The Mad Queen's Reign

5-Behind Closed Doors

Rayna cheers from the courtyard sidelines, her voice ringing out across the sun-drenched stones. "Go, Robb, go! Show him your mettle!" Theon Greyjoy, Ned Stark's ward, grins as he trains with Robb Stark, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sweat. Just as Robb gains the upper hand, Joffrey strides in, his face contorted in a snarl. "Enough of this pathetic display!" He snatches a sword from a nearby guard and charges at Theon with a wild swing. Theon dodges effortlessly, his eyes blazing with anger. Robb intervenes, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he disarms Joffrey with a swift strike. Theon pins Joffrey to the ground, their blades pressed against his throat. "Yield!" Robb growls. Joffrey's face twists in rage, but he knows he's beaten. With a snarl, he yields. Joffrey sits up, his eyes blazing with anger. "You'll pay for this!" he spits, before rising and storming off. Rayna's face darkens with concern, her voice rising in alarm. "Robb, you fool! What have you done?! This will have far-reaching consequences, and I fear for Sansa's safety!" She turns and hurries away, her long skirts rustling as she disappears into the castle, her heart heavy with foreboding.

Rayna's urgent strides echo through the castle's dimly lit hallway, her mind racing with worries about Sansa's safety. As she turns a corner, she notices a door slightly ajar, its crack revealing a sliver of warm light from within. Her curiosity piqued, she pushes the door open, her eyes widening in horror at the scandalous scene before her.

In the cozy chamber, Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister sit together on a plush couch, their faces inches apart, their voices hushed in intimate conversation. Rayna's eyes narrow, her mind reeling with the implications of this clandestine meeting. She knows that the twins' relationship is hardly platonic, but to stumble upon them like this, in a secret tryst...Rayna's heart races as she takes a step back, her presence unnoticed by the illicit couple. But Jaime's eyes snap towards her, his gaze piercing like a dagger. Cersei's head jerks up, her eyes flashing towards the window, as if she senses a presence lurking outside. Rayna's breath catches in her throat as Jaime's hand flashes to his belt, his knife glinting in the candlelight.Time seems to slow as the blade hurtles towards her. Rayna's heart skips a beat, her body freezing in terror. She ducks, the knife thudding into the doorframe with a deadly thud, the sound echoing through the hallway like a death knell.  Without hesitation, Rayna spins and sprints down the hallway, her feet pounding the stone floor as she desperately seeks the safety of numbers.

Rayna's mind raced, wondering who was outside the window, witnessing the twins' secret meeting. She had seen the figure lurking in the shadows, but couldn't make out their face. Whoever it was, they had seen the unthinkable - Jaime and Cersei together.Suddenly, Ryna saw Ella rushing to her , her face pale. "My lady, Bran has fallen from the window!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.Rayna's heart raced as she hurried to Bran's room, her feet feeling heavy with dread. She pushed open the door, and her eyes met a sight that tore her heart apart. Her mother, Catelyn Stark, was beside Bran's bed, her body wracked with sobs. "Oh, my poor child!" she wailed, her voice piercing the air. "My sweet Bran, my innocent child!"Rayna's eyes filled with tears as she rushed to her mother's side. She wrapped her arms around her, holding her close as she wept. Bran lay motionless on the bed, his pale face a stark contrast to the vibrant boy he once was. Rayna's thoughts reeled with worry and grief, her mind refusing to accept the possibility of losing her beloved brother.She stayed there for what felt like an eternity, holding her mother, mourning the potential loss of Bran. The room was silent, except for the sound of their tears and the faint whisper of the wind outside. Rayna's heart felt heavy, as if it were being crushed by the weight of her emotions.Finally, she found the strength to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ella, from where did Bran fall?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room frantically.