#td01

There were very few people Margaery trusted wholly outside of her own family, but there were those who had served her for years on end that she did feel were worthy of the chance. Not only did she expect them to follow her commands and maintain discretion out of a mutual policy of respect, but there was an underlying expectation that they would understand the dangers of betraying their Queen. That, and Margaery was sure to extend perks subtly to those who did as she needed--and in a world where all clamored so greedily for power, she felt it was the best course of action. She had sent a girl who was of distant blood relation to her through her mother’s side, and only after the two had discussed budding marriage opportunities for the younger girl. The opinion of a queen is a strong influence, she’d chirped sweetly. You might find someone with fine breeding and wealth this way. Now, go.  It was not long after Margaery heard the gentle rap to her door. She smiled as she stood--she’d keep good on the promise to the handmaiden, and find the girl a husband with an impressive name. Everything in the chambers where she stood was still bathed in gold--they had ripped away some of the finery of Casterly Rock in an effort to remove the memory of the Lannisters, but it seemed that the Rock itself bled gold. She hoped to engulf the westerlands into the Reach soon enough, and wipe away the past. She opened the door, and noted that the girl had gone and made herself scarce--she was smarter than Margaery had given her credit for. “Lord Oakheart,” she hummed in amusement. “Come to discuss matters of the realm?”