MOONSHINE ○ JAIME LANNISTER

ثمانية عشرة

"Do you wish for anything from the kitchens, my lady?" An unfamiliar handmaiden asked as Flora sighed for the twentieth time in the past 6 minutes, staring soundlessly at the wall across her.

"Lemon cakes?"

"They're all out, my lady. It seems that it's become a favorite of Prince Joffrey." The handmaiden replied shakily not meeting her eyes as Flora stood up aggressively.

"Really? Is that so?" She paused for a moment, taking her lower lip inbetween her teeth as she paced around the room.

"Yes, my lady."

"Then you may go. I have no need of anything at the moment." Flora dismissed her, sulkily sinking back into her armchair.

It was the morning, but she was already feeling tired even if she had not done anything. Flora missed swimming right after she woke up, and the putrid smell of King's Landing was making her more nauseous now more than ever.

She observed the small birds that would perch on her terrace every now and then, smiling slightly at their flight to the sky. It was as if she was a bird too, only wingless and caged in an jeweled prison.

"It seems that you have lost your spirit, Flora Dayne." A familiar voice entered her room as she turned around, meeting the beady eyes of Littlefinger. Flora didn't know what to think of him, as he was a wise yet cruel man.

"It seems that you people are the root cause of it, Petyr Baelish." She in turn replied, rising from the armchair and holding out an arm. "What brings you to my chambers?"

"I have come to deliver news of your required presence to welcome the caravans from Highthorn, but I also came to see what the little island fledging was up to." He gestured his own hand and she shook it, wondering how it was possible for his smirk to grow even wider.

As she looked at him for a moment, she couldn't help but observe the gray flecks of hair on the sides of his head, cocking her head as she couldn't help but think that he looked so young for how old he possibly was.

"Well, I am of fair weather nowadays, Littlefinger. You know, with all these royal badgers trying to take a look at the native island girl from far, far away." She snidely remarked. Petyr just smiled wryly in return, a knowing look in his eyes. "Are you always this nosy?"

"How else would I have gotten into this position of mine, dear, if I had not listened in to the sounds of these royal brats?" Flora laughed softly, agreeing with him on that note. "Now, shall we depart, or do you prefer just staying here and degrading into air itself?"

He was snarky, Flora thought. It was a funny, but dangerous kind, yet she needed something of his humour every now and then. As they walked, her arm tucked into his, she didn't think of him to be as slithery as before.

"And here, come over here, my lords!" Joffrey's voice boasted as the pair entered the great hall. "We have Flora Dayne, all the way from the islands of High Hermitage!" He gestured pointedly to Flora, and she in return mockingly bowed, costuming her effortless smile as Littlefinger released his arm from hers.

"Welcome to King's Landing, my ladies, my lords. It is of such goodness that we meet today, on this fair morning." She spoke politely, earning smiles from the small crowd that was around her. She looked quickly at Joffrey, watching his slinky smile widen as he caught her eyes and winked.

"It is of an utmost pleasure that we acquire your acquaintance. May I ask what brings you here to King's Landing?" The man in the middle of the crown asked, his thick eyebrows raising as Flora paused, thinking nervously of an answer.