[Kings Landing]
Cersei sat alone in her chambers, the candlelight flickering across her golden hair. A raven had arrived not long ago, bearing a message sealed with the golden lion of House Lannister. It was from her father, Lord Tywin.
She broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. As her eyes moved across the words, her face tightened.
"You have let the capital fall into chaos," the letter began. "A man who can bring down thunder. Have you taken me for a fool...
You let the Stark run away, do you know what it has cost us?
Keep order in the city. I will handle the war. You keep a tight leash on that boy of yours. He is king in name, not in rule. Do not forget that.
As for your mishap. We'll talk when I come to the capital myself."
Cersei's fingers gripped the paper tightly. Her jaw clenched. How dare he speak to her like this? She was queen. She had done all she could to hold the city together after the madness Thor had unleashed.
Still, she couldn't deny that her father was right in some ways. Joffrey had been reckless. The people were afraid. And Thor... Thor haunted her mind like a ghost.
She stared out the window toward the city. Even now she felt that she was hearing the distant roar of thunders.
Part of her feared him. Another part hated him.
But above all, she couldn't stop thinking about him.
She was stubborn but not an idiot, she knew she wanted him. Nay, she needed him.
Cersei folded the letter neatly and tossed it into the fire. As the flames ate away the words, she whispered to herself, "And I'll have him."
---
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Red Keep as Queen Cersei Lannister and her son, King Joffrey Baratheon, made their way to the Small Council chamber. This was a long time coming since after Thor left, the capital was in complete disarray and Cersei refused to take any part in ruling the city while the capital was in havoc.
Recent events in King's Landing had left the court in disarray.
Upon entering the chamber, they found only Grand Maester Pycelle seated at the long table, his aged hands resting on a stack of parchments. The room was eerily quiet.
Cersei's eyes narrowed. "Where is everyone?" she demanded.
Pycelle cleared his throat, his voice wavering, though mostly this was an act like usual. "Your Grace, the position of the Hand of the King is vacant. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard has, unfortunately, is no longer among us."
This was of course not Ser Barristan Selmy as he was long taken out of his position after Joffrey came to power. The new Lord Commander barely served in his position for a few days before facing the Heaven's Justice.
"The Master of Coin and the Master of Whisperers have both been found dead under suspicious circumstances," Pycelle said, and this drew almost zero reaction from either Cersei or Joffrey. Not like they knew this in advance, it's just that they didn't care.
"The Master of Laws and the Master of Ships are currently..."
"Have turned traitors and are now raising armies to invade King's Landing..." Cersei cut off Pycelle and almost growled.
Joffrey slammed his fist on the table. "They both will die. I'll have their heads on pikes."
Cersei had another scowl at this. She knew that something like this would happen sooner or later but this was getting out of her hands. Reach, Stormlands, and Vale. War brewing from all sides. Soon North will add to that list.
Before Cersei could respond to her son's shout, the doors creaked open, revealing the High Septon, adorned in his ornate robes, flanked by a group of devout followers. He stepped forward, his expression solemn.
"Your Grace, I come with grave concerns. The Faith of the Seven is troubled by the recent chaos in the capital."
Cersei's eyes flashed with irritation. "This is a council meeting, not a sermon."
The High Septon remained undeterred. "The Faith and the Crown are the two pillars that uphold our society. When one falters, the other must intervene to restore balance."
Joffrey stood, his face red with anger. "Are you suggesting we can't manage our own affairs?"
Pycelle interjected, attempting to defuse the situation. "Perhaps the High Septon merely wishes to offer counsel during these turbulent times."
"Speak your piece," Cersei said with gritted teeth. She can't have an internal conflict between the Crown and the Sept right now.
The High Septon nodded. "The people are frightened. They whisper of dark omens and question the Crown's ability to protect them. The Faith proposes a joint effort to restore order—a partnership between the Sept and the Throne."
"And..." Cersei raised her eyebrow. Not even for a second believing that the High Septon was here just for this.
"And the Sept would need the right to reinitiate the Faith Militant."
Cersei's lips curled into a cold snarl. "A generous offer. But rest assured, the Crown will handle its responsibilities."
The High Septon bowed slightly. "As you wish, Your Grace. However, you might wish to reconsider. For the good of the people and the Crown." The High Septon looked at her with a strange look which she couldn't quite understand.
As he exited, the chamber remained silent. Cersei turned to Pycelle. "We need to fill these vacant positions immediately. Begin the search for suitable candidates."
Pycelle nodded. "At once, Your Grace."
Joffrey sat back down, his demeanor still tense. "We must show strength. That insolent Septon thinks that he can threaten his king like that then..."
Cersei placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "All in due time, my lion. All in due time."
Outside the chamber, the High Septon paused, looking back at the closed doors. A glint of danger passed into his eyes just for a second before he started moving again.
"Make sure the people are content. The Crown is at war, there must be absolute unity and peace in the capital."
xxx
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