𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐋 || 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

Chapter 3

My footsteps echoed in the long corridor as I headed to the Gardens. Thoughts swirled in my mind as I walked. What if his feelings had changed towards Sansa? From the moment we had arrived, he only had eyes for her...or so it seemed to me. What if the prince had a sudden affection for me? I wasn't even a Stark by birth although I'm sure that wouldn't change His Grace's mind on a matter of this importance. I took a deep breath as the hallway opened up into bright sunlight, lighting up my ebony hair. Suddenly, a smile graced my face as I took in the Gardens. It was beautiful - there were so many wondrous colors here! Beautiful flowers adorned ceramic pots that were placed around the area. I smiled and reached out a hand as I walked, my fingertips brushing the soft petals.

"My lady, I wasn't aware you liked flowers? There's lots of them here in the Gardens," a voice spoke up, making me jump slightly.

As I looked up, my eyes met the emerald-green ones of the prince's. Brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face, I flashed him a smile then curtseyed.

"Your Grace, I apologize. I was so taken by the beauty of all the lovely flowers, I seemed to forget myself," I smiled.

Prince Joffrey nodded in response and held his arm out to me. Inside I wanted to grimace but I pushed it down and took the arm he offered me. As we strolled through the Gardens, he engaged me in conversation of my father's newfound title as Hand of the King.

"When my father told me of Lord Eddard Stark's children coming with him, I never dreamed one of them would be as pretty as you are," he flirted, arching an eyebrow.

Swallowing down my disgust, I faked a smile as stopped before a wall overlooking the sea.

"Thank you, Your Grace," I chirped, letting go of his arm to stand by the wall.

I rested my arms on the warm stones and looked out over the prodigious city.

"It's a magnificent city..."

From behind, I heard his booted footsteps tread towards me and then his warm breath on the back of my neck. His fingertips grazed across my skin and I flinched away from him, turning to meet his gaze. His once soft eyes turned cold and hateful and I knew I had awoken the dragon.

"Mother told me I would wed one of you Stark girls and I would be the one to choose. I chose you, Joan Stark. From the moment I first saw you, I decided you would be mine," he said menacingly as he inched closer.

His deep green orbs had darkened with anger. What had I done?

"And no matter what you may feel for me, you will be my Queen one day," he continued.

I couldn't stand it any longer. My hand lashed out and smacked him across the porcelain skin of his face.

"I will never marry you, you spoiled child!" I seethed, balling my fists.

He looked up at me, his eyes livid.

"My mother will hear about this!" he shouted at me, "And you will be mine even if it kills you!"

With that last statement, he stalked off, leaving me wide-eyed and shaky. Why did I do that? Why couldn't I have just left it alone? A sudden snap of a twig made me look up. Standing just inside the doorway was the blond man I had seen before. As soon as I saw him, he hurriedly walked away. Had he been watching us? Would he tell the King?

Sighing, I picked up my skirts and trudged back to my room. Hopefully, I hadn't just doomed us all...