Seven months later
Cersei sat on the sofa with a blanket on her lap, watching the news with her younger brother.
JOHN: 'We are more than half year into the thick of this presidential race and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.'
CINDY: 'Are we though? I feel like we are just getting started.'
JOHN: 'Yeah, but it's pretty much down to Cersei Lannister and Robb Stark now. Who could have predicted this a year ago?'
'I would.' Tyrion remarked in a sarcastic tone and gave his sister a reproachful look.
'Please. How should I have known that Robb would be so pissed because I got his father deported?' she asked angrily. 'I mean he did embezzle campaign funds.'
'For you. To leave Robert.' her brother snorted in disdain.
Cersei shrugged. 'Details.'
She tugged a lock of her shoulder-length hair behind her ear and turned her attention back to the screen.
CINDY: 'They were both dark horses in this race, but I wouldn't write down the others. There is Loras Tyrell, Balon Greyjoy, Walder Frey…'
JOHN:'Walder Frey? Come on, Cindy.'
CINDY: 'He was Finance Minister in the Targaryen government. He has experience.'
JOHN: 'Oh, Cindy, you still have so much to learn about politics!
'Asshole.' Cersei and Tyrion mumbled in the same time.
JOHN: 'Experience doesn't seem to play a big role in this year's election. People are disappointed in their government, in their politicians and they feel betrayed. They want new faces. Cersei Lannister Baratheon and Robb Stark are just lucky to run this year.'
CINDY: 'It's hardly a coincidence.'
JOHN: 'I don't say it is. Anyway, people don't forgive the Targaryen administration. Walder Frey's popularity is at an all time low. I don't think he will last long.'
CINDY: 'If he dropped out of the race that would certainly improve Robb Stark chances to get the midland votes he needs so much.'
JOHN: 'He is a bit down in the polls since his fiancée broke off the engagement because he was allegedly involved with another woman.'
'And he got her pregnant.' Cersei added with a smug smile.
CINDY: 'And apparently that woman is now pregnant with his child.'
Cersei nodded in satisfaction. 'Thank you.'
JOHN: 'Yeah, but could it cost him the presidency?'
CINDY: 'I don't think so, but it's kind of fits his character. He is often reckless and impatient, he lashes out at his rallies and tries to undermine his opponents with personal attacks...'
Tyrion snorted in amusement and glanced at his sister.'Looks like you have a fan.'
JOHN: 'It's a nasty campaign. Skeletons are just flying out of the candidates' closet. Robb is the young wolf. He is inexperienced and sometimes has a temper, so what?'
CINDY: 'Stop the mansplaining, John. He is un-pre-si-den-tial.'
Cersei gave her brother a look of appreciation. 'You have planted that idea in their head beautifully.'
'I know.' Tyrion remarked. 'You can't repeat it enough, though. Along with young, childish…'
His sister rolled her eyes. 'I know. He is a kid and I'm the responsible adult.'
JOHN: 'Maybe. But look what we have on the other side. Cersei Baratheon… or Lannister… she can't even decide on her name! The woman is not a politician. She was a singer for five minutes, fifteen years ago…'
CINDY: 'The rains of Castamere is still a huge hit. It has become the unofficial anthem of the Casterly Lions.'
Cersei shook her head in disbelief. 'Can't they stop with that nonsense? It was only a joke.'
JOHN: '… and she even quit that. Since then, she has been a housewife.'
CINDY: 'She has a degree in law and history. And she comes from a great political dynasty. Her grandfather, her father and her husband were all in politics. Robert Baratheon could have been the next President. If it had turned out differently, we would probably talk about him right now.'
JOHN: 'That was a terrible tragedy. And let's not forget, he was Tywin Lannister's candidate.'
CINDY: 'That Tywin Lannister, who is owner of Lion Cars, the biggest automotive company in the States of Westeros and had been chief-of-staff to President Targarien in his first government.'
JOHN: 'Yet, he is not rushing to support his daughter's campaign. He said and I quote: "I endorse her when I endorse her."'
CINDY: 'I think he is just being tactical.'
JOHN: 'Walder Frey can be tactical about his support after he drops out, or President Aerys Targaryen, but not Tywin Lannister. Not when it comes to his own daughter. Not having her family's support makes Cersei look weak.'
Cersei turned off the TV with an angry grunt and turned to her brother.
'That's what I'm saying. He can't keep doing this. He will lose me this election.'
Tyrion shrugged. 'You know what he wants.'
'I won't offer Loras Tyrell a cabinet position.' Cersei hissed between her teeth.
She reached for a glass on the coffee table to pour some wine for herself, but she quickly pulled back her hand.
Her brother must have noted her aborted gesture because he furrowed his brows and gave her a suspicious look.
'So remind me again. What do you have against Loras Tyrell?' he asked after a moment of silence.
'Plenty.' Cersei remarked firmly.
Tyrion let out a smug smile. 'Please, elaborate.' he asked in a sarcastic tone.
'He is good friends with Margaery. I don't trust him.' Cersei folded her arms across her chest. 'And…'
'And?' her brother gave her a questioning look.
Cersei let out a frustrated sigh. 'I don't want Father and his business interests to dictate my politics.'
'Then, you won't have his endorsement.' Tyrion said with ease. He poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip. 'Robb Starks is already negotiating with Loras.'
'So?' his sister shrugged.
'Cersei, you need Loras more than Robb Stark does. You have seen the polls. You are not doing as good with the Millennials and the liberals as we hoped.' Tyrion explained and poured another drink.
Cersei frowned and pulled further from him.
'It was your stupid idea to be more progressive and broad-minded. It only alienated Robert's voters. Why should I listen to you now?'
Tyrion, as always, seemed to enjoy her anger because he couldn't hold back a scornful smile.
'I'm your campaign manager.' he stated matter-of-factly.
His sister rolled her eyes. 'Temporarily. Until I can get Dad's endorsement.'
Tyrion snorted in disdain. He took a sip of his drink and poured another glass to his sister. Cersei pretended to ignore his gesture and turned away.
'He is going to be late again.' she sighed.
As she rose from her seat, she suddenly felt dizzy. She had to grab the back of the sofa to steady herself until Tyrion handed her her lion head cane. She wobbled to the stairs and put her free hand on the rail.
'Tommen, come down. It's time to go to school.'
A few minutes later her son finally showed up, still wearing his pyjamas.
'What is this? I woke you up an hour ago. How can't you be ready yet?' his mother asked in disbelief.
'I don't want to go.' the young boy whined.
'Sweetheart, I let you stay home yesterday. We both know you were not sick.' Cersei remarked softly.
Tommen frowned. 'Myrcell doesn't have to go. Why should I?'
His mother gave him a surprised look.
'Of course, Myrcella has to go too. Boarding school is just like any other schools.'
'How do you know that?' Tommen sulked. 'Maybe she can stay in her room whole day, eating ice cream and watching TV.'
Cersei snorted in amusement.
'Trust me, I don't pay a fortune for her school to let her eat junk and watch princess movies. I can guarantee you she didn't miss a single day since she is there.
Her son didn't seem satisfied. He pulled away from her hug and sat down on the stairs in protest. Cersei let out a frustrated sigh and sat beside him.
'What is going on?' she gave him a questioning look, but Tommen turned away to hide his face from her.
'Nothing.' he mumbled.
His mother pressed a kiss on his head, then grabbed the handle of her cane and got to her feet.
'Then go and get dressed.' she said in a firm voice.
Tommen lowered his eyes and shook his head. 'No.'
Cersei raised her eyebrows in surprise.
'Do you remember what happened when Joffrey did this? Your father threw him over his shoulder and put him in the car whether he wanted or not.' she remarked with mock ease. 'Guess what. Gregor knows that trick too.'
She only meant it as a warning, but her son got stubborn so she had to act on her threat. Tommen was kicking and screaming, but he was no match for Gregor.
After the elevator closed behind them, Tyrion let out a small chuckle.
'Mother of the year.' he remarked with a scornful tone.
Cersei shot him a deadly glare.
'What do you know about mothers other than killing them?' she hissed angrily, but this time her brother didn't let her get away with it.
Tyrion rushed out of the room and headed for the elevator. He kept pushing the button, but the door didn't open.
'It looks like you stuck with me.' his sister remarked with a triumphant smile when she finally caught up with him.
Tyrion turned around to face her.
'You can't call me mom's murderer every time you fancy.' he burst out in a frustrated cry.
'And you can't call me a bad mother.' Cersei replied with the same level of intensity.
As always, Tywin Lannister had it his way. He pressured his daughter into a meeting with Loras Tyrell in exchange for a large contribution to her campaign and his official support. Little did he know that Cersei had her own plans for the young man.
The two candidates decided to meet at a restaurant downtown for lunch. Cersei looked around the place with an ill-concealed frown as the waiter showed her to their table.
'No, the cane stays.' she snapped at him when he tried to take it with her coat.
She shook her head in disbelief. 'Who chose this place?' she mumbled to herself.
'That would be me. It's the best vegetarian restaurant in town.'
Cersei looked up to see the young man in front of her and forced a smile.
'Cersei Lannister.' she extended her hand.
Loras Tyrell returned the gesture and they shook hands.
'A vegetarian farmer. That's something interesting.' Cersei remarked casually.
Loras let out a chuckle.
'We only keep the livestock to produce dairy products. We don't kill animals.'
'What a waste.' Cersei thought, but she didn't say anything.
She hid her face behind her menu and studied what appeared to be the most awful selection of foods. Just reading about all the sea food made her nauseous.
After the waiter came and took their order, they didn't talk much. Cersei reached for her phone to make the silence less awkward when Loras finally spoke.
'Your father told me…'
'Nobody cares what my father told you.' Cersei abruptly interrupted him. 'It's not my father who is running for President. What did Robb Stark promise you?'
Loras was a bit taken aback by her directness, but it didn't distract him.
'Foreign Affairs' he remarked with ill-concealed pride in his voice.
Cersei almost gasped, but she managed to keep a perfect poker face. 'Not bad. But my offer is better.'
Loras put down the glass he was holding and gave her his full attention.
'I'm listening.'
'I'm willing to put you on the ticket.' Cersei replied with a serious tone.
'VP.' Loras tasted the word as if it was an expensive wine. He gave her an appreciative nod. 'That is a start. But it is not enough.'
Cersei's hands clenched into a fist under the table, but she forced another polite smile.
'I would be disappointed in you if it was.' she replied in a seductive voice. She leaned forward on the table, setting her forearms on it and looked straight into Loras' eyes. 'Look. We can negotiate about milk quotas, import taxes, or the agricultural subsidy system all day long, as I presume you did with Robb Stark, or I can give you what your heart truly desires.'
'What would that be?' Loras scoffed in amusement.
'Marriage equality. For every consenting adult.' Cersei stated with a triumphant smile. 'You could marry the man you love.'
Loras' eyes widened in shock.
'You mean… every member of the LGBTQ community…" he stuttered.
Cersei couldn't hide her satisfaction over his reaction. 'Every consenting adult.' she repeated.
'Yeah, I get it.' Loras replied, nodding in approval. 'Just don't say it like this. It sounds like you mean every person. Like for example family members. Fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and sons…'
'Sisters and sisters, aunts and nephews, brothers and brothers.' Cersei finished his list with a knowing smile.
Loras needed a few moments to realize that she wasn't joking.
'You can't be serious. That's insane!' he cried angrily.
'There are people who disapprove your lifestyle. 'Cersei remarked with a hint of resentment in her voice. 'But I think everyone deserves a chance. Besides, what doesn't involve you, shouldn't concern you.'
Loras took a sip of his wine and shook his head in disbelief. 'I wouldn't have taken you to be so open-minded. Unless… What do you gain from this?'
Cersei didn't flinch. 'My support of marriage equality won't make me popular among my late husband's voters. They are my base voters and they already think I'm too liberal. I will lose their votes so I need to get those back from somewhere else. President Targaryen agreed to endorse me if I extend the marriage equality act to family members.'
The waiter appeared with their orders and put down a large plate before each of them. Cersei looked inside hers with a disgusted frown. It smelled like stagnant sea water with seaweed and dead fish in it and something suggested it wasn't just a coincidence.
Cersei took the lion head cane and rose from her seat. She would burn the whole place to the ground before she ate that. She dropped her napkin on the table and gave Loras a meaningful look.
'Think about my offer.' she said. 'But don't take too long. You won't get any better than that.'
