章節 368: Chapter 369: Silver Moon
Samwell pushed open the door and saw Margaery Tyrell reclining languidly on the bed, draped in a loose silk nightgown.
Her delicate, white feet were cradled in the hands of a maid, who was gently massaging them.
"Sam." Margaery greeted him with a sweet smile. "Finished talking with Lady Ynys?"
"Mm." Samwell stepped closer, catching the faint and familiar fragrance that clung to his wife—a fresh and subtle scent that lingered in the air.
"I'll take over. You can leave now," he said, waving the servant away before sitting on the bed and cradling Margaery's feet in his hands to continue the massage.
The servant curtsied and quietly exited the room.
Now, only the two of them remained. Margaery basked in her husband's tenderness, a wave of sweetness washing over her.
"When's the baby due?"
"Lady Melisandre says the last day of next month," Margaery replied.
Samwell paused, somewhat surprised. Modern medicine could hardly pinpoint such an exact date. The Red Priestess certainly had confidence in her predictions—no doubt something she'd seen in her fire visions.
Though he had grown increasingly wary and dismissive of prophecy, Samwell decided not to probe further.
"How did your conversation go?" Margaery asked, playfully brushing her toes against his stomach.
Instead of answering, Samwell countered with a question:
"What do you think of Lady Ynys Yronwood?"
"A typical noblewoman from a great family—fragile and lacking independence," Margaery said matter-of-factly.
Samwell's lips curled into a faint smile.
"She tried to seduce me earlier in the Storm Hall."
Margaery wasn't upset; instead, she chuckled softly.
"Lady Ynys does have a certain charm. Were you tempted?"
Samwell laughed.
"No matter how charming she is, she can't compare to you or Dany. What puzzles me is why she chose to use seduction as her approach."
Margaery sobered, mulling over his words.
"It is strange. Lady Ynys isn't some naive young girl; she must have had a specific motive. If it were just about seeking aid, there was no need to resort to such tactics. The conflict between Storm's End and Sunspear is already open, so of course, we would support House Yronwood. The only question would be the terms.
"That kind of aid wouldn't warrant someone of her status sacrificing her reputation like this."
Seeing her husband's amused expression, Margaery nudged him with her foot and asked,
"Sam, what do you think she's after?"
"I think she is seeking aid—not for House Yronwood or House Allyrion, but for herself."
"For herself?"
"Yes. As you said, Lady Ynys is a fragile, dependent noblewoman, like a vine clinging to a wall for support. If she's so desperate to find a new source of security, it's likely because her previous support has crumbled."
"You think… Ser Roger Allyrion is dead?"
"Yes. If Ser Roger were alive, Lady Ynys wouldn't dare behave so brazenly. She practically offered herself to me outright."
Margaery considered this, then asked doubtfully:
"Would Princess Arianne really dare kill Ser Roger?"
"Never underestimate that woman's recklessness. She killed Anders Yronwood outright, didn't she? Ser Roger is merely the heir to Godsgrace. His death wouldn't be surprising.
"And if Roger is gone, with Lady Derlone Allyrion detained in Sunspear, she could be 'eliminated' at any moment. That would leave Lady Ynys's two sons as the heirs to Godsgrace."
Finally grasping his point, Margaery nodded.
"You're suggesting Lady Ynys has been bought by House Martell?"
"Exactly," Samwell said, his eyes glinting. "Otherwise, how else would she have conveniently avoided being present when Godsgrace fell into Martell's hands?"
"So her seduction was… hesitation?"
"Yes. Martell controls her children, forcing her to act against her own family. But she's struggling internally. That's why she cast aside her noblewoman's dignity and acted so uncharacteristically—seeking a new protector."
"But since you didn't respond to her advances, Lady Ynys will likely fully side with House Martell now."
"Indeed." Samwell's smile turned wry. "That's why I specifically told her that a grain fleet will sail past Dorne to Yronwood in two weeks."
Margaery's eyes lit up.
"You're using this to lure the Arbor fleet stationed on the Greenblood River?"
"Exactly. Do you think Horas Redwyne will take the bait?"
"He will," Margaery said confidently, her lips curving in disdain. "My cousin is impatient, lacks foresight, and isn't particularly clever. When he hears this news, he'll undoubtedly lead his fleet to intercept."
Samwell laughed heartily.
"Then let Ser Horas experience our new warships firsthand. I'm sure he won't be disappointed."
He began removing his outer clothing, ready to join Margaery in bed.
But she stopped him.
"You should go to Dany tonight. I'm not in the best condition."
"I just want to hold you while we sleep," he protested.
Margaery shook her head.
Samwell raised an eyebrow.
"After all this time apart, on my first night back, you're sending me away?"
Smiling, Margaery embraced him and planted a soft kiss on his lips before explaining:
"Tomorrow, then. Tonight is Dany's first night in Westeros. She's alone without a familiar face to comfort her. Go to her. I can tell that she looks strong on the outside but is very fragile inside."
Samwell stared at his wife for a long moment before nodding.
"Fine."
After kissing her again, he rose and left.
When he arrived at Daenerys's room, however, it was empty.
"Where is Queen Daenerys?" he asked a maid.
"After dinner, Her Grace left," the maid replied. "I offered to accompany her, but she said she didn't need anyone and went alone."
Samwell frowned but quickly guessed where she might have gone.
Since Cleopatra had grown larger, Storm's End had become too cramped for the white dragon. Samwell had ordered a nearby mountain with caves to be prepared as a dragon lair.
Daenerys's two dragons had also been housed there since their arrival. The lair was tended to daily, with staff providing food and cleaning.
When Samwell reached the mountain's base, Cleopatra swooped down from the sky, seemingly sensing his presence.
After handing his horse to a servant, Samwell mounted the white dragon and flew into the lair.
Though called a lair, it was roofless, allowing the moonlight to stream in and illuminate the space below.
"Sam? What are you doing here?"
Daenerys's voice rang out, filled with surprise and delight.
Black Drogon and green Rhaegal flapped their wings, stirring hot gusts of air as if welcoming him.
Jumping down from Cleopatra, Samwell smiled.
"Your room was empty, so I guessed you'd be here."
Daenerys hesitated for a moment, as if wanting to throw herself into his arms, but stopped.
"Aren't you supposed to be with Margaery?"
"I thought you might need company more."
"I have company." Daenerys gestured to Drogon and Rhaegal. "My children are with me."
Her words, though lighthearted, carried a trace of loneliness.
Samwell felt a surge of pity and embraced her, capturing her lips with his own.
Daenerys stilled for a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck, returning his kiss gently.
The three dragons watched, their molten-gold eyes gleaming as they observed the pair.
The silver moon cast its glow over the lair, shrouding everything in a soft, dreamlike veil.
(End of Chapter)
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