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Margaery's eyes gleamed with an unmistakable joy. That expectant gaze once again focused on Gavin, and then, with a hint of playful reproach, she asked, "Gavin, you just mentioned many ways? Could you tell me more about them in detail?"
Gavin's face instantly flushed with a slight redness upon hearing Margaery's tone. In his haste, he smiled awkwardly, trying to cover up the sudden embarrassment that rose within him. He then spoke:
"Indeed, there are many methods. For example, the Tyrell family could completely ban all gambling establishments, only keeping a few of the most reputable ones. They could take control of all bets and regulate the entire system. This would ensure transparency in the profits of the gamblers, and a gambling tax could be fairly applied. Furthermore, knowing that the Tyrell family would oversee and secure the funds would give participants peace of mind. It would also solve the security issues caused by gambling schemes collapsing or people running away with the money every year."
When Margaery heard this new suggestion from Gavin, she recovered slightly from her earlier shock.
Thinking back to the playful tone she had used in her eagerness and glancing at Gavin's handsome face, her face couldn't help but blush.
However, when she thought about it, there was no harm in using a bit of charm to gain such good advice. She quickly resorted to the same tactic once again.
The two continued talking for a while, until a maid hurriedly ran up to Margaery and said, "Miss, what are you doing here? Please, come back to the banquet, the cake has arrived, and Lord Mace is looking for you."
Upon hearing the maid's report, Margaery did not immediately respond. Instead, she stood up and gave a polite bow to Gavin. With a decision made in her mind, she smiled and invited him, "Gavin, come with me. Let me cut a piece of cake for you to thank you for your advice."
Gavin, hearing this, stood up and returned the gesture, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, Margaery."
The two quickly returned to the banquet hall. By the time they entered, a towering 13 layer cake had already been placed in the center of the venue.
Seeing his daughter enter, Lord Mace eagerly waved and lovingly called out, "Come, Margaery, it's time for you to cut the cake." Margaery walked up to the cake, gave her father a respectful bow, and took the knife handed to her by a servant and then began slicing the cake.
The servants stood nearby, ready to distribute the portions on small plates to the guests attending the banquet.
Moments later, Lord Mace took Margaery by the hand and led her up to the platform. Raising his glass, he declared, "Let us celebrate the thirteenth naming day of my daughter." He then drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Suddenly, Margaery respectfully bowed to Lord Mace and said, "Father, I wish for a gift." At these words, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the platform.
Curious, Lord Mace asked, "My daughter, what is it that you wish for?" Margaery glanced around the room for a moment before her gaze returned to her father. "Father, I wish to have a guardian knight."
Upon hearing this, Lord Mace let out a hearty laugh and addressed the crowd, saying, "Is there any fine young man here who would be willing to become my daughter's guardian knight?" Instantly, the room erupted with excitement as numerous individuals stepped forward to volunteer.
Seeing this, Margaery bowed to the crowd and then looked at her father, asking, "Father, may I choose and coronate someone myself?"
Lord Mace, after hearing her words, laughed heartily. "Of course, it seems my daughter already has someone in mind," he said, pulling the sword from his waist and handing it to Margaery. "Use this sword to perform the Coronation."
Taking the long sword in her hand, Margaery walked forward two steps. The crowd, filled with anticipation, watched closely, but Gavin noticed that Margaery's gaze was fixed on him. A sense of expectation rose within his heart.
Sure enough, Margaery's next words confirmed Gavin's guess.
"Gavin Flower, please step forward."
Upon hearing his name called, Gavin did not hesitate and walked toward her.
Soon, the two stood face to face. Margaery looked at Gavin and said in a serious tone, "Gavin, you may now choose a new surname for yourself."
"Belleris," Gavin chose without hesitation, selecting his mother's surname.
"Please kneel." At Margaery's command, Gavin immediately knelt on one knee.
Margaery, with some effort, lifted the longsword and gently laid it on Gavin's shoulder.
"I, Margaery Tyrell, in the name of Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Warden of the South, hereby dub Gavin Belleris as my sworn knight."
"In the name of the warrior, I ask you to be brave. In the name of the Father, I ask you to be just. In the name of the Mother, I ask you to protect the weak."
Afterward, Margaery lowered the longsword.
"Rise, Gavin Belleris, knight of the Seven Kingdoms."
In Westeros, knights had become a semi-noble class, but there were different ranks among them.
The highest were the landed knights, who owned a village or manor. Although they did not have the right to make laws within their lands, they enjoyed the taxes from their estates.
Next were the knights with salaries, who served under a lord and had their living provided by their liege.
Finally, there were those who held only the title of knight, often sworn knights or knights of honor. The former only needed to uphold the vows made at their knighthood, which varied depending on the oath.
If one was simply granted the title of knight without a specific vow, they would be titled as knights of the Seven Kingdoms.
However, Gavin's case was slightly different. When Margaery knighted him, she did not require him to make any oaths. She simply bestowed upon him the title of knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but in a unique way—she made him her sworn protector.
For unmarried noble women, appointing a guardian knight was often a mere symbolic gesture, with the knight only required to protect the woman's honor.
If no special oath was made, once the woman married, the responsibility for her protection would automatically transfer to her husband, and the knight would become a free knight.
Though Gavin's knighthood was of an honorary nature, it was still recognized by the laws of Westeros.
From now on, commoners would be required to address him as "Ser" or "Lord," and he would have the right to recruit squires and form a retinue. He could also apply for a charter to expand his lands.
With the ceremony complete, Margaery led Gavin back toward the courtyard, where they had just been moments before ago.
The air was filled with a sense of finality, and the hum of conversation from the guests in the distance seemed to settle into a quiet reverence as they re-entered the familiar space.
Gavin, holding a small plate of cake, walked beside Margaery through the courtyard. He glanced at the young woman and said with gratitude, "Thank you, Lady Margaery."
"There's no need to thank me, Ser Gavin," Margaret teased with a smile.
The two exchanged a brief smile before continuing their walk.
Eventually, they arrived beneath the tree from earlier. Margaery turned to Gavin and asked, "Gavin, what are your plans for the future? Will you stay in Highgarden and serve?"
After a moment of thought, Gavin answered with sincerity, "I plan to travel to the continent of Essos."
"Then... I wish you a smooth journey," Margaery replied, her voice softening with a trace of sadness as she offered her final, somewhat wistful blessing.
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[Chapter End's]
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