Jaime II

Guarding the king had been different these last few years. Every day, at least one of his sworn brothers would have to accompany the king to the yard. At least watching him train could prove entertaining, better than guarding his bedchamber, that was for sure. Robert even lost a bet with his son at the tourney held for the boy's eighth nameday, and as a consequence, shaved off his beard. "You and Uncle Renly look just alike!" Joffrey cried upon seeing him. "Which one of you is my father?"Everyone at court bobbed their heads like geese, clucked like hens, and hastened to agree, and not just because the author of the jape was the crown prince. It was plainly true. Robert looked much as he did the day he rode through the Red Keep's great hall to claim the Iron Throne for himself. The youngest of the brothers Baratheon recently won his spurs and, as a reward, received a seat on the Small Council. With the beard gone, he and Robert might've been twins, if not for His Grace's bulging muscles. A real ox now, even more than before, Joffrey had shown his "father" a few queer play exercises that had the arms, shoulders, and chest burning as if you'd spent an hour swinging your sword. "Sets" and "reps," he named them. Personally, Jaime preferred to let the maesters bother with counting. Gods, Jaime was surrounded by Baratheons. Young Renly, dull Stannis, Robert the king, and Joffrey, who was a Baratheon in name if not by blood, had made it their custom to eat together after their morning exercises. Today, it was Jaime's misfortune to be on watch. Cersei urged him to be vigilant, but they hardly ever talked of anything of importance at table. Soon, the watch would change, and mayhaps he could steal some time to be with her, alone. "Anyway," Joff said conversationally, sitting at ease with a breadroll in one hand and a goblet in the other," please convey my profound gratitude to Ser Davos, Uncle. Taking me to Dragonstone so I could see the Painted Table was quite helpful.""I will," Stannis replied shortly. Not much for conversation, Stannis. "Ah," the boy continued, producing a piece of parchment from a leather bag at his feet, "you can have a copy of my sketch for Shireen. She's more than welcome to come and see the new model, though it's only half done." Stannis took the paper without a word and nodded gruffly. Well, you tried, Joff. "Buck up, brother!" Robert roared, his voice echoing almost painfully in the small hall where they took their more intimate family meals. "Myrcella was asking after your daughter, wasn't she?""Aye," the prince confirmed. "Myrcella would love to see her girl cousin. Just the other day, she helped me do a spot of measuring. Every pair of hands is welcome, and it would help with learning sums." "...My wife does not wish to send her to court," Stannis declared, and that was the end of it. All knew Shireen had survived a case of greyscale as a babe, and carried the deformity with her. Joff had a soft spot for her, just as Jaime did with his brother Tyrion. As little as he related to the lad, it was nice to know they shared this. Robert, meanwhile, was tearing into a ham with gusto, making Joffrey frown. "Slow down, father. Do you want to get fat again?" The king's expression was immediately thunderous, and for a moment it froze the room, until Renly burst out laughing. Soon they were all laughing, save Stannis. "Sometimes, son, you're too bold for your own good," Robert rumbled, but Jaime marked that he did slow down. The king hardly ever listened to anyone, but the boy managed it, gods be good. "If I can't tell my own dad the truth, this kingdom is done for," Joffrey stated plainly. "Hear! Hear!" Renly toasted. "And what's this about measuring?" Robert pressed the boy after swallowing a mouthful of ham. "I've heard all manner of reports. The goldcloaks are in uproar at you walking the walls. Anywhere you go, the people trample over each other just to get a look at you." Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"Valyrian geometry," the boy explained, as if that explained anything. Jaime had never heard of "Valyrian geometry" in his life. "It would be dull for you, but it involves measuring shadows and angles, among other things. The model 2.0 will be an exact replica, down to the last detail, the city writ small. Tyrion and I have been working on it for over a year."

"You've told me often enough, but why?" the king demanded. "I'll have a proposal for you as soon as I have something to propose," Joff answered, which seemed to satisfy the king. "Well, you could have worse hobbies, I suppose. I tried talking to your mother last night." Jaime was instantly alert. What in seven hells did Robert have to say to Cersei? "I was as gentle as I could be, like you said, proposed we start over, try to be man and wife again. She wouldn't hear of it. It was like talking to a castle wall, I tell you!" He slammed a heavy fist down on the table, making their food jump. Renly almost spilled his goblet, but caught the golden chalice at the last moment. Joffrey sighed. "I was afraid of that. Father, I know you two never loved each other. Your marriage brought peace, but not happiness." "A boy shouldn't have to know these things," Robert muttered, sounding almost ashamed, but Joffrey held up a hand. "Let me finish. It might be time to give it up. I've been working on her, too, but she shuts me down as soon as the conversation goes to you. I tried to convince Mother to give you a chance, but I fear it will just never happen. Mother would give me anything, but not this, apparently. You've got an heir and a spare, and a darling daughter out of the bargain. That's not nothing. Mayhaps...mayhaps it's time to think about getting a royal mistress." "What?" Stannis snapped. "How can you even consider that?" The whole table was in an uproar. "And dishonor his wife? My sister?" Jaime couldn't stop himself from speaking up. "You're here to guard my back, not bandy about words, kingslayer!" Robert bit back coldly. Jaime stood to rigid attention, but sudden anger vibrated through his body from the soles of his feet to his sword arm. Robert was stronger, yes, but he was faster. Then Joffrey said something shocking."No more than he dishonors her already!" he cried. Robert recoiled as if slapped, then his face grew stony. "There is a line between boldness and foolishness, boy, and you're crossing it." The prince held up his hands in a gesture of placation. "Just hear me out, I beg you." Robert didn't speak, but his hard look spoke enough. "Father, you're miserable. I can see it plain as day. I also know you visit whores." The table erupted again. Renly laughed inappropriately, and Stannis started grinding his teeth. The king, though, looked ashamed. How did a boy of eight know these things?"If you got a regular royal mistress, just one, and visited her discreetly, while not embarrassing Mother in public, I think we would all be happier. It looks like your marriage bed is cold, and like to stay that way forever. You've got a long life ahead of you, if the gods are good. What I mean to say is, you've got to find a way to live the rest of your life with at least a chance of happiness." Robert sank back into his chair, the big man looking suddenly small. "I'll...think on it, Joff. Gods, you're like Ned in some ways; tell me what I need to hear instead of what I want to hear. I really thought that with us getting along, Cersei might warm up to me, but that was a fool's hope; I see that now. The gods are fucking cruel. They give you everything except what you really want." "Best to keep busy, Father. I'll have that proposal to you before the end of the year. The Hand will want to see it too, I bet." He raised his own glass. "Here's hoping my own marriage is a happier one."They all drank to that. When the watch changed, he made for Cersei straight away.