When Cersei's son took the throne, the realm found itself in war, the Lannister's needed more allies in the realm so Tywin demanded that his daughter go to Dorne to visit her old friend, who was now the queen.

When Cersei arrived at the familiar palace she was told to go to the throne room, where the queen was waiting for her. When Cersei walked into the empty throne room, she saw her old friend sitting on the throne, she was more mature than the young teenager Cersei remembered her as. When Cersei approached, she felt the queen's eyes scanning her body.