Chapter 35
"Tell me, do you think he'll end up marrying that girl?" Val asked, sitting by the tower window with a spyglass in her hands.
Harry and Margaery could be seen clearly.
The girl looked completely smitten and showed clear interest in everything Harry said.
Harry wore the same kind smile he gave everyone, so she was not sure whether Margaery truly interested him.
"Are you worried?" Dacey asked, raising her eyebrows as she leaned against the window beside Val.
"Not at all. How about we make a bet?" Val said, smiling at Dacey.
Dacey did not answer and took the spyglass from Val's hands before looking down.
Hedwig was perched on Harry's forearm while the young girl excitedly ran her fingers through her feathers.
"It's really hard to say. Harry would agree to marry as long as the girl is beautiful and behaves well," Dacey said casually.
"Doesn't it make you jealous? Don't you want to be the one who marries him?" Val asked curiously.
"Be Lady Stark? No, thank you... too much trouble. Besides, I'm the heir to my House," Dacey said, handing the spyglass back to Val.
"Hm, judging by Catelyn, being Lady Stark sounds a little exhausting. Let's leave it to someone else while we sleep with her husband," Val said with a chuckle as she gently kicked her leg.
"You're terrible," Dacey said, laughing in amusement.
Val pursed her lips, still somewhat dissatisfied about having practically been confined by Catelyn, who had asked them to keep their distance for a few days.
....
The next day.
Olenna entered her granddaughter's room and saw her combing her hair in front of the mirror while humming.
Her beautiful curls fell down her back to her slender waist.
"You look happy," Olenna commented before letting out a soft sigh as she sat down.
Margaery's brush stopped for a moment before continuing.
"Don't tell me you're falling in love with the young Stark."
"Although I can't blame you. The boy is quite charming," Olenna said with a chuckle.
Margaery remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
"He is," Margaery said, tactfully admitting that she liked Harry. A single day had been enough for her to feel a certain attraction toward him.
Strong, cunning, gentle, attractive—it was difficult for her young heart not to feel something.
"Then should I wrap you up and send you to his room?" Olenna asked jokingly.
"I'll accept whatever you choose, Grandmother," Margaery said, unable to avoid her responsibility.
Although no one had asked her, she had enjoyed the glory of being a Tyrell. Now that she had grown, she also had to fulfill that responsibility.
"Don't be so tragic. I don't actually think it would be a bad marriage. In my opinion, it's either Harry or Renly."
"In fact, I've also been a little worried because I can't make a decision. Each one has his advantages and disadvantages," the old woman said with a sigh and an indecisive look.
Just as she was about to analyze the matter with her granddaughter, Loras knocked on the door before entering and telling them that Harry had invited them to go for another walk.
Olenna decided to leave the conversation for another time and stood up along with her foolish granddaughter, who had a pleased expression.
"Good morning. I hope you had a good night," Harry said with a slight smile.
"Better than sleeping in a carriage," Olenna said casually.
"You say that because you've never slept outdoors," Harry said with a laugh as he guided them through the castle.
The cement paths made walking much more pleasant, and since Harry had invited them for a stroll, they did not bring guards.
When they left the castle, Olenna raised her eyebrows as she looked at Harry, but after seeing that they were heading toward a building only a few meters from the gate, she ultimately said nothing.
Climbing the stairs, the three of them stopped for a moment in surprise when they saw the enormous iron structure.
Before they could ask anything, a loud whistle startled them as a column of steam burst from the metal structure.
"Hm, everyone reacts that way when they see it," Harry said with a slight smile before gesturing to the crew to prepare.
"What is this?" Margaery asked curiously. A constant bubbling sound could be heard, like boiling water, and the temperature seemed to have risen around them.
"As a whole, it's called a train. Instead of explaining what it does, I'll show you. Come, let's get aboard," Harry said, walking toward the wagon and gesturing for them to enter.
Margaery hesitated for a moment before walking after Harry with interest, extending her hand and touching the wagon's structure before entering.
Olenna, for her part, almost rolled her eyes when she saw her granddaughter enter just like that. Even so, she did not stop her. She still trusted the reputation of the Starks and did not think they would harm them, so she followed along with her grandson.
"Sit wherever you like," Harry said while remaining standing.
Olenna pulled Margaery down to sit beside her while Loras sat in the seats opposite them.
The intermittent sounds of whistles and bubbling made them uneasy.
"So what are we doing here?" Olenna asked, having no real idea.
"We're going for a ride," Harry said with a smile.
Suddenly, a mechanical sound reached their ears as the train began to move slowly.
Surprised, and as usual, they leaned closer to the window, noticing that they were slowly moving.
"We're moving," Margaery said softly with interest.
Olenna looked out the window with some surprise. She could not imagine how many horses were needed to move the enormous piece of metal they were riding in.
As the speed increased, Olenna's expression changed from surprise to seriousness.
After more than ten minutes without showing any sign of stopping, she finally could not help speaking.
"This is truly astonishing," Olenna said, immediately recognizing its implications.
"It is. It makes everything much more convenient," Harry said with a nod. Turning a week-long journey into five hours was incredibly convenient.
"I suppose you had something to do with this," Olenna said, looking at Harry.
"Correct again," Harry said with a shameless smile.
"Truly... all of Westeros underestimates the North. Everyone mocked the rumors, but they fall short. I suppose by now you are the true Lord of the North in everything but name," Olenna said, looking at Harry with bright eyes.
As she felt the train's vibrations through her body and heard its sharp whistles, the throne suddenly no longer seemed so appealing.
Just imagining a train capable of traveling from the north to the south of Westeros filled her with excitement.
How much money could they make simply by charging people to use it? And more than money, influence. She remembered seeing more wagons. If they could transport cargo, the possibilities were endless.
Of course, they would need strength to protect such a profitable business. With the Starks and Tyrells joining forces, she did not believe it would be impossible to maintain it.
Although she did not know how easy it would be to replicate once it was revealed to the public.
Her mind considered the business possibilities, setting aside any remaining doubts about the marriage.
"Although it would be disrespectful to say that I am Lord Stark, the reality is not far from it. Though I should say that the invitation my mother sent you was not my idea," Harry said, looking at Olenna.
Olenna fell silent and looked into Harry's eyes, immediately understanding what he meant.
Harry was not opposed to marriage, but neither was he actively seeking it.
Thinking quickly, she tried to come up with something. What did the North need at the moment?
To her disappointment, nothing came to mind. At first, she had thought it was food, but during the journey from White Harbor to Winterfell, she had seen that food seemed to be quite abundant.
Wealth? What greater wealth could there be than the one she was currently riding on?
Military power? The North was a strong kingdom, with no enemies and incredibly easy to defend by land.
Perhaps political power was something they lacked, but the Tyrells were actually in a worse position.
The only thing she could think of was her granddaughter's beauty, but beauty, just like a man's interest, was fleeting.
Olenna remained silent for the rest of the journey, so Harry did not continue the conversation either and simply chatted with Margaery and Loras.
He liked the girl, though she was truly too young by his standards.
Even so, he was certain she would become even more beautiful as she grew older, with wavy brown hair, delicate features, fair and flawless skin, and red lips.
Besides being beautiful, she was quite intelligent and cunning. The ease with which she gave clever answers was genuinely interesting.
Loras was quite interesting as well, although they could not agree much when it came to knighthood.
When they arrived at the town, the three visitors looked around curiously.
"This place is called Steam Town. It was where the train and cement were created, and where a good portion of the North's blacksmiths are gathered," Harry said, briefly introducing the place as he guided them.
The town had changed considerably. All the roads were made of cement, and a large building unlike any found elsewhere in Westeros stood in the middle of the town.
Since it was still under construction, he could only take them to the original communal hall to entertain them.
Even so, the town under construction drew much of their attention. It was not difficult to notice that cement was a very versatile building material.
"This town is quite young. It is only a little over four years old. I gathered a few people here in the beginning, but the good wages have gradually attracted more people," Harry said as he sat at the banquet table across from the three Tyrells.
"Yes, the sound of hammering can be heard even from here," Olenna said, genuinely impressed.
It was clear that this entire tour was only a display of power. The North was not begging for a marriage. They were seeking an alliance, one that would actually benefit the Tyrells more.
"Do they make swords and armor?" Loras asked curiously.
"No. Right now, this town is focused on industry. We already have enough weapons and armor," Harry said, shaking his head.
"Besides things related to the train, they mainly make farming tools, nails, pots, axes, and so on," Harry said casually.
They supplied the entire North with these products, which could be purchased there or in Winterfell, with everything easily transported by train.
"Tell me, can we see the Wall using the train?" Olenna asked curiously.
"The tracks do not reach that far yet," Harry said, shaking his head.
"How long would it take to travel there and see it?" Olenna asked, unwilling to give up on the idea.
"A month in your case, but I truly do not recommend it. The temperatures are very low," Harry said honestly.
"Perhaps in a year, once the tracks reach that far," Harry said, not wanting to completely crush her hopes.
Harry noticed that Olenna seemed a little disappointed, but he did not give it much importance and told her that she could still return another time.
At that moment, Philip arrived, whom Harry introduced as the mayor of the town.
Philip greeted them politely before handing Harry a letter.
Harry raised his eyebrows before taking it and opening it.
Things with Mance had become somewhat complicated. Harry's presence in the camp had caused small uprisings that had ended with several deaths.
Mance had only managed to calm things down by assuring them that the attack would happen soon, even sending Dalla and Val's tribe along with several others to "scout" near the Wall.
Although in reality, he was only preparing them for the crossing.
He would have to deal with that soon.
Leaving that for the future, Harry focused his attention on the Tyrells again.
Harry was a good host and showed them around and explained some of the work being done there before traveling back.
It was the third time he had made that kind of demonstration trip, and if he was honest, he hoped he would not have to do it again.
If not for his mother's strong insistence, he truly would not have done it.
"It was truly the most impressive thing I have ever seen in my life, and I have lived quite a long time," Olenna said, looking at the train releasing steam from its chimney.
"I hope something in the future can surpass the impression it left on you," Harry said, looking at her calmly.
"I do not have much time left, so I doubt it," Olenna said, apparently indifferent to something like death.
Margaery complained and told her grandmother not to say things like that.
Continuing the conversation for a while, Harry took them to a meal in the castle. It was already growing dark, so being outside was no longer very pleasant.
Harry noticed that Catelyn and Olenna were speaking more animatedly and assumed he had truly managed to impress her.
He did not know what agreement they had. As he had said, if the marriage happened, it would be good to have an ally. If it did not, then he did not care too much.
He did not mind pleasing his mother. In any case, he had never believed much in marriage.
....
In Winterfell's guest house.
Olenna remained by the window, looking into the distance. A faint column of steam rose, barely visible.
Although she was there, her mind was elsewhere.
She was still traveling through the North on the train.
She felt as though an entire world had opened before her.
The sound of the door opening pulled her from her thoughts.
"Grandmother," Margaery said softly as she approached with gentle steps.
Olenna did not turn around and continued staring seemingly at nothing.
"Dear, tell me, if you were made to choose between a crown... or real power, which would you choose?" Olenna asked softly.
Surprised by the question, Margaery hesitated for a few moments before answering.
"I would choose real power," Margaery said.
"Hm, at least I have not wasted my time teaching you how to think," Olenna said with a slight smile before finally turning to look at her granddaughter.
"The problem is that we do not have the means to obtain either one," Olenna said with a thoughtful expression.
"The Lannisters have their hands on the crown, but the Starks may end up attaining real power in Westeros."
A brief silence formed between them.
"But?" Margaery said softly, sensing that this was exactly what was coming.
"The young wolf does not need us. He built all of this from nothing. Having the Reach on his side would certainly benefit him, but he doesn't need us to continue what he's doing. Why would he share it so easily?" Olenna said with some agitation.
Margaery lowered her gaze slightly, more or less understanding what she meant.
"Then there will be no marriage?" Margaery asked, somewhat disappointed. She liked Harry, but saying she was in love would be an exaggeration.
It was simply that she had already imagined what a future beside Harry might be like.
"No, of course there will be. We have a great ally," Olenna said with a chuckle.
Catelyn seemed quite enthusiastic about a possible marriage between the two Houses, and Harry did not seem opposed either, but his lack of interest was what worried her.
Still, with Catelyn, they would at least have one foot inside. The rest was only a matter of time. A baby or two should be enough.
"But a marriage without mutual benefits is a weak bond. Harry is not an easy man to control."
"But he is also a kind man. You must know how to play the game very well," Olenna said, looking at her granddaughter.
Margaery looked at her grandmother as Harry's image appeared in her mind.
"Or perhaps it would be better not to play it at all," Margaery suddenly said, looking at her grandmother.
Olenna raised her eyebrows in surprise, remaining silent for a few seconds before chuckling.
"Yes, that is true. If you do not know how to play the game, then do not play it," Olenna said, letting out a small laugh as though she found it very amusing.
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