CHAPTER SEVEN

casterly rock, house lannister
the westerlands

AS THE MORNING ROSE, JOANNA HAD FOUND HERSELF SEATED IN FRONT OF HER VANITY, HOLDING A LETTER IN HER HANDS WHILE LOOKING OVER IT. She had her lips pressed together, her brows furred. When Audrei had told her that a letter arrived for her she knew who it was from. Audrei had styled her hair in a northern way this morning, her long dark hair on her back with only two strands of curls on her face. Her dress however, was a Lannister red that she was sure going to please Lord Tywin.

Her lips pulled up into a smile, her thoughts of her father in law had changed from a strict, frightening lord to a caring and lovable lord father. She stiffened at her words, she had always felt Lord Tywin reminded her of someone. He reminded her of her father, Rickard Stark. Though her father was much more compatible, her father in law was very much outspoken and proud, yet she found herself liking that about him. He held his ground.

Her fingers moved to open the lion wax seal, her hands fidgeting at every turn. She even managed to rip the side of the letter but she could care less. She had sent a message to Cersei discussing herself and Jaime. Though, she had taken quite a long time answering back as Jaime had arrived some moons ago, she felt her eyes fasten with pathetic tears as she reads through them.

My dear sister,

I do thank you for your thanks, dare I say. I am doing fine, hopefully you do to. Regarding Jaime, I am afraid to tell you that he will never love you. My brother is kind yes, but he also takes what he wants whenever he wants. Remember that dear sister. My brother is playing the part of a dutiful husband as you are playing your role as dutiful wife. Do not fool yourself to think you will mean anything more then him then a broodmare.

Your Queen,
Cersei Lannister

✧

"My Lady," Joanna lifts her head from her embroidery on her lap. Her eyes kind as she gives a gentle nod to the guard.

"Lord Tywin wishes to see you, my Lady."

Joanna furred her brows, she did not know why her father in law wanted to speak to her. Jaime was not by her side as he was with Sterlan. Her boy had already started to scrawl, and was nearly a year old. The thought excited her, she was so proud of her son and he is only one year old.

Joanna stands, laying her embroidery gently on her seat as she silently follows the Lannister guard behind him to a door that belongs to Tywin's solar. The guard knocks on the door and a strong voice allows her to walk inside.

"My lord?" Joanna questioned, her eyes running through the solar. Tywin sat in front of his desk, looking at the object in his hand. She took her time studying him as she waited for response. He looked quite young for a man with children, he was in his late thirties and she could see the wrinkles on his face, no doubt from frowning so much. His once very golden hair had turned some strands grey and white. The Lannister gold has some perks when it comes to everything, Joanna had noticed that they wear expensive and rich clothes everyday, managing to look like kings and queens.

"Sit down, Joanna."

Joanna felt her thoughts stop in halt, her eyes big as she peered up at him. She walked quietly, but gracefully towards him, not forgetting that she was a Lannister now and must look and act the part.

"My lord, you wished to see me?" Joanna questioned timidly. Whenever Tywin wanted asked for her it was mostly duty, although she knew she amused him to no end.

Tywin nodded, his hand letting go of the object Joann could make out was a stunning necklace, he laid it on its cover before giving a sigh and looking at her. "Yes, I wish to hand you something."

Joanna sat there, eyes wide as she stared at the necklace. It was beautiful, too beautiful to even stare at. Joanna felt enchanted by the stunning necklace, she had risen up and walked towards it, laying in the hands of her good father. She had never been much a fan of jewelry in Winterfell, the though of wearing it made her scrunch her nose up when she was in the North. But now she could not help to feel excited whenever Audrei or some other maids brought them up. A part of Joanna hated herself for it, feeling like she was a daft lady. However she could not help it, the westerlands had changed her so much she had begun to like everything a dutiful and mindful lady should fancy.

She looked up at Tywin with big eyes, her eyes full of joy. "Truly?" Joanna questioned, a small smile on her lips. Tywin found himself smiling back softly, grabbing her delicate hands and laying the necklace in her folded hands. It was so fragile, making her felt as though she could break it at any movements she would do.

Joanna smiled adoringly at Lord Tywin, laying the necklace gently on his table once more. Before she quickly sprung her arms around him, pushing his tall frame to her. She could feel Tywin give soft sigh and stroked her hair, something that her father had done and resulting in her closing her eyes.

"I-I do not think I am worthy of such a great gift."

"Nonsense, any Lannister Lady should be given a Lannister heirloom."

Joanna pulled back, her hands still on his arms, gaping at him with an open mouth. He had given her an heirloom, she only had one heirloom from her mother Lyarra Stark which was a ring, she could not help but feel the tingle of happiness run though her. The fact that her father In law had gifted her something from Joanna Lannister's necklaces, made her heart warm. She feels accepted and loved. Nothing would destroy that feeling.

✧

Joanna walked towards her and Jaime's chambers, the room was dark. He had not returned from the hunt, she noted. Joanna took off her shawl and left it at the chair near the bed. She rubbed her legs of cold air and noticed that the window was open. Joanna frowned and shook her head. It must have been opened by the wind. However, when she headed to walk over to the opened window, she noticed a letter dedicated to Jaime. She knew she shouldn't, she had no right as it was to Jaime. But it was open and Jaime would not know what she had done.

She grabbed the letter and opened it, not even realizing what it might contain. Her hands shook, her eyes began to tear, and she felt a knot form in her throat. She felt like she couldn't breathe, like someone was holding her throat. This was disgusting, she would never have guessed that Jaime was in a sexually relationship with her sister. She felt disgusted. How many times had he slept with her? Her eyes widened. Had he slept with her the night of their bedding? He had told her he did not wish to bed her if she had not wished to. She had though that Jaime had meant it out of courtesy, but not she was not so sure. She was sure he had slept with her, she had noticed Cersei's evil look on her the next day. Joanna felt so stupid to actually believe that Jaime had cared for her. She knew that he perhaps may not have loved her, but she was sure he cared for her, so sure. She had to scoff at her stupidity.

She had never felt betrayed as she felt now. She would never forgive Jaime for what he had done.

✧

"No Sterlan. Do not throw your toys." Jonna said, scolding her son and giving him a look that made him stop. She knew that children who didn't listen to their mother would do, they would grow reckless growing up. She then broke out in a smile, stroking Sterlan's chubby cheek and giving him another toy to play peacefully with.

"Joanna?" Jaime's voice ran through the room, and Joanna had to close her eyes to stop her disgusting frown to show. It had been days since she had found the letter, and she had tried to conceal her disgust when he had been gone. That had not worked and she would now have to lie to Jaime. Tell him everything was alright and nothing was wrong. Joanna felt like a failure.

She didn't answer him, causing Jaime to walk in front of her and Sterlan. She alerted her gaze from him and kept her gaze completely on Sterlan. She tightened her hold on the small toy in her hands, trying to scream at him. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her so broken.

"I know," Jaime's face became pale, his lips parting as he tried to hold back his gasp. His eyes met hers, and she could see guilt, guilt for her possibly finding out. "I saw that letter, and every other letter Cersei has sent you."

Jaime opened his moth to speak, and Joanna let him, her eyes tearing away from his as she picked Sterlan up, securing him in her hands. Before she left however, she turned her head to face him.

"I will not deny your duties to me, Lord Jaime, nor will I spread any rumors. I will do my duty as Lady Lannister and your wife, but between us, I will not even be considered your wife," she looked at him through her teary lashes. "I will do my duty, but I will never give you my heart. For that you have already broken."

✧

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