As Karl looked at Margaery Tyrell sitting on the edge of the bed with tears in her eyes, a feeling of deep frustration rose within him.
House Tyrell's move was like a gecko crawling across someone's skin—not dangerous, but undeniably unpleasant.
From the moment Margaery had entered his chamber, the Tyrells' intentions had been obvious.
All Karl needed to do was accept the opportunity they had placed before him.
If he did, he would gain one of the most powerful allies in Westeros.
With the support of House Tyrell, defeating his rivals and securing the Iron Throne would become significantly easier.
Yet the very thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
It was not Margaery herself that troubled him.
Nor was it the alliance.
The problem was the method.
Karl despised being manipulated.
The realization that someone had carefully arranged this situation made him want to punch whoever had conceived the scheme.
Still, that was not his greatest concern.
In truth, House Tyrell's actions were understandable.
Every noble house in Westeros sought advantage.
Political marriages, alliances, and calculated risks were the foundations upon which kingdoms were built.
If Karl were being completely honest, the Tyrells' proposal offered tremendous benefits.
Many rulers would have accepted it without hesitation.
But Karl's ambitions stretched far beyond the present.
His plans were not measured in years.
They were measured in generations.
Allowing House Tyrell to become permanently tied to the royal family would create consequences that could last for centuries.
Powerful families rarely stopped seeking more power.
Today they would be allies.
Tomorrow they would be relatives.
And eventually, they might become a burden upon the throne itself.
A parasite attached to the dynasty, feeding upon its strength.
The reward offered today might become an unbearable cost in the future.
Karl had no intention of making such a short-sighted decision.
As Margaery continued to cry softly, he found himself searching for a solution.
Then his gaze settled upon her.
The beautiful daughter of Highgarden sat before him, vulnerable and uncertain.
And suddenly, an idea appeared.
Like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, the answer emerged from the problem itself.
A faint smile touched Karl's lips.
The irritation that had weighed upon him moments earlier disappeared.
"No woman has ever sacrificed so much for me," Karl said quietly.
"Margaery, this is something that a bastard born with nothing would never dare dream of."
The sudden change in tone caught Margaery completely off guard.
She looked up at him in surprise.
Moments earlier he had been angry and distant.
Now his voice was gentle.
Sincere.
Karl sat beside her and spoke calmly.
"I should apologize."
"My reaction was harsher than it should have been."
Margaery blinked.
"Your Majesty..."
Karl shook his head.
"The current situation is complicated."
He paused.
"You were once the treasured daughter of Highgarden. The most admired rose in the Reach."
A trace of bitterness entered his expression.
"Back then, I was nothing."
"Just a bastard trying to survive."
"Everyone knew why House Tyrell came to King's Landing."
"Under those circumstances, approaching you would have been foolish."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"So tell me."
"Can you forgive me?"
Margaery's heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, she could not find the words.
The explanation answered questions she had carried for months.
She had often wondered why Karl had remained distant despite the admiration many women openly displayed toward him.
Now she believed she understood.
The realization caused her cheeks to flush.
Slowly, she nodded.
"I understand."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
As she gazed into his deep blue eyes, memories flooded her mind.
Karl's name had spread across Westeros like wildfire.
Once he had been an unknown bastard knight.
Then came the Riverlands campaign.
The victories.
The daring strategies.
The impossible odds.
Again and again, he had succeeded where others had failed.
His rise had seemed almost unreal.
The Seven Kingdoms spoke of him constantly.
Every new achievement added another layer to his legend.
When King's Landing faced destruction, he had raced across the realm to save it.
When powerful enemies threatened the crown, he had defeated them.
Each victory made his reputation grow.
To many people, Karl had become a symbol of determination and strength.
To many young women throughout the realm, he had become something else entirely.
A dream.
Margaery was no exception.
More than once she had imagined what it might be like to stand beside him.
Now, as she sat only inches away, the moment felt almost unreal.
The distance between dream and reality had vanished.
The room gradually grew quieter.
Neither spoke for several moments.
Outside, the castle remained still.
Inside, the atmosphere softened.
At last, Karl offered her a reassuring smile.
The tension that had filled the room earlier slowly faded away.
Hours passed.
By the time evening arrived, dark clouds had gathered outside the castle walls.
Rain threatened in the distance.
Within Karl's chamber, however, the storm of emotions had already passed.
The earlier conflict had given way to calm.
Margaery rested beneath warm blankets while Karl prepared to leave.
Though exhausted, she looked far happier than before.
Karl adjusted his clothing and glanced toward her.
"Are you hungry?"
Margaery laughed softly.
"A little."
"I'll have food brought to you."
"Something warm."
"Perhaps soup and fresh bread."
The concern in his voice caused her smile to widen.
"That sounds wonderful."
Karl nodded.
"You should also get some rest."
"You've had a long day."
Margaery watched him quietly.
The golden-brown robe he now wore gave him the appearance of a king straight from the songs.
For a moment she simply admired him.
Then she spoke.
"When will you come back?"
The question escaped before she could stop herself.
Immediately, her face reddened.
Karl chuckled.
"I'll return soon."
"But there are still matters that require my attention."
He stepped closer and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Hot water and food will arrive shortly."
"Until then, try not to worry."
Reluctantly, Margaery nodded.
She understood that a king's responsibilities never truly ended.
Still, part of her wished he would stay.
Karl turned toward the door.
Before leaving, he looked back one final time.
"I won't be gone long."
His reassuring smile eased her concerns.
Margaery settled back against the pillows and watched him leave.
The chamber door closed softly behind him.
For several moments she remained still.
Then a small smile appeared on her lips.
Outside, thunder rolled across the distant horizon.
Rain would soon begin to fall.
But within the castle, the future seemed brighter than ever.
And for the first time in a long while, Margaery found herself looking forward to what tomorrow might bring.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)