《Aftermath || Robert Baratheon》Chapter III
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With her father's return, Livia had expected that the Martells would not have any need to stay longer than necessary.
After all, if business had already been conducted, what use would be for them to stay at Casterly Rock?
If her father had been correct, one of his children might leave the Rock with the Martells and who's to say that it would not be her. For days, this is what plagued Livia's mind.
But with the look on the Princess of Dorne's face as she left her father's quarters, she was sure that there would be no marriage alliance or any alliance for that matter.
Livia was not fond of goodbyes. But she needed them nonetheless. After not being able to say goodbye to her mother, she had to say goodbye to those who left. It was good to be given a chance to do so.
With a cautious tone, she had offered Elia and Oberyn the chance to finally see her brother, to quell the fires of their curiosity at least. A last gift to them.
For a moment, she had hoped that they would have forgotten about their curiosity about her brother but she was wrong as they quickly agreed.
They were on their way to Tyrion's nursery when they saw Jaime and Cersei.
Livia was surprised to see them together once more. She had thought that the two would never reconcile however it seemed as if the twins couldn't stay away from each other for long.
"Jaime, Cersei, where are you two off to?" She asked, a small smile on her face.
"Just passing the time, sister. And you?" Jaime asked, subtly looking at Elia and Oberyn with a cautious look.
After all, they stole his sister's time from him ever since they arrived at the Rock.
"We were on our way to visit Tyrion's nursery. Oberyn and Elia have yet to meet our youngest sibling." Livia gestured to the direction they were heading.
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Upon hearing her words, Cersei flinched. "You want to meet him? I'll take you there. Follow me." Cersei spoke, picking up her skirts and heading to the nursery.
The Martells followed her but Livia paused, giving Jaime a worried look, only to have him return the same gaze.
Nevertheless, they walked fast to keep up with Cersei's pace only to come upon them already in the nursery, peering into Tyrion's crib.
Livia and Jaime came to stood by them just as Cersei lifted the blanket covering their brother.
Elia and Oberyn looked but upon their faces, Livia only saw disappointment. She knew the rumors circulating her brother. Lord Tywin's bane, they said. He was a punishment from the gods for daring to be greater than the king himself.
For a while it was silent. Livia watched the Martells look at her brother, as if not knowing what to say yet. It was almost painful.
"That's not a monster." Oberyn spoke, breaking the silence."That's just a baby."
Cersei seemed to flare up at that statement. "No! He's a monster and a murderer!"
She moved to pinch Tyrion's privates only to have Livia intercept her.
"Don't." Livia said, meeting her sister's eyes.
Cersei was the first to turn away, even she wouldn't dare to cross Livia. Livia Lannister may be a loving sister but inheriting her father's eyes gave her the ability to chill people to the bone with just one look.
"It doesn't matter. Everyone says he'll die soon anyway. He should not have lived." That was the last thing Cersei said before leaving the room. Jaime followed after her.
It left Livia with the Martells once again. Livia opened her mouth to speak but found that she had nothing to say. Elia bent down to pick up the blanket that Cersei dropped and covered Tyrion's small body with it again.
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"Thank you, Elia. " Only then did Livia find her voice. "We should go, it's almost time for supper."
The two siblings sensed her change in mood so they agreed, following her to the dining hall in silence.
No one knew how to lift Livia's spirits after that event. A permanent frown seemed etched on her face.
Until the day before the Martells were supposed to depart, where everything changed.
At least, it did for two people.
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"You're leaving tomorrow." Livia said, more of a statement than a question.
"Yes. There's nothing to keep us here. My mother has already spoken to your father. All businesses are done." Oberyn answered.
They were both sitting at the ledge of one of the towers overlooking the sea. Their legs were dangling off the edge but for the first time since the event with Tyrion, Livia felt calm.
It had just been her and Oberyn that day as Elia was helping her mother with last minute things. Of course, Oberyn would try to skip out on it. Instead, he found Livia and together they looked for a place to talk.
"Livia, may I speak freely?" Oberyn asked, turning to face her.
Livia looked at him, almost shocked. "You do not need to ask that, Oberyn. Please do so."
He was quiet for a while, as if unsure then he said. "I pity your sister."
She was confused as she heard this. "Cersei? Why?" She had thought that maybe he was going to say something about Tyrion.
"One can ignore their outside flaws but having a bitter heart hinders you from ever truly loving someone." He answered, looking to the horizon again.
She followed suit as she asked. "Are people in Dorne this wise?"
Oberyn let out a laugh. "I like to think it's just me. Makes me feel unique in a way."
"You're not like anyone I've ever met." Livia confessed honestly. Oberyn, despite not being much older than her seemed so mature and open towards everything.
"And I think you're the most intelligent and most beautiful girl I have ever had the pleasure of being in the company of." He said, making her blush. "Truly."
"You should meet more people then." She jested, trying to hide her flustered state.
Oberyn chuckled once again. "I know I'm right. I usually always am."
Livia rolled her eyes at his arrogance and was about to move away from the ledge when Oberyn placed his hand on top of hers.
"Livia, may I ask you something?" He asked, his tone serious.
She only nodded, not finding the words to answer.
"Have you ever been kissed before?" He asked.
"No, I haven't." She answered, a bit embarrased. She hasn't been close to any boy outside of her family other than Oberyn.
He then asked her something unexpected. "May I kiss you, then? Just a goodbye kiss, nothing more." When she seemed to hesitate he continued. "I don't know when I'll be seeing you again."
Livia thought about it. He was right. She does not know when they would see each other again and besides, it was just a goodbye kiss.
She inched closer to Oberyn, so close that their lips were almost touching. She closed her eyes and then she felt the slightest pair of lips press unto hers.
It only lasted for a second before they both pulled away, smiles on their faces. The smiles lasted until the next day, even if they had to part ways for that moment would forever live in their minds. As well as their hearts.
"I'll miss you, Livia Lannister."
"Until we meet again, Oberyn Martell."
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