Five days after the Dornishmen arrived, the ships from The Reach also arrived.
The envoys leading the group were Garlan Tyrell, one of the heirs to Highgarden, and his sister Margaery Tyrell, famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms for her beauty.
When Viserys changed into a formal black and red robe and stepped into the council chamber, the Tyrells were already waiting. Garlan Tyrell stood by the long table; the knight in his prime was robust and handsome, wearing the signature warm smile of House Tyrell.
Margaery Tyrell beside him was much more eye-catching. She looked only fifteen or sixteen, wearing a fresh light green dress with golden rose patterns embroidered on the cuffs and neckline. Her dark brown curls draped softly over her shoulders, accentuating her delicate heart-shaped face.
Her eyes were also brown, currently filled with just the right amount of curiosity and respect as she surveyed the hall's furnishings, especially the giant Targaryen three-headed dragon banner on the wall.
Seeing Viserys enter, she immediately lowered her gaze and performed an elegant curtsy, her movements fluid and natural.
"Your Majesty Viserys, I, Garlan Tyrell, on behalf of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden, extend our sincerest greetings. May The Seven bless you with health," Garlan's voice was resonant. "This is my sister, Margaery Tyrell."
Margaery looked up then, her eyes clear and bright. "It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. Grandmother always said the true dragon would eventually return. It wasn't until I saw you that I knew it was all true."
"Lady Olenna is too kind." Viserys walked to the head seat and sat down, gesturing for them to sit as well. "The long voyage must have been tiring. However, it's a bit surprising that the roses of Highgarden would drift to Valyria at this time. After all, in all these past years, I never seemed to catch their scent."
These words had thorns.
Garlan's smile stiffened. "Your Majesty, please forgive our late arrival. But we have always remembered the ancient bond between our house and the royal family."
"Ancient bond," Viserys repeated the words. "I recall that after the Battle of the Trident, the army of Highgarden was the first to swear fealty to Robert."
The atmosphere grew even stiffer.
Margaery spoke up at the right moment, her voice soft. "Your Majesty, the situation was chaotic then, and my father had to consider the survival of The Reach. Grandmother often says that reckless loyalty can sometimes be more destructive than silent observation. Moreover, we have been watching you and praying for you all these years. It wasn't until we heard of the dragons' return that we could be certain it was time to offer the loyalty of The Reach."
As she spoke, she looked at Viserys, her sincerity almost believable.
Pretty words. Viserys remained noncommittal and changed the subject. "Lady Margaery seems very interested in this place?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything here is amazing. The sturdy black stone buildings, the neat streets, and just now on the way here, I seemed to catch a glimpse of a shadow passing through the sky. Was that really a dragon?" Her voice carried a hint of girlish timidity, making it easy to feel well-disposed toward her.
"It is," Viserys said flatly. "So, what specifically is the 'loyalty' House Tyrell brings? Grain? Gold Dragons? An army? Or something else?"
Garlan leaned forward, replying eagerly, "Your Majesty, The Reach is the wealthiest place in the Seven Kingdoms. We have the most fertile land and can provide enough grain to support an army of any size. While our vaults are not as deep as the Lannisters', they are sufficient for the financial needs of a war. More importantly, we have extensive influence and can restrain or even persuade many houses to stand with the true dragon. Of course, these are all external things."
He paused, glanced at Margaery, and continued, "House Tyrell hopes even more to be closely bound to the Targaryen bloodline."
Here it comes. Viserys remained expressionless. "Closely bound?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Garlan's voice carried pride. "Margaery is my sister and the most precious rose of Highgarden. She is intelligent, kind, and deeply loved by the people of The Reach. We hope to betroth her to you to be your queen, allowing House Tyrell the honor of an alliance with the true dragon."
He paused and added, "Furthermore, we have heard that your sister, Princess Daenerys, and your niece, Princess Rhaenys, are of age and exceptionally beautiful. My brother, Ser Loras—you may have heard of him, the Knight of Flowers, highly skilled in martial arts and handsome. If a good match could be made with either of them, it would surely make the relationship between Targaryen and Tyrell unbreakable. Then, our armies, provisions, and wealth will all serve your cause of reclaiming the iron throne."
As his voice fell, the hall grew quiet. Viserys's cold gaze swept back and forth between Garlan's expectant face and Margaery's somewhat shy one.
Lady Olenna's calculations were quite shrewd. Tie him down with a queen's seat, then use Loras to marry Dany or Rhaenys, and produce offspring with the dragon king bloodline.
This way, no matter what the future holds, House Tyrell could occupy an extremely advantageous position in the new dynasty through this relationship, and their descendants might even gain the possibility of dragon riding. After all, in the eyes of these people, marriage alliance is a shortcut to obtaining bloodlines and opportunities.
But had they not investigated clearly? Did they not know that Dany and Rhaenys were already his intended? Even more, did they not know how much he detested such purely calculated marriage alliances?
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