Joffrey was a monster, that much was true. But very few people stopped to consider who made him a monster. They often forgot that Joffrey was still just a boy, subject to his parents whims. Being raised by a manipulator like Cercei and an absent brute like Robert had molded Joffrey into a volatile boy. The prince had no friends outside his family, and no other role models for what a healthy relationship should look like.

Until you married his dwarf uncle.

Now things were different. Joffrey could look at you and Tyrion's marriage and see the glaring differences between you and his parents. Tyrion didn't strike you, shout, or cheat. Sure he got drunk, but even then he never so much as gave you a nasty look.

It was on this particular afternoon that Robert gave his eldest the beating of a lifetime. Joffrey had brought him a pregnant cat that he'd killed, and the king's response was to beat first ask questions never. Joffrey's face was black and blue, his lip busted. He was limping when he approached you.

Joffrey was frustrated. He didn't understand what he'd done wrong. His father hunted and killed animals all the time. So why was it different when Joffrey did it? Why wasn't he proud of him?

You're lips parted with shock when you saw him. Word had already traveled about the cat, but you hadn't expected this. "Joffrey, honey.." You cupped his bruised face. "Talk to me. Why'd you think it was okay?"