Viserys stood outside the iron bars, looking down at her. Even in her wretched state, the woman was still trying to preserve the last of her dignity.
Seeing Cersei, the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms, like this reminded him of Myrcella earlier, and he suddenly lost much of his interest in this meeting.
"Neither." After dismissing those around him, Viserys calmly looked down at Cersei and said, "I only came to see what the legendary beauty of the Seven Kingdoms really looked like-the woman countless men willingly bowed before, the arrogant Cersei Lannister."
Cersei sneered, struggled to her feet, then steadied herself against the bars. "What, judging by your expression, are you disappointed? Am I not as beautiful as you imagined? Or did I fail to fall to my knees and beg for mercy as you expected?"
"No." Viserys shook his head. "I never expected a Lannister to kneel and beg for mercy. I know your house's words are 'Hear Me Roar,' not 'Beg for Mercy.'"
Cersei froze for a moment, then could not help laughing. Her laughter echoed through the empty cell, tinged with desolation. "Viserys, how well you put it. Hear Me Roar... ha. A pity this lioness can no longer even roar."
Holding the iron bars, she leaned closer, her green eyes fixed on Viserys. "Tell me, how are my children?"
"They're alive, in the cells nearest the entrance. They're safe for now," Viserys answered honestly. "If you pay attention when you pass tomorrow, you'll be able to see them."
A glimmer of light flashed in Cersei's eyes, but quickly faded. "For now... so you still intend to kill them?"
"They must die." Viserys looked at Cersei, his voice utterly level. "They carry the blood of the False King and the Usurper, and they must