Sansa lit her candle, carefully tip-toeing to her desk. She was especially careful not to make a sound. She knew that all the way in his chambers Littlefinger couldn't hear her, but there was no telling with that man. She sat down and pulled out her book. The ink was a little smudged, but she could still read what she had written. She pulled out an ink bottle and dipped her quill inside.

Loren had never spoken to Visenya since that night. He hadn't seen any of the royal family since that night. He had decided that it was in his best interest to stay at Casterly Rock and fulfill his duties as Warden of the West. He had sent a raven expressing his condolences that Queen Rhaenys had died, but he had not heard a response. It continued like this until one day when Loren received a raven from King's Landing, that's what they were calling this new city. It was an invitation to celebrate the nameday of King Aegon's grandson, also named Aegon. Loren went to King's Landing by himself. He left his wife and children back at Casterly Rock. Lyman, his eldest son had protested, wanting to see King's Landing. However, these protests were assuaged when Loren named him Castellan of Casterly Rock. Lyman took this new duty seriously, perhaps too seriously.

When Loren arrived at King's Landing, he was greeted by a small party of knights, led by none other than Visenya Targaryen. Loren bowed his head. "My Queen."

"Lord Loren. It has been too long." Visenya smiled at him. She had settled into the role of Queen rather well. She no longer wore the armor she did during the conquest. Instead she wore a beautiful dress. Dignified, not revealing like the one Rhaenys wore. Despite this, there still seemed to be some fire in her eyes.

Loren got off his horse. "Yes, it has been too long."

Visenya led Loren into the city. "I see you've come for Prince Aegon's nameday."

"Yes," said Loren. "I wouldn't miss the opportunity to pay my respects to the Prince."

"You should be delighted then," said Visenya. "We have a tourney planned for the festivities. My son, Maegor, is competing in the mêlée."

"Yes, I heard you had a son," said Loren. "How old is he?"

"Thirteen," said Visenya.

Loren laughed. "You jest."

"No," said Visenya.

"Well, then your son can only expect to be defeated," said Loren.

"You might be surprised," said Visenya.

"And how is the King?" said Loren.

Visenya took awhile to respond. "He's the same as he was the day you met him."

"I see," said Loren.

The two soon arrived at the Red Keep. Visenya brought Loren into the palace and led him into the throne room. There she showed him Aegon's throne. "Lord Loren, have you seen the throne my brother built?"

Loren stared at it with his mouth agape. What lay in the center of the throne room was not a chair. It was a pile of swords that had somehow been melted together, possibly with dragonfire. Loren couldn't help but laugh. "I...I never thought it would look like this. I'd heard whispers that he had made it from the swords of his vanquished foes."

"Yes, he believed that no king should ever sit easy," said Visenya.

"It's a good idea," said Loren. "But your brother takes it too literally."

"Yes," said Visenya. "My brother was never one for metaphors."

Just then Aegon barged into the throne room. He was flanked by two knights dressed in white. Loren bowed his head. "King Aegon, I came here to-"

"Yes, I know," said Aegon. "I received your raven. Now get out of my sight."

"That was rude," said Visenya.

"Oh I'm sorry." Aegon turned to Loren. "Get out of my sight, please."

Before Visenya could protest any further, Loren headed out of the throne room. "With pleasure my King."

Visenya turned to Loren. "I hope you can come by and watch the tourney."

"I wouldn't miss it," said Loren as he left.

As it turned out, Loren had severely misjudged Prince Maegor. When it came to the mêlée, he dominated. And this was not against mere squires, but full grown knights. Even King Aegon seemed to be in a good mood after the tourney. "Did you see that? Did you see what my son just did?"

"Yes," said Loren. "I was spectacular."

"I know why you didn't bring your son here," said Aegon drunkenly.

"And why is that?" said Loren.

"Because you knew my son would trounce him when it came to the sword," said Aegon. "Tell me I'm wrong."

"Mayhaps you are correct," said Loren.

Aegon turned to Visenya. "You hear that? He admits that his son is no match for mine."

Visenya motioned for one of the knights in white to come over. "Ser Addison, can you escort my husband to his chambers? I have business to discuss with Lord Loren."

The knight bowed his head. "As you wish my Queen."

Ser Addison led Aegon down the hallway. When they were out of earshot, Visenya began talking to Loren. "So Lord Loren, how are things?"

"Good," said Loren. "I seem to be adjusting to your rule rather well. Though my youngest, Tywin, seems intent on stirring up trouble."

"Oh really?" said Visenya.

"Yes," said Loren. "Tywin fantasizes about the day when he can lead an army against King Aegon and restore the Kingdom of the Rock. I don't know what to do with him."

"There's always the Wall," said Visenya.

Loren laughed. "Yes, let's turn him on the Wildlings."

Visenya put her hand on Loren's shoulder. "Mayhaps we can take this conversation to your chambers?"

"My chambers?" said Loren.

"It's just down that corridor." Visenya pointed to Loren's quarters. "I'd much rather talk there. Much more...privacy."

"I see." Loren led Visenya to his room. She sat on his bed while he selected a bottle of wine from his collection and filled two goblets. He handed one to Visenya.

"Is this from Fair Isle?" said Visenya.

"No," said Loren. "Lord Farman seems to have given up on his dream of surpassing the Redwynes."

"What a shame," said Visenya. "His wine wasn't that bad."

"You thought it was terrible," said Loren.

"No I didn't," said Visenya. "I thought it was marvelous."

"Well I think we're remembering things differently," said Loren. "So, I heard about what happened to your sister."

Visenya avoided Loren's eyes. "I never hated her."

"Excuse me?" said Loren.

"The last time we talked, I told you about how much Aegon loved Rhaenys more than me," said Visenya. "I never envied that fact. I mourned her as much as Aegon when she died. He was the one I hated. I just...wished I'd been married to someone who would love me."

"I'm sure Aegon loves you," said Loren.

"For every ten nights he spent with Rhaenys, he spent one with me," said Visenya. "That didn't change when she died."

"He loves Maegor," said Loren.

"No he doesn't," said Visenya.

"Yes he does," said Loren. "I just saw him gushing about how his son dominated the tourney."

"That was tonight," said Visenya.

Loren put his goblet down. "What do you mean?"

Visenya looked up. "Aegon is convinced that Maegor isn't my son. That I had an affair and Maegor was the result."

Loren froze, not knowing what to say. "Is...is...has he done anything about it?"

"On bad days he has threatened to have me executed for treason," said Visenya. "Then I remind him that if I die, his kingdom will fall apart. It works most of the time. Lately he's been getting bolder. He thinks he can rule by himself. Of course, whenever someone says the same about Rhaenys, he'd have their head on a spike."

"And can he rule by himself?" said Loren.

"No," said Visenya. "But he thinks he can."

Loren mulled over what he had just been told. "What's your plan? How do you intend to escape him?"

"I have none," said Visenya. "Unless he dies, I am at his mercy."

Loren stroked his chin. "Well let's hope he dies soon."

He raised his goblet to a toast. Visenya smiled. "To my brother's sudden death."