-78- The new deal

Gallen merely recalled some deep memories and laughed, but this smile at the moment could easily be misunderstood by others.

Gallen forcibly controlled his facial muscles.

The attendants in the tent quietly poured a cup of Summerwine for both Gallen and Margaery.

Margaery took a sip of the Summerwine, her eyes seeming to carry a hint of assured victory.

Gallen, without showing any emotion, also raised his cup, thinking if there was a way to keep this "severance pay" without compromising his original purpose.

Gallen put down his cup and said, "Lady Margaery, if I return like this, do you know what consequences I will face?"

Not waiting for Margaery's reaction, Gallen chuckled and continued, "In the Red Keep at King's Landing, perhaps the big figures can afford mistakes, but the small guys can never fail, not even once.

Big figures can disregard the safety of the small ones, but the small ones must learn to take care of themselves."

Gallen, looking indifferent, picked up his cup again, paused, and placed it back on the table: "An ancestor of House Crabb named Clarence Crabb became a legendary hero of Crackclaw Point using the sword in his hand.

Clement Crabb, Rupert Crabb, and another Clarence Crabb known as 'Short Clarence'—these three also became Kingsguard representing the strongest knights of Westeros by relying on their swords.

For hundreds of years, maybe even a thousand, or perhaps longer... since the birth of the Crabb surname, it has been accompanied by blood and swords, until today."

Gallen picked up his cup and drank the remaining half of the Summerwine in one gulp.

He put down his cup, his gaze becoming sharp: "Because of the war ten years ago, House Crabb has been suppressed by the Red Keep for over a decade. It was only through Queen Cersei's trust, in line with the tradition of Crackclaw Point directly serving the queen, that we regained some semblance of favor.

But now, I seem to foresee the dim future of my house.

As I mentioned before, in the Red Keep, only the big figures can afford mistakes, the small ones can never fail, not even once.

Lady Margaery, because I was merely representing Queen Cersei in greeting the Lord of Highgarden, I thought this task was very simple, which is why I volunteered.

Until a moment ago, I still harbored a glimmer of hope that I could make this work, but after talking with you, I am now certain I am destined to betray the trust of Queen Cersei."

...

Gallen's words landed like heavy blows, repeatedly striking Margaery, making her feel suffocated.

Gallen's current behavior instinctively made Margaery uneasy.

Why is this happening? Did I mess up Grandmother's plan? Did I make a mistake somewhere?

Margaery Tyrell pressed down her emotions, trusting her judgment that Gallen was not a brute.

Or is he acting?

Margaery Tyrell, although showing no outward signs, found her thoughts becoming chaotic.

...

Gallen retracted the sharpness in his eyes, his gaze becoming gentle: "Tomorrow, the arena will be stained red. I will make every challenger bleed openly until the Reach swordsmen swarm over, and the blood will flow like river."

Gallen's back left the back of the chair as he leaned forward slightly, his tone gentle yet full of confidence: "Ser Jamie Lannister told me that I am stronger than the Sword of the Morning. Please believe me, Lady Margaery, I can definitely achieve this."

[Jamie never said this; it's a benevolent lie from Gallen]

Gallen was waiting for her answer; his next move depended on her choice. He was prepared for everything.

...

The tent was silent as Gallen and Margaery stared at each other.

Does the little rose want to suppress my momentum with her eyes? Gallen naturally widened his eyes, I'll keep staring!

After a while, Gallen and Margaery almost simultaneously looked away, their expressions very natural.

...

After a pause, Margaery Tyrell, her brown eyes looking at Gallen again, curved her lips: "It seems Lord Gallen already has a better idea. I am willing to listen."

Gallen raised an eyebrow, thought for a while, and sighed lightly: "I think, Lady Margaery, you don't want to see anything bad happen in the arena, do you?"

Margaery nodded slightly. "But, Lord Gallen, the arena still needs to be handled. Your arena has attracted the entire Reach's attention. Nearly all the swordsmen of the Reach, near and far, are on their way."

Gallen and Margaery had transitioned to a different kind of transaction.

It was possible to meet with Lord Puff Fish, but Margaery Tyrell had a precondition: the arena situation must be resolved perfectly.

...

Gallen asked, "If I leave here with the gold dragons, may I ask, what was Highgarden's original plan for handling the aftermath?"

He's probing me again!

...

Although the interaction with Gallen tonight was brief, it led to Margaery Tyrell's growth.

Perhaps it was the sudden pressure in an otherwise smooth path, or maybe it was a culmination of accumulated experience, but tonight was a valuable gain.

Gallen appeared to be concerned about how they would handle things afterward, but in reality, he wanted to test Margaery's influence in Highgarden. More specifically, Gallen wanted to know how much authority Margaery held.

...

Margaery imitated Gallen's raised eyebrow and said, "To be honest, I originally intended to take this opportunity to host a grand outdoor banquet. Regardless of your status, anyone could participate in my banquet."

After speaking, a spark of light appeared in Margaery's brown eyes.

...

Damn, She really is wealthy!

Gallen agreed, "Indeed, your beauty combined with good wine will dissipate all resentment without anyone realizing it."

Margaery Tyrell's smile bloomed like a flower. "Lord Gallen, do you seem to have a better idea?"

The usually composed Gallen was slightly stunned but quickly returned to normal.

Gallen's change in expression did not escape Margaery's eyes, making her mood quite cheerful.

...

Having achieved certain goals, Gallen was using his superb acting skills to subtly flatter the little rose.

Gallen felt a bit exhausted, but thinking of the 3,000 gold dragons instantly wiped away all fatigue.

Having worked so hard to bring them here, how could he let the little rose go through the trouble of taking them back?

...

Gallen wondered if he had spoken too loudly earlier.

In his previous words, there was a mention of Crackclaw Point's tradition of loyalty to the queen.

Conversely, Gallen was also hinting to Margaery Tyrell that only a queen who received the loyalty of Crackclaw Point could be a complete queen—that's the tradition.

Gallen was a man who paid attention to details.

He would use subtle details to make Margaery Tyrell happy.

Of course, the prerequisite was first to achieve their new deal.