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Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Ladies in Lannisport
...
Joanna Lannister

I sat inside the wheelhouse, the soft creak of the wheels beneath us a familiar sound. The wheelhouse was heading from Casterly Rock to Lannisport.

Cersei sat on my right, her golden curls spilling over her shoulders as she gazed out the small window, her focus lingering on the squire Galahad riding just beyond the carriage.

I had noticed that over the past moons, her attention had shifted from her brother Jaime to the young squire.

Jaime sat to my left, casually leaning against the cushioned seat, his sharp green eyes absorbing everything beyond the window with his usual quiet confidence.

The way he carried himself, even at this age, mirrored his father's poise. He was always watching, always learning, though with less formality than Tywin.

Across from me was Nymeria, her dark hair framing her face in loose waves. She smiled warmly as she exchanged light conversation with her daughter, Elia, whose wide, curious eyes darted between the rest of us.

They were discussing the best places to show me in the city once we arrived, their voices filled with excitement. They had been to Lannisport many times while staying at Casterly Rock, while I had been confined within its walls for what felt like ages.

Today marked my first journey beyond Casterly Rock in many moons. After the long recovery from my pregnancy, I had finally convinced my husband to let me travel to Lannisport.

The thought of returning to the bustling streets and breathing in the fresh sea air brought a flutter of excitement to my chest. It had been too long since I felt the world beyond the castle, and I longed for the sense of freedom that came with it.

We weren't alone, of course. Outside the carriage, the steady clop of hooves and the occasional call from our escort provided a sense of safety.

Oberyn Martell, bold and vigilant, rode alongside us. My brothers-in-law, Gerion and Tygett, were with him, their presence familiar and steadying.

Gerion, ever the playful one, would likely find some mischief before the day was done. Tygett, on the other hand, was more serious, always mindful of his duty.

And then there was Galahad, the young squire with his golden hair and quiet demeanor. He had quickly gained Cersei's and Jaime's attention, but there was something about him that struck me as different. There was an air of mystery to him.

Around the carriage rode ten Lannister knights, their armor clinking softly with each step, a reassuring presence that reminded me of how carefully Tywin had planned this small journey. Even a simple visit to Lannisport was never without its precautions.

The carriage swayed gently, and I took a deep breath, feeling anticipation and a strange sense of calm washing over me. Soon, I would be free of the Rock's towering walls, if only for a short while.

"So," I said, breaking the comfortable silence, turning to Nymeria and Elia, "what do you think I should see first when we arrive?"

Nymeria's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Well, we could go to the theater, the bakery, the fast food market, the club, or the tea house." She rattled off the options as if Lannisport had become an entirely new city since I had last been there.

I blinked in surprise, these places sounding so foreign. The city had changed so much in my absence.

Elia, ever the practical one, gently interrupted her mother's excitement. "Mom, calm down. It would take the whole day to explore the city. Let's keep it simple."