Another day passed in King's Landing, and it had been quite a monumental day.
Lucas had set the wheels of reform in motion, starting with the City Watch. After publicly berating the soldiers for their incompetence, which had been subtly directed at the leadership, he had begun the process of making them more efficient and accountable.
A new training regimen had been introduced. A regimen which was focused not only on combat but also on coordination, discipline, and respectful and proper conduct toward the smallfolk. Corruption was to be tackled seriously and harsh punishments had been announced for those found involved in corruption from now on.
It was only the beginning, but the groundwork had been laid. Gary, Lucas's sworn sword, had been entrusted with overseeing the implementation of these reforms. For now, the changes were modest, but Lucas had ambitious plans for the long term.
The real problem with the City Watch lay in its structure and culture. The soldiers were too autonomous in their decision making. They acted on personal whims rather than uniform and standardized procedure.
Although there were laws in place to address crimes, they were vague, inconsistent, and lacked clear protocols. Worse still, most soldiers were not even aware of them.
As a result, the same crime might be handled in three entirely different ways by three different soldiers. Technically, the authority to administer justice lay with the Master of Laws, the Hand of the King, or the King himself.
But none of them had ever shown genuine interest in delivering justice to the smallfolk. Even in best case scenario, they would hear few cases in few days.
And so, by default, the power to pass judgment often fell to the soldiers on the streets itself. And untrained and unqualified as they were.
That had to change. But Lucas knew he could not overhaul an entire system overnight.
So, for now, he would take it slow, reform by reform as he would slowly consolidate his powers.
Apart from that, he had also received the written permission from Robert, granting him access to all the ledgers he had requested.
Petyr, true to his word, had provided the records. Lucas immediately recognized that the reports had been manipulated but he said nothing. The time to deal with Littlefinger had not yet come.
And today, Lucas was accompanying Margaery Tyrell to the slum areas of the King's Landing for her charitable distribution. The two of them were traveling in a horse drawn carriage. Margaery had insisted that Lucas ride with her and not on his horse. And he had happily indulged her.
Fifty soldiers escorted them. Twenty five from the City Watch and twenty five from Lucas' personal guard, including Ser Gary.
Margaery, too, had brought along a dozen Tyrell guards. Three additional carriages, loaded with charitable goods, followed behind.
"Ser Lucas," she said, seated across from him in the carriage, "thank you once again for joining me."
He smiled politely. "And once again, I insist that the pleasure is mine to accompany such a beautiful lady."
Margaery smiled and blushed in response.
"I have heard you have already taken command of the City Watch and even begun implementing new rules and regulations," she remarked.
"Nothing much," Lucas replied with a shrug. "Here and there. Just a few minor changes."
"Oh?" she smiled, but did not press further.
She had been tasked by Olenna to probe what Lucas was planning with the City Watch. It was not especially sensitive information. Sooner or later, the details would become public but it was a kind of test for her. A small one, to gauge how much influence the Rose of Highgarden had managed to cultivate over him.
Lucas was the man Olenna had decided to bet on.
"Ser Lucas," Margaery continued the conversation, "your wine tastes absolutely divine. Although I am grateful for the barrel you gifted me, I must confess, it is just not enough."
"It is not that I am a drunkard," she added quickly, smiling with a touch of mischief. "I only drink occasionally. But your wine… it is just different. I find myself wanting to get drunk on it. Just once, purely for the pleasure. But I am being stingy, pouring only a few cups each day, afraid it might run out too soon."
She chuckled lightly before adding, "My grandmother, on the other hand, is completely addicted. She keeps pushing me to give her more and more."
"I think your worries will soon be over, Lady Tyrell," Lucas replied with a polite smile. "Most likely, my merchants will arrive tomorrow. You will be able to buy wine from them directly and even place orders for future deliveries."
Margaery nodded, then tilted her head thoughtfully. "But I have heard you have placed a quota on how much a house can purchase?"
"I have," Lucas confirmed. "The demand for the wine is exceptionally high, and the supply is still a bit short."
Margaery gave another small nod. She had been hoping that Lucas might offer her a special privilege, an exception to the quota, just for her. But when he did not, she did not let even a flicker of disappointment show on her face.
"You know, Ser Lucas," Margaery sighed in a dreamy voice, "sometimes I have a wild wish to visit that great city, the metal town you have built near Lannisport."
"The city where all those wonders of metal are being forged. The pipes, the shovels, even the simple poles. I have seen them all. They are truly remarkable. And everything has affected the lives of people so much."
No, she had not seen them. And she did not truly understand them either. But she had to say these things, to impress the young Lannister.
"Lady Tyrell," Lucas smiled, "I generally do not allow visitors into the metal town."
Margaery's face fell slightly anticipating another rejection, but Lucas continued with a faint smile, "But if you happen to visit the city… I am sure I could make an exception. Just for you."
"And there is nothing wild in that wish," he whispered.
Margaery's smile widened at that. "Thank you, Ser Lucas."
Margaery very wisely did not bring up the topic of the weapons. It was a topic which would have to discussed with a lot of sensitivity and at a proper time.
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