And after my conversation with Lady Olenna, I made my back towards the main attraction, the wedding feast.
The wedding itself was split into regions, one for the few Stormlanders still loyal, and some for the few crownlander Houses that actually exist. A large table of the Reachmen and another for the Lannister, and then a similarly large for the Vale and Rivermen, whereas I had welcomed each Lord individually, and prompted them to talk with the lords from other regions.
The men of the Vale were reluctant, but the Houses whom I backed like the Lord Gillwood Hunter and Edmund Waxley had made friends with Jack Lychester for Gillwood and Lord William Mooton for Edmund Waxley.
Which I would more than welcome, and seeing their fellow lords getting along with another region, the other Lords had followed their example, and discussion had happened, furthering the friendships between the 2 regions.
However, there were a lot of differences between the regions.
For once, The Riverlands weren't on the loosing side of the war, first time likely. As in almost every war, they were stretched thin, now that may be true before I came. But currently, we were finally not being devastated by war from multiple sides.
But that is not what history had shown, for in almost every war. The Riverlands hosted the meetings of multiple wars and raids, willingly or unwillingly, and as such. The Lords of The Riverlands had to be strong, and one way was by becoming or owning vassals.
Which is why, as It stood. There did not exist a House in The Riverlands without a vassal, or being one. And the difference between the major and minor Houses were large, because they had to be appealing to the minor, as a strong dependent House. But the Vale was different.
The Vale was a secluded region, with House Arryn protecting the Vale for ages. Throughout its history, the Vale had never been subjugated, except for me and Aegon the Conqueror. The Bloody Gate had been an unbeatable opponents for years, and with House Arryn rarely feeling interior turmoil, it had stood strong.
The reason why House Arryn rarely had opposition after they came into power, was again due to the fact Houses preferred to remain independent to some degree, and didn´t see the need to vassalize themselves to another House.
So no House ever got the power to oppose the Arryns. Luckily, Lysa Arryn came along. And her personality, coupled with her gender, coupled with her mental state. Made the Vale all too weak, and it allowed me to deal with them fairly easily.
But the Vale rarely had wars, so they didn´t need to bond together as much as the Riverlanders needed to.
However, I was brought out of my thoughts as Joffrey Baratheon stood up, clinging his glass.
"Everyone! The Queen would like to say a few words." Joffrey shouted as everyone calmed down, and as he finished his speech, they began clapping. As Margaery stood up.
"We are so fortunate to enjoy this marvellous food and drink, not all are so lucky. To thank the gods for bringing the recent war to a just end, King Joffrey has decreed that the leftovers from our feast be given to the poorest, in his city." Cersei said with a smile, and a few "aws" came from certain women throughout the marriage plaza.
"He doesn't have enough kindness to feed his guards, when did he suddenly care for the peasants." Jason said silently, towards the lords assembled closest to us.
"It's obvious, is it not? He didn´t organise this, the Queen did." Lord Karyl Vance said, and I nodded.
"The Tyrells, they're playing with a playstyle I have never seen before." I said, and the eyes of the 4 Lords closest to me widened, the Vances, Mallisters, Mootons and Pipers.
"They play by currying favour, but they do not restrict themselves to the nobles." I said, and William seemed as if something dawned on him.
"They're playing for the love of the Peasants." He said, and I nodded.
The Tyrells had approached almost all Lords within Kings Landing, and the Crownlands. Offering them cheap prices on food, grain and manpower. The Crownlands had been hit hard during these last fights, mainly with Stannis.
Stannis had few supporters now, having retreated North. But he still possessed a few, but most of the Crownlanders had supported Joffrey, and now they were in dire need of coin, manpower and food. All of which the Tyrells provided.
But they also sent support to the Stormlands, poaching the Lords and Ladies of the Stormlands to their side, Cersei's love for her children had made her paranoid, and against sending Tommen to the Stormlands, to rule it. As is his right.
The Stormlands had the public Lord Paramount named Tommen Baratheon, or not yet. As he had not reached the age, and were ruled by a steward. But he was weak, and no lord truly listened to him.
But the Tyrells had also been bartering favour amongst the lowborn, Margaery often visited the slums and orphanages. And they were making the lowborn well aware of whom gave them the grain, and they had posted public kitchens, which was flocked by Tyrell Flowers.
And this was another act of such gratitude, though Cersei would hinder it. If I´m correct.
"What will we do? I've also gotten deals from the Tyrells." Jason said, and I smiled.
"Take them, of course. We need grain, and we won't loose anything by taking free grain. But be aware of how far you go into their pockets, don't go to far. But so long it does not hurt the interests of the Riverlands or the Vale, you are free to accept it." I said, and they nodded.
I had no plans to deny them great deals, so long it didn´t go to far, and their loyalty shifted from me to the Tyrells, and so long that didn´t happen, I wouldn´t have a problem with it.
However, the Tyrells were indeed a uniquely playstyle, I knew they wanted to appear as a one-sided loving family, but I knew they too were to be struck by the horrors of the game, and a certain High Sparrow would not be played like a puppet, by neither side.
But a small movement by the corner of my eyes caught my attention, as I turned towards it. Only to see a suprising sight, 4 figures had made their way into the marriage plateau, and they were wearing red cloaks, covering their entire figure. Including face and head.
Red Priests, and by the looks of how they walked, and the type of cloaks, I´d say female. So Red Priestesses.
I saw 3 of them distract one of the guards, opening their cloaks slightly as they spoke, which obviously worked, as the Gold Cloak guard was completely smitten, and the fourth sneaked through him, approaching a servant in the back.
The Red Priestess handed her something, a small object. And they shared nod, before all 4 of the priestesses retreated, settling down at the back of the wedding feast.
This didn´t happen in the original story, Olenna is supposed to poison the King, but at the same time. The leech which Stannis threw into the fire, one was with Joffrey´s name, perhaps fate truly was a thing, or fate had something to play with this world.
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