The Little Rose's Bargain

Renly Baratheon, once shining enough to make lords kneel gladly, reached Ronan as a prisoner despised by the men who carried him.

He still tried to hold arrogance around himself like a cloak. Ronan did not indulge it.

"A captive should look like a captive."

Harlon kicked Renly's leg hard enough to break something. Renly collapsed with a scream, rolling in the dirt until two Blood Wolf men hauled him upright again. Then he fainted.

Harlon looked briefly apologetic. Ronan only waved him on.

"Bring the others."

Loras and Margaery were led into the tent. Loras saw the body on the ground and forgot caution.

"King Renly!"

His eyes turned on Ronan. "You killed him."

Margaery moved faster with words than her brother did with anger. "Forgive him, Commander Ronan. My brother is wounded and frightened for his king. I assume you had no reason to kill Renly."

Mud had dried on her dress. Her hair was no longer perfectly arranged. None of that had touched her eyes.

Ronan liked courage when it could still think.

"Who said I killed him?"

Loras checked again and saw that Renly still breathed. Shame replaced some of the fury.

"Forgive me," he said stiffly. "I spoke wrongly."

"Will House Tyrell submit to me?" Ronan asked.

The siblings went still. Margaery answered first. "House Tyrell does not submit lightly."

"Then you have no use. Kill them."

"Commander Ronan."

She stopped the order quickly enough that Harlon smiled. Margaery had not expected a man who moved from question to death in a single breath. Still, preserving life came before pride.

Ronan looked at her. "Already changing your answer?"

She straightened, recovering ground inch by inch. "Tyrells do not fear death. I only want you to understand that killing my brother and me would be a mistake. House Tyrell is not a stag you can skin and hang from a wall."

Her confidence returned as she spoke.

"A man of your ability cannot be foolish. Why demand submission first, when cooperation may buy more?"

"Do you think I fear Tyrell revenge? Or that I trust friendship sent by an enemy?"

"No. I think you are too practical to refuse value because it comes wrapped in danger."

It was a good answer. Ronan had never truly meant to kill them. Their deaths would bring more trouble than profit, and the Reach was useful. Someone needed to keep Dorne's quieter knives in mind.

In a world ruled by appetite, there were no clean allies, only bargains with different prices. He let none of that show.

"I need a quieter place to discuss cooperation with Lady Margaery."

Loras started to object. Margaery gave him the opening he needed to retreat with dignity. "Renly's leg needs treatment. If it is left too long, he may walk badly."

Loras understood. He took the unconscious Renly away with a look that promised he hated every step. When they were alone, Margaery exhaled softly.

Ronan watched her. "You knew your king was awake." She gave him a look sharp enough to cut velvet. "I know when men pretend, Commander."

"Then answer something else. Renly and your brother..."

He did not finish. He did not need to. Margaery met the implication without flinching. "It is what you think. Now, shall we speak of cooperation?"

"Do you pretend not to understand what cooperation might cost?"

Ronan stepped closer. Margaery's fear showed for one heartbeat, but she refused to look away. There was calculation in her, and something more dangerous: curiosity.

"I have one more question," Ronan said.

She kissed him before he could finish. It was brief, sweet, and entirely deliberate. When he reached for her, she slipped back with a smile that had learned to be a shield.

"Commander Ronan, we should discuss terms."

"Terms, then. What can House Tyrell offer me?"

He advanced lazily. She thought she had found his weakness and chose the moment to strike.

"Everything depends on what you offer House Tyrell."

"And what do you want?"

"If you become king, I become your queen." Her voice stayed steady by force. "And before you wonder, Renly has never touched me as a husband. Why are you standing so close?"

"How should I know whether you speak truth?"

Danger colored the space between them. Margaery pressed a hand to his chest, and for once the gesture was not fully performance.

"You will have proof of my sincerity. Not now."

"Not now?"

"Agree to my terms, and you may have everything in time. Force the matter, and you lose more than my body. You lose my willing hand, my house's trust, and the dignity you need me to keep."

It was a gamble. She was betting that he wanted more than conquest by fear. Ronan smiled.

The little rose was cornered, frightened, and still thinking. He enjoyed that far more than surrender.

"Then what was that kiss?" he asked. "A provocation? Or did you mean to give and take away?"

Color rose in her face. "You are twisting my words."

"No. I am listening."

Margaery realized, too late, that she had teased a wolf to test the chain and found no chain there. Then the tent flap opened.

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