𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟕𝟑, 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒

𝗖𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 in her feminine arts lesson with her Septa Saranella all morning.

She loved sewing and embroidering. She enjoyed making gowns for her dolls, although they weren't still as neat as she'd like them to be. The Septa still had to correct her at times but fewer times than she did Cersei, who loathed that lesson. Cersei had said to their Lord Father that she would much rather attend sword-fighting lessons with Jaime than being stuck inside doing nothing all day.

Needless to say, Lord Tywin was not particularly pleased with that comment.

He wanted his daughters to be ladies and do as they should – learn to please and run a household, like all the other noble girls in the Realm, not tomboys or whiny, spoilt children with no skill.

Cersei's feeling of injustice by not being able to do as she pleased was increased, as well as her reasons to feel that way, as Lord Tywin forbid her from coming to the Capitol until she learnt her manners and as punishment, forced her to spend more hours with the Septa.

Cecilia had kept quiet during the argument, occasionally exchanging looks with Jaime, who took no part in the conflict either. Both of them knew better than to speak to their father when he was in bad humour.

Cersei had left the table dramatically and Tywin allowed her to go, only to have the Septa stay with her at the Sept for a week, so she could think of what she had done while finding her manners.

It had been a gift from the Seven to Cecilia, as they had presented her with the most peaceful week since her departure from the Capitol. For an entire week, she was spared of her sister's constant hatred and meanness but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

When Cecilia was done, she left for the courtyard to watch Jaime fighting with his sword. He was getting better and better each day, being able to disarm the other boys that trained alongside him with ease.

His lesson didn't take too long to finish either and when it ended, she was quick to run towards him and wrap her arms around him with pride.

"You are going to the best knight in the Kingdoms, Jaime, I'm sure of that!" she reassured him, while the younger boy messed his blond hair and smirked.

"I know"

They left the courtyard not long after, going back inside for their midday meal. Cecilia was the one who sat by Lord Tywin's side and Jaime sat across from her. Cersei used to sit next to Jaime and her uncles, aunts and cousins would sit with them as well.

Lord Tywin arrived almost at the same time as them. Punctuality was something he took very seriously and he didn't stand people who would be late for meals or other occasions – whomever the delayed was.

The meal had gone swiftly and quickly. The noon promised the three children lessons with Maester Creylen, something that neither of the children particularly enjoyed. The Maester was dull and Cecilia would much rather study with Grand Maester Pycelle in King's Landing.

"In a fortnight, the Martells of Dorne are coming to visit us", the patriarch of the family announced at the end of the meal, attracting the attention of all those sitting in the hall. The Martells and the dornish, in general, were not well-liked by the other families of the Realm. However, it was common knowledge that Princess Nymeria Martell was a good friend of Lady Joanna Lannister, as they had both been in the service of Queen Rhaella in their youth. "I trust that you will not bamboozle the Lannister name. I will not tolerate bad behaviour, you must behave as Lannisters. Understood?" he asked his children, particularly looking at Cersei and Jaime.

"Yes, Lord Father," the three of them replied in unison. Cecilia could tell that throughout the noon, the Maester would be stormed with inquiries about Dorne, their customs, their laws... if not by her siblings, by her, who wished to cause a good impression on them while also making them feel welcome.

"Good." the man said strictly. His dark green eyes focused on his eldest daughter who had just gently wiped her mouth. "Cecilia, I need a word with you. Come now"

Cecilia did as she was told, excusing herself before her family and following her father towards his desk in the upper floors. He did not speak a word to her on their way, he didn't even look at her.

When the big, large, wooden door was opened by the guards outside, Lord Tywin allowed his daughter to enter the room before himself. She headed towards the seat he had pointed at and sat on it, allowing her body to be swallowed by the comfort of the velvet pillows.

The doors were closed behind the Lord as, instead of taking his seat, he headed towards the window, staring at the ocean as it hit the rocks that held the ancient seat of the Lion's House.

The girl did not say a word, waiting for her Lord Father to speak to her first, which Tywin was glad by. He liked that she was patient, obedient and aware of her place. He hoped Cersei would learn that with time but he found it unlikely. Nevertheless, he would not give up on her – as far as he knew, Cersei would be good to breed and seal alliances. She had none of the wit Cecilia had inherited from him so her beauty would have to do.

But Cecilia... she was to be his jewel, the jewel of House Lannister. Not only was she good looking, but she was also tender-hearted, intelligent and she knew her place and the courtesies of a Lady. The one who would get to have her would get the highest prize of the Rock as well as the key to, not only the West but also the riches it had to offer.

The silence gave Cecilia the time to notice the darkness in the chamber, a darkness she didn't remember. There was a portrait of her mother hanging on the wall before her, a painting commissioned by Tywin Lannister himself. He also had a smaller copy made so that he could place it on his desk.

On her name day, her aunt Genna had given her a locket with that same portrait and Cecilia would not take it off for anything in the world. It would give her strength for the moments she felt her mother's absence harder to deal with. Just looking at it made her feel closer with the late woman's soul.

"House Lannister has been around for hundreds of years, since before the arrival of Aegon Targaryen. Our ancestors were the great Kings of the West and our sigil has always been the proud lion and we must honour it," Tywin said, breaking the silence. Cecilia had never spoken of such matters with her father since he would never inquire or chase the subject, but the fact that he would call her just to tell her about such matters meant that something important was about to happen. "We might not be Kings anymore but we are one of the Seven greatest Houses in the whole of the Seven Kingdoms and we are the richest as well. Do you know the name of the first Lannister King?"

"It is not known for sure," she replied, using the great knowledge Maester Creylen and Septa Saranella had provided her with. "Officially it is Loreon I but people say that Lann, the Clever could have been named King"

"You know why no one knows for sure?" Tywin asked facing his daughter's confused expression. He walked back towards his chair and sat on it as the girl waited for a response. "Because nobody cares and you know why nobody cares?"

The girl shook her head negatively, completely clueless on where the conversation was heading.

"Your mother just died, you think History will remember her?"

"No," she replied honestly. It had pained her to say that and to speak of it but just because she remained silent on the subject, it didn't make the truth any different. She didn't mind though. Cecilia didn't care about the fact that her mother was going to fall into oblivion because in her heart and in her memory she never would and that was what truly mattered, was it not?

"One day I'm going to die, you are going to die, your siblings are going to die, and so will your uncles, aunts and cousins as well as all the people you know, love and care about," the morbid conversation was making her slightly sad. Thinking about death, having met her so recently felt like a sharp cut in a wound which had not healed, to begin with, especially at such a young age. She felt a knot in her throat and the threat of tears was too real and too hard to hold back. Yet, she did because she knew that if she cried her father would be displeased, and she wished to please him. "But House Lannister will not. The Lannister name will live for thousands of years IF we build the dynasty we're meant to build and play our part, doing our duty to our House. All of us have one and none is less important than the other"

Cecilia knew what her duty was and she knew that sooner or later she would have to fulfil it. She would marry another Lord and become his Lady just as her mother had once done.

It was a noble duty to her House, to marry and to bring babies into the world. It was not less noble than fighting wars. Queen Alysanne had done so and she would forever be remembered in Targaryen History as the Good Queen. Cecilia knew her place, she would help her husband in all she could, whoever he would be.

She watched as her father walked towards her and grabbed her hands in his, making their green eyes meet. She could see the cold look on his eyes as well as the grief but it didn't make him weaker. If anything it made him stronger and she admired him for it.

"I have great plans for you, Cecilia. Never forget that," he said and she nodded. He turned his back on her once again, roaming the room as the proud lion he was. "The ruling Princess of Dorne is coming to Casterly Rock. She was a great friend of your mother and she brings two of her children with her – Elia and Oberyn. While I discuss matters with her, I trust you will entertain our two guests. Normally, the Lord's heir is entrusted with this task but Jaime is still too young. They are older than you but alas I trust that with your tender heart you will be able to welcome them properly"

"I will not disappoint you, Lord Father. I promise!"

For a moment, Cecilia thought her father would smile but he never did. The threat was intended and she had taken notice. It had been a sight to behold, one she'd never forget in all likelihood. She had never seen him smile before and she probably never would but just the implication of a smile was enough to shock her but also to fill her with pride and also the burden of living up to his expectations.

She left the room more determined than she had ever been and walked to her lesson more joyful than she had ever been during one. When she got there, the Maester had already begun and had been going through the arduous task of teaching Jaime to read. Jaime was as good as reading as he was at sewing and since he had never attempted the last one, that was saying a lot.

If he was as good at academics as he was at sword-fighting, he would be brilliant. Unfortunately, he lacked the cleverness and also the interest for that. Cecilia prayed that he would grow interested in learning and ruling during his lifetime or else he would need good men around him and a cunning, resourceful and intelligent wife.

He was the opposite of Rhaegar in that sense, as the Prince of Dragonstone was very bookish but not interested in military in the slightest.

She had wanted to tell her siblings about her conversation with their Lord Father but ultimately decided against it. If he had wished them to know, then he would have requested their presence as well. Not only that but she was sure that it would worsen her relationship with Cersei.

When the twins were done with their lessons, she got to ask the Maester everything there was to know about Dorne and requested that he found her good books about the Dornish culture so she could do her best to leave a good impression on the Martells who she was sure that after so many weeks of travelling, should be missing their own home.

𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗔𝗦 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 and Cecilia had managed to learn as much about Dorne as her brain could assimilate but it had been to no avail.

When she had requested her Lord Father to serve a course of Dornish food, the Lord refused and told her that Lannisters don't bend themselves to others bellow them as, according to him, lesser men deserve no such attention. He also added that it was not her place to organise their stay, but entertain them throughout the days they would spend there.

She had felt utterly dissatisfied but did not push the matter any further, knowing it was no use to go against her Lord Father. It would only result in punishment for her insolence and the maintenance of his views.

She took comfort in knowing that all her reading hadn't been in vain as, not only had she found topics of possible conversation, but she had also become more knowledgeable in general, which could never hurt.

She had awaited them eagerly but the same could not be said by Cersei or, surprisingly, Jaime, who wasn't keen on having strangers in his home – friends of his deceased Lady Mother or otherwise.

That night, as she was headed to the nursery to read yet another tale of Duncan, the Tall to baby Tyrion when she found the door half-opened. She wondered why the wetnurse would leave without closing the door but dismissed the thought, entering the room.

The dread came back not long afterwards.

Baby Tyrion wasn't in his crib.

Cecilia started to sweat in worry and dropped her book on the floor as tears started coming from her eyes. She had no idea of what to do so she did the best thing she could think of at the moment.

"HELP! HE'S GONE! HE'S GONE!" she screamed as she cried, running through the corridors.

Soon enough, people came to her aid and they searched for the baby but to no avail. It seemed that Tyrion had disappeared and unless he had miraculously been able to stand from his crib and walk on his own, he had to be inside the castle. It was as she faced the tower on the west wing from the window that she was reminded of something.

She ran as fast as she could to the highest tower and when she barged inside, she found Cersei spitting at baby Tyrion, ready to throw him off the tower.

She was horrified.

"What are you doing, Cersei? Leave him alone!"

All she got was a look of hatred and disdain.

Cersei was hurt and Cecilia understood that it was hard but... to kill a baby... baby Tyrion who had never done her any harm?

"Leave him be?!" she asked in outrage and spite, her eyes on her sister. "He should die! He should die for he killed my mother!"

The words had been hard on Cecilia almost as though she had been the one to be threatened to death. In fact, she felt eager to cry upon listening to them.

How could such rage and hatred fill such a child?

Aunt Genna had asked Cecilia to give Cersei space and she had done as she had been told. She had not pushed her sister to speak to her and would not raise her voice at the countless insults throw in her face or the level of dismissal with which Cersei would address her.

She had feared and cried about never being able to see in Cersei a close friend. Not that they had ever been close friends as Cecilia spent more time with Prince Rhaegar than any of her siblings.

But still.

The eldest girl had hoped that they would grow closer as time went by and that Cersei would forgive her, even though Cecilia didn't quite comprehend what was there to forgive. She had hoped that Cersei would mature and come around, that she would confide in her and that they would finally be able to be best friends.

Not anymore.

Even if she were to forgive her sister, she would never be able to forget what had happened that night.

So, upon contemplating all those factors, she decided to stop following her aunt's advice and start telling Cersei the truth to her face so that, perhaps, she would realize how wrong she was to do what she was attempting to do.

"She was his mother too, and mine, and Jaime's! Perhaps if you weren't so selfish, you would realize that!" Cecilia spat in anger, without feeling any guilt, only the wish to continue. Cersei had been shocked, her mouth opening as she starred statically at her sister. "He is our brother as much as Jaime is and he is family. Believe me, I would do anything to have mother back with us but this is not the way and this is not what she would have wanted! She told me that she wanted..."

"She told you, everybody tells you everything!" Cersei sarcastically remarked. "Just because you are the favourite child and eldest one at that, it doesn't mean you get to play my mother! I told you I would kill him and give him what he deserves and I will!"

Cecilia tried to stop her sister but it didn't matter how much she tried, the vicious lioness was determined and so, when she was about to drop the baby, Cecilia did something she never thought she would do.

She pulled Cersei's hair so hard, she was surprised that she didn't take a few curls off her scalp. The youngest screamed and baby Tyrion started crying even more. Cersei nearly dropped him on the floor but Cecilia threw herself on the hard floor and caught him. Had she not been in time, the baby would have hit its head on the floor and the worst could very well happen.

This didn't seem to scare or worry Cersei in the slightest, if anything, it made her hatred for her sister grow, resulting in her pulling her sister's hair and scratching her very hard.

Cecilia did not drop her baby brother and instead, did her best to protect him, pulling him to her chest and deciding to not fight Cersei back so that he wouldn't be caught in the middle.

"CERSEI!"

The scream was enough for the youngest to stop and look at the door, facing her Lord Father's furious eyes.

Cecilia's cheekbone had been bruised during the fight but baby Tyrion remained unharmed and, in her eyes, that was all that truly mattered. Jaime stood shocked by Lord Tywin's side, in front of their Uncle Kevan, who seemed just as displeased with what he had seen.

Lord Tywin had never been angrier, or at least, his children had never seen him angrier.

His green eyes were darker than usual, rage burning inside him. His jaw was clenched, as well as his fists. His nostrils widened as he breathed easier, attempting to keep his cool but that was a hard thing.

That his children didn't get along was one thing but to get into violence... into explicit violence? He would not stand for that.

"Father, I..."

"Keep your mouth shut!"

Cersei obliged. His eyes met Cecilia's, though she looked at the floor in embarrassment. She had certainly disappointed him. She had been the one to deliver the first blow.

She had saved her brother from certain death, she knew that much, but that didn't change the fact that she had been the one who started it and so, she was ready to face her punishment, no matter how hard it would be or how scared she felt about it.

"Tywin..." her uncle began to speak but was cut by a nod from his older brother, who had clearly understood what his brother was about to ask. Cecilia placed baby Tyrion in her uncle's arms reluctantly and watched as he left with him, bringing Jaime along, much to boy's dismay.

Silence.

The longer the silence was perpetuated, the more frightened Cecilia grew. She was waiting for her Lord Father to yell at them at any moment but the moment never seemed to come.

Tywin was, in fact, building the tension while also thinking about something plausible to do about the situation.

"I will not hear of your crying, Cersei. Those tears do not move me!" he harshly stated, making the girl's whimpering intensify. "Do that again and you best believe that you will end up in the Silent Sisters!"

"You can't..."

"Would you dare to try me?" the authority and the fury were the only things driving Tywin's words and the impact on his daughters seemed to be rather effective. Cersei kept quiet, swallowing her crying.

Cecilia knew that Lord Tywin Lannister was not a man of vain threats. If he threatened someone, he intended to follow through and Cersei seemed to see that as well.

"She..."

"You attempted to murder your own brother! Your own blood!" the words were as sharp as blades and just as merciless and Cecilia's fear grew each second. "I will deal with you in the morrow and you better pray that I don't hand you over to the Silent Sisters! Out of my sight!"

"But..."

"OUT. OF. MY. SIGHT!"

Cersei did not think twice before running away and at that moment, Cecilia knew that all his focus would be on her and certainly the things he had to say would not be very pleasant.

"It was brave," he began, taking carefully premeditated steps, each calculated perfectly to intimidate his daughter, who dared not look upon him. "but also very stupid and foolish. Lannisters don't act like fools. What got into you?"

"I was trying to protect my brother, Cersei was going to through him off the Tower. Mother told me to look after him and to care for his sake," Cecilia tried to defend herself, being met by nothing but a deafening silence. "I was the first to use violence on Cersei. I pulled her hair so that she wouldn't drop him, it was my fault that she hit me"

Another pause filled with uncomfortable silence although it didn't last half as long as the other.

"I will not punish you if that is what you are thinking." Tywin cleared out, breaking the silence. His decision struck the young lioness, who met his eyes in utter shock. The same eyes as his, only with a drop of innocence and sweetness Tywin was unsure whether or not he had ever had. "What? Did you expect me to punish you for protecting your own blood? For protecting your family?"

"I..."

"You... you... off to bed, we'll speak in the morrow"

Cecilia stood up and headed towards her chambers, still stricken by what her Lord Father had told her. She had expected the worst scenario but he was... pleased?

That night she cameto a conclusion – her Lord Father was a very confusing man.

Guess who's back for more!!! That's right, Cecilia Lannister, ladies and gentlemen!

I must confess that this story is particularly hard to write and it recquires quite a lot from me. The writing is very different, mainly because we're talking about a Lannister who is the daughter of the most powerful man in the world.

Nevertheless, it's always very joyful for me to share these chapters. Cecilia is a very different character than those I've written thus far. She's obedient, she's kind and she's not manipulative. 

I don't know if you've noticed but I've hinted that Cecilia would have liked Lilia and I'm sure Lilia would have loved Cecilia. It's a shame our girl didn't get to be Queen.

Now, I have to say that I had a fun time writing Tywin yelling at Cersei. It was very nice to have someone wreck Cersei, it always is.

I hope you have enjoyed this chapter and I hope you stick around for new ones.

Stay safe during these times of plague!

XOXO,

-BW