Hearing her grandmother's voice, Margaery looked up, her large brown eyes darting around, but she remained silent. Garlan, too, kept quiet, waiting for their eldest brother to speak first. Mace, imagining himself in the role of the head of the family, also waited for Willas to voice his thoughts.
Willas bowed slightly to Olenna and Mace before speaking. As a lover of books and poetry, he harbored a certain admiration for Viserys. The young prince's songs had already become popular among the bards in Highgarden, especially Braavos' Lover, which had outshone all the songs praising Highgarden in recent decades. If Viserys were merely a poet, Willas would have liked to meet him. However, Viserys was more than that.
Willas had heard rumors about the prince's involvement with pirates a year ago, and while the stories seemed fantastical, he knew there was often some truth behind such tales. "Grandmother, Father, I believe Viserys is more complex than he appears. He must be deeply involved in the Tyrosh incident. It's likely that Sunspear is involved in this war because of him."
As the eldest son of House Tyrell, Willas had a talent for analyzing situations. In his view, an ordinary man who wanted to form his own mercenary group would typically serve under another leader for years, like Bittersteel or Hoyt, building connections and experience before striking out on his own. But Viserys was different. He had joined the Windblown just a year ago and had already taken control of one of the most powerful mercenary companies in the Disputed Lands. Moreover, the former leader of the Windblown had become the Prince of Pentos—a clear indication that some sort of deal had been struck.
Willas's insight extended even further, as he astutely noted the potential connection between Viserys and House Martell. Olenna was pleased with her eldest grandson's perceptiveness, but she pressed further. "If Viserys indeed persuaded House Martell to send troops, what kind of exchange of interests do you think took place between them?"
"This Viserys was the laughingstock of the 'Banquet of the Crown' two years ago, mockingly called the Beggar King," Willas continued. "Now, even if he isn't as destitute as he was then, it's likely he still has little to offer. The only valuable thing he has is the Targaryen name. So, it must have been a marriage alliance."
Olenna smiled, then turned to Garlan. "And what do you think?"
Garlan, the strongest of the three brothers, shifted his chair back before responding. "I agree. It's possible that Viserys has even married his sister to Doran's son."
Olenna's smile deepened. She knew her grandson well. Garlan had always respected his eldest brother, especially after Willas's accident, when he had refused to outshine him. As a timid child, Garlan had been encouraged by Willas, who had given him the nickname "Garlan the Gallant." The Queen of Thorns, who had weathered many storms, found herself deeply moved by the bond between her grandsons.
Olenna then turned her attention to Margaery, raising an eyebrow in expectation. Margaery understood the cue and spoke up. "Willas and Garlan both make valid points, and I agree with them. But the Targaryens have neither dragons nor the Iron Throne anymore. There could be more to this than just a marriage alliance."
Olenna nodded thoughtfully, leaning back in her chair as a servant stepped forward to massage her neck. "Indeed, Doran Martell is not the type to send troops for a mere name. When Aerys asked him to defend the capital, he only sent 10,000 men. But now, he's attacking Tyrosh with the same number of soldiers and even a fleet. There must be a deeper reason behind this."
The room fell into contemplative silence. What could possibly drive someone as cautious as Doran to make such a bold move for Viserys?
"Mother, we know so little about the Free Cities," Mace finally said, breaking the silence. "Perhaps we should send someone to gather more information."
"I'll go," Garlan offered immediately.
"No!" Willas and Olenna both objected in unison. They exchanged a glance, and Willas's eyes briefly betrayed his concern. As the saying goes, 'The eldest son holds the fort, the second son conquers new ground.' Willas's protest was rooted in his desire to protect his younger brother from unnecessary danger.
But Olenna's reaction also hinted at deeper thoughts. It wasn't that she didn't love Willas, but she knew she had to prioritize the future of House Tyrell. Little Rose, Margaery, sensing the tension, suggested, "Perhaps Uncle Garth could handle this matter?"
Garth, Mace's brother, had two bastard children. Compared to the main branch, their lives were less precious, and sending a bastard son on such a mission would be more discreet.
Margaery's suggestion was quickly accepted by all. "If the Targaryens hadn't lost the Iron Throne, this Viserys might have become a poet and even friends with Willas," she continued, lightening the mood.
"Yes, if he were an ordinary person, I would have loved to meet him," Willas replied, smiling.
"But he was born too late," Olenna added, watching her grandchildren laugh together.
Olenna took this opportunity to emphasize the importance of family. Her handmaiden had mentioned that Margaery seemed to have taken an interest in Viserys, often humming "Falia" and "The Lover of Braavos." Although Margaery was only 14, Olenna understood that curiosity, even innocent, could lead to more dangerous paths.
Margaery had grown up under Olenna's watchful eye, and although she knew that Margaery's curiosity was likely harmless, she also knew that it was better to nip any potential risks in the bud. Margaery had to marry Renly; otherwise, the Tyrells' position would only weaken further.
The Tyrells were not only under pressure from the Iron Throne but also faced constant tension with Dorne over the Red Mountains. They were unsure of what Dorne had gained from recent events in the Narrow Sea, what Viserys might have promised them, and how this might affect the Reach.
These uncertainties were why Olenna had decided they needed someone in the Free Cities to gather more information. Viserys hadn't yet made a real move in Westeros, but his mere presence was already causing unease.