"My king, my queen. Perhaps, we should wait a while before you disembark."

Robert and Livia turned to the knight, their hands clasped together, both of them confused.

"Why is that?" Robert asked.

The knight answered formally. "The people of King's Landing are crowding the docks, Your Grace."

Livia's eyes widened before turning to Robert with a shocked expression. "I-I don't know what to say."

Robert smiled briefly, before commanding the knight. "Very well, have the men clear a path first."

"Yes, Your Grace."

When the knight had gone and left, Livia spoke. "I can hardly believe the people are waiting for us."

"Why would it be such a shock, Liv? The people love you. When you were gone, they all prayed at the sept for your return." Robert replied, watching her eyes grow larger in wonder.

"I guess I just did not expect it." She said, smiling as they neared King's Landing.

"Looks like we're home." He grinned, squeezing her hand once, meeting her eyes. 

When the ship got near enough, they could hear the loud cheers and chanting of the crowd. "Queen Livia! King Robert!"

With a steady smile on his face, Robert disembarked first before helping Livia. Her belly had grown larger throughout their weeks at sea and her craving for sour cherries only increased.

She was moodier than usual but it seems that being back at King's Landing has improved her mood. Probably at the thought of elk meatballs and sour cherries.

Ned had diverted his trip back to the North, leaving only their fleets.

Reaching flat ground, Livia swayed slightly after weeks at sea, still getting used to steady ground. "Whoa!"

"Are you alright?" Robert quickly asked, concerned but it quickly dissipated when he heard her laugh softly.

"Forgive me, I just need to steady myself." She smiled, laying a hand on his arm to reassure him. "I'm alright, I promise. I'm not made of glass."

He shook his head, smiling along with her and leading her to the carriage prepared for both of them. "I know that. I just-I'm worried for you."

She gasped as she settled inside and he climbed after her, worried that something was wrong when she spoke. "Don't tell me that you're going to be a worrywart like Lord Arryn now!"

He laughed sarcastically, closing the carriage door and gesturing for them to start moving. "Ha. Ha. Make fun of me for wanting you to feel comfortable."

"Gods, Robert. So moody. One would almost think that you're the pregnant one." Livia teased aloud, her voice heard through the slowly growing chants.

"Moody?!" Robert exclaimed in disbelief. "I'm not moody!"

He saw her bite her lip to hide a smile, making him smile too. "Of course you're not."

"Sheesh Liv. Maybe I'm only moody because I know that there's a small council meeting waiting for me when we arrive at the keep." He explained, sighing. 

"A small council meeting, why? We just got here. I can go with you, of course." She frowned.

He exhaled, looking into her eyes and seeing the exhaustion in them. "You're tired, love. You should rest."

"So should you." She replied.

"I can't. They probably need news on what has happened." Suddenly Robert saw mischief glint in her eyes. "Oh, what are you up to?"

"I have a plan."

"Why am I suddenly worried?"

"Just leave it to me."

°•°•°•°•°•°

As they walked up the steps of the sept, the crowd behind them was still chanting.

Definitely a warm welcome for her.

For a moment, she worried that her disappearance had caused everything she had worked hard for to crumble to ruins once more but Robert had reassured her that he had handled everything well.

It was nice to see that he cared about those things just as much as she did. 

Speaking of Robert, he had been keeping her close ever since they were in Dorne. He never let her out of his sight, only when she needed to use the chamber pot or change her clothes, but otherwise, he was always with her. 

Eating, walking, looking over the horizon, he never left her side. Always, he held her hand or wrapped his arms around her as if to remind himself that she was there. 

At first, it was sweet especially when he would hold her while they were sleeping but as time went on, it got a bit annoying like when he would prepare all her meals and feed it to her by hand.

She loved him but she hated being coddled like an infant.

Livia looked over at Robert then who was facing forward as they walked, yet his hand was holding hers. 

Stopping in their steps, Livia barely caught herself when they came face to face with five people.

Lord Varys, Lord Baelish, Maester Pycelle, Lord Arryn with a wide smile on his face and her father, Lord Tywin Lannister.

Livia met his eyes, the similarity in them startling. Her father had been worried for her. Even if he denied it, she knew that he cared. Despite his harsh decisions for the family, she had always cared for her father. However, the look in his eyes that day seemed questioning and almost, judgmental.

"My king, my queen. It is good to see you well and safe." Lord Arryn addressed them.

Robert smiled. "It's good to be back."

"I hate to interrupt but we must have the small council meeting immediately." Maester Pycelle said, speaking up.

Robert was just about to nod and agree when Livia stumbled forward. 

"Liv!" Robert exclaimed, catching her into his arms.

Leaning into him, she scrunched her eyebrows as if she was in pain. "I-I'm feeling really dizzy, Robert."

"Hold on." He whispered, before scooping her up in his arms and announcing. "Move the small council meeting to tomorrow."

"But Your Gra-"

"Tomorrow, Pycelle."

All of them bowed as Robert strode past them, his steps furious, towards their chambers. The Kingsguard struggled to keep up with Robert's steps.

"Hang in there, love. We're almost there." Robert softly said and Livia almost opened her eyes but he would have seen her plan in her eyes.

The doors opened and closed, signalling that she could finally open her eyes. Ignoring his shock, she pushed from his arms and landed on her feet, laughing.

"Liv?" Robert questioned at first then it turned into disbelief. "You were only pretending?"

Still laughing, she laid a hand on his arm. "It got you out of the small council meeting, didn't it? I see that as a success."

"I was really worried. I had thought that the travelling finally caught up to you." He answered, frowning.

She smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Slowly, she stood on her toes, pressing her lips to his. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to worry you."

He sighed, placing his hands on her waist. "It is unfair. I cannot even find it in myself to stay mad at you."

"Then don't." Livia began to press kisses on his jaw, trailing down his neck. "I can think of better things we can do with our time instead of being angry with each other."

Robert smirked, laughing softly, leaning to capture her lips with his own. "Cheeky. I never thought you'd have this side of you and I can't exactly say I don't like it."

He lifted her into his arms once more, making her gasp in shock. Within a few steps, he lowered her into their bed, connecting their lips again. 

A flurry of lips and tongue, passion and love, savagery and propriety. It did not make much sense but it did not matter. Words were not enough to describe what was happening.

His hands slipped her gown off her body with nimble fingers, planting kisses on every skin exposed, pausing to press a long reverent kiss on her swollen belly. 

His mouth gave her nothing but pleasure as she gasped out his name. "Robert!"

On and on he went, not pausing, flooding her senses with every possible feeling.

As if she couldn't help herself, she pulled him up to match her lips with his. He made haste with discarding his clothes and pressed his whole form to hers until there was nothing more between them.

"Liv! My Liv!" Robert groaned, moving slowly to savor the feeling.

She found her hands moving to his hair to tug on his raven strands, causing him to move faster within her. 

He held her closer, whispering her name repeatedly into her ear, his tone brimming with need. 

She pulled back, just enough to look into his eyes, seeing the wonder and love at seeing her and what she saw in them filled her heart with so much joy, bringing her to the edge with a shout of his name. "Robert!"

He held her tightly, before he too found his release, breathing heavily. "Gods, I love you, Livia!"

For a moment, they lay in each other's arms, not willing to let go of each other. Livia was content to just stay there in that position until they both fell asleep when her stomach grumbled loudly.

Robert's laughter echoed the room, joined by hers mere seconds later. "Hungry?" 

"Famished." Livia confirmed, grinning as they slowly moved from their position, unraveling themselves.

Robert pulled on his breeches, before disappearing behind the screen and reappearing with one of Livia's nightgowns.

He helped her put it on, stealing a kiss while he was at it, making her laugh.

Livia rang for some food, a blandissory for Robert and of course, elk meatballs stuffed with sour cherries for her.

While Robert cleaned and changed into more comfortable clothes, she took the time to clean herself up, fix her hair and remove all her jewelries save for her necklace.

As she finished composing herself, a knock sounded from the door. 

Livia hurried toward the door, calling out to Robert. "It's alright! I've got it!"

Expecting the food, she swung open the door only to be faced with Tywin Lannister, looking impatient.

"Father? I-I, what are you doing here?" Livia asked aloud, hoping that Robert would hear her and pick up all the scattered clothes. 

The last thing she would want was to explain to her father why those were there although he would probably guess it, which was just plain awkward.

"We must talk." Lord Tywin said, pushing the door open and entering to see Robert with a pile of clothes in his arms. Her father merely raised an eyebrow in distaste. "Since it seems as if you are feeling much better."

Robert composed himself, clearing his throat. "Lord Tywin, why are you in our chambers?"

"King Robert, forgive me but I came to speak to my daughter. Privately." Her father answered curtly.

Livia tilted her head towards the balcony. "We can speak outside."

Leading the way, Livia walked to the balcony, her hands holding tightly on her dress. An attempt to calm her nerves.

Once outside, Lord Tywin didn't hesitate when he spoke. "I know of what you did. Did you really think you could have hidden it from me?"

Livia's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Forgive me, father but I do not know what you mean."

"The Mad King? The killing blow, it was you. You killed him, do not lie to me." Lord Tywin stated, turning to her.

She knew that it was no use trying to deny such a fact. From who, she did not know. The only people who knew were Jaime, Robert and herself. "How did you know?"

"The dagger. It was returned to your brother, Jaime but I know that weapon. I gave it to you for your fourteenth nameday." He answered, fury lighting in his eyes. "I have taught you time and time again that family is what matters yet you let your brother take the blame. Not only that but instead of following my advice to release Jaime from the Kingsguard, you refused. Your brother got hurt because of you and you did not even seek that Dornish's head."

She couldn't blame her father for being angry, after all, she may be his firstborn child but Jaime was his firstborn son. 

She shook her head, barely concealing a wince. "Always, I have done what is asked of me, what our family demands. Have I not proven that I value this family? Prince Oberyn has been banished from Westeros and Jaime, he has always wished to be a Kingsguard. He is not mistreated here, he believes he is doing his duty."

Although it was always a challenge to explain things to her father, Livia tried her utter best. After all, it had always been Jaime's choice to remain a Kingsguard and she had chosen what was best for everyone. In her eyes, things need not be taken too far but her father would probably see it differently.

Her father scoffed. "Duty? His duty is to his family first. As for Oberyn Martell, to the free cities? Honestly, is that truly punishment enough?"

"Jaime is his own man, you cannot seek to control him. As for Oberyn, I think it is enough that you have commanded his sister's death. He will not cause chaos in Westeros any longer." Livia straightened up, taking up the role of a queen. "Prince Doran was not a part of Prince Oberyn's plans therefore he may continue presiding over Dorne but the men involved have been drawn and quartered. I am sure I can command righteous punishment to those who deserve it."

Lord Tywin laughed mockingly. "You act a queen now, but you and I both know how fast crowns can topple."

"It is a good thing that I do not need a crown to declare myself a queen, and I will not stand for idle threats, wherever it may come from." She answered, raising her chin and meeting her father's eyes in a clash of will and power. "Especially since I am carrying the next king of Westeros."

They held each other's gaze, both of them refusing to look away, refusing to back down.

It was only when a knock sounded upon the door, that they turned away to face the origin of the sound. It seems the servants had brought the food quite fast.

"My queen." Her father smiled then, still angry but a proud hint to his tone. "You've learned quite well."

Livia returned the smile warily. "I had a good teacher."

"This is not over. We still have much to speak of."

"As I expected. Goodbye father."

With those parting words, Lord Tywin dismissed himself from the chambers, leaving without another word.

Heaving a breath, she laughed softly before entering the chambers once again. Her stomach grumbled at the smell of sour cherries but before she could head to the solar, Robert took her hand in his.

His eyes asked a silent question, concern flooding through his whole being. 

Livia grinned. "I'm alright. You know how my father is. I guess, now I know why he hesitated to send ships and men."

"Why?" Robert asked, pulling her closer, his lips finding their way unto her temple.

She replied. "He knew. About the throneroom, about Jaime and the Mad King. I guess, he was angry and perhaps, he sought to teach me a lesson."

"A harsh lesson." He frowned.

"That is his way." Livia said, melting into her husband's embrace. They reveled in their peace before she broke it. "I'm hungry. Let us eat."

Turning to see the food she requested, he burst into laughter. "Finally got your meatballs and sour cherries, didn't you? I didn't know it was possible for something so horrid to be made or even eaten."

She was glad that he understood. That she wanted to let it go. After all, they both had difficult fathers. If anyone would understand, it would be Robert. Their families were one of the most complex things to address and their priorities as well, but together, the weight seemed much lighter, almost non-existent.

She scrunched her eyebrows with mock disappointment as they settled in the solar side by side. "How can you know it tastes horrible if you haven't even tasted it?"

"Because that is disgusting! Sour cherries! In elk meatballs no less." He exclaimed, sticking his tongue out in disgust.

Livia popped one in her mouth, sighing in satisfaction. "Mmm, delicious."

Robert looked at her with such mortification,his mouth dropping open in shock.

Taking the opportunity, she plucked a meatball from the plate before stuffing it into his mouth.

He chewed with distress in his face while she cackled with laughter.

Once he successfully swallowed the bite, he looked at her with apprehension. "Hmm, it's actually not that bad."

"Ha! I told you so!" Livia said, chewing on one more meatball before leaning her head on his shoulder.

For a moment, they ate in comfortable silence before Robert broke it, speaking.

"It's good to be home, isn't it?"

"It is. Especially with you here."

"It would never be home without you."

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