The sept of Baelor was quiet, and footsteps quieter still, when Varys with his hands tucked into his sleeves came up to me, the smirk on his face.

"My dear Alerie. The Mother is quite a sight, isn't it?"

We stared up at the statue, and the acolytes filed out, and we were alone.

"His Grace is good to let me live."

Varys cocked his head to the side.

"You can speak freely, my dear. There are some places where we might whisper, and hold our secrets to our chest."

"Never."

"Have you not been stripped of all? It is a sad tale."

"My daughter! She is not here!"

"As are your sons, and I feel for you, my lady. But, never fear - "

Varys glanced down, and I held my stomach.

" - surely not long? And the king so does love his children."

I stared, and Varys' lip curled.

"You must think me cruel, but then all men do. Nobody thinks of the Spider."

I lowered my voice.

"I never wanted Willas to do it… I spoke out. I laid every plan that was in the crown's favor. My maester, master-at-arms and Garth would vouch."

"And if they still lived, such would be wind, my lady. You see how the gold of Casterly Rock, under Jon Connington, must supply the riverlands and the stormlands in loans. The north and the Vale dare not rise again. And your homeland is more Tarly, than it ever was Tyrell, in the years to follow."

"My father - "

Varys tittered. " - dare not strike. He lost his men under Willas, as did all the men of the Reach, and only Dorne can count themselves unblooded. Why, it was Princess Elia you served for a time, no?"

"The king dismissed me."

"And called you to his bed. Why, it is far better, my lady, than for your head."

"My children still live."

"And never can they be yours. But raise your chin, my dear - "

I glared. "Why? How do you approach me so? I have nothing to offer but myself."

"And it is precisely what the king wants… "

I closed my eyes. When I opened them, Varys was gone. I walked to the Stranger, and prayed.

The crack from above, and the statue shattered to my side. I shook and picked up the head.

"It should have been me."

Acolytes filed in, shocked and whispering, then dispersing. I readied myself.

"Only for Margaery… only for my children… "