Chapter 79: The Lord's Daughter (Part 2)
In the quiet night, soft candlelight flickered.
"An exhibition?"
Glynn nodded, saying, "Lady Margaery, it's like a troupe's performance. A performance isn't necessarily real; we can treat the arena challenges of the past few days as a swordsmanship exhibition."
Margaery's brown eyes moved as she said, "Lord Glynn, please continue."
"Hardship is accompanied by opportunity. We just need to give it a new name, and everything that has happened before will have a reason.
"For example, these six days of arena challenges were actually a grand tourney that Lady Margaery herself secretly prepared for the knights of the Reach.
"As Lady Margaery Tyrell, the Light of Highgarden, nurtured by the wisdom of Highgarden, you used a harmless and elegant method to ignite the passion of all the knights in the Reach, gathering them in Highgarden for the glory of the Reach."
After a pause, Glynn continued, "You also have two pieces of ironclad proof. First, swords have no eyes, yet despite so many men being defeated, they suffered minor injuries at most.
"Second, it was me. Lord Glynn Clegane was directly hired by Lady Margaery Tyrell because my status was perfect, making it easiest to resonate with the knights of the Reach.
"Therefore, this won't be misunderstood as deception. Everyone will think of it as a rare and amusing event in the Reach."
Glynn leaned forward, a smile playing on his lips, and lowered his voice, "All the knights I defeated in the arena, I guarantee they will be eternally grateful to you. You single-handedly restored their honor."
...
Glynn's method was even more brilliant than she had planned.
If everything went smoothly, she, Margaery Tyrell, would be the greatest beneficiary.
She would not only be the Light of Highgarden but also the Light of the Reach.
Lord Glynn's wisdom was no less than his swordsmanship.
While pleased, Margaery Tyrell also remembered her grandmother's teachings. Though she didn't show it on her face, she did not lower her guard against Glynn.
Margaery Tyrell felt Lord Glynn's words were too pleasant, making it easy for one to get lost in them unknowingly.
...
Glynn ignored the fleeting wariness from Margaery and took the initiative to speak, "Lady Margaery, is this the first time you've organized a tourney?"
Margaery Tyrell nodded lightly. "Strictly speaking, it is indeed the first time."
Glynn spread his hands. "Past tourneys only had one champion. The closer to the end, the more brutal it became. This doesn't suit the kindness of the Light of the Reach."
A light flashed in Margaery Tyrell's doe-like brown eyes, and she asked, "Lord Glynn, do you already have a proper solution?"
Glynn replied, "This is an event organized by you. Because of your kindness, it will naturally be different from past ones. This tourney will also allow people to understand you better. In the past, there was only one champion, which is why it was so brutal. What if this time, ten champions are born?"
Margaery Tyrell couldn't help but ask, "Ten champions?"
Glynn nodded. "Ten champions. The enthusiasm increases tenfold, the brutality decreases tenfold."
"Can it be calculated like that?" Margaery Tyrell became even more suspicious.
...
Glynn continued, "The title naturally can't be 'champion' anymore, because there can only ever be one champion. It would cause misunderstandings, which would not be to your advantage."
"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking!" Margaery Tyrell secretly nodded.
"Let's call them the Ten Blades."
After thinking for a moment, Margaery Tyrell asked, "The Ten Blades?"
"Yes, Lady Margaery. In the tourney you personally organized, ten blades of the Reach will be born. In the future, they will be the ten blades that guard the Reach. Because of you, their names will be renowned throughout Westeros."
As Glynn's words fell, Margaery Tyrell could no longer afford to be wary of him. Her chest heaved, and her breathing became heavy.
After calming her breathing, Margaery Tyrell looked directly at Glynn. Glynn sensed the undisguised admiration in her gaze.
Margaery Tyrell rose from her chair, lifted her skirts slightly with both hands towards Glynn, and bowed her head, saying, "Margaery Tyrell will not forget Lord Glynn Clegane's help."
Glynn stood and placed a hand on his chest in return.
Glynn couldn't help but marvel inwardly. The Little Rose was a female power player who knew very well how to win people's hearts. Her gestures were charmingly feminine, but within, she concealed a courage no less than any man's.
...
Glynn's proactive strategizing was finally rewarded by the Little Rose.
The 30 million gold dragons Margaery Tyrell had brought in Highgarden's name were ultimately left for Glynn in the name of the Little Rose.
[Progress to arming Crackclaw Point +1.]
This was the Little Rose's private thanks and needed to be kept secret from outsiders.
Glynn magnanimously expressed his understanding, which suited him perfectly. If this kind of matter reached the ears of his 'boss' Cersei, it could easily be misunderstood.
House Tyrell had put on a complete show. The Pufferfish Duke had indeed been 'arranged' to inspect territories outside of Highgarden.
Before leaving, Margaery Tyrell informed Glynn that Lord Mace was already on his way back and could meet with him the day after tomorrow at the latest.
After the Little Rose left, Glynn immediately arranged for someone to take down the banner hanging on the arena stage.
Glynn did not need to participate in the subsequent matters; the Rose's team would arrange it themselves.
...
...
Red Keep, deep in the women's quarters.
On the bed, Lancel tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Lancel suspected he might be poisoned. As soon as he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with the image of Queen Cersei.
Lancel's emotions were complex. Had his refusal just now been too decisive?
The longer time went on, among Lancel's various emotions, one called regret began to spread rapidly.
"'The reward'... does it mean as long as I handle things to her satisfaction..." Lancel hastily shook his head, hurriedly dispelling any further thoughts.
Lancel didn't know when he fell asleep. The entire night was filled with warm-colored dreams.
...
Jaime Lannister was in a hidden location in King's Landing.
Jaime Lannister needed to investigate secretly, but he was too conspicuous. It was difficult for him to hide his movements during the day; only the cover of night made it easy for him to avoid prying eyes and ears.
A bag full of coins—Jaime tossed it out.
A dark figure caught the money pouch, nodded, and left.
It pointed to the Riverlands again!
Fulfilling his duties during the day and gathering intelligence at night had made Jaime, who had been rushing about for many days, feel exhausted.
Jaime scratched his hair. The more he investigated, the more bewildered he felt.
Although Glynn had advised Jaime not to rush such matters, he wanted to deal with the dangers lurking around Cersei as soon as possible. He couldn't bear to let Cersei suffer even the slightest harm.
So, for Jaime, the sooner it was resolved, the better.
'If only the young baron were here...' Jaime believed that with the intelligence he had now gathered, Glynn could definitely deduce something, perhaps even directly pinpoint the mastermind.
Perhaps it was his unusual fatigue tonight that made Jaime miss Glynn, who was in Highgarden, all the more.
(end of chapter)