June 1, 101 AC.
At the Small Council meeting in King's Landing, Lady Florence formally took her seat as Master of Laws for the first time.
Although she had always handled the actual work behind the scenes while her husband, Duke Tyrell, served as Master of Coin, this was her first time attending a meeting in her own right as a member of the Small Council.
So even Lady Florence, renowned for her shrewdness and competence, could not help feeling a little excited.
With her husband Martin Tyrell dead, her son Mathos Tyrell incompetent, and her grandchildren Willas and Margaery still young, House Tyrell now depended entirely on her and the duchess to keep it going.
Securing the position of Master of Laws on the Small Council would undoubtedly be a great help in maintaining her control over House Tyrell and keeping the duchy of the Reach stable.
Once they had dealt with the day's council business, Lord Lyman Beesbury, the Master of Coin, enthusiastically proposed to King Jaehaerys,
"Your Grace, today marks Lady Florence's first appearance on the Small Council, as well as the formal debut of the first female council member in the history of the Seven Kingdoms."
"I therefore propose that we hold a grand feast to celebrate this groundbreaking moment in history!"
Grand Maester Runeter smiled and seconded the proposal.
"This is indeed something worth celebrating!"
Although Otto Hightower was reluctant, he knew he could hardly stand in the way, so he could only reply with a composed expression,
"I agree!"
It seemed that House Hightower, another leading power in the Reach, was none too keen to see House Tyrell, the ruling ducal house of the Reach, take part in the kingdom's affairs!
Seeing that everyone was in agreement, King Jaehaerys naturally had no objection. He