After thinking for a moment, Lady Olenna asked Margaery again, her voice calm but sharp:"You spent some time with Daenerys Targaryen. What kind of person do you think she is? Does she hold any real power on the Stepstone Islands?"
Margaery pondered for a moment before answering thoughtfully:"Daenerys is still very young — just a girl, really. There's a certain naivety about her. Besides controlling a dragon, she only has a sworn knight by her side — Brienne of Tarth. I heard she commands an army of five thousand, but it's mostly made up of freed slaves, poorly trained and newly recruited."
Olenna's brows furrowed at this, and she asked sharply:"Brienne of Tarth? If I recall correctly, she is the daughter of Lord Selwyn of Tarth. A woman... a knight?"
Margaery nodded and elaborated:"Yes, Grandmother. She's indeed Lord Selwyn's daughter. I was surprised myself. Brienne was the first person Daenerys named as a sworn protector — and a future champion of her claim to the Iron Throne. I heard she once saved Daenerys from an assassin's blade."
Lady Olenna tapped her fingers on the armrest thoughtfully, her voice turning deep and cautious:"It seems the situation on the Stepstones is different from what we initially assumed. This Targaryen girl is more than just a dragon and a famous name."
She took a slow sip of tea before continuing:"Clearly, Gavin Balerion intended for this arrangement. Allowing Daenerys a sworn knight and her own army — even a weak one — grants her a foothold, a measure of independence. If you become Gavin's queen, Margaery, things may not be as simple as we had hoped. I'm concerned about whether Gavin will truly honor what he promised us. He is still largely an unknown to me... and there's no shortage of men in this world who break their vows when it suits them."
Margaery, recalling her private moments with Gavin, spoke with quiet determination:"Grandmother, you don't need to worry. I am confident I can properly manage my relationship with Daenerys — and with Gavin. I understand him better now. He will not break his promises easily."
Olenna smiled approvingly, gently patting Margaery's hand:"Of course, child. You are the pride of Highgarden — the pearl I have polished myself. Whatever happens, remember that the strength of Highgarden stands behind you. Still, it's a pity you returned slightly late... we could have acted sooner."
Margaery tilted her head curiously and asked:"Grandmother, what do you mean? What should I have done?"
Olenna spoke plainly, her voice carrying the weight of generations of noble ambition:"You should have conceived Gavin's heir before Daenerys even had a chance."
Margaery hesitated, frowning slightly as she asked cautiously:"But Gavin and I don't even have a formal marriage contract yet. Wouldn't a child born now be considered illegitimate? Wouldn't that weaken his standing?"
Olenna waved her hand dismissively:"Nonsense. Gavin Balerion himself is a bastard. In this world, what matters is not bloodlines but strength — and dragons. If your child tames one of Gavin's young dragons, no one will dare call him a bastard. With Highgarden's support, he would be a prince of blood and fire, and the future would be his to claim."
Margaery bit her lip lightly, as if weighing the decision deeply. After a long moment, she confessed to Olenna that Gavin himself had personally escorted her back to Highgarden.
Olenna's eyes flickered with surprise and rare satisfaction. She smiled cunningly and said:"I hadn't expected Gavin to value you so highly. For him to escort you personally speaks volumes. Very well — since he's here, I would like to meet this so-called King of the Narrow Sea in person."
After a brief pause, Olenna added:"Your father is away inspecting the lands. Only Willas remains in Highgarden. Tonight, I shall have Gavin stay here as a guest. Use your beauty, your charm, your mind. For Highgarden, for yourself — you must win him over completely."
Margaery straightened her posture, her delicate face filled with determination."Yes, Grandmother. I understand. I will not fail you."
Meanwhile, Gavin waited idly in Margaery's chambers, a faint floral fragrance lingering in the air — sweet and dreamlike. He had no idea that Olenna and Margaery were, at this very moment, conspiring to steal an heir from him. If he knew, it would be hard to tell whether he would laugh in amusement or fume in anger.
Not long after, the door creaked open. Margaery entered with a smile radiant as a blooming rose and said sweetly:"I have spoken to my grandmother, Gavin. She wishes to meet you."
Gavin rose gracefully and responded with a composed smile:"Excellent. I was hoping to meet the famous Lady Olenna myself."
Side by side, they walked through the long, sun-dappled corridors of Highgarden. The golden light streaming through the windows cast shifting patterns on the ground, painting a scene as lovely as a dream.
They soon reached a quiet courtyard. Under the shade of a carved wooden pavilion, an elderly woman dressed in pale green sat sipping tea, her figure slightly stooped but her eyes sharp as flint.
Margaery stopped at the edge of the courtyard and said softly:"My grandmother wishes to speak with you alone. I'll wait nearby. Come to me once you're finished."
Gavin nodded and strode forward with measured steps.
Lady Olenna, clad in fine green silks and a headscarf embroidered with golden threads, looked him up and down with a critical gaze. Her voice was polite but carried unmistakable authority:"Good morning, Your Majesty. Welcome again to Highgarden. Forgive an old woman who can no longer rise to greet you properly."
Gavin immediately recognized the subtle play of power and courtesy. Though she addressed him respectfully as "Your Majesty," she also subtly reminded him that Highgarden had not yet formally sworn loyalty.
He responded graciously:"Lady Olenna, there's no need for such formality. I come as a guest — not a king — and it's I who should apologize for disturbing your peace."
He glanced around the lush courtyard, his gaze lingering on the blooming flowers, and added sincerely:"Highgarden remains the most beautiful place in Westeros. A true wonder."
Olenna smiled wryly and said:"Thank you for your flattery, Your Majesty. But beauty fades, as all things do. If Highgarden still pleases you, you are welcome to visit often — preferably with better news each time."
She pushed a delicate porcelain cup toward him and said dryly:"Forgive me for offering only tea to the King of the Narrow Sea. It is the humble token of an old woman's gratitude for escorting my granddaughter home."
Gavin accepted the tea with a smile and replied lightly:"It is more than enough, Lady Olenna. Besides, I had business to attend to in the Riverlands. Escorting Lady Margaery was both duty and pleasure."
The conversation had only just begun, but both sides already knew — this meeting was no mere courtesy call. It was the opening move in a new game of thrones.