Between Fangs and Thorns

Chapter 1

Maryanne stung her finger again.
    She cursed, a little too loudly that the Septa scowled her, and she put her finger into her mouth. The bitter and iron-like taste of blood coated her tongue. How ironic, a rose getting stung.
     "You should be more careful, my lady," Septa Cordelia said sighing loudly in her seat next to her. "Your needlework is excellent but clumsiness is not something a lady should preserve."
     Maeryanne rolled her eyes. The Septa was right, she had to admit it, a lady had many qualities to grow and perfect but clumsiness was not one of them. She had been cultivating her needlework skills since she had been a child, she was polite and well-behaved, and she stood like a proper lady.
     If only that made her happy to be herself.
     "We all know she'll never grow out of it," her sister snickered, one side of her mouth curled into a grin. "Clumsy and boring, no wonder our lord father hasn't found any lord for her to marry."
     Her sister sat opposite her, her back straight, brown hair neatly braided at the base of her skull, her dress green and finely embroidered with roses made with golden threads. She was a beautiful girl of seventeen, the typical Tyrell look on her face.
     "Desmera Tyrell! This is not how a lady should talk." The Septa's cheeks turned a different shade of pink. Maeryanne remembered how often she had seen Septa Cordelia that way when she was a kid. She, her sister and their older brother used to play together in the labyrinth between the outer and the middle walls, whenever the Septa found them she always had that distinct shade of pink on her cheeks.
     "She just wants to show off, Septa." Maeryanne put a hand on the woman's arm. Septa Cordelia sighed again, folding her hands on her lap.
     "Very childish, if we want to make things clear."
    Desmera lowered her eyes to her work. Her brows furrowed and her mouth turned into a thin line.
    Maeryanne agreed. Desmera had been talking about her departure for weeks after she had found out she was being promised to one of the Lannister lords. She kept talking about how rich her bride's gifts would've been, how fierce and proud her betrothed was going to be, how she was going to be a golden lion soon instead of a meek rose. She constantly nagged Maeryanne about her engagement. She made fun of her, she always told her how she didn't stand a chance to find a better betrothed and how she would probably stay in Highgarden forever, crying about her loneliness.
     Maeryanne had been so tired of hearing her voice. Tonight was finally her last one in the Reach before she left for Castelry Rock. She couldn't be more happy.
     Maeryanne looked at the big window. The sun shone bright through the flowy curtains. Outside, the labyrinth ran and ran around the castle. The scent of flowers reached them even inside their rooms, she could see in her mind the vast gardens expanding even after her sight was able to see. The sounds of common life came from below. She wondered where her brother was.
     "We should probably stop for today. It's time for both of you to get ready for tonight's feast," the Septa got up from her seat. She took her work in her hands and put it back into the yarn chest.
     Desmera got up as well, her work sat into the chest next to the Septa's. She brushed her dress before turning towards her sister.
     "Tonight is my night, don't mess up," she warned and walked out of the room.
     Maeryanne kept her eyes on her sister's dress until it disappeared behind the threshold. She got up and she put her work right next to her sister's. What a child she still was, she thought. She thanked the Septa and followed her sister's step before turning right instead of left, heading towards her rooms.
     Highgarden was in full bloom. The scent of roses hugged the castle and followed Maeryanne wherever she went. As she reached her room, she stood at the window looking out. She could see the three rings of walls, flowers blossomed and fruits hung ripe from their trees. A blow of wind came through her window, hot from the Dornish lands. The smell of summer never threatening to leave.
     How she loved her home.
     She looked out for the sun, it was still tall in the sky. Maeryanne figured she probably still had time to have a walk in the gardens before getting ready. That would definitely improve her mood after the prospect of a night dedicated entirely to her sister.
     When she reached them, she felt at peace. Highgarden had both a Sept and a Godswood, but she had never felt the presence of any god. The Sept felt too cold and the wirewood trees brought shivers to her skin with their carved faces. In the gardens, she felt where she belonged. A rose among others. Maeryanne walked and walked, always enthusiastic about the beauty her home offered her.
     She sat under a canopy. Her skin was covered with a thin layer of sweat after walking for several minutes. What a beautiful view she had in front of her.
     One of her lady-in-waiting came under the canopy as well. "My lady," she dipped into a curtsy, "we were all wondering where you went. Septa Cordelia told us to get your dress and silks for tonight. When we saw you weren't in your room I figured you might be here, alone."
     Lady Alyce folded her hands in front of her beautiful peach dress. She was a very tall girl for her age, just fourteen, and she looked older than she was. Her womanly attributes gave her body a pleasant shape, and paired with her lovely character and kind spirit she was a very contented option in between the lords of the Reach.
     Maeryanne smiled at her, she moved one of the chairs suggesting she took a seat. "Do we still have time to enjoy this beautiful summer afternoon?"
     Lady Alyce looked around her, not quite sure if she should take the offer or get Maeryanne back to the castle. In the end, she reached for the chair and took her place next to her.
     "We should head back soon, my lady. Only the Gods know what would happen if we get late to the feast," she chuckled.
     Maeryanne knew Alyce said that in some kind of jovial way to ease the mood, but a shiver went down Maeryanne's spine nonetheless. She didn't even dare to imagine what would happen if her father and her sister found out she arrived late.
They stayed there for a while, in silence, just enjoying the presence of each other and listening to the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the sounds of nature.
     "Lady Alyce," Maeryanne said after some time, fumbling with her fingers, "do you think there's another way for a woman to leave her home? Besides marriage," Maeryanne turned her head towards the other girl.
     Alyce stopped for a moment, she bit her lips while thinking. After a few seconds, she shook her head.
     "I don't think so, my lady. Marriage is a duty a woman must accomplish, we have one of the most important responsibilities to the realm and our lords, giving them an heir. I don't think we have any other way out of our home. We're not knights, we can't swing a sword or fight for our House, we are not lords who can reign over their castles and lands. For a woman must marry or turn herself to the Gods."
     Maeryanne nodded, she knew, she had always known that. As much as she loved her home, she was still a prisoner in a golden cage. Her heart thrived for more, for a life she could not have and a destiny she could merely dream about. She was not made to be just a lady, meek and beautiful, silent and kind. Her hands itched for more. But what was more?
     "That's what I feared. Thank you, Lady Alyce." Maeryanne got up from her chair. "Shall we go?"
     Lady Alyce got up as well, she offered her arm and Maryanne looped hers around the young girl's before heading back inside the white walls of Highgarden.