As they entered the banquet hall with the young ladies, William noticed that no seats had been arranged on the platform, and he felt puzzled. "Margaery, wasn't Lord Renly supposed to be here as well?"
"My father went hunting with Lord Renly and is expected to return a couple of days before the wedding." Margaery glanced around at the seating arrangement. "Uncle Baelor is rather easygoing; it was probably his idea."
William also noticed that most of the guests were young. Those of notable status were either Hightowers or Tyrells, so it was basically a family gathering, allowing for a more relaxed setup.
At that moment, Baelor spotted William and waved. Willas, Garland, and Garth were all at the same table, watching them.
Margaery smiled faintly. "William, you go join the uncles and brothers. We'll go over there." She then led the young ladies toward the women's section.
William watched them approach a long table where two women were already seated. One of them wore a yellow silk dress, her figure slender as a willow branch, her long black hair braided into a single plait tied with a red and gold cord.
Seeing that familiar silhouette, he was immediately uncertain.
Margaery did not sit down immediately but leaned toward the woman with the black braid and whispered a few words. Then both of them looked toward William, their eyes flickering, both with a half-smile.
Nymeria!
"This is not good…"
William nodded to them, forcing a stiff smile, then quickly went to the long table on this side. After exchanging greetings and clinking glasses with the others, he sat next to Garland and quietly asked, "Lady Nymeria, what is she doing in Highgarden?"
"She came with Prince Oberyn. Oh, right—my father went hunting with the Prince and Lord Renly. They won't be back for a few days." Garland's lips lifted in a teasing smile as if he had just remembered something. "Heh, looks like trouble for you, huh?"
William forced a smile and took a large sip of wine. Even the finest wine tasted somewhat flat.
Willas and Baelor were both skilled, social nobles, and with them at the table, the atmosphere was lively. Glasses clinked, laughter flowed. Soon, Ser Osmund Klein and Ser Aegon Leygood, knights from Highgarden who knew William, came over to toast with him. William had no choice but to set aside his worries, drinking and laughing along with everyone.
As the wine loosened spirits, a maid approached and whispered something into Willas' ear. Willas looked slightly surprised. After she left, he invited everyone to drink again with a bright smile. "William, my grandmother and mother would like to meet you. Could you join them for a moment?"
"The Old Rose!" William's mild drunkenness instantly vanished. "It would be an honor!"
Willas nodded. "Garland, take William over."
"Interesting," Baelor laughed heartily. "William, make sure you behave." The others chuckled teasingly as well.
Garland led William straight toward the group of noblewomen. After a few steps, noticing that William was still watching Margaery and Nymeria laughing together, he whispered, "We need to move quickly. When it comes to waiting, our grandmother's patience is not exactly famous."
William shrugged and followed closely.
Around the long table were about ten noblewomen, the air heavy with perfume. At first glance, the woman seated in the center stood out—an elderly lady surrounded by attention, her hair completely white, her frame frail and thin, yet her sharp gaze was like a sword, daring no one to meet her eyes. There was no doubt—this was the Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna, grandmother of Highgarden, mother of the current Lord.
Among the circle of standing noblewomen, the most striking was a tall, imposing middle-aged lady. Her long silver braid was adorned with jewels. This was surely Lady Elinor, wife of the Lord of Highgarden, mother of Willas and his siblings.
When Garland made the introductions, William respectfully bowed the entire time. After introducing him to the Queen of Thorns, she gestured for him to come closer. "Come here, child. Let me see our magical knight." The noblewomen around them chuckled softly, but William could sense their good intentions.
With a radiant smile, he stepped forward confidently.
The Queen's hands were wrinkled and rough. She sighed quietly. "For an old woman like me, youth is the most coveted magic."
"Madam, time has not taken away your charm—it has only granted you wisdom and experience." William's words were not pure flattery. Ignoring the sharpness in her gaze, one could see a resemblance to the young Rose; she must have been beautiful in her youth. Though now aged, her carefully arranged attire and hair gave her an air of dignified elegance.
"Tsk tsk, child, you do have a sweet tongue. Only a fool like my son wouldn't like you."
"Mother!" Lady Elinor's expression tensed.
"Mind your tone!" the Queen of Thorns shot her a look. "Don't you know what that fool of a son of mine has done?"
She then turned back to William with a kindly smile. "Don't take it the wrong way, child. As long as I'm here, Highgarden will welcome you—you needn't mind that foolish Lord."
'Indeed, the Queen of Thorns—she doesn't hold back.'
William, secretly astonished, felt somewhat flattered by her attitude and quickly replied, "I hold Lord Mace in the highest respect, Madam, and take no offense whatsoever."
"No offense? You mean you don't dare. Let me tell you, as heir to the Harrenhal, you needn't fear him. Not a single Lord in the Reach fears him." The Queen's face was full of disdain. "Tell me, what do you respect about him?"
"Madam, I believe that ruling over the Reach with its many proud, long-established lords is no easy task." William quietly thanked his earlier reflections on the Reach's political situation; it turned out that Lord Mace wasn't entirely useless, otherwise this moment might have been awkward.
Lady Elinor smiled at him with approval.
The Queen of Thorns studied William once more, her expression softening. "That is what he ought to do."
Hearing rustling behind him, William turned to see Margaery approaching, her smile playful and charming.
"Margaery, don't worry. William is a good boy; we wouldn't make things difficult for him! Only your father is a bit clueless, unable to tell who should be close and who kept at a distance."
"Grandmother, I'm not worried at all. I just came to greet you." Margaery's cheeks flushed slightly. "Besides, Father isn't really like that."
"Isn't he?" The Queen snorted. "He doesn't care that William is a good boy, instead trusting in flashy but empty brass! Young men like Renly always fancy impractical ideas, and only my foolish son would take his promises seriously."
"Mother, I suppose Willas and the others are still waiting for William to return for a toast," Lady Elinor interjected.
"All right, I know!" The Queen of Thorns showed a hint of impatience, then softened again. "Very well, child, men have more topics to discuss, so we won't keep you long."
She looked at Margaery, then William, with a meaningful gaze. "Remember, you are also heir to Harrenhal. Dare to think, dare to act—anything is possible."
Taken out of context, her words might seem like simple encouragement, a motivational phrase to be brushed off.
But William knew better. He bowed calmly and took his leave, his face composed while his mind churned with thoughts.
"If the Queen of Thorns doesn't trust Renly, she probably wouldn't fully approve of working with him. Could it be that the plan has some merit, but her foolish son insists, leaving her to reluctantly agree? And now, giving me this kind of subtle hint—does she have some other intention?"
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