Her aged, calculating eyes kept moving between Viserys and Margaery, shifting from his face to hers, then from Margaery's expression back to Viserys, as though she meant to take in their every move.
Only occasionally did her gaze flick toward Daenerys beside them, and then only for a brief instant before returning. Her eyes looked rather dark, as though she were holding something back, never giving it voice.
The feast lasted about three hours. By the time the last platter of dessert had been cleared away and the servants brought a third round of drinks to each table, the noise in the hall had gradually subsided.
Some guests seated farther down the long tables were the first to set down their cups. After exchanging a few quiet words with their neighbors, they rose one after another and approached the seats of honor at Highgarden, nodding slightly to Viserys and Daenerys, as well as Willas and Olenna, before turning toward the hall's doors.
Most were in a hurry, and many had long since made preparations to return to their families overnight, though they had already sent word home through Highgarden's ravens.
Still, some things simply could not be explained clearly in a letter, and they did not dare reveal too much in letters written while they were at Highgarden.
Viserys rose as well. Though he was in no hurry that evening, he had no intention of lingering. He merely nodded to Willas, Olenna, and Margaery in turn by way of farewell, then gestured for Daenerys to follow and left the hall with her.
Against the darkness outside, their retreating figures soon vanished from sight. Margaery watched them leave until Viserys and Daenerys had disappeared completely, then stood shoulder to shoulder with Olenna, the two exchanging a few quiet words.
Using his