A week later, Dragonstone, the Great Hall of the main keep.
Viserys sat in the seat of honor, with Duke Clinton, Duke Arthur, and Duke Willem all in attendance. Just yesterday, the second wave of the Empire's army had reached the Crabs Claw Peninsula and was currently disembarking.
Rhaenys sat by Viserys's side this time, intently studying the map before them. Margaery sat further down, holding a parchment scroll in her hand—a letter she had just received from Highgarden.
"The troop strength in King's Landing has been ascertained." Duke Clinton pointed to The Red Keep on the map. "There are only two thousand Gold Cloaks and one thousand Lannister soldiers, totaling no more than three thousand men."
"Where is Tywin?" Viserys asked.
"Still in The Riverlands," Duke Clinton replied. "He is locked in a stalemate with Roose Bolton of the North and cannot pull away."
He looked toward King's Landing on the map. "While the walls of King's Landing are high, the defense is not strong. We have Dragonfire to breach the city; it won't be a problem at all."
At this, Duke Arthur spoke up. "King's Landing is densely populated. If we storm the city, civilian casualties will be catastrophic."
"Then force them to surrender," Duke Willem said. "We blockade the sea routes, cut off supplies, and lay siege without attacking. King's Landing's grain won't last two weeks."
"Cersei will not surrender," Viserys suddenly spoke.
"Cersei Lannister is not the type of person to surrender. She would rather burn down all of King's Landing than hand over the iron throne." He paused before continuing, "And that Joffrey is even crazier than she is; that child has been spoiled since he was young."
The others looked at Viserys, none of them speaking.
Viserys continued, "I have insiders in King's Landing and know their temperaments very well. Therefore, our only path is to storm the city; you need not have any mercy."
"When the time comes, I will first arrange for people to shout outside the city, telling the civilians to hide in their homes and not come out. Once the city is breached, anyone still outside who hasn't knelt in surrender can be put to the sword."
The group fell into silence, contemplating Viserys's plan.
Noticing that Margaery looked like she had something to say, Viserys asked, "Miss Margaery, do you have anything to add?" In the presence of outsiders, Viserys and Margaery acted somewhat distant with each other.
Margaery was silent for a moment before saying, "My father and Loras are still with Renly. If possible, I want to go see them now and persuade them to defect."
"Are you sure they can be persuaded?" In truth, Viserys was somewhat reluctant to let her go now; after all, he could only sleep well at night when she was there.
Margaery spoke with a determined gaze, "I will do my best, and Grandmother is also on our side. With her there, Highgarden will not fall into chaos."
Viserys thought about it and eventually nodded. He couldn't deny Margaery's desire to save her father and brother. "Very well, but wait until this wave of troops has fully disembarked. Until then, you remain on Dragonstone."
Margaery saw the expression on Viserys's face and guessed what he was thinking. She smiled and said, "I understand, Your Majesty."
Two days later, Margaery Tyrell stood on the walls of Dragonstone, gazing out at the distant sea.
She wore a green traveling gown with a light leather armor vest over it. A rapier hung at her waist—a gift from Viserys, who said it was for her self-defense.
At that moment, Garlan Tyrell came up behind her, followed by a dozen Highgarden knights.
"Sister," Garlan asked in a low voice, "are you really going with us to see Father?"
Margaery nodded.
"I worry for your safety, and he won't listen. You know his temper. The more we try to persuade him, the more he'll do the opposite."
"We still have to try, don't we?" Margaery turned to look at him, an unnoticeable, strange glint flashing in her eyes. "Brother, we aren't going to persuade Father to surrender. We are just going to let him know exactly what is standing against him. After being in Valyria for so long, I think you should know very well."
Garlan was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. Regardless, you are the representative of House Tyrell; you decide for yourself."
Margaery did not answer. Her gaze crossed the sea, looking into the distance. That was the direction of The Reach, the direction of Highgarden, and the future direction of their family. She needed to make this resolution.
Just then, Rhaenys walked out from the castle. Seeing Margaery, she waved at her.
"Miss Margaery, are you departing tomorrow? Be careful on the road."
Margaery nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, thank you, Princess."
Rhaenys also smiled, her face slightly flushed. "Just call me Rhaenys. After all, we'll be family soon." She thought back to this period where she had been sleeping in Viserys's room; watching what went on between him and Margaery made her feel very shy even now.
Margaery's face also turned a slight shade of red, but she quickly regained her composure. "Then you should call me Margaery as well."
The next day, after seeing off Margaery's group, Rhaenys and Viserys stood side by side, gazing toward the west. On the distant sea, the Imperial fleet was patrolling, the banners of the three-headed dragon fluttering in the wind.
"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Rhaenys asked, seeing Viserys standing there in a daze.
"Thinking about Dany," Viserys said. "I wonder what she's doing right now."
A smile appeared on Rhaenys's face. "She's surely counting the days, waiting for when you'll return."
"Brother," Rhaenys suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for bringing me along."
Viserys turned to look at her. The morning light spilled across her face, making those purple eyes sparkle. The fifteen-year-old girl stood beside him, dark sister hanging at her waist, a gentle yet firm smile on her face.
Viserys couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair. "Don't say such silly things. You are my future wife; of course you had to come along."
Rhaenys's face turned slightly red. Leaning against his shoulder, she said softly, "Then can I stay with you tonight? Like Margaery did. I've watched so many times, I've already learned how."
Viserys put his arm around her waist. "Have you forgotten our agreement?"
Rhaenys looked up from his embrace. "But, isn't it hard for you to hold back? And I feel that my body is stronger than Margaery's. If she can do it, then I certainly can too."
Looking at her serious little face, Viserys's heart couldn't help but flutter. "Wait until we take King's Landing. Once we take King's Landing, we will complete this sacred moment in The Red Keep."
"Okay, then we'll wait until we take King's Landing."
While things were romantic and flourishing here for Viserys with a beauty by his side, King's Landing had fallen into a state of panic. Ravens flew into The Red Keep one after another, each bringing news worse than the last.
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