A small council meeting without Jon Arryn felt like a strangers' meeting to Robert.

With the Hand in Dorne talking business with Prince Doran, it was up to Robert to call the meetings with people he did not feel comfortable with.

Schemers, all of them.

"Lord Tywin has provided enough gold for weapons in case of an attack, Your Grace." Lord Baelish spoke, with that raspy tone of his.

Robert nodded at him once before asking. "Yes, make sure to give him my thanks. What is the status of the royal treasury?"

After the war, the treasury had been drained, depleted almost to the last bit of gold. With new alliances being made, especially the one with the Lannisters, they were slowly regaining the lost gold.

"With the way things are going with the merchants and the traders, Your Grace, the Crown will be able to repay all debts with the Iron Bank. However, the queen has been aiding in rebuilding different structures in Westeros from the royal treasury." Lord Baelish answered, looking down at an piece of parchment.

Many spoke of the things Livia had done this past week alone. She had helped build hospitals, aided different orphanages and provided assistance to many who wish to continue their businesses, not just in King's Landing but everywhere in Westeros.

Yes, he had been busy but she had been busy as well. Every day correspondences had arrived, not just for him but for his wife as well.

With her clear wisdom, he was almost tempted to ask her what to do about the Dornish uprising but of course, Jon was already handling things. No need to worry her about such a thing.

Robert smiled at the thought of her, before seriousness fell over him again. "Yes, she told me of that. Whatever she might need, provide it to her. Every bit of the royal treasury is to be accessible to her, do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Grace. Of course." Lord Baelish replied, bowing his head.

Before any of them could say anything, a series of commands erupted from outside the chambers. All heads turned to the door before it burst open.

Livia entered the room, power radiating from her form alone and though her face was clear from any expression, he knew she was angry or at least, upset.

"My lords." She greeted as they all bowed to her.

Robert stood, confused. "Livia, what are you...has something happened?"

Ignoring his question, Livia turned to the rest of the small council once again. "My lords, forgive me for interrupting but I have urgent business to speak of with my husband. Alone. You are all dismissed."

At once, they all started to leave, gathering their parchments before leaving the chamber with the door shutting as if in finality.

Immediately, Robert found himself approaching her, cradling her cheek, making her green eyes meet his own. In them, he saw pain, before she pushed him away.

"What's wrong, Liv?" He asked, concerned as to why she would push him away when they hadn't been able to spend some time together.

The past few days, with both of them so busy, it was only enough for them to fall asleep beside each other.

Livia met his eyes once again, this time with resolve.

"When were you planning on telling me about the Dornish uprising led by Oberyn Martell?"

°•°•°•°•°•°

Robert looked at her as if she grew a second head. Did he really think she wouldn't find out?

"What? You're not going to say anything?" Livia asked, crossing her arms.

Would he really stay silent now, when she had already discovered the truth?

"Who told you that?" Robert countered, a frown etched in his features.

"It doesn't matter who told me! Were you really going to hide this from me?" She snapped, a tone away from frustration. "Were you going to hide this from me forever?"

He rubbed a hand across his face. "You don't need to concern yourself with these things! It is my job, not yours!"

"What was your solution then? Preparing for war? Again?" She questioned, her voice raising.

Her father had told her everything, from the rumors from Dorne to Robert asking for gold and weapons.

"It is none of your concern!"

"Aren't you tired, Robert? Aren't you tired of all the fighting?"

"Of course I'm tired! I've been fighting for so long! For once, I don't want to fight anymore! Can't you at least give me that?" Robert exclaimed, pulling a chair roughly and sitting.

Livia sat in front of him, her anger still there though less strong upon hearing the tiredness in his voice. "Is that why Lord Arryn is not here?"

"Yes." He replied. "He is to talk to Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn."

At that, her anger came alive as she asked. "Weeks. You've kept this from me for weeks. Was I the only fool who didn't know about it?"

"I didn't want to! You have your secrets I'm sure, leave me to mine!" He sneered, his anger meeting hers.

He was right. She did.

"Is that what we are now?" Livia persisted, her voice hopeless. "Reduced to our agreement?"

Was that truly what he thought of them? What he thought of her?

"That's not what I'm saying." Robert sighed.

Turning from him, she spoke. "It seems King's Landing has made us different people."

She could not face him because she was a liar too. She kept the letter from him. Every second that passes felt like another weight added on her shoulders.

"It seems so." About to leave, she paused when he answered. "Liv, I do care for you."

Having heard enough, her voice resigned. "I wish with every bit of my being to believe you. But I don't believe you because you keep things from me, you keep me in the dark. You say such kind words and do sweet things for me but not once have you ever have you treated me as an equal."

Perhaps he cared for her but he didn't see her as a partner for ruling. He only saw a girl worth courting to gain her affection.

Robert stood, grasping her wrist before she could leave. "I had hoped you would understand."

Understand what? That she could never hope to be his equal? That she would always be beneath him no matter what she would do.

Her father had been right. Even if she did not want him to be. She will never amount to anything more than a wife to bear children. Until then, she was worthless.

Livia met his eyes, trying to convey all the pain she felt. When they had gotten married, she had wanted his affection, even just a small amount of it. But now that she had it, she still felt burned with pain.

What was affection without trust? Would they ever move from this or would they be like this forever?

Distant. Both of them keeping their secrets.

"If you truly cared, you would have told me."

With that, she left with an aching heart, unknowingly leaving a man who felt the same pain, the same hurt whilst a voice echoed in her mind.

Liar. Hypocrite.

Guilt burdened both of them. The secrets they hid from each other even though all they only wanted was to protect the other. They weave a web of lies to keep them shielded from the reality they must face.

If only they had just faced it together. Perhaps they would have had a chance.

°•°•°•°•°•°

Days pass until a fortnight had passed yet still Robert and Livia had not uttered a single word to each other.

Livia would work late into the night, melted candles littering her desk. Only eating when it was needed, only sleeping when she felt completely drained. She would only return to her chambers when she needed to bathe and have a change of clothes, making sure that Robert was out at the time.

With her being stuck inside all day, no longer taking strolls through the gardens or gossiping with her ladies, her skin had gone pale. Even with the little sleep she had gotten, nightmares still plagued her.

With no Robert to hold her hand, nothing was stopping her from succumbing to the pains of the past.

Robert was no better.

Robert would drink, finishing barrels of wine each day. He would attend small council meetings, barely able to stand on his feet. His blue eyes were always rimmed red, not sleeping as well as he should.

Even with the wine in his system, his sleep has not been peaceful. Without Livia's soothing voice and smooth hands, he would fight battles every night. Every night fighting Rhaegar Targaryen Every night mourning for the loss of Lyanna Stark or so he thought.

He wasn't mourning for the loss of Lyanna Stark, he was mourning for the loss of Livia Lannister in his life, even if he could not admit it to himself.

"What happened?" Jon said, entering the room and seeing the king drunk once again.

"You're back! The Hand of the King has finally returned!" Robert cheered, pouring another goblet.

Jon gave him a pointed look. "You look like you haven't slept in days and so does she."

"You've seen her then?" Robert asked, concerned for her though he does not want to make it seem that he does.

"I have." Jon answered. "Honestly Robert, what could have possibly happened between the two of you to render your relationship this way?"

The king finished the goblet in his hand. "I kept the Dornish uprising from her."

"Oh, Rober-" Jon started, only for Robert to interrupt him.

Robert exclaimed. "I was trying to protect her from it! So she would not have to worry anymore."

"I know, but she may not see it that way. She was friends with the late Elia Martell, perhaps you keeping this from her felt like a betrayal to her." Before he could pour himself more wine, he felt Jon's hand on his shoulder.

"I did not think it would be this way! I did not think that she would think of it that way! We were alright! We were good for one second and bad, the next."

"That's the thing with people. They only ever talk about the good times but there will always be bad times. Even if no one will mention it."

"I don't understand. Should it feel this way? Should caring so much for someone make me feel sad and lonely when she is angry with me? Should I feel these things?" Robert asked, looking up at the Hand.

"A few months ago, you told me that the void and the darkness had swallowed you. That nothing is left inside you." Jon merely smiled. "Notice the questions you just asked. You asked about emotions. You are feeling and I think that means that caring is better than not feeling at all."

There was silence and for a second, nothing happened at all.

Robert stood, facing Jon with a renewed expression, now determined.

He had done wrong, now he will make things right.

However, before he could leave to return to his chambers, Jon called out. "I've spoken to Prince Doran and he assures me that there will not be an uprising."

Robert paused, turning around. "And Prince Oberyn?"

"He was not there." Jon answered, prompting Robert to raise his brow in question.

"What do you mean?" Robert asked, his thoughts drifting yet part of it remained in the room as he wondered why the supposed leader of the uprising was not subdued.

"Prince Oberyn Martell is not in Dorne."

"Where in seven hells is he then?"

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