chapter 133 part 1
Chapter 133: The Game of Thrones
Glynn's original plan was to use his own household guard to subtly surround Eddard Stark's party without being too offensive. He wanted to remind them of the many dangers in King's Landing and, at the same time, display the military discipline of House Clegane to prepare for playing both sides between the Lannisters and the Starks.
Margaery's appearance told Glynn that King Robert was traveling with the Starks. He had no desire to actively cause unnecessary trouble for himself, so he was forced to change his plan.
Her skirt fluttered in the wind as Margaery Tyrell maintained an elegant posture on horseback. Her horsemanship was superb.
She seemed to notice Glynn's gaze, and her doe-like eyes looked over.
"The Little Rose is truly sharp," Glynn praised aloud casually. "Miss Margaery, your posture on horseback is quite captivating."
*Clop, clop, clop.*
The sound of hooves clopping on the ground echoed all around. Margaery, ever mindful of her image, did not speak, merely smiling and nodding her thanks.
After riding for more than an hour, Glynn looked up at the sky, then toward a tavern on the side of the road in the distance.
They stopped their horses in front of the tavern. Glynn sized it up; though the building was old and worn, it was still quite spacious.
Seeing so many soldiers and horses suddenly appear before her tavern, a buxom middle-aged woman boldly pushed the door open and came out.
Before stepping out completely, the woman yelled something back inside. Glynn smiled as he saw a thin, balding middle-aged man follow her out, trembling.
The middle-aged woman's eyes quickly swept over Glynn and Margaery, who were surrounded by their retinue. She was about to bow her head in a salute when, before she could even think, her plump hand shot out with practiced ease and caught a purse of coins.
The loosely tied mouth of the purse revealed the glint of gold. She weighed it in her hand, and her face immediately broke into a wide smile.
She skillfully slipped the purse into her ample bosom and said respectfully, "Generous lord, welcome to Fanly's Inn!"
After speaking, she pulled the man behind her forward and curtsied. "My name is Fanly, and he is my husband."
Glynn nodded. "Lady Fanly, first clean up the inside. I intend to receive honored guests in your tavern."
*This young nobleman speaks so pleasantly...* Fanly couldn't help but steal another glance at Glynn before quickly lowering her head again.
*An honored guest is going to receive an even more honored guest here?* Instead of feeling honored, Fanly felt a surge of apprehension and braced herself.
Glynn turned to Foley at his side and ordered, "Take some men inside. Give everyone a silver stag and have them leave Fanly's Inn voluntarily."
The kind Lord Glynn had no intention of leaving the task of clearing out the patrons to Fanly and her husband.
Few of the people who wandered from place to place were good-natured folk. Having Glynn's household guard handle it was the simplest and most direct way.
Foley let out a chuckle, dismounted, and strode inside with a few men.
There was a brief commotion from within, but Foley and his men completed their task quickly.
...
Glynn dismounted from his horse and walked to Margaery's side, offering her his hand.
Margaery had been watching Glynn's actions quietly. She found Lord Glynn to be a very contradictory person. It seemed that, with the exception of Queen Cersei, he lacked a certain respect for other nobles, yet he also appeared to have compassion for the common folk.
Which one was the real Glynn?
...
"Thank you."
With Glynn's help, Margaery dismounted easily.
...
...
Inside the tavern, Margaery, now in a change of clothes, slowly descended the stairs.
She had braided her wavy, brown hair into a loose plait that hung naturally over her chest, swaying gently with her movements.
Margaery had changed into a light blue, low-necked gown. Though simple in style, the dress accentuated her graceful figure perfectly. The hem swayed lightly as she walked, like a flower in bloom.
As Margaery strolled over, Glynn turned his head to look, raising an eyebrow. That shade of light blue... it was the color of a winter rose, Lyanna Stark's favorite flower.
Rhaegar Targaryen, after being crowned champion of the tourney, had galloped past his own wife, Princess Elia of House Martell, to lay the crown of blue winter roses—the crown of the "Queen of Love and Beauty"—upon Lyanna Stark's lap. In that moment, the smiles of every spectator in the crowd had vanished.
That crown, as blue as frost... it was indeed a false spring.
If Renly and the Golden Rose's plot succeeded, it would be another false spring.
After a moment of quiet reflection, Glynn pushed the thought from his mind.
Glynn first stood to seat Margaery, then sat down again. "Miss Margaery," he said, "you always manage to redefine my understanding of beauty."
Glynn's compliment was sincere, with no other emotion hidden in his words.
At fifteen, Margaery shouldered the heavy responsibilities of her house. She was both beautiful and brave. This was the game of thrones, and they were all its players.
Margaery gave a radiant smile, picked up her wine cup, and took a sip. "Lord Glynn," she said suddenly, "may I ask you a question?"
Glynn gazed out the window at the sky. "We still have plenty of time."
With that, he pulled his gaze back and turned to Margaery. "Please, ask away. I would be honored to answer your question, Miss Margaery."
Margaery's beautiful eyes held a smile. She paused for a moment before speaking. "Lord Glynn, forgive my boldness, but when you met me, you didn't seem surprised at all."
After she spoke, she noticed that Glynn's hand, which had been swirling the wine in his cup, paused for a fraction of a second.
The Little Rose's eyes were as bright as stars, shining with the light of intelligence and curiosity.
Glynn stopped the motion of his hand. "Experience..."
He raised his cup and took a sip before continuing, "You are a noble rose. You wouldn't just happen to run into me by chance."
His eyes crinkled with a smile. "That's something I learned in the Red Keep."
Glynn's answer was sincere and frank.
Margaery's expression didn't change, but in her heart, she wasn't entirely convinced. She felt there had to be another reason.
Beneath the table, Margaery's fingers curled slightly. "Lord Glynn, weren't you curious at all?"
Being perceptive, Glynn naturally understood why Margaery was pressing the issue. He spread his hands.
"Trust is something difficult to express with words... Miss Margaery, we are on the same side. I simply trust that you will not harm me, and that is enough."
After hearing his answer, Margaery blinked her beautiful eyes and studied Glynn for a moment. Then, she smiled and nodded slightly. "A golden rose always treats its friends with goodwill."