Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 209 Women’s War

The air was thick with the smell of despair in the flea den. The alley was crowded with beggars, vagrants, and widows of soldiers who had died in the war. Margaret’s carriage slowly passed by them, loaded with bread, cured meat, and pale beer.

"In the name of Lady Margaery Tyrell," the servant announced loudly, "Highgarden is distributing food to the poor of King's Landing!"

Truckloads of food were distributed, and Margaret personally handed bread to each of the emaciated children. The children's mothers knelt down to express their gratitude, tears streaming down their dirty faces.

"May the seven gods protect you, madam!"

Similar scenes played out throughout King's Landing, with Margaret not only distributing food but also funding the repair of several dilapidated churches and donating a large number of golden dragons to orphanages.

She was adept at winning people's hearts and was deeply loved by the common people.

Soon, the good name of the Highgarden Rose was being sung throughout King's Landing.

People on the streets were saying, "The new queen is kind and benevolent, a hundred times better than that crazy Lannister!"

In the Queen Mother's chambers, Cersei stood by the window, looking down at King's Landing, her green eyes burning with jealousy.

The cheers of the crowd outside the window, praising that vile Highgarden woman, reminded her of the prophecy from many years ago.

When she was a ten-year-old girl, she went with her friends to find the "Toad" witch of Lannisport.

"Will I become queen?" the young Cersei asked.

"Yes,"

The witch's eyes gleamed with malice. "One day you will rule the world, until another woman arrives, younger and more beautiful than you. She will overthrow you and take away everything you cherish."

Now, that woman has arrived.

Margaery Tyrell, sixteen years old, was beautiful and beloved by the people. Her every action seemed to fulfill that damned prophecy.

Cersei turned and walked to the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror. Time had left its mark on her face, and having given birth to three children had taken its toll on her figure, making her no longer as slender as she had been in her youth. Meanwhile, that Highgarden wretch was in the prime of her youth, like a blooming rose.

“No,” she murmured, “I will not let the prophecy come true. Absolutely not!”

Cersei began to observe Margaery's every move, looking for any leverage she could use against her.

She received constant messages from her watchers that Margaery was hosting a grand banquet at the Red Keep, inviting noble lords and wealthy merchants from all over King's Landing, as well as their wives and children, to show off her close relationship with her cousins ​​and relatives, who sometimes even danced hand in hand.

Soon, rumors began to circulate in the palace that she was being too intimate with the young men and women in her social circle.

Moreover, a few days later, the rumors crossed the high walls of the Red Keep and gradually spread throughout the entire city of King's Landing.

"I've heard that the Highgarden Rose isn't as pure as she seems..."

“Someone saw her and her siblings doing strange things in the garden…”

Finally, the malicious rumors came to light:

"Margaery Tyrell is having an affair with her own brother Loras, and she's pregnant!"

Rumors spread like wildfire, from noble salons to commoners' taverns, from the halls of the Red Fort to the alleyways of the flea market, everyone was talking about this explosive news!

In the Queen's chambers, Cersei took a sip of red wine, a smug smile playing on her lips.

She spent a fortune bribing all sorts of people, from bartenders to prostitutes, from merchants to beggars, to spread these rumors throughout the city with exaggerated details.

...

Dania walked alone on a path in the garden, while Cersei brushed past her from another path.

"Wait," Cersei called out to her.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Dania quickly bowed to the Queen.

“You seem to have something on your mind, Countess Marivelas.” Cersei took a few steps closer, staring at her. “Is something troubling you?”

Dania lowered her head: "It's nothing, Your Majesty. It's just..." She quickly shut her mouth.

"But what?" Cersei pressed.

“It’s nothing,” Dania shook her head. “I shouldn’t have said that.” Cersei narrowed her eyes and sized her up. This woman clearly had something to say. If she could find an ally within her own circle of friends and family, things would be much easier.

“My lady, you can trust me. The Lannisters always pay their debts, and I will never mistreat those close to me.”

When Dania heard Cersei refer to her as someone close, a flicker of secret delight crossed her eyes. Then, she bit her lip and said, "It's really nothing, Your Majesty."

"Is it about House Tyrell?" Cersei asked tentatively.

Dania's body stiffened, and Cersei keenly noticed the change.

“It seems I was right,” Cersei said softly. “Tell me. If someone threatens you, I need to know. Because it concerns the safety of the royal family.”

Dania's voice trembled, "I... I saw something I shouldn't have seen."

"What is it?" Cersei reached out and gently took Dania's hand, her face expressionless, but she was secretly overjoyed.

Dania remained silent for a long time, then looked around to make sure no one else was there before speaking: "Madame Margaret, she... her behavior is not very proper..."

"say clearly!"

Cersei suddenly raised her voice. She had only intended to spread rumors to suppress Margaery, but she hadn't expected them to be true!
Someone brings you a pillow when you're sleepy.

What a surprise!

“I dare not say, Your Majesty,” Dania said, pulling her hand back with a look of panic. “If word gets out, my family will be in danger.”

"If you don't tell me, your family will be in danger! If the Tyrell family is in trouble, and you choose to stand by and do nothing, you will be betraying the royal family!"

Dania's face turned pale: "Your Majesty, I am merely a noble widow with two children. How dare I accuse the Queen's relatives?"

“Do you dare not make charges?” Cersei threatened. “To conceal a threat to the royal family is treason!”

"Your Majesty," Dania began to tremble, "please, please don't make things difficult for me."

“Then tell me the truth.” Cersei reached out and grasped Dania’s hand again, her voice softening. “I swear, if you tell the truth, I will protect you and your family. But if you dare to withhold information…”

“I understand!” Dania took a deep breath. “There’s something wrong between Lady Margaret and her maid and brother.”

Cersei's eyes lit up: "What do you mean?"

“I personally witnessed them doing things together that were against morality and ethics.”

"Are you sure?"

"It is absolutely true, Your Majesty. But please, please don't tell anyone that I told you."

Cersei was overjoyed inside, but remained outwardly calm: "Are you willing to testify before the Great Council about this? It is your duty."

Dania's expression changed drastically. "Your Majesty, I'm sure I'll die!"

“You’ll die if you don’t testify,” Cersei wasn’t about to let her go. “Now that you’ve told me, do you think I’ll let you leave quietly?”

Dania looked at Cersei in despair: "Can you guarantee my safety?"

“Of course,” Cersei nodded, “but I need your absolute loyalty!”

Dania swallowed hard. "Also, I hope to secure a better future for my eldest son. My second son has already inherited the Long Table Hall, but my eldest son..."

"what do you want?"

"A fiefdom, so that he may have an earldom."

Cersei considered for a moment: "Daree. I will bestow the title of Earl of Darree upon your eldest son."

Dania was overjoyed. "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, for your kindness!"

“Remember,” Cersei warned, “those who betray me never come to a good end! Lannisters always pay their debts!”

"Understood, Your Majesty." Dania bowed again.

(End of this chapter)