A/N - This chapter is based on the song 'Don't Lose Your Head' from Six. I've gotten super into this musical recently and have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop. I am an absolute history nerd and Anne Boleyn has always been my favourite Tudor Queen, so here's a little salute to her. I might continue this at some point to move into the whole "Henry's out every night on the town just sleeping around, like what the hell," bit of the song. I hope you all enjoy it.
Making the decision to move to King's Landing had been a big deal in your family. Your father had always been keen on the idea; a pretty young woman going to court was bound to bring some attention to the family. Your grandmother on the other hand was a little more wary. It was clear that you weren't too fond of politics, and she was worried of the ways you would find to entertain yourself when all around you were busy running Westeros.
Eventually, you'd convinced her that it would be good for you to be around other people your own age. You could find yourself a husband, and make some allies of your own without your father hanging over your shoulder with every move you made. And so you'd gone riding off with a small collection of guards to the Capital.
You caught some attention as soon as you'd reached King's Landing. It was bound to happen eventually, but you'd hoped to avoid some of the tedious Lords for as long as you could manage. The first had greeted you before you'd even reached the Red Keep, a smile on his lips that left you feeling a little queasy. But, you'd smiled through the interaction and hurried off as soon as you could manage.
Some of the lords seemed to expect you to fawn over them as soon as they uttered a nice word, but you'd never been the type to stroke egos. You enjoyed the idea of power and you weren't willing to settle for anything less than the best. And it seemed, upon coming to the Capital, that you couldn't get any better than the King. Sure, he was a drunk, and he was known to be a little loose with his morals, but he was the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms.
The first time you met Robert was at a feast thrown for the name day of one of his advisors. It was hard to keep track of all of the different celebrations now. Every day it seemed like another person was having a wedding, or a child was born, or a war was won. To be honest, it was a little much. But you didn't mind catching the eye of the King, and it seemed rather easy.
Robert had always had a penchant for pretty girls, and you were one of the prettiest girls he'd ever set eyes on. You were moving to the music as though it was an extension of your body, pulling you this way and that as you mouthed the words silently. It was an appearance that seemed to draw attention; care free and beautiful.
It hadn't taken him long to approach you. Of course, his wife looked a little frustrated at the act, watching as he made his way across the hall to meet you.
"You dance wonderfully." The deep voice drew you to a stop, your eyes landing on him with a small smile.
You gave a short curtsey, your smile only widening as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. "Thank you, Your Grace," you murmured, voice as soft as silk as it passed between you.
"What's your name?"
"Y/N Tyrell, Your Grace. It's an honour to meet you," you began, biting down on your bottom lip as you continued to smile.
"The honour is all mine, My Lady," he started, reaching out to take your hand in his. He lifted it to his mouth, pressing his lips to your knuckle. "Please, keep dancing. It's beautiful to watch," he added as he released you, and you gave a quick nod.
"Yes, Your Grace," you uttered, staring after him as he made his way back up to the head table, where his wife sat glaring in your direction.
*Time Skip*
Your father had seemed rather pleased with the interaction between yourself and the King when you had told him. It would do you a lot of good to keep good favour with Robert. You ought to stay on his good side. Do what he asks of you. Remember to mention my name. He was obsessed with the idea, and yet you couldn't blame him. You were equally taken with the idea of your monarch.
He'd been sending you notes since your meeting. Sweet little letters that left you blushing in a way that you hadn't ever experienced. They would reiterate just how beautiful he thought you were, repeating again and again how he thought you were the most stunning creature in the world.
If it weren't for Cersei, you would likely already be married. It would have been smooth sailing. A quick ceremony and you would've been sharing his bed within the month. But life was never so easy and you had reminded him that you could never share your bed with a married man.
Then came his promise. He swore time and time again that he would leave her for you. That he would break off his commitment to his current Queen and allow you to take her place. You were well aware that the common people wouldn't approve. Sure, Cersei had some rough edges, but she was the Queen and they loved her.
But Robert wanted you. He loved you, or so he had said. So, he went to work, figuring out how to remove himself from his wife. It hadn't taken long, but Cersei wasn't willing to walk away without a fight.
You'd been in your chambers one evening, being dressed by your maid when you'd made a rather unseemly comment. "He doesn't want he anymore. She bores him. She ought to give up before he makes a fool of her."
On of the girls had stifled a giggle at that, giving you a soft smile when you glanced in her direction. You'd thought nothing of the interaction until you'd heard the words being muttered in court. There were glares being sent in your direction from every corner of the room, and suddenly you were very aware that your position in the Capital was shifting.
Robert didn't seem so bothered by the comment. After all, you had been correct in your train of thought. He didn't love Cersei. He wanted someone new. She was clinging on for dear life. He was bound to break her heart in the very near future.
Within the month, Cersei was gone. Headed off to the citadel to live out the rest of her life as an ex-queen. Part of you felt guilty. You'd destroyed her life and taken her husband away from her. But it had become quite clear to you that in life you could only look out for yourself, and now, as Robert's soon to be Queen, you were becoming the most powerful woman in the Seven Kingdoms.
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