𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 | Advice

{ Joffrey }

✧✦✧

𝕰arly morning sunlight filtered through the curtains and onto Lyra's face, as Joffrey traced her lips with his thumb, smiling as her eyes began to flutter open.

"Morning, My Love," Lyra grinned, like a cat who had got the cream, before curling further into Joffrey as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "It's time for us to get up."

"If we must," She mumbled, yawning as she rolled off of the large bed and headed towards the bell that summoned Arah and Rolan, Elia padding along beside her. Joffrey smiled as he watched her, though his eyes lingered on his wife's stomach.

"Morning, Rolan," Joffrey called, as the manservant appeared through the service corridors, bowing to the pair quickly.

"Good morning, Your Grace," Rolan pulled some clothes out for the man.

"Your Grace," Arah called, giving him a short curtsy, before hurrying to Lyra's side to prepare her for the day ahead.

"What is our agenda today?" Joffrey asked, pulling his dark jacket over the top of his white shirt, and pressing a kiss to Lyra's head as she yawned once more.

"Lord Varys would like to speak to you this morning, preferably as soon as possible. You then have a meeting with the Hand about the Iron Bank and when the execution of Lord Tyrion should be held. Queen Lyra has a meeting with the Lady Margaery after lunch," Rolan told the two rulers. Lyra grinned as she appeared in a golden dress, which was made of a floaty material that shimmered as she walked.

"I do not envy you, Joff," Lyra smiled, sitting in front of the vanity.

"We shall break our fasts in our room. Lord Varys can come to meet us here," Joffrey called, waiting for Rolan and Arah to walk out, before he took the brush from Lyra's hand and began to un-tangle her hair and re-braid it in the traditional Northern braids that Lyra had taught him close to a year ago.

"Perfect, Joff," Lyra grinned, tilting her head back so that Joffrey could lean down and press a kiss to her lips. She smiled, breaking into laughter as Joffrey rolled his eyes at his wife. "You are a natural. If we have a girl, I bet that she will go to you to get her hair braided instead of coming to me."

Joffrey smiled to himself at the thought of a little girl, a mix of him and Lyra, running around and sitting in his lap as she waited for him to braid his hair. He liked the idea of it.

Arah returned moments later, snapping Joffrey out of his daydream, with two other serving girls and began to put foods onto the table in front of the two rulers.

Helping themselves to slices of toasted bread and apples, Lyra and Joffrey began to eat, neither feeling the need to talk to one another.  Occasionally, one of them would throw a piece of bacon into the air for Elia to snap up when her pawing at their legs became too much. They were coming to the end of their breakfast, when a knock came on their door.

"Enter," Joffrey called, as he put down his slice of toast. Tylar opened it for the man standing behind him, nodding at Lyra and Joffrey. "Lord Varys. Do come in."

The older lord stepped into the room, smiling when he saw that both Lyra and Joffrey were present.

"Your Grace, Your Grace," Varys bowed to the both of them, as Rolan pulled a seat out for the man and Arah set another place at the table in case he wanted to eat.

"Good morning, Lord Varys, how are you today?" Lyra asked, smiling at the older man politely. She liked him considerably more than she did Baelish.

"I am well, Your Grace, though I come baring ill news," Varys refused the food that was offered. as the couple shared a look with each other.

"I see and what news is that?" Lyra asked, dreading the response that would come.

"A little bird brought me some news this morning about your mother and Qyburn, Your Grace," Joffrey nodded, as Lyra bit into an apple and tucked her feet Elia's warm body. "Apparently, Cersei has given permission for Qyburn to perform human experiments."

Joffrey rubbed his forehead and sighed, locking eyes with Lyra, who looked equally annoyed.

"Great." Lyra deadpanned, her eyebrows raised at Cersei's hare-brained scheme that was bound to backfire and cause repercussions for the rulers to deal with.

"Thank you, Lord Varys, for this information," Joffrey nodded at the man, who bowed towards them once more, before standing from the table. 

"What are we going to do about that?" Lyra asked Joffrey, who was shaking his head, his food abandoned on his plate as all thoughts were swept from his mind apart from that one.

"I'm not sure if there's anything we can do about this," Joffrey replied, running his hands through his hair and sighing again.

"You have to go and see your grandfather now," Lyra reminded him, as she grabbed his crown from the dresser. "I shall think on this more before I go and speak with Margaery."

"What are you going to do together, My Love?" Joffrey asked, watching Lyra carefully.

"We are going to have a talk about marriage, pregnancy and eat cakes all the while," Lyra grinned, straightening Joffrey's crown on his head and pressing another kiss to his lips. "Remember, murder is not the answer to anything, despite how tempting it might be, and we need your grandfather on our side. I shall see you later."

Lyra turned to walk out of the room but Joffrey quickly pulled her back to him and kissed her quickly, rubbing a thumb along her jaw.

"Stay safe, My Love," They both left the room soon after, Lyra going to collect Margaery and Joffrey to visit his grandfather.

✧✦✧

"Wait here for me," Joffrey ordered the guards, before he made the ascent towards his grandfather's solar. However, as he got closer to the top of the stairs, the voices from the room got louder.

Holding back from coming into view of the door, in case it was open, he began to listen into the conversation between his grandfather and who he guessed to be his mother, if the shrill tone was anything to go by.

"Joffrey is besotted with the Stark bitch and now does not trust me, Myrcella has been sold like livestock and now you want to ship me off to Highgarden and steal my boy. My last boy who hasn't been taken from me. Margaery will dig her claws in, you will dig your claws in and you will fight over him like beasts until you rip him apart," Joffrey felt his temper rear it's head, annoyed at how his mother was speaking about his wife and siblings. "I will burn our house to the ground before I let that happen."

"And how will you do that?" His grandfather had the same deadpan tone that he normally did, showing that he was not taking any of Cersei's words seriously. Joffrey edged a little closer to the door, still listening in to what was being said carefully.

"I'll tell everyone the truth." Joffrey froze, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What truth will that be?" Tywin called, still seemingly unimpressed with the woman in the room with him.

"You don't know do you? You never believed it. How is that possible? What am I saying, of course it's possible," Joffrey wished they would hurry up, so that he could confirm his suspicions. "How can someone so consumed with by the idea of his family, have any conception what his actual family was doing. We were right there in front of you and you didn't see us. One look in the past twenty years, one real look at your own children and you would have known."

Joffrey took a deep breath in as he waited for his mother to continue on with her speech, terror and hatred for the woman growing inside of him.

"Known what?" Tywin asked and Joffrey could hear the curiosity in his voice from outside the room. Joffrey edged closer to the door, breathing quietly as their voices got lower.

"Everything they say is true about Jaime and me," Joffrey stood up straight, almost stumbling backwards at the words that were like a punch to the gut. He took a deep breath, clenching his fists and cracking his knuckles as he tried to keep his anger under control. 

"No, no, no," His grandfather was trying to deny it, but Cersei kept speaking over him, continuing with her poisonous words.

"Your legacy is a lie!"

"I don't believe you." But Joffrey did, and he sighed before finally knocking on the Hand's door. Footsteps thudded against the ground close to him, and Joffrey composed his face back into a blank mask, before the door swung open to reveal his mother and grandfather.

"Mother. Grandfather. You wished to speak with me over the matter with the Iron Bank I believe," He could see the fear in his mother's eyes that he might have found out about what was going on, but he remained calm in front of the two. If they saw his emotions, they would pounce and try to manipulate it.

"Yes, Your Grace. Firstly, congratulations for you and your wife," Joffrey nodded, sitting down in the seat opposite his grandfather, as Cersei exited the room in a hurry. "I wanted to discuss with you the proposition that you put forward last council meeting."

✧✦✧

{ Lyra }

"I will see you tomorrow then, Margaery," Lyra called, before walking back down the grassy corridor of the gardens, towards the Red Keep. Hopefully Joffrey would have finished the work that he needed to do by the time that she had returned. "Elia, come!"

The wolf made an appearance, trotting along by her side as Lyra turned the corner and slowed at the sight of Cersei strolling towards her.

"Lyra," Cersei dipped a reluctant curtsy, before approaching the woman with an annoyed smile. "My dear daughter-by-law, come and walk with me."

The grip on Lyra's arm told her that she had no choice in this matter, so the woman obliged, following Cersei back into the garden mazes.

"What can I do for you, Queen Mother?"

"I just came to congratulate you," Lyra gulped nervously, thankful that Elia was by her side for some protection. "On your pregnancy."

"The Grand Maester told you," It was not a question, Lyra had a feeling that the old snake would run straight to Cersei as soon as he had told her. "How kind of him."

"Yes, just," Cersei smiled, though it seemed like a barely concealed snarl. "But, now you are carrying the heir to the entire kingdom. Let us hope that it is a boy."

"Whatever my child shall be, I will be happy," Lyra replied, trying to keep her temper in check. She did not wish to have this conversation with Cersei of all people as it was none of her business.

"A heir will secure the kingdom," Cersei replied back. "Maybe it is different in the North, but down here, in the South, the eldest child being a son is favoured."

"It is up to the gods to decide," Lyra bit her tongue to stop herself from making a comment about Cersei's blatant hatred of her home and her people. "But I shall pray to the gods for a son, so that my husband has an heir."

Cersei looked her up and down, before huffing and continuing to walk. Elia leant further into Lyra's side, as the woman drew some strength from the large direwolf's comforting presence. They fell into silence, continuing their walk though the gardens of the palace, the grass muffling the sound of their feet.

"Allow me to share some motherly wisdom with you, as your own mother is unable to," Lyra nodded, digging her nails into the palm of her hand to prevent from lashing out. "Lannister babes are often more troublesome than not..."

"I think you mean Baratheon," Lyra cut the woman off, her eyes narrowing as she stopped to face Cersei. "Joff is a Baratheon, is he not?"

"My mistake," Cersei shook her head, before continuing. "Baratheon babes are troublesome and often difficult, both when giving birth and then raising them. Why, Joffrey himself was often rude..."

"With all due respect, Queen Mother," Lyra snapped, her temper finally reaching the end of its tether at the rudeness that Cersei was displaying towards her husband. "I do not need mothering advice from you of all people."

"How dare you speak to me like this, when I am trying to counsel you, from one mother to another," Cersei growled, trying to intimidate Lyra, but the young queen would not stand down.

"My mother gave me more than enough advice before I left my home," Lyra stepped away from the woman, resting a hand over her stomach. Even if there was only a small bump, she would still protect her child. "And I do not need any advice from a woman who hits her children and installs fear into them. I am not, and will never be, that sort of mother."

"You dare insinuate such a thing?"

"I do not insinuate, I state the truth," Cersei glared, her face slowly flushing red. "You need not be a genius to pick up on the signs."

"I am his mother..."

"I am his wife, and the queen!" Lyra snapped, glaring venomously at the woman. "This conversation is over, Cersei."

Lyra turned away, calling Elia to her side as she swept back towards the Red Keep, hurrying to keep away from Cersei's guards, and the woman herself, before she could call for Lyra to be struck down.

The entrance to the Red Keep came into sight, and Lyra breathed a sigh of relief as she spotted Tylar and Arah.

"Tylar!" The Stark guard's head shot up, watching as Lyra rushed towards them.

"Your Grace, what's the matter?" Lyra took another glance behind her, before breathing deeply. "Is everything alright?"

"Can you escort me back to my chambers?" Tylar nodded, holding an arm out for Lyra to lean on as all of her bravery left her body.

"Whatever happened, Your Grace?" Arah asked, briefly resting a hand against the queen's forehead to make sure she did not have another fever.

"Cersei. I need to speak with Joffrey before she can twist my words," Lyra replied, as Tylar rested a hand on the pommel of his sword and walked slightly faster so that they would reach the royal chambers quicker. "I snapped. My temper reached it's limit and I should not have risen to the bait."

"Your husband will understand, Your Grace," Arah comforted, smiling at the woman. "He loves you."

"I know that. It was just not an argument that I should have risen to," Lyra replied, shaking her head as they came to a stop outside of the royal chambers. "Thank you and I am sorry for interrupting your time together."

"You are the queen, and a friend," Tylar replied, smiling at her. "We will always strive to help you as best we can."

"Thank you," Lyra smiled at them, before opening the doors to her chambers and slipping inside. Joffrey was already in, working at the table as Lyra sighed in relief. She swept over to her husband, tapping the table gently to let him know that she was in the room. "Good afternoon, Joff."

The king looked up, a small smile forming on his face at the sight of her.

"My Love," She leant into the hesitant touch that he provided, breathing another sigh of relief. "You are pale, has something happened?"

"I might have had an argument with your mother," Joffrey tensed, before pulling Lyra closer, brushing the hair from her face as he checked her over. "I am fine, Joff. Elia was with me the entire time."

"What was the argument about?" He rested a hand on her waist, watching her with concerned eyes.

"Our child," Lyra rolled her eyes and sighed. "She was trying to give me advice about being a mother and I snapped and gave her a very short answer. I'm sorry."

Joffrey placed a finger under her chin, tilting Lyra's head up as he smiled down at her, his eyes soft.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, My Love," Lyra leant further into his touch as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, being wary of the crown on her head. "I will deal with her."

"Are you sure? Joff, you seem stressed and I do not wish to add more weight onto your shoulders," The young king sat down, Lyra following as she perched on his lap, pressing their foreheads together. "I am here for you and I will try and take some of the weight off in anyway that I can. What has happened?"

"Nothing,"

"You are lying through your teeth, Joffrey Baratheon," Lyra grinned, as she stopped his fingers from drumming on her legs. "Try again."

The man sighed, licking his lips before he began to speak slowly.

"Ever since Eliza sent that letter, about my lineage," He trailed off, trying to find the words and Lyra let him take his time. Joffrey did not like to talk about his feelings and the fact he was trying was more than enough for Lyra. "Some part of me still hoped that it was all a lie and my uncle really was just trying to frighten Eliza and your brother. But..."

He came to a stop, sighing and taking his crown off as he rubbed his forehead.

"I heard my mother confirm it today, whilst she talked to my grandfather," He whispered, his voice cracking, shaking his head, as Lyra threaded their hands together, squeezing gently. "She told him that she would tell everyone, ruin his legacy, destroy my legacy, and confirmed everything else."

"Joff..."

"I don't deserve that crown," He replied, shaking his head as he glared at the golden crown. "My uncle is my father and Myrcella and Tommen's as well. We shouldn't have even been born and somehow I am now sitting on the most powerful throne in the country, after having kickstarted a civil war."

"Joffrey," Lyra stopped him, looking him in the eyes. "Do not say that. The civil war was not your fault. That was your family's play for power and none of that should fall onto your shoulders and you deserve this crown more than anyone."

"Now you're pregnant with my child. What happens if I pass something on to the child, some defect because of my parentage," His breathing started to pick up, and Lyra rested a hand on his cheek, gently moving his head back to face hers. "I don't want you to get hurt because of this, because of me."

"You could never hurt me," Lyra replied, pressing their foreheads together once more. "Our child will be happy and healthy, I am sure of it. They're a Baratheon, and a Lannister, and a Stark. They have the strength of the North and the South already. Our child will live."

✧✦✧

✧✦✧

"Your Grace!" Lyra opened her eyes slowly, having fallen asleep on the bed beside Joffrey, but Arah's words had cause the pair to wake.

"What is it, Arah?" She yawned, sitting up and smoothing out her hair as Joffrey did the same.

"Your grandfather, Your Grace, he's been found dead in his bed chambers and your uncle Tyrion, has escaped from the dungeons. You're needed in the throne room, immediately," Lyra and Joffrey shared a look, before the pair grabbed their crowns and hurried from their chambers.

They swept into the large room, which was lit by burning braziers, and took their seats on their respective thrones, causing the Small Council and other guards to bow.

"What happened?" No one spoke for a minute, before one of the guards stepped forward nervously, not daring to meet Joffrey's eyes. "Yes?"

"We found your grandfather in his chambers with crossbow bolts in his body and a whore strangled to death in his bed," The guard said, drumming his fingers on his sword as he retreated quickly.

"Are we sure that it was Tyrion?" Lyra asked, looking at the Small Council members slowly.

"Of course it was him! He was the only one who hated our father enough to kill him." Cersei hissed, glaring at Lyra with unbridled distaste, still annoyed from their conversation earlier that day.

"Grandfather had a lot of enemies. My wife makes a reasonable point," Joffrey replied, sending his mother a pointed look before staring back out across the gathered guards. "Have the guards sweep the city and then the docks. If we can't find anything, we will wait until morning. That shall be all."

Joffrey stood, leading Lyra out of the room quickly and back to their chambers, closing the door swiftly. Lyra looked back at her husband, shaking her head.

"If anyone finds out our involvement in this..." She whispered to Joffrey, wrapping him in a hug. "That will not be good. Are you alright?"

"I am fine," Joffrey had a pensive look on his face, shaking his head as a raven appeared at the window. Lyra shot her husband another concerned look, before taking the letter from the raven and breaking the seal.

"It's from Daenerys," Lyra stated, resisting the urge to curse the other woman. "She's rejected our peace terms and is asking for us to abdicate otherwise we shall be killed."

𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐔𝐏𝐔𝐌 𝐄𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐌

Hiya,

Book 4 over and done with so as per usual, what was your favorite part of it? Mine was definitely Lyra and Joffrey's wedding, for sure or Lyra standing up to Cersei. The artwork was done by the wonderful Avendell (@avendellart on instagram) - it is actual Lyra and Joffrey fanart and I'm super hyped about it.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx