Mace
Such a nasty business! The Purple Wedding, they're calling it. Lord Tywin had made enemies, to be sure, but to murder a man at a wedding... What sort of monster could even dream up such a crime? The King's enemies blame him for that business at the Twins, and then they murder the Hand of the King and a former Queen at his wedding. The so-called Red Wedding was plainly the work of those wretched Freys. Lord Tywin was far too honorable a man and never would've named Lord Bolton Warden of the North had he played any part in such a grisly crime. The way King Joffrey gloated about it at his wedding was...unseemly, to be sure, but the boy is plainly a sweet and gentle creature at heart. It is only natural for a boy his age to relish that sort of thing, the Hand decided. He'll grow out of it soon enough.
The Lord of Highgarden had respected the late Lord Tywin ever since their first meeting, but he bore the man's daughter no such goodwill. I mustn't judge her too harshly, any woman with eyes would be jealous of my dear Margaery. Cersei was once a Queen herself. I suppose it is only natural that she was bitter about being replaced by someone younger and more beautiful. War...marriage...you can't trust women to make these sorts of decisions. They are incapable of putting aside their petty vanities and given to emotional outbursts besides. Lord Tywin was a rational man. He needed my army, but surely he also saw that my Margaery would make a far better Queen than his daughter could ever hope to be. My daughter...the Queen. The thought alone filled him with pride.
But Queen Margaery was not the only Tyrell whose fortunes had improved since the Purple Wedding. The Lord of Highgarden was finally Hand of the King and not just any King. Joffrey is strong, brave, and kind. And wise beyond his years besides. He is all that a King should be!
I see mother is already here, he thought to himself, smiling as much to the food as to her as he sat down at the table. "We've finally found Lord Tywin's killer Mother, it appears it was the Red Viper."
"I knew that sand demon was up to no good, especially after he injured our poor Willas. No doubt he was plotting some sort of vile treason, but be that as it may, the Purple Wedding was not his doing," Olenna replied.
"What do you mean? The King said –"
"Yes, yes, Mace, we all know what the King said. That the vile Dornishman murdered Lord Tywin, that he nearly killed Stannis Baratheon in single combat at the Blackwater, and all Lannisters are Lions. I suppose next you'll be telling me that the King says we're being attacked by an army of snarks and grumpkins from beyond the Wall."
"The King didn't fight Stannis in single combat?"
"No, you bloody oaf and the Red Viper didn't kill Lord Tywin. Cersei wasn't supposed to die at the Purple Wedding either. The poison she drank was meant for the King."
"But how could you possibly know that, mother?"
"Oh well, that's all simple enough. I was the one put it in his goblet."
For a moment, the Hand simply stared at his mother in shock, unable to lower his fork. Finally, he managed to ask the questions that were racing through his mind. "I...I don't understand...you? How? Why? Lord Tywin was a good man and the King is only a boy...why would..."
"The King is a monster. If the Gods gave you half the wits they gave a turnip, you'd have realized that long ago. If he were a only a monster, that would've been one thing, but he is a willful monster. The King does as he pleases. Margaery would've had his brother wrapped around her finger within a fortnight. As it is, we shall have to make do until another opportunity presents itself. And if the little beast thinks I will let hurt her..."
"But she is carrying his child. The King would never – "
"Mayhaps not today, but he will get worse with age. She will never truly be safe while your beloved King lives. He is being carefully guarded at the moment, but in time, the Lion will lower his guard."
"He's a Stag, not a lion."
"Of course he is," said Olenna, rolling her eyes. "As for Lord Tywin, his death will cripple the Lannister and place the levers of power in the capitol firmly under our control. As I said, the poison Cersei drank was meant for the King, but I must've dropped it in the wrong goblet, unless she drank her son's wine. I suppose that would make sense since the Lannisters seem to keep everything else in the family. Fortunately, the King has already managed to alienate both of his uncles and his grandnuncle. He will have to rely upon the Reach for support. With Tywin and Cersei dead, Ser Jaime in the Riverlands, and the rest of the Lannisters at Casterly Rock, there is no one left in the capitol to challenge us."
"Err...um...yes. The Imp stormed out of the Council chambers in front of the King and when the Gold Cloaks tried to escort him to the Red Keep, he ordered one of his cutthroats to murder the Lord Commander of the City Watch in cold blood. And Ser Kevan...he struck the King...twice! I was thoroughly disappointment in his conduct. What do you think about all of this, mother?"
"I think you have a lot of work to do, Mace, and you'd best get to it! The King hated Tyrion more than anyone else in King's Landing, and I suspect the feeling was rather mutual. Given the circumstances of his departure, I fear he may prove more than a mere nuisance. He is as clever as Ser Kevan is dangerous."
"Yes, mother."
"Don't 'yes, mother' me. I always knew I should've taken the rod to you as a child. I will be leaving for Highgarden within a fortnight. You must needs follow my instructions precisely, do you understand?"
Mace nodded and they spent the rest of the meal discussing her plan. As usual, he did most of his eating and she did all of the talking.