King's Landing, The Red Keep - 128 AC
As I settled into the warmth of my sister's company, a genuine smile stretched across my face. We were gathered in our cozy family parlor, the room alive with the vibrant energy of reunion. The hearth crackled with a welcoming fire, and the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter that filled the space. For once, the world outside seemed far away, and all that mattered was the joy of being with my sisters again.
I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. "You know," I began, "Highgarden was as beautiful as ever. The gardens are just as lush, the flowers blooming in every color you can imagine. I've missed that place." I looked at Ellyn and Maris, their faces lit with curiosity as they leaned in. "I was there with Father for the treaty negotiations. You know how the Reach always seemed to have the better end of the bargain? Well, I finally got to do something about it."
Ellyn's eyes sparkled. "Really? What happened?"
I chuckled, feeling the familiar rush of pride. "Oh, it was quite the experience. I spent days pouring over documents and records, finding out that the Reach had been getting the better end of the trade for years. I brought it up with Father, and together we made sure the treaty was revised. We got more equitable terms for Stormlands. Father was so proud of me. He said I'd made him proud and that I was growing into my role as the future Lady Regent of House Baratheon."
Maris clapped her hands excitedly. "That's amazing, Cassandra! I always knew you had a knack for this kind of thing."
I beamed, feeling the warmth of their praise. "Thank you, Maris. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it. And speaking of hard work, what about you two? I heard from Mother that you spent your time at Driftmark learning from Princess Rhaenys."
Ellyn's face lit up as she started recounting her adventures. "Oh, yes! The port of Driftmark is something to see. Ships from all over Westeros and even from the Free Cities of Essos come and go. It's so lively and bustling there. We learned so much about trade and diplomacy."
Maris nodded enthusiastically. "And the people we met! From merchants to diplomats, everyone had a story to tell. It was like stepping into another world. I loved learning about how the different regions interact with each other."
I laughed, feeling a pang of envy mixed with joy for them. "That sounds like such an incredible experience. I can't wait to hear more about it."
We chatted back and forth, catching up on everything we had missed. Our laughter filled the room, a beautiful contrast to the weighty discussions of politics and treaties. I loved hearing about their experiences, and I found myself daydreaming about the day when I would get to visit Driftmark myself.
Eventually, our conversation turned to Floris, who had been listening with a mix of impatience and excitement. "So, Floris," I said, "what's been going on with you?"
Floris's eyes sparkled as she sat up straighter, clearly eager to share her news. "Mother finally saw reason!" she announced, her voice bubbling with excitement. "After a long conversation with Princess Lucerys, she agreed to let Father send a letter to the Eyrie accepting the betrothal agreement between Joffrey Arryn and me."
Ellyn and Maris exchanged impressed glances, and I felt a surge of pride for my youngest sister. "That's wonderful news, Floris!" I said, reaching over to give her a quick hug. "You must be thrilled."
Floris nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I am! It's going to be such an honor to become the wife of a future Lord Paramount. But Mother said we won't be wed until I'm at least six and ten namedays. I'm looking forward to it, though. Joffrey seems like a good match."
I could see the hope and happiness in her eyes, and it made me smile. "I'm sure it will be a wonderful match. Joffrey is a fine young man, and I know you'll make a great Lady of the Eyrie."
The conversation flowed easily from there, filled with stories and dreams about the future. We talked about our hopes for the future, for our family, and for ourselves. The laughter came easily, and for a while, the weight of the world outside our little room seemed to lift.
Once the tea and snacks were over, Maris, Ellyn, and Floris departed, leaving me in the serene aftermath of our reunion. I stood up, intending to check on the nursery and see Orys. Just as I reached for the doorknob, I heard something fall on the other side. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Instinct took over, and I silently pulled the dagger I always kept hidden beneath my skirt. I also grabbed the teapot, still warm from our tea.
With a deep breath, I threw the door open, catching the assailants inside by surprise. My mind barely registered their faces before I hurled the scalding hot water from the teapot into the face of one of them. His scream of agony filled the air as he clutched his face and dropped to his knees. I didn't hesitate. I lunged at him, my body colliding with his, and we both tumbled to the floor. The force of the fall sent a shockwave of pain through me, but I ignored it, focusing solely on my son's safety.
The scene was a mess of flailing limbs and chaotic movement. My hand, still clutching the dagger, moved almost on its own. I stabbed him in the neck, once, twice, seven times. The sensation of the blade piercing flesh was sickening, and his blood spurted out, warm and sticky, covering my hands and dress. Each thrust felt like a lifetime, a moment suspended in horror and desperation. My breath came in ragged gasps, mixing with his dying groans.
I stood on trembling legs, my entire body shaking with adrenaline and fear. I scooped up Orys, who had begun to wail, his cries piercing through the chaos. His little face was scrunched in terror, and my heart broke seeing his distress. I had to get him to safety, had to protect him from whatever threat lurked around the corner.
I bolted from the room, my heart pounding furiously as I ran through the corridors. The fear for my son's life was overwhelming, driving me forward with a single-minded determination. Every shadow seemed a threat, every distant sound a potential danger. My thoughts were a whirlwind of panic and dread, imagining hands reaching out to snatch Orys from me.
The corridors stretched endlessly, the walls closing in around me as I sprinted, clutching Orys tightly to my chest. My lungs burned, my legs ached, but I didn't dare slow down. The terror coursing through me made every step feel like running for my life. I glanced back once, seeing nothing but empty hallways, but the fear didn't abate.
I only stopped when I crashed into my father.
"Cassandra!" Borros' eyes widened in horror as he took in my blood-soaked dress and the frantic look in my eyes. "What happened?"
"S-someone...someone tried to kill Orys," I sobbed, clutching my son tightly to my chest. The realization of what I had just done, the danger we had narrowly escaped, hit me all at once. My knees buckled, and I would have fallen if not for my father's strong grip.
Borros' expression transformed from shock to a fury I had never seen before. His face twisted with a rage that embodied the words of our house, "Ours is the Fury." He shouted orders, his voice booming through the corridors, summoning guards and demanding answers. The world around me became a blur of movement and noise.
My mother appeared, her face etched with worry, and she pulled me away from the chaos, guiding me to the safety of another room. Grand Maester Gerardys was there, his hands gentle but firm as he checked me over for injuries. My mother tried to comfort me, her voice soothing, but I couldn't focus on her words. The weight of what had happened, the sheer terror of nearly losing my son, pressed down on me like a physical burden.
As I held Orys close, feeling the steady rise and fall of his tiny chest, I knew one thing for certain: I would do anything to keep him safe. My son was alive, and that was all that mattered. The adrenaline slowly began to fade, leaving behind a bone-deep exhaustion and the faint echoes of my father's rage. The details of what happened next were a blur, lost in the haze of fear and relief.
All I knew was that I had saved my son, and that was all I needed to know.
I only startled out of my trance when I felt the familiar arms of Aegon wrap around me. Aegon, my best friend and the father of my son, was here. His face was a mix of fury and worry as he gently cradled Orys' head. He kissed my forehead, and all the fear and adrenaline that had been holding me together dissolved. I allowed myself to cry, my tears soaking his tunic as he held me close.
Aegon's arms around me, Orys nestled between us, created a small haven of safety amidst the chaos. His strength was my anchor, and I clung to him until my sobs subsided. When I finally calmed down, I looked around and noticed the room was filled with every Baratheon, plus Selwyn and Ralph. Selwyn had Maris in his arms, and Ralph held Ellyn's hand. Baratheon guards stood inside and outside, a protective barrier against further threats.
My father was nowhere to be seen. I turned to my mother, seeking answers. Mother smiled tearfully at me, holding Floris in her arms. "Your father is with the Golden Cloaks and Princess Rhaenyra, trying to find out how this happened," she explained softly.
Aegon took a deep breath and continued, "My siblings and niece and nephews are with Princess Rhaenys in the Velaryon quarters, being guarded by Driftmark guards." He paused, his expression darkening. "The man you killed was Ser Myles Hightower, and the one whose face you burned was Ser Bryndon Hightower. Bryndon confessed that Lord Hobert Hightower sent them to kill Orys and you, so I would be free to marry a Valyrian bride. All this while Otto Hightower was scheming to put Aemond on the Iron Throne, now that I've given up my claim as a Targaryen."
"They've all been arrested and sent to the Black Cells," Aegon continued, his voice seething with anger. "But there's still the question of how they managed to sneak into the Royal Nursery with weapons."
A fury burned within me, fierce and consuming. The urge to climb onto Aegon's dragon and command Sunfyre to burn Old Town to the ground was overwhelming. I wanted them to pay for what they had tried to do, for the terror they had inflicted on my family. But I knew my father would ensure justice was served. His wrath would be swift and merciless.
So, I focused on the babe in my arms, feeling his small, warm body against mine. Orys had stopped crying, his tiny fingers clutching my dress. I looked into his innocent eyes and knew that everything I did, every fight I fought, was for him. The fury simmered beneath the surface, but my priority was my son's safety. I would protect him with everything I had, and no one would ever threaten him again.
Aegon held me tighter, as if sensing my thoughts. "We will make them pay, Cass," he whispered fiercely. "But right now, let's make sure Orys is safe."
I nodded, holding Orys closer. My heart still pounded with the fear of what could have happened, but I drew strength from Aegon's presence and the knowledge that my family was here, standing together against any threat. The fury would drive me, but my love for my son would guide me.
Aegon's arms were warm and strong, and I buried my face in his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat. It grounded me, pulling me back from the edge of panic. Orys squirmed between us, his tiny hands clutching at Aegon's tunic, his eyes wide and curious. He had no idea how close he had come to danger, and I was determined to keep it that way. My tears subsided, replaced by a steely resolve. I would protect my son with every ounce of my being.
I looked around the room, taking in the faces of my family. Maris and Ellyn were clinging to Selwyn and Ralph, their eyes wide with fear and confusion. Floris, in our mother's arms, looked equally frightened. The Baratheon guards stood resolute, their hands on their swords, ready to defend us. The room felt like a fortress, a bastion of safety in the midst of chaos.
Mother's smile was sad but proud as she held Floris close. "We will get through this, Cassandra," she said, her voice firm. "We are Baratheons. We do not break."
Aegon's hand tightened on my shoulder, his eyes fierce. "Cass, you were incredible. You saved Orys. You did what you had to do."
I nodded, though my mind was still reeling. The image of Ser Myles Hightower's face, twisted in pain, flashed in my mind. I had acted on instinct, driven by the primal need to protect my child. The memory of the blood, the hot, metallic smell, and the way his body had gone limp beneath me, was seared into my mind. I had never taken a life before, and the reality of it settled heavy in my chest.
But I could not afford to dwell on it now. There was too much at stake. My family needed me to be strong, and I needed to be strong for Orys. I took a deep breath, pushing the horrific images to the back of my mind.
Just then, the door opened, and my father entered the room, flanked by Princess Rhaenyra and several Golden Cloaks. His face was a mask of controlled fury, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. He crossed the room in three swift strides and pulled me into a tight embrace, Orys squished between us.
"You did well, my daughter," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "You protected your son. You protected our family."
Rhaenyra stepped forward, her eyes kind but resolute. "Cassandra, your bravery will not go unnoticed. We will ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I was not alone in this. My family, my friends, and my allies were here, standing with me. We would face this threat together, and we would emerge stronger for it.
Aegon placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, his eyes filled with love and determination. "We will get through this, Cass. We will make them pay for what they tried to do. But first, we will make sure you and Orys are safe."
I looked around at my family, drawing strength from their presence. We were Baratheons, and we would not be broken. We would stand together, protect each other, and fight for our future. And I would do whatever it took to keep my son safe.
