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Chapter 53

Chapter 53: The Lioness
...
Joanna POV

Inside a spacious, luxurious room of Casterly Rock, I sat on a comfortable golden-red couch. With my right hand, I held a teacup, and in my left, a small plate to rest the hot porcelain.

I took a sip as I glanced at my sister-in-law, Genna. She sat beside me, her ever-present smile softening her round face.

A tray of desserts lay between us on the table, untouched save for the faint crumbs from earlier indulgence.

A couple meters away from us, my two golden cubs played with each other. My golden-haired daughter, Cersei, was crouched on the floor, her delicate hands playing a game of peek-a-boo with my baby boy, Tyrion.

Tyrion responded with laughter, high and joyous, his chubby hands clapping with each reveal of Cersei's face.

My lips curved upward at the sight. For all her youthful fire, Cersei had a tender way with Tyrion.

"Aww, they're so cute, aren't they?" Genna remarked with a warm smile, her green eyes fixed on the siblings.

I turned to her, returning her smile with a slight nod.

"Yes, they are..." I began, pausing briefly as my gaze lingered on the pair.

"Cersei is such a great older sister, isn't she?" I added with a playful tone.

"Though I admit, I'm a little jealous she might steal my spot as Tyrion's favorite." I japed.

Genna chuckled, her laugh as rich as the setting. "If that's your biggest worry, Joanna, I'd say you're doing just fine as a mother."

Hearing her compliment, I nodded and smiled, the warmth of her words lingering in my chest.

As I enjoyed the peaceful moment, Genna shifted the conversation. Her tone was light, but there was a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes as she broached the subject of her son, Lyonel.

She expressed her thanks for the match I had arranged for him. "You've done so much for Lyonel," she said earnestly. "I don't know how to repay you for securing such a good betrothal."

I waved her words away with a faint smile. "We're family, Genna. It was the least I could do."

The betrothal she mentioned had been for her second son, Lyonel. It was I who had orchestrated the arrangement, securing a match between him and the daughter of Lord Crakehall. It was a good match, one that would benefit both families.

"I only hope," I added, "that their union proves as fruitful as we've planned."

Genna nodded thoughtfully before steering the conversation toward my own children.

"Speaking further on marriages, have you thought of any betrothal for Cersei and Jaime?" Genna asked.

The question gave me pause. I glanced toward Cersei, who was still playing with Tyrion, her golden hair glinting in the afternoon sun. Then my thoughts turned to Jaime, with his boundless energy and unshakable confidence.

For Cersei, Tywin had already made his intentions clear. From our conversations through letters, it seemed that her future was not open for debate. The prince, Rhaegar Targaryen, was the only target in my husband's eyes.

Jaime, however, was a different matter. My mind drifted to the Tullys, specifically to Catelyn, the eldest daughter of Hoster Tully. Mina Tully's daughter would make a strong match for him—one that could forge an alliance that would benefit our house.

But even as these thoughts formed, my heart hesitated. "No, they are quite young," I replied, deflecting the truth from my words.

"I'll wait until they come of age. I want their opinions." It wasn't entirely a lie, though Tywin and I both had ambitions for our children. Yet my hopes went beyond alliances and power.