Joanna was surprised to hear that the Lady Margaery had invited her to break fast with both her and her grandmother, a few days after the announcement of the engagements. She was sick of seeing the Tyrell rose wherever she went, the sigil was entirely stupid and pointless to the young lioness. Roses could easily be destroyed and once cut would soon wither. They may have thorns but it would not be difficult to locate and remove them. Actually, the rose rather suited the Tyrells, pretty to look at but nothing special once closely examined.
She had not intention of accepting the invitation until the Queen had told her that the Lady Margaery and her crone grandmother may take offence at her rejection and following her marriage she would have to call them family. So she made sure to have her handmaidens wake her and bathe her with good time of the meeting but soon dismissed them to ready herself. Whilst she would soon be a Tyrell in name Joanna had no intention of her future 'family' forget that she was a Lannister, more so than they could imagine. For that reason she wore a elegant gown of crimson with gold thread decorating the bodice. Her hair was styled in an intricate southern manner that had rubies intertwined in her curls. It was perhaps a bit formal for the occasion but she had a flair for the dramatic, as did her mother.
She arrived at Margaery's chambers in good time and sat at a small table was the lady herself but her grandmother was nowhere to be seen.
"Joanna!" The girl cried and rushed forward to embrace her. She was about to remind her that was a princess and should be treated in an appropriate manner but she forced herself to bite her tongue.
"You look even more radiant than usual, your highness. I only wish that I had as many fine gowns as you as to wear them at leisure."
Joanna replied as warmly as she could. "Lady Margaery, I thank you for our invitation. Will your grandmother be joined us or is she not well? I hope she feels no pressure to attend if she is feeling her age."
As see as she said it the Queen of Thorns herself emerged from behind a curtain, smiling smugly as if she knew something no one else did.
"I see you have your mothers charms as well as (400) her subtlety." The crone remarked, seating herself facing Joanna.
Both girls seated and immediately food was placed in front of them. Some of the foods were more unfamiliar to her, no doubt brought from Highgarden and Joanna forced herself to try them.
"I was surprised to hear of your engagement to my grandson, as was the King from what I have been told." Lady Olenna stared at Joanna, watching her reactions carefully to such an extent it was making her want to squirm.
"I'm sure it will only strengthen the alliance between our families. My mother and grandfather are please that I will join such a noble house as yours."
Lady Olenna chuckled dryly. "I told my son that Margaery's marriage was all the alliance we needed but my fool of a son wanted a Lannister to rule Highgarden."
"I'm sure that a Baratheon" she stressed "at Highgarden will be valuable for the years to come." Joanna was beginning to tire of the crones poorly veiled threats and actually began to feel sorry for Margaery who had to listen to her all day.
"Speaking of marriage, what is Joffrey's character." Margaery queried. "Sadly I have only began to know His Highness yet who knows his better than his twin. Speak truthfully I ask you."
This silly girl couldn't dream of understand Joffrey, let alone make him love her and the notion of him fooling for her became pitiful.
"Joffrey is a kind and just ruler who-"
"No girl," Olenna interrupted with a dismissive wave. "What will he be like as a husband?"
This Joanna didn't know. She knew what he was like with her as a lover but how he would treat Margaery she had no clue. "As good and gentle husband as I'm sure Ser Loras will be to me, I am sure."
It was Margaery who replied. "Loras is noble and gallant, as well as a noble Lord once my father passes. It was kind for the King to allow him to take a wife whilst remaining in his guard."
These questions and half-answers continued for several minutes until Margaery was called away for a dress fitting, leaving the young lioness and the Thorn Queen alone.
"Now we are alone I can ask the real questions." She began, leaning forward in her chair, locking eyes with Joanna. "Can I have your word that this silly thing will stop before the weddings?"
Her eyes narrowed in confusion, words failing her as she tried to interpret the older woman's words. "I don't understand..."
"I am not blind nor deaf child. I know that you will never truly love Loras as he will never love you. You both have other preferences."
Sensing where the conversation was heading Joanna stated. "Ser Loras prefers to share his bed with men."
"As you share yours with your brother." Lady Olenna was bold enough to state.
"How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" Joanna denied, standing up abruptly.
"Calm yourself! You and my grandson will keep each other's secrets and in return you will provide Loras with an heir... A Tyrell heir."
Joanna decided she had had enough of this embarrassment and stormed out of the chambers, she cheeks a rosy pink. Her anger remained until she passed Ser Loras in the corridor.
Grabbing his arm she pulled him into the nearest room, an used guest room that would not be interrupted.
"What-" The handsome knight shouted as Joanna pushed him to the wall.
"We need to talk." She announced, releasing him and straightening her gown.
Loras laughed. "You made it clear that you wanted my attention. I assumed you wanted to fight or fuck."
Sighing Joanna retorted. "And in both cases you'd be wishing I was my uncle Renly."
The young man tried to find his words but she saved him the effort.
"I want to make a deal."
He nodded "Ok, what is it?"
"We both want to spend as little time in the marriage bed as possible but there is also the matter of producing an heir. I propose that we spend as little time together as possible to produce a son for you to name heir then we can continue laying with whoever we wish as long as we are discreet."
Loras remained silent as he thought through the terms. Eventually he nodded.
"I don't care whether you sleep with a man or even another woman, our affairs will be our own, but make a fool out of me and you will regret it. Remember a Lannister always pays their debts."
In silent agreement the pair left the room as quickly as they had entered it and no one was any wiser of the events that had happened.