(Olenna Tyrell POV)
"What should we do?" Luthor asks me. I shake my head.
"What should we do? What can we do? The King himself did this; there is nothing we can do. That's what politics is like."
"But he asked for betrothal and didn't comm-"
"Oh, you stunted fool. I thought you would know better by now. The King doesn't 'ask' for anything. He commands, and this is a command, no matter how it may look. Aegon V is trying to right the wrong his daughter and son did to both of us, ironically."
And it was ironic. Aegon Targaryen, 5th of his name, faced renewed troubles in his reign because of his sons. He was convinced the Targaryen practice of incestuous marriage was harmful after spending time with smallfolk. So Aegon and his queen, Betha Blackwood, betrothed four of their children to some of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms 10 years ago.
Their eldest son and heir, Prince Duncan, was betrothed to the daughter of Lord Lyonel Baratheon of Storm's End. Prince Jaehaerys, Aegon's second son, was betrothed to Lady Celia Tully, the daughter of the Lord of Riverrun. Aegon's youngest son, Prince Daeron, was betrothed to... well, me, Lady Olenna Redwyne of the Arbor, when we were both 9 years old. In addition, Aegon's eldest daughter, Princess Shaera, was betrothed to my lovely buffoon, Luthor Tyrell, the now Lord of Highgarden. The proposed marriages would have won Aegon much support for his reforms, but his children had inherited his willfulness and their mother's stubbornness.
Such is the way of Targaryens; they are their own worst enemy. History has proved it time and time again.
Beginning in 239 AC, Prince Duncan fell in love with and eventually wed the mysterious Jenny of Oldstones. King Aegon, the small council, the Grand Maester, and the High Septon forced Duncan to choose between the peasant girl and the Iron Throne. The prince, much to everyone's surprise, chose his wife and abdicated as Prince of Dragonstone, making his younger brother, Prince Jaehaerys, the new heir. With Duncan refusing to marry the daughter of Lord Baratheon, Storm's End briefly rose in rebellion, which ended when Ser Duncan the Tall of the Kingsguard, an old friend of the King, forced Lord Lyonel to yield during a trial by combat. King Aegon pardoned Lyonel and betrothed his daughter, Princess Rhaelle, to Lyonel's heir, Ormund. Aegon sent Rhaelle to Storm's End as Lyonel's cupbearer and companion to his wife.
While King Aegon disliked the Targaryen practice of marriage through incest, Prince Jaehaerys and his sister, Princess Shaera, desired each other from a young age, apparently. With Duncan marrying Jenny as precedent, Jaehaerys and Shaera secretly wed and consummated their marriage 7 years ago, leaving Aegon to deal with the anger of Houses Tully and Tyrell.
Though betrothed for nine years to me, Prince Daeron broke his betrothal in 246 AC, one year ago, when he was eighteen years old. Hilarious, in my opinion. I wasn't angry at the idea of not having to marry a Targaryen myself. Their history of madness isn't something I enjoy allowing under my sheets. Daeron is still unwed, instead preferring the companionship of Ser Jeremy Norridge, a young knight whom he had befriended when they were squires at Highgarden, Luthor told me.
As for me, I took my chance and married Luthor Tyrell, the kind but slow man. Two people 'spurned' by our Targaryen betrothed- how poetic. Needless to say, we weren't idle during this time. I became pregnant and gave birth to a son a fortnight ago, Roboute Tyrell. Naturally, Luthor chose the name. I wouldn't come up with such a stupid name, but I'll take what I can this time. Needless to say, I'll choose the next one. Our son is the reason why we are arguing now.
Today, a raven arrived from King's Landing, written by King Aegon V Targaryen himself.
¦¦From the Hand and Seal of His Grace Aegon the Fifth of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm
Sent from Summerhall, in the Year 247 After Aegon's Conquest
To Lord Luthor Tyrell and Lady Olenna, at Highgarden,
It pleases me to send you warm congratulations on the birth of your firstborn son, Roboute Tyrell. May he grow strong, wise, and worthy of the storied name of Tyrell he bears, and may he bring you joy in every season of your lives.
In this time of renewal and blessing, I write to you with a proposal befitting the occasion and the long friendship between our houses. Although I am aware of our past, I wish to take this chance to mend what was wounded. My granddaughter, Rhaella Targaryen, newborn daughter to my son Jaehaerys and his wife, Shaera, has come into the world only weeks before your own heir. Their births are close in days, and I would see their futures entwined for the good of the realm as a show of good faith and to prove that I have not forgotten my honour and take my promises seriously.
I propose, with all kingly seriousness, a formal betrothal between your son Roboute and my granddaughter Rhaella, to be honoured in due time when they are of suitable age. This match would bind House Tyrell and House Targaryen once more, as once was nearly done between yourself and my daughter, and in doing so, strengthen the peace and unity of the realm we all cherish.
I trust you will receive this with the honour it is meant to bestow, and I look forward to your swift and favourable reply. Let it not be said that the Tyrells of Highgarden ever shrank from alliance with the crown.
May the light of the Seven shine upon your house and the child now born to it.
By my hand,
Aegon Targaryen
Fifth of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men ¦¦
.
I can almost see the rage on Jaehaerys' face when King Aegon told him the 'good' news.
"What shall we reply then, my love?" Luthor asks me.
"The only thing you can answer. We are truly honoured and will naturally accept. Even if it wasn't a command, it is the best one we could have gotten. Don't you see? We may not marry our son to become King of Westeros, but this opens up a lot more doors than you can imagine. Don't you understand all this?" I ask.
"I do, but I was hoping to have your son choose his own bride, like I chose you."
Oh, you sweet man... if only you knew.
"Luthor, I love you, but we both know that I chose you and not the other way around."
I could talk with Luthor like that, since he truly did love me. I love him as well, in my way. But when I look at the present we created, I have to say that I can't help but admit that I am in love. Roboute is anything but a normal infant; that much is clear to me. To this day, he hasn't cried once after he was born, even after the midwife smacked his bottom. The Maester told us that he may have a mental problem or be incapable of speaking.
But I know the truth.
I have looked into my precious son's eyes and have seen his intelligence. He will become the greatest of our House and make the Tyrell name great. I adore his soft blonde hair, and the stern expression looks cute in my eyes.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" I ask.
"Oh, I was looking at Roboute. I can't look at him enough. Do you think the Maester was correct? That he can't speak?" Luthor asks.
"Of course not. No child of mine will be incapable of speech. He measures his words or the sounds that leave his mouth. Now, start writing the letter."
"As you wish, my love. But what should I--"
"Oh bother."
.
¦¦ From Lord Luthor Tyrell, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, and Warden of the South
Sent from Highgarden, in the Year 247 After Aegon's Conquest
To His Grace Aegon the Fifth, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm
Your Grace,
It is with deepest gratitude and joy that I receive your most gracious letter. The honour you bestow upon my house in proposing a union between my son, Roboute Tyrell, and your granddaughter, the Princess Rhaella Targaryen, is one we accept with great humility and pride.
Though our children are yet new to the world, born under auspicious stars, I have every faith that they will one day grow into a match worthy of the names they carry. This proposed union is more than a joining of two noble houses—it is a renewal of trust between Highgarden and the crown, a bridge between past hopes and future strength.
We shall raise Roboute with full awareness of the duty and distinction this betrothal confers upon him. When the time comes, I have no doubt he will prove worthy of both the princess and the realm she represents.
May the Seven bless Her Grace, Princess Rhaella, with health and happiness, and may this accord between our houses flourish in peace and loyalty.
With all reverence and respect,
Luthor Tyrell
Lord of Highgarden ¦¦
.
.
In the year 247 after Aegon's Conquest, two individuals were born who would impact the history of Westeros. The first was Princess Rhaella Targaryen, and the second was Roboute Tyrell. House Tyrell was struggling in these times as the Crown had disrespected them, and while Aegon V Targaryen was trying to mend the mistakes they had made, he couldn't know what his children's actions would cause. Roboute Tyrell was different from any other child, born in the world of ice and fire.
His soul was different from that of normal humans. While it wasn't apparent at this point, he would grow to become the most impressive, powerful and influential individual in all of Westeros. From the moment he was born, he was aware of his surroundings and situation. He didn't know anything, since he was an infant, but his genius intellect stored everything he saw and sensed around him perfectly and in an orderly fashion.
As the weeks passed, Roboute further proved to be special as he started walking before any other child ever. Seeing this happen caused both of his parents immense joy. Luthor spent more time with his son and wife than he did in ruling the Reach, which forced Olenna to be the voice of reason again and force him to work. The moment when Roboute said his first word, Olenna realised just how much of a genius he truly was and chose to take over his education in all things. But she was wise enough to keep everything a secret. Too much talent or skill would be dangerous for her son, she was aware.
The mind of Roboute was seemingly endless and ready to be filled with any information his mother was willing to provide. His stoic and calm demeanour in all situations was unusual for the young mother, but she saw him as her pride and joy and was content with seeing him hang on her every word.
After a few months, Roboute knew how to speak as well as a highly educated grown-up would. What no one realised was that Roboute held back his immense genius so as not to appear too alien to those around him. Already, at his tender age, he was aware that he was far too different to others. Therefore, he hid it for the moment and would only reveal what he could do gradually.
After he had reached his first name day, Roboute had learned most of what the Tyrell library had to offer, and after his second name day, he might as well have been a verified Maester. It was shortly after his second name day that he approached his father and mother about a proposition he had. Something that would not only change Highgarden and the Reach in the coming years, but the entire realm.
However, change didn't come easily.
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I will continue the Eddard Stark story as well.