《Aftermath || Robert Baratheon》Chapter X
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Livia could not help the few tears that escaped her eyes as she packed the last of the things that the queen will take with her to Dragonstone.
With the news of Prince Rhaegar's defeat, King's Landing had gone into a state of panic. After all, Robert Baratheon's army would soon march towards them.
She could not believe it. So many have died. Even the prince whom everyone thought to be full of hope and promise. Now, he was nothing more than a pile of bones.
Poor Rhaella, poor Elia, poor Rhaenys and Aegon.
"Livia, dear." Queen Rhaella called with a weak tone. "Come here please."
Livia rubbed her tired eyes quickly and went to the queen's side. "Yes, your Majesty. What can I do for you?"
"My dear. You know that we are past such formalities now. I would like to take this time to say goodbye to you and to thank you for everything you've done." Queen Rhaella said with a sad smile.
Livia noticed her weakened state. Her pregnancy has taken much from her. She was so pale and so vulnerable. Livia could only rush forward and embrace the queen.
"Forgive me, my queen. I just-I wish that I could do more for you and for your son." Livia whispered in the queen's arms.
The queen had treated her so kindly. Although she had been cold at first, Queen Rhaella had warmed up to the Lannister girl, considering her as a daughter. The daughter who comforted her, cared for her and talked to her.
"Livia Lannister, you have done so much for me and my family. I only wish I could take you with me, to take you away from all this grief but I know why you must stay. You have duties to your family as well." Queen Rhaella answered, holding the girl tighter in her arms.
They stayed like that for quite some time until a soldier knocked upon the door to inform them that the time has come for the queen to be evacuated.
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Queen Rhaella stood up with shaky steps as she walked towards the door and towards the docks.
Livia watched her leave with a heavy heart before realizing that the queen had forgotten something.
She carefully grabbed the object and sprinted to the docks where she reached Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys, now the Crown Prince, just in time.
Livia lifted the crown in her hands as she watched the queen's eyes widen. "My queen, you had forgotten your crown."
Queen Rhaella took the crown from her hands sadly and placed it upon her own head, seemingly placing a huge weight upon her.
"Farewell, Lady Lannister. May you never know the weight of a queen's crown upon your head."
With those final words, Livia watched as they escaped into the sea, praying for them both.
°•°•°•°
Livia sighed as she tucked the letter meant for Eddard Stark underneath her mattress. It had been a close call that morning when a servant had changed the covers.
She definitely had to be more careful. If someone saw that she held a letter from a supposed traitor, she would be the next one to perish in the flames.
'At least the queen will be safe from the king's perversions.' Livia thought, sinking into a somber mood as she remembered the queen's farewell from days ago.
She couldn't help but wonder, what about those on the other side of the war? Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark.
Did he bear the same burden as everyone else who committed a murder? Or was it worse now that he was a kinslayer? After all Prince Rhaegar was Robert's cousin.
Livia still remembered the blue-eyed man from the wedding, he was so happy and cheery. She had never seen such a free man, free to do as he wished.
Now, he was considered a traitor and a usurper while she considered herself a coward.
A knock sounded upon the door. Livia turned towards the direction with wide eyes, her heart beating hardly in her chest.
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She did not know what to expect, everything had gone mad. At this point, she was only waiting for a list of who lives and who are now buried in the ground.
But she would not quiver.
"Come in." She called out, standing from her bed and smoothening out her skirt.
The door opened and she half-expected it to be the king but it was only Lord Varys.
"Lady Livia." He tipped his head at her.
"Lord Varys." She curtsied. "What can I do for you?"
"The king has requested your presence in the throne room." He answered, opening the door wider to signal that it was less of a request but more of a command.
She swallowed any of her excuses and exited her room. She walked with her head held high as Lord Varys followed behind her.
They walked past the empty hallways and the empty rooms, no sound could be heard. It was as if King's Landing had become a wasteland. The only sounds came from outside, from the people.
The sounds of merrymaking and harp music descended into silence, only waiting for their turn to duel with death.
Just as Livia was to enter the throne room, Lord Varys stopped her. "My lady, before you enter, I must tell you something."
"What is it, my lord?" She asked, confused as to what was so important as to delay the king's command.
"The reason why he has requested your presence is because Lord Tywin is at the gates with an army at his back." Lord Varys explained.
Livia's mouth fell open in shock. "My father is here?"
Now? Now he was here? When the war has already ended?
Lord Varys confirmed. "Yes, yes he is. Surely, you know why, and you know what the king will ask you."
"Yes, I have a good idea as to why." She answered with a frown on her face.
Of course, the king will ask her of her father's loyalty. If he was loyal to the Crown. To this point, Livia still did not know. He had taken no side yet.
"For the good of the people of this city, you have to answer wisely." He said, giving her a pointed look.
Lord Varys seemed to think that her father would kill all these people but she knew that Lord Tywin would only do what he must for the family, for his heirs, for her and Jaime.
"Lord Varys, I care about this fair city as much as you but if the king asks me to betray my father, I will not do it."
"My lady, the realm is more important." He argues.
"To you it is but I was brought up to be my father's daughter." Livia sighs.
"I insist that you must choose the realm first." Lord Varys frowns with a warning in his eyes.
She narrows her eyes at him. "And if I don't?"
"Everyone in the palace has secrets, my lady. Some worthy of execution, some considered treason." He states, his voice trailing off.
At his words, Livia's blood turned cold.
How could he have known about the letter? Who could have possibly found it?
In a rush, she remembered. It must've been the servant. She had almost forgotten that Lord Varys had many spies.
"Is that a threat, Lord Varys?" She attempted to stay calm, her eyes becoming impassive.
"Only if it needs be." He answered, their eyes meeting in a raging battle.
Finally, she looked to the doors of the throne room.
Livia sighed, resigned to her answer. "I will do my best, my lord but you must know by now, the king is mad and he will surely not listen to reason."
With that, she opens the doors and faces King Aerys in all his madness.
<>-----------------<>
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