Chapter 4

King's Landing, 2 years ago

"What is she doing with him?" Cersei huffed.

She and Jaime were standing on the balcony, watching their little sister walking in the garden with Varys.

"I would imagine she is looking for a way to escape," Jaime replied. "He is probably boring the poor girl to death."

"He wants something from her," Cersei stated. "Probably hopes she babbles something important."

"I don't think…"

"Oh, come on, Jaime," Cersei snorted. "We both know she is not exactly smart."

"She is just a child."

"She is fifteen, she could be married already. I don't understand why father hasn't started finding her a husband."

Jaime glanced at Cersei disapprovingly.

"I think she is too young. Surely you recall how little you enjoyed getting married."

"That's different; I wasn't as…simple as her. Besides, I think father will be relieved when she doesn't follow him around anymore."

Jaime picked up on the hint of annoyance in Cersei's voice and understood the problem. Their father was giving too much attention to their little sister. Jaime had to admit that he had wondered about that himself. Their father had never been warm or loving, and he wasn't like that with Serafina either, but he did spend a lot of time with her and often took her with him when he traveled.

"Well," Jaime stated. "I better go and save her from the Spider."

As he approached Serafina and Varys, he noticed that she didn't seem bored at all; they were in the middle of a conversation.

"Ser Jaime," Varys greeted him politely.

"Taking a little afternoon walk?" Jaime stated.

Varys smiled; his smile had always annoyed Jaime. Well, pretty much everything about Varys annoyed him; Jaime didn't trust Master of Whisperers at all. Unfortunately, the Spider was a necessary evil.

"I had the pleasure of keeping Lady Serafina company," Varys replied. "Your sister is a delightful young lady."

"Yes, she is," Jaime huffed. "Would you excuse us? I need to speak to her."

"Of course." Varys paused and bowed briefly to Serafina. "Thank you for the walk, my lady."

"The pleasure was mine," Serafina replied.

"You're welcome," Jaime said after Varys had left.

Serafina seemed confused.

"What?"

"I doubt that you really enjoyed spending time with Varys."

"I did actually."

Jaime stared at her disbelievingly.

"You can't be serious."

"Why not? He is an intelligent man."

"He's a vulture," Jaime snorted. "I hope you don't think that you can trust him."

Serafina smiled.

"I am not that naive, brother. I simply enjoy talking with him. I wouldn't mind marrying a man like him."

Jaime's eyes widened before he burst into laughter.

"Oh, my dear sister, you do know that he's a eunuch?"

"Yes, I know. I meant a man as smart as him."

"And as bald and as sturdy as him?" Jaime teased.

Serafina shrugged.

"Those things wouldn't bother me if the man had the right kind of personality."

"Really? What kind of personality should he have?" Jaime asked curiously.

"Well… I would prefer someone who is not a violent drunkard."

Jaime frowned.

"Surely you know that father wouldn't give you to a man like that."

"He would if it benefited our family enough," Serafina replied dryly.

That was true. Jaime leaned towards his sister and put his hand on her shoulder.

"If any man ever lays a hand on you, I promise I will make him pay."

Serafina smiled.

"Thank you, brother, but you do not have to worry. I can take care of myself."


Serafina sat at the table with the King in the North. She was hungry, but she couldn't focus on the food. She needed to concentrate on giving him the right kind of impression. Her eating shouldn't look too fancy, but still graceful enough. It was a small detail, but she had learned the importance of details. Her survival could depend on those. Hopefully she had read him right so far.

She didn't believe he was a rapist, but she couldn't be entirely certain. What she knew for certain was that many of his men wouldn't hesitate to rape her if given the opportunity. She needed to ensure their king liked her enough to want to protect her. That wouldn't be easy, but it wasn't impossible either.

Reading people was something she was very good at, a skill that had served her well so far. As a child, she understood what her father wanted her to be, and she tried her hardest to fulfill all his expectations. Calm, rational, obedient. She had never complained or threw tantrums. Instead, she showed genuine interest in everything her father taught her.

He had appreciated her efforts so much that, eventually, he even asked her opinion on some matters and expressed that he didn't find her company unpleasant. Serafina had managed to earn a modicum of affection from him; he valued intelligence. Her sister, however, thought she was stupid, and that was exactly the impression Serafina intended to give. Stupid meant harmless, and she certainly didn't want to attract Cersei's attention. Serafina had observed firsthand just how nasty her sister could be.

Jaime she liked, but he was too blind to see Cersei's faults. Or maybe they just didn't bother him. She had nothing against Tyrion, but they weren't very close, mostly because of their father. Tywin had made it cleat that he didn't want Serafina to spend time with Tyrion, so she hadn't. In the end it was her father who decided her future, so she needed to stay on his good side.

Sometimes it all felt like an endless game she was forced to play. She really couldn't be just herself with anyone. Right now, she needed to figure out who Robb Stark wanted her to be. A helpless little lady? A shy maiden? A simple noble girl? Most men didn't appreciate a smart woman, but she didn't think that he would like a too stupid woman either. Certainly not an arrogant princess; he was from the North.

He seemed like a dominant man and he hated her family, so she guessed that he wanted her to be somewhat submissive. Maybe he wanted to see fear and tears. Maybe he wanted to hurt her. If that was the case, then she would just have to deal with it. She needed to fight for her survival harder than ever before.