𝕋𝕙𝕖 pendant dangled from the taxidermied snake's mouth with mocking harmlessness, swinging softly back and forth. "No note?", I asked, frowning. Cersei shook her head. "There's no need. Just look at this, the message couldn't be clearer. They blame us for the death of Oberyn and his sister, and every other tragedy that has befallen their accursed country." "But why bring Myrcella into this? What has she ever done to them?" Exasperated, Cersei sighed. "Clearly you've never experienced a feud, Vallery - how could you, holed up in the North like that - but that's how it goes. Family is family, and they will take any Lannister they can get their hands on to hurt us as a whole." "I know what a feud is", I replied pointedly, "but Myrcella is a Baratheon - in name, at least. Yes, she's your daughter, but the message will not ring the same." "She isn't the target here", Cersei said, softer now, "she is the pawn. They want to hurt me by hurting her." She clenched a trembling fist. "I will burn their cities to the ground if they touch her!" I rubbed a placating hand on her shoulder and leaned down to rest my head against hers. "We won't let it come to that. Is there any way to get her out of there without violence?" Cersei exhaled deeply, attempting to calm the anger boiling in her eyes. "If we could slip her out unnoticed..." "I could go", I offered. She whirled around, cupping my hand with her own. "No. I can't lose you too, it's too dangerous. If something goes wrong... I'll send Jaime, it's about time he acted a father to her anyways. He'll get her back, he has to." "He will", I reassured her, sensing the fear that remained in her voice. She nodded quickly, a somewhat forced smile returning to her face as she got up suddenly and caught me in her arms. "Yes. In the meantime, we should focus on the Tyrell issue." I wasn't buying it, not one bit. "Cersei", I said, not letting her avoid my gaze, "how many times do I have to tell you? You don't need to hide anything from me. You're worried about her, I completely understand. I don't expect you to still that anxiety at a moment's notice." "It isn't that", she quickly assured me, clasping my hand tightly and kissing it. "I know I can trust you with anything, and I always will. I just need to take my mind off it, or I'll go crazy. Please, let us talk about something we can actually fix right now." "Alright." I planted a brief kiss on her forehead.

"So, the Tyrells. Why are they a problem? I know they are deceptive, notorious liars, but so far they seemed harmless in terms of actual power. Their gold is currently saving us from financial collapse as far as I know. What's changed?" "Tommen. Joffrey's blood is barely cold, and Margaery already has her claws in the next brother", Cersei growled. I chewed my lip, thinking. "Well, you're his Hand now, a least for a while, perhaps you can convince him not to trust her." Cersei threw her hands up in a defeated gesture. "You think I haven't tried? That smirking whore is too damn persuasive. She actually had him attempt to get me to return to Casterly Rock once they're married!" "Two can play that game." I walked to the side table to pour two glasses of wine. "She wants to turn him against you, fine, do the same. Use her own moves against her, make Tommen see her falsehood." Taking the glass I offered her, she tilted her head pensively. "But how? If we both keep tugging and tearing at him, we'll rip him apart. No, the problem needs to be attacked straight at the root." I had a thought, one that stirred my conscience uncomfortably, but I voiced it nonetheless. "What if the counter-manipulation came from somewhere she didn't expect? My sister is good friends with her. If I were to talk to Margaery, give her some new perspectives on the queen..." Cersei considered the idea, looking not at all opposed. "And you think she would trust you?", she asked after a moment. "Only one way to find out", I shrugged.

The ceremony was very straightforward. They had kept it small, out of fear that tragedy would strike again if they weren't careful. "I am hers and she is mine" - "I am his and he is mine", Tommen and Margaery were saying, "from this day until the end of my days." They kissed, and the crowd waited for them to turn to face them again before applauding. From where I was standing, I could not see Cersei's face, but even from behind, I could feel the cold anger radiating from her. As the couple waited for the cheers to fade, smiling breathlessly, I disappeared into the crowd, slipping out of the sept unnoticed to go to Margaery's chambers, where she would undoubtedly go to change before the feast. I did not have to wait for long before the door opened and she entered, looking surprised even though her guards had to have told her I was inside. I quickly got up from where I was seated at a table near the entrance.

"Queen Margaery", I said, immediately hating the feel of the title in my mouth, and curtsied with the most convincing smile I could muster, "congratulations on the marriage. I don't believe we've been formally introduced. I've heard so much about you from my sister, though. Thank you for being a friend to her. There are too few people you can trust in King's Landing." She returned my smile. "Lady Vallery, it's so good to finally meet you. I enjoy your sister's company a lot. She's such a sweet girl, if a little frightened. But who wouldn't be, at her age, in a grand city so far from her home? And you're quite right, there are so few trustworthy faces here. What about you, have you found any friends in the capital?" Only the one, I thought, but there's no one else I need. "I have", I affirmed simply, not bothering to elaborate. "I heard you are close to the Queen Mother", Margaery replied innocently, but with a probing glance. "Do you consider her a friend?" That was not exactly how I had planned to brief the subject, but I could see no better chance presenting itself. "I do, actually", I said without missing a beat, "she has been very kind to me, even when my father and brother turned against her family. Not many would be that generous." "Your family's actions are not your own", Margaery mused. "I would not hold it against you either." "I'm sure you wouldn't", I smiled. "You have shown such benevolence yourself to the people of this city. It's a rare enough quality in a ruler, to care so deeply for the poor." She eyed me tentatively. "But your friend doesn't approve as much, does she? She once told me I should protect myself better when visiting Flea Bottom or I might get myself killed. I'm under the impression she doesn't deem charity work particularly important." I nearly ground my teeth at the way this would-be queen was speaking about Cersei, about my true queen, but I refrained. "She has every reason to be wary", I responded instead. "Just about two moons past, we were all attacked in the streets on our ride back to the Keep. Many of the court almost died that day - some did - and others were hurt in... different ways." Margaery's face, to my slight triumph, turned glum. But my joy was short-lived when she mentioned Sansa and what nearly happened to her. "Yes, your sister told me about that. A horrible affair, the whole of it. It should not have happened, that much is for sure. But what was it the people were shouting while they pulled the royal family off their horses? Were they not hungry? I know, it wasn't the Crown's fault, the plots don't fill any quicker because people beg for food, but one can understand their frustration when seeing the royalty ride by in all prosperity." "Frustration?", I exclaimed, not caring who I was speaking to and what she could do to me for it. "Frustration isn't ripping a holy man apart limb by limb! It isn't ganging up on an innocent girl in an alley to rape her! That is brutality, and the nobles are right to be afraid of it." "For all I've heard, Joffrey started it", Margaery snapped, then quickly hunched her shoulders in shock when she realized what she had just said out loud. "Forgive me", she said more quietly, looking down at her hands, "I should not speak that way about my late husband." "No, forgive me, Your Grace" - I forced the words out - "it is improper for a Lady to talk back to the queen like that." "I'd rather you be honest", Margaery remarked. "There is no point in flowery lies." "That was well said. I agree", I conceded. 

She looked up at me again with a hint of fear in her eyes, as though she was unsure whether to ask this next question. "So tell me true: you and the Queen Mother, I've heard more about you than just tales of friendship - surely you have as well. I don't mean to be presumptuous, but... there isn't any substance to them, is there?" Her eyes showed that there was very much presumption being made here, although her voice did not betray her. Without Tywin around to constantly surveil us, we could care less what anyone thinks. My own words hung in the air above me, sneering at my naivety. We still had so much to worry about, so many variables to consider. Margaery was one of them. "Of course not, Your Grace", I replied. "Lies, spread by enemies of either of our families." "To be sure", Margaery nodded with a smile and actually had the audacity to sound relieved. "It's just that... oh, I'm sure it's nothing. You are friends, after all." She was clearly waiting for me to query, but I didn't give her the satisfaction. "We are." She went on regardless. "Right. Tommen saw you going to her chambers at night a few days ago and found it odd that you were alone, not to mention the hour, but friends don't need escorts while visiting. It makes sense, it does, it was just with the rumors, I thought... it doesn't matter", she cut herself off. I could see very clearly what she was trying to do. It wasn't working. Time to strike back and do what I actually came here for. "I'm sure some would consider guards necessary when going to see a woman so powerful", I said, "but those are only the ones who have something to hide, wouldn't you agree? I have nothing to fear from Her G- her. Quite the contrary, I'm glad to have a competent strategist like her at my side, or I would be utterly lost in all these politics." I laughed. "I do believe this court would be doomed without her. Tommen is a good boy and will be a good king, but he is young, he doesn't have experience yet. Cersei on the other hand... She has seen it all, and she knows exactly how to handle matters of the Crown. If any trouble should ever arise, she'll help Tommen make quick work of it, I'm sure." "That is so reassuring to hear", Margaery replied, but her smile was faltering a little. "So you would say she could be dangerous to those who cross her?" "Why, to be sure", I hurried to agree. "I would not ever want to get on her bad side, and I pity those who do." Delivered with a chuckle, the threat was still barely veiled. "Mh-hm", was Margaery's only response.

"Why are you asking, anyways?" My heart was pounding all the way up in my throat as the words left my lips. It was truly a dangerous game I was playing right now. "No reason", she replied sweetly, a full smirk back on her face. "I just had a thought... about you." "And what would that thought be, if I may ask?" Her smirk deepened. "Your strange affinity with Cersei, despite the recent tension between Stark and Lannister, your awe of her wrath... seems to me like you are rather desperate to make her see you in a good light, by whatever means necessary. I understand, it's one way to play the game of thrones." It was fascinating how far off and at the same time uncomfortably close to the truth Margaery was. I did not care about Cersei's power, but as for the affinity, as for the means... "Whatever makes you happy", I replied a touch cooler than before and moved closer to the door. "I am not sure I want to be having this conversation anymore, and I'd advise you to feel the same. Don't ask questions you don't want to hear the answer to, that's another way of playing." It was a dead giveaway, but it was also my only chance of keeping her from breathing further life into new rumors. "And what questions would those be? Have I struck a nerve asking you about your means?" Her smirk had faded, replaced by icy challenge. "Not at all. There are no means to address, so I'm not concerned." "And you expect me to believe that?", she snapped back. I raised an eyebrow at her, saying nothing. Margaery willed her face into her usual mask of flattery again. "What I mean is that I would like for us to be allies, but for that I need you to tell me the nature of your involvement with the former queen." "My involvement? I told you, we're friends." It was a futile attempt, but I had to try. She sighed. "Give it up, Vallery, there's no point. You think it shocks me? Disgusts me? I was married to Renly, seven hells!" "So what is it you want from me?", I asked loudly. "If you already know, why don't you just go running back to Tommen and see Cersei's and my heads on spikes by nightfall? It would be easier than this, whatever this is." She was silent for a long while, and I already had my hand on the doorknob, thinking she wouldn't speak again. "I am wondering, Lady Vallery", Margaery finally began, cocking her head to look at me curiously as she approached and pronouncing every word deliberately, "are you just playing at it or do you actually love her?" I looked back at her in exasperation. "Of course I do, Your Grace. Have I not made myself clear on that front? I hardly see the use in pretending to pursue such an... unnatural affliction." "Yes, but your affection for the Queen Mother of all people does strike me as rather unlikely." I scoffed. "That it is. But we don't get to choose whom we love. And... I know you may hate her, and I know she hasn't shown you any of her friendly sides, but she isn't what you think. She isn't... bad. Ruthless to her enemies? Yes. A force to be reckoned with like no other? Yes. Capable of bending the world to her will? Also yes. But not bad, only... just. Ambitious. Believe me, no one knows her like I do, and if you saw her the way I did... " Margaery put a hand on my arm, her voice quiet like mine now. "I believe that you see her as a good person. I understand that you love her. But - that doesn't mean she is good objectively, do not confuse the two. You say you know her, but how can you be sure you don't only think so? How can you be sure she isn't pretending around you?" I pulled away, opening the door to leave. "She isn't", I whispered, fighting the tears swelling in my eyes. "I understand your feelings, but you don't know what it's like... with her. I tried to make you see, but you seem resolved to hate her regardless. I used to as well, I did, but that was before I got to know her, the real her. The way she has opened up to me, trusted me... not a soul on this earth could pretend that." "For all our sakes, I hope you're right", was all Margaery said before closing the door on me.

🐺🦁🐺🦁🐺🦁🐺🦁🐺🦁🐺🦁 

"That's unfortunate", Cersei said, "but thank you for trying anyways. We'll beat her some other way." I nodded, still agitated by my argument with Margaery. "And thank you for defending me." Cersei shifted on the bed we were both sitting on to put her arms around my waist. "You wouldn't have had to, the cause was lost already, but you told her how you feel about me all the same. Thank you." She kissed me, and I leaned in closer to keep our faces connected. "I love you so much", I whispered with my eyes closed. "I wish the world could see through my eyes sometimes. No one would stand in your way anymore, they would all bow and make room to give you the kingdom you deserve." I felt a tear slide against my skin, but it wasn't my own. "We'll make it, eventually", Cersei replied with equal quiet. "It won't be easy, but we'll make it. They've got nothing on us, and we everything on them. We will find a way to make it our world, to make it safe. I promise." My heart grew warm at hearing her so optimistic again. We'd be alright. Somehow, somewhere, there would always be a way, if we only had each other. I knew it deep in my soul. After kissing her again, I pulled back just a little bit to say, "You know what we should do again, for old time's sake?" She looked at me curiously. "The way it all started: Valyrio jollōragon(Studying Valyrian)", I smiled. "Drēji īlōn sytilības (We really should)", Cersei replied, "skoriot īlos pradagon? (where should we begin?)" I grinned. "Someone has been studying by herself, it would seem. I didn't teach you that." Cersei returned the smile. "I had originally planned to write you a poem, but I'm not quite good enough for that yet, I'm afraid." I laughed at the image forming in my head of Cersei performing sentimental verses and cuddled into her side, feeling the resonation of Cersei's chuckle joining mine. "We can write one together, though. Actually, I mean. What would you want it to be about?" "Us", Cersei said without hesitation. "And the world we'll make together." I pushed back her hair to place a kiss on her cheek. "You start, then. Give me a first line." From the bedside table, I pulled over some parchment and ink and bent over it, looking up at her awaitingly. "Kēlia zoklā gevī lilis", she prompted after some consideration. "Hae rhēdessiarzi issarossa, dārōñi dyyñi", I completed. "Īlvyz elēnin mēre kostōbon raqno se... rāpys nākostōbāvō issa", Cersei continued. I scribbled the words down. "Konon hakossiarzon raqnon-" "-skore zijomy amāzas?", she concluded. I finished writing and looked down at the paper, placing it in front of us both to read.

The lion and the wolf dance so beautifully
Like noblemen, the royal beasts
Their dance is one of strong love and tender weakness
That mad love, what will come of it?

"Something good", Cersei said decisively. "I might have an idea on how to weaken the Tyrells, but it needs some more thinking through." I sat up straighter. "What is it? How can I help?" "Well, the High Septon was recently discovered in a brothel by a group of religious fanatics who did not take kindly to his pastime activities. With a little work, they might take care of the problem all by themselves." I frowned. "I doubt Margaery Tyrell is going to let herself be found in a brothel." "It's not her they need to see", she alluded. I was beyond confused by this mysterious plan, but I wasn't about to take this ray of hope from Cersei, nor bug her about it. There was still time. Kissing her again, I swept the writing supplies aside. "Come on, love", I said and began fumbling with the clasps of my dress, "let's get ready for bed."