chapter 113 part 1
Chapter 113: Growing Strong
Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.
Cersei swirled the jeweled wine cup, her eyes downcast, watching the red liquid sway within. Her long eyelashes veiled the sharpness in her eyes.
When Cersei was still a girl, she had once sought out a witch. Under her intimidation, the witch foretold her future.
She asked, "When will I marry the Prince?"
The witch replied, "Never. You will marry the King."
She asked, "I will become Queen, won't I?"
The witch replied, "Yes, one day you will be Queen, ruling over all… until another woman arrives. She will be younger than you, and more beautiful. She will cast you down and take everything you cherish."
She asked, "Will the King and I have children?"
The witch replied, "Oh, certainly. Sixteen will belong to him, and three to you. They will wear golden crowns, and be wrapped in golden shrouds."
The witch said, "One day, when you are drowned in tears, your brother will wrap his pale hands around your throat and take your life."
…
The sudden death of Jon Arryn was a pleasant surprise for Cersei. This news made her very happy.
When she heard her handmaiden report that House Tyrell was seeking an audience, Cersei, already in a good mood, readily agreed to the request.
It wasn't until Cersei saw Margaery Tyrell by Lady Olenna's side that her good mood vanished instantly.
Margaery was young and beautiful, no less so than Cersei herself in her youth. This was Cersei's first impression of Margaery.
The reason she recalled the witch's prophecy was not solely due to Margaery's unparalleled beauty, but rather the unique aura about her.
This aura was most familiar to Cersei, being a Queen herself.
Cersei's eyes trembled. She had married Robert, and she had three children of her own… the prophecy was coming true.
Then, was that other woman Margaery of House Tyrell? Would she take everything Cersei cherished?
Regardless of whether it was true or not, Cersei had completely lost interest in aligning with House Tyrell.
In Queen Cersei's eyes, King Robert was no different from a dead man. Once Joffrey inherited the Iron Throne, she would be the Queen Regent. A mere Golden Rose… what's more, with Jon Arryn already dead, House Tyrell was of no use.
Robert wasn't dead yet, and she wasn't the Queen Regent. Cersei suppressed her murderous intent with great difficulty.
When she became Regent… Cersei took a sip of Dornish Red, a smirk playing on her lips. "Lady Olenna, you must be very tired after such a long journey. And… this young rose?"
Margaery simply offered a shallow smile, glancing at her grandmother.
Olenna's eyes were deep-set yet profoundly bright. "Your Grace, Queen of House Lannister, don't mind this old woman's stooped back. We old folks still feel our hearts stir when we see young men, it's just that we're good at hiding it, and you simply don't notice."
With that, Olenna patted Margaery's small hand, then continued, "I see the Queen's complexion is quite poor. Are you troubled by the passing of the Hand, Jon Arryn? House Tyrell came as agreed, and this old woman is very willing to serve Your Grace."
Cersei's hand, which was gently swirling the wine cup, paused for a moment. She casually replied, "Lord Arryn's passing was very sudden. The Red Keep is unsettled, and I am doing my best to reassure the people."
Olenna nodded and said, "My son, who never listened to his mother's nagging, finally acted somewhat responsibly this time. He should be at the Sept now, trying to reassure the people."
Cersei frowned. She didn't want to bring up her son.
House Tyrell brought Margaery, who was of suitable age, to King's Landing. Did they still wish to unite with the royal family through marriage?
The Queen… Cersei gripped her wine cup tighter. "Lord Mace has been truly diligent."
Olenna's tone carried a hint of mockery. "My son is only suited for running errands. Your Grace, don't expect too much from him."
Cersei smiled and said, "Lady Olenna, you are too modest. I heard that Lord Mace led an army to besiege Storm's End. The garrison was so hard-pressed they had to kill and eat their horses, cats, and dogs, and even came close to eating their fallen warriors."
Cersei wasn't interested in war. She had only heard these things occasionally from Glyn, who admired Lord Mace.
Olenna's eyes twinkled. "That's truly a beautiful tale. The Lord of Highgarden would surely be too delighted to sleep if he heard it."
Cersei looked at Olenna with some confusion.
Olenna shook her head and spoke, "I told him not to meddle; war belongs to true warriors, it's not his place.
But my son is soft-eared and easily swayed by his subordinates. He disregarded my advice and led his troops to war… Heh, what kind of siege was that? He never even got close to a real battlefield. For half a year, he wasted countless provisions from The Reach. The Lord of Highgarden only laid siege to his own dinner table."
Cersei's lips curled. "The process is not important. The truth is always written by the victors."
A glint flashed in Lady Olenna's eyes. "That's a matter for historians. This old woman can only lament a bit about her own child."
Olenna gripped the armrest of her chair, trembling as she stood up. "This old woman will not trouble Your Grace any longer. Lord Mace will share your burdens with the remaining matters."
Cersei gave a perfunctory nod.
Olenna gave Cersei a deep look, then departed with Margaery.
Cersei watched their retreating figures, wishing she could immediately summon the guards to execute Margaery.
Cersei's beautiful eyes turned sharp. Her enemies had only one outcome: to be reduced to ash and smoke.
A laughable prophecy. If she eliminated all threats, would the prophecy still be a prophecy?
…
Outside Maegor's Holdfast.
Margaery walked slowly, arm in arm with a silent Olenna.
Margaery gestured to her handmaidens, who slowed their pace, creating distance.
Margaery looked at Olenna and said softly, "Grandmother, Queen Cersei seems very hostile toward me."
Olenna's voice contained a simmering anger. "I never dreamed that Tywin's daughter would be so foolish—so foolish it's impossible to reason with her."
Margaery's expression turned serious. "Grandmother, I'm also very surprised. Is Queen Cersei trying to go back on her word?"
"Our boar of a lord is still dreaming his sweet dreams, isn't he?"
Olenna continued, "Although it's absurd, that foolish woman in Maegor's Holdfast truly thinks that way."
Margaery frowned slightly. "Is it because the Hand, Jon Arryn, is gone? So she feels she no longer needs the support of the Golden Rose?"
Margaery herself found it somewhat unbelievable as she said it.
Olenna snorted coldly. "Foolish people are unaware of their own foolishness. She only thinks herself very clever, capable of playing everyone for a fool."
Margaery spoke, "Grandmother, this is an insult from Her Grace the Queen to House Tyrell."
Olenna patted the hand Margaery had linked through her arm. "Outsiders only see the rose's beauty, but they always overlook its thorns. The Golden Rose always holds the initiative."
"Grandmother, what should we do?"
Olenna's gaze was profound. "Lord Mace is already in King's Landing. She wants to renege, does she? Then let the Queen drive him away herself. The Golden Rose is not the Queen's servant, to be obediently dismissed with a single glance. If she truly dares, this old woman will go directly to Tywin at Casterly Rock. Then, I'd like to see how House Lannister will pay for their actions."