The wheels of the caravan kicked up dust, but instead of heading north, the rolling tracks pointed south.
Roderick's attendant leaned close to the carriage window, his face full of confusion, and he pointed to the back of the convoy: "Aren't we going to King's Landing, my Lord?"
Roderick's voice came from inside the carriage, a little hoarse from the bumpy ride: "We're not going to King's Landing. King's Landing is a wolf's den. Taking such a treasure in there is like a fat sheep walking into a wolf's den."
"If they knew I had such a good thing, the greedy nobles would pick us clean to the bone."
The attendant fell silent, thinking of the filth and darkness behind King's Landing: "Then where are we going, my Lord?"
Roderick's tone was shrewd, "To see the master who feeds King's Landing, the granary of the Seven Kingdoms, Highgarden."
"House Tyrell is the true master of the Grain Guild. Presenting this great gift to the Supreme Commander of the Riverlands is much safer than us venturing into that quagmire ourselves."
The wheels rolled over the Kings Road heading south, leaving the mud of the Riverlands and the Crownlands behind.
When Highgarden's beautiful, iconic white marble buildings and the golden roses entwined around them came into view, the very air changed.
All the estates and fields outside the city were filled with flowers and golden roses.
It was no longer a mixture of dust and horse manure, but the rich scent of fresh flowers and roses.
Roderick straightened his most presentable robes and, through the guild's urgent channels, sought an audience with the master behind the Grain Guild, the Warden of the South, the Supreme Commander of the Riverlands, the Great Lord of Highgarden, Lord Mace Tyrell.
In the hall adorned with splendid tapestries, Roderick met the legendary "Puffer Fish" Lord.
Lord Mace Tyrell's physique was indeed as "ample" as his nickname suggested. He was keenly admiring a painting presented to him by an artist, appearing somewhat inattentive to Roderick's arrival.
Finally, Lord Mace Tyrell's gaze shifted from the painting to Roderick, as if he had finally noticed him, with a condescending scrutiny: "You are Roderick?"
"Yes, honorable Lord." Roderick bowed deeply, carefully taking a wooden box wrapped in gold thread from his embrace, and gently opening it to present the peculiar spectacles. "I have brought you an unprecedented marvel. It can restore clarity to a blurred world."
Lord Mace Tyrell's attendant took the spectacles, examined them, and then respectfully handed them to him.
Lord Mace Tyrell picked up the device made of copper strips and crystal, examining it curiously, and saw Roderick motion for him to wear it on his nose.
"Oh? Interesting." He mimicked Roderick's action and placed the spectacles on his nose.
In an instant, Lord Mace Tyrell's expression changed. He exclaimed with delight, calling his attendant's name: "Oh! Mason!"
"Look at the painting hanging over there! I can see the petals of that rose clearly!"
Lord Mace Tyrell kept turning his head, like a child with a new toy, looking around: "Very good, very good. This thing is exquisitely made. The noble ladies of the Seven Kingdoms will love it. It can be given to a lady to win her favor."
Lord Mace Tyrell took off the spectacles, looked at Roderick with satisfaction, and clapped his hands: "A very interesting toy, Roderick. You have found a novel collectible for House Tyrell."
"I've decided to buy it. I'll give you a thousand gold dragons."
A thousand gold dragons! Roderick's heart pounded. Although this number was far lower than his expectation, he could get three hundred gold dragons, and ten would be three thousand gold dragons. As long as he earned this money, he could go to the Free Cities, buy estates, land, and slaves, and truly change his destiny from then on.
"Thank you for your generosity, my Lord!" Although Roderick felt the offer was too low, he still had to appear so excited that his voice trembled slightly, bowing deeply again.
"Go get your money." Lord Mace Tyrell waved his hand, his attention returning to his painting, as if this was merely an insignificant interlude.
Roderick retreated in ecstasy, feeling light-footed as if he were walking on clouds. He had struck it rich.
The Supreme Commander of the Riverlands was willing to pay a thousand, which meant someone would certainly pay more. More importantly, he could act in King's Landing under the name of House Tyrell.
Lord Mace Tyrell, holding his newly acquired toy, eagerly walked through the long corridor, preparing to present it to his mother. He believed his mother would be delighted with this little gadget that would allow her to clearly see embroidery patterns.
Lady Olenna was sitting by the window, basking in the sun, the sunlight casting mottled shadows on her aged face.
Her eyes were cloudy, like gray pearls covered in a thin mist.
"Mother, look what good thing I brought you!" Lord Mace Tyrell kept saying in his slightly exaggerated tone.
Lady Olenna frowned, not turning around, and slowly said, "If you bring another parrot that can mimic human speech, I'll throw it and you into the Mander River."
"No! No! Mother! It's this!" Lord Mace Tyrell presented the spectacles as if offering a treasure. "It was sent by Roderick, our servant in King's Landing."
Lady Olenna glanced impatiently, her gaze like one looking at a fool. She took the strange-looking object and, urged by her son, reluctantly put it on.
The world in the Queen of Thorns' eyes solidified for an instant. Then, all the blurry color blocks and hazy outlines were instantly wiped clean by an invisible hand. The roses outside the window, the veins of every petal, were clearly visible. The cracks in the bricks on the distant tower were perfectly clear. She could even see the slight trembling of her son's fat face from excitement.
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