Taria liked the quiet. She wanted peace in the country, she loved the trees and how green they were. She had never seen grass or a proper garden before, she didn't know what it smelled like. The city smelled like piss according to her brother and smelled like semen to her mother. Taria did not smell either, but rather it smelled like horse shit. They lived outside of the main city's gates, she wondered if they too could smell the waste.

King's Landing was not known for its nature, but rather the people. The Capital was made up of horrible and selfish people who took what they wanted and damned any consequence they may receive. You could not trust anyone here, no matter the sweet nothings they may whisper in your ear.

Her mother wasn't necessarily one of them, but she had some of the qualities they possessed though. She did what she could to survive in this cruel world that they lived in. Taria could always see the look her mother always gave her and brother, it was that of hate. She always blamed them for their births.

Whores don't have children, she told them on many occasions. Children take away a woman's youth and her body. Men always like the young ones.

Her mother was still quite the beauty, she made the most money for Lord Baelish. She bragged about it to Taria many times when they would steal. She spent all of their money on herself, telling them that it would bring in more customers. She left little for Taria and her brother, Marian.

Her mother was named Gisella. She had bronze colored skin and beautiful long brown hair that was styled in waves down her back. She had piercing grey eyes that kept many men interested in her. Her beauty was well known along with her curvy body and ample breasts. Her mother had the most gorgeous laugh and men would smile when she laughed or danced for them. Gisella was perfect and beautiful.

Taria didn't hate her mother though it would be easier if she did so. Her mother managed to get them a nobleman's education and properly teach them how to speak while she also taught them the art of manipulation. Though neither of her children ever listened to her. When she was young, Taria never understood why she would ever need manipulation until she let out into the city. Taria knew then why it was such a valuable ability to have.

Taria supposed that her mother did not love her for she bore a resemblance to her father. Her mother was drunk off of wine when she said this to her, she would scoff as she twisted her hair around her fingers. She would pull it almost painfully and laugh when she heard Taria whimper. Taria was only six namedays at the time and still she did not hate her mother nor her father who had abandoned them.

Taria would look at her reflection from time to time, her fingers would inspect every part of her face and hair. Her hair was not anything special, a normal brown color with waves and bangs that would get in her eyes. Her eyes were dark brown. She was pale and freckles sprayed across her nose. Her figure was thin and nothing at all like her mother's curvy one. The only good feature about her was her plush soft pink colored lips.

"You could kill with those lips," her mother had said to her once when she had her first moon's blood.

Taria dressed herself as she heard the city booming below her window. She wore an olive colored silk dress that showed barely any skin, it was tailored perfectly to her body, a forest colored ribbon was wrapped around her waist. She made most of her dresses as her mother would let her go by wearing a ripped dress if it meant she would keep her precious jewels and dressed from the finest silk. She ran her hands down her dress before grabbing her basket and walking out of their home as she went to do some shopping. Taria gave a smile to one of the merchants as she passed by him down to the Street of Seeds and to the vegetable stall.

She looked through the vegetables finding the perfect ones and placing them in her backet after paying for them.

Jaime Lannister watched from afar as the girl began to walk down the street to the other stalls, she turned a corner onto the Street of Silk. His eyes were trained on her the entire time. She made the finest dresses according to Cersei.

Tyrion groaned behind him. "Your obsession with this girl will get the best of you, dear brother."

Jaime scoffed. "I am not obsessed with her. Cersei is need of a new seamstress. I am simply looking into a possible person for that job, someone who can do their work and manage our sister. You know how she gets."

Tyrion sighed. "Poor girl...you're a terrible liar. Leave her be, Jaime."

"I am not lying, you know I have eyes for another," Jaime reminded him. "I have no interest in her other than finding a new seamstress for Cersei."

"Why her?" Tyrion asked. "Does our sister think she could be another one of her spies in the capital?"

Jaime sighed, he knew his brother would disapprove of Cersei's plans. "That is what I am here to find out."

"Cersei doesn't trust anyone," Tyrion said softly to his brother. "She won't trust some girl from Flea Bottom who can sew."

"You remember Gisella?"

Tyrion groaned which caused Jaime to chuckle in amusement at his brother's taste for women. "How could I forget that women? She was certainly made by the gods themselves. You know that is the only reason I believe there is some god out there, Jaime. Gisella is the reason. I like her."

Jaime smirked. "That is her daughter."

Tyrion raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you sure? They look nothing alike."

Jaime rolled his eyes. "Yes, Littlefinger informed me. They are desperate, their mother takes everything from them and leaves them nothing, but the scrapes. Littlefinger has plans for her and her brother so she must obey him."

"She's desperate you say," Tyrion said, looking up at his brother with a curious look on her face. "She looks like a smart girl."

Jaime ignored his brother as he followed her and kept on doing so even when she stopped to feel the fabrics at another stall. He stopped beside her and said, "That is a lovely lace you are holding, my lady."

"I'm not a lady, ser," Taria replied softly. Her voice sounded sweet to him. He felt his thoughts betrayed his sister. She was a plain girl compared to Cersei who was indeed beautiful beyond comparison, but the girl's lips were the only quality about her that he enjoyed.

"Every woman is a lady until proven otherwise," Jaime told her.

Taria looked to him as her fingers rubbed the lace material. "Perhaps. I'm a respectable woman, but not a lady. Women with money and powerful families are ladies."

"Do you want to hear a secret?"

Taria glanced around, making sure no one was looking at them. She didn't want others to get the wrong idea about her. She didn't want them to think that she was like her mother. She would never be like her. She gave him a nod as they both leaned forward and Jaime whispered in her ear, "Most of them aren't ladies though they hide it well if you ask me."

Taria then asked, "Do you gossip much like a fish wife?"

She heard someone laugh behind him and saw a short man with curly blonde hair trying to hide his laughter. "What a tongue she has, Jaime! She's perfect."

Taria let out a frustrated sigh, she frowned at them both. "I see, ser. You are making fun of me. Good day to you both."

She turned to walk away when Jaime immediately stepped in her way, holding up his hands. "Many pardons, my lady. My brother and I meant no harm to you."

"I will not stand here and be made your joke. I have more pride in myself," Taria said as her shoulders went back. She stepped around him and briskly walked away from them both, her cheeks flushing with anger at herself.

Jaime watched her walk away as Tyrion said, "I like her."

"You do?" Jaime asked in a surprised voice. "Why?"

"She's smart and very bold," Tyrion responded with a smirk. "And polite which is rare in this part of the Capital. She keeps to herself for a reason, a very smart reason. Do you know her name?"

Jaime nodded. "I do."

"Pray tell, dearest brother."

"Not yet," he mumbled.

As Taria walked through the halls of the brothel, Lord Baelish stepped in front of her. "Taria, you've grown quite well since we last spoke."

Taria nodded. "Thank you, m'lord. You are most kind especially to my family."

"Your mother had made me the richest man and so I look after her family," Lord Baelish said. "A debt is a debt. I have no doubt that you will follow your mother's steps just as planned, correct?"

Taria bit the inside of her cheek as she looked to the ground for a moment before saying, "Must I? Surely there has to be another-"

He leaned in close and whispered, "I have given you the best education and a roof over your heads. Your mother won't be young forever and your brother's wages won't save the both of you. It's easier this way as we have known each other for years, yes? I will pay you good, nothing will change."

But you are wrong, she thought vehemently. Becoming a whore to men will change me forever. It would make me hate and loathe myself more than I do now. It would change my entire life.

Taria felt trapped and as if her fate was sealed. Lord Baelish took her silence as a submissive acceptance of her future in his establishment. He kissed her cheek and left her to attend the other women. Taria wiped her tear from her eye before it could be seen by others.

"It's not all that bad," another woman had told her when she passed by her. "Especially if you know how to pleasure them."

Taria shook her head and ran upstairs to her room. She stuffed her face into her pillow, she was far too young to be thinking about her future as a whore. She was only seventeen. She should be worried about which suitor to choose for marriage although she could never marry. She was too low to marry.

Taria heard her door open and saw her brother, Marian walk into the room. Marian was younger than her by three namedays. He worked on the Street of Steel, his face was caked with dirt and grime. He gave her a tired smile as he fell onto his bed and asked, "What is the matter with you?"

Taria shook her head. "Nothing you need to worry yourself over."

"I've been practicing with the weapons-"

Taria groaned exasperatedly then mused, "Master Crygon will have your hands if he catches you sparring with his weapons."

Marian gave her a wide grin. "Sister dear, they are magnificent! Such instruments to behold, it's a pity that they will be sold off to lesser men."

"Hold your tongue, Marian," she scolded. "Someone could hear your words."

"I'll be careful, I always am," he responded. "Where is mother?"

"Gods only know where she is, but who she is with."

"She might change one day," her brother said hopefully.

Taria was silent as she shrugged and turned away from her brother. She wanted to tell him so much, but couldn't. She didn't want to put any more burdens on him. Their mother had already done so much to him, she was grateful then that he still had hope for their mother. Taria's hope was diminished when her mother almost sold her to a lord who liked little girls.

Littlefinger stepped in and saved her, convincing her mother that I needed to mature more.

Yet she could not hate her mother for to hate her would mean that she cared for her mother. Taria only cared for Marian. She would protect her brother at all costs if need be.

Taria made her way through the Street of Flour when she froze as she saw the blonde knight from yesterday standing near one of the bread stalls she regularly bought from. She sighed heavily and turned around the other way. Jaime easily caught up with her and said, "Hello again."

Taria shook her head and scoffed. "Do you enjoy this, ser? Do you get your rocks off by embarrassing me?"

"You assume too much," he chuckled. "I have an important matter to discuss with you, Taria Waters."

Taria froze again and whirled around to face him, her hands gripping her basket. "You know my name? How do you know my name? Why are you following me?"

Jaime smirked. "Well, which one do you want me to answer first?"

Taria rolled her eyes and gave him a look of impatience. "Why are you following me?"

"My name is Ser Jaime Lannister, a knight of the Kingsguard," Jaime announced, seeing the suspicious look on her face.

"You are not wearing your armor, ser so pardon me if I'm in disbelief at your words."

"Doesn't matter. The Queen is need of a new seamstress, she favors your dresses," Jaime told her. "You'll be paid handsomely. She needs someone she could trust."

Taria scoffed. "I keep away from court because all they do is lie, cheat, and play games with each other. I want a peaceful life. I will make Queen Cersei a dress, but that is all I will do for her. After I make her a dress then you will pay me for it and leave me be."

"Are you refusing an order from the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms?" Jaime asked incredulously.

Taria licked her dry lips and said confidently, "I am refusing your offer, Ser Jaime. I know of your family, your reputation does harm to everyone around you. I will not be the one that gets harmed."

"You'll be safe from Littlefinger's plans for you, I know you despise them more than me," Jaime quipped. "I hear you're the defiant one."

Taria shook her head. "It's not wrong to be want to be free, Ser Jaime."

"Jaime," he corrected with an amused smile.

"We are not familiar with each other, Ser Jaime." Taria stared impassively at him. "Now good day to you, Ser Jaime. Tell the Queen I am sorry for refusing her, but if she really desires my dresses then I shall make her some when she requests them."

Taria walked away from Jaime as quickly as she could, so many questions floated through her mind then. She wanted to know why the queen wanted her? What would she have her do? She knew her dresses were beautiful and sure of her skills. Her mother never wanted her dresses because they weren't made y the finest hands.

Taria wished the queen wanted her dresses because she truly did so and not to have her spy on others and ruin their lives. She did not want that on her conscience, the guilt would eat away at her. She knew not to tell a soul about the queen's offer, they would tell her that she was a fool to refuse such a offer. She needed to keep her head down and continue on with life.

If she did not then her head put mount the city gates and the crows would pick at her skin and eyes. The thought made Taria shuddered in fear.

No, I must stay away, she thought determinedly. I can't leave Marian alone with her.

TBC…

Here's another Game of Thrones story to add to my list. Okay so I know it's a little slow right now, but next chapter things should pick up which I am extremely excited for you guys to read. I hoped you liked this chapter.

REVIEW, FOLLOW, AND FAVORITE! Until next time...