Margaery Gives Birth

Upon learning that their daughter was about to give birth, the Mace arrived in Casterly Rock very early.

Although the madam and the midwife predicted that Margaery was about a week away from giving birth, they knew that she could actually give birth at any time.

It could be at night, or it could be in the early hours of the morning; it could be during a meal, or it could be during a break from talking to someone.

In short, the Highgarden Rose and Lady of Casterly Rock, who dared to place the Hand of the King under house arrest, are now under close protection.

When Margaery saw her parents come to Casterly Rock in person, she let down her guard and burst into tears in her mother's arms.

It wasn't that she really felt wronged; it was just a normal reaction after mother and daughter reunited. Especially after standing alone in Casterly Rock for so long and facing so many storms on her own, even though she remained strong inside, she couldn't help but feel a little tired.

But this weariness turned into resentment upon seeing her mother.

"That kid, now that he's finished fighting, he should have come back! What's he doing running off to Winterfell? Is he afraid of melting away?" Mace said with great displeasure, looking at her daughter's prominent belly and tear-streaked face.

"Oh, Father, the Iron Islands are in dire need of manpower. He needs to transport those Free Folk to the Iron Islands; this will benefit both the Iron Islands and the North."

"You're still talking to him at a time like this! How did this kid get such good fortune from the Seven!" Mace said, holding Margaery's hand with concern. She noticed that her daughter's once slender wrist had become noticeably thicker.

But Margaery just smiled and didn't say anything. She still remembered the promise Jon made to her in the gardens of King's Landing: the core of their marriage was to help each other succeed.

This was their agreement.

Now that Jon has annexed the Iron Islands in the name of Casterly Rock, making them part of the Westerlands Iron Islands, the Sunset Sea trade routes will flourish many times over, and their power will grow rapidly.

In the blueprint Jon had drawn for her, the Westerlands would become the most powerful duchy within three years.

"That's good, all the battles are over, Jon can spend some quality time with you now." Alerie handed Margaery a bowl of chicken soup with dates floating on top; it was Jon's recipe, after all.

Although Margaery maintained a smile on her face, she thought of Jon Stannis's suspicion of Jon.

Stannis demanded that Jon go to King's Landing's Landing to take up his post after Margaery gave birth.

The war seemed endless, with no end in sight.

However, there was no other way. If Stannis's plan were followed, Jon would either still be fighting Tywin in the Westerlands, or he would be forced to occupy Golden Tooth and establish a separate regime with Tywin.

If that were the case, the war would last even longer.

Or perhaps if Jon Snow hadn't taken such a risky step, venturing alone into the Iron Islands, they might still be locked in a tug-of-war with Euron, who could manipulate people's hearts.

Fighting such a formidable opponent for a long time is no easy task; it will only make her more apprehensive.

Before she knew it, Margaery discovered that in addition to the promise she made to Jon, she had also developed an emotional attachment to him.

Margaery wanted to tell Mace about the predicament she and Jon were facing, but she knew her father's temperament and that he might escalate the situation Jon were carefully maintaining. So she simply delivered the letter to Highgarden while Mace was on the road.

His grandmother Olenna and his elder brother Willas are still in charge of the Reach; they should be able to offer good advice.

Just as the family was enjoying a happy time, the chosen Maester of Casterly Rock, Thomp, approached them and said, "Your Grace, Lady Alerie, Lady Margaery, His Majesty Stannis's messenger Davos, has arrived, along with the Red God."

"Very well, please invite Lady Melisandre and Sir Davos in quickly," Margaery ordered.

"Heh, Davos, you mean the Onion Knight?" Mace said with displeasure, looking down on Davos's background. Of course, the main reason was that he disliked Stannis.

Regarding Margaery's marriage to Jon, although Jon saved his wife at a crucial moment, we cannot forgive her sinister intentions just because the outcome was good.

Of course, Melisandre didn't like it either. The Tyrell had been believers in the Seven for generations, considering themselves descendants of Garth Greenhand, and they even hoped that their grandson would be baptized by the Seven in the future.

In short, both Davos and Melisandre almost touched on Mace's sensitive spots.

Alerie reminded Mace that since the other party was there to offer congratulations, she should be more enthusiastic.

Only after being persuaded by his wife and daughter did Mace reluctantly agree to say anything harsh.

Soon Davos and Melisandre arrived before Margaery's family.

Looking at Margaery's bulging belly, Davos almost immediately concluded that it must be a son.

After all, his wife had given birth to seven sons for him, and he knew all too well what a pregnant woman's belly looked like.

This made him worry for Stannis; if Margaery was carrying a daughter, then the royal family could breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

If Selyse can be more virile and give birth to a healthy son within two or three years, then the royal family's attempt to win over Jon through marriage could be considered a way to secure another decade or so of peace for the country.

"May the gods be kind to you, and may the merciful Mother Goddess grant you a healthy and strong child." Davos forced a smile, trying to appear as amiable as possible.

He then had his attendants display Stannis's gift to Margaery.

Having been both the daughter of a duke and the wife of a duke, Margaery had seen all sorts of fine things, so naturally, that item could not possibly appeal to her.

However, at this moment, Margaery and Mace Mayes noticed that Melisandre hadn't said a word, but was staring intently at Margaery's belly.

Mace frowned, looking somewhat displeased, while Margaery instinctively protected her abdomen.

Davos didn't know what Melisandre was doing, but he didn't dare to say anything to warn her.

After all, this Red God priest has always behaved strangely, unlike ordinary people.

After a long pause, Melisandre finally spoke, "It's a healthy boy."

Margaery and her parents exchanged a glance. Although they didn't know how she had figured it out, they still expressed their gratitude.

After exchanging greetings, Davos sat down in the seat Margaery had arranged for him, but he sat very awkwardly, knowing that Stannis's orders were somewhat unreasonable.

After a long pause, Davos finally spoke, "Lady Margaery, Lord Mace, it's like this, His Majesty sent me and Priestess Melisandre here, partly to offer you his congratulations, and partly because His Majesty wishes for Duke Jon to come King's Landing to assist him in governing."

"What!" Upon hearing this, Mace immediately retorted with displeasure, "The child was just born and you want to take his father away?"

Everyone says King Stannis and King Robert are completely different, but I think they're not that different. When Bran broke his leg and was unconscious, Robert still took his father and husband from their unconscious father and grieving mother. Our King Stannis is still like that now—what a good king! When Tywin's twins were born, the Mad King didn't even summon him to King's Landing. Does the Seven Kingdoms have no one else he can use? Why does he have to make things difficult for my poor daughter?!

Mace went on and on, making Davos blush with embarrassment.

"His Majesty will prepare the most comfortable residence for you in King's Landing. Lady Margaery may also accompany you."

"Come on, enough already," Mace persisted, much like Olenna, "What's so great King's Landing, that stinking place? I think Casterly Rock is much better. Although it's not as nice as Highgarden, the air is fresh, and I even fell asleep to the sound of the waves last night."

Mace has now figured it out: with his son-in-law being such a capable fighter, and himself being the Warden of the South with a strong and well-equipped army, who does Stannis think he is?

They immediately decided to refuse Stannis's order.

After all, none of the Seven Kingdoms had a law that said refusing the king's summons was a crime.

Tywin and Eddard both had Robert with Aerys and Aerys, respectively, and they were able to leave. What's wrong with Jon simply not going?

Margaery remembered Jon telling her that Davos was an honest, loyal, and righteous man, so she spoke up to help him out, "Davos, my father, out of his role as father-in-law and grandfather, truly cannot bear to see Jon fight without even a moment's rest. He is so sorry. When Jon returns, the Free Folk Beyond the Wall will need him to settle them, and the remnants of the Iron Islands will need him to eliminate them. As you know, the Stark population at Casterly Rock is sparse, Jon doesn't have a single reliable man. All the burdens will fall on my shoulders. Please convey my apologies to His Majesty."

"The lady is right—" Davos grew increasingly uneasy as he listened to Margaery's words.

Because everything they said made perfect sense.

Just as everyone was pulling and tugging at each other, the maester came again to report to Margaery that Jon had returned.

Margaery was so excited to hear that Jon had returned that she jumped to her feet, startling Alerie was standing next to her.

"Slow down!" Alerie quickly reminded her.

"It's alright," Margaery said casually, wishing she could run out right now. But she had only taken two steps forward, supporting her waist, when she suddenly stopped.

Margaery felt a warm current spreading through her lower body.

Lady Margaery, who had been in charge of all affairs in Casterly Rock and the Westerlands in Jon's absence, was suddenly at a loss. The look in her eyes as she turned to look at her mother seemed to have returned to that of a panicked Maiden who had her first period.

"Mother, I, I----"

"The Seven Hells!" Mace exclaimed, then suddenly realized he had misspoke and quickly waved his hands in front of himself, as if to dispel the ominous words.

"Quick! Scholar! Midwife! The lady is about to give birth!"