Hi everyone, hope you're all well, here's the 3rd extra chapter of the week, you're well on your way to getting the extra five chapters.
This is the penultimate week I'm doing this as soon you'll run out of my stock so enjoy and I hope you like it.
Happy reading.
Ghostrider0002
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-Chapter 34-
-POV Cersei-
The sun, already at its zenith, pierced through the heavy curtains of the room, letting golden rays caress my face.
I awoke slowly, cradled by the warm and reassuring feeling of the feather blanket that enveloped my body.
A gentle warmth radiated to my left, and turning, I found Ronnet, peacefully sleeping beside me. His features, usually so firm, were softened by sleep, revealing a side of him that few had the chance to see.
The scent of his cologne floated in the air, blending cedarwood and sweet spices, reminding me of the dance from the previous evening, where he had held me so close, so tightly.
I watched the peaceful rhythm of his breathing, and a tender smile formed on my lips. It was the morning after our union, and despite all my worries, everything seemed perfect.
I had always been the lioness of Casterly Rock, proud, indomitable, always ready to bare my fangs to protect my own.
But here, in the silence of this room, I was simply Cersei, a newly married woman, and even if I might never admit it to him, I was undoubtedly in love with my husband and genuinely happy with this union that held so much promise and hope.
'Starting with the life I carried within me,' I thought.
It was this life growing inside me that had softened my fears and tempered my ardor. Ronnet, despite his formidable reputation, had found the way to my heart, showing me that it was possible for me to let my guard down, to surrender in complete trust.
Shivers ran through me at the mere thought of this new life we would create together.
A life of power where all the sheep would crumble under the might of the lion and the griffin, a life where I would no longer fear trusting someone, a life where I could rely on someone who would not disappoint me.
'Not like my idiot twin,' I thought resentfully, remembering my brother who had foolishly gotten himself captured and failed to prevent our elder's death.
I placed my hand on my still-flat belly, savoring the sweet promise it held.
Ronnet had achieved the impossible: he had made me feel something I had never felt before… a tender, almost sweet vulnerability, like a little girl knowing that no matter what happened, even if she fell into a river, her father would always be there to catch her.
He moved slightly in his sleep, breaking my thoughts, his arms tightening around me, seeking my warmth. This made me smile because I knew that from now on, I was his shelter, just as he was mine.
'We are a family.'
I had found a protector in Ronnet, not because I needed one, but because I wanted one. His presence beside me brought a peace of mind I had never known, even during Robert's lifetime.
Ronnet had managed to see beyond the formidable and ruthless queen; he had seen the woman longing for love, tenderness, and protection that even I had buried deep within myself.
I snuggled closer to him, seeking the comfort of his embrace. A slight smile bloomed on his sleeping lips, as if he felt my presence even in his dreams.
This thought made me smile in turn.
I pondered all that the future held for us. There would be challenges, of course, but with Ronnet by my side, I was convinced we could overcome them.
My life had been turned upside down in so many unexpected ways, but at that precise moment, I was fulfilled.
Maybe this was true love, not the songs and poems, but these quiet moments, these moments where one feels safe in the other's arms.
These moments where one can let their guard down, be vulnerable, and know they will always be protected.
It was a new feeling for me, but I welcomed it with open arms. With Ronnet, I didn't need to be the fierce, heartless lioness who would tear apart any animal disturbing her peace.
I kissed his cheek gently, feeling the prickling of his budding beard. He murmured something in his sleep, his warm breath brushing against my ear. Even asleep, he was there for me.
And I knew that when we rose and faced the outside world, I would do so with renewed strength, knowing that Ronnet was by my side, ready to love, cherish, and protect me.
And that was worth all the gold of Casterly Rock.
'Hmm, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it's worth at least ¾ of our reserves.'