Motherhood, she prayed would suit her. As the days continued on Joanna looked so much more like Cersei when she was with child. She'd look at herself in the mirror some nights and all she could see was her mother.

Joanna didn't know if she had it in her to forgive Cersei and Tywin. During the war of five kings she had always been able to in some form of manner excuse them- being parcial to all sides but not anymore. Orchestrating the red wedding was where she didn't know if she had any empathy and grace left. She finally saw them for what they are. Blood thirsty dictators. Her mother - the woman who brought life to would be the one to break her trust.

Joanna carried so much anger to everyone who betrayed her. But no one - not even Shaes betray- could compare to Cersei's. The woman who Joanna was supposed to be able to confide in, seek comfort in. Cersei loved Joanna so much that she couldn't bare to have her daughter North,  away from her.

Joanna wondered if the love for her child would also drive her to madness. Could she love her child so much that she would commit cold blooded murder as Cersei did for her.

Joanna stood by the balcony of her chambers with her mother next to her. Tywin had yet to summon her after her dispute with Joffrey, but Cersei being the mother she was refused to leave Joanna, despite knowing that Joanna wanted nothing to do with her.

Cersei understood that she could never be Joanna's friend but she swore the day her daughter was born that she would be her protector , whether she liked it or not.

"Do you know the day of Joffreys birth,  you immediately hated him." Cersei spoke as Joanna refused to turn to her. She looked over Kings Landing, the two women so close yet so far apart "It was a grueling labor." Cersie continued "After hours I was convinced that I would lose him. I didn't though." Informed "I remember being so exhausted that I could sleep forever. I held your brother in my arms and he reminded me so much of you. Those sweet and innocent eyes looking to me. Joffrey clung to me more than you, with your birth you cried your lungs out until your father held you."

Joanna turned to Cersei. "My father? I thought Robert was out hunting. "

Cersei chuckled "You and I both know you're smarter than that." Joanna allowed herself to smirk at her mother "When the Septa and maids left Jaime came to see me. You were red from screaming but the second he held you in his arms, you stopped. You looked to us and that angelic face of yours laughed at us. We both swore that day we'd protect you." Cersei explained to her daughter as she slowly reached her hand toward Joannas' "When Joffrey was born something changed within you my sweetling. You looked at him as a babe and never failed to remind me that you wished he was dead."

Joanna knew well enough of what Cersei was speaking of. For as long as she could remember it was impossible for her as well as Joffrey to find equal footing with one another.

"I have tried to keep the peace between you and Joffrey, civil at the very least but I think it's become an impossible task. At some point I've made peace with the fact that my children will kill one another." Cersei confessed as she felt her hand intertwine with Joanna. Her other hand placed a strand of Joannas loose hair behind her ear "Joanna, if you are not careful enough Joffrey will kill you and your babe and where does that leave me?"

Joanna felt a lump in her throat as she face lost colour "I'm not- I-" she stammered at the realization that Cersei knew "How did you know?"

Cersei shook her head as she kissed her daughters forehead as she stepped back looking across the Capitol "I'm your mother." She answered as she turned back to Joanna placing her hand on her belly "You remind me so much of my mother, how she looked, carried herself with so much poise and grace."

Joanna felt the tears sting in her eyes as she felt conflicted with her emotions. At the same time she wanted to angry with Cersei, but also just have her mother hold her and comfort her. Calm the storm inside of her "Are you going to tell them now? Joffrey and grandfather?"

"No." She replied "Robert drunkenly confessed it through the brothels that his wife carried his children while he drank and whored. If you were to confess the nature of your labor, it will be your choice."

"Why..." Joanna softly asked "What will I do when everyone knows?" Her voice shaky as she held her mothers hand over her belly

"Whatever happens, I will be there every step of the way." She reassured Joanna as her daughter did not hesitate to hold her mother close. This would be their peace before a storm that would last for years.

"Lady Olena, I'm surprised you wanted to see me. I'm honored by your presence. " Joanna entered the carriage of Olenna Tyrell, having been invited. They travelled through the city as the two women sat across from each other

"The pleasure is all mine princess. You seem to hold yourself scarce since returning to Kings Landing." Olenna replied "Could it be you were avoiding certain eyes."

Joanna could only assume that if Cersei knew she was with child it wouldn't be far before someone else would, if anything this made her more paranoid "I am a traitor to my family. Had it not been for my grandfather's pardon. I am looking forward for the union of our houses. I'm sure ser Loras will make a fine husband."

Olenna rolled her eyes at the young girls perfect answer "Come now, we both know he'd make a terrible husband, don't we?" She retorted "Besides I somehow doubt you'll be able to stand in the Sept carrying another man's child."

And once again Joannas heart sank into her stomach but this time she remained calm "I have no idea what you mean my lady." She denied but Olenna simply smirked

"They told me you were a seasoned warrior having been trained through the commander of the Kingsgaurd. Imagine my surprise when I have to witness the rogue princess herself is unable to tell a lie."

Joanna would keep her facade up for as long as she could withold. Joffrey would marry Margaery Tyrell,  and she had no idea where she stood with the Tyrells. "Why does my health concern you?" Joanna bluntly questioned crossing her arms as the carriage continued to move as the smell of spices filled her nose - meaning they were far from the Red Keep in the farmer markets

"The same reason you don't want anyone to know, your brother."Olenna answered "I assume you don't plan to give birth to Robb Starks child here? Am I correct?"

Joanna remained silent refusing to agree or disagree. Her face remained stoic as Olenna was amused by her attempts "A few weeks ago I had an interesting conversation with Sansa Stark you know?" Joanna immediately gripped her arm as she felt her nails dug into her arm "I was concerned of the nature of your brother and who better to ask than the girl we was meant to marry."

"And I bet she worshipped the ground he walked on, as she's been conditioned to do so?" Joanna remarked

Olenna nodded "She's petrified of him, and for good reason. The boy executed her father and afterward she had him look at her father's head on a spike." Both women disgusted by the trauma Sansa had to experience.  Olenna shook her head "Such a shame. She seems like a sweet girl."

"Yes." Joanna quietly agreed remembering the day the arrived in Winterfell. How excited a young and innocent Sansa was to leave home. Believing that Joffrey was her night in shining armour, that he would whisk her away from the North to a life or romance and luxury. She pitied Sansa because what she had experienced at the hands of the Lannisters has been nothing but cruelty.

"I assume I needn't explain my apprehension to marry my granddaughter to the young king?" Olenna rhetorically asked

"He'd be her nightmare as he's been mine since he drew his first breath." Joanna confessed "But what does this all have to do with me?"

Olenna remained quiet as she handed Joanna a scroll. Opening it as for the first time Joanna had a sense of hope fulfill her.

"I can guarantee you, your child and Sansa safety, if you help me ensure my granddaughters safety and sanity from your demented brother?"

Joanna sat forward "There's only one way you can keep Margaery safe."

"And what would that be?" An amused Olenna Tyrell asked the girl. She could see the ambition and flame in the young girls eye

"It's simple, have Margaery marry Tommen." She truthfully answered.

"But how would that be possible if Margaey is to marry the king?" Olenna sarcastically asked

"The answer if very simple, isn't it?" Joanna answered