Olenna stroked the gold-edged rose embroidered on her cuff. The deep wrinkles at the corners of her eyes creased together as she gave a cold smile. "Good. After this purge, House Tyrell should be able to sit securely in Highgarden for at least another hundred years. Whoever sits on the Iron Throne in the future, House Tyrell will always have the final say in the Reach."
The warm breeze outside the pavilion swept in with the fragrance of roses from all over the garden, stirring the gold-threaded tablecloth draped over the stone table. The blooming golden rose embroidered at its center shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
Just like the claws House Tyrell concealed beneath its fragrant gentleness, their edge only ever emerged silently at the most opportune moment.
They were now pursuing their own schemes in secret, taking advantage of the turmoil Viserys had warned would soon sweep across the Seven Kingdoms, as well as the importance he placed on it, which made clear that he would tolerate no unexpected disruption.
Asha's incursion into the Reach's sphere of influence with the surviving Ironborn was merely a pretext delivered to their doorstep.
Under the guise of rooting out the Ironborn, they could mobilize their vassals' troops and weaken those houses unwilling to submit to Highgarden. This would carry out their earlier plan to purge the Shadow Network while also demonstrating to Viserys House Tyrell's ability to preserve stability in the Seven Kingdoms and its loyalty to the Iron Throne.
With the Targaryens back in King's Landing, the nobles were being called upon to declare their allegiance. By taking the lead, House Tyrell could gain the initiative after this war, whether in redistributing the spoils or consolidating the Reach's autonomy.
King's Landing, the Red Keep, the King's Tower.
After another bout of