The heavy doors of the chamber burst open as Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard, flanked by Lannister guards, rushed in. Their armor clinked with urgency, the sound echoing ominously in the tense air. They had been nearby when Cersei's scream pierced the silence, and instinct compelled them to act.
As they entered, Narcissus stood over Cersei, his hand gripping her neck with an unsettling calm. His eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and amusement as he threatened, "Step closer, and I'll break it."
"You're mad! You'll be hanged for this," the queen spat through clenched teeth. "You will never leave this place alive."
"We shall see who ends up dead in the end, my dear queen," Narcissus replied with a smile, watching as Cersei's face paled slightly, though she masked it well.
Suddenly, the door swung open again, and Robert Baratheon stormed in, confusion and fury etched across his features.
"What is the meaning of this?" Robert demanded, his voice booming in the opulent room. His gaze locked onto Cersei, who appeared both frightened and furious. "Release the queen at once."
Narcissus met Robert's glare. "Your Grace, your wife—the queen—is a whore who attempted to seduce me. In my anger, I slapped her, and it spiraled out of control. The only way to guarantee my safety is by holding her hostage. For that, I am terribly sorry, Your Grace, and I demand a trial by combat."
Robert trembled with a mix of anger and humiliation. "A trial by combat?" All he wanted was to grab his warhammer and smash it into this boy's face, but he knew he was out of shape and would likely perish.
Cersei's expression shifted to desperation. "You cannot allow this Robert! He is lying!" she pleaded, but Robert raised a hand to silence her.
"Enough!" he bellowed. "Narcissus, you will have your trial, but Cersei remains with me. I will not allow this to spiral into chaos."
"No, for my safety, I will escort the queen to the throne room, where there will be witnesses."
"Do you not trust your king's word?" Robert's entire body shook with rage, the fat of his form jiggling. In his prime, he would have killed Narcissus with one hand and Cersei with the other for the humiliation he was enduring.
"I trust you with my life, Your Grace, but not enough to stop that man from killing me for im without a weapon to defend myself," Narcissus said, pointing at one of the Kingsguard, Jaime Lannister.Jaime entered the room befor Robert or his guard his eyes fixed on Narcissus. If looks could kill, Narcissus would have died a thousand times over.
With a nod from Robert, the guards stepped back. Narcissus slowly and carefully escorted Cersei, who shot him a venomous glare, her pride wounded yet her survival instincts kicking in. The group made their way to the throne room, where the lords and ladies were gathered. Conversations halted as they took in the unusual sight.
Cersei walked with a practiced air of authority, but the tremor in her jaw betrayed her. Narcissus maintained a steady grip on her neck, the threat of violence lingering in the air.
"Your Grace," he called to Robert, who followed closely behind, "I trust you will ensure my safety during this trial. After all, it would be quite the spectacle to have the queen's attacker slain before her eyes."
Robert's fists clenched, but he kept his composure. "You're a bold one, Narcissus. We shall see if your bravado holds when steel meets steel."
As they entered the throne room, the gathered nobles exchanged worried whispers. The tension was palpable, and many exchanged glances, gauging the implications of this unexpected confrontation.
Cersei, regaining a semblance of her regal demeanor, turned to the lords and ladies. "This man dares to assault your queen! He will pay for his crimes!"
Narcissus smirked, "Insolence? Or perhaps it is merely a reflection of your own actions, Your Grace?"
The nobles shifted uncomfortably, unsure of which side to take. Robert stepped forward, his booming voice cutting through the murmurs. "Silence! We will have order here. Narcissus, you will face trial by combat, but know this: I expect no more bloodshed than is necessary."
As they approached the throne room, Robert's voice boomed once more. "Narcissus, you will be your own champion in this trial, As for cercie Jaime Lannister will stand as her champion."
Narcissus smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Very well, let the best man win."
At this moment, the throne room doors swung open, revealing Ned Stark, flanked by his guards. He stepped forward, his expression a blend of concern and authority.
"Robert, what is going on?" Ned asked, his voice steady as he took in the scene.
Robert turned, frustration etched on his face. "Ned, this boy," he gestured to Narcissus, "has assaulted the queen and demands a trial by combat."
Ned's gaze shifted to Cersei, then back to Narcissus. "Is this true?"
Narcissus straightened "The queen attempted to seduce me, and in self-defense, I was forced to act. I demand justice."
Cersei interjected, her voice sharp. "He deserves to be excuted for what he's done! I will not stand for this insolence robert will you let other men attack your wife while you do nothig!"
"Shut up! You are the reason for this! Why did you summon him in the first place?" Robert snapped back.
Narcissus smiled, enjoying the tension. "Yet here I stand, alive and demanding my right before gods and men. Hardly the fate of a guilty man."
Ned stepped closer to Robert, lowering his voice. "We must ensure the realm does not descend into further turmoil. Allowing this to escalate will only serve to weaken your rule."
Robert sighed, resignation creeping into his voice. "There is nothing to be done, Ned. The trial will go on, and Jaime will kill that arrogant prick."
As the words hung heavy in the air, the tension reached its peak. Jaime Lannister stepped forward, steel glinting in his hand, his gaze locked onto Narcissus. Both men readied themselves, the fate of the realm hanging in the balance.