Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 185 The Little Finger of Honesty and Integrity

Night had fallen when a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence outside the palace. Brienne flung open the door and rushed in without even announcing herself, her face filled with panic.

"Your Majesty, news has arrived from High Court." Her voice trembled, a rare display of composure for her.

Margaret was writing at her desk and didn't look up, but asked softly, "What news?"

“Your father… Lord Mace suddenly coughed up blood at the banquet, and… he has…” Brienne lowered her head, her voice choked with emotion.

The quill fell onto the parchment with a snap, the ink quickly spreading into several smudges. Margaret remained silent for a long time before raising her head, her eyes already brimming with tears.

"Where is the messenger? I want to ask him myself!"

Before long, Brienne entered with a messenger. The man was covered in dust and immediately knelt down and bowed upon entering the room.

"Tell me what happened before my father died."

"His Excellency the Duke suddenly coughed up blood during the banquet. Although Sir Loras quickly summoned the maester, it was too late."

Margaret's nails dug deeply into her palms. She walked to the window, looked at the dark sea outside, and asked in a low voice:

"What did the scholar say?"

"The Chief Maester has confirmed that he has been poisoned," the messenger continued. "Lord Velas has inherited the title of Duke and arrested Varys, the envoy from King's Landing."

"Does my grandmother know?"

"Lady Olena learned of this on her way back. However, she was too busy to come, so she asked me to convey a message to you: Your Highness should handle your relationship with the Iron Throne on your own."

"Okay, you guys go out first!"

Margaret remained silent all night, standing there quietly until dawn.

News of Mace's death spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of Stormlands. Lords and dukes gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, speculating how this upheaval would alter the relationship between Highgarden, Storm's End, and King's Landing.

At dawn, Brienne entered and reported: "Your Highness, Petyr Baelish, the Treasurer of King's Landing, has arrived at Storm's End and is awaiting an audience in the council chamber."

Margaret was taken aback, clearly not expecting that people from King's Landing would dare to come to Stormlands.

She took a deep breath, wiped the weariness from her face, and regained the proud expression that Highgarden Rose always wore.

"Let's go see what he has to say!"

Margaret entered the council hall and immediately saw Petyr standing on one side of the long table, wearing a well-tailored dark gray robe with a silver-threaded bird pattern embroidered on the chest.

When Margaret entered, Littlefinger bowed and greeted her with an enigmatic smile.

"Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing you, but it is an honor to meet you."

Brienne stood behind Margaret, her right hand always on the hilt of her sword, her gaze never leaving him.

"You dare to come here again?" Margaret said coldly. "Aren't you afraid I'll arrest you?"

Littlefinger pulled out the chair next to him, and as he sat down, he casually lifted his cloak and draped it over the back of the chair, laughing:
“If I am ever arrested, it will never be because of the death of Duke Mace.”

“It seems you know quite a bit.” Margaret sat down as well, staring at him as she asked, “What are you doing here?”

"I bring you the truth, and I also bring you a suggestion."

Do you know who killed my father?

Littlefinger stroked his short mustache and announced the answer without hesitation, "Cersei Lannister." Margaery's eyes instantly turned cold, and Brienne involuntarily tightened her grip on her sword hilt.

"go on."

"She sent a blood-themed troupe to Highgarden, intending to wreak havoc in the Reach and frame Laharo, and perhaps even damage Renly's relationship with Highgarden."

Coincidentally, Princess Myrcella was to be married into the Martell family. Because Stannis had blocked the Blackwater River and the sea route was impassable, she had to take the land route instead, and unfortunately ran into the Blood Troupe on the way.

The princess was brutally murdered, and two million golden dragons were stolen. Therefore, Cersei turned her anger on Highgarden.

He paused, then slowly added, "So she took out a million gold dragons and hired the Faceless Ones to poison Duke Mace."

"How do you know all this?" Margaret asked in a deep voice.

“That one million gold dragons was a government treasury allocation, and I personally signed for it.” Littlefinger chuckled. “Because I’m the Chancellor of the Exchequer.”

Brienne's expression changed drastically. She glared at Littlefinger, and with a sharp crack, her longsword was drawn!

Margaery quickly gestured for Brienne to stop, then asked, "You came to Storm's End just to tell me this?"

“Yes. But there is one more thing. Something important.” He took a scroll from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Margaret. “King Joffrey is willing to marry the Duke of Highgarden’s sister as his queen.”

Margaret stared at the scroll without opening it. After a long pause, she asked, "Do you think I should agree?"

The little finger fiddled with the ring on its finger, and upon hearing this, it looked up at her and said leisurely:
"If you ask me, we should declare war on the Lannisters. King's Landing is currently short of food and clothing, the people are restless, and there are external enemies on the side. The Lannisters' rule is teetering on the brink of collapse. Sending troops now would be much less effective."

He suddenly fell silent, without adding the second half of his sentence.

The second half of the sentence is that as long as the Lannisters are isolated and ultimately destroyed, Lahallo will keep his promise and give him the Westerlands.

He had no desire to see the Lannisters and the Highgarden Alliance.

Margaret lowered her eyes and remained silent for a long time before raising her head and smiling, "I wish to marry His Majesty the King."

Little Finger's smile froze on his face.

Clearly, they hadn't expected Margaery to agree so readily. Brienne looked at her in surprise, her eyes filled with worry.

However, Margaret always wore a gentle smile, revealing no other emotions.

“His Majesty the King is in dire need of powerful allies, and I am both the sister of the Duke of Highgarden and the Regent Queen of Stormlands. No other girl is more suitable than me.”

Littlefinger looked at Margaret, remained silent for a long time, and then bowed.

“Then I will now deliver this good news back to King’s Landing,” he stood up. “His Majesty will be very pleased to hear this news.”

Margaret rose to see them off, and as they reached the door, she smiled and said, "Please give my regards to His Majesty the King."

When only Margaery and Brienne remained in the council chamber, the latter impatiently urged, "Your Highness, isn't this inappropriate? Do you really intend to marry him?"

“It’s alright.” Margaret’s eyes turned cold as she gently stroked her belly. “I’m going to storm into the lion’s den and rip out its heart. I’m going to make them die a death worse than my father’s.”

In addition, Margaret also had her own considerations.

The death of his father was more sudden than Renly's. Highgarden had just lost its Duke, and the Tyrells seemed to have gained a great deal of control over the Reach and Stormlands, but internally they were in unprecedented chaos.

There was a lot of undercurrent among the noble lords, but as long as the news of the marriage alliance spread, it would improve the current situation, regain the initiative, stabilize the nobles, and appease the people.

(End of this chapter)