Chapter 69 Rose Boulevard (End)
Chapter 69 Rose Boulevard (End)
After resolving the issue with the carriage, Margaery's coach naturally joined Glyn and his companions on their journey.
...
The first impression Glyn Clegane made on Margaery was vastly different from the image she had conjured in her mind beforehand.
Although he was a nobleman from Crackclaw Point, he seemed more like a knight from the South.
Glyn's demeanor always allowed him to maintain a perfectly appropriate distance from her—a comfortable one.
This was a rare skill. From personal experience, Margaery knew this was a difficult piece of social etiquette to master; it required an exceptionally meticulous mind and a natural talent. Margaery mused that for Glyn to become a favorite of Queen Cersei, he must truly possess some extraordinary qualities.
There was another thing: Margaery noticed that Glyn's soldiers were exceptionally quiet.
Margaery had, of course, seen the elite troops of The Reach. They too were disciplined, remaining silent until an order was given.
But this was different. Margaery felt that the silence of the soldiers Glyn led was somewhat unnatural.
Margaery had no interest in military affairs, so the thought merely passed through her mind, and she didn't dwell on it.
...
They traveled without incident, and as noon approached, they found a flat stretch of land by a river to rest.
Should he invite Miss Margaery Tyrell to have lunch with him by the river?
Glyn and Margaery had only met by chance on the road; they were still strangers.
There was a fundamental difference between being strangers and being acquainted.
Furthermore, given the great disparity in their statuses, it would be presumptuous for Glyn to be overly attentive.
Of course, for Glyn, none of this would be a major issue if he put his mind to it.
The key was, although Margaery was the daughter of Lord Mace, Glyn's heart only had room for one Pufferfish Duke.
...
...
After a simple lunch, the considerate Glyn deliberately walked alone to the riverbank to admire the scenery.
The small river was so clear one could see the bottom, like a beautiful ribbon of blue satin.
...
As expected, Glyn did not have to wait long. Margaery, lightly holding up her skirts with both hands, gracefully approached him.
At an appropriate distance, a trace of surprise appeared on Glyn's face, and he gave Margaery a polite nod.
Margaery met Glyn's gaze, her fawn-like eyes holding a hint of a smile.
In that instant, Glyn's heart felt as if it had skipped a beat.
If he could be with... Glyn suppressed the sudden emotion that had welled up inside him.
For the current Glyn, the love of a woman would only slow the speed of his sword draw.
...
Margaery gave a slight nod, her gaze also turning toward the calm surface of the river.
Just then, a kingfisher nimbly skimmed across the water, leaving a series of ripples in its wake.
A flicker of light appeared in Margaery's almond-shaped eyes.
"Lord Glyn, do you like The Reach?"
Glyn's gaze shifted slightly as he replied, "The Reach is very warm. It's a beautiful and bountiful land."
As one of the ladies of The Reach, Margaery smiled and said, "Thank you for your praise."
Glyn gave a faint smile and a slight nod.
After a pause, Margaery spoke. "I happened to overhear that Queen Cersei has sent her chief official to visit my father."
Margaery tilted her head, looking at Glyn. "To be honest, Lord Glyn, I'm a little surprised and astonished. If it's not too much to ask, could you satisfy my curiosity?"
Margaery's beautiful eyes were clear and gentle, making her request difficult to refuse.
Glyn fell silent for a moment before quickly resuming his normal composure.
He was, after all, a man of relatively firm will. Margaery maintained the gentle smile on her face.
...
Most politically astute women in Westeros would use their beauty as a weapon.
They were also more willing to trust those who could not resist their beauty.
Because of his firm will and maturity, Glyn's resistance to the potent allure of beauty was quite strong.
However, not only for the sake of trust but also out of basic courtesy, Glyn had to play along.
Under the tempering of Queen Cersei, Glyn's acting skills had been steadily improving, becoming more and more effortless. Glyn sighed inwardly; it wasn't easy for him either.
...
Glyn's brown eyes shifted slightly. He gave a dry cough and replied, "Miss Margaery, although this matter... is supposed to be confidential for now, it won't be much of a secret after I meet with Lord Mace. Since Lord Mace is your father, I don't think it would be a major problem to tell you directly beforehand."
At Glyn's words, Margaery's bright, almond-colored eyes seemed to light up with the joy of sharing a secret.
Glyn lowered his voice a little. "The martial King Robert has always been concerned about the security of the realm, forcing him to focus most of his energy on military affairs.
"A man's energy is limited. King Robert, with no other choice, has somewhat neglected his connections with the great houses.
"For the good of the realm, the benevolent Queen Cersei wishes to shoulder these state affairs for His Majesty. Starting this year, envoys will be sent to visit the various great houses to deepen the bonds between the royal court and the nobility."
Margaery was an excellent listener. Seeing Glyn lower his voice, she leaned in as if to listen more closely.
*So King Robert's 'great deeds' can be spun this way?*
As Glyn finished speaking, Margaery's beautiful eyes blinked, as if she were digesting the information she had just heard.
...
Glyn added, "I recommended myself to Her Majesty for this mission. I've heard that the swordsmen of The Reach possess exquisite skills, and I've always wanted an opportunity to witness it for myself."
Glyn had even informed Margaery of his personal motives.
*Could we all have been wrong? But Grandmother...* Margaery didn't have time to think it through. First, she thanked Glyn for his candor.
Afterward, the two of them tacitly changed the subject.
Margaery took the initiative, telling Glyn about some of the local customs of The Reach.
Glyn wondered, *Is the daughter of Lord Mace making conversation with me as a reward for my honesty?*
Sometimes, the truth isn't important; everyone is just pursuing their own goals.
No one could guarantee whether a similar meeting would happen again. With a bit more patience, the next encounter could still be a pleasant one.
As a member of one of the most prominent noble houses in Westeros, Margaery Tyrell didn't need to be so meticulous.
After all, Queen Cersei had always done as she pleased, and very few people ever seemed particularly dissatisfied with it.
The nobility of Westeros had long grown accustomed to the traditional hierarchy and mutually accepted it.
However, compared to Queen Cersei's overbearing dominance, Margaery Tyrell's affability was more likely to win people's hearts.
...
Not long after departing that afternoon, Glyn and Margaery's party encountered the guards Margaery had sent out to purchase provisions.
Glyn and Margaery parted ways there.
Glyn led his household guard onward, continuing toward Highgarden.
Riding his horse, Glyn pinched his chin, hoping that his actions today would clear some of the obstacles for his upcoming trip to Highgarden.
(end of chapter)