With Tyrion back in King's Landing we have a full Small Council once again. Which is a nice thing to have really, I guess. Personally, I find the television's version of the Imp to be an improvement as he seems to have a desire to better the Seven Kingdom's and is less likely to be an asshole unless provoked. Thus far achieved by keeping my uncle and grandfather apart as often as possible outside of Small Council meetings, which isn't too hard since they both have no desire to see each other.
I can't blame Tywin for his disliking his youngest son as he reminds the man of the death of his wife. But you'd think a man with such a tactical mind could get past his own feelings and see the full potential Tyrion possesses. But a miracle worker I am not as I leave such things to the gods.
We have officially received a request from the Night's Watch for manpower and supplies. Most of the Small Council scoffed at the request, but Tyrion seemed to take it seriously, as do I. Tyrion for having actually been to the wall and seen the state of the place and me for knowing what's coming. Tywin seemed to have some concerns but thought it a problem for the Watch and the North. I asked Tywin to put together a party to go to the wall to verify the veracity of the request for ourselves, and to Selmy to ascertain what forces could be spared to send northward. If I can get some verification this early in the game, it'll make things easier.
In less impressive endeavours, I have managed to cut down the gigantic book of laws down to a more manageable level. I may not have mentioned previously but the original text was as thick as four phonebooks and as heavy. Centuries of proclamations, decrees and the like would do that, I guess. Especially if one doesn't bother to collate. With a combination of cutting out the outdated, the unnecessary, and the contradictory, along with a fair bit bringing around, I was able to bring it down to about a phonebook and a half. Once the taste of making that look book-worthy was done, I ordered a copy of the finished text be delivered to Tywin for his approval before it be sent off to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms. I have plans to update the codified laws every couple of years so that things can be kept current, along with getting the Lords Paramount getting all the local laws and ordinances codified (with copies sent to me) so that we are all working from the same playbooks.
That done, it was off to Highgarden to play nice with the Tyrell's. Loras had gone off ahead, alongside mother and her entourage. An entourage of people appointed and employed by Tywin, with explicit instructions to not let Cersei undertake or get away with any shady business. We didn't need any bullshit coming out of this, especially not under the watchful eye of Olenna Tyrell. But at least I'll get to see Margery, which'll be nice. If she looks anything like Natalie Dormer, it's going to be hard to not try and figure out a way to legalise polygamy and take her as a second wife. But given the amount of trouble adding even the hint of complication to lines of succession have caused in the past, it's probably best to not.
Hopefully I'll be able to control ye olde teenage hormones and keep myself loyal to Sansa. And if I really want to keep on looking, I can always see about trying to arrange a marriage between Margery and Tommen at some point. Though I doubt I'll be able to do that without Olenna negotiating some serious concessions for the Reach. As it is, I have to find a position on the Small Council for her son Mace Tyrell, the current Lord of Highgarden amongst other promises and a slightly reduced tax burden. Normally the latter would have been a problem, but with the reforms I'd gotten shoved through during my brief tenure as Master of Coin, it wasn't as impactful as it would've been previously.
Normally the Hand of the King would have been left behind to rule in my steed, by Tywin insisted on accompanying me to Highgarden for the marriage proceedings. Ostensibly as Cersei's father, but in actuality to make sure she went through with this and didn't try to fuck with the proceedings. So, much to the Tywin's annoyance, and my amusement, Tyrion was left on the Iron Throne to act as Regent while the party train headed off. It was delightful to see the foul mood exuding from the Lord of Casterly Rock as he dreaded both what lay ahead and what he was leaving behind. I thought Tyrion a highly capable administrator who'd enjoyed his brief time undertaking his duties as Lord of Harrenhal and would enjoy his time on the Iron Throne, as brief as it would be.
In as repeat of my last departure from King's Landing, I left instructions for another private business to be established. This time the subject of my designs was that of whiskey. While ale, beer, mead, and even rum were available as alcoholic beverages, whiskey was not, and after taking longer to realise its unavailability then I should have I have determined to correct that mistake. With designs secured from the Maester himself this time around and modified with both his help and Tyrion's, I have found a design that works. With the functionaries under the command of the Master of Coin working on the problem, I see decent progress upon my return. Even if I don't see a barrel of the divine substance for a year or two, it should be worth the wait. I have also added the easier to produce moonshine to the slate though. If only I could find a way to develop coca cola, I would be the happiest man alive.