"The bruises on her neck will heal, as will the wound on her lip. In time, they will fade away as if nothing happened."

"But things did happen, didn't they?"

"My lord, it was only King Aerys, Ser Jaime, and Lady Livia who were in the throne room. We do not know what exactly happened but we know that Ser Jaime killed the Mad King in self-defense."

"Oh, did he now?"

"If not for himself then to defend his sister, as he said."

"Very well, you may go."

The sound of a door closing. That was the first thing she heard through the darkness. Everything seemed calm, too calm.

With the greatest difficulty, Livia forced her eyes open, blinking at the light. A massive headache came upon her. A figure was immediately by her side.

"Lady Livia." The man said.

At first, she did not recognize him, her mind still groggy with sleep and she tasted bitterness in her mouth, remnants of the wine. Never was she going to drink a single drop of wine ever again.

For a few moments, she felt confused up until the events at the throne room hit her so suddenly that her thoughts immediately took a dark turn.

"Lord Stark?" She croaked, before coughing, trying to sit up as she struggled to speak.

Eddard Stark handed her a goblet which she drank from immediately. As she consumed all the water, she was aware of Lord Stark's look of concern as he looked at her.

She must've looked terrible. Her hair was a bedraggled mess, there was a bandage around her neck and her eyes ached.

Livia finally finished drinking as she met his eyes, immediately asking questions. "Lord Stark, is my brother alright? And my father, is he here? What of the army? I-is Lord Robert with you?"

At those words, her eyes widened at her own words. Of all the things that could have left her mouth, that was one of the first things she uttered? But she had to know if Jaime was going to be branded a traitor, if Elia and her children were to be exiled.

Lord Eddard only raised an eyebrow at her in curiosity. "Your brother is with your father at this moment. As for Robert, he is to arrive in King's Landing soon with the army. Why is it that you ask for him? Perhaps I can help."

He was not sure what he was expecting but Livia Lannister was far from it. He had expected a cruel Southerner, not a concerned lady who had only woken up from her shock yet already concerned herself with the welfare of others.

When Ned saw her in the throne room, on the iron throne, he had thought that she was a ghost. He had seen her injuries yet they did nothing to dull her quiet strength. Only when he had spoken to the grandmaester had he learned of who she truly was.

"I just-he can't, I know that he is to be king and I," Livia said before her lip started to quiver and a tear fell from her eyes. "Don't let him hurt Jaime. He didn't do anything wrong. I'll take all the blame, just please he can't-"

"My lady, shh, it's alright. Your brother has told us the truth." Ned attempted to comfort her, sitting on a chair beside her bed.

"The truth?" She sniffed, her mind in doubt.

"That he only killed the Mad King to protect you, that he almost didn't make it in time but thank the gods that he did." He replied, thinking that he had calmed her worries.

But it did far from that as she now thought of how Jaime lied to protect her. They were alive, yes. But he would be called a Kingslayer forevermore. Even now, she saw it in Lord Stark's eyes. The judgment, she saw it.

Just as she thought the name Stark. She realized that she could still do something about it.

Livia reached into the side of her bed and pulled out the piece of parchment she had tried so hard to conceal in the hopes of delivering a father's last message for his son.

"Lord Stark, your father. He left this message for you. Right before...right before he passed." She said, offering it to him as her chest weighed heavy with desperation.

There must be something she could do to undo the cost of Jaime's words. She would not allow him to do this but if she spoke of the truth, the whole of Westeros may brand them both as liars and shame their family.

It was better to continue with the first story yet she had to make sure that her brother was not going to be executed for betraying his vows as a Kingsguard.

Ned looked down at the parchment containing his father's last words. He hesitantly took it, opening it to see the familiar scrawl of his father's handwriting.

He was at a loss for words, looking from the letter to the girl who had managed to hide it all this time, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "I-thank you, my lady. You-I cannot thank you enough."

At his words, she clasped his hands in hers. "My lord, it was only right to do so."

Ned smiled at her then, appreciating her keeping her promise to deliver his father's message. "Please, call me Ned. You have done my father and me a great favor. If there is anything at all I can do,"

'It showed her devotion, so unlike her brother's,' he thought.

"For starters, you must call me Livia. It is only fair." Livia returned his smile. "And if there is anything that can be done to protect my brother, please. The Mad King wanted all of King's Landing to burn. He only did it to protect the people."

'And I did it solely to protect Jaime.' She thought.

Ned stared at her for a short while, wondering how an oathbreaker could have such a caring sister. However, instead of speaking such words, he only nodded.

"I will do what I can, Livia, I swear it."

She breathed a sigh of relief. She had heard tales of the Starks and their promises. Livia knew what they were worth. "Thank you."

Ned read the letter at a seat beside her bed, keeping her company or perhaps, not wanting to be alone while reading it. He rubbed his eyes as his eyes took in the words. He finished with a sigh and met Livia's eyes as she gave him a small smile.

"Ned, I need to ask you something. I know that they may be held captives but are Elia Martell and the children alright?" She asked, worried.

"I haven't heard news of them. I presume your lord father has taken them as captives. His men were the ones who entered the chambers, I'm sure he ha-" He answered but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Ned Stark stood from his seat and Livia stood straighter from her bed as her father entered the room.

Tywin Lannister in his golden armor and red cloak, looking every bit a lion as a Lannister should be. He met Ned's eyes before turning towards his daughter, a silent dismissal.

Ned turned to Livia, smiling. "My lady, thank you. I promise to return the favor. My lord." He acknowledged before leaving the room.

Her father only raised an eyebrow at her upon hearing Ned Stark's words but he said nothing to ask about it.

"Good. You're awake. Robert Baratheon is to arrive in King's Landing in a fortnight. You are to prepare yourself to meet him." Lord Tywin said, a serious expression on his face.

He did not speak of what happened in the throne room. He did not speak of Jaime or Elia or her children. He talked of the next order of business, as usual.

"To meet him? But, father, I already have. He was at the wedding feast and at the tourney." Livia answered, confused as ever.

"You're acquainted. Even better. What do you think of our next king?" He asked, walking around the room and not meeting her eyes as if she was too insignificant for that.

She did not know how to answer. After all, she found his looks quite appealing yet his attitude was loud and arrogant, however, Livia decided to answer vaguely.

"He is not what you'd expect a king should be." Thinking better of it, she decided to ask her father. "But I don't understand, why must I prepare myself?"

At that, her father finally looked at her, his lips forming a small, pondering smile.

"Because if all goes according to my plan, you will become what you should have been long ago."

The reason why he refused Oberyn Martell, why he wanted her to marry Rhaegar Targaryen.

So that finally, there will be a monarch whose loyalty was to the Lannisters.

<>---------------<>