I own nothing, but my characters.

Enjoy

Cass walks down the hallway, thinking about what happened in her earlier room with her friends, mainly Lenora. She admits she might have been too harsh to her, but she didn't like how she talked. It was as if Lenora was unfazed by what Joffrey and her mother did—killing children. It was unconscionable to her. How could anyone justify that? Not only were they children, but her siblings. Half-siblings, but her siblings, nonetheless. It was odd. She knew they were out there in the city but never gave any of them a second thought. She would like to confront her mother about it, but she remembers what happened in the throne room days ago.

When Joffrey confronted Cersei regarding the rumors about her and Jaime, she explained that the rumors were spread to undermine his claim to the throne. However, Joffrey corrected her, stating that the throne was his by right, not by claim. Cersei then bowed her head and agreed with him. But Cass noticed that Joffrey had a certain look on his face during the exchange, the same look he had when he wanted to kill Ned Stark. Cass had no doubt that it was Joffrey who ordered the massacre. She considered seeking help from her Aunt Hellen but feared she would say the same thing as Lenora. So instead, she decided to confide in someone she could truly trust.

The princess then decided to go to the training yard, where she found her sworn shield, Ser Jarred, sparring with three different household knights and winning. He was wearing his slender sword and leather armor, which made him move quicker and swifter than his opponents, who were wearing heavy knight armor as he fought with his water-dancing skills. Each opponent tried to clash against him, but Jarred was able to dodge and outmaneuver them with every strike. He then did some attacks on their legs, causing two to fall while pointing his blade at his third opponent's throat, ending the fight with Ser Jarred as the victor.

"No one can beat you still," Cass gives a small smile as she comes to the training grounds.

Jarred turns to see it is Cass as his other opponents bow their heads to the princess. "Well, fighting in the ways of the Braavosi does have advantages."

"I suppose so," Cass said as he walked up to her, "Is there a place we can talk? Alone."

Jarred's brows raised a bit, wondering why she wanted to be alone with him. His first thought was to have their 'intimate time', but judging by her solemn expression and the jug of wine she was carrying, it was something more than that, so he relents.

Once out of his leather armor, Jarred and Cass went back inside Jarred's special room. It was the place he always went to when he wanted to be alone and where he and Arya did their lessons before she ran away, so it was the first place for him to go.

"Is this where you and Arya had your lessons," Cass asked as they sat down by the balcony.

"Yeah," Jarred said as he was reminiscing the times he had with Arya, "before everything."

"I'm sure you had fun together," Cass said, handing the wine jug to him, "And I'm sure she's fine wherever she is."

Jarred took the wine jug and took a big gulp as he was reminded that he let Arya go with Yoren months ago. "I'm sure too. Considering some of the lessons I taught her. I hope that they find her soon."

"Personally, I think you, if you were given more time, would've found her by now," Cass said, taking the wine jug and taking her own gulp.

"Maybe, who knows," Jarred admits, "It's a big city. And so many people."

"Well, maybe they would have found her since the City Watch went through the whole city to kill children," Cass said.

"Oh, yeah," Jarred reminds himself of what happened, "How are you dealing with that?"

Cass paused for a moment to think about it, then she took a big gulp of wine, "I just…It's so weird. I never gave them any thought before. I mean… I knew they were around, but… I can't stop thinking about them now. How old they are. How their lives were. What they were thinking about when being dragged to the streets just to get killed? Some of them probably didn't even know who their father was. I can't stop thinking about it."

Jarred gives a comforting rub to Cass's back as she drinks some more wine, "I'm so sorry, Cass."

Seeing that she was still lost in thought, Jarred had an idea. "Hey, do you remember that lake we found in the Kingswood?"

"Hm," Cass nods in the warm memory, "We would swim for all hours over there."

"Maybe we can go again," Jarred smiles, "You always did enjoy the forest."

Cass then gives a mischievous smirk as she immediately gets up with Jarred following her to make their way for the stable to get on their horses to the Kingswood.

The journey to Kingswood was not long as it was located near the capital. Cass had been there many times before with her father for hunting, but she was more interested in exploring the forest. As the two companions continued riding, they delved deeper into the woods until they reached the lake. It was small but still clean and deep enough to swim around in, surrounded by tall oak and pine trees, their scents filling the air, as Cass and Jarred could hear nothing but the peaceful sounds of nature.

Jarred tethered their horses to a tree before he and Cass undressed themselves until they wore nothing but their undergarments. Then they raced to the water until the two were in the water swimming around, playing some jokes, splashing at each other as they let the fun take their troubles away. Jarred enjoyed seeing Cass laughing again as he held her tight in the water. He knew this was the perfect place for her during these recent times. While she enjoyed the city, sometimes she craved peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle.

"It's good to see you smiling again," Jarred observed.

Cass giggles as she keeps clinging to him, "Well, this lake has special memories. Remember our first time here?"

Jarred smiles as this lake was where they had their first time being intimate together. While they have no romantic feelings for each other, it is still their special place. "You were very forward that day."

"And you were trembling the whole time," Cass teases, "Before and after."

"Well, the only thing that came to mind during that was that I took the princess's maidenhead," Jarred jokes, "And I might get executed for it."

"Didn't stop you from doing it again," Cass teases again, causing Jarred to blush, "and again and again."

"Alright, enough," Jarred said as Cass laughed it off.

"But do you feel like doing it again," Cass then gives a sly smirk.

Jarred smirks back at her, chuckling a bit before touching her cheek to kiss her, then allowing her to kiss him back. Then Jarred broke the kiss and splashed some water on Cass's face, giving him the opportunity to swim away. Seeing him laughing a bit and realizing what he was doing, Cass swam after him until they were back at the shore, running to the blanket of fur they had brought. Cass then tackles Jarred, causing him to fall to the ground laughing as Cass was on top of Jarred, who just lay on the ground. They kiss again, with Jarred caressing his hands all over Cass's body, while they take off their undergarment for what they were going to do. After an hour of pleasure, the two lay naked underneath the fur blankets, with Cass resting her head on Jarred's head.

"Hm," Cass hums, "This feels so nice."

Jarred strokes her head, "I'm glad you're feeling better."

Yes," Cass said, but started to trail off to her thoughts before asking, "Do you think they're true?"

Jarred gazes at her, "Do I think what is true?"

"The rumors," Cass grimly clarifies, "About my mother….and Jaime."

"Why are you thinking that," Jarred asked, "They're just rumors."

"But what if they're true," Cass then sits up as Jarred does the same, "I mean how does Stannis know about that?"

"He's probably just using it as an excuse to get the throne," Jarred reasons.

"But he said that Joffrey had no claim to the throne because of that," Cass said, "That's what Ned Stark said before he was arrested. What if he knew about that too?"

"You think Ned believed it," Jarred asks her.

"It makes sense as to why he did what he did," Cass reasons, "Why he said what he said."

"Ok, Cass, you're getting too serious in this," Jarred tries to calm her down.

"But what if it's the truth," Cass urges, "What if my mother and Jaime…and Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen…"

"Cass, calm down," Jarred wrapped his arms around the princess who was getting more worked up about this. "Do you honestly believe your mother would do something like that?"

Cass then gives a pleading look, "I want to know, Jarred. With certainty."

"Then why don't you ask her," Jarred recommended.

"I already did," Cass said, "She denied it. But…I'm still not convinced. I need to find out the truth myself. Just to be sure."

"And how are you going to do that," Jarred asks, still thinking she's being paranoid.

Cass thinks for a moment, until a thought comes to mind, "By starting where Ned Stark started. And see what he found that was so convincing."

Jarred gives her a severe look, "Careful Cass. You don't know what will happen if you get caught."

"When have I ever been afraid of anything, Jarred," Cass asks him as her mind is already made up.

0000000000

Night falls as Lenora goes to Tyrion's chambers to know how things went with Janos Slynt. As she climbed up the steps, she came to the bedroom door and heard some voices, realizing it was Cersei. Refrain from complaining to Tyrion about dismissing Janos Slynt from being Commander of the City Watch. Not wanting to endure Cersei's fury, she decides not to enter but stays to hear what she says.

"Lord Janos Slynt was Commander of the City Watch," Lenora hears Cersei complain, "You had no right to exile him."

"I have every right. I am the King's Hand," Tyrion proclaims.

"You're serving as the King's Hand until Father gets here," Cersei argues, "I am Queen Regent."

"Listen to me, Queen Regent, you're losing the people," Tyrion tells her, "Do you hear me?"

Cersei scoffs, "Ha, the people. You think I care?"

Tyrion then said, "You might find it difficult to rule over millions who want you dead. Half the city will starve when winter comes. The other half will plot to overthrow you. And your gold-plated thugs just gave them the rallying cry, 'The Queen slaughters babies.'" As Lenora listened at the door, things went quiet. Then Tyrion said, "You don't even have the decency to deny it."

It got quiet again as Cersei did not give any answer.

"It wasn't you who gave the order, was it," Lenora hears Tyrion ask Cersei as she is now confused. She thought Cersei had given the order since she had always hated Robert's bastards. Then Tyrion said, "Joffrey didn't even tell you. Or did he tell you? I imagine that would be even worse."

Lenora covered her hand as the shock slowly came to her. Cersei did not give the order. It was all Joffrey.

"He did what needed to be done," Cersei mutters before yelling, "You want to be the Hand of the King? Do you want to rule? This is what ruling is! Lying on a bed of weeds, ripping them out by the root one by one before they strangle you in your sleep."

"I'm no king, but I think there's more to ruling than that," Tyrion argues.

"I don't care what you think," Cersei yells again with a slight tone of fear, which Lenore had never heard before, "You've never taken it seriously. You haven't; Jaime hasn't. Gerold and Lenora haven't." The Queen Regent then softly said, "It's all fallen on me."

Lenora stayed frozen, listening to everything Cersei said. She never heard her older sister sound so weak, scared, and tired. Thinking she has to take on everything on her shoulders. All these years, Lenora thought Cersei just wanted the power for herself, but now, she seems like a person who wants to do what is right for the family. Something she and Lenora have in common.

"As has Jaime repeatedly, according to Stannis Baratheon," Tyrion then joked after the long bit of silence.

Lenora listens carefully again as Cersei chuckles bitterly, "You're funny. You've always been funny. But none of your jokes will ever match the first one, will they? You remember? Back when you ripped my mother open on your way out of her, and she bled to death.

After a few seconds of silence, Tyrion mutters, "She was my mother too."

"And then our father was forced to replace her by marrying that other woman," Cersei then said bitterly, causing Lenora to stiff, "Forcing himself to sire her children. All because of you. There's no bigger joke in the world than that."

Lenora couldn't move as she listened. Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Cersei, who stopped where she was, realizing that Lenora had heard everything. Without saying another word, Cersei gives a bitter look to her before walking away, leaving the young Lannister sister where she was, still thinking about what she heard.

She then looks to Tyrion, who is still sitting at the table, giving her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry you heard that."

Lenora slowly walks into the room, "It's no secret that Cersei despises us and my mother. Sometimes I fear what father thinks of us."

"And here we sit," Tyrion said as Lenora sat at the table with him, "The unwanted children."

Lenora spoke softly to Tyrion, knowing that the topic was sensitive. "You're not responsible for your mother's death," she reassured him. Tyrion gave a grateful nod but remained silent. Lenora took his hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze for comfort. Cersei always looked down on Tyrion, Lenora, and Gerold, but Tyrion received the brunt of her blame. She held him responsible for Lady Joanna Lannister's death, even though childbirth-related deaths were common in those days. Tyrion and Lenora could only rely on each other at this difficult time until their father arrived at court.

Deciding to change to subject, Lenora said, "So, is Janos Slynt taken care of?"

"Yes," Tyrion said, "I followed your advice and chose one of the commanding officers to be his replacement."

"Who did you pick," Lenora asks.

"Ser Jacelyn Bywater," Tyrion said.

Lenora's brow furrowed, "Isn't he called Ironhand because he has an iron hand-tied to one of his wrists after losing it at the Greyjoy Rebellion?"

"Yes," Tyrion admits, "But he's honorable, rigid, and not easy to be corrupted like Janos Slynt. And as you just said, he's a veteran of war. The officers will listen to him."

"Smart choice then," Lenora acknowledges, "And Bronn?"

"Captain of the guards, per your counsel," Tyrion said, "He's out celebrating as we speak."

"That's good. Now you have eyes and ears in the Keep," Lenora said. "How did you pick Ser Jacelyn anyway?"

"From Varys, actually," Tyrion answered.

"Varys," Lenora questions, "But I thought.."

"You did say make some allies at court," Tyrion tells her, "So, I figured I make some."

"And you think he's trustworthy," Lenora asked, "Considering what he knows?"

"He hasn't said anything yet," Tyrion tells her, "So, possibly. For now at least."

0000000000

Jarred and Cass return to the Red Keep, wearing their clothes, but with damp hair and a bit of a stench from the lake, so they were hurrying before people started asking questions. Cass giggles a bit after Jarred makes a joke, but as they go to her room, they run into Joffrey and the Hound.

"Sister," Joffrey smirks, "I see you're back. And wet."

"We were exploring the Kingswood and found a lake nearby," Cass excused as she and Jarred continued walking.

"Ah," Joffrey continues, "So, you decided to go around in the dirty water like a peasant. Seems suited for you."

Cass gives an annoyed sigh, "If you mean taking in the beauty of nature? Yes. And now we are going to bed."

"Taking in nature," Joffrey scoffs as Cass and Jarred begin to walk past him, "You both reek of it. I wonder why, Ser Jarred."

"I was just with the princess for her protection in case she drowned, Your Grace," Jarred said, trying not to be seen as suspicious.

"Is that so," Joffrey smirks, "So, you both went to the lake together? A princess alone with her knight? How interesting. Makes me wonder."

Cass tried to continue walking, but Jarred stopped, "Wonder what exactly?"

Joffrey then gives a smirk while walking up to Jarred, who is taller than him but feels protected as the Hound is with them, "I'm just wondering if there was anything that happened between you and my dear sister during that time. She is known to be wild."

"Very funny, Joff," Cass tried to defuse the rising tension as Jarred began to bear a death glare.

"We were just enjoying our time in the woods," Jarred grumbles, "Perhaps you would like to do so for once. Maybe to hunt there?"

"And why would I when I have others to do for me," Joffrey laughs, "To look like a commoner such as yourself? Then again House Longwaters was founded by a commoner. A bastard, wasn't it."

"If you don't mind, Your Grace, we're very tired, so we need to go to bed," Cass quickly said as she tried to get Jarred to walk away, noticing his rising temper as Joffrey was insulting his family. Again.

"I'm sure he can take you to bed, sister." Joffrey laughs, causing Jarred to stop walking with anger rising, "He is your sworn shield after all. Protecting you with his sword. A smaller one."

Having enough of this, Jarred goes up to Joffrey in an angry tone, grabbing him by the arm, "Alright, you listen to me, you miserable cunt."

Jeffrey's eyes wide at this act, then practically growled, "What did you just say?

"It is best to let go of the King, Ser Jarred," the Hound threatened as he grabbed the hilt of his sword, ready to strike Jarred.

Cass was about to do something to stop what was going to happen, but then they heard a stern voice, "Jarred."

All looked behind themselves, seeing it was Lord Jonathor standing at the other end of the hall. "Is there a problem here?"

"Nothing, uncle," Cass said, "Just some tempers rising."

"Your son seems to not know his place," Joffrey screeched as if he was having a tantrum.

"Oh, I'm sure this is a misunderstanding," Jonathor claims as he walks his way to them, gently grabbing his son's arm, "Isn't it Jarred."

Jarred was about to say something, but seeing his father giving a stern look, he decided to follow his father's lead, "Yes."

"He should know his courtesies to the King, Lord Jonathor," Joffrey demanded like a child.

Jonathor bowed his head, "Of course, Your Grace. You are the King. Come, Jarred. It's getting late."

Still angry, Jarred reluctantly goes with his father. Cass apologizes as they leave.

Cass turns to his brother as the father and son leave, "Why do you have to do that?"

"Do what," Joffrey questions as if she asked something stupid.

"Insulting everyone at every turn," Cass asks again.

Joffrey then gives a smirk, "Because I can. Be grateful that I didn't order him dead."

He then turns to leave with the Hound following him, until Cass says, "Like you did with father's bastards." That caused Joffrey to look back at her as she asked, "Why? Why did you order it?"

"Because they were threats to my throne," Joffrey shrugs as if he didn't see anything wrong with it.

"What threat," Cass said, "Some of them were children. Babies even. Probably didn't even know who their father was."

"Doesn't matter," Joffrey said, "The king can do what he likes. And what is necessary. Like a real man."

It was then that Cass realized why he did it. She remembers the last words Robert told them before he died. How he should've taught Joffrey how to be a man. She remembers the hurt look Joffrey had from that and how much he always tried to live up to Robert's expectations in his own way, only to be denied every time.

"Joffrey," Cass calls out, making Joffrey sigh in annoyance while turning back to her again, "I know father hurt you. I know you never felt any love or approval from him. I mean, I had my own issues with him. But I don't go around lashing it out on everyone because of it. He's dead and I prefer my issues to die with him."

Joffrey didn't say anything. His eyes darted all around as Cass stayed where she was, hoping her words got through to him, but she couldn't tell as he turned to walk away, leaving her with her thoughts. She hoped she got through to him but could tell she didn't.

0000000000

Jonathor guides his son, who is still fuming, to his bed-chamber.

"He was insulting our family, again," Jarred said with anger, "And insulting Cass. I had to do something.

Once they were inside, Jonathor closed the door, "He's still the King despite our feelings for him."

"So, I just let him go and insult us no matter what we feel," Jarred exclaims, "You brought our family up to a powerful and influential house. How can you be so calm about it?"

Jonathor gives a sigh, trying to find a way for his son to understand. He then saw the cyvasse board game he and his wife had played earlier and had yet to finish. Then, a thought came to his mind. "Remember those times we played cyvasse together?"

Jarred gives a confused look, "What?"

"Cyvasse," Jonathor clarifies as he sits at the table, "You know, that game from Volantis?"

"W-w-what are you," Jarred tries to say, taken off guard by what his father is doing, "You want to play a game?"

Jonathor didn't say anything but gestured to his son to sit down. Still confused and dumbfounded by his father, Jarred sighs before sitting across from his father, who sets up the board.

"I remember how much trouble you got while playing this game," Jonathor said as he stared at the pieces, contemplating his first move.

"Well, it's hard to play it," Jarred japes.

"It's not hard," Jonathor said calmly, "It requires a lot of thought. The whole point is to take out your opponent's king piece." He then picks up his rabble piece, moving it one space forward.

"But there's so many rules to it," Jarred complains while moving his spearman one space forward.

"It's all about strategy," Jonathor lectures, "you need to know which movement to go to win."

"Right," Jarred rolled his eyes as they continued.

The game went on for some time, mainly because whenever it was Jonathor's turn, he always took time to think while Jarred impatiently moved his pieces quickly, mostly due to his annoyance with Joffrey and his father making him play the game. Soon an hour went by as Jonathor took most of Jarred's pieces while Jarred had only a few.

Once Jonathor took the trebuchet piece, Jarred sighed with frustration, "Father, it's been an hour. Can we stop?"

Jonathor held his hand up while staring at the board. After a few minutes, he took his elephant piece to take out the spearman. "Patience is key to winning the battle. Sometimes, it takes a long time; other times, it can be quick. You have to find ways to adapt to it and wait for the right moment."

"Right," Jarred mutters sarcastically while taking his dragon piece to take the elephant.

"That was a mistake," Jonathor said.

Jarred gives his father a confused look, "Why? The dragon piece can go anywhere with no penalty."

Looking at the board, Jonathor takes his trebuchet piece, "Yes but the trebuchet takes out the dragon. Which was your last one."

Jonathor moved the trebuchet one space to the dragon, which was four spaces away, but able to do a three-block attack, allowing Jonathor to take the dragon piece, causing Jarred to exhale in anger. "See what you did wrong. Instead of saving your last dragon, you used it too quickly and lost it. Now, what do you do?"

Seeing the pieces he had, Jarred had enough knowledge to know when he was beaten. "I guess I ended up losing."

"Yes," Jonathor answered, "The only piece you have to defend your king piece is your trebuchet which my dragon piece can take out. If you go too quickly and irrationally, you'll bring yourself ruin. Like Joffrey."

Jarred looks at his father with confusion, "What?"

"Rushing in and calling the King an obscene word," Jonathor clarifies, "You're lucky that he didn't order the Hound to take your head right then and there."

It was then Jarred realized that his father wasn't just playing a game, but giving him a lesson, "He was insulting our family. More times than I care to count."

"I assure you I am well aware," Jonathor said firmly, "But you can't go flailing around recklessly. Especially in the royal court with the King. Who obviously has no limit."

"So what was I supposed to do," Jarred asked, crossing his arms.

"Calmly ignore him," Jonathor said, "And wait for the right moment that won't cost you much."

"And when would that be," Jarred asked again.

"That's the lesson," Jonathor answers, "Finding the right time. Otherwise, you just might get yourself killed."

Jarred was still annoyed but started understanding what his father was saying. Then he remembers his mother's words not too long ago about doing things smart and carefully. "Alright. I understand."

"Good," Jonathor stood up from his seat so he could put his hand on his son's shoulder, "Besides, you're going to be a member of the Kingsguard soon. So, you need to know when to be at your place."

Jarred scoffs, knowing that if he follows through with his plans, he will be a Kingsguard knight for Joffrey. He always knew Joffrey was a prick, but taking the white cloak was a great honor, now he's been thinking if it's worth it or not with the way Joffrey is behaving. If he can take the white cloak at all since they gave Ser Barristan's old spot to the Hound. A man who's not even a knight. However, a thought came to his mind.

"Father," Jarred asks, "Did you ever hear from Ser Barristan?"

Jonathor gives a sympathetic look, "No, son. I haven't heard from him since he was dismissed. A foolish decision."

"You think so," Jarred asks, "Joffrey and Cersei said he was too old."

Jonathor responded, "If there's an old man in a position where men tend to die young, it's clear that he is more than suitable for that position."

Jarred hums in agreement, but nothing can be done about it now. "I just hope he's ok now."

"I'm sure he is," Jonathor said, knowing how much Jarred looked up to Ser Barristan the Bold. "Now it's getting late, and you need some sleep."

"Oh, right," Jarred said, realizing it was late at night.

"I suppose you and Cass lost track of time," Jonathor jokes, "Considering how she drags you around."

"I'm her sworn shield," Jarred reminds him, "I have to go everywhere with her."

"Even in a lake," Jonathor said, "From what I've heard between you and Joffrey."

Jarred gives an awkward nod, "Just making sure she didn't drown. You know how Cass is."

"hm. Yes," Jonathan said as he stared at his son, who shifted a bit before bidding him good night. As Jarred leaves, Jonathor secretly observes him and suspects something is happening between his son and Princess Cassana Baratheon at the lake, especially how Jarred acted when questioning it. Jonathan worries whatever happened between them will put his son's life in danger, so he decides to find out what occurred to be sure. Although he had a pretty good idea what.

Follow, favorite, and share your thoughts in the reviews.