"My lady?"
Margaery Tyrell looked over from feeding her hawk. "Yes, Septa?"
"A letter arrived for you from Ser Jaime Lannister in King's Landing."
"Now that is a surprise, isn't it, Lorry?" She stroked the hawk's feathers as it crooned. She had given her bird Loras's childhood nickname since it had been a gift from him and he had been pleased by the gesture. "Take it to my drawing room."
"Yes, my lady."
"Thank you, Septa." Margaery watched the older woman leave and finished taking care of Lorry, deep in thought. She had received a transcript of the King's decree that the Kingsguard could wed and be heirs again not long ago, so naturally, she would be the preferred spouse to someone as prestigious as Ser Jaime. After all, she was the only daughter of Highgarden and Tyrell had been a powerful House for quite some time. She walked to her drawing-room and sat at her desk and looked at the seal bearing a crown and seven swords for a moment before breaking it to read:
Dear Lady Margaery Tyrell,
I am certain you know why I am writing, for your intelligence is as renowned as your beauty throughout the lands. I will understand if you have no wish to continue or throw this out without even looking at it and should I not receive a reply, I promise I shall not bother you again.
Nevertheless, I would still like to explain the reason for this letter in my own words, if you will indulge me.
My father Lord Tywin Lannister is naming me his heir once again and as such, I am required to take a bride. I know our Houses have had a friendly competition in the past, especially at tourneys, and I have always had a certain respect for the knights of Highgarden, though that is another matter altogether.
I would be very honored if you would consider a union between us and have reached out to you before your lord father because I feel you would like to know. If you do not agree, I shall respectfully withdraw without a word to Lord Tyrell.
Sincerely,
Ser Jaime Lannister.
She sat back, musing on how he hadn't wasted any time, nor had he attempted flattery or flowery words as many men in the past. He was blunt to a fault and his words were as sharp as his sword was said to be. She could certainly appreciate a straightforward man like Jaime, who she had heard never went back on his word. He would have no reason to lie or use her, showing that by reaching out to her instead of her lord father regardless of years of tradition. While almost unheard of, it seemed to suit this Kingsguard who had no intention of wasting his time where he wasn't wanted. "Rose?"
Her cousin Rose Hightower, daughter of her uncle Ser Garth peeked her head in the door. "Yes, Margy?"
Margaery smiled warmly at her childhood playmate and best friend. When asked who she had wanted as her handmaid, she hadn't been able to think of anyone else more fitting. "Could you play the harp for me?"
"Of course. Any special requests?"
"Surprise me." Margaery sighed in content as Rose began to strum one of her favorites on the harp with slender fingers. Her cousin played like an angel and she hoped to find a good match for her as well. After all, her lady mother had been a Hightower before marrying her lord father, and Rose deserved just as much of a chance being the only female relative her age. An alliance with House Lannister could give Rose opportunities not in Highgarden, whether because of the ties of the Lannisters or coming with her to King's Landing made little difference. She grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill, writing:
Ser Jaime Lannister,
I do thank you for being forthright and considering my desires. I will admit, I was not expecting to receive anything from you, although I do appreciate your candor because it proves you are a man who hides nothing and I believe we will be a good match.
Please feel free to write my lord father with your request. I believe you will find him quite eager to make all the arrangements for our betrothal. I would also enjoy a continued correspondence with you if you will indulge me.
Affectionately,
Margaery Tyrell.
She rolled up the parchment and used green wax to seal it with the stamp consisting of the flower seal of her House. "Rose?"
"Yes, Margy?"
"If you could marry any man you wished, who would it be?"
Rose paused playing and looked thoughtful. She and Margaery and Loras had often been mistaken for triplets when together by outsiders, for they all had the same luxuriant brown hair and smooth skin, only while Margaery and Loras had brown eyes like deer, Rose's eyes were green with little flecks of gold. "Truthfully, cousin?"
"I would not have it any other way."
"I have had my eye on Renly Baratheon at tourneys for quite some time. I know your brother Loras squires for him and they are close, so I am not certain he is even interested in a woman."
Margaery poured them both some wine. "Well, I assume at some point he will wish to have heirs to compete with his brother Stannis's only child Shireen as most see her unfit to inherit the Crownlands due to her grayscale curse. Besides, you also have a soft spot for my brother, do you not?"
"Yes, of course." Rose accepted the cup from her with a blush.
"Then I fail to see the problem. After all, how can he refuse a woman who admires both him and his squire?"
"Such things are not done."
Margaery snorted. "Not openly, anyway. In Dorne, I have heard tell they have paramours more often than spouses and if they do wed, they accept the paramours as well. There is even a rumor they allow marriage to more than one person, though I am getting a bit off-topic. Loras's last letter said they were going to be in King's Landing soon, as King Robert invited Renly to bring a hunting party to join him on his usual ride into the woods for game. I am certain if I ask nicely, my brother would be more than happy to guide Renly's eye in your direction."
"Me? If anyone should have the attention of a second-in-line lord, it's you."
"Normally that would be true, however, I was approached by Ser Jaime Lannister who is the reinstated heir to Casterly Rock, and have no need of such attentions."
"That's wonderful news, Margaery. However, I don't understand why your brother would willingly help, even when you add in that I would have no problem with their closeness."
She chuckled. "Because my beautiful flower blossom, Loras has a soft spot for you too and simply cannot act on it publicly being related as we are. He will have every motivation to see to it that Renly is interested in none other."