Margaery liked to play the long game. It was a family trait, and she'd been doing it for a long time. Ever since she had married Renly. She honestly missed being his bride sometimes, it had seemed much simpler then. Still, things weren't so bad. She'd gotten her claws into Joffery and was beginning to bend him how she willed. Even better, she had Sansa. Sansa wasn't just a little bird anymore. Now she was changing into something else.
It didn't take much effort to find the brothel that Sansa frequented. It seemed an obvious choice as it was Tyrion's favorite. It was an interesting one though. Perhaps Sansa and Tyrion had reached an accord of some kind? Regardless Sansa's elevated mood and confidence seemed a near sure sign that she had been taking out her tension in the way Margaery always proscribed. Good for her, Margaery thought, though it did make her a little sad. Not that Sansa was enjoying herself, but simply that the two of them hadn't been intimate, either physically or emotionally, for some time.
It was much to Margaery's frustration. To be honest Sansa was getting more female companionship then she had been. Besides a quick bedding with that Cat whore that Sansa favored, Margaery hadn't had a woman since she last laid with Sansa.
The developments at court were concerning. There was no love lost between the Martells and the Tyrells. Personally, Margaery didn't understand much of the feud. The Reach and Dorne were closer culturally then one might initially think, and they had grown ever closer as time went on, especially in Tyrell, Florent, Redwyne and Hightower lands. Their religious unorthodoxies, their tolerance of same-sex relationships, the greater status of women, all of which seemed to be shared values. But because of traditional rivalries, old feuds were getting in the way, and Martell meddling could cause the Tyrells position at court to collapse.
Which was a shame, Oberyn had done Margaery a favor in poisoning Tywin. That old man could probably have sniffed out what she was up to soon enough and could have ruined her plans. And she certainly couldn't begrudge his desire for revenge. Personally, Margaery wanted Stannis to die slow for what he did to Renly, however, he did manage to accomplish it. Quite frankly, the accusations of witchcraft and dark magic in his camp seemed quite plausible, as loathe as she was to admit it. The Tyrells had no knowledge of magic, and the fact that a force that powerful could be out there that they weren't using...it unnerved Margaery.
This situation with the upcoming trial though...that was also out of Margaery's direct control. She wasn't as worried as she could have been. Quite frankly, she didn't see how whatever happened could pose a threat to her or her position. Even with the outbreak of war, Dorne was likely a lost cause. The only chance they had at winning was if they aligned themselves to the Stannis Cause and somehow managed to get their hands on some sellswords and politically useful information. They could only win with a lot of smart strategic decisions and a good amount of luck, Doran Martell was by all accounts a smart and calculating man, but the gods had never much favored Dorne, they'd need a lot more than just luck.
Overall even if it did come to war, she liked her chances. However, there was a sliver of something. Something that she couldn't quite shake. An instinct that this was deeper than a mere revenge scheme by Oberyn. He was brash and occasionally reckless, but he was clever, clever enough to get a great education at the Citadel. Something didn't quite fit for him to be so obvious in his murder scheme.
"Today will be the first day of the trial." Joffery said, his servants had gotten him dressed and he was now watching her handmaids dress her. She was starting to get used to those eyes staring at her.
"Yes. As ever I imagine you will show strength and wisdom, your grace." Margaery said.
"Thank you, but you don't have to call me your grace when we are alone. You're my wife now." Joffery said.
"Sorry. it's a force of habit." Margaery said.
"Don't have to apologize either. You've already greatly enhanced my life. I didn't know a woman could do that." Joffery said.
"Women are meant to enhance the lives of men. While men are meant to protect and lead and shape the world." Margaery said.
"I suppose your right." Joffery said.
"So, I suppose I shall see you after the trial concludes for the day." Margaery said.
"I was hoping that you'd join me in court. It would get dreadfully dull, and your one of the few women whose counsel I appreciate." Joffery said.
Perfect.
The trial took place in the throne room, Margaery took her traditional seat beside the Iron Throne. Tyrion Lannister stood at a place of prestige. In all likelihood, he'd be the one running this trial. Mace Tyrell was on the council as well, proof positive that this was a Tyrell-Lannister regime. The last councilor was one Lord Petyr Baelish. Newly-made Lord of Harenhall. The intent was to place him at his seat after the royal wedding, but he delayed his departure until after the matter of Lord Tywin's murder was resolved.
To Margaery's surprise, Sansa was seated not to far away from her lord husband. She was wearing a dress of red and white, showcasing her dual nature as Stark and Lannister both. Sansa looked stunning in it, but Margaery would much rather have seen her without it.
"Today marks the beginning of the trial regarding Tywin Lannister's murder." Tyrion started. He didn't exactly cut a noble figure, but his words often made up for that, Margaery had discovered.
"He was my lord father, and the grandfather of our king on his mothers side. His loss was a great loss to us all personally, as well as a loss to the seven kingdoms. That means that whoever was responsible has to be found and given the king's justice. Our great King Joffery, has allowed me to lead the trial in his name, though of course he will be observing it closely and guiding it as well. We must take proper care to avoid the innocent being declared guilty, both in order to secure a proper punishment and to avoid punishing an innocent." Tyrion said.
Oberyn Martell was brought forward in chains. After a night in prison, he still was among the most dashing men in court.
"Ah. I see my trial is to be conducted by a Lannister, a Tyrell and a whoremonger. I'm glad this is all being taken so seriously." Oberyn said.
"Your trial will be conducted fairly. We have no reason to see you dead or on the wall." Tyrion said.
"You have every reason to see me dead. I've been after all those who were involved in the murder of my sister Elia. Your father was one of them, so that's why you blame me. Bah." Oberyn spat on the floor.
"I'd rather him die after confessing his sins. This death meant nothing to me." Oberyn said.
"Well, we shall see whether or not we can believe you at the conclusion of this trial." Tyrion said.
"No we won't. I won't be tried by Lannisters, Tyrells and bought men. I'll let the gods decide my fate. I demand a trial by combat." Oberyn said.
"Your grace-" Tyrion said turning towards Joffery. But Joffery was already on his feet.
"You heard him. He wants a trial by combat, let him have a trial by combat. Guards take him back to the Black Cells. The duel will happen on the morrow." Joffery said.
"Who am I to fight?" Oberyn said.
"The Mountain." Joffery said with a smirk.
"Your grace-" Tyrion said. But it was no use. Oberyn was being taken away, and Joffery had sat back down.
"Now...all of you leave. Leave me alone with my wife." Joffery said. Everyone left, none more reluctantly then Tyrion.
"Margaery I want you." Joffery said.
That wasn't surprising. Violence or talk of violence always got his blood up. Margaery meekly walked towards him and he began kissing her fiercely. Her skirts were off right quick and he plowed into her hard. He lasted longer then she expected, but it couldn't have been much longer than two minutes before he had came inside her. She would have to take her moontea. She planned to do so for as long as politically viable, she couldn't afford a child to be around Joffery when he was so volatile. Margaery needed to tame him.
"Th-thank you." Joffery said. He sounded so boyish after sex.
"Ha. Your very welcome your grace." Margaery said.
"Am I...am I good at it? Fucking you, I mean?" Joffery said.
"I think so. I couldn't tell the difference. I've never been with another man." Margaery said.
"Don't lie. It makes both of us look a fool. I know your not a maid. You've slept with others." Joffery said.
"...You are right, I can conceal nothing from you, your grace." Margaery said.
"So...how do I compare." Joffery said.
"Good, but you could use some improvement. Even kings don't start great at everything." Margaery said.
"I...I see. Can you help me...become great?" Joffery said.
"I think I could do that." Margaery said with a smile.