GOT: Wolf Becomes Stag

When Robert woke up in the morning, he still felt sore around his loins. But he dragged himself out of the bed and donned some simple clothes. The Chataya's finest was still sleeping soundly, so he didn't disturb her sleep.

In silence, he tidied himself without a mirror and walked out of his room. The Kingsguards shift had changed and now Barristan was standing there outside.

"Your Grace," Barristan bowed his head. "I trust that the night was well spent in your favor?"

Robert let out a chortle and began walking to his private dining room. "Did you hear it?"

"She had a… serenading voice," Barristan awkwardly answered. "I beseech you to show mercy on men if you find them dozing. Their night was… lonely."

"Hah!" Robert laughed openly at that. Wasn't that what he wanted from the start? "What of Tommen and Myrcella? I hope they didn't hear my… Actions."

"You still favor them?"

"I don't, Barristan. But unlike Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella have the makings of decent souls. As for their fate, I'll need to hear Jamie's wails before I make any judgments," Robert declared with a steely glint in his eye. "We'll see how the kids come to terms with their lineage. If there's any hint of vengefulness... Well, the Night's Watch and the Silent Sisters have plenty of space for more."

"You have been good to the two, Your Grace." Ser Barristan reassured him just as they entered the dining room.

"Father!"

Tommen and Myrcella were already there, waiting for their morning meals. Both looked innocent, Tommen's feet dangling while Myrcella made him sit up like a strict older sister.

Robert warmly greeted them and took a seat for himself. Right away he was served with fine bread, cheese cubes, a dozen sausages and bacon strips, an egg pudding, and a large glass of milk. Yes, that was Robert's morning diet, a necessary requirement for that large body. Especially now as he attempted to lose some fat and gain back the muscles.

"Father," Tommen voiced suddenly. "I heard crying foxes last night?"

"Pfft!" Robert spat a mouth full of milk. Behind him, Ser Barristan held back his chuckle, while the servants rushed to clean the table.

Robert coughed and nodded, a gruff edge to his voice. "Aye, the fox is caught and dealt with. Your cats are safe now; no harm will come to them."

"Really? That's good. I hugged them in bed last night." Tommen brimmed with a smile and continued eating his breakfast.

Robert also silently devoured his meal. The day ahead was going to be long as guests were expected to arrive. Finally, Eddard Stark's murderers were going to be brought to justice.

Soon enough, Tommen finished his meal and ran back to play with his cats.

Meanwhile, Myrcella was visibly delaying finishing her meal. It was just a single sausage that she had been eating in tiny bites, as if waiting for something. Even when Robert finished his breakfast, Myrcella was still finishing the sausage.

"What? Do you wish to speak on something?" Robert inquired bluntly. The Robert of old might have been a fool, too deep in his cups to see anything but the bottom of a tankard. But now, he could sense the unease that gripped her every fiber.

Myrcella flinched and finished taking the last bite. At last, she looked up, her eyes watery, staring at Ser Barristan and the maids in the dining room.

Ser Barristan didn't need the King to speak and quickly ordered the maids to empty the place. He also left then and stood outside the door, guarding.

"Go on then," Robert relaxed back in his seat. "What is it?"

Myrcella evaded looking at Robert. She constantly stared at the empty plate. "I… Is it true that… t-that you're not my father?"

Robert froze for a short moment there. Of all things, this wasn't what he was expecting. What a smart girl. She realized it all on her own? Or did she see something?

"How did you find out?"

Myrcella gulped and answered truthfully. "Uncle Jaime and mother… They meet often in secret and I once saw them l-like lovers. Is Uncle Jaime our father? Are we going to be locked up like Mother and Joffrey?"

Robert saw the fear on her face and chose to be a little softer with her. He couldn't care less if Cersei cheated on Robert for he was not that man. To him, Cersei's crimes were far greater. "Aye, you speak the truth. Cersei's betrayal was a bitter draught, and she made no bones about it—confessed to sharing her bed with Jaime since they were merely four and ten. But her treachery runs deeper than mere infidelity, and Joffrey's sins are no less grievous."

Myrcella shivered in fright at that. "T-Then… What is to happen to us, Your Grace?"

Creak!

Robert rose up all of a sudden and walked around the table. He stood close beside Myrcella and caressed her hair, the golden locks he didn't like much nowadays. Yet, he saw for who she was; A child just a little younger than Sansa. A child far better and gentler than Joffrey.

"Look here, Myrcella," he called, though his voice softened as he spoke to the child. "You've been my daughter for thirteen years, and nothing can alter that truth. Our blood may not match, but the bond remains unchanged. Even without any birthright, you are welcome to live here as a princess. Live, read, write, study, and grow as you will. Find joy, find love, and marry for it if you wish. Just don't lay the sins of your mother at my feet."

"I won't!" She promised, aware that bastards don't really get to live a good life. "I'm not like Joffrey. He's the worst."

"The entire King's Landing knows." Robert stopped caressing her head. "Go and play with Sansa. She'd like to have some company around her age."

"I can play with her?"

"Cersei didn't let you?" Robert frowned.

"No, she never allowed me to go near her."

That incestuous whore. Robert controlled his rage with great effort. "You can play with her as much as you want. Take Tommen as well, and... Make an effort to rein in your younger brother. His fate hinges on how he handles the retribution I will deliver to Cersei and Jaime. Will he seek vengeance? Or will he accept the dishonor done to the Crown?"

"I-I will keep that in mind, fath—Your Grace." Myrcella nodded many times and rushed away from the dining room.

Robert sighed at her nervous walk. Myrcella and Tommen were mere children, and they had lived all their lives in great luxury. Sending them to Silent Sisters and the Night's Watch was the last option he kept on the list.

"Ser Barristan." He stepped out of the room and ordered his Kingsguard. "Start Tommen's training at once. He has no birthright, but he can still become a knight one day. He's still young enough to be shaped into a loyal warrior for the Crown."

"What if he raises the blade against you?" Ser Barristan asked.

"Then the warhammer will deal with him."

####

The Reach,

Coiled together in the bed, Renly Baratheon and Loras Tyrell stared at each other's faces after an act worthy of execution in the eyes of the Faith. Smiling with no worries, the room lit with candlelight and the aroma of roses.

"Margaery can't wait to see you with the crown, Renly," Loras claimed.

Renly smirked boastfully, sure of his future fortunes. "And I can't wait to see you as my Kingsguard. Soon enough, everything will fall into its place. Robert—whoever that imposter is, can never stand before the Lannisters. King's Landing will be under my army swiftly."

"Hmm… I can't wait."

####

Back in King's Landing, the final rats that still followed the Lannisters were finally weeded out. The city fell completely into Robert's hands with that. And right at that time, the visitors from the North entered the city.

In the throne room, Robert waited for Robb Stark to make an entrance. There were no other witnesses present, just Robert and his Small Council alongside the guards.

"How many men did he bring?" Asked Robert.

"Five hundred, Your Grace. Yet, it appears that the majority have chosen to remain beyond the city gates," Lord Varys replied smoothly. "Lord Stark and Lady Catelyn advance towards the Red Keep, accompanied by a mere fifty men."

Five hundred? He's underestimating King's Landing. Robert scrutinized his 'son'. He's not fit to rule yet.

"What of Tywin?"

"He's a day away from reaching here, Your Grace."

Then the execution can be held the day after tomorrow. Robert made plans and soon noticed a commotion near the entrance of the throne room. He felt his heart beat fast in expectation of seeing his family. Yet he also forced himself to look sullen and Robert-like.

Heavy footsteps resounded soon enough.

Robert rose from his throne and stepped down to the main floor to get the quickest glimpse of his son and wife.

"Gods be good! You made it safely here!" Robert bellowed as soon as the small entourage entered. He walked hastily, approached Robb, and pulled the boy into a warm hug. "How are you, my boy?"

He gulped in silence, noticing the subtle changes in his son. The eyes no longer belonged to a boy, but a leader. The firmness was piercing, and the coldness in his being was disheartening.

But Robert finally looked to the side, behind him. He clenched his fists tight to stop himself from going ahead and embracing the woman. Catelyn looked so tired, her beautiful eyes seemed to have lost their shine. It ached him to see her paler and skinnier too.

Seven hells, Robert. Why die to a fucking boar for this? He found himself cursing his old friend. I can't even hold my family close anymore. My own wife…

"My lady," he greeted her solemnly and focused back on Robb. "Where's the Kingslayer?"

"Where's Sansa?" Robb asked back—loud. Catelyn seemed to not like that and held her son's arm to keep him in control.

The anger is justified, my son.

______________________

Check out Robert X Arianne Martell NSFW ART, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens

Old Free Art on Discord: https://discord.gg/W5FdB6WXaP