Ruler 6

Near Hook Alley, the rose carriage stood at the mouth of a narrow lane, the cobblestones beside its wheels glinting with scattered light beneath the sun.

Inside the carriage, Margaery's gaze passed over the crowd and settled on a luxurious carriage slowly departing in the distance.

Flying above it was House Greyjoy's kraken banner.

"If she could become my brother's wife, I think she would be more than willing."

Hearing Margaery's soft words, like a summer breeze brushing past his ear, Count Mathis, seated opposite her, nodded. "Marrying the heir to the Lord of Highgarden is already an exceedingly fortunate match."

Margaery withdrew her gaze, accepted the wine cup Elo offered her, and took a sip of Summer Wine before speaking. "I was referring to those noble ladies with ambitions in their hearts."

Under Mathis's slightly puzzled gaze, she pursed her lips in a smile and explained, "Because Willas's legs are impaired, people will inevitably let their imaginations run wild, believing they may one day have a chance to take charge of House Tyrell and, in turn, control the entire Reach."

For some reason, Count Mathis suddenly felt that Lady Margaery before him seemed to be enveloped in a different sort of radiance, unlike how she had been in the past.

Using the motion of drinking as cover, he observed her in secret while his thoughts churned.

After slowly finishing his wine, he paused slightly as he set down his cup. She was becoming more and more like the Lady Olenna of her youth—the one her father had spoken of.

He could not help sighing inwardly. Renly, Joffrey, Tommen... those names passed through his mind. The Tyrell girl seated across from him had navigated one political marriage after another, coupled with one "failure" after the next.

Those experiences had forced