Chapter 8

Casterly Rock, 4 years earlier

"So," Tywin said and looked at his daughter. "Your thoughts?"

Serafina was sitting in Tywin's study; she seemed to be concentrated on her embroidery. Tywin had just met a merchant who had asked for a loan.

"I would loan him the gold," she replied, still keeping her eyes on her embroidery.

"Why is that?"

She looked up.

"Because I think his plan was good and realistic. Also I think he is a smart man who wouldn't ask for a loan, especially from you, if he wouldn't be sure that he can pay it back."

Tywin nodded approvingly.

"What else?"

"He loves his wife and he wouldn't take any unnecessary risks."

Tywin raised an eyebrow.

"What makes you think that he loves his wife?"

"That little smile when you asked him how she was. And there was fondness in his voice when he answered."

"Ah. Very good. So you believe that I would likely get my gold back?"

"Yes, with good interest."

Tywin had reached the same conclusion. He was very pleased with his daughter, Serafina was a smart girl. It was a pity indeed that she wasn't a boy. Yet Tywin often let her stay in his study during all kinds of negotiations. He was curious to hear her thoughts; she was nothing like the most 13-years-old girls.

When Cersei had been 13, she had thrown temper tantrums and complained all the time. Serafina didn't complain, she was calm and quiet. She didn't giggle and gossip with other noble girls. And she didn't live in some fairytale world, dreaming about a perfect husband. Most girls only wanted their husband to be handsome, but not Serafina.

Tywin had asked her once what kind of a man she would like to marry and she had said a smart man. That was an excellent answer. Thankfully the girl was nothing like her mother or most women. There was no drama or hysteria, only calm rationality. Tywin liked that very much. None of his other children had never really appreciated his efforts to teach them, but Serafina did.

Tywin had big plans for her; she would be an excellent wife to a man who would be smart enough to appreciate her. Who that man would be then, that Tywin hadn't decided yet. There were few good choices, Prince Doran or his son Trystane of House Martell or perhaps Ser Loras Tyrell. Then there was of course the North. Serafina could marry the heir of Eddard Stark.

Any one of these unions would benefit House Lannister. Still Tywin had to admit that he was glad Serafina wasn't old enough yet. He wanted to keep her with him as long as he could. That was something he would have never admitted to anyone, but the truth was that he was quite fond of his daughter.

Serafina followed Robb Stark silently to his tent. Seeing her brother like that had upset her, but she hid her feelings. She wanted to ask Lord Stark would he allow her to help Jaime to clean himself up, but she had learned from her mistake last night. She couldn't mention Jaime to him, no matter how worried she was.

At least Jaime was alive and he had been given food and water. And he hadn't seemed to be injured. Thankfully she wasn't injured either, for some reason Robb Stark hadn't touched her. Was he playing some kind of game with her? Probably. She most certainly shouldn't be relieved or think for a moment that she would be safe.

"So, are you satisfied, my lady?" he inquired when they were in the tent.

"Your Grace?" she asked cautiously.

He turned to look at her and crossed his arms.

"You saw your brother, are you satisfied?"

"Yes," she replied quietly. "I am grateful for your mercifulness, Your Grace."

He smiled.

"Somehow I doubt that. I'm guessing you feel I should arrange your brother a bed that would fit for a king and serve his food on golden plates."

"No, Your Grace, I don't think that."

"What do you think then?"

She considered her words for a moment before replying.

"I understand your contempt toward my family, but would it be possible to offer my brother a chance to wash himself and perhaps even some clean clothes?"

He stared at her piercingly.

"Tell me, would your brother do the same for his prisoners?"

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "My brother has his faults, but…"

"Yes, he most certainly does," Lord Stark snorted. "And I can guarantee you that he is being treated much better than he would deserve."

She nodded and bowed her head.

"I understand. Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace."

Serafina felt tired, she only hoped to be home in her chamber. That was the only place where she didn't have to be what someone else wanted her to be, she could take her mask off and just be her. Unfortunately "just her" was never enough for anyone. Right now she only wanted to survive and if that meant crawling in front of Robb Stark, then she would do it.

King's Landing

Tywin stared at the message that had just been delivered to him. Robb Stark's men had captured Serafina. How was this possible? How had they known that she was coming here? Tywin would most certainly find that out. He shouldn't have summoned her here; she would have been safe in Casterly Rock.

He pressed his lips together and forced himself to calm down. He needed to start the negotiations in order to free her as soon as possible. When Jaime had been captured, he had of course worried about his safety, but the whole matter was very different to a woman. He refused to think about what might have happened to her in a camp full of men. Full of men who despised her family.

He could only hope that the Stark boy had been smart enough to stop his men from touching her. Surely he understood how much more valuable she was untouched. What if he hadn't cared about that? What if…? No. Serafina was smart; Tywin believed that she had found a way to handle the Stark boy. She knew how to protect herself, he had taught her himself. She was his daughter, a true Lannister. Whatever would happen, she would find a way to survive.