella felt when she apologized for the Trident the other day. "You don't have anything to apologize for."

"You can't tell anyone."

"Myrcella -"

"Cate, please, no one can know."

That was the first time Myrcella had called her just by her name, and with a pang Cate found herself wishing it were under different circumstances.

"Why?" Cate asked her. "He's your brother, he shouldn't be doing that to you!"

"If anyone found out, there'd be a scandal."

"Good! Let them find out, let them know what a monster -"

"Shh!" Myrcella's gaze darted nervously to the door. "It doesn't matter if he behaves like a monster. He's still next in line to be king. He's - he's my family. Surely you understand." Myrcella pushed away from the chest, tugging at her neckline as she began pacing. "Family must protect each other. The royal family must appear strong, we can't falter at any point because if we do -"

"Myrcella, listen to yourself -"

Myrcella stopped pacing, and turned to Cate. "And if people were to find out, what would happen to me?! I'd be sent to the Septas, or worse, the Silent Sisters!"

Cate wanted to reach out and hold her. She wanted to stroke her hair, and shush her, and whisper into her ear that she'd never let that happen. They could return to the North, escape this lion's pit, and -

But Myrcella was part lion. The North would kill her.

Instead Cate reached for her hand, thumb brushing over the knuckle, and said, "I won't tell. I promise."

"Don't promise me anything." Myrcella's emerald eyes flashed cold. "Everyone makes too many promises. Eventually they're forsaking one vow or another."

"I don't forsake my vows," Cate said. "I'll find a way to keep them all."

Myrcella's lower lip was trembling by this point, but she met Cate's eyes with her own. "You know, I believe you will, Cate."

Her chest swelled, heart pumping in her ears. Gingerly, she pulled Myrcella's hand up to her lips and kissed the soft skin that smelled like oranges and ginger.

When she looked up, Myrcella was watching her with an unreadable expression.

As suddenly as she'd clasped it to her, Cate dropped her hand and backed away, stuttering excuses. Myrcella turned bright red again as Cate ran into the door before finding her way out and leaving back down the hall, running like the craven she was.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. It didn't occur to Cate until later, much later after dinner when she sat by the fire with a book, Sansa working from on a chair on her embroidery and Arya curled up next to Cate, who stroked her baby-soft brown hair. She paused, looking into the fire and watching the red flames curl into gold, and realized she didn't want to leave King's Landing.


Well, Cate, that was a quick turnaround. Any reason for that, hmm? Please read and review! They're always appreciated! :)