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Cassana walks through the hallways until she comes across the chambers of the disgraced Grand Maester Pycelle, which has now been given to Maester Samurel. As another way to appease the Longwaters from his marriage trick, Tyrion offers to have their maester fill in the seat until the Citadel chooses another to fill the vacant seat permanently.

After knocking on the door, Cass enters the room to see that it is filled with medicine, books, and scrolls, along with a caged raven for messaging by the window. Master Samurel looks up from the desk as he is writing a letter.

"Princess," Samurel rises from his seat.

"Hello, Maester Samurel," Cass smiles politely, "I was wondering if you could help me?"

"Of course," Samurel tilts his head, "For what?"

Cass nervously shifts, "It's a bit… intimate."

"Alright," Samurel urges respectfully.

"Well," Cass begins to say, "I've been feeling a bit weird…. In a certain area…. below."

Samurel thinks about what she means until it dawns on him, "Oh. How is your flowering as of late?"

Cass tries to come up with an answer, "My last flowering was last week, but that's not the issue. I've been having discomfort. It's quite embarrassing."

"I understand," Samurel tries to make it easy for the princess, "Would you like me to give you an examination?"

"Could we do it in my chambers," Cass asked, "It's more private and comfortable for me."

"Of course," Samurel nods as he prepares his equipment for the examination.

After gathering all the necessary items, the old man and the young princess leave the room. Samurel locks the door behind them, and they start walking down the hallway. As they leave, Ceryse emerges from the corridor and tries to enter the room they just left. However, she finds it locked. Prepared for this scenario, Ceryse takes one of her hairpins out of her hair and easily unlocks the door. She enters the room and closes the door behind her. Ceryse searches the room for the lineage book that Jocelyn mentioned to her. According to Jocelyn, Ned Stark learns about Cersei's children from the book, so Cass believes it could provide some clues. Despite thinking the whole thing is ridiculous, Ceryse still helps the young princess since she would still do it without her help. She finds nothing, searching everywhere, including the desk, drawers, bookshelves, papers, and parchments.

After some more rummaging and failing, the girl decides to go to her friend after finishing the examination. "You didn't find it anywhere," Cass says as they sit facing each other at the windowsill in her bed chambers.

"No," Ceryse shakes her head, "I looked at the desks, the shelves, the drawers, nothing."

"So, I let an old man look up between my legs for this," Cass complains. Ceryse gives her an annoyed look. "Well, I'm sorry if I didn't find anything for your investigation," she says.

Cass rolls her eyes. "If only I could talk with Pycelle."

"Well, you can't. He's under guard," Ceryse tells her.

"You think Lenora would help," Cass then thinks.

Ceryse looks confused, "She will never help if you tell her why. Besides, I doubt she knows where the book is. That room was seized after Pycelle was arrested."

Cass thinks, "You don't think my mother has it."

"Why would you think that," Ceryse said, wondering how she came up with that idea.

"Because if she knows that's where Ned Stark got the idea about Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, then maybe she would've done something about it."

"Cass," Ceryse sighs, "That's a bit much, even for you."

"Only one way to find out," Cass gets up to go to her mother's room.

Ceryse didn't want to go but didn't want Cass to do this alone, so she went. The two girls go to the Queen's chambers, seeing it was empty. Quickly, the girls looked around to see if the book was anywhere.

It went on for a few minutes as Ceryse said, "Cass, it's not here. Can we go?"

"Hold on," Cass said as she went to the canopy bed and searched under the bed.

"You honestly think it would be under her bed," Ceryse said annoyedly.

Cass gets up from the bed, goes to the wardrobe, opens it, and looks inside frantically, "I don't know. It has to be here. Where else could it be?"

Seeing her friend getting frantic, Ceryse calms her down, "Cass, stop. It's not here. Ok? There's nothing here."

"It has to be," Cass digs in the drawers, becoming frantic.

"Even if you do, there's still no proof of your theory," Ceryse said, "It doesn't proof that Ned Stark believes it either or that your siblings are your uncle's children."

"It has to be here," Cass said before she froze.

Noticing this, Ceryse asked, "What? Did you find it?"

Cass slowly goes to the drawers and brings up the lineage book, showing that Cersei indeed has it, which causes Ceryse's eyes to widen.

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Not knowing what to do, the two girls return to Cass's room, sitting on the couch with the book on the table before them, staring at it.

"Ok," Ceryse starts, "She had the book. That doesn't mean anything."

"But why hide it in the drawers of her wardrobe," Cass argues.

Ceryse thinks of an answer, "Maybe… maybe…" but no answer comes.

Without a second thought, Cass opens the book, turning the pages quickly until she gets to the Baratheon section and reads the content, "Steffon Baratheon, black of hair, married to Cassana Estermont, brown of hair. Robert Baratheon black of hair, Stannis Baratheon black of hair, Hellen Baratheon black of hair, Renly Baratheon black of hair."

"Cass," Ceryse tries to ease her friend, who was tense as she read.

Ignoring her, Cass continues, "Robert Baratheon black of hair, married to Cersei Lannister golden hair, Cassana Baratheon black of hair….. Joffrey Baratheon golden hair, Myrcella Baratheon golden hair, Tommen Baratheon golden hair. Every child of a Baratheon before Joffrey had black hair, including me."

"That doesn't mean anything," Ceryse said, "It doesn't mean what you think about Joffrey and the others."

"Really," Cass challenges, pointing at the page that says Rhaella Targaryen, "Look, Ormund Baratheon, black of hair, married to Rhaella Targaryen, silver-gold hair. She was my great-grandmother with the Valyrian look, yet her son had black hair.

"Yes, but her own mother was Queen Betha Blackwood," Ceryse argues, "They called her Black Betha because she had dark hair and eyes. So it must have come from her too."

Cass thought momentarily, then turned the page, "Why don't we go see the Longwaters?"

Confused, Ceryse asked, "What?"

Not answering Cass flips until she sees the section for House Longwaters, "Jorgen Longwaters light blond of hair, married to Emilya Harte, red of hair, and their children: Jessar Longwaters light blond of hair, Terrance Longwaters light blond of hair, Dannia Longwaters light blonde of hair, Jonathor Longwaters light blond of hair, Jerika Longwaters light blond of hair, Anari Longwaters light blond of hair." Cass looks to Ceryse and says, "Lord Jonathor, his father, brothers, and sisters all had light blonde hair. And then he married Hellen." She goes back to the page, "Jonathor Longwaters light blonde of hair, married to Hellen Baratheon black of hair, Jarred Longwaters black of hair, Steffon Longwaters black of hair." Cass looks back to Cass, "Suddenly, after marrying my aunt Hellen, everyone born after that has black hair. How do you explain that?"

"That…" Ceryse tries to explain, but they both hear a knock at the door before she can.

Cass quickly hides the book under the couch before saying, "Come in."

The doors opened, revealing it to be Queen Cersei herself. "Cass, the carriage is waiting to take us to the Mud Gate."

"The Mud Gate," Cass repeats before remembering, "Oh, yes, Myrcella is leaving for Dorne. I'll be down in a minute."

"Alright," Cersei nods before noticing her daughter's demeanor, "Are you alright? You seem shaken."

"Um," Cass tries to come up with an excuse.

Ceryse, however, beats her to it, "She's just sad that her little sister is leaving for a long time, Your Grace."

"Hm," Cersei hums, "Well, you can thank your Uncle Tyrion and Aunt Lenora for that."

And with that, the Queen Regent left the room, closing the doors, leaving the two girls looking at each other with tension.

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Out on the docks of the Mud Gate in the midafternoon, the royal court all attended as Princess Myrcella Baratheon was on a ship with Ser Aerys Oakhart, leaving for Dorne for her betrothal to Prince Trystan Martell. The young princess was crying as she didn't want to go, but unfortunately, it was all decided as all watched her sail away with the High Septon blessing her travels.
Lenora, Tyrion, and Cersei were together watching the boat depart.

"One day, I pray you love someone," Cersei says to Tyrion while not taking her eyes off the boat, "I pray you love her so much that when you close your eyes, you see her face. I want that for you. I want you to truly know what it's like to love someone before I take her from you.

Tyrion turns to look at his older sister, who never broke her gaze from her daughter, and walks away without a word. Understanding how painful this must be for Cersei, Lenora tries to take her hand in comfort, only to have it swatted away by a bitter Cersei.

Close to Cersei and Lenora was Jarred, Cass, Ceryse, Ema, Jocelyn, and Sansa. Cass was watching her little sister leave and couldn't help but feel sad, wishing she had spent more time with her, but now she can't. Close to her were her brothers, Joffrey and Tommen, who began to cry, much to Joffrey's annoyance.

"You sound like a little cat mewling for his mother," Joffrey sneers with his arms crossed, "Princes don't cry."

"He's a boy, Joffrey," Cass glares at him before comforting her little brother.

Joffrey scoffs, "Boy indeed."

"I saw you cry," Sansa softly says.

Joffrey turns to her, "Did you say something, my lady?"

"My little brother cried when I left Winterfell," Sansa said.

Joffrey shrugs, "So?"

Sansa reluctantly said, "It seems a normal thing."

"Is your little brother a prince," Joffrey gives her an ugly look.

"No," Sansa said right away.

"Not relevant then, is it," Joffrey said.

"Well, I'm sure you're going to cry when I leave for marriage," Cass japes, annoyed by her brother's attitude.

Joffrey turns to her, "I'd be more than happy to get rid of you. Which seems very likely as of late."

Cass got confused by that comment, "What does that mean?"

Joffrey said nothing but smirked before turning to his sworn shield, "Come, dog."

Still confused by the comment, Cass turns to her friends, "What did he mean by that?"

Her friend shrugs their shoulders as everyone leaves for the Red Keep.
Soon, the royal court was now walking through the streets of King's Landing when passing by the Mud Gate for the carriages, but as they did, many common folks were lining up, spouting things.

"Hail Joffrey! Hail to the King," A commoner hailed.

"Seven blessings on you, Your Grace," Another said.

But then another voice was heard, "Murderer! Bastard!"

"Why are they saying these things," Jocelyn said, becoming afraid.

Lenora pulls her close, "Remember the other day. People were getting mad."

Soon, many voices could be heard, causing the royal entourage to feel uneasy.

"All hail the King."

"He's no king."

"He's a bastard!

"Please, Your Grace, we're hungry."

"Freak."

Jonathor brings his wife closer to him as everyone sees tension among the common folk, "I don't think we're safe here.

"What do we do," Hellen says, seeing the people becoming angry.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd points to Cass and Jarred, "There's the princess and her knight, the whore and oath breaker!"

"What," Cass looked confused, as did Jarred by what they had just witnessed.

"Have his manhood cut off," Another voice said.

Then another voice, "Behind her skirt as always."

Meanwhile, seeing the growing tension, Tyrion goes to Jarred and the rest of the guards, saying, "Get the prince, princess, and her ladies back to the Keep now."

"Yes, my lord," Jarred said before he and the guards went to the prince, princess, and ladies to take them somewhere safe.
The people kept calling out to Joffrey, begging for food, or giving insults, but he ignored them until he was hit in the face with a mudball. The Kingsguards draw their swords to defend the king.

"Who threw that," Joffrey demands, "I want the man who threw that. Find who did that and bring him to me!"

This seemed to rile up the common folk even more as soon they began throwing dirt at everyone. The Kingsguard comes to Joffrey's defense while the rest of the royal guard protects the court members as best they can until Joffrey violently declares, "Just kill them! Kill them all!"

It was this that the people went to a complete riot. Violence all around, people tearing each other apart, trying to get the king and the court members to kill them. The guards do their best to stop it, though they are struggling. Carrying his sword, Jonathor unsheathes it to defend his wife, who clung to him in fear. Jarred pulls his sword, striking and stabbing the savages to get to Cass and the girls who stuck together. Suddenly, Jocelyn was grabbed by one of the peasant folk men. She was screaming as Lenora attempted to keep a firm grip on her as Jarred came, slashing the man's arm with his blade and getting Jocelyn out of his grasp to safety. Joffrey continues to scream and kill them all, which makes the riot worse. There was too much chaos to think or keep track of everyone. Luckily, with much endurance, all could reach the safety of the Red Keep, leaving behind the riot on the other side of the walls.

Jonathor takes Hellen to a nearby crate, sitting her down as she tries to calm herself, "Are you alright?"

"I think," Hellen breathed as her skirt was torn. She then takes her husband's hand, seeing him breathing too heavily. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Jonathor assures her, although his breathing tells her otherwise as he begins to lean against the wall.

Hellen was about to say something until she saw her son coming in with some of the guards, bringing in Cass and her ladies as they rushed in, scared to death. She runs to her son, "Jarred?"

"I'm fine," Jarred said as his mother embraced him, a bit shaken by what he just endured.

Hellen then turns to Cass and her ladies, seeing that Jocelyn is crying with Lenora trying to console her and Cass, Cerise, and Ema comforting each other as they are terrified by what happened.

"I can't believe that happened," Ema breathes, "They were…"

"Like animals," Ceryse exclaims.

"Traitors," Joffrey declares, "I'll have all their heads."

This made Cass furious, "Their heads?! You think you can take their heads after what happened!"

"What do you expect from a blind fool," Tyrion exclaims.

"You can't insult me," Joffrey seethes at him.

Tyrion didn't care, "We've had vicious kings, and we've had idiot kings, but I don't know if we've ever been cursed with a vicious idiot for a king."

Joffrey tries to say, "You can't,"

Tyrion, however, says, "I can, I am."

Joffrey yells, "They attacked me!"

"They threw a cow pie at you, so you decided to kill them all," Tyrion yells back, "They're starving, you fool! All because of a war you started."

Joffrey yells again, "You're talking to a king!"

Tyrion then slaps him, "And now I've struck a king. Did my hand fall from my wrist?"

Cass looks around, seeing that Sansa is missing, "Where's Sansa? She's not here!"

"Let them have her," Joffrey exclaims.

"If she dies, you'll never get your Uncle Jaime back," Tyrion tells him, "You owe him quite a bit, you know."

"I'll go find her," Jarred said as he was about to go while his mother tried to stop him. However, it was not needed as seconds later, Sandor Clegane enters the Keep, carrying Sansa over his shoulder before setting her down with Cass and her ladies.

"Sansa," Cass tells her, "Are you ok?"

"Did they hurt you," Hellen asked as well as the girl shook her head, still in shock at what had happened.

"The little bird's bleeding," Sandor said, "Someone takes her back to her cage. See to that cut."

"Thank you, Sandor," Jarred said to the old man.

"I didn't do it for you," Sandor grumbles before walking away.

Cass and her friends stayed at Sansa's side, making sure she was ok, but a thought came to her mind, mainly about what the people in the crowd said. How they called her a whore and Jarred an oath breaker. What did they mean by that? She then begins to wonder if people know about the affair. Jocelyn knows, but she told her no one else knows.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her Aunt Hellen places her hand on her shoulder, so she decides to ask her, "Why did they call me a whore?"

Hellen tries to gather her thoughts, "I don't know." Although she did share a look with Jonathor, both looked to their son as they had a good idea of what the common people meant.

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At Harrenhal, Gerold Lannister looks around to ensure the holdfast runs smoothly with no mistakes. During one of the council meetings, one of the generals made a mistake by sending an army report to the wrong person, earning the ire of Lord Tywin.

Gerold continues overseeing everything on top of the walls until a soldier approaches him, "My lord. Your father commands your presence."

Nodding, Gerold follows the soldier to the council meeting room, where his father looks out the window.

"You summoned me, father," Gerold made his presence known.

"Yes," Tywin says, gesturing him to sit next to him, which he does, "You know from our reports that Robb Stark is currently invading our lands."

"Yes, I'm aware," Gerold said.

"So, we must devise a plan to stop him, and I believe your suggestion was most useful," Tywin said.

Gerold nods, "I'm glad I could contribute to the war effort in any way I can, Father."

"I know," Tywin sits beside him, "You have the determination. You got that from your mother, but now it's time to put it to use. We will be sending nearly 20,000 of our men down to the Trident. There, they'll meet up with Robb Stark's army with another on the other side, ramming him on both sides. You will take the lead on it."

Gerold's eyes widen because of this. First, his father had him as a war counselor, but now he's placing him in charge of an army.

Before he could say anything, his father continued, "You will have some of our commanders to give out sufficient strategies should you need them to provide you support and men. You will leave within the fortnight, so make yourself ready."

Still speechless, Gerold quickly nods, "I won't disappoint you."

Tywin looks at him with a stern look, "Do you know of the stories of your grandfather?"

Gerold stayed quiet to ponder for a moment, "Lord Tytos Lannister."

"What was he called," Tywin asked.

Gerold thought for a moment until an answer came. Knowing how much he hates his father's title, Gerold reluctantly said, "The Laughing Lion."

"Do you know why he was called that," Tywin said.

Gerold thinks for a moment, "Because he was jovial and…"

"He was weak," Tywin finishes, "He was trying too hard to be loved and favored; he did whatever anyone pleases him to do. Soon, people began laughing at him. And because of that, our house was no longer feared or respected but laughed at. And then the Reynes and the Tarbecks rebelled against us. And I brought it down and made them an example of the price of defiance. Now is your time to do the same. To remind the Starks who we are and what happens to enemies. Understood."

Gerold nods his head, "Yes."

"Good," Tywin nods back, "Now go. You have much to prepare for."

Gerold quickly gets up from the chair to prepare himself for the journey. He still couldn't believe it. His father placed him in charge of an army and told him to fight on the battlefield. This was the greatest honor his father could give him. But then another thought came to his mind: he was going to battle, meaning he would fight face-to-face with his enemies and kill them with his blade. He wonders if he could do it. Can he take the life of someone? Or worse, What if he dies? What if he is slain on the battlefield? What would his mother say of this or his sister? He then shakes those thoughts. He can't be afraid. He is a Lannister. The son of Lord Tywin Lannister, the Lord of Casterly Rock, The Great Lion of the Rock. He must do this and win.

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It was a couple of days after the riot. The events still shook everyone from being attacked by the savage common folk, while others were grateful that they escaped to safety within the Red Keep. Jonathor and Hellen were in their bed chamber with Maester Samurel, checking to see if they were ok, mostly Jonathor as his breathing worsened.

"You shouldn't have exerted yourself, my lord," Samurel told him while checking his breathing.

"My wife was in danger," Jonathor reminds him.

"But still," Hellen places her hand on his shoulder.

"But nothing," Jonathor ends the conversation, "It's over now anyways."

"I also wish to ask how your appetite is," Samurel said.

"His appetite," Hellen repeats.

Samurel looks to her, "Yes, my lady, I'm afraid that Lord Jonathor hasn't been eating well as of late."

"But I eat dinner with him every night," Hellen says.

"Yes, but he hasn't been eating much during the day," Samurel revealed, "Especially when you attend the small council meetings."

"Samurel," Jonathor glares at him to be quiet, then looks to his wife, "I just haven't been hungry like usual. It's nothing."

"But," Hellen tries to say.

"It's nothing," Jonathor cuts her off, "I'll eat more. I promise."

Just then, Jarred comes in, "Father, you wish to speak with me."

"Ah, yes, Jarred, come in," Jonathor said, turning to the old master, "We'll continue this later, Samuel."

"Yes, my lord," Samurel bows his head and leaves the room to give the family some privacy.

"Is everything ok," Jarred asked.

"Yes, just making sure we had no injuries from the riot the other day," Hellen excused, "We're both fine."

"We just wanted to speak to you about something important," Jonathor said as both parents stood before their son.

"Alright then," Jarred eyes his parents, unsure of their demeanor.

"Can you sit," Hellen gestures to him to sit down at one of the desk chairs she works at.

Obeying his parents, Jarred went to the chair as they both stood beside him, "Is everything alright?"

Jonathor tells him seriously, "This is something serious, and no one can know."

"We're going to ask you a question, and we want an honest answer," Hellen said sternly.

"Alright," Jarred shifts in his chair.

Jonathor stayed silent for a second until her finally asked, "Are you having an affair with Cassana?"

Jarred's eyes widen, saying in a small voice, "What?"

"Are you having an affair with Cassana," Jonathor repeats more firmly.

Jarred looked to his mother, who bore a severe look as they both waited for his answer. Not sure what to say, Jarred looks back and forth between his parents before slowly looking at the ground.

Jonathor took a pause, "I think we got our answer. How long?"

Jarred kept looking at the floor, "A few months."

Hellen covers her mouth while shaking her head, "How? How did this happen?"

Jarred stayed quiet. He was a young man in his twenties, but now he feels like a small child who got caught in trouble, wanting to wish this wasn't happening, "It just did."

"It just did. It just did," Hellen laments, "Is that all you have to say for yourself?"

Jarred stutters, trying to find the right words, but couldn't.

"Jarred," Jonathor begins to say, "We understand that while in your youth, you can make mistakes or do such things, but…. What you are doing is dangerous."

"They could execute you for what you and Cass did," Hellen said. "You and her. What if you have gotten her pregnant?"

"She wouldn't get pregnant. I made sure that I always stopped myself." Jarred was about to tell them the rest of the sentence but was too embarrassed to say it. He clears his throat before saying, "Before we finish. Besides, no one knows."

"It seems the common people know," Hellen said, "And so are the servants."

"What," Jarred asked.

"They've been whispering about you in the corridors," Hellen revealed, "Not only them but the court members. They gossip behind your back."

"If this gets to Joffrey, he won't think twice before taking your head," Jonathor said.

"How did they find out," Jarred asked with fear.

"Who knows how," Hellen said, "Is this affair…. Is there any feeling in it?"

"No," Jarred said. But then he went quiet since his and Cass's affair was for pleasure only, so he wasn't sure if it was better or worse.

"Then what kind of affair is it," Jonathor asked. Jarred stayed quiet, causing his parents to try harder, "What kind of affair is it?"

Jarred stayed quiet for a few more moments until finally saying, "F-for pleasure."

"Oh," Hellen sighs, turning away to gather her thoughts.

Jonathor stayed where he was, "Whatever is going on between you two is now over. For your safety and hers. Do you understand?" seeing his son silent, Jonathor repeated harshly, "Do you understand?"

"Yes," Jarred said, "Yes, I understand."

"Good," Hellen takes a deep breath, "I'm sure Cersei knows about the rumors and is going to great lengths to protect her daughter. We'll tell her that you're no longer Cass's sworn shield because of those rumors that are not true and are just being precautious for Cass's sake."

"Alright," Jarred said, agreeing that ending the affair is better before things worsen.

"It might just fan the flames," Jonathor tells her.

Hellen argues, "Well, it will happen whether we do this or not. Now, there is a council meeting I have to go to about the riot. Afterward, I will speak with her, and hopefully, it will end."

She then leaves the room hurriedly, leaving the father and son alone.

"I'm sorry," Jarred said in a soft voice.

Jonathor sighs, putting his hand on his son's shoulder, "I know. I understand this more than anyone."

Jarred looks up to his father, "You do?"

Jonathor looks at his son, "You might've been able to keep your affair a secret for months, but you and your mother were better at ours."

This caused Jarred's eyes to widen and jaw drop, "You….and…. mother?"

"Yeah," Jonathor confesses, "She was young, and I was weak for beautiful women."

Jarred stayed frozen, trying to comprehend what his father just told him. That was not the end, however, as Hellen was also a few days pregnant with Jarred before they got married, but Jonathor decided not to tell him that.

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Jocelyn was walking down the halls, trying to forget about earlier riots. It was terrifying when the man wanted to take her, but thankfully, Jarred was there to defend her. Lenora stayed with her for hours after that until the young girl said she was ok. Wanting to get her mind off things, Jocelyn decides to go snooping around like she does to hear the gossip the servants say. She goes to the part of the Red Keep where the servants stay to sleep and pass the time. She goes around the kitchen corridors where the maids and cooks get things ready for the court, hears some maids preparing food for tonight's dinner, and gossiping like they always do.

"I heard that the princess has been having an affair with Ser Jarred," one of the maids whispered loud enough for Jocelyn to hear while hiding in the corridor.

"Her sworn shield," the other maid whispered back.

"It's been going on for months," a third maid said.

"I hear she might even be pregnant," A fourth contributed to the gossip.

The second maid gasped, "But won't that be treason?"

"It should," the first maid said, "I heard the King speaking about it. Uttered from his lips."

"You think he would execute them," the fourth maid asked as Ceryse's eyes widened.

"Who knows," the third maid tells her, "He might."

Jocelyn's eyes widen by this. She knows about Cass and Jarred's affair, but it was because she saw them kissing one time in a hallway where they thought no one was looking. Knowing it could be bad, she never told anyone, but now people are discussing it.

Wanting to warn Cass, Jocelyn quickly leaves the corridor and runs down the halls of the Keep, trying to find Cass, but eventually, she runs into Ceryse.

"Jocelyn, what are you running around for," Ceryse stops her.

Jocelyn pants from running, "I need to talk to Cass. It's about her and Jarred."

"What? What about her and Jarred," Ceryse asked her calmly, hoping to relax her.

"Some of the servants were talking," Jocelyn gasped, "And they were talking about them having an affair."

Ceryse's eyes widened. "What?"

"They were saying that she was pregnant too and that it was treason," Jocelyn rants.

Seeing how scared the little girl was, Ceryse looked to see a bench at the wall and brought her there to sit, "Ok, Jocelyn, I need you to calm down and tell me what exactly you heard."

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Jarred and Cass were in her bed chamber, sitting on the couch, talking about their affair needing to end.

"So, for your sake and mine, I think this…. Needs to end," Jarred tries to find the right words to say.

"Of course," Cass nods, "I understand. Especially with your parents knowing. Oh gods, what is Aunt Hellen thinking of me now."

"Well, she said she knows how people our age can get caught up in things like this," Jarred explains, "So, I think she understands."

"I'm just glad they haven't told anyone else," Cass said, "But now everyone is talking about it. How did they find out? We were very careful, just like before."

"No idea," Jarred shrugs, wanting to know how all this happened. "I'm just sorry that this happened."

"So am I," Cass takes his hand into her, "I don't regret it, you know."

Jarred chuckles, "Neither do I. And I must admit, I'm going to miss the fun we had."

Cass giggles, "So will I."

Jarred smiles at her before slowly giving her a soft kiss on her lips. Cass was quick to kiss him back in return. They broke the kiss a bit before kissing each other again, with Jarred placing his hand on her cheek and her gripping the collar of his tunic as the kiss became passionate.

"One more time couldn't hurt right," Cass breathes as they kiss.

Jarred shrugs his shoulder, "I guess not."

Soon, Cass begins to climb on top of Jarred, and she takes off his tunic, rubbing her hands on his hard body.

Suddenly, they hear the door open, and a gasp is heard, causing the two to freeze and look to see it was Ceryse and Jocelyn, staring at them with wide eyes and the door open before Ceryse quickly closes the door again. Cass gets off of Jarred as panic consumes them both. They got caught. Everyone only speculates their affair was a rumor, but now Ceryse and Jocelyn know it's a fact. The two just stayed on the couch, frozen, not knowing what to do about what just happened.

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Ceryse was in her room, sitting at the chair of her vanity mirror, contemplating what she just saw. She saw Cass on top of Jarred, who was shirtless. She couldn't believe it. The rumors about them had just begun to spread in the Red Keep, and now Ceryse knows they are true. What is she to make of this? Who can she tell? What can she do? Her thoughts were interrupted as the door slowly opened, revealing it to Cass, who was nervously walking in.

The two friends stayed in tense silence before Cass asked softly, "Did Jocelyn see anything?"

"Did she see you on top of Jarred with his shirt off?" Ceryse asked. "She knew about you two for a while, so don't worry. I'll talk to her about it later."

Cass nods, fidgeting her fingers as Ceryse stares at her.

"You're a princess," Ceryse begins, "He's your sworn shield, a knight, and plans to be a knight for the Kingsguard. How did this happen?"

Cass's eyes wander around, trying to look at everything, but Ceryse says, "I don't know."

"You don't know," Ceryse stood up, "You don't know how you've been screwing Jarred?"

"We were just," Cass exclaims before stopping herself, "I have fun with him."

"Fun with him," Ceryse repeats, "What does that mean? What does that make him? Your whore?"

Suddenly, Cass quickly approaches Ceryse, pointing her finger at her face, "Be quiet! It's nothing like that!"

"Nothing like that," Ceryse begins to yell, "That's exactly what it is!"

Cass grabs Ceryse's head and covers her mouth to prevent her from yelling. "You think I'm just using him! I'm not! We did this before, a long time ago. I want it, and he wants it, too. And you know what else we do? We talk! We talk about our issues and people who pissed us off and rely on each other. So what does that make you? It makes you wrong, for once!" Ceryse struggles to break free from Cass's grasp while listening to her words. "Now, go to Jarred and promise him that you won't tell anyone anything because he has nothing to apologize for! Alright! Nothing!"

Ceryse stays until she pulls Cass's hand from her mouth, who proceeds to let her go as the two pants from the argument they went through.

Then Ceryse said, "I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"Really," Cass asked in a hopeful yet desperate tone.

Ceryse nods her head, "Yes. I know what happens if I do, and neither of you should die. But this can't keep going on."

"I know, I know," Cass said, "We talked about and agreed to end it before you walked in on us."

Ceryse's brow raised, "By taking his shirt off."

Cass gives a dry chuckle before leaning on the desk, "We were hoping for one last fling."

"Oh, one last fling," Ceryse leans beside the princess. The two stayed silent until Ceryse began to ask, "How was he anyway?"

Cass furrows her brows, "How was he?"

"Yeah, I mean," Ceryse tries to say, "When you both were… you know."

Cass's eyes widened, realizing what she was asking: "Oh. Um… He was good. Very good."

"Really," Ceryse asked before Cass nodded her head, "Is he…big?"

"Big," Cass asked, not understanding the question.

"Down there," Ceryse urges, trying to get Cass to understand.

Once she realized what she was asking, Cass laughed, "What? Why do you want to know that?"

"Well, the rest of us don't have the luxury you had, so," Ceryse begins to laugh, "Just curiosity."

Cass tries to contain her laughter, "H-he-es…. Big enough."

Ceryse laughs harder, and Cass joins her as they become more relaxed. That is until the door opens, revealing himself to be Ser Meryn with a severe look. "Princess, His Grace the King demands your presence in the throne room."

Cass raises a brow, "Demands." Ser Meryn nods his head. "Alright then."

Cass gets up from the couch and follows the knight out of the room as they go to the throne room. As they are walking, Cass passes by many court members who are staring at her and whispering to each other. No doubt the rumors of her and Jarred have spread, which makes the princess nervous until they finally reach the grand doors of the throne room, filled with courtiers all staring at her while Joffrey sits on his throne with the crown on his head and a smirk on his face. Cass looks at the gallery room, seeing her friends Jocelyn, Ema, Sansa, Lenora, and Ceryse, who just joined them, at the gallery balcony. Her mother and uncle, Cersei and Tyrion, stand at the throne steps with a nervous look, but what gets Cass's attention is her uncle Jonathor and Aunt Hellen with worried looks, standing with the crowd with some of their people but without Jarred.

Once before the Iron Throne, Cass looked at her mother and said, "Mother, what's going on?"

Before Cersei could answer, Joffrey spoke so smugly, "Dear sister. It seems there have been rumors about you. That you took Ser Jarred to your bed."

Cass eyes at her brother, "Is that why I'm here? Over baseless rumors?"

"Treacherous rumors," Joffrey corrects, "About a princess of royal blood and her sworn shield."

Just then, the doors open again, revealing Jarred, who was dragged in by two Kingsguard Knights, Ser Mandon Morre and Balon Swann. He tried to get out of their grasp, but to no avail, since he had chains on his wrists. Once they got to the throne, the Kingsguard Knights threw him to the floor as Cass looked at him with wide eyes.

She turns to her brother, "What are you doing?"

"As I said," Joffrey said smugly, "There are rumors about you and Ser Jarred."

"Rumors that are unfounded," Cass urges, "And you didn't have to bring Jarred into it."

"I'm afraid I do," Joffrey scoffs.

"Don't worry, Cass, I'm alright," Jarred tries to say until Ser Balon Swann strikes his fist to his face, causing the young knight to fall to the floor in pain. The courtiers gasped a bit with Hellen trying to go to her son, but Jonathor stopped her, knowing they could do nothing.

"Don't hurt him," Cass exclaims.

"Your Grace, Ser Jarred is still a respected member of the court," Tyrion stated, "You should at least show some courtesy to him and his family."

"Why should I with the crimes he might have committed," Joffrey mocked, "Which seems to be true since it is clear my dear sister cares for him."

"Don't you," Cass challenges him, taking a few steps forward, "He's our cousin and intends to be a knight within your Kingsguard."

"Why would I wish to be protected by a treasonous, disgraced knight who sullied a princess," Joffrey waves off.

"He didn't do anything," Cass begs, "The rumors are nothing but lies."

"So you say," Joffrey said, "But these rumors are treasonous, and someone must die for it."

"That might not be necessary, Your Grace," Cersei said, "We may not know the truth of these lies, and your sister has insisted on her innocence."

"No, she hasn't," Joffrey denies, "She just said that Jarred is innocent but hasn't confirmed she's still a maiden."

"I am," Cass fiercely says.

"That's not what the servants and courtiers are saying," Joffrey tells her.

"They're lying," Cass insists.

"Are they," Joffrey says, "Because they'd know the consequences of treason, just like you'd know the consequence for you is your head on a spike."

"One cannot pass a sentence before a trial has been made," Tyrion reminds the King, "If there is any truth in these lies, we should hold a trial to confirm it."

"I don't want a trial," Joffrey barks at his uncle.

"These are serious charges," Tyrion says, "You can't deny someone a trial, you idiot."

"I am the King," Joffrey rose from his seat, "I can do what I like."

Hearing enough of this, Jonathor said, "If you intend to act, you should know that the crown will lose the support of House Longwaters and the fleet of ships we have provided."

"An act of treason, Lord Jonathor," Joffrey accused, "Then I suppose you would be joining your son and my sister to the executioner's block."

Still on the floor, Jarred sees Joffrey threatening him, his family, and Cass, all because of his actions. He doesn't know who made these rumors, but he has to do something to stop this since this was his fault. And he knows that even if there is a trial, Joffrey will make it a farce. So, he gets up and proclaims, "We don't need a trial, my lords," gaining the attention of everyone, "There is no need to drag this any longer, not when there is another way to prove the princess and my innocence. Your Grace. To defend my innocence and the honor and virtue of the princess… I demand a trial by combat."

This shocked everyone at the court, especially Cass. All were whispering and muttering to each other; Jonathor and Hellen gave him looks of shock as if he was mad, and Cass looked at him with fear as if he might die from this demand. However, Jarred kept looking at Joffrey, who stared at him with a death glare. As custom and tradition, no one can deny a knight a trial by combat.

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