Chapter 588

Margaery Tyrell’s visit to Aegor was not about siding with the Queen—it was quite the opposite.

Aegon Targaryen had already sent envoys to propose a marriage alliance with the Tyrells. Their respective camps were just a few miles apart, making negotiations swift and convenient. After a brief discussion, Mace Tyrell had eagerly accepted the proposal and was now reveling in his new status as the soon-to-be father-in-law of a king, even going so far as to cancel the Tyrell delegation’s planned meeting with Daenerys.

Margaery, however, found her father’s hasty enthusiasm to be disgracefully short-sighted.

It wasn’t that she opposed the marriage itself—she understood perfectly well that supporting Aegon was the more advantageous choice. The reasoning was simple: Daenerys had made it clear she wouldn’t marry Aegon, signaling her unwillingness to be subordinate to anyone. That left little chance for the Tyrell men to secure a royal match with her. And without marriage as a bargaining chip, Daenerys had nothing substantial to offer the Tyrells to sway them to her side.

What frustrated Margaery was not her father’s decision, but his failure to negotiate for greater benefits before accepting the proposal. His lack of ambition made her grit her teeth in frustration.

As the bride-to-be and future queen, Margaery had taken it upon herself to act independently. She left a note behind for her family and set off on her own—not to escape the marriage, nor to elope, but to compare offers.

Her plan was simple: to play both sides.

The act might seem indecent—courting Aegon while eyeing Daenerys—but Margaery didn’t care. It was Aegon’s fault for keeping her as a backup plan in the first place.

Two years ago, when Aegon had landed in the Stormlands and swiftly taken control, the Tyrells had been among the first to propose a marriage alliance through Varys. They were prepared to march their armies in his support, and Margaery had envisioned herself as a queen for the ages—shrewd and capable like Visenya, gentle and beloved like Aegon’s wife Rhaenys.

But Aegon had dismissed their offer, holding out hope for Daenerys instead. Only after being rejected by her had he turned back to the Tyrells.

To be treated as a backup choice—what woman could accept such humiliation?

Margaery could.

For the sake of her family’s rise and the prosperity of the Reach, she could endure any indignity.

But not unconditionally.

Aegon would still get the Queen of the Reach—clever, gracious, and devoted. But he would have to pay for the insult. She would demand compensation for the emotional and political slight, ensuring the Tyrells gained more than just a crown in return for their loyalty.

This wasn’t petty or unreasonable—it was calculated.

As a woman in a man’s world, Margaery knew she had to assert herself before marriage. This show of strength would ensure her eventual compliance and support were seen as valuable rather than weakness.

Her father didn’t understand this. Soft-spoken and eager to avoid conflict, Mace Tyrell had forbidden her from renegotiating the terms, fearing it would embarrass their house. So, Margaery had decided to take matters into her own hands.

Her plan was straightforward: visit Aegor’s camp, gauge the Queen’s side, and use whatever Daenerys offered to pressure Aegon into making greater concessions. At minimum, the Tyrells would demand a position on the Small Council alongside the crown.
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“A pleasure to see you again, Lady Margaery,” Aegor greeted her with impeccable manners, his demeanor calm and composed. “Forgive me for the lack of proper reception earlier—I’ve been swamped with work. Please, allow me to make it up to you over dinner.”

“You flatter me, Lord Commander,” Margaery replied, smiling sweetly. “To dine with such a hero is honor enough.”

Aegor gestured for Nina and Gharial to adjust the dining arrangements, then led Margaery to a private table. Guards discreetly stationed themselves at nearby tables to ensure their conversation would not be overheard.

Better to get this over with quickly, Aegor thought. If he could uncover her intentions and send her on her way, it would save everyone time—particularly Myrcella, who would otherwise need to rearrange the already packed schedule to accommodate this meeting.

“Lady Margaery,” he began once they were seated, “you and I are old acquaintances, so I won’t waste time with pleasantries. As the Queen’s appointed representative, let me ask directly: does the Tyrell family have any interest in proposing a marriage alliance with Her Grace?”

Though she was firmly aligned with Aegon, Margaery couldn’t avoid asking the question. Becoming queen was one thing, but if Daenerys were open to marriage, the Tyrells would need to consider the possibility of producing a king.

To her disappointment, Aegor’s answer was curt and final.

“No. Her Grace has no intention of marrying in the foreseeable future.”

So blunt?

Margaery raised an eyebrow in surprise. Even if the Queen had no interest, she had expected a more diplomatic response—something that left the door slightly ajar for future negotiations.

Still, she had come here with low expectations on that front. With a polite nod, she redirected the conversation.

“That’s unfortunate. In that case, what terms does Her Grace propose for securing the Reach’s loyalty?”

Aegor’s response was as cold as it was calculated.

“The Tyrells should already be well aware of Her Grace’s position. As the last Targaryen, she is the Seven Kingdoms’ rightful monarch. It is not a matter of negotiation—the Reach should be loyal to her.”

He paused, glancing briefly at the wine being served before continuing.

“If anything, I’d like to ask when the Reach intends to hand over command of its armies so we can proceed with the final assault on King’s Landing.”

The jab was subtle, but the message was clear: The Reach belongs to the Crown. Supporting anyone else is treason.

Margaery’s smile froze, her mind racing.

Was Aegor being serious, or was this an elaborate attempt at intimidation? Either way, she had to tread carefully.

With a light laugh, she deflected, “Lord Commander, such words are more suited for Stannis than a friend of the Reach. Surely we can discuss this more amicably?”

Aegor smiled back, taking a sip of wine.

“Of course. Her Grace simply wishes for the Reach to demonstrate its loyalty in a way that leaves no room for doubt.”

“And how might we do that?”

“By inviting all noble families of the Reach to King’s Landing. Bring them, their households, and their retainers to the capital. Let them stay as the Queen’s guests for a year or so. That will give her plenty of time to understand them and witness their loyalty firsthand.”

Margaery couldn’t suppress a laugh. “You’re jesting, my lord. The Reach has over a million people, and if knights are included as nobles, then easily one percent of them qualify. Do you intend to empty King’s Landing entirely just to make room?”

Feigning a thoughtful look, Aegor gestured to his aide.

“Nina, fetch the list we prepared earlier—the one detailing which families meet the Queen’s criteria. Let Lady Margaery review it.”
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