We go back to Highgarden.


MARGAERY III

Megga and Alla were giggling far away, at the head of the boat. They were floating along the Mander, the breeze of the afternoon caressing their faces on the river. Leonette, who would marry Garlan next week, was discussing with Elinor and Sera. Margaery had done everything she could to make Leonette realize that her cousin was a very good man, though in fact she didn't really need it. Willas hadn't nicknamed his brother Garlan the Gallant for nothing. Soon Margaery would have a new sister. Well, technically Lady Leonette Fossoway wouldn't be her sister-in-law since she would marry her cousin, but Garlan was so much like a big brother to Margaery that she couldn't help but see his future wife as a soon-to-be sister.

The preparations for the wedding had begun last week and were not yet over. Margaery was excited about the wedding, but most of all she was happy for Garlan. He would get married, and to a very good wife. He would have nothing to complain about. Margaery could only wonder in excitement how her own wedding would look next to Garlan's.

"It's decided now." Margaery was at the stern of the boat, away from all the others and whispered to her favourite handmaiden.

"My lady?" Mira asked, looking away from her embroidery.

"The marriage," Margaery simply said, only whispering again.

"For real?" asked Mira, whispering now.

"Yes. I put enough pressure on my father, let my mother whine and convinced my grandmother enough. Everything is arranged."

"When?"

"We leave next month. My father will soon make it official. You won't have to keep your tongue much longer, Mira. I have to admit you impress me. You really talked about this to no one."

"I swore to keep it secret, my lady."

Mira's answer was plain and simple like always. She talked about it as if that was the most natural thing in the world. It had taken almost five months after Ser Daven visited them for Margaery's father to accept the proposal of the Lannisters, and another month had passed since that time. So much for a betrothal. But now it was sealed, and in a few months she would become the Lady of Casterly Rock. The boat wasn't far on his way back to Highgarden.

"I will miss this place," said Margaery. She had another month to spend in her home, but still. She already missed it.

"Me too, my lady. It had almost become a second home for me," said Mira. The northern girl really looked sad about this. Margaery smiled empathically.

"I would like you to make some more research about Casterly Rock in the evening, Mira. I want to know as much as I can about it before we leave. Perhaps I'll ask Willas to join you. My father is planning to tell the family at dinner."

"I would like that." Willas was the member of Margaery's family Mira got along with the better, except Margaery herself. Willas's love for studies made them meet regularly. Willas even suggested some works to Mira from time to time.

"You like Willas, don't you?" Margaery asked to her handmaiden.

"Yes, my lady. He's very kind. I don't wish to be rude, but I like him much more than your brother."

Margaery laughed a little. "That's alright. I understand. Loras can be insufferable to some people when he wants."

"Well, to be honest, my lady… Forgive me, but he's arrogant. Only a tourney and a knighthood, and he already believes to be better than everyone. It's a chance he never crossed the path of my brother Asher."

Margaery laughed shortly again. She liked Mira's straightforward ways. Sadly, what she said about Loras was true. The Knight of Flowers was arrogant. Margaery looked closely at the northern handmaiden. She may not be the most beautiful girl there was, but she was quite attractive. She would reach her fourteenth name day soon and her body began to show forms. Margaery knew there had been more than one knight to show interest in Mira since she arrived. Her northern origins made her more interesting for some of them since they saw her as someone exotic. An idea crossed Margaery's mind all of a sudden.

"Perhaps you don't have to leave Highgarden, Mira."

Her friends lifted her eyes from her work again to look at her mistress, some confusion appearing on her face. "What do you mean, my lady? You don't intend to bring me with you when you'll leave?"

"If you were married, you couldn't follow me," Margaery stated. More confusion was on Mira's face. "Would you like to marry Willas?"

Probably for the first time, Margaery saw Mira's eyes widen. "My lady… I… I'm not sure…"

"You like him," Margaery interrupted her. "And he likes you as well. He told me. I know that he is a cripple, but…"

"No, my lady. It doesn't bother me. Not at all. But Willas is a Tyrell. I'm only the daughter of a minor lord in the North. I don't think your family would accept. That wouldn't be appropriate." Margaery had to admit Mira was right. The idea had come to her mind all of a sudden, but she realized that would be difficult to convince her uncle to marry his eldest son to a handmaiden. "Furthermore, I admit that I'm not very eager to leave your service. Not right now, at least."

That touched Margaery a lot. "Thank you, Mira. You are right. Maybe I'll find someone more suitable for you in the Westerlands."

Margaery had to admit she wasn't displeased about he outcome of her idea. She had come to appreciate Mira very much, and she didn't want to send her away to a husband too quickly. Mira was too useful as her handmaiden. She couldn't let her go right now. Margaery thought that after Mira was gone, she may ask her mother to send her sister, Talia, to act as her handmaiden in Mira's stead, but that would wait. Mira would surely spend at least two more years with her.

They arrived at the docks of Highgarden and left the pleasure boat. Margaery spoke with Leonette as they walked away, but they had to go separate ways at some point and Margaery was only escorted by her two handmaidens who walked in silent behind her. When they reached her chamber, Margaery gave Mira her leave for the rest of the day. They were already at the end of the afternoon. Mira would know what she had to do. The northern girl curtsied and left. Sera would help to prepare Margaery for dinner alone.

Sera prepared her mistress, braiding her hair, helping her into a new gown and perfuming her. Margaery was somewhat excited about the dinner. Her father would tell most of the family about her betrothal. Soon I will be Lady Margaery Lannister of House Tyrell, Lady of Casterly Rock and Lady of the Westerlands. She saw a satisfied and wicked smile appear on her face in the glass.

"Is there something, my lady?" asked Sera.

"No, it's nothing Sera. I'm only happy to dine with my family." The smile remained on her face all the same.

"I suppose that if it was Mira who asked, you would tell her the truth." Sera twitched one of her locks. Margaery let a wail escape her throat. "Sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to… I'm sorry." Sera really looked like she was regretful in the glass.

"I know that I've been closer to Mira than to you lately," Margaery apologized, trying to comfort her. "But you're still my friend, Sera."

"Sorry, my lady. I shouldn't be harsh on you. Only… I've been your handmaiden for almost two years. Mira arrived here less than a year ago, and you seem to like her and to trust her more than everyone else."

It was true. Margaery knew the others had certainly noticed she spent more time with Mira alone than most ladies spent with one of their handmaidens, especially since she received Lord Tyrion's letter. Sera was also right when she said Margaery trusted Mira more than her cousins and her other handmaidens. Her grandmother was the only one Margaery trusted more than Mira in Highgarden. The thing was that Mira deserved her trust. She never revealed a single secret Margaery confided her, she performed all her duties almost without questions, never complained about anything and was loyal to the end. Even Lady Olenna recognized that Mira was a rare thing to find and that Margaery should keep her close as long as she could. Sera, on the other side, and all of Margaery's female cousins, liked to gossip, talk and reveal secrets about everyone else. She couldn't confide in them like she did with Mira or her grandmother or her mother at some extent. It was sad, but if Margaery was to choose someone to keep a secret, Mira came to her mind far before Sera.

"I know that I have spent more time with Mira these last times," said Margaery. "Believe me, Sera, it's not because I consider her a better friend than you. I just needed to spend more time with her."

"Why?" Sera asked on an irritated tone.

"You must trust me, Sera. I just needed more time with Mira recently. I didn't forget you or anyone else, and I will never forget you. You've been my friend for two years now. It's not about to end."

Sera looked more calm afterwards. Margaery was ready soon, though not as quickly if Mira had helped them. She wore a resplendent green and blue gown she had ordered last week. It was light enough to not feel the high temperature of summer and also loose so that wind would have the bottom part swirl when it caught in the tissue.

This evening they would dine in one of the many gardens. It had been reserved to the Tyrell family and only to the Tyrell family for the dinner. Well, in fact, only a part of the Tyrell family would be present, but Margaery's two favourite male cousins, Willas and Garlan, would be here. Margaery wandered through an alley of the garden, looking absentmindedly at the flowers all around. She wondered how the gardens in Casterly Rock would look like in comparison. The seat of House Lannister was more in the north. Maybe they would have different varieties of flowers. She didn't ask Mira to look about this. She remembered what Mira told her about the godswood with the twisted weirwood tree. She hoped the gardens were not in caves as well.

The sun was far from setting, but its color already took a taint more orange and less yellow. Margaery and Sera arrived close to the square where the dinner would take place. Garlan was waiting for his cousin there.

"Margaery, you look resplendent this evening," he told her.

"Thank you, Garlan." Margaery kissed him on both cheeks. She then turned to her handmaiden behind. "You may leave, Sera. Go and have your own dinner."

Sera curtsied and left. Garlan accompanied Margaery to the square, arm under arm. Her parents, her grandmother and Willas were already there. She welcomed them all with kisses on the cheeks. Willas was last and stood with difficulty on his cane to kiss her on the cheek.

"Where is Loras?" asked Margaery.

"Late, as always," answered Lady Olenna. "Unable to arrive in time. Servants, bring us the food."

"Mother, we must wait for my son," said Margaery's father.

"We waited, and he didn't come. Fetch the food. Are you waiting for the Others to come back?" Margaery saw with some pleasure the servants running on the orders of the Queen of Thorns. "Anyway, Loras doesn't bring much to family's dinners. He's only good with a stick in a tourney. You should have brought your friend, Margaery. The northern girl. I can never remember her name."

"Her name is Mira, grandmother," said Willas.

"As you wish. At least, when she's present conversations are interesting. The same cannot be said about our Knight of Flowers. Where did you go to get all of this? To Volantis?"

The servants had just brought the food and their grandmother started immediately. Margaery decided to start as well, just like Garlan and Willas. Her parents waited for some time, but before Lady Olenna's complaints, they finally began as well, her mother after her father. Margaery noticed Lady Alerie Tyrell didn't eat much. Margaery knew her mother disapproved what was about to be announced. Finally, Loras arrived.

"You're late," her grandmother commented as he sat down. "The next time you arrive late, your sister's northern friend takes your place and you'll have to eat with the other handmaidens."

"What?" Loras was surprised and shocked by this. "You wouldn't do this, grandmother."

"You want to make a wager?" she replied.

Before the serious look of the Queen of Thorns, the Knight of Flowers didn't push the matter any further. Margaery had to admit she would have liked to see the results of such a wager.

"I wouldn't mind if Lady Mira was to join us," said Willas. "After all, she's someone good to discuss with. I almost eat in her company in the library sometimes. Have you removed her from your service, Margaery? For the last few months, she spent more time looking into books than anything else. She asks Lomys about new books on the Westerlands each week."

It seemed Mira had been a little overzealous in the search Margaery commanded her to lead. Willas had noticed her interest in the Westerlands. That wasn't the time yet to reveal it however, and Margaery preferred for her parents to not know the role Mira played in their daughter's decision.

"Mira met Ser Daven Lannister at the tourney a few months ago," she explained. "Her father had visited Casterly Rock and Lannisport a few years ago and she wanted to know more about it."

"Well, all the same, she spends a lot of time looking about the Westerlands," Willas commented. "Not that I complain about it. It makes someone to give me some company while I'm hidden among books."

"Lord Renly says that books are for maesters," declared Loras. "Forgive me, cousin, but I find the books you're reading boring. I prefer books with more illuminations. Lord Renly owns a few with drawings that would turn a septon blind."

Everyone laughed at this, even Margaery's grandmother. Only Lady Alerie seemed to disapprove in some way. Margaery thought that their mother knew what was going on between Loras and Renly, and Lady Alerie disapproved of course, though she didn't dare to do anything restrictive about it. As for Margaery, as long as her brother would be able to marry and have children, everything was alright. After all, Margaery wasn't very well placed to give morale lessons to her brother, and her future husband wasn't either.

Margaery looked at Willas pensively. Her cousin was a firstborn son, and quite handsome, though not as much as Loras, but he had nothing to envy to the youngest men of the Reach. The only reason of his celibacy was his crippling, but that didn't make him less kind, or less intelligent, or less worthy. Prejudices were strong in the Reach. Willas would be a better husband than many other men without physical limitations, and he was able to make children without problem, but everyone saw his crippling as something making him undesirable. That was so unfair.

Margaery thought about someone else who had physical limits, and who was judged just like her cousin. I am a dwarf, and those who pretend I am one of the ugliest men in the Seven Kingdoms are probably right. I'm afraid there's nothing I can change about it. I am malformed, ill-made, and small. Willas could change nothing about his crippling as well. She remembered a rumor that Lord Tyrion didn't only drink all night, but also read all night. The way he wrote remembered her a little of Willas. If Lord Tyrion really was who he pretended to be in his letter, and Margaery had to admit it was very likely that her betrothed said the truth, her cousin and her future husband may get along quite well. A cripple and a dwarf. What a shame Mira wasn't born in a higher house. She would have made a good wife to Willas.

They went through the main service without much of interest happening. Margaery spoke about his marriage with Garlan. Her cousin only had good comments about Leonette, and Margaery as well. Willas didn't participate a lot to their discussion. He hid it well, but she knew her cousin was bitter in some small way because his little brother was getting married before him. She knew he didn't hate Garlan at all for that, but still, it made things seem so unfair for him. They ate the dessert, and as they ate, Margaery decided it was probably time.

"Willas." She turned to her eldest cousin. "I know that your leg causes you some problems for travelling, but do you think you could accompany me on a trip?"

"Yes, of course, Margaery. I would be very glad to see a few things outside Highgarden. Where would you like to go?"

"I'm not sure. Somewhere in the west, I suppose." She turned her eyes to her father. From the corner of her eyes, Margaery noticed her grandmother smiling. "Don't you think it's time to tell them, Father?" she asked.

"To tell us what?" asked Loras.

All looks were pointed on the Lord of Highgarden who didn't seem to know what to say. His wife was shooting him angry glares. After a very long moment where nothing was said, the lord's mother decided to intervene.

"Oh, shut up, Mace. Each time you must speak, you don't. And each time you mustn't speak, you do. Let your daughter tell everyone the new."

Now all eyes were turned to Margaery, and to the opposite of her father, she wasn't shy about telling the truth. She turned to Willas. "I have a very long trip ahead of me, next month. I would like you all to come with me when I'll leave."

"Very well, Margaery," accepted Willas, but he seemed quite uncertain. "But where are you going?"

"Yes, where?" asked Loras as well.

Margaery intently took her time to answer, a wide smile on her face. "Let's say this will be a very long journey. I may not be able to come back to Highgarden before a few years."

Her brother and cousins looked very surprised. Garlan asked the next question. "What are you talking about? Where are you going?"

"To Casterly Rock," she finally revealed.

"Casterly Rock," Loras scoffed. "There is nothing to see there. Why are you going in such a boring place?"

"I have to disagree, Loras," said Willas. "Casterly Rock is a very interesting place to visit. Apparently the castle is thrice the height of the Hightower and a few leagues long. But to visit it won't take years, Margaery. The castle is not so far."

"Well, the visit won't require years. However, the marriage is another story," Margaery said.

All around the table, everyone was silent. "The marriage?" asked Willas, unbelieving.

"Yes," confirmed Margaery. "Father has organized everything. The wedding will take place in three months. We will leave for Casterly Rock next month. And when we'll arrive, I will wed."

"Wed?" That was Loras's turn to sound unbelieving.

"To who?" asked Willas.

"Who do you think I could marry at Casterly Rock, Willas?" she asked to her cousin.

Willas's eyes widened after a moment when he realized who was Margaery's betrothed. She saw Garlan's reaction that told he understood as well. Loras still seemed clueless.

"Cousin," began Willas. "I… I'm not sure. Am I really thinking about who you're thinking about?"

"Oh, that's enough, Margaery. You tortured them long enough. End this." Her grandmother's voice wasn't angry. Margaery knew she had enjoyed this.

Finally, Margaery revealed the truth. "I'm going to become the Lady of the Westerlands."

Another very long silence followed. Loras finally broke it. "Wait a minute. The Lady of the Westerlands? But the Lord of the Westerlands is…" Her little brother finally realized the truth all of a sudden. He turned to their father and their mother. "You can't be serious. You can't mean… You arranged a marriage between Margaery and the Imp!"

Loras's voice was accusing, questioning and unbelieving at the same time. Their grandmother was the one to answer. "His name is Tyrion Lannister, in case you don't know, which is probably the case. He is the Lord of Casterly Rock, the Shield of Lannisport, the Lord of the Westerlands and the Warden of the West. He is also the richest man in the Seven Kingdoms and one of the most powerful lords in Westeros. His sister is married to the king. I know that it makes a lot of titles and that some among them mean nothing, but who can blame him when your father himself boasts as many titles if not more."

Loras stared in horror, then in anger at their parents and their grandmother. "How can you do this? You… You can't think seriously about this." He turned to Margaery. "Why are you smiling?"

Margaery closed her eyes a moment, laughing silently at her brother's words. If only he knew what role she played in their father's final decision. "Loras, I will be the richest woman in all Westeros, and one of the most powerful."

"But Margaery… He's a dwarf!"

Margaery shrugged. "Willas is a cripple." She turned to her cousin. "That doesn't make him an evil man as far as I know."

"But you heard the rumors about him," resumed her brother. "How can you be… How can you wish to marry him?"

"Loras, they are only rumors," said Margaery, not without a little laugh in her voice. "We don't know if they are true. And considering we've been thinking about marrying me to drunkards and whoremongers before, I don't see the problem."

Loras still looked at her as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. He looked all around him. Their father had a decided expression, their grandmother a little smile that said everything was serious, their mother a resigned look that showed she disagreed all the same. As for Garlan and Willas, they didn't seem to know what to think of all this. Loras jumped on his feet.

"I can't believe you did this. That you accept this." He left with an angry pace, fists closed.

"Your brother may have some balls finally," Margaery's grandmother told her, still smiling. Margaery's smile remained as well, but it had taken a sadder turn.

"I'll go and see Loras. I'll try to calm him down," declared Garlan. He rose from his seat and came to kiss Margaery on the forehead. "Congratulations, Margaery." He left with a reassuring smile.

"He can try," declared Lady Olenna. "I think that we are done with dinner now. I'll take my leave."

"Me too," said Willas. "Margaery, could you accompany me? My leg."

"Of course, Willas. I'll help you." Margaery stood up to help her cousin.

She walked away from the gardens with Willas. Sun was beginning to set on the horizon now. Dinner hadn't gone like Margaery would have wanted, but at least Willas and Garlan didn't seem to take her betrothal unwell like Loras. Willas walked slower because of his leg, so Margaery adjusted her pace to stay at his level.

"I suppose congratulations are in order," finally said Willas after a long moment of silence.

"They'll be even more in order when I'll get married," Margaery pointed out. "You'll come. I won't let your leg stand as an excuse for not coming in the Westerlands."

"I'll come, don't worry," said Willas. "I wouldn't want to miss your wedding for anything in the world. Now I suppose that I know why Lady Mira spent so much time looking for information about Casterly Rock, House Lannister, the Westerlands and all the western families."

"I asked her to look for information about it. It will be better if I know the lands I will rule before I arrive at Casterly Rock. Since you know everything, do you think you could help her? Search with her?"

"I was already helping her, truth be told. Don't worry, I will keep helping her on this." There was a short silence that followed before Willas spoke again. "Margaery, tell me. Are you sure about this? Are you sure you want to marry the Imp?"

"He is the Lord of Casterly Rock, Willas," Margaery explained.

"I know, but still. With everything people are saying, Loras may not be entirely wrong."

"You will all come to my wedding," Margaery said, putting a reassuring hand on her cousin's arm as they stepped into the keep. "All we know of Lord Tyrion Lannister come from rumors. We cannot rely on them. We'll see once we will arrive how he is and what kind of man he really is. If he is really a monster, then we'll call off the betrothal." Margaery didn't think that would be necessary however. If Tyrion Lannister was a monster, she was confident she could control him. "And if he is not, if he is simply a dwarf who happens to visit brothels and to drink too much from time to time, then I have nothing to fear. How many men, married or not, visit brothels and drink? That wouldn't be as if he was worse than the others. This is the best marriage I can hope for."

"There is still Prince Joffrey," said Willas. "He is the heir to the Iron Throne. I thought it was your dream to become queen."

"It was, and I wish it was possible. But you see, my father wasn't the one to start discussions for my marriage with Lord Tyrion. The Lannisters were the ones to approach us. If we were to refuse, especially now, I don't believe Cersei Lannister would let me marry her son."

Willas nodded. "This is a problem. You're right." Willas had always been the one with the keenest political instincts in the family, except herself and their grandmother. "I know what you want through this marriage, cousin. I don't blame you. You're like our grandmother, the Queen of Thorns. Less sharp, but very much like her all the same. I know you're not looking for love in marriage. All the same, I would like you to be married to a good man. You'll have to live with him after all. I would prefer you to have a marriage where you and your husband could at least respect and appreciate each other, perhaps even trust each other. Do you think that will be possible with Tyrion Lannister?"

Margaery could remember some things the lord said in his letter. I want you to know, my lady, that it would be an honor for me to have you as my wife. I am not a monster, at least not in the sense that I beat people, mistreat them, or even eat children according to some words circulating. I am not cruel like my father. I have flaws, and big ones. I am malformed, ill-made, and small, but in the dark, I am no worse than other men. I am generous. I am loyal to those who are loyal to me. I am dutiful to my family and those I am sworn to. I am cleverer than most, surely wits count for something. I can even be kind. Kindness is not a habit with us Lannisters I fear. But I know I have some kindness somewhere. I could be good to you. I promise you one thing, my lady. I won't ever hurt you. I will cherish you as my wife, protect you, care for you, and make sure you have everything you could wish for. I will do everything I can to make you happy, and I hope you will be. I hope I will come to love you one day, even if you never love me. I would understand you could never love a dwarf. The more Margaery read the letter, and the more she thought Mira was probably right and Lord Tyrion was sincere when he wrote it. She didn't think she was going to marry a monster. The Imp wouldn't be so difficult to live with, or to maneuver.

They had arrived before Willas's rooms. His personal rooms were on the first floor so he may not have to climb stairs. "Willas, I am sure Lord Tyrion is not the monster people are picturing. You just have to look at what people say about his birth. That he had a head twice the size of his body, claws, a red eye, a tail between his legs, the privates of both a boy and a girl… I'm sorry, but this looks like the description of a dragon, not a baby. I think he was simply disfigured by rumors because he happened to be a dwarf. You know what it is. Yourself, you had to suffer some of this after your injury."

Willas nodded in a sad way. "Yes, I know what it is. Do you remember Oberyn Martell? The Prince of Dorne?"

"Yes, I remember him," answered Margaery, not without scorn. "He's the one who crippled you."

"He didn't do it on purpose. He came to see me after I was injured. During our conversation, he told me something about Lord Tyrion. I think I remember now. He had met him."

Margaery was surprised. "Prince Oberyn Martell met Lord Tyrion Lannister?" Margaery was intrigued, and surprised as well. The Martells and the Lannisters tried to avoid each other when they didn't want to kill each other.

"Yes, but it wasn't long after the Imp was born. He was only a baby at the time. Oberyn visited Casterly Rock with his sister Elia. She wasn't married to Prince Rhaegar back then, and his brother and his sister, Ser Jaime and Cersei Lannister, they showed him to Oberyn. He said there was nothing unusual about him. Cersei Lannister said her brother was a monster, and when she showed him to Oberyn, he was really expecting some monster with claws and red eyes, but all he saw was a baby, with a head a bit large and arms and legs a bit short, but nothing unnatural except that. That was only a baby. And his sister, she…"

Willas seemed to hesitate. "What about his sister? What is it with the queen?" asked Margaery.

"Oberyn said she tried to hurt him at that moment. It was only Jaime Lannister who stopped her. She said he had killed her mother, and that she hoped he would die soon." A silence followed as the tale weighed on the air. Willas finally shook his head. "That's your decision, Margaery. But please, promise me that if you ever find yourself into trouble, don't hesitate to ask for our help. I, Garlan, Loras, grandmother, your parents, my parents."

Margaery smiled fondly at Willas. "I promise, Willas. If I ever need your help, I will ask immediately. But don't worry too much. I'm not without defense. Our grandmother is not the only one with thorns. Good night." She kissed her cousin on the right cheek and left.

Margaery walked back to her chambers. She kept thinking about what Willas just told about Prince Oberyn's visit to Casterly Rock. That wasn't something Ser Daven had told her, but that was probably no surprise at all. It wasn't the type of tale someone would recount about the queen, except if he was the Red Viper of Dorne, and the knight probably didn't know about this. The queen didn't seem to have loved her brother in her childhood. Was is still the case? She would have to discover it.

When she arrived before her chamber's door, she found her other cousin, Garlan, standing before it. "Margaery, I hope I'm not bothering you. Could I talk with you?"

"Of course, Garlan," she answered. They entered into he rooms and sat face to face. "How is Loras?"

"Still fuming. I couldn't really calm him. He says you should marry Lord Renly instead."

Margaery had to laugh on this. "Renly Baratheon would not be very interested in me. Well, perhaps he would be interested in marrying me, but not in bedding me. We both know which Tyrell he loves to bed." Garlan laughed timidly with Margaery on this. "Furthermore, I would rather be Lady of Casterly Rock than Lady of Storm's End."

"Yes, you're right about Renly. Are you really alright with this marriage? With Tyrion Lannister?"

"I am, Garlan," she answered. "And if he ever does something to me, I already promised to Willas that I would ask for your help immediately."

"Then in this case, I suppose I don't have to worry too much. You'll always be able to count on me, Margaery. No matter what happens. As for me, it depends who this Lord Tyrion is. I never met him. We'll see when we'll arrive at Casterly Rock. Loras will come, but I will keep him in line. He could be ready to do something unwise during your wedding. Good night, cousin."

Garlan rose and kissed her on the forehead like he did after dinner, then he left. Half an hour later, Sera came to prepare her for the night and Margaery went to bed afterwards. As she laid alone in her bed, she reflected about her marriage. Loras was obviously and completely against it, and Willas and Garlan had reserves about it as well. She thought her cousins were right to be cautious, but she didn't think Loras's reaction was justified. Between the letter, what Ser Daven told her and the tale from Oberyn Martell, she was very skeptical about the supposed monster that Tyrion Lannister was supposed to be. Margaery had seen nothing to let her believe that he was a horrible person. At most, he drank and visited brothels, though even that seemed to be relative, but Margaery didn't really care about that. Most marriages ended at best with husband and wife capable of living with each other, but they didn't love each other. Many had mistresses or lovers, or visited brothels. Margaery was fine with that and it didn't bother her. Marriages were not made for love, no matter what the septons said. Marriages were about alliances, positions, influence, power, money, but never about love, or at least that was the case among highborn families. Perhaps lowborn people could choose to marry for love, but Margaery didn't have that option, and she accepted to live with that a long time ago.

Margaery had a good idea about how her future would be. She would marry Tyrion Lannister at Casterly Rock in a few months, they would perform their duty as husband and wife, have a few children together, she would be the Lady of the Westerlands, and everything would be alright. As for her relationship with her husband, maybe he would really care about her like he declared in his letter. Maybe he would not, or maybe he would only care for her at the beginning, but that didn't matter. If he did fall in love with her, all the better. In fact, Margaery would make everything necessary so he would love her. That would give her more influence on him. Marital life could be exciting with him, especially in bed, if he was experienced like she thought he was, but if Lord Tyrion didn't fall in love with her, or only fell in love for a time, Margaery would find a way to live happily all the same. Women were supposed to be devoted to their husband and to follow their orders, but that wasn't something Margaery would follow.

On these thoughts, Margaery slowly fell asleep, free of any worry about her future marriage. She was more curious than anything else about her future husband. At the same time, if Tyrion Lannister had a bad relationship with his sister, she could use the antipathy between the queen and her brother to her own benefit. Margaery mused happily that she would soon be one of the most powerful women in all the Seven Kingdoms, if not the most powerful. Who could prevent that from happening? She fell asleep on this thought.


Sorry for those who wanted Genna to meet Olenna, they didn't meet yet. The fight of Titans will happen, don't worry.

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Next chapter: Cersei