Not Just a Kingslayer

Chapter 24

Time went by, albeit slowly, and life went on smoothly, or as smoothly as it could in King's Landing. That is, until one day.

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Jaime was walking down the hall when he spotted a white cloak. This white cloak wasn't in a normal guard spot though. It was right outside Cersei's room. But the man wasn't moving. It was as though he was afraid to go inside. A Kingsguard knight, afraid of my sweet sister. He almost laughed out loud, but thought better of it. Actually, that's not surprising. "Ser Balon," he called out,"I didn't know you had returned. Where is Myrcella?"

The knight turned to him with what looked to be real pain on his face, as well as horror. He looked up at the ceiling, down towards his feet, anywhere but the deep green eyes boring into him.

"Well?" Jaime said, raising an eyebrow in such a way that he looked like Cersei. "Where is she?"

"Ser..." he hesitated,"Lord Commander...Myrcella...she's dead."

Jaime's eyes widened. It was at that moment that he noticed the letter in the Kingsguard's hand. "You were to bring that to my sister?"

Ser Balon nodded shakily.

"Might I bring it to her?"

Ser Balon quickly assented, almost pushing Jaime over in his haste to get away.

"Ah, Ser Balon," Jaime called, causing the man to reluctantly turn around. "How did she die?"

Ser Balon looked grim. "Poison."

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Cersei glanced up as she heard her door open, smiling prettily when she saw Jaime. But she frowned when she saw his grim face as he looked up from reading something in his hand. "What's wrong?" she asked, brow furrowing.

He didn't speak for a moment, and then shook his head sharply as though dispelling a thought. "There is some news," he spoke slowly, as though just waking up. "There is some news from Dorne."

Her eyes widened and she grabbed the letter from his hand.

To Cersei Lannister,
Queen Regent of the Seven Kingdoms

Your Grace, I deeply regret to inform you, but your daughter, the Princess Myrcella, has died in my care. She was poisoned in a plot to take the Dornish throne from myself and my family. I have locked up the plotters while we decide what to do with them, believe me, they will be served justice. Trystane is deeply grieved, as I am as well. While you may wish for vengeance, know this, we are doing everything we can to put the matter to right. And know also that sometimes vengeance is sweetest if you wait for it. Once again, I send you my greatest condolences, and hope you will forgive me for this terrible lapse of vigilance.

Cersei gasped as she read the beginning, covering her mouth with her hand, but her face grew angrier with each passing word. "Served justice? Lapse of vigilance? Who does he think he is?"

Jaime stepped forward as she turned towards him, placing his hand on her shoulder, and his knees went weak at the look of pain in her eyes. Little did he know that his matched hers. Suddenly she threw her arms around his neck, sinking into tears. "Shh shh shh," he soothed her,"It'll be alright." He kissed the top of her head.

"No it won't," she sobbed, despairingly. "If Joff and Myrcella can be killed so easily, what about Tommen?" She gasped, rushing towards the door. "Tommen!"

Jaime caught her, grunting at the impact of her weight against his arm. He pulled her to him, holding her close, and pressed his lips against her ear. "It's alright, Cersei. Tommen is alright. You still have Tommen. And you have me. You'll always have me."

She relaxed into him, finally stopping the flow of her tears. "Thank you," she said softly.