Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.
Cersei shook her gem-encrusted wine glass, her gaze lowered to watch the red liquid swirl within the cup, her long eyelashes concealing the sharpness in her eyes.
When Cersei was a girl, she had sought out a witch, and under her threats, the witch had predicted her future.
She asked, "When will I marry the prince?"
The witch replied, "Never. You will marry the King."
She asked, "I will be Queen, right?"
The witch replied, "Yes, you will be Queen someday… until another woman arrives, younger and more beautiful than you, who will cast you down and take everything you hold dear."
She asked, "Will the King and I have children?"
The witch replied, "Oh, yes. Sixteen for him, and three for you. They shall have crowns of gold and shrouds of gold."
The witch replied, "One day, when you are drowned in tears, your brother will wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you."
… … … …
Jon Arryn's sudden death filled Cersei with delight; the news made her feel very pleased.
When she heard her maid report that House Tyrell sought an audience, Cersei, already in a good mood, happily granted the request.
It wasn't until Cersei saw Margaery Tyrell accompanying Lady Olenna that her good mood instantly vanished.
Margaery was young and beautiful, no less so than Cersei in her youth—this was Cersei's first impression of Margaery.
The reason she recalled the witch's prophecy was not entirely due to Margaery's stunning beauty, but rather the unique aura about Margaery.
This aura was most familiar to Cersei, who was Queen.
Cersei's eyes trembled slightly. She had married Robert, and she had three children who were solely hers… The prophecies were all coming true.
So, the other woman is Margaery of House Tyrell? Will she take everything I cherish?
Whether it was or wasn't, Cersei had completely lost interest in joining forces with House Tyrell.
King Robert was no different from a dead man in Queen Cersei's eyes. Once Joffrey inherited the Iron Throne, she would be Queen Regent. A mere Golden Rose… Moreover, with Jon dead, House Tyrell was no longer useful.
Robert was not yet dead, and she was not yet Queen Regent. Cersei barely managed to suppress her murderous intent.
When she became Regent… Cersei took a sip of summer red and curled her lips: "Lady Olenna, you must be very tired from your long journey, and… this Miss Rose?"
Margaery merely smiled faintly and looked at her grandmother.
Lady Olenna's eyes were sunken but deep and bright: "Your Majesty, Queen of Lannister, don't mind this old woman who can barely stand straight. My heart still flutters when I see a young man, but I'm just too good at hiding it for you to notice."
Saying this, Lady Olenna patted Margaery's small hand and continued, "Your Majesty looks unwell. Are you troubled by Prime Minister Jon's passing? House Tyrell has come as promised, and this old woman is very willing to serve Your Majesty."
Cersei's hand, which was gently shaking the wine glass, paused for a moment. She replied casually, "The Old Duke's passing was very sudden, and there is much unease in the Red Keep. I am doing my best to reassure the people."
Lady Olenna nodded and said, "My son, who never listens to his mother's nagging, has behaved himself for once. He should be in the sept now, working hard to reassure the people."
Cersei was alert; she did not want to steer the conversation towards her son.
Had House Tyrell brought Margaery, who was of marriageable age, to King's Landing because they wanted to form a marriage alliance with the royal family?
Queen… Cersei gripped her wine glass tightly: "I appreciate the Duke of Highgarden's efforts."
Lady Olenna's tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "My son is only fit for running errands. Your Majesty should not expect him to do too well."
Cersei smiled and said, "Lady Olenna is too modest. I heard that the Duke of Highgarden once besieged Storm's End, and the defenders were so desperate that they had to slaughter horses, cats, and dogs for food, and almost ate fallen warriors."
Cersei was not interested in war; she had only occasionally heard these things from Green, who admired the Duke of Highgarden.
Lady Olenna's eyes were sharp and bright: "That's a wonderful misunderstanding. The Duke of Highgarden must be so delighted he can't sleep hearing that."
Cersei looked at Lady Olenna, showing a hint of confusion.
Lady Olenna shook her head and said, "I told him not to meddle. War belongs to true warriors; it's not something he should be doing."
But my son is easily swayed and was easily incited by his subordinates. He led an army to war despite my dissuasion… Heh, what kind of siege was that? He never approached a real battlefield. For half a year, he consumed countless provisions from the Riverlands. The Duke of Highgarden only besieged his dining table."
Cersei curled her lips and said, "The process is not important. The truth is always written by the victors."
A glint flashed in Lady Olenna's eyes: "That's for historians to worry about. This old woman can only nag about her own child."
Lady Olenna gripped the armrest of her chair and shakily Rose: "This old woman will not delay Your Majesty any longer. The Duke of Highgarden will take care of the remaining matters for you."
Cersei nodded perfunctorily.
Lady Olenna gazed at Cersei, then bowed and left with Margaery.
Cersei watched the two of them leave, wishing she could immediately summon the guards to execute Margaery.
Cersei's beautiful eyes sharpened. Her enemies had only one outcome: to be reduced to dust.
A ridiculous prophecy. If she eliminated all threats, would the prophecy still be a prophecy?
… … … …
Outside Maegor's Holdfast.
Margaery slowly walked, linking arms with the silent Lady Olenna.
Margaery signaled to her maid, and the maids slowed their pace, creating some distance.
Margaery looked at Lady Olenna and whispered, "Grandmother, Queen Cersei seems very hostile towards me."
Lady Olenna's voice contained hidden anger: "I never dreamed that Tywin's daughter could be so foolish, so utterly impossible to reason with."
Margaery's expression was grave: "Grandmother, I am also surprised. Is Queen Cersei trying to go back on her word?"
"Our Wild Boar Duke is still dreaming sweet dreams!"
Lady Olenna continued, "Though it's absurd, that foolish woman in Maegor's Holdfast actually thinks that."
Margaery frowned slightly: "Is it because Prime Minister Jon is gone? So, she thinks she doesn't need the Golden Rose's support anymore?"
Margaery herself found it a bit unbelievable after saying it.
Lady Olenna snorted coldly: "Fools do not realize their own foolishness. She will only think herself clever, capable of manipulating everyone."
Margaery said, "Grandmother, this is an insult from Her Majesty the Queen to House Tyrell."
Lady Olenna patted Margaery's hand that was linked with her arm: "Outsiders only see the Rose's splendor, but they always overlook the thorns on the Rose. The Golden Rose always holds the initiative."
"Grandmother, what should we do?"
Lady Olenna's gaze was deep: "The Duke of Highgarden is already in King's Landing. She wants to go back on her word, does she? Then let the Queen herself drive him away. The Golden Rose is not the Queen's servant, that we would meekly yield at her mere glance. If she truly dares to do it, this old woman will go directly to Tywin at Casterly Rock. Then I'd like to see how Lannister will repay its debts."
Margaery nodded and said, "Grandmother, I understand. I won't tell Father about today's events. Father's enthusiasm is just right. We will quietly observe how Queen Cersei breaks the agreement."
Lady Olenna looked at her clever granddaughter with a hint of affection.
Near Maegor's Holdfast, trees provided shade, and birds sang among the flowers.
Lady Olenna paused, gazing at the sea of flowers for a moment: "Margaery, can you contact that little fox?"
Count Green? Margaery replied, "Grandmother, yes! Count Green sent me a letter before he left Westeros. If I want to contact him, I can send a letter to his Mermaid Port."
"Margaery, write him a letter immediately when you return. Tell him… his beloved Duke Mace has encountered a problem. If he can't find a way to solve it, this old woman will spank his bottom. Write exactly that!"
Margaery's beautiful eyes widened slightly. Although surprised by her grandmother's words, she still nodded in agreement.
Lady Olenna resumed walking: "Margaery, favorites have their uses. Do you know what favorites are best at? They are best at cleaning up the messes of foolish big shots! That little fellow, being a favorite of the foolish Queen, must understand Cersei's character best."
Without waiting for Margaery's reply, Lady Olenna continued, "We are not the ones who should be anxious. The more anxious one is, the more prone to making mistakes. In the game of power, one must first learn to maintain sufficient patience."
Lady Olenna's sunken eyes held a hidden worry.
Tywin, that cunning Lion, had covered for Cersei Lannister very well.
Anyone with a bit of ability would inquire about matters in the Red Keep. Most people's understanding of Cersei was that she was rather willful.
Born of Lannister, the light of the West, and a Queen, a bit of arrogance in her character would be considered quite normal.
However, after their meeting today, Lady Olenna realized it was not simply a matter of a willful character.
Since the Golden Rose had already arrived in King's Landing, she would not be content with the King's Hand. The Golden Rose's ultimate goal was still to become the Queen's family.
Cersei did not understand the rules of power. As long as she remained in the Red Keep, she would ultimately be a major obstacle to the Golden Rose's plan to become Queen.
… … … …
… … … …
Pentos.
Green looked up at the sky for a moment and murmured, "Duke Jon is dead."
Green had heard this news from the bustling streets.
From King's Landing to Mermaid Port, and from Mermaid Port to Pentos, Green had specially set up channels for transmitting messages to keep track of developments in King's Landing.
As it turned out, Green found that the news on the bustling streets was much faster than his own channels.
After Green arrived in Pentos, he was warmly received by fabric merchants and jewelers.
Green was procuring for his boss, Cersei, only the best items.
Among the many shimmering fabrics, red ones… the thinner, the better… After Green made his selections, the rest could be handled by Rowsell.
It was time to go back.
… … … …
Governor Illyrio's mansion.
Daenerys did not hide the disappointment on her face: "Count Green, are you really leaving?"
Ever since meeting Green, he had given her the reassurance she most craved, making Daenerys feel as if she had returned to her childhood when Ser Willem was still alive.
Green smiled and explained, "Princess Daenerys, I just received news that Prime Minister Jon, who strongly advocated suppressing Crab Claw Peninsula, has passed away. I must return as soon as possible to curry favor with the new Prime Minister, lest he cause trouble for Crab Claw Peninsula again."
My guards will protect your safety, and I can rest a little easier far away in Westeros. We still have a long way to go, and we will meet again in the future."
Daenerys first laughed, then shook her head.
"My brother, Viserys, will lead an army across sooner or later. At that time, you…"
Before she finished speaking, Daenerys's eyes gradually filled with mist.
Green shrugged and said, "That great war more than ten years ago almost wiped out the Kleber Family. We cannot afford another defeat."
So, I will hide first. When the victor is decided, I will come out and curry favor with the Iron Throne. My territory is quite special; we just want to live a stable life. As for Prince Viserys…"
Green was silent for a moment, then asked, "Princess Daenerys, who do you think we would hope to see on the Iron Throne?"
"Of course…"
Daenerys stopped speaking. She was wondering why Green would ask such a question.
According to her brother, the Iron Throne rightfully belonged to the Targaryen, only temporarily seized by the usurper.
"Many, many people will die."
Green looked at Daenerys, who seemed hesitant to speak, and smiled. He continued, "By right, the Iron Throne belongs to Princess Daenerys's House Targaryen."
A large reason why Baratheon could firmly sit on the Iron Throne was because his grandmother was a Targaryen, so his claim was in line with the legal succession.
For more than ten years, the Seven Kingdoms have been stable, but most of the common people have only just recovered from the aftermath of the war, and this includes most of the minor nobles."
Daenerys pondered for a moment and asked, "Count Green, do you mean that my brother's army would be unwelcome?"
Green spread his hands: "It depends on what His Royal Highness does. The vast majority of people are more concerned about whether their own interests will be affected, or whether they can gain more benefits."
Daenerys quietly wiped the corner of her eye and smiled, saying, "And you? Under what circumstances would you be willing to fight?"
Green thought seriously for a moment and said, "Whoever gives me the Vale, I will… let him ride me like a horse."
After speaking, Green couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Daenerys was stunned for a moment, then also burst into laughter.
Laughing, Green and Daenerys's gazes met.
Green said gently, "If, Your Royal Highness, you command it, I will consider deploying troops."
Daenerys's small face turned away, and she whispered, "Thank you, my knight."
Green still gave her an answer before leaving, without even making any demands, and he left her with manpower.
Daenerys understood clearly that her brother cared most about soldiers and horses. She could now say that she had completed Viserys's task and did not need to worry about awakening the sleeping dragon's wrath.
Could he… Daenerys's small face turned back, her purple eyes shifted to Green, and her lips moved.
Green seemed not to notice Daenerys's unusual behavior: "Your Royal Highness, it is an honor to receive your approval."
Viserys… Daenerys lowered her head slightly, slowly took a deep breath, and calmed her inner turmoil.
When Daenerys looked up, the hesitation on her face had vanished.
Daenerys's smile was bright: "Count Green, I believe we won't be separated for long. You and I will meet again very soon."