The Lannisters' "game"

(It has been changed a lot, almost beyond recognition in places. I'll do my best to revise it again tonight so it's as readable as possible.)

Cersei was in a very good mood.

Yes, a very good mood indeed.

For this queen, who reveled in power and carnal pleasure, nothing was more attractive than an extraordinarily dazzling Lannister.

Ever since she had seen Arthas's commanding figure defeat seven opponents single-handedly in the tournament arena, the mere thought of that incomparably handsome youth made her involuntarily... drool.

Over the past two days, she had even involuntarily called out Arthas's name every time she made love with Jaime.

Now, the former greatest beauty in the Seven Kingdoms lay on a soft, spacious bed, admiring her magnificent figure in an enormous full-length mirror.

She had only had someone bring the mirror in that afternoon. After all, according to Tyrion, Arthas had yet to experience the pleasures of the flesh.

She wanted to properly commemorate this wonderful night.

It had to be said that Cersei, once hailed as the greatest beauty in the Seven Kingdoms, truly possessed the assets to captivate any man.

Her skin was as fair as the North's year-round snow and ice, and the sheer red fabric she wore did nothing to conceal her magnificent curves, instead lending her a hint of mysterious beauty.

Gazing in satisfaction at her ample assets, Cersei's eyes flashed with pride.

Faced with such a beautiful body, she truly could not imagine any reason Arthas would refuse her.

Her fingers lightly traced her skin as she imagined the handsome blond youth touching her, and the beautiful queen could not help letting out a faint moan.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

A soft knock interrupted Cersei's reverie.

"Your Grace, Commander Arthas has arrived."

"Let him in."

At the attendant's quiet announcement, Cersei hurriedly adjusted her pose, propping her cheek on her right hand as she lay on her side facing the door, exposing as much of her perfect curves as possible.

The door was gently pushed open. The guard did not enter; only Arthas's tall, straight figure appeared in the doorway.

A flicker of surprise crossed Arthas's eyes at the alluring sight before him.

Though he knew how insatiable she was, he had not expected her to seduce him so openly in her bedchamber.

Absolutely outrageous.

"Ael, come sit."

Cersei smiled and patted the space before her in warm invitation, her green eyes brimming with desire as she gazed at Arthas, her look all but clinging to him.

Seeing her behavior, Arthas supposed she was determined to have him today.

But he showed no timidity. After all, as the prince of Lordaeron, what had he not seen?

He strode forward with easy confidence, swung a leg onto the bed, and plopped down beside Cersei.

"Cersei."

Arthas's eyes were filled with youthful innocence, as though he had dearly missed her in the time they seldom saw one another.

"Was there something you wanted to see me about?"

"Oh, Ael."

Cersei took the opportunity to bring her head beside Arthas's thigh. Breathing in the youth's distinctive scent, her gaze gradually grew hazy.

She pressed her long thighs together again, rested her head on his lap, and looked up, her eyes misty.

"Ever since you came to King's Landing, we haven't had a proper chat!"

"Haven't you missed me at all?"

Her face flushed, Cersei pouted coyly in Arthas's arms like a young girl.

Faced with this utterly seductive sight, Arthas also seemed unable to resist. His breathing grew quicker as he lowered his head to Cersei's ear.

"Of course I have. I've missed you very much."

"Oh, Ael."

Those sincere words set Cersei's heart pounding. Happiness enveloped her, as though she had returned to the days when she and Jaime first tasted forbidden fruit.

She slipped her arms around Arthas's neck and slowly brought her moist red lips closer, close enough to feel his breath.

"Speaking of missing someone."

At that crucial moment, Arthas seemed to remember something. He stood straight up, dodging Cersei's lethal strike and leaving her lunging at empty air.

"I ran into Jaime on my way here."

Arthas seemed rather downcast, and even his voice became considerably duller.

"I greeted Jaime very warmly, but he seemed to be in a bad mood. He just glanced at me and left."

"Do you know why?"

"Why else? Of course it's because I turned him down for you today!"

Seeing her prize slip away just as it was within reach, Cersei seethed inwardly, but dared not say those words aloud.

She frowned, but with consummate professionalism, she continued her practiced performance.

Picking up the two glasses of wine prepared on the bedside table, she warmly offered them to Arthas.

As she moved, the sheer fabric slipped gently from her body, exposing her nakedness completely before Arthas.

"Today is time set aside just for the two of us to catch up."

"Let's not mention that spoilsport Jaime, all right?"

"But..."

Arthas knitted his brows, his eyes as innocent as those of a youth who knew nothing of the world.

"Jaime is your 'closest' brother, isn't he?"

Arthas deliberately emphasized the word "closest," immediately arousing Cersei's suspicion.

She raised her head and met his piercing eyes, their golden pupils seeming to have already seen through everything.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Cersei warily snatched up the sheer fabric and draped it over herself, forgetting that the nearly transparent material concealed nothing.

"I treat you and Jaime equally."

"I don't favor either of you."

"Really?"

Listening to Cersei's feeble excuses, Arthas finally began to survey the beauty before him with interest.

Yet his gaze held not a trace of desire, as though he were merely looking at a cold corpse.

"Then how do you explain the three children you had with Jaime?"

Words colder still than his gaze left his lips, and Cersei's green eyes instantly widened, the terror in them impossible to hide.

"You... who told you that? How dare you slander me without a shred of proof!"

In her panic, Cersei could no longer maintain her elegance. Her normally clear, lovely voice took on a piercing edge.

"Jaime and I are innocent!"

"Hahaha!"

Watching Cersei's show of bluster conceal her fear, Arthas felt he had played enough.

"I have eyes."

He strolled over to the bedside, tapping his knuckles rhythmically against the headboard. Every tap seemed to strike Cersei's heart.

And Arthas's assured words shattered her last shred of hope.

"Whether it's Joffrey, Myrcella, or Tommen."

"Their golden hair is far too dazzling, Cersei."

"Only someone as oblivious as Robert would let you live right under his nose for so long."

It had to be said that Cersei truly had remarkable composure. Amid Arthas's disdainful chuckles, her panicked expression gradually calmed.

"What do you want, Arthas?"

Now that everything was out in the open, Cersei stopped concealing anything. She spread the hands covering her chest and stared warily at Arthas as she demanded sharply:

"As a Lannister, I trust you wouldn't be foolish enough to tell Robert about this?"

"Of course."

Arthas spread his hands, his tone calm and indifferent, as though what he had just spoken of were merely some trivial matter.

"Honestly, I have no interest whatsoever in what goes on between you and Jaime."

"Just please stop inviting me to take part in your tedious 'sibling games.'"

"You should know that, as the newly appointed Commander of the Gold Cloaks, I'm very busy."

"So, for the sake of the so-called Seven, please spare me."

The plea came from Arthas's mouth, yet his tone brooked no argument.

Rather than a request, it sounded more like a threat, or perhaps...

An order!

"Fine. Very good."

Cersei gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at the youth before her, barely two years older than Joffrey, as though she were truly meeting him for the first time today.

"Arthas, you've certainly made me see you in a new light."

Then she turned away, leaving him with the view of her lovely curves.

"Leave. I promise I won't send anyone to fetch you again."

"You know, Cersei."

Before leaving, Arthas sighed and offered a somewhat regretful word of advice.

"Jaime really does love you."

"I can see it. In his eyes, there's no room for anyone but you."

His footsteps rang out as he walked to the door and gently pulled it open.

"Since the two of you have already come this far."

"Then please see it through with him, and make sure you don't take the wrong path ahead."

Arthas's well-meant advice received no response.

Seeing that he had said everything that needed saying, he said no more. He merely shook his head and left that place of trouble with an easy stride.

"Arthas."

Only after he left did Cersei recover her senses, the fury in her eyes seeming fierce enough to burn the entire room.

The rejected woman could not appreciate Arthas's final, well-intentioned warning at all. Her mind was filled with nothing but his disdainful gaze.

She snatched up a wineglass and smashed it against the floor with a crash, the bright red liquid instantly spreading over the carpet like flowing blood.

After a long while, Cersei slowly rose and walked to the mirror, which gradually reflected her beautiful body.

What should have been an utterly beautiful sight was now robbed of every trace of beauty by her savage expression.

"That damned bastard. Rejecting me was bad enough, but he actually dared to threaten me with my children."

"I'll make you pay for this!"