Since you had come of age, you had been the handmaiden of Margaery Tyrell. It was a very sought-after role and you felt incredibly lucky to be working for the Lady of Highgarden. Many handmaidens were treated terribly and a glorified servant, that wasn't the case with you. Granted you weren't excited to have to empty a chamber pot, you did love Margaery like a sister, and you cared about her lot. On more than one occasion she had referred to you as her closest friend and since you had known her, she hadn't treated you as a lesser person, having even gone as far to share rare delicacies with you or doing your hair.

It was a perfect relationship, but you feared that it wouldn't last much longer with her betrothal to King Joffrey. Although women rarely got a choice in their marriage, you had known that Margaery had agreed, well encouraged the marriage to go ahead which baffled you.

You had just finished helping her dress for lunch with the King and his mother. Margaery was sat in front of you as you brushed her hair, so that she was ready when one of the servants came to collect her.

"I wish you could join us," Margaery said softly, letting you continue to do her hair.

You gave her a weak smile. Certainly you wished that you could be of her status, not having to work a day in your life and being able to go to fancy lunches, but you'd have never wished for your life to be switched with Margaery's as she was kind hearted and even though she didn't do anything to gain her status, she used it in ways that you wished everyone did.

"As do I," you responded. "I do not like the idea of you being alone with the king."

"His mother shall be there too," she commented.

"That isn't an improvement," you stated.

Margaery stopped you brushing her hair as she rotated in her seat so that she was facing you. She gave you a gentle smile as she took your hand in hers.

"There is no reason to worry," she smiled softly.

"You've not heard the servants talk my lady," you whispered. "He is a sick boy. I fear what he would do to you. I don't even know why you were so willing to agree to this marriage. I understand being Queen is the dream of any girl, but he is too dangerous. There isn't any way it can work out, he is crazy, everyone knows it but can't say it to his face without losing their life. You are nothing like him though, you are soft and kind, I do not wish to see him corrupt you."

She gave you a reassuring smile, knowing how much you worried about her.

"It is not a marriage of love," she said softly. "I doubt I shall ever love him, nor he love me. However, there is no reason to worry about me. I know that you shall be there for me every step of the way and I shall not allow him to hurt me."

"You do worry me, my lady. I do trust you though, it is him that I do not trust."

"Neither do I."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.

Tumblr Request.