The Reach, Bitterbridge.
Since the news of Renly's death arrived, Baron Caswell has closed the main gates of Bitterbridge, cutting off all contact with the outside world.
Margaery Tyrell showed no displeasure or anger at Baron Caswell's presumptuous behavior; she simply remained quietly in her Queen's tent.
The clouds in the sky were low and thick, churning and obscuring the sun, which was sometimes hidden and sometimes revealed by a faint glimpse of light.
The air was thick with a humid heat, as if everything was being squeezed by an invisible pressure, making it hard to breathe.
Inside the tent, Margaery, dressed in a dark gown signifying mourning, stared blankly at the Queen's crown in her hands, her doe-like eyes unfocused.
Although the Queen's crown was now in her hands, it was now merely a beautiful ornament... Margaery suddenly felt a wave of despondency.
Margaery's long, slender fingers touched the Golden Rose on her crown. Her hand paused, and after a long while, she took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.
The Queen's crown that Renly had given her was put away by her maid as if it were an ordinary piece of jewelry.
Margaery stood tall; with or without it, she was still the proud Golden Rose, the Light of the Reach.
The Golden Rose never fades.
Margaery's clear, melodious voice rang out. "Get me something to eat."
Upon hearing her command, her maids paused briefly before sprang into action.
Before long, the maids brought in trays of desserts and placed them on the long dining table.
Margaery had only taken a few bites when the captain of the guards' voice came from the doorway. " Queen Majesty, Randyll Earl House Tarly Earl Mathis Rowan request an audience."
Margaery's brown eyes flickered slightly. She put down her gold fork, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, and rose, saying, "Please, gentlemen, come in."
Earl Randyll Earl Mathis strode over and bowed in unison, saying, "Good day, Queen Margaery."
Margaery returned the greeting gently. "Good day, Earl Randyll, Earl Mathis."
Her beautiful eyes swept over the two weary travelers, and she said, "My lords, it's so good to see you. The Gods bless you."
Randyll Earl slightly, while Earl Mathis hesitated for a moment before saying, " Queen Margaery, please accept my condolences."
Margaery sighed sadly and said, "Thank you."
She paused, then asked, "What's the situation outside?"
Earl Randyll at the silent Earl Mathis and replied, " Queen Margaery, I have already sent men to seize control of the Bitterbridge army's supplies. I will stabilize morale as soon as possible."
He continued, "After King Renly's death, many the Reach lords and knights, led by House Florent, directly pledged allegiance to Stannis Baratheon."
Randyll 'Earl gaze sharpened, and he continued, "They are vassals of the Lord of Highgarden, and their actions were not permitted by their lord; they are traitors. Many of their clansmen and confidants remain at the Bitterbridge camp. My opinion is that they should be executed as soon as possible to stabilize morale."
Earl Mathis glanced at Margaery, whose face betrayed her weariness, and said, " Queen Margaery, we heard on our way here that they intend to take their soldiers directly to Storm's End. This is not only betrayal, but it will also destabilize the entire army."
Margaery's fingers subtly twitched. She met the stern-faced Earl Randyll's gaze for a moment, then glanced lightly at Earl Mathis beside him, and said, " Earl Randyll, with..."
She paused, then raised her voice. "In the name of the Lord of Highgarden, I appoint you as the supreme commander of the Bitterbridge army in the Reach. From this moment forward, you have the authority to deal with anyone who undermines morale until the Lord of Highgarden arrives at the Bitterbridge camp."
Earl Randyll saluted earnestly. " Queen Margaery, thank you for your trust."
Margaery nodded slightly, her eyes flickering as she looked at Earl Mathis, and said, "I don't know much about military affairs, but I think Earl Randyll needs a reliable quartermaster. Thank you for your trouble, Earl Mathis."
Earl Mathis nodded solemnly in acceptance of the order.
After a brief pause, Margaery said gently, " Earl Randyll, Earl Mathis, in the name of the Golden Rose, I once again thank you both for your fearlessness and loyalty."
Earl Randyll and Earl Mathis first nodded in thanks, then exchanged a glance before looking at Margaery together.
Seeing this, Margaery spoke up, "Gentlemen Earl, if you have any questions, please feel free to speak frankly with me. I respect you greatly and will listen."
Earl Mathis bowed slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said, " Queen Margaery, please forgive my intrusion, but... is it possible that you are pregnant with King Renly's child?"
As he finished speaking, Margaery's eyes trembled, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and after a moment of silence, she shook her head.
Her face was both sorrowful and fragile. "My lords, I know this matter is important, so I am being frank with you."
Her eyes reddened slightly as she continued, "We all know King Renly well; he wants to consider this matter after he sits on the Iron Throne."
Her moist eyes lingered briefly on the two trusted vassals before she said softly, "This is also an agreement between King Renly and the Lord of Highgarden, and the Golden Rose keeps her promise."
She forced a smile, "If you prefer, you may call me Miss Margaery."
Inside the camp, Randyll House Tarly and Mathis Rowan walked side by side.
Earl Mathis sighed as he walked, "What a pity..."
Earl Randyll walked silently, seemingly oblivious to Earl Mathis's lament.
Earl Mathis continued to lament, "If only King Renly had left an heir..."
Randyll Earl and said, " The Gods won't bestow everything upon one person."
Earl Mathis shrugged and said, "That's no funny joke, Margaery... it's truly saddening what has happened to you."
They climbed the camp's tower in silence.
Randyll Earl gazed around the camp for a moment, then suddenly said, "Miss Margaery is not pitiful; she is strong, and she remains the Light of Highgarden."
Earl Mathis was slightly taken aback. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "Old friend, thank you for your answer. I... am truly honored."
Earl Randyll was unmoved by Earl Mathis's teasing. After a moment's thought, he said, "Those people from the House Florent should be executed as soon as possible."
He paused, then continued, "The camp needs stability; we will carry out the execution in front of all the soldiers."
Earl Mathis nodded gravely, patted Earl Randyll's arm, and said, "Old friend, leave this to me. I don't want your wife to resent you."
The Earl of Randyll's wife was Melessa Florent, whose father was none other than Earl Alistair Florent, who led the way in siding with Stannis after Renly's death.
Earl Randyll shook his head slightly, declining Earl Mathis's offer. He said coldly, "I am the vanguard; it is my duty."
He thought to himself: I am saving my wife's family.
Earl Mathis offered a word of advice and then changed the subject. " Earl Randyll, the accident that night came too suddenly, and we didn't have time to investigate carefully. Who do you think is the murderer?"
Randyll Earl coldly replied, " Stannis."
Earl Mathis looked somewhat shocked. "How did you know? Earl Randyll, what did you find out?"
Randyll 'Earl sharp gaze shifted to the man beside him, and he said, " Earl Mathis, it's quite obvious that he is the biggest beneficiary."
Earl Mathis nodded, admitting that he also largely agreed with Earl Randyll's speculation.
He murmured, "Those who murder their own blood relatives are condemned by both gods and men..."
" Earl Mathis, I have more faith in the sword."
After saying this, Earl Randyll and walked towards the tower's steps.
That day, dozens of heads were impaled on spears inside the Bitterbridge camp.
Stormlands, Storm's End.
Dark, oppressive clouds hung over Storm's End, and the sunlight, weakly penetrating the thick cloud cover, cast a pale and feeble glow upon the earth.
"After Renly's death, His Majesty the King was plagued by nightmares, and even the maester's medicine was ineffective... Only Melisandre could soothe him to sleep."
Davos Seaworth's fifth son, who was one of King Stannis 'Devan Seaworth attendants, confided in his father out of concern.
Is this why the priestess and King Stannis shared the same tent? To pray together? Or was it some other way to lull him to sleep? This question was not only presumptuous, but he dared not ask it, not even to his own son.
Actually... after "witnessing" the Shadow Magic that night, he has been having trouble sleeping lately.
The Onion Knight snapped out of his reverie; he shouldn't have questioned King Stannis.
That night, after Seaworth escorted Melisandre back, he requested an audience with King Stannis at daybreak, only to be told that the king was too busy.
Several days passed before he was finally summoned by King Stannis.
Inside the camp, the stench of horse manure was overwhelming, mixed with the smoke from burning wood and the aroma of stewed meat.
On his way to the King's tent, Ser Davos encountered many lords from the south, each of whom was of higher birth than him. They wore gilded and silver-plated armor, and their helmets were decorated with silk feathers, plumes, or in the shape of family crests, with jeweled eyes.
Near the entrance to the camp, Seaworth bumped into Earl Allister Florent, who had just come out of the king's tent.
Davos greeted him politely, "Good day, Earl of Florent."
Alister Florent's breastplate was engraved with a dazzling red and gold fox, surrounded by a circle of lapis lazuli flowers.
Alester Florent was tall, dignified, and wealthy. After Renly's death, he was the first to side with King Stannis and the first lord in the South to publicly declare his rejection of the Seven and conversion to the Lord of Light.
Davos thought to himself... Not long ago, this noble Earl of Brightwater Keep was Renly's subordinate, sitting in his tent, helping him devise battle plans and strategizing how to defeat Stannis... Although he was Queen Selyse's uncle, when Renly's power grew, kinship could not prevent him from kneeling before Renly.
Alester Florent gave Davos a rather impolite look, nodded slightly, and walked away.
Davos shrugged, stood at the door, and after hearing the response from inside, entered the king's tent.
King Stannis's tent was simply furnished, made of canvas like the tents of ordinary soldiers, the gold dye long since faded to a dull yellow.
Davos thought that if it weren't for the Flaming Heart Banner flying high above the tent, most people probably wouldn't be able to tell which was the king's tent.
King Stannis sat on a simple wooden chair, with Melisandre beside him. Davos avoided the priestess's gaze and bowed respectfully to King Stannis.
Stannis turned to Melisandre and said, "Madam, I will send someone to fetch you when I need you."
Davos, his face downcast, frowned slightly, noticing the change in King Stannis's attitude towards the priestess.
Melisandre bowed slightly, her voice low and hoarse. "As Your Majesty commands."
As Melisandre left, she paused beside Davos. He nodded stiffly, and the priestess let out a low laugh. A cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.
King Stannis first gestured for Davos to sit down, then said, " Davos, I can tell you don't like that woman."
Davos was trying to figure out how to begin when his king continued, "Smuggler, I am not blind, and those fickle lords do not like her. They do not want to wear the Fiery Heart; they beg to fight for the Crowned Stag banner."
Stannis's jaw twitched, and a soft grinding sound rang out.
After a pause, seeing that King Stannis remained silent, Davos cautiously said, "Your Majesty, they need some time. I think they'll get used to it soon."
King Stannis scoffed dismissively, saying, "That had to be."
Davos couldn't help but say bluntly, "Last year they were Robert's men, not long ago they were Renly's men... and now they've all become your loyal subjects."
He added, "Tomorrow, whose side will they side with?"
King Stannis stared intently at his Onion Knight for a moment, then said, "You always tell me the truth..."
He leaned back in his chair and continued, " Davos, you're right. Behind me is a whole bunch of traitors... I've punished those of higher rank for lesser crimes, yet now I have to gladly forgive their sins... and I have to endure their buzzing in my ear like flies!"
King Stannis's teeth were chattering.
Davos advised, " King Stannis, you need these men now to fight for your Iron Throne."
Stannis's voice was like the cold wind of winter. " Davos, I have forgiven them, I have pardoned them, but I have not forgotten."
Davos's gaze immediately drifted towards the door. He knew he absolutely couldn't let anyone else hear these words, or it would lead to something terrible.
Stannis ignored Davos's unease and continued, "My brother left most of the infantry at Bitterbridge, and I sent my wife's brother, Axell, to take over, but there has been no reply."