-71- The word that came out

Gallen's fingers lightly tapped the armrest a few times.

Maintaining his gentle expression, Willas Tyrell also noticed the hint of sharpness in Gallen's eyes.

Willas Tyrell's smile deepened, unconcerned, or perhaps to him, such things were not worth worrying about.

...

Gallen's mind raced, analyzing the situation.

Did Margaery not believe his sincere words?

Gallen speculated further—had Lord Puff Fish already been tacitly excluded from important decisions by House Tyrell?

Although Gallen represented Queen Cersei, House Tyrell was confident enough to have Highgarden's heir, Willas Tyrell, receive the Queen's envoy instead of Mace Tyrell.

In terms of etiquette, House Tyrell had barely met the standard, but for them, it was enough.

Was House Tyrell preventing their plans regarding Renly Baratheon from being disrupted?

Did the great Puff Fish himself realize he had been indirectly isolated by House Tyrell?

Thinking of this, Gallen felt a bit angry.

Gallen almost couldn't bear it and had the notion to proactively help Lord Puff Fish "purge the court."

However, Gallen quickly dismissed the idea that Mace Tyrell might be a participant himself!

Regardless of the truth, to Gallen, Mace Tyrell could only have been deceived by others.

...

"Lord Willas, then I will wait at the camp outside for a few days."

Hearing Gallen's words, Willas Tyrell paused, looked at Gallen, and nodded.

Gallen did not speak further to Willas, nodded in farewell, and with a flick of his blue cloak embroidered with marsh marigolds, turned and left.

After Gallen's figure disappeared, Willas closed his eyes and smiled.

...

...

Leaving Highgarden Castle and returning to the camp, Gallen pulled the reins and stopped his horse.

Gallen looked up at the layered Highgarden Castle and suddenly said, "Mordin, how many men would you need to take..."

Pointing to Highgarden Castle, he continued, "I've grown found of this place."

Mordin Waters stared blankly at the distant white castle for a moment, then replied, "Lord Gallen, we don't have enough men."

Gallen's lips curved, and his brown eyes moved to Mordin: "What do you suggest?"

Mordin glanced at Anguy beside him and said clumsily, "They are unprepared for us. It would be easy to break in and take the castle. My concern is that we won't have enough men to hold it afterward, making it unsafe for you to stay."

After Mordin finished, Anguy added, "Lord Gallen, there are many soldiers nearby. They could easily gather a thousand men."

Gallen laughed and said, "Then we won't take it."

Mordin and Anguy nodded blankly.

Gallen continued, "If they want to detain us, can we fight our way out?"

Just fight our way out?

Mordin and Anguy nodded vigorously, confident in their unparalleled combat skills.

Gallen patted Mordin and then Anguy, saying, "Take good care of the horses. If we need to escape, we can't do it on foot."

Gallen was planning a significant move and wanted Mordin and Anguy to be prepared.

...

Would Gallen obediently follow the script arranged by House Tyrell?

Would Gallen anxiously wait for Lord Mace Tyrell's audience, only to return to Highgarden Castle to inquire again from Willas Tyrell?

Would Willas, using impeccable etiquette and excuses, send Gallen back again?

Would Gallen keep waiting until he had no choice but to leave Highgarden?

And if Queen Cersei learned that Gallen had been dismissed by House Tyrell like this, considering her temperament... Gallen still needed Queen Cersei's "favor."

When Gallen bid farewell to Willas, he already had a plan in mind.

No one would stop Gallen from meeting Mace Tyrell.

No one could prevent their fated encounter.

...

...

The Reach, Horn Hill.

Under the scorching sun, there was a cool shade beneath the trees.

The portly figure of Samwell Tarly sat reading under a tree, occasionally wiping the sweat from his face.

Ten-year-old Dickon Tarly ran over excitedly.

"Brother, brother! Have you heard? The Best Swordsman of the Crownlands has come to Highgarden!"

A few days ago, at Dickon's request, Samwell sang to put him to sleep, only to be interrupted by their father Randyll Tarly, who was passing by.

Samwell was harshly reprimanded by Randyll, who claimed that Samwell's singing would make Dickon as weak as he was.

Since then, Dickon had been avoiding Samwell, making him very sad. If he had refused to sing back then, things wouldn't be like this now.

...

Today, seeing his brother coming to him voluntarily, Samwell was very happy.

Samwell Tarly put down his book and smiled, "Dickon, I'm not always up to date with the latest news. You said the Best Swordsman of the Crownlands? Do you know who it is?"

Samwell wondered if a member of the Kingsguard had come. Could it be... Ser Barristan Selmy the Bold?

...

"Brother, you know him. I remember you often studied his achievements recently!"

Samwell scratched his head and said, "Lord Gallen Crabb of Crackclaw Point?"

Dickon Tarly came closer to Samwell, his eyes shining, and nodded.

Samwell was puzzled and since when did Lord Crabb become the Best Swordsman of the Crownlands?

Though he was lost in thought, Samwell noticed his brother Dickon's actions.

Dickon's eyes were bright, and his small hands clutched Samwell's sleeve—he had a favor to ask!

Samwell loved his brother dearly and would do his best to fulfill any request he made.

Samwell felt a tremor in his heart, seeing his brother's demeanor; this matter was not a small one.

Unable to bear rejecting his brother, Samwell prayed fervently to the gods that it wouldn't be something to anger their father.

...

"Brother, can you take me to see it?"

Samwell felt cold sweat starting to break out on his back. "Dickon, t-take you where?"

"To Highgarden, brother! I heard several knights talking about it. Today is already the second day, and I'm worried we might miss it if we go late."

Samwell wanted to pick up his book and coldly refuse his brother Dickon.

Samwell believed that if he took his brother to Highgarden and something happened, their father would not forgive him.

Samwell had it all planned out in his mind, but seeing his brother's eager eyes, the words that came out of his mouth changed: "Alright, I'll take you."

After saying this, Samwell felt doomed.