Chapter 103

"Ambition" sounds like a sinister term, but call it "shrewdness," and it instantly feels different. Everyone has desires or goals, and these aspirations should not be treated as monstrous. They are the driving force of personal agency and societal progress. Altruism is indeed a noble and commendable trait that promotes the survival of a group, but purely altruistic beings cannot exist. Those who lack the ability to act selfishly or compete for resources would have long been eliminated by nature.

Humans naturally possess desires and goals. However, ambition can vary greatly in quality. The difference lies in whether you truly understand what you want, why you want it, and whether you have the capability and strength to achieve it.

Cersei Lannister is the perfect example of misguided ambition. She is ambitious, but her ambition is utterly pointless. She wants everything but has no idea why she wants it, let alone how to obtain it properly. As for understanding the consequences of her actions? That seems entirely beyond her. She’s a fool, though not a simple one—which makes her the most dangerous type. You can't ally with her, as she is adept at betraying her allies. Nor is it easy to treat her as an opponent, as she doesn’t follow any rules. People like her often manage to strike down the masters with wild, uncoordinated blows, even if it means dragging themselves into ruin as well.

Aegor had always avoided people like her. Even Jaime, the so-called noble knight, kept his distance from Cersei. On the other hand, standing before him now was Margaery Tyrell, a paragon of calculated ambition. Her goal was crystal clear: to use her marriage to bring House Tyrell—ostracized from the core of power since its misstep in the Rebellion—back to the table of noble games. Her intelligence and ambition were fully equipped to achieve this.

If one were fooled by her “kindness” and “courtesy,” Margaery could drain them dry. However, if you recognized her as a calculated individual and made it clear that you weren’t easily manipulated, she would instantly shift to being harmless. As a daughter of the Duke of Highgarden, she didn’t need to follow the path of chaos and manipulation like Littlefinger. Already a high-ranking noble and a beneficiary of the system, she had no reason to cause unnecessary chaos or disruption.

Simply put, she was an ambitious but far more palatable player in the Game of Thrones. As long as you weren’t her mortal enemy, she would be willing to share the pie. As long as you had the strength and capital, you could work with her and enjoy a mutually beneficial partnership without worrying about her turning on you.

...

“Lord Aegor,” the young woman spoke softly, her voice gentle and melodious, “I’ve heard this story is based on you. Are all the adventures in it your personal experiences?”

“That’s correct. But it’s a novel, so of course, there’s some artistic embellishment.” Margaery’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, her expression that of a true adventure enthusiast. Her acting was so flawless that Aegor felt chills down his spine. Carefully choosing his words, he dared not overcommit. “Most of it is based on real experiences, though the dangers I faced were exaggerated. If I had actually survived such perils, I’d probably stay safely at home and never come to Westeros in the first place.”

“Quite reasonable,” she replied, her laugh as crisp as silver bells, her face all innocence and charm. “By the way, Aegor—may I call you Aegor? Is your ‘Qyna’ really west of the Sunset Sea? How far is it, and how long would the voyage take?”

What was this? Were the Tyrells planning to establish trade with “Qyna”?

Aegor’s mind raced, and he answered cautiously, “On that voyage around the globe, I was merely a passenger. I didn’t gain much nautical knowledge, let alone specific coordinates. I’m not even sure if the ship sailed directly east the entire time. As for the distance, I only recall the ship traveling for over a month. Considering the vessel was far more advanced than any in Westeros and had favorable winds most of the way... I’d guess Qyna lies somewhere west of the Sunset Sea, about two to three thousand leagues away.”

“That far? What a pity. I had hoped to visit that magical land someday.”

“Regrettably, I fear you’d be disappointed,” Aegor replied with a touch of sadness. “Even if someone gave me a fully manned ship right now, I wouldn’t know how to find my homeland again, let alone guide others there. Who knows how many years or decades it will be before I see my family again?”

“Don’t be disheartened,” Margaery consoled him gently. “Your presence in Westeros suggests a fateful bond with this land. With your experiences and talents, I’m sure you’ll rise to prominence wherever you go.”

...

The young woman comforted him with a concerned look, while Aegor expressed sincere gratitude in return. For the daughter of a duke to address an unlanded Night’s Watchman as “lord” was absurdly flattering. Aegor had a strong hunch: sparring with this “little rose” would significantly improve his wit, thick skin, and resistance to manipulation. But the goosebumps covering his arms were hard to ignore.

As they strolled through the camp, Margaery continued to ask about the adventures detailed in the book. Having prepared answers long in advance, Aegor faced her questions without worry, spinning elaborate tales of countless adventures he had never actually experienced, leaving no openings for doubt.

Earl Buckwell trailed silently behind them the entire time, listening to their exchange without a word. Despite being a prominent lord, he seemed more like a background figure. If not for Margaery’s undeniably higher status, Aegor might have started feeling nervous.

...

“By the way, Lord Aegor, I heard this book’s stories are based on you, and it was also printed by your factory,” Margaery said, finally steering the conversation back to reality. “I noticed the material doesn’t look like parchment, and the contents aren’t handwritten. How was it made?”

At last, the real question surfaced!

Had Aegor been an unsuspecting man, beguiled by the charms and subtle flattery of a beautiful, noble maiden, he might have let slip all he knew. But Aegor, having waited patiently for her to reveal her true intentions, now felt a wave of relief.

So, it was the papermaking and printing techniques she was after. Knowing her aim made things much simpler.

“Yes, the book was produced by the Night’s Watch Industries,” Aegor admitted with a regretful shake of his head. “But I only handle funding and overall direction, using the profits to provide supplies and food for the Night’s Watch. As for the technical details, those are handled entirely by the craftsmen. If you were to ask me how it’s done, I honestly wouldn’t know.”

He paused, then offered with a polite smile, “However, the Night’s Watch Industries is looking to expand and seeking investors. If Lady Margaery is interested, I could personally show you the operations once we return to King’s Landing.”