Kaela picked at the food on the silver plate in front of her, finding she had little appetite. She glanced across the oak table to find Littlefinger watching Sansa intently, just as he had been doing all eve. The girl in question remained as oblivious as ever, licking away the crumbs of lemon cake left on her fingers. Septa Mordane had consumed one cup too many of wine at the feast, her head laid down against the table, snoring softly. As for Arya, she had snuck off as soon as the tourney had ended, more interested in the blood and gore of the event than the festivities. Kaela couldn't blame her either, as she felt ale splatter against the back of her neck as a drunken nobleman shuffled past them.

"I think it may be time to retire to your chambers soon, my Lady" Kaela suggested to Sansa, who gave a curt nod.

"I believe you may be right. I do not think I could eat another thing" Sansa smiled, prettily.

"Did you enjoy the first day of the tourney?" Kaela inquired, as Sansa's smile grew brighter.

"It was all I've ever dreamed of" Sansa answered.

She was such a sweet girl, but so naive. Her father had kept her far away from the horrors of the world. Kaela could understand, he wanted to protect his daughter, but all he had really done was keep her sheltered. And now she was defenceless. A hearty laugh from nearby had Kaela twisting around in her chair to find the King's red face, wine and strips of chicken clinging to his beard. Forcing her gaze away from the fool, she spotted Jaime standing behind him, his hand resting on his sword, looking off into the distance. He had won against every opponent that day, even the much-revered Ser Barristan, though his lance had shattered and her favour had flown away in the wind.

"Why did you lie earlier when I asked if you had given Ser Jaime your favour?" Sansa questioned, as Kaela turned back to her.

"I did no such thing, my Lady" Kaela responded, reaching out to take a sip of her wine.

"I know you think I'm stupid, you all do...but I know what I have seen. The ribbon on Ser Jaime's lance did come from your dress" Sansa insisted, as Kaela let out a sigh.

"...It is not a truth that I wanted others to know of, Sansa" Kaela pointed out, as the younger girl's forehead wrinkled.

"Why not? It's unbearably romantic. I can only hope a knight will take my favour one day" Sansa stated, dreamily.

"You are a Lady. I am not. It would not be understood, a knight carrying the favour of a handmaiden. I could be accused of a great deal of dubious things" Kaela explained.

"Oh. I had not thought...still, you must confess, it was a very sweet gesture. Ser Jaime must be fond of you" Sansa suggested, as Kaela hushed her.

"He felt sorry for me. Nothing more. Now, come. We should leave before the men—" Kaela began, but was cut off by a thunderous yell from Robert.

The King was on his feet, a goblet of wine in his hand, and was as drunk as a man could be. His beloved wife shook her head, her lips spread in a thin line, biting down whatever comment was on her tongue. There was anger in Robert's eyes.

"No. You do not tell me what to do, woman. I am King here, do you understand? I rule here, and if I say that I will fight tomorrow, I will fight!" Robert bellowed, spit flying through the air.

The Queen stood to her feet in an instant, lifting her skirts, as she made to leave the feast, her servants trailing behind her. Just for a second, Kaela could swear she had seen Cersei's lips twitch into a smirk before her cold mask returned, and she stormed away from the crowds. It would seem Cersei's plan was working perfectly, Kaela thought to herself.

A scowl grew on Robert's face, clearly not appreciating the Queen turning her back to him, as he looked as if he was about to charge after her. Having seen this, Jaime stepped forward, placing his hand on Robert's shoulder whilst every other man at the feast averted their eyes. Before he could say anything, Robert had shoved him away roughly, causing him to stumble and fall. The King guffawed at the sight, as Jaime's jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists. Kaela glared at Robert coldly, as sniggers began to rise up from the crowd that was watching.

"The great knight. I can still knock you in the dirt. Remember that, Kingslayer. Give me my hammer and not a man in the realm can stand before me!" Robert cried, slapping his chest with his goblet, splashing wine over his satin tunic.

Perhaps no man, but a woman would soon have her vengeance.

Jaime rose to his feet, brushing himself off, his leather jacket now coated with mud. He glanced up at his King with a dangerous expression, before he seemed to catch himself. What good would come of him striking Robert at the feast, after all?

"As you say, Your Grace" He replied, stiffly.

Kaela watched on as Jaime turned on his heel and marched away from the crowds, as cruel laughter followed his every footstep. She felt the sudden need to follow him, though she knew it would be unwise.

"Joffrey is nothing like him" Sansa muttered, under her breath.

"I would not be so sure" Kaela told her, before turning back to Septa Mordane and shaking her shoulder, none too lightly.

"Septa. Sansa wishes to return to her chambers. I fear I have drank too much this eve, I need to relieve myself. Pardon me, my Lady" Kaela announced, before gathering her skirts and chasing the footprints in the mud that the Kingsguard had left.

She didn't notice Littlefinger's eyes following her every move.


Kaela walked with ease through the pavilions, as every knight and nobleman was in attendance at the feast. It wasn't difficult to find Jaime's, as a Lannister banner whipped around in the wind outside a large red tent, standing out from the rest. She snuck inside silently to find him shrugging off his leathers, and immediately grabbing a goblet of wine, downing the contents before she had the chance to speak up.

"He'll be dead soon" Kaela stated, her soft voice echoing through the otherwise silent tent.

"Not soon enough" Jaime retorted, through gritted teeth.

"I would kill him tonight if you had half a plan" Kaela admitted, as Jaime ran a hand over his face.

"Cersei's plan is our safest course" Jaime told her.

"And you do whatever your sister tells you" Kaela muttered, as Jaime shot her a warning look.

She should have known better than to press the subject, but she was tired of dancing around Jaime's incestuous relationship, whilst they both knew it would eventually be his undoing.

"She missed your victories. I was almost impressed" Kaela stated, as Jaime quirked an eyebrow.

"Almost?" He asked, his lips against the goblet of wine once more.

"You did have my favour bestowed upon you. I doubt your opponents had help from the Red God" Kaela went on, as Jaime huffed.

"And I suppose my victories had nothing to do with my own skill?" Jaime suggested.

"I could not say. I have never been in attendance of a tourney before this day" Kaela shrugged, as Jaime mulled it over, before pouring her goblet of wine.

"Then I will be honoured to win the first tourney of your attendance, Princess" Jaime smirked, holding out the goblet for her to take.

"I have half a mind to pour this wine over you for that incessant mocking" Kaela murmured, but took the goblet, nonetheless.

"Why do you have such an aversion to a simple word?" Jaime questioned, curiously.

"I am merely comfortable being a servant. A Princess is something I have never wished to be" Kaela shrugged, drinking from her goblet.

"It is a shame that you have the look for it" Jaime exclaimed, as Kaela tilted her head to one side.

"Meaning?" She pushed.

She then caught Jaime's gaze lingering on her for a moment too long, before he cast his eyes down to his wine, refusing to speak the words on his tongue. Instead, he cleared his throat, changing the course of his thoughts.

"You Targaryen's have a...look about you. That is all" Jaime responded.

"Robert would have people believe my family were nothing more than monsters. Demons" Kaela scoffed, taking another sip of her wine.

"Well, those deep purple eyes could strike fear into most men" Jaime pointed out.

"Then I suppose it is good I have not inherited that quality" Kaela mused, as Jaime took a step closer.

Kaela's brow furrowed as he reached for the candle atop a nearby table and brought it close to her face, before meeting her gaze. Kaela felt her cheeks redden quickly, and not because of the warmth of the single flame flickering close to her skin. Jaime appeared to lose himself in her eyes for a few moments, before swallowing thickly, leaning away from her.

"Still there, I'm afraid. A lavender colour, in the candlelight" Jaime informed her.

Just as he was about to turn away from her, she reached out to touch his cheek, forcing him to stay where he was. Kaela was struck by the nervous expression on Jaime's face as his eyes snapped up to hers, imagining no one had touched him so intimately apart from Cersei. Her lips twitched into a slight smirk, before trailing her fingers over his stubbled jaw.

"There's a little green in your eyes. It seems we all have our little secrets" Kaela said, as Jaime took a step back, bringing his goblet up to his lips, to find he had already drunk it all.

He realised as he looked to the decanter on the table, he had drunk all the wine that had been left in his tent that morning. There was a shift in the air, and suddenly Kaela was standing by his side, offering her goblet to him. He was quick to take the wine, hoping it would settle his frayed nerves, but found it only heated his blood further.

"...I need ten Gold Dragons" Kaela announced, leaving Jaime completely taken aback.

"What in the name of the Gods would you need ten Gold Dragons for?" Jaime gaped.

"I may or may not have promised the blacksmith four Gold Dragons for a blade" Kaela confessed, as Jaime raised an eyebrow.

"And the other six?" He inquired.

"As payment for keeping the secret that the great Jaime Lannister cannot hold his wine" Kaela teased, as Jaime found a laugh escaping his lips despite himself.

The tension that had been suffocating him moments before slowly dissipated, allowing him to breathe normally once more. Kaela gave him a shy smile as he shook his head fondly and wandered over to the set of drawers in his tent, pulling out a small bag of coins.

"Do you not think it may be seen as dubious for you to leave this tent with your pockets stuffed with coins? What will people think?" Jaime smirked, pouring out the golden coins onto his palm.

"I've been called worse than a Lannister whore" Kaela scoffed, as Jaime pursed his lips.

"You never call me Kingslayer. Why?" He asked, his lips still loose from the amount of alcohol he had drank.

"...Because it is not the way I see you. You killed a madman. Aerys was no King" Kaela responded, softly.

Jaime then took her hand in his own, and placed the ten Gold Dragons onto her palm, closing her fingers around the gold. His throat felt tight suddenly, feeling strangely naked under her understanding gaze.

"I call you Princess because you act more noble than any highborn, I have met" Jaime confessed, causing Kaela to give him a genuine smile.

Perhaps being called Princess by Jaime wasn't quite so bad, she mused.


The next morning, there were only a handful of men remaining in the lists, one of whom Kaela watched intently as he rode out in front of the crowds. Jaime's horse trotted past the gallery of noblemen and women; his visor open to reveal his dashing grin. Just as he had done the day before, Jaime sent a nod in her direction, his eyes shining with amusement. Kaela cocked her head to one side before gesturing for him to move on, causing his grin to broaden, before he lowered his visor.

"Have you not gifted the Kingslayer your favour this morn? I fear he will be disappointed" A sharp voice exclaimed behind her, as Kaela glanced back to find Littlefinger smirking at her.

"What is the meaning of your words?" Ned Stark frowned, from where he sat close by, with only Sansa between them.

"Did you not hear Lord Stark? Ser Jaime rode yesterday with your handmaiden's ribbon" Littlefinger announced, a little too loudly for Kaela's liking.

"As I informed you yesterday, you are mistaken, my Lord" Kaela insisted.

"I suppose I did not just witness you catching the Kingslayer's eye, either?" Littlefinger murmured, as Kaela shot him a cold look.

She had no answer for him. She knew she was playing a dangerous game spending so much time around Jaime, but she found it hard to stay away. No one else could understand her as he did.

"Kaela is quite beautiful, isn't she, Father? It should be no surprise that Ser Jaime glanced at her. As for her ribbon, we found it last night in Arya's chambers" Sansa explained, surprising Kaela.

Sansa appeared to have been wiser than Kaela first believed. She must have taken to heart their talk the prior evening. She too knew it would lead to no good linking Kaela to the Kingsguard.

"I see. Then we shall hear no more of it" Ned stated, his words directed at Littlefinger, who gave the man a tight smile.

Bringing her attention back to the tournament, Kaela felt her stomach flip nervously as she saw who Jaime would be facing. The Hound. He was the largest man in the Capitol, apart from his brother, and could likely split Jaime in two if he wished. But Jaime was quick and smarter than people gave him credit for, Kaela reminded herself.

"I can't watch" Sansa murmured, gripping her father's arm, half hiding behind her long red hair.

The gallery beneath them trembled as the horses galloped forward, their lances raised out to meet each other. Jaime shifted in his seat a split second before the impact, as Clegane's point turned harmlessly against Jaime's golden shield, whilst his own hit square. The Hound reeled, barely able to keep his seat, as he gripped onto the reins of his horse, causing Sansa to squeeze her father's arm tighter.

Meanwhile, Jaime tossed his broken lance to the ground, snatching up a fresh one, jesting with his squire, appearing not to have a care in the world. The Hound jerked his mount around with great ferocity, spurring his horse forward and toward his chosen target. Jaime rode to meet him, but this time when he shifted in his seat, Clegane was ready and followed his movements. Both their lances exploded, and only one rider remained as the splinters settled. Kaela leaned forward in her seat, reaching out to grip the railing in front of her so she did not topple over the gallery as she watched Jaime's horse ride off in a panic. Her gaze found the man in question rolling in the dirt, his armour dented and muddied, but thankfully alive. Kaela's heart settled once more in her chest, feeling surprised at how concerned she was for the Lannister.

"I knew the Hound would win" Sansa commented, with a shy smile.

Jaime was now back on his feet, pawing at his ornate lion helmet which had been dented in his fall. A ruckus of laughter and spiteful words were soon echoing through the gallery, as Jaime swayed from side to side, unable to see through his twisted helm. None were laughing louder than the King himself. Finally, Jaime's squire rushed out to meet him, leading him to stumble toward his tent, as the cruel snickering followed him.

"If you would excuse me, Lord Stark, I ought to seek out Lady Arya. She did not break her fast this morn, and with her frequent dancing lessons, she will need to keep her strength" Kaela rambled, as Ned's eyes narrowed, before he gave a curt nod.

"But you will miss the champion's victory!" Sansa exclaimed, finding she had quite enjoyed the handmaiden's company the past day.

"I am sure you will tell me all about it come this eve, my Lady" Kaela smiled, as she gathered her skirts and scurried away.

"Perhaps a tourney without Jaime Lannister is of no interest to her" Littlefinger suggested, once she was out of earshot.

Ned made a huffing sound, knowing what the man was insinuating. Why so many had such an interest in his daughter's handmaiden, he truly did not know.

Unbeknownst to the men, the Queen had heard the tail end of their conversation, her spiteful gaze tracking Kaela through the crowds, realising in an instant where she was headed. The girl was becoming quite the thorn in her side. One that she would enjoy plucking out.


Jaime let out a groan of irritation as he continued clawing at the helmet that felt as if it would suffocate him at any moment. The blacksmith had been sent for, but his arrival would still be some time off. Jaime's head was beginning to ache as he heard fabric rustling as someone entered his tent.

"The blacksmith sent me" A familiar voice announced, as Jaime turned toward the sound.

"Why would the blacksmith send—" Jaime's squire began, as Jaime raised his hand to cut him off.

"That will be all. You can leave" Jaime ordered, hearing footsteps hastily rushing away.

Warm hands were touching his shoulders a moment later, dragging him over to one of the chairs in his tent, and forcing him to sit down. The helmet was then given a hard tug, allowing him to see through a thin gap, revealing Kaela's slightly amused expression.

"Quite the damsel in distress, aren't we?" She teased.

"Have you come only to insult me?" Jaime scoffed, as she shook her head.

"I may not be a blacksmith but I know just the thing to bend metal..." Kaela stated, walking over to a brazier fire in the corner of the room.

Grabbing a cloth that his squire used to clean his armour, Kaela removed the top part of the fire, revealing the coals beneath. Jaime's eyes widened as he watched her stretch out the thick cloth before scooping the burning hot coals inside, knowing the heat from them should have scorched her fingers. He jumped up from his chair, rushing over to her side, and grabbing one of her hands, finding only unblemished fingertips.

"R'hllor protects his followers from the flames" Kaela told him, wrapping the coals up into the fabric.

"And I am not one such follower. My skin can still be scarred" Jaime pointed out, as Kaela picked up the burning coals.

"Then I suggest you hold still" She smirked, gesturing for him to take his seat.

He squirmed and winced as she placed the coals against his helm, feeling as if his face was on fire. It did not take long for the helmet to begin to bend from the heat, allowing Kaela to tug it away from his golden head after a few attempts. Jaime was panting as he breathed in the glorious air, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the brightest of the day.

"You are in luck, Ser. Your face is unmarked and remains as handsome as the songs say" Kaela jested, before turning to return the coals to the fire.

"I do believe you just paid me a compliment" Jaime murmured, running a hand through his sweaty hair.

"I thought you needed one after the tourney" Kaela exclaimed.

"Do you think Robert will ever allow me to live down the failure?" Jaime asked, as Kaela bit her lip, knowing he already knew the answer.

"It could have been worse. The Hound could have killed you" Kaela mused, leaning back against the wooden table in his tent.

"I would have preferred that" Jaime groaned, dropping his face onto one of his hands.

"The Clegane brothers have the strength of an ox. You fought well" Kaela told him, as an annoyed huff left the older man's lips.

"...I see the King did not join the lists" Kaela couldn't help but point out.

"No. His dear friend advised him not to. And who is a King to go against the noble Eddard Stark?" Jaime muttered, sitting up straight.

"I fear we may be running out of time. If the truth is found, I will never be able to get close enough to Robert to slit his throat. Perhaps I should simply sneak into his chambers this night and be done with it" Kaela grumbled, as Jaime frowned at her.

"A plan that would surely lead to your death" Jaime told her.

"Then so be it" She replied, as Jaime suddenly stood to his feet.

There was ferocity in his eyes as he stormed over to her, standing just inches away from her, forcing her to match his gaze. Her words had clearly left a bad taste in his mouth.

"I will not hear of it. You are to live a long life and die an old woman, warm in her bed" Jaime informed her.

"Because of a promise you made to a dead man?" Kaela questioned.

"Is that not a good enough reason?" Jaime retorted.

"Only if it's the truth" Kaela insisted, as Jaime opened his mouth to reply, but clamped his lips together again a moment later.

"...Go on. You should return to the tourney before your absence is noted" Jaime told her, as Kaela rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome. Again" Kaela huffed, as Jaime's eyes followed her as she left his tent, a conflicted expression on his face.


Gendry was startled as he watched something being thrown in his direction, catching the object just before it could strike him in the face. He looked down to see it was a bag of coins, heavier than any he had held before. He was taken aback when a familiar face sauntered over to him, trailing her hand over the array of knives close to the fire in the armoury.

"We said 400 Silver Stags, yes?" Kaela exclaimed, as Gendry opened up the bag to pour out ten Gold Dragons onto his palm, his eyes doubling in size.

"This is worth 2,000 Silver Stags. What are you hoping to buy?" Gendry frowned.

"You" Kaela replied, causing Gendry's blood to run cold.

She watched as his hand edged toward the anvil close to his leg, clearly planning to use it as a weapon if necessary. Holding her hands up to show she was defenceless, Kaela took a step closer to Gendry, who tensed up further.

"No need to panic. I don't want much. Only a few drops of blood" Kaela informed him, as Gendry's frown deepened.

"My blood? For what purpose?" Gendry retorted.

Kaela mulled over his question for a few moments, debating whether to lie to him. There were hundreds of stories she could spin, but she doubted any of them would help to gain his trust.

"I want to kill your father" Kaela announced, watching as Gendry's mouth went slack.

"You know my father?" Gendry gaped, as she gave a slow nod.

"You're lucky you don't. He killed my mother. And your blood can help me to gain my vengeance. Take the coins. And speak of this to no one" Kaela pushed.

"Tell me who he is" Gendry insisted.

"It won't help" Kaela told him, as Gendry took a step forward, looming over her due to his tall height.

"Tell me" He urged, as a sigh left Kaela's lips.

She supposed he deserved to know. Would he really be any safer being left in the dark? Whoever had killed Jon Arryn would likely come after him soon enough. Still, she couldn't look him in the eye as she told him the truth of his birth.

"...Robert Baratheon. You're the King's bastard" Kaela murmured, in a hushed tone.

Gendry's legs buckled underneath him immediately, feeling bile claw up his throat. Kaela reached out to grab his arm to steady him, but Gendry was quick to shrug her touch away. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, but it all made sense. The new Hand of the King had been to see him only the day prior, asking the same questions Kaela had.

"Does the King know?" Gendry inquired.

"No. A good thing too. He'd be no father to you. All he cares for is his wine and whoring. That and killing innocents..." Kaela trailed off, through gritted teeth.

"But...but he's my father..." Gendry stuttered, as Kaela reached out to grab onto his shoulders.

"And how do you think you came to be? He saw your mother and took what he wanted. He cares for no one. Apart from his dead child bride" Kaela muttered.

"I do not wish to be involved in a murder plot against my own kin, no matter how awful they might be" Gendry stated, as Kaela shook her head, ruefully.

"I gave you those coins to allow you to leave this city, not as payment for your blood. That will be taken with or without your will" Kaela warned, watching as Gendry's Adam's apple jumped in his throat.

"How much do you need?" Gendry grimaced, as Kaela pulled out a small waterskin.

"Nothing you will miss" She informed him, twisting around to face the prominent blades on display on the wall.

She picked out one of the daggers Gendry had shown her previously, feeling how light the blade was in her hand. Sharp too. She didn't want to make the boy bleed out. Truthfully, she didn't know how much blood she would need to make the ritual work. She found herself wishing once again that Melisandre was with her.

"...He burnt her. My mother. They say he laughed as she died, that his eyes lit up. He deserves none of your sympathy" Kaela mumbled, turning back to the scared man.

"I do not understand. How will my blood help you kill him?" Gendry frowned, as Kaela popped the top off her waterskin, before grabbing Gendry's wrist.

"The less you know the better" Kaela pointed out, bringing the blade to his inner wrist.

"Ready?" She asked, as he nodded, shakily.

Needing no further encouragement, Kaela cut a line down his skin, watching as blood began to drip down her blade. His blood continued running down his arm, before seeping into the waterskin she held steadily below. The ritual had worked to a degree to bring Bran back to life, now all she needed was to do the opposite with Robert. After all the King had done against the Red God, it was time for him to suffer the consequences.

"Here. That should be enough" Kaela said, grabbing a nearby cloth and pressing it against his bloody arm.

"What will you do once he's dead?" Gendry inquired, wrapping the cloth tighter around his skin.

Kaela gave him no response, placing the top back on the waterskin, her jaw clenched. She had no idea what she would do once Robert was gone. She would have nothing left. She didn't expect to live a day past his death, nor did she particularly want to. As far as she was concerned, she had been born to kill the King.

"Keep the blade. Give it your Lady. My master will question your visits otherwise" Gendry suggested.

"Heed my warnings. Leave whilst you still can" Kaela insisted, covering the dagger under the pleats of her skirts.

"...You still haven't told me. Who are you?" Gendry pushed.

"Just a dead woman's daughter" Kaela murmured, giving him a sad smile before turning to leave.


Once she returned to Arya's chambers after the tourney, she was shocked to find Jory hastily packing her belongings, his shoulders rigid and tense. Arya was pouting on her bed, appearing absolutely miserable. She could hear soft sobs echoing down the corridor from Sansa's room, wondering if something terrible had happened at the tourney.

"Arya? What's wrong?" Kaela exclaimed, walking over to crouch down in front of her Lady.

"Father says we are to leave the city. To journey back to Winterfell on the morrow" Arya informed her.

"Why? He's the Hand of the King, his place is here" Kaela frowned.

"Not after this morn. He returned the Hand's pin" Jory interjected, causing Kaela's eyes to widen.

"What would cause him to act so rashly?" Kaela asked, knowing the King would not have taken the act well.

"It is not our place to discuss those matters" Jory pointed out, as Kaela pushed herself to her feet.

"We have both sworn to protect Lord Stark's daughters. How can I do so if I do not know what dangers may come for them?" Kaela insisted, as Jory's hands stilled over the clothes he was organising.

"He told me alone to ready the girls. To only inform their Septa" Jory mumbled.

"He fears others may stop him from leaving the city?" Kaela guessed, as Jory gave a curt nod.

"Jory. Please. I need to know what is happening" Kaela insisted, placing her hand on his arm, softening her gaze.

The older man reluctantly turned to her, running a hand over his face as his resolve started to crumble. Whilst the two may not have been close, there was a certain amount of trust among them. Jory knew Kaela had Arya's best interests at heart.

"The King wanted the Targaryen girl in the east killed. Her and her babe. Lord Stark would not abide his orders" Jory explained, as Kaela's hand fell away from his arm.

"Daenerys is with child?" Kaela gaped, her brows knitting together.

Surely if that were true, Melisandre would have informed her...that was if the Red Priestess had ventured to find the Targaryen siblings. It had been some time since she had heard from Melisandre. And now her own family appeared to be in grave danger.

"Lord Stark is an honourable man. He could not bear the thought of killing a babe in his mother's stomach" Jory continued, but Kaela was hardly listening.

Perhaps she did have more to live for than just killing Robert Baratheon. Could she save her cousin and her babe?