ㅤㅤㅤ EMERALDS FLASH AT THE ASSERTION, a slight embarrassment felt that her fear had been so easy to spot. The former queen has not yet grown accustomed to Dorne, always on edge and waiting for some grand plan to unveil itself and give reason to this whole scheme that her father and Lord Doran had agreed upon. Oh, there is some greater purpose to all of this, she knows there must be. It makes it all the more confusing that she has been treated so well thus far, never less than what a lady of her status is worth. But the trap must close sometime, and Cersei is only waiting for the other shoe to drop. ❝ He is, ❞ Cersei clears her throat in answer. ❝ Oberyn has proven to be rather . . . attentive. ❞ Of that she cannot deny, her new husband does not lack where the bedroom is concerned. She knew that Oberyn had certain proclivities, and thus she was prepared to compromise in some regards, but Ellaria was all she could tolerate for the moment. Her entire marriage to Robert had been crowded, countless other women filling her place while she was left to fend for herself, and she would not suffer that fate a second time.
ㅤㅤㅤYet there is something Cersei can respect in the bastard woman's boldness, taking a direct approach to the situation before them, despite how unorthodox the whole ordeal is to the lioness. And she cannot deny, there is something intriguing about all of it. To explore these new ways of things, to try them on her own accord. It feels as if a certain power is placed in her hands in that moment, a welcome contrast to what life was like for her before. ❝ No, never. Not even to explore. ❞ It's only half a lie. Her arms wraps tighter around her frame, suddenly feeling quite naked, as if Ellaria could somehow see through her robe. There had been times when she was younger when she'd thought about it. She had played kissing games often with other girls at the Rock when she was but a maid barely flowered. Just an innocent thing, of course. And sometimes early in their marriage, Robert would be gone and she would have one or two of her ladies keep her company through the night, as is common with women of their status. They were always perfectly warm beside her, and they fit so nicely in her arms, but sometimes her hands would wander and theirs would too. There was one in particular who kissed her on her breasts while she held her, and it had felt more than nice, especially when she slipped her nightgown from her shoulders and kissed a little lower. But that was all.
ㅤㅤㅤCersei already knows her answer, but she hesitates of whether or not to give it, to accept Ellaria as more than a shadow. She is a threat, no matter how she pretends otherwise; a threat to Cersei's safety, to her reputation, to her husband's attention. But as her eyes wander over the woman as she lounges, she finds it hard to refuse. ❝ Perhaps I could try it, ❞ Cersei speaks, careful not to sound too eager, lest the bastard think she can make a pet of the lioness. Emeralds find the floor for a moment, then rise to meet Ellaria's. ❝ You are a puzzle to me. I cannot discern if this is merely a test of my willingness or a proposition. ❞
