Cersei Lannister was an ambitious woman who for many years had dreamed of becoming Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and giving birth to a son who would one day become king, but when she finally married a king things had not turned out at all as she had imagined. Robert Baratheon had appeared handsome to her in the Great Sept of Baelor, but she soon discovered that her husband's beauty concealed a terrible truth.
Things had gone wrong from the start because during their wedding feast Robert did nothing but drink and eat, ignoring her for most of the time. During the festivities she danced, but not with her husband but with her twin and lover. Indeed, she had thought that their relationship would end after the wedding, and she had left with the best of intentions. She had really believed that she and her husband could be happy.
During Bedding, she noticed out of the corner of her eye Robert touching the ass of one of the women who was undressing him while they were accompanying him to bed, and she had tried not to give it a second thought and to force herself to smile as the men tore the silks of her magnificent dress. The men laughed and made inappropriate remarks and their breaths reeked of wine and ale, but luckily, it did not last long as her brother Jaime managed to snatch her from their dirty hands and after taking her in his arms, he led her to the king's bedroom and laid her gently on the bed.
Thinking about it now, she would have liked to have agreed to elope with Jaime when he proposed shortly before the ceremony. She would not have become queen, but at least she would not have been forced to spend years at the side of a drunkard who did nothing but humiliate her by screwing anything of the female gender that passed in front of him, begetting who knows how many illegitimate children. To tell the truth, if she had to be completely honest, even if she had known at the time what kind of man Robert was, she still would not have run away with Jaime because the desire to be queen, the most powerful woman in the kingdom, was too strong.
Robert was not at all kind to her more he just did what he could do, very little in truth, and after a few thrusts he came inside her moaning the name of the woman he was supposed to marry instead, which was Lyanna Stark, and she felt deeply offended and humiliated as well as disgusted. She thought that Robert was pathetic to wish and dream of a dead woman when she was beautiful with her long golden hair instead of the Stark girl.
That night she swore to herself that she would never give Robert a child, that whatever boy or girl would come out of her body would not be her husband's child. A few months after the wedding she became pregnant, but Jaime found a woman to help her get rid of the being her husband had placed in her womb and then took great care that it did not happen again.
Over the years she gave birth to three children all with golden hair and emerald green eyes who did not share a single drop of blood with her husband. Whenever she went into labor Robert went hunting and when he returned she would place a beautiful newborn in his arms and he looked happy and proud. Jaime would stay by her side and hold her hand while she screamed in pain and he was always the first man to hold the newborn and after all, wasn't that fair considering he was the real father?
Things went pretty well with Robert spending most of his time drinking and whoring, Lord Arryn trying to rule the kingdom to the best of his ability by acting as ruler and her taking care of her precious little lions making sure they had everything they wanted and needed. Jaime suffered from not being able to be their father in daylight and was forced to hear his children call another man father, but it was the price he had to pay so that Joffrey could one day become king.
One day, a week Jaime would disappear for an average of two or three hours and no one seemed to know where he went, but Cersei took no notice, thinking that the twin simply needed some time alone, and she was sure that he would never, ever betray her.
When she found out that Jaime had an illegitimate daughter, it all started to make sense, and she felt a strong irritation thinking back to all the times her lover had left the castle only to return no less than two hours later. She became outraged when she found out about Meria's existence and had a heated argument with her twin. Never before had she been angry with him, not so much at least: she insulted the twin claiming that he was not so different from Robert, she had slapped him. He listened to her in silence the whole time without reacting even when she insulted Dyana Sand by calling her a Dornish whore. At least her brother did one good thing and sent the girl to live in Casterly Rock, although she would have preferred her to have been loaded onto the first ship leaving for Dorne.
In her heart she knew it made no sense to hate a child whose only fault was that she was the result of a moment of weakness on Jaime's part, but jealousy made her blind and resentful. If Dyana had still been alive she would have taken it out on her or more likely vented her choler on both of them in equal measure, however the woman was dead she vented her frustration on the child by treating her badly and reminding her of her origins every chance she got.
A viper disguised as a lioness was what Meria was because the woman felt that behind that innocent face lurked a poisonous snake that was just waiting for the right opportunity to bite you and inject you with its venom and kill you because at the end of the day, she was a Martell; they had killed her cousins and she surely hated them for it and if they were not careful, she would one day kill them all. She felt that the girl would be the downfall of her family. The problem was that Jaime didn't want to believe her and told her that it was silly to even think that and that Meria was just a bastard. However, history was full of bastards who had rebelled and tried to take what wasn't theirs or avenged the wrongs people had done to their family.
When Tywin had decided that the girl would marry Lord Renly after she was legitimized Cersei who was more than thrilled at the thought of getting rid of the young girl and thinking that she might finally prove useful had given her consent to the wedding, but Jaime, Tyrion and Aunt Genna had objected believing that she was too young to marry and Jaime felt that it was his right to give his permission for his daughter's wedding and perhaps personally seek out the groom he would deem most suitable and the twin knew that the lover would have preferred a Dornish groom for his daughter however Tywin could never have allowed such a thing and when word had reached him that his son had begun a correspondence with Prince Doran he had feared he was plotting behind their backs to send Meria to Dorne and so the Old Lion had moved quickly to have his granddaughter legitimized and find her a good husband.
Lord Renly was a good choice. He was Lord of Storm's End and Protector of The Stormlands and Cersei felt that was more than the little bastard could have aspired to and on the whole she had been lucky because they could have given her in marriage to someone like Ser Gregor Clegane who had recently buried his third or fourth wife. All of Gregor's wives had died under suspicious circumstances, yet the queen trusted that the same fate would not befall Meria because The Mountain would be a real fool to cause the death of her lord's granddaughter and surely Jaime would find a way to make her pay. Of course there were rumors that Renly was too close to Ser Loras, but on the one hand the thought that the niece would be doomed to an unhappy marriage with a man who preferred the company of other men made the aunt delighted.
Pressuring Meria and making veiled threats to her if she didn't manage to conceive a child soon even though she knew the marriage probably wasn't even consummated because of Renly's preferences was definitely one of the cruelest things the lioness had done to her niece, and although she would never admit it out loud, there were times when she felt pity for the girl and wondered if she shouldn't at least try to be nicer.
A few months after the wedding Renly had to leave for Storm's End to settle a matter that required his presence at the castle, and he left, leaving his wife in the capital.
A few days later was Tommen's name day and for the occasion Meria suggested to the king to organize a masquerade ball and to the king it seemed a good idea and many nobles, including the king and queen, attended the ball wearing masks. The lioness would never admit that the niece had had a pleasant idea. The young girl did not show up at the party, however, and when the queen asked her daughter's twin, the latter told her that her servant had updated him that the girl had a sore throat and was unlikely to join the festivities, although she wished the prince well. A pity considering that the masquerade ball had been her idea.
The party had already started a while before she arrived. Cersei was talking to a noblewoman when at a certain point, she realized that she had noticed something behind her and was no longer paying attention to her. Intrigued, she turned and saw a woman standing in front of the doorway at the bottom of the staircase. She was wearing an orange dress with only one long sleeve. Dornish silk for sure and around her neck she wore what looked like two coils of snakes. The mask had white feathers, but the cloth was orange like that of the dress. She wore her hair up at the back of her head, but some curls had slipped down in front of her face.
"Do you know who she is?" Asked the curious lady as the mysterious woman advanced into the hall.
"I have no idea, but surely, she must be a rude one to arrive at a party that has already started." She replied annoyed as she looked at the woman advancing into the hall with a confident stride. It seemed that the eyes of everyone present were focused on her and if her aim had been to attract all the attention with her entrance she had succeeded, but who was she? The queen would have loved to know, she just didn't have the faintest idea.
The queen consort struggled to look away from the lady and not think about her as well, and after her initial surprise, the other woman with whom she was also conversing seemed to forget about the mysterious lady.
The food was delicious and so was the wine. The hall was a prelude of color, laughter, and the musicians were really good as were the singers. Prince Tommen was happy and with him also his mother, the rest of their family and the whole court. The king, who suddenly seemed to have remembered that he had three children, behaved strangely like a loving father and Cersei did not feel the usual annoyance when she saw her husband taking her youngest son in his arms wishing him well or telling Myrcella how beautiful she was and commenting that she would become as beautiful as her mother one day or perhaps even more, but the moment of peace was short-lived.
Soon the king began to behave as usual: he drank and tried to seduce the other women, fortunately Tommen did not seem to realize the child was beginning to feel tired, and his mother gave orders for him and Myrcella to be put to bed. The last time the queen then saw her consort the latter had a large wine stain on his dress where, apparently, the mysterious lady had just poured a goblet of wine on him and Cersei saw the maiden trying to clean the mess with a cloth. The king did not seem angry, and his wife looked away from the scene and walked towards the twin.
She did not need to speak because when her lover saw her coming he immediately knew what she wanted and escorted her out of the Throne Room where the feast was being held. They did not go very far and the lioness could still hear the music as Jaime fucked her against the wall, and she was able to forget about her unhappy marriage and in particular her cheating husband for a while.
A few weeks later Renly Baratheon during a family dinner that the king's younger brother had organized the Lord of Storm's End announced that his wife was pregnant. Cersei choked on the wine she was drinking and stared incredulously at her niece and Renly. Myrcella and Tommen wished the couple well first followed by King who proposed a toast to the future nephew. The only people who did not seem thrilled by the news were the queen and her eldest son, and the former, after recovering from her initial astonishment, reminded the niece that it was important that the child be a boy and healthy. The joy disappeared from Meria's face who instead assumed a serious expression and said: don't worry aunt, I know that it is significant that I give birth to a son and soon. No one seemed to take any notice of the exchange of words and Cersei stared disapprovingly at the twin hugging her daughter and congratulating her as well as Myrcella and Tommen's joy, followed by her husband's, Renly's and Jaime's.
The woman was sure that the child was a bastard, but she had no proof to prove her theory and at that juncture Jaime was her enemy. The brother was pleased and proud at the thought of his future grandson. The only bright side was that Renly sent his pregnant wife to Storm's End justifying the choice by saying that his wife would be quieter there and the lioness wondered if he too shared her suspicions or if he even knew his wife had been unfaithful and pretended to be happy at the thought of the birth of the future heir. There was no evidence that Lady Baratheon had been unfaithful, on the contrary it seemed that the young woman had behaved as a perfect lady and wife and nothing suggested that she had been unfaithful and apparently Cersei was the only one who suspected that the child might be a bastard.
Two months after the birth, Meria returned to the capital with her son. Needless to say, the Lannisters had not welcomed the news of the niece's return and on the morning of the day the young mother was due to arrive, she behaved as usual: she ate breakfast with her children and then wrote some letters. Once she had finished writing she left the flats reserved for her and headed towards the castle grounds, but halfway there she was joined by Jaime. The twin had a bright smile painted on his face.
"Meria has returned!" He announced in a tone full of emotion, and though he must have noticed the annoyance on his sister's face he did not give it away. "Come on Cersei come and welcome Meria back. Tommen and Myrcella should be in the hall by now." He exclaimed.
"You don't really expect me to be happy about your bastard's return?" She asked coldly. The smile vanished from the twin's face.
"Cersei, please I only ask you to be kind at least today that she has just returned." He said in a pleading tone and stared at her.
"Alright, let's go and welcome back the viper and her baby." She replied coldly, starting to walk down the corridor.
When they reached the atrium of the castle, the woman saw Meria holding a bundle. She had wrapped the infant in a yellow blanket reminiscent of the Baratheon colors. Renly stood at her side and Myrcella smiled as she stared at the newborn in Meria's arms.
"You have returned." Cersei said as she advanced towards them. She had an inscrutable expression. "What did you name the baby?" She asked, staring at the couple. The young mother did not look thrilled to see her.
"Orys." She replied in a firm voice.
"Let's see." Said the queen holding out her hands impatiently. The girl cast a glance at her husband, who nodded his head in assent, then handed her the infant. The lioness stared at the small face. Apart from the olive skin he looked like a little Baratheon, and she could see the obvious resemblance to Lord Renly. She hated to admit it, but her niece's son looked like a real Baratheon. It would have been difficult to prove he was a bastard and indeed adjudicate from his appearance... "A beautiful baby boy." She added, handing the baby back to his mother who clutched him to her chest.
"Thank you, sorry, but the journey has been long, and I am tired and Orys will have to eat soon." She affirmed, casting a brief glance at her husband.
"Alright, I'll walk you to your room." Said Renly. Lady Baratheon greeted the princes fondly and before leaving she allowed her father to hold his grandson in his arms after which she took her leave of them along with her husband. Without a word Cersei also left. Meria's motherhood annoyed her, and she could not bear the idea of her niece being happy. She was a disgrace to House Lannister her mere existence caused scandal and her illegitimate birth cast dirt on them just like Tyrion's existence. The dwarf had caused their mother's death by coming into the world and Meria was a constant reminder of Jaime's betrayal.
Red Keep was not Meria's favorite place. She could not help but think that this was the place where her cousins had been brutally murdered and that the people of the court were the same ones who, until seventeen before, had bowed before King Aerys Targaryen. The Red Keep did not seem a happy place to live, especially for her and then those walls were full of the fake smiles of people who smiled at you in front and stabbed you in the back.
She had just finished nursing her son when there was a knock at the door. Renly went to open it and their mystery guest turned out to be the Hand of the King. The Lord of the Eyrie entered the room with a friendly smile painted on his face. Jon Arryn had been one of the few people who had never looked down on Meria because of the conditions of her birth. The maiden rose from the chair on which she was sitting.
"Lord Arryn, good morning." Said the youth with a smile. The King's Hand approached.
"Lord Renly, good morning." He greeted the man and then focused on the wife of the Lord of Storm's End. "Lady Meria, how are you? It is a pleasure to have you back at court. How is your son...? Orys, is it?" The man asked.
"Yes, Orys." Confirmed the blonde.
"As Orys Baratheon my ancestor and first Lord of Storm's End." Renly explained. Jon Arryn nodded his head in assent without taking his eyes off the infant in Meria's arms.
"May I see him?" He asked. The woman hesitated for a moment and glanced at her husband, who gave her a faint nod in assent.
"Of course." Meria then answered and placed her son in Lord Arryn's arms. The latter examined the infant and moved the blanket that wrapped him slightly to better observe him. Renly moved closer to his wife who relaxed a little at feeling him closer.
"A beautiful baby with Baratheon features my lady. Black hair, blue eyes and looks strong and robust even though he was born before his time. Congratulations." He said handing the infant back to his mother who clutched him to her chest.
"Thank you." Said the young woman striving to appear calm.
"Well, excuse me, but I have some important matters to attend to. I just dropped by for a quick hello and to welcome you back to court Lady Meria and to meet little Orys." Said the man.
"Goodbye Lord Jon I will see you later at the Council meeting." Renly greeted him.
"Oh, yes of course." The older man replied and then headed for the door.
"Do you know if my brother will be there?" The ruler's younger sibling asked. Meria knew that her dreamer rarely attended council meetings, even though he was the king, and that in fact it was Jon Arryn who actually ruled the kingdom.
"I fear the king is too... Busy." The Hand of the King replied. "Now excuse me, but I really must be going." He added and then left the room.
"I can imagine the things that keep my brother busy and prevent him from attending meetings." He observed in a contrite tone as Renly stared at the door Jon had come out of.
"He knows." Said his wife in a nervous tone and her husband's gaze softened along with her tone as he stared at her and spoke.
"No, Meria doesn't know, no one knows. Be quiet." He said softly, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you leave me Orys and you take a hot bath prepared you need to relax." He proposed. The other stared at him puzzled.
"Do you want me to leave you Orys?" She asked in an uncertain tone.
"Yes, he is my son, isn't he? You gave birth to him and were alone with him at Storm's End for almost two months, but now you are here with me and I wish to spend time with him. After all I am his father." He affirmed.
"Of course." She replied, handing him the infant, whom Renly took in his arms. "I will leave you." She continued, and although she felt some uncertainty she left the room leaving her husband alone with their son. She took a long hot bath, trying not to think and convincing herself that no one could possibly know the truth. No one seemed to have realized that she was the woman behind the orange-clad woman who had arrived late for Prince Tommen's name-day party. In truth, it had never been her intention to seduce Robert by taking advantage of the secrecy that the mask provided, it was he who had seduced her and Meria had simply taken full advantage of the opportunity.