Game of Dragonborn.

Chapter 178 - The Manipulators Behind the Curtain.

[Chapter Size: 2700 Words.]

Third Person POV.

King's Landing.

...

...

Sansa had just entered the garden of the Red Keep that morning, at that moment heading directly toward the center of the place.

She kept her cautious gaze ahead, her head slightly lowered, as she passed by the servants who bowed upon seeing her, calling her Lady Stark.

But Sansa did not look at them, she simply moved forward until she found some girls who were talking and enjoying themselves with the sigils of the Reach houses.

When they saw her approaching, one of them quickly stood up and ran to her with a cheerful smile.

"Lady Stark!" said the girl.

Sansa looked at her, immediately noticing the young woman's slight shock upon seeing the bruise on her cheek.

"Lady Tyrell," she said carefully.

This young woman was Margaery Tyrell, who still looked at her full of concern in her eyes. She was the woman who would marry King Joffrey in Sansa's place, since according to Joffrey, Sansa belonged to the family of traitors.

Even so, Sansa believed that this would not happen, even if her family had not gone to war. For she remembered the look of disgust the king had given her even in Winterfell, something that before, the innocent Sansa had not been capable of perceiving.

To be or not to be a Stark might not make a difference — her life alongside Joffrey would be equally cruel.

"You are hurt...." said Margaery, looking at the slightly reddened cheek, even after several creams had failed to erase the mark of the queen's palm.

"I had an accident," Sansa answered carefully, trying to sound truthful, though she stammered. She was not good at lying.

"That is horrible, Lady Sansa. If you need any cream, anything, I can help you. We brought many things from the upper garden," said Margaery in a courteous tone.

"I appreciate your words of concern, Lady Margaery," said Sansa.

"Come, I am sure my grandmother will know what to do about this," said Margaery, pulling Sansa toward one of the gazebos in the royal garden of the Red Keep.

The old Tyrell had already been watching her since she appeared at the entrance of the garden, keeping a sharp gaze. It was not the first time they had spoken. Once, she had asked Sansa her opinion about Joffrey, and the answer had been clear: a monster. Now, she was calling her once again into her presence because her foolish son had gone to a council meeting and returned with troubling words that Tywin had spoken.

"Oh, my girl," said Lady Tyrell as soon as Sansa entered the place, under the watchful eyes of Margaery's handmaidens.

"My lady," said Sansa, lowering her head.

The old woman's gaze moved from side to side until it fixed on the young woman's cheek.

"What is that on your face?"

"It was an accident, grandmother," said Margaery. "We can give her one of those creams, right?"

"Of course," replied the elder. "Just ask a servant to take the cream to her chambers..." she said, then turned back to Sansa. "And what kind of accident was that? Since we are at it, Lady Sansa... You know how we are... we like to know where not to tread." The tone was insinuating.