"Yes, I need someone to hold the Reach for me."
Viserys lowered his head as well, looking into Margaery's eyes. "Your brother Willas is clever, but he's too soft to keep those old foxes in line. Your grandmother, Lady Olenna, is getting old. She can't handle everything herself, and I don't trust her."
He paused, then continued, "So I need you to return to Highgarden, represent me, and keep the Reach stable."
Margaery fell silent for a moment. She knew Viserys was right.
She was a daughter of House Tyrell, Margaery Tyrell. More importantly, she had often performed charitable deeds throughout the Reach herself, so its common people knew and trusted her.
Sending her to Highgarden would do more good than sending any minister. And judging by what her grandmother had said earlier, she needed Margaery too.
Olenna had killed Mace and Loras. Though she had done it in secret, such a coincidence was bound to lead someone to the truth.
Olenna had acted for the sake of her family, but the nobles of the Reach would not let her off so easily. They already resented House Tyrell's rule, and this was an excellent opportunity.
As long as they found evidence or spread rumors, they could paint Olenna as a cold-blooded old woman who had sacrificed even her son and grandson for power.
If I return to Highgarden, I can at least help her a little and silence some of the common people, Margaery thought.
But...
"I don't want to go," Margaery said at last, her voice quiet but firm. "Viserys, I don't want to leave you again."
Viserys looked down at her, something flickering in his purple eyes. Women might be more prone to emotion, but he did not believe Margaery was that sort of person.
He certainly did