[King's Landing - Red Keep, Joffrey's Chambers]

King Joffrey Baratheon was being fitted by a tailor. Queen Cersei Lannister, sat nearby, looking on.

"Make it tighter here." Joffrey commanded.

"That's better. It makes you look very strong." Cersei told him.

The tailor laid some sample fabric on Joffrey's shoulder. Displeased, Joffrey snatched it away.

"No flowers. I said no flowers. All these are wrong. Bring others." Joffrey said, dismissing the tailor.

"Yes, Your Grace." The tailor quickly exited.

"Bloody flowers. On the king."

"Looks like a Tyrell rose. Give it to Margaery for her wedding gown. Should be more than enough fabric."

Joffrey tossed the fabric away and moved to his bed to change back into his clothes.

"Tell me what you think of her." Cersei continued.

"Who?"

"Margaery."

"She's an ideal match. With the Tyrells beside us, we'll crush the Northerners. Hang their lords, burn their strongholds, sow their fields with salt, and no one will think of rebelling for another century."

"It is a good match, but what do you think of her? She's beautiful and intelligent."

"Yes, she is."

"Her concern with the well-being of the common people is interesting."

"Not to me."

"I only meant that to go out of your way to endanger yourself."

"This is becoming one of the most boring conversations I've ever had."

Cersei stood. "Margaery Tyrell is not like your sister. She dotes on filthy urchins for a reason. She dresses like a harlot for a reason. She married a traitor and known degenerate like Renly Baratheon for a reason."

"She married Renly Baratheon because she was told to. That's what intelligent women do-what they're told. Unlike my sister who uses any chance to rebel against me, her king. Maybe Ser Loras can finally be the one to tame her. Or at the very least keep her from disrespecting me in front of my court."

Cersei reached out to him, but Joffrey pushed her hand away.

"You need to ask yourself-"

"I don't need to do anything." Joffrey told his mother.

The tailor returned with a different fabric sample. He draped it on Joffrey's shoulder.

"Better. Much better." Joffrey told him.

It seemed the conversation about the king's new betrothed was over.

[Red Keep - Sansa's Chambers]

Shae brushed Sansa Stark's hair as Sansa sat before a mirror.

"I still don't believe it." Shae said, speaking of Littlefinger.

"He didn't. He didn't want anything. He just takes an interest because he loved my mother."

"Men only want one thing from a pretty girl."

"Littlefinger's not in love with me."

Shae helped Sansa into her dress. "Love is not the thing he wants."

"He's too old."

"They nevr see it that way. He didn't ask you to do something for him? Spy on someone or...?"

"No."

"If he does ask you for anything or try anything or touch you, I want you to tell me."

"Why? What will you do? I will make him stop."

There is a knock on the door.

"Ser Loras Tyrell, my lady." The guard outside her door announced.

"Send him in." Sansa answered.

Shae opened the door and Ser Loras Tyrell entered.

"Lady Sansa." He greeted.

"Ser Loras." She returned.

"My sister Margaery invites you to take the air with her and our grandmother, the Lady Olenna, in the gardens. May I escort you to them?"

Sansa exited with Loras, while Shae watched with concern.

[King's Landing - Red Keep, Gardens]

Sansa and Loras strolled together through the garden, her arm in his.

"I believe you grow more beautiful evey day, Lady Sansa."

"You are too kind, Ser Loras. Though, you're betrothed now. I'm not sure you should be complimenting women on their appearance. You probably don't remember the first time we met. At the Hand's tourney, you gave me your favor. A rose, a red rose."

"Of course I did."

They approached Lady Margaery Tyrell, who was speaking to a maid.

"It's more your colour. You take it."

"Thank you." The maid said.

"You're such a dear." Margaery told her brother.

"I'll take my leave. Lady Sansa."

"Thank you, Ser Loras."

Loras exited and Margaery led Sansa to a patio, filled with maids.

"Come. Lady Sansa, it is my honor to present my grandmother the Lady Olenna of House Tyrell."

They walked to Lady Olenna, who was seated on the patio.

"Kiss me, child." Olenna extended her hand and Sansa kissed it in greeting. "It's so good of you to visit me and my foolish flock of hens. We're very sorry for your losses."

"And I was sorry when I heard of Lord Renly's death, Lady Margaery. He was very gallant."

"Gallant, yes. And charming and very clean. He knew how to dress and smile and somehow this gave him the notion he was fit to be king." Olenna told her.

"Renly was brave and gentle, Grandmother. Father liked him and so did Loras."

"Loras is young and very good at knocking men off horses with a stick. That does not make him wise. As to your fathead father-"

"Grandmother! What will Sansa think of us?"

"She might think we have some wits about us. One of us, at any rate. It was treason. I warned them. Robert has two sons and Renly has an older brother. How could he possibly have any claim to that ugly iron chair? We should have stayed well out of all this if you ask me. But once the cow's been milked, there's no squirting the cream back up her udders. So here we are to see things through. What do you say to that, Sansa? Shall we have some lemon cakes?"

"Lemon cake's my favorite." Sansa said.

"So we've been told." Olenna said before turning to the nearby servant. "Are you going to bring the food or do you mean to starve us to death? Here, Sansa, come sit with me. I'm much less boring than these others."

They move to a table away from the others.

"Do you know my son? The Lord of Highgarden?"

"I haven't had the pleasure." Sansa answered.

"No great pleasure, believe me. A ponderous oaf. His father was an oaf as well. My husband, the late Lord Luthor. He managed to ride off a cliff whilst hawking. They say he was looking up at the sky and paying no mind to where his horse was taking him. And now my son is doing the same, only this time he's riding a lion instead of a horse. Now I want you to tell me the truth about this royal boy, this Joffrey."

"I-, I-"

"You, you. Who else would know better? We've heard some troubling tales. Is there any truth to them? Has this boy mistreated you?" Olenna asked.

Sansa looked down and didn't reply.

"Has he ripped out your tongue?"

"Joff-King Joffrey, he-His Grace is very fair and handsome and as brave as a lion-" Sansa stammered.

"Yes, all Lannisters are lions. And when a Tyrell farts, it smells like a rose. But how kind is he? How clever? Has he a good heart, a gentle hand?"

"I'm to be his wife. I only want to know what that means." Margaery said, elaborating on her grandmother's words.

A servant approached them with a platter.

"Bring me some cheese." Olenna commanded.

"The cheese will be served after the cakes, my lady."

"The cheese will be served when I want it served. And I want it served now."

The servant nodded and exited swiftly.

"Are you frightened, child? No need for that. We're only women here. Tell us the truth. No harm will come to you."

"My father alwys told the truth."

"Yes, he had that reputation. And they named him traitor and took his head."

"Joffrey. Joffrey did that. He promised he would be merciful and he cut my father's head off. And he said that was mercy. Then he took me up on the walls and made me look at it." Sansa held back tears.

"Go on." Olenna urged.

Sansa quickly regained her composure. "I-I can't. I nevr meant-my father was a traitor. My brother as well. I have traitor's blood. Please don't make me say anymore."

"She's terrified, Grandmother. Just look at her."

"Speak freely, child. We would nevr betray your confidence, I swear it." Olenna assured her

"He's a monster."

"Ah. That's a pity."

"Please, don't stop the wedding." Sansa pleaded.

"Have no fear. The Lord Oaf of Highgarden is determined that Margaery shall be queen. Even so, we thank you for the truth. Ah, here comes my cheese."

The servant set down the tray and slipped away while Sansa sighed in resignation.

She was lucky to no longer be betrothed to Joffrey, but she couldn't find it in herself to let her guard down and enjoy herself.

From the time she was a little girl, she dreamed of knights and princes, honourable and handsome.

Though when she finally moved to the capital, she learned the stories couldn't be more wrong.

Now, she remained stuck, surrounded by those who wanted or were responsible for the death of her family.