BLEEDING LOVE ⚜️ ROBB STARK

Chapter Eighteen • Mother Dearest

She felt nothing but pain and agony trying to birth her firstborn. The birth was painful, perhaps the only part of having children she disliked. Making the child was fun (had it not been Robert), carrying the child within her was something akin to a religious experience for her, but the birth was hell. In the thirteen hours she was in labour, Cersei came to the conclusion, that the ultimate torture was childbirth. She vowed during the eighth hour to never have children again. By the tenth she was begging for death.

"Push harder Your Grace. The babe is almost here!" said Maester Pycelle.

You said that nearly an hour ago, you grey-sunken cunt! Cersei thought. With one final push of pain and hope she let out. But then it was over.

"Congratulations Your Grace. A healthy girl, a-and  th-the first prince-ess."

"Hand her here Maester I want to see my daughter," Cersei demanded.

The maester placed her perfect little girl in her arms, and Cersei cried tears of pure joy. She'd thought carrying the child inside her was amazing, but holding her in her arms was life affirming. As she looked down at his face, she saw Robert Baratheon in her face. She was silent, which worried her, but she was lively. Little pink arms flailing and grabbing hold of her hair, legs kicking out as they had whilst he was inside her. Green eyes bright and wide, cat-like and identical to think of her mother's, and the little tuft of already thick black hair was slicked close to her head.

She'll be like Robert in some regard. Grabbing my teats when he needs them. But she won't be him, I know it. She'll be a Lannister, my little lioness.

Jaime looked at him with such curious eyes. "She looks like Robert alright," he said, stating the obvious like a fool."But she does have some of the Lannister look within her." he added.

Cersei just smiled, "of course she does, she's perfect."

As Robert came into the chambers, he presented her with both a stag and lion pelt. He laughed loudly at the sight of his daughter, taking him in such wonderment that she didn't think possible. Her babe had captured what was left of the king's heart.

Soon, they came into blows as to what to name realm's first Baratheon princess.

A part of Cersei had desired to name her daughter after her Lady Mother, Joanna. But she didn't want to feel sadness every time she said the name of her daughter, so she never suggested the name aloud.

Robert had a similar idea and wanted to name the babe after his Lady Mother, Cassana, but Cersei convinced him that the name would bring bad fortune upon their daughter.

Alysanne was a name Cersei favored towards, but the name was of the Good Queen, and Robert hated all things Targaryen. Even the shortened Alys was out of the question.

All suggestions came to an end when Robert decided her name without anymore suggestions or objections, it was also the moment that everything turned to ashes.

"Lyla."

~*****~

"I'm sorry your marriage to Ned Stark didn't work out. You seemed so good together."

Robert turned from his drinking to face his wife of seventeen years. She was standing at the door looking at him mockingly. He believed she feasted off his misery now. He would have ignored her, but that had never done him any good in the past, she would always come back. She would always want more. She would continue and she would rave about every choice he made. So he learned to make compromises to make her satisfied. When Cersei was angry about the name he picked for Lyla, he allowed her to name the next three as he cared less the more that came along. When Cersei was contempt, life was easier for the king, and easier meant quieter.