The golden rose in full bloom.
Joffrey enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way, his body swaying with the white horse beneath him, feeling quite comfortable.
Garlan Tyrell and Leo Tyrell accompanied him on either side.
One was the messenger he had sent, a collateral branch of House Tyrell, the son of the Oldtown City Watch Commander, and Maester Leo from the King's Landing Academy.
The other was Highgarden's second son, Garlan the Gallant, an excellent knight.
Garlan was undoubtedly a golden rose.
Along the not-so-long journey, Garlan Tyrell, who looked like an older version of Loras, greeted the king politely and courteously, his words concise yet accurately conveying his meaning.
In Garlan's description, the sudden arrangement by Lady Olenna, the Queen of Thorns, truly seemed like a whimsical prank, an old woman's capriciousness.
Joffrey generously expressed that he didn't mind and enthusiastically waved to the grand honor guard.
Maester Leo could only be considered half a golden rose.
All the way.
Although Leo didn't speak, he reported all the information he knew to Joffrey through the Divine Grace Light Screen, not daring to omit or conceal anything.
He had to.
Now, after a period of research with Archmaester Marwyn, Leo had a very clear understanding of the mystery and power of magic, and he also understood the terrifying ability of the Divine Grace Core within him.
In the eyes of the King and the Security Bureau, there were no secrets.
Whether out of awe of power, a thirst for truth, or simply for the sake of his family, Leo had no reason to hide.
Therefore, Joffrey reviewed the extensive information about Highgarden once more. Although most of the information had been seen more than once, except for a few fresh changes.
Highgarden was completely laid bare.
For example. These days, Margaery spent her time playing and frolicking with a group of female companions, showing very little reaction to the war and the marriage.
Countess Alysanne Bulwer, only seven years old, was one of Margaery's companions and currently resided in Highgarden. Her mother, Victoria Tyrell, ruled Blackcrown for her, the seat of House Bulwer.
Garth Tyrell, the Highgarden Steward, was Lord Mace Tyrell's uncle, known as Garth the Gross.
His two bastards, Gyles and Garrett, both lived in Highgarden and had chaotic private lives.
Willas, the heir to Highgarden, seemed like an ascetic maester. Lame, he focused on scholarly pursuits, intelligent and wise, and was very worried about Highgarden's situation.
Maester Lomys, who served Highgarden, had no surname but was actually a bastard of House Hightower. Although he had no right of inheritance and was not acknowledged, his early life in the Citadel in Oldtown had clearly influenced him deeply.
Butterbumps, the Tyrell family jester, was the Queen of Thorns' favorite.
Whenever there was a secret and crucial meeting, Lady Olenna Redwyne would always have Butterbumps present, singing loudly to mask the content of the conversation.
Joffrey knew she was avoiding the spiders in Highgarden's gardens.
But the Royal Family no longer needed these petty tricks. Varys's and Littlefinger's spies were either abandoned, put on ice, or dealt with, or brought back and assigned more useful duties.
The remaining spiders in Highgarden's gardens were among those who had been abandoned.
After all, the information a spider could hear was far less than a simple operation by the Security Bureau, and it was also easier to expose oneself and arouse vigilance and hostility.
Furthermore.
It was clearly unrealistic to painstakingly have the spiders far away in Highgarden crawl back to King's Landing, while also having to evade the eyes and threats of House Tyrell.
So they had to be abandoned.
However, at a time like this, they could be reactivated.
Joffrey looked straight ahead.
Highgarden's city gate was wide open, its outline clear, and the faces of the crowd on either side gradually became distinct.
Until he could smell the perfume.
He raised his hand.
The Royal Guard behind him stopped instantly.
The honor guard, spread across the hills and fields, slowly gathered around, the drums and horns constant, seemingly a display of force, seemingly a celebration.
"You may dispense with the formalities," Joffrey dismounted.
Standing before him was the head of Highgarden, Lady Olenna Redwyne, the Queen of Thorns.
Joffrey smiled and cast his gaze upon her.
The old woman had a head of silver hair, was short in stature, and her hands gripping the top of her cane were deeply sunken, as if they were soft and boneless, her fingers thin, all knuckles instead.
Two tall guards, who looked very similar, supported and protected her on either side. Olenna Redwyne called them her "Left Hand" and "Right Hand."
But she had now cast aside her Left Hand and Right Hand.
"Your Majesty, it is Highgarden's immense honor to host a monarch as benevolent as you."
She opened her mouth, where all her teeth were gone, and the air she exhaled while speaking carried the peculiar sour smell of an old woman.
Joffrey subtly shifted back, "Lady Olenna, you flatter me."
Lady Olenna Redwyne seemed completely oblivious, "Also, please forgive this old woman's ignorance and foolishness, has the war ended? Is Renly dead? Is no one else contending with you for that throne?"
What a sharp-tongued "Queen of Thorns"!
Joffrey chuckled, "The war isn't over yet. We've only just recaptured Storm's End, Cape Wrath, the Marches, and the coastal territories. It's nothing to boast about, nothing at all."
"But it will be in a few days."
He smiled, "Renly is about to approach Storm's End with fifty thousand troops. A swift and decisive battle will bring peace to the Seven Kingdoms."
Loras and a few Tyrells came closer.
Joffrey glanced at Loras, "However, he is still my uncle. I cannot bear the curse of kinslaying. Lady Olenna, I'm afraid you won't live to see the day Uncle Renly dies."
The "Queen of Thorns" snorted, "Not necessarily. The Wall is so cold, how can a delicate person like Renly endure it?"
Loras looked dejected.
Joffrey changed the subject, "Please rest assured, I will also take care to protect Lord Mace's life, as long as he doesn't throw caution to the wind and bravely pledge his loyalty to Uncle Renly during the decisive battle."
The "Queen of Thorns" replied without hesitation, "You can also rest assured on that point, my son won't."
"Mother." Lady Alerie Hightower couldn't help but speak up for her husband. She had long silver hair, a dignified demeanor, and looked to be in her thirties.
"Shut up." Lady Olenna was still merciless towards her daughter-in-law.
"I was just speaking the truth about my son, and you don't need to play the good person. Are you going to make Highgarden lie in front of His Majesty?"
"Don't be like that, Grandmother," Margaery walked over gracefully.
"His Majesty has traveled a long way, probably not to discuss how brave Father is with you."
She smiled sweetly at Joffrey, "Your Majesty, I have picked the most beautiful golden roses from Highgarden to make a wreath for you. Please don't refuse."
She held out a golden wreath, her eyes full of anticipation.
The girl wore a light green brocade, her tight bodice accentuating her graceful figure, and her soft brown hair cascaded over her fair shoulders, making one want to pounce and take a bite.
Especially those doe-like brown eyes, which were particularly playful and lovely.
Joffrey smiled brightly.
"My dear Miss Margaery, I also have a gift for you."
"A Queen's crown."
Joffrey conjured a golden crown. The纹饰 were thorns and branches, with a pair of lions and stags beneath a golden rose.
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