Hello! Here is my attempt at writing about the modern politics in modern Westeros! Hope I didn't do a terrible job...
One little detail about this fanfic is that here, Joffrey is really a Baratheon. And even if he weren't, the incest relationship that makes all Hell break loose in the book and show is not going to be addressed at all, so that's why I decided that he should be a real Baratheon. Who cares about the hair and genetics! :-P
Joffrey was the last person to arrive at the lounge where his grandfather had told him to go. He left his other two bodyguards, Meryn and Boros, to watch outside with Gregor Clegane, and he closed the doors behind him. He steadied carefully with his eyes the people that were meeting there with him and his grandfather: his uncle Jaime, his mother Cersei, his uncle Tyrion, his uncle Renly and his grand uncle Kevan. He greeted all of them with a sly smile.
"Gentlemen. Mother," he said politely, bowing his head to them before focusing his glance on Tywin Lannister. "To what do we owe this meeting? Shouldn't you be celebrating, grandfather?"
Tywin Lannister did not look amused. "I have had enough of celebrations. We have important matters to discuss. Sit."
"Why so grumpy?" Joffrey asked as he walked over to a table that had crystal cups and bottles of alcohol on it. He grabbed one of them and served himself some scotch before sitting down on one of the comfortable leather armchairs.
"Robb Stark," was his grandfather's simple answer, which summarized all of the reasons why he appeared to be upset. Tywin Lannister was shooting daggers through his green eyes. "You were about to have one of the most brilliant political careers of the century, becoming a young, strong President, and now all of that hard work is about to go to the devil."
"I think you are mistaken there," Joffrey retorted, changing his position in the armchair to be more comfortable. "I'm still going to have the most brilliant political career of the century. Robb Stark is only adding more fun to the process of achieving it."
"I don't know how you will have a brilliant political career if he becomes President."
"He won't become President."
"Actually, there's a chance that that might happen," Kevan said then, looking at both of them. "He's got the support of the entire State of the North. All the citizens will vote for him, and the North is one of the strongest states."
"So what? He has got the North, alright, but what about all the other states? Having the North doesn't give him enough electoral votes to beat me, I will have all the rest!"
"The state of the Vale always votes for candidates of the North, when any of them decide to run for President," Tyrion intervened. He wasn't a Governor or a Senator or any of that, but he did have a great knowledge of that world and he knew what he was talking about. "The Vale is another very powerful state. We are sure that the state of Westerlands will support you, every citizen is this state loves this family. And the Crownlands will vote for their Governor, that much is obvious. That divides four of the most powerful states between you two, which makes you even. But then there's the Reach."
"I can win in the Reach," Joffrey said carelessly, taking another sip of scotch.
"Can you?" Tyrion wasn't so sure. "The people from the Reach are capricious. Why? Because they have everything, and they want even more. They are a wealthy state, and keeping them happy is the most important thing."
"They want power," Joffrey said. He looked and sounded bored. He wanted to go back to the party and stop talking about politics. It was his job and he had to talk about it the entire time, he wanted a break from it. But apparently his family wasn't about to do that favor to him. "I have power. I have more power than Robb Stark, that will make them prefer me over him."
"You have power now," Tywin corrected him in a sharp tone. "But if Robb Stark wins the elections, he will have power over the entire country. He will have everything, even your power, and it won't matter that you are the Governor of the Crownlands."
"What matters now is policy," Tyrion said. "Having a good policy will make citizens prefer you over other candidates."
Joffrey scoffed. "Having plans for future policies matter nothing if you can't fulfill the promise of creating and maintaining those policies. You need money to do that. I have the money."
"Joffrey is right," Cersei agreed, speaking up for the first time, but she was cut off by her father.
"No, I have the money. And may I remind you that the President will be able to dispose of the country's money once he is elected? As I said, what we have now matters nothing if we can't make Joffrey stay at the Red Keep. And that will be difficult if the people prefer Robb Stark over you," Tywin hissed to his grandson.
Joffrey sighed and put his cup down on the table next to his armchair, finally understanding that that was going to be a very long night of work and politics. He knew his grandfather, and he knew that he wouldn't let go of the subject until he was done talking about it, and that wasn't anytime soon. Joffrey preferred not to make him angry.
"All right, so we will have to work hard to gain the State of the Reach," he said. "You say that Robb Stark will win in the North, and most probably in the Vale. Those are two major important States. Where else?"
"According to the statistics and the studies made by our counselors and yours, there is a ninety per cent of chances that he wins both the States of the Riverlands and the Iron Islands," his uncle Senator Kevan said. "And the State of Dorne... Who knows."
"So it is only sure that I will win on the States of Crownlands, Westerlands. I suppose that my chance at Stormlands is very good, I've always obtained great results in all my campaigns there," Joffrey commented. He was more worried thatn before, starting to take everything seriously and forgetting about the party. I case that I got those three, I'm at disadvantage over Robb Stark. If both of us get two major States, and I win over one other State while he wins over two... It would all come down to the Reach and Dorne. If he wins over the Reach, I'm done."
Fury and anger appeared in his expression, darkening it and making the others around him feel uncomfortable, except Tywin. Governor Tywin Lannister never got nervous in any occasion.
"You will have to work harder."
"You think I'm not trying?!" Joffrey almost yelled, but he managed to control his temper.
"Not enough."
"There is a way to stop Robb Stark from winning the Reach's electoral votes," Governor Renly Baratheon said then, speaking up and putting down his cup of Arbor Gold. He had been listening to the conversation with an amused smile on his lips, like a boy playing his favorite game. When he got everyone's attention, he spoke again. "The Reach might not vote for Joffrey, maybe, and they might give their votes to the Governor of the North... But what if there was another candidate, one who was sure that he could win those votes from that state to prevent Stark from getting the?"
Everyone looked at him in complete confusion, not knowing what he really wanted to say. Governor Renly stared back at them with a cunning smile in his face, and he sighed as he sat back comfortably on his own armchair. They were all waiting for him to explain his words, and he was taking his pleasure in their confusion. Tywin looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"What are you suggesting, Renly?"
"It's easy," the Governor of Stormlands said. "It would be very easy for me to win the votes of the State of the Reach. They would love my policy! I understand the people there, and they all love me. That will remove the possibility that Robb Stark wins over that State, making everything less difficult for my nephew. I could also manage to win in the States of Dorne and the Iron Islands, it shouldn't be difficult. It's all a matter of tactics and, as you said, policy. If we study the enemy we can figure out a way to give those States something that they wants more than what Robb can give them."
"You want to present yourself as a candidate from President?" Cersei Lannister asked in disbelief.
"Yes, ma'am."
"That's ridiculous!"
"Is it? I would prefer to say that it is the family business!"
Tywin Lannister raised his hand and made her fall silent. He didn't seem angry like his daughter was, but he seemed to be thinking very carefully and reflecting on Renly's words. Jaime Lannister broke the silence.
"It is true that having three candidates would reduce Stark's possibilities a great deal," he admitted, looking at Renly with curiosity. "But there is another thing. If you win over the Reach, the Iron Islands and Dorne, and you would obviously also have the Stormlands... it is a great risk for Joffrey. He could still lose."
"Impossible. If everything goes as planned, and the three of us get the States that we are predicting we will get, Joffrey wins. He would have two major States, and while the State of the Reach has more electoral votes than the Westerlands, I would only have that one major State. Joffrey would have two of them, and the State of Crownlands has more electoral votes than any other State. He would have many more votes than me or Robb Stark," Renly explained calmly. "Joffrey will be the President of this country."
"And what if anything goes wrong?" Joffrey asked then. He had stood up from his armchair and walked through the lounge to the wide window that faced the front garden of the mansion. He looked out of the window, his eyes fixed on the dark night sky, and then he turned to face his uncle. He stared at him with cold eyes. "What if something changes and you end up winning over the State of Riverlands, for example? What if you win over the Vale?! the citizens of that State might not vote for a candidate of the North any longer; maybe they will prefer the policies that you have to offer them!"
"That's true, things can change," Senator Kevan agreed. "You could still be chosen President instead of Joffrey, if you get the support from all those States."
"I have a solution in case that happens," Renly said, shrugging. "I'll appoint Joffrey as Vice President."
"And how would that help?!" Joffrey yelled, unable to contain himself this time. He did have a temper after all, and little patience. His sudden outburst of anger did not trouble his uncle, however, who remained as calm as he had been since the beginning of the meeting in that lounge.
"It would help because after I relinquish as President, you will be President automatically."
A heavy silence fell on them. No one dared to speak a word for the moment, and Jaime, Cersei, Kevan and Tyrion looked at Joffrey, Tywin and Renly trying to discover what they were thinking. Joffrey didn't seem as mad as before; in fact, that last statement that his uncle had just revealed appeared to have caught his interest. He looked at his grandfather too, waiting for him to say something.
"It could work," Tywin finally said.
"Yes, it could," Judge Tyrion agreed. "It would be a great plan, but how can we know that we can trust you, dear Renly? For all we know, you could end up being elected President and either not choose Joffrey as Vice President, or you could not quit being the President."
"You can trust me," Renly laughed. He picked up his cup again and took a sip from it. "If it were my desire to stop Joffrey from reaching the Presidency that he wants so much, then I could have done it by the simple means of scandal. You do know how good I am with scandal, right? I could just call the journals and newspapers and reveal to them that my dear nephew is sleeping with my wife!"
Cersei choked and Joffrey opened his eyes wide, while Jaime and Tyrion chuckled amused, but Renly was not done talking or smiling.
"And not only that, he is cheating on his fiancée! Pop Princess Sansa Stark, the entire world loves her! They would be at Joffrey's throat in an instant, they would all hate him, and it would damage his political career very much. No one wants a dishonest, backstabbing President who cheats on a woman as lovely as Sansa Stark! Not to mention that your opponent is her older brother, and she's the daughter of the very much loved former and deceased Vice President."
"How dare you speak to my son in that tone?!" Cersei protested.
"Plus, no one likes the Lannisters. You'll be giving everybody a new reason to hate this family," Renly finished speaking, and drank the rest of wine that was left in his cup. When he took he cup away from his lips, he smiled sweetly and in an adorable way, which irritated everyone beyond the limits of patience.
"Many might not like the Lannisters, yes, because they envy us," Governor Tywin stated, frowning. "But many others don't appreciate your... tendencies... either."
Renly looked at Tywin while gaping, pretending to be insulted at the subtle mention of his sexuality.
"How rude!" he exclaimed, with a note of deep amusement behind his voice. He laughed yet again. "My, my, dear tywin! I see that old age had not made you any better!"
"Renly!" Cersei exclaimed.
"Come on. All this because I mentioned the little affair that my dear wife and my nephew are enjoying. Or do you deny it, Joffrey?"
Joffrey looked uncomfortable, like he wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. He could not avoid his uncle's eyes, anyways. He shook his head, and Renly exclaimed triumphant!
"Aha! See? I was right. Anyways, nephew, why don't you pay more attention to your own bride? She's lovely, she's highborn, rich, famous... She's the perfect match for you, and will gain you the favor of thousands of people! Millions, even."
"Really? How could Sansa do that? She knows nothing of politics!"
"No, she does not, but that doesn't matter," Tyrion said. "People pay a lot of attention to their First Ladies. They want women that they admire and love. Renly has Margaery to offer to them, a beautiful woman that cares for the people and is known for her work and charities. Robb Stark has also a First Lady to offer to the people, and she's beautiful, intelligent, hard-working, had a great personality and loving. He can offer the citizens the image of a happy family. He will be a great father figure to them, because he is a great father himself. Remember your future nephew, Eddard Stark the second? He is six or seven years old, and I have heard that he is the most charming of boys. People love him!"
"Are you suggesting that I should have a family with Sansa?"
"We are telling you to marry her, and soon," his grandfather said, agreeing with what his least favorite son was saying. "Your has been a long engagement. False rumors about your relationship with your wife could spread. Marry her, make people see that you two are in love and are the perfect couple, and you can use that in your advantage just like Renly and Robb Stark will do."
Cersei seemed to be about to protest, not liking people to tell her son what to do, but her uncle Kevan silenced her. After a few seconds, Tywin dismissed them all with a quick movement of his hand.
"Leave. I've had enough of talking with all of you. Enjoy the party."
One by one, they all stood up and left the lounge. Joffrey was still lingering by the window, looking at all of them go. When he was about to follow, his grandfather stopped him.
"You must be cautious," he warned him.
"I am," Joffrey said.
"Nom you are not. Watch your back from Renly. His plan is good, and it might work in case we are not able to win these elections for you. But power makes men do stupid things, and Renly can turn on his word to do all this for your own good."
"I understand, Grandfather."
"Do you also understand your need to marry the Stark girl?"
Joffrey clenched how jaw, and then he nodded.
"Good. Keep controlling her, Joffrey. Don't let her do anything behind your back. Don't let her speak to anybody that is not of your complete trust, have knowledge of everything that she does and where she goes and with who she is."
"She's too afraid of me, she always does everything that I tell her."
"That's good, keep it that way. It's also good that you are allowing the public to see her; it would raise suspicion if you kept her locked in the whole time. Once you marry her, no one will have any reason to believe that there is something wrong between you two."
"No one thinks that," Joffrey said, irritated.
"But they could. Her family could, for example. You must be careful with all the Starks. Does she speak to them? Does she see them?"
"No."
"Allow her to do so sometime, to make things look normal. But be careful with what she tells them. If she speaks, you are done, Joffrey, do you hear me?" Tywin asked his grandson, speaking in a severe, strong and demanding tone. "Do you hear me?"
"I do! Gods, will you leave me alone? You always have to remind me of careful I have to be! I don;t have to be careful, I'm Joffrey Baratheon! I have this country in the palm of my hand!"
"After what you did to Eddard Stark, you could lose the hand with which you hold this country in your palm!" Tywin shouted back at him, not tolerating his grandson to raise his voice to him. He succeeded in silencing Joffrey, but he didn't relax the severe expression of his face. "You were a fool, doing things the way that you did them!"
"He was a threat to me," Joffrey hissed.
"A threat that could have been disposed of more quietly! Instead, you decided to do things on your own, and you put yourself in risk of getting caught. As I said, you were a fool."
"Nobody knows what I did," the young Governor muttered, and for a moment there was a sadistic look in his green eyes. "So what does it matter that I did it that way?"
"Sansa Stark knows, if I remember correctly."
"Sansa Stark won't say a word. As I said, she is too afraid of me to say anything," after saying that, Joffrey walked away from the window and towards the door, which had been closed after all the others left. Just as he opened it to leave, he looked back to his grandfather. "Don't worry, Grandfather. Sansa Stark will be my lovely and beloved wife in no time, and the entire country will be mine. Happy birthday, Grandfather."
He left the lounge, closing the door behind him and leaving Tywin alone in the lounge, and he rejoined the party.
Ok! I hope you liked it! I decided that I wanted to make the way of choosing the President and Vice President a mixture of the ways in which they are chosen in different countries, combining different methods. I hope it all made sense!
And yes! Little Eddard Stark II is alive in this fic!
Review, please! I would love if you did! ^^