As the mother to the King in the North, Robb Stark, Lady Catelyn is brought to King Renly Baratheon's camp in the Stormlands by his outriders. She finds his men watching a duel between two fully armored knights. King Renly himself and his new queen, Margaery Tyrell,  watch from a wooden dais. Margaery stands and cheers for her brother, Ser Loras Tyrell, as he disarms his opponent. His rival manages to step under a swing of his great axe and knock him off his feet. When Ser Loras yields and both combatants remove their helms, the crowd is shocked when the fighter is revealed to be a woman: Brienne of Tarth. Renly proudly informs Brienne that she is everything her father, Lord Selwyn Tarth, promised as a warrior. Queen Margaery insists that her brother fought valiantly, as Renly agrees with her. He then names Brienne champion and offers to grant anything that she requests. Brienne asks to join his Kingsguard and he accepts. King Renly then asks Brienne to show Lady Catelyn to her tent, though Brienne is courteous yet distant. Catelyn compliments her performance in the tournament, calling her Lady Brienne. Brienne credits Renly for motivating her to fight, and then asks Catelyn to simply call her Brienne as she does not consider herself a “Lady”.

Later that evening, King Renly tries to initiate sex with his secret lover, Ser Loras Tyrell, but is rebuffed by the knight. Loras reminds him of the importance of fathering an heir and goes to fetch his sister Queen Margaery. When Margaery later enters, Renly warns her that he may have drunk too much. She reaches for his crotch and he blames the wine for his lack of arousal. Margaery then offers to take care of it and unlaces his britches. Renly, however, breaks off their kiss and apologizes. She offers to ask Loras to come in and assist. A shocked Renly is stunned at her forwardness, as she then suggests turning herself over so that Renly can pretend that she is Loras if he would prefer. He claims to not understand what Margaery is outright stating as her awareness of their marriage arrangement. She calmly smiles and assures him that he can be open with her, and should save his lies for court because he will need a lot of them. Margaery then sits next to him on their bed, stating that their enemies will be thwarted if he gets her pregnant and they can produce an heir. She offers him the choice of how he would like to do it; either with her alone or with her and Loras. As Queen Margaery kisses him on the cheek, she informs him that he can choose because he is a king.

Some days later, Queen Margaery and her brother Loras walk through the camp as night falls. They find Lord Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish waiting for Margaery, as Loras then leaves her to enter Renly’s tent. Lord Baelish, who is an advisor to King Joffrey Baratheon, asks Margaery for help finding his tent, as she informs him that she gets lost frequently within the camp, adding that as soon as she is able to find her tent the camp then moves. Littlefinger then notes her reference to having her own tent and questions the status of her marriage, wondering if the pressures of command keep Renly from sharing a bed with her. Margaery informs that, while naive to warfare, she thinks that the side with the greater number usually wins. Baelish counters that if warfare were simply arithmetic, then mathematicians would rule the world. He then questions Ser Loras entering Renly’s tent, as Margaery retorts that the place of a Kingsguard is by his king’s side. Littlefinger then rhetorically asks who was at the king’s side on their wedding night, as Margaery questions his interest in their marriage. Baelish states that it is quite interesting to both him and the realm, as he needles that the marriage of a wealthy girl always breeds interest, if nothing else. Queen Margaery then comments on his status as a bachelor, as he then asserts that he’s been unlucky in his affections. She suggests that it might be for the best, as Baelish seems confused by the notion of marriage. After asserting her devotion to Renly as her husband and king, Margaery leaves Littlefinger outside his tent.

Some time later, King Renly's camp prepares for the coming battle with the forces of Stannis Baratheon, Renly’s older brother who also lays claim to the Iron Throne. Lady Catelyn meets with Renly in his command tent while Brienne stands watch inside. Renly has Catelyn swear that her son Robb Stark has no interest in challenging him for the throne. Renly then stands before a mirror as Brienne helps him out of his cloak. Suddenly an unnatural gust parts the tents opening and black smoke rushes inside. Catelyn and Brienne are stunned while Renly watches transfixed in his mirror. The smoke coalesces into a human shape and stabs Renly through the chest from behind. In the mirror, a dying Renly can see that its face resembles his brother Stannis. The smoke dissipates and Renly collapses to the ground. The guards rush into the tent to find Brienne kneeling over Renly’s dead body and threaten her life. Brienne swiftly kills them both after they attack, and she then returns to Renly’s side. Catelyn implores Brienne to leave, fearing that she will be blamed for Renly’s death, adding that she cannot avenge him if she is dead. Brienne then guides Catelyn out of the tent through a concealed exit.

The following morning, Lord Baelish watches from the clifftop as Stannis Baratheon’s fleet approaches the coast. Renly's army quickly disintegrates following his murder, with the forces of House Tyrell fleeing to their home of Highgarden and the rest of his bannermen joining Stannis. Inside the command tent, stands vigil for his lover while Renly’s widow, Margaery, paces anxiously behind her brother. Littlefinger then enters and informs the siblings that Stannis is closeby, as Loras asserts that he will not run from Stannis and neither he nor Margaery believe that Brienne was responsible. Littlefinger asks Loras what he most desires and learns that it is revenge. Baelish assures the Tyrell knight that he’s always found revenge to be a pure motivation, but cautions Loras to be smart if he wants justice. After Loras exits the tent, Margaery stares at Renly’s body and remarks on her husband's good looks and Littlefinger agrees with her, calling her “Your Grace.” Margaery solemnly informs him that Renly did not win his claim and that she was never truly a queen. Littlefinger asks her if she wants to be a queen, as she responds that she wants to be “the Queen.” She finally turns her gaze to him, with determination in her eyes, and Baelish knowingly smiles back at her. Some days later, Margaery checks in with her grieving brother, who blames himself for pushing Renly towards the throne. She stresses to Loras that while Renly was a “kind, sweet man,” he is now gone and House Tyrell needs him. After confessing his love for Renly, Loras sobs in his sister’s arms.

Several weeks later, Littlefinger is successful in alliance negotiations with the Tyrells, and their forces arrive in time to the capital of King’s Landing with Lord Tywin Lannister’s forces. They claim victory at the Battle of the Blackwater against Stannis’ army, though Stannis himself escaped battle at the last minute. Following their victory, King Joffrey hosts their new allies in the throne room and, in front of Margaery and the royal court, awards Baelish for his service in brokering the alliance between House Lannister and House Tyrell. When Joffrey invites Ser Loras to name his reward, the knight asks that the young king wed his sister Lady Margaery in order to unite their houses. Margaery states that she’s heard of Joffrey's courage and has come to love him from afar, while Joffrey informs her that he has heard of her beauty and reciprocates her feelings. The king’s mother and Queen Regent, Cersei Lannister, theatrically intervenes to assert that the small council have agreed that it would be improper for Joffrey to wed Sansa Stark as planned, citing the recent “treachery” of House Stark. The king plays along and agrees to wed Lady Margaery instead, to her delight. In private, Sansa is overjoyed to be free from the sadistic king, until Baelish stresses that, if anything, she is in more danger without protection of her engagement. However, Baelish does assure her that he will help her escape from the capital.

Some time later, King Joffrey and his retinue are being carried in sedan chairs through the crowded streets of Flea Bottom, the capital's poorest district. They halt when Lady Margaery unexpectedly vacates her chair as she wishes to visit an orphanage. Once inside, Margaery talks to a young boy whose father was killed during battle. Margaery gives him a toy knight and says his father fought to protect the city from bad men. She then tells the children they will be cared for and the sacrifice of their fathers will not be forgotten as toys are handed out to the rest of the orphans. That evening, King Joffrey and Queen Regent Cersei host a private dinner for Margaery and Loras. Margaery remains polite despite a few barbs thrown at her by Cersei with regards to her dress, or lack-there-of. Cersei then makes a few disparaging remarks about her visit to Flea Bottom as is surprised with Margaery’s displays of philanthropy. Margaery deflects such comments, getting support from Joffrey, much to his mother's annoyance, who only knows how to rule through fear while Margaery is skilled at winning the hearts of the common people. Margaery is also pleased to hear that hundreds of wagons stuffed with food and supplies are being sent by the Tyrells in their support of aiding the capital. After trading veiled insults with both her son and future daughter-in-law, it becomes clear that Cersei doesn't trust Margaery.

Days later, Sansa Stark is escorted by Margaery and Loras to meet their grandmother, Lady  Olenna Tyrell. Olenna, who is a cunning and intelligent woman that speaks her mind, bluntly states that her son and Margaery’s father, Lord Mace Tyrell, was a fool for supporting Renly Baratheon's claim to the throne, despite being betrothed to Margaery before his death. Olenna then asks Sansa tell her the truth about what King Joffrey is like, as he is to now marry Margaery. Sansa is initially reluctant but then breaks down and angrily recounts how Joffrey had said he would show her father Eddard Stark mercy, only to behead him in front of her. She adds that Joffrey also forced her to look at her father's head on a spike. Sansa nervously attempts to backtrack, afraid to hold trust in anyone in the capital, but Olenna continues to prod her. After Olenna’s insistence that she can trust her not to repeat whatever is said, Sansa blurts out that King Joffrey is "a monster.” Olenna is disappointed, but entirely unsurprised, given the rumors that have been circulating about Joffrey's public outbursts. Sansa is worried that this means House Tyrell will cancel their proposed marriage alliance, which could mean Sansa will be stuck with Joffrey again. However, Olenna assures her that her son Mace is too intent on Lady Margaery entering into a royal marriage to cancel it for anything.

Afterwards, Margaery is summoned to King Joffrey's chambers to see if she needs anything before he leaves on a hunting trip. While Joffrey has previously been easy for Margaery to manipulate, Cersei was apparently able to plant one seed of doubt in his mind; the fact that Margaery was married to Renly and thus, already had sex with another man, whom Cersei described as a "traitor and known degenerate". When questioned, Margaery insists that she was ordered to marry Renly as her family duty, but Joffrey implies that this still means he must have had sex with her. Joffrey angrily questions Margaery about the relationship and she delicately placates him by feigning demure shyness and painting herself as a dutiful, but frustrated, bride. She uses the rumors about Renly's homosexuality to redirect Joffrey's anger, stating that Renly always found excuses to avoid sex, but, in one instance, drunkenly suggested "something that sounded very painful and could not possibly result in children," which draws Joffrey’s sympathy. Margaery eventually manages to divert attention to his new custom crossbow and it quickly becomes apparent to her that Joffrey is excited by violence and sadism, so she flirts with him by musing about killing something herself with the bow. Easily played, Joffrey offers to take her with him on the hunting trip.

Some weeks later, King Joffrey gives Margaery a tour of the Great Sept of Baelor, where their royal wedding is to be held, as Lady Olenna and Cersei trail behind. Joffrey excitedly relates tales of the darker chapters of the Great Sept's history, to Margaery's feigned interest and Cersei's annoyance. Olenna then asks if the late King Robert Baratheon was buried with the Targaryen kings in the Great Sept. Cersei explains that her husband had left instructions to return his remains to Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon. When Cersei dismisses the accident that claimed Robert's life, Olenna laments her son Mace Tyrell’s total lack of military prowess. Olenna muses on the shortcomings of the men in their lives and the arrangement of patriarchy in general, to which Cersei wistfully says that it is the will of the gods. With Cersei distracted by Olenna, Margaery convinces King Joffrey to greet the crowd outside. Despite his poor relationship with the smallfolk of the city, Margaery easily manipulates him into believing that the people of the King’s Landing actually love him. As she predicted, Joffrey is somewhat placated by Margaery's charity, as the crowd happily cheers for the betrothed pair. Witnessing the adulation of the smallfolk herself, Cersei then realizes she has lost control of her son to the Tyrells.

Later on, Olenna walks through the gardens with Lord Varys, an advisor to the king, and while polite, she instantly sees through his niceties, asking him to get to the point. Varys expresses concern that Lord Baelish is going to try to take control of Sansa since the war is not going well for the Starks, and if Robb were to be defeated and die, the man who controls Sansa ultimately will control the North. While they are all engaged in the intrigues of court politics, Baelish has utterly no limits on what he will do to achieve power: he would burn the entire realm down if it meant he could be king of the ashes. Olenna agrees and asserts that the solution is rather obvious. Shortly after, Lady Margaery finds Sansa in the godswood outside the Red Keep and dismisses the Lannister guards, threatening to tell the king that they refused her if they don't leave. She invites Sansa to visit her home of Highgarden someday. Sansa is confused, as “Queen Cersei” won't allow her to leave the city, but Margaery wryly points out that the “Queen Regent” might not want her to, but once she is queen she’d happily share Highgarden's pageantry with a friend... “or a sister.” Margaery points out that if Sansa were to marry Ser Loras, then she would belong in Highgarden anyway. The thought of finally escaping Lannister captivity and becoming a Tyrell makes Sansa choke out tears of joy.

Days later, Margaery and Sansa watch Ser Loras spar with his squire, Olyvar. Sansa confidently remarks on Loras’ fighting ability, and inquires when they will wed. Margaery replies that she will "plant the seed" after she and Joffrey are married. Sansa is skeptical that Joffrey will let her go but Margaery is confident he will do it in order to please his queen. However, Ser Loras begins a sexual relationship with his squire, whom he tells of his engagement. Olyvar then passes that information on to his true employer: Littlefinger. A short time later, Baelish then meets with Sansa, offering her a place on his ship that will take him from the capital, to the Vale of Arryn. An unexpectedly calculated Sansa tells him that they should wait until after Joffrey's wedding, primarily because she fears for his safety if the plan fails. A master manipulator, Littlefinger is clearly suspicious of her motives, but doesn't press the matter. Instead, he says he is touched by her concern for his safety, insisting that she call him "Petyr." Unbeknownst to Sansa, the plan to wed Loras then fails when Cersei grows increasingly suspicious of the Tyrells after learning of the arrangement through Littlefinger. This news prompts Lord Tywin Lannister to arrange for Cersei instead to marry Loras and Tyrion Lannister is now to wed Sansa, in order to curb the ambitions of House Tyrell and to bind two great houses closer to the Lannisters.

Some weeks later, Lady Margaery walks with Sansa in the gardens, as her wedding to Tyrion Lannister has been fast-tracked and is to take place in a matter of days. Sansa is unhappy with the arrangement but Margaery consoles Sansa in the fact that Tyrion has been kind to her and that he is hardly the worst Lannister she could marry. Margaery’s insinuation is recognized by Sansa, who then apologizes for her insensitivity given Margaery’s own wedding to King Joffrey is also in the near future. When discussing Sansa’s lack of attraction to the dwarf, as opposed to the considerable beauty of Ser Loras, Margaery insists that Tyrion might be able to make her happy, given his rumored skills as a lover. Margaery then informs Sansa of the variety of a woman's sexual interests, which baffles Sansa, asking if her mother taught her these things. Playing on Sansa's innocence, Margaery replies "Yes, sweet girl, my mother taught me."

The wedding is held in the Great Sept of Baelor some days later, and prior to the ceremony Margaery tries to ingratiate herself to Cersei, commenting that they will technically be sisters soon. Cersei responds by telling Margaery the story behind the song "The Rains of Castamere," relating how it refers to the destruction of House Reyne after their failed rebellion against House Lannister. This implies the similarities between the ambitions and position of House Reyne and House Tyrell, and that the same fate may fall upon the Tyrells if they plot against the Lannisters. Cersei concludes by threatening to have Margaery strangled in her sleep if she ever dares call her sister again. King Joffrey then smugly escorts Sansa to the altar in lieu of not having a father. He then petulantly removes the stool upon which Tyrion was to stand on in order to cloak Sansa in Lannister colors as part of the ceremony. This display eliciting snickers from the royal court in attendance. Tyrion, in the face of humiliation, asks Sansa to kneel as he places the cloak around her. The High Septon then begins the ceremony.

That evening at the feast, Margaery is seated with her grandmother Olenna, who talks about what the dynamics of the Lannister and Tyrell families will be after Loras is married to Cersei, with Margaery shooting her grandmother a withering glare when Loras eventually storms out. Meanwhile, Tyrion spends the wedding feast mostly by getting deeply drunk and making light of his father Tywin’s insistence that his inebriated state will render him unfit to impregnate his new wife. King Joffrey himself is also drinking too much wine, and losing what few inhibitions he has, his behavior becomes increasingly offensive to both Sansa and Tyrion. Joffrey taunts Sansa that she's still found a way to marry a Lannister, and then reflects that it doesn't matter which Lannister gets her pregnant, as he openly informs that he might want to rape her after Tyrion is done with her. Joffrey then declares it is time for the bedding ceremony, which involves the men at the wedding stripping the bride and the women stripping the groom before carrying them off to the marriage bed. However, Tyrion angrily insists there will be no bedding ceremony. When Joffrey keeps pushing the matter, a furious Tyrion slams his dagger into the table and threatens that Joffrey will be “fucking his own bride with a wooden cock" if he doesn't let it drop. With Margaery and the royal court shocked in silence, King Joffrey seethes with outrage and Tyrion defiantly glares at his nephew with pure hatred. After a tense moment, Tywin defuses the situation by agreeing that there will be no bedding ceremony, and placates Joffrey by claiming Tyrion's outburst is merely the result of his drunkeness. Taking the hint and using it as an excuse to avoid punishment, Tyrion visibly swallows his anger and begins to act far more drunk than he actually is, intentionally humiliating himself, insisting that he only made a bad joke. It isn't clear if anyone in the room, including Tywin or Joffrey, think that Tyrion's outburst was simply due to inebriation, but everyone plays along anyway to help the tension pass. Tyrion, while pretending to be so drunk he can barely stand, then escorts Sansa to their bedchamber.

Some months later, in the gardens of the Red Keep, Lady Olenna assists Margaery in picking out a necklace for her upcoming wedding to King Joffrey. She selects the finest of those on offer, noting affectionately that it is similar to one she received from Margaery's late grandfather, Lord Luthor Tyrell, on her fifty-first name day. Olenna chucks the piece over the rampart and orders the Tyrell handmaidens to canvass every jeweler in King's Landing for better offerings. They are interrupted by a courteous Brienne of Tarth, former Kingsguard to Renly Baratheon, who fled the scene following his murder. Lady Olenna is delighted to see the truth of the statuesque rumors about Brienne. Brienne has come to request a private word with Margaery. As the pair then walk through the gardens, Brienne informs Margaery the truth of Renly's death some time ago, having witnessed it herself alongside the now-deceased Catelyn Stark. Brienne vows to exact revenge on Stannis Baratheon, whom she holds responsible. Margaery politely reminds Brienne that Joffrey is their king now, as Brienne apologizes for any offense given, but Margaery assures her that none was taken. They walk past a statue of King Joffrey standing over a dead direwolf, which commemorates the victory over the Northern rebellion.

Some days later, King Joffrey and Queen Margaery's wedding ceremony takes place in the Great Sept, conducted by the High Septon, and they are wed in front of gods and men. After the ceremony, the royals gather outside the Red Keep for a lavish wedding feast, where Olenna and Lord Tywin discuss the extravagance of their union between their grandchildren. Meanwhile, Margaery rises to announce the leftovers of the feast are to be given to the poorest in the city, which is applauded by the court. Cersei, playing her part through gritted teeth, informs Margaery that she is an example to them all. Brienne then greets the King and Queen with a bow, whom Joffrey mistakes as the one who assassinated Renly, which Margaery quickly corrects. Joffrey then speaks to the crowd about contemplating history as five dwarves ride out of a large golden lion, representing Joffrey, Renly Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, Robb Stark, and Balon Greyjoy, each of the five kings in the War of the Five Kings. The dwarves put on a performance and make crude sexual acts which entertains Joffrey, though is found too confronting by most of the court, including Margaery who watches her king with disdain. Ser Loras leaves in anger after watching the crude depiction of his deceased lover Renly riding a mount that resembles himself. Once finished, a delighted Joffrey prepares to give the champion dwarf a purse but then mockingly suggests that Tyrion fight him as well. In front of royal court, Tyrion cleverly retaliates the insult by referencing Joffrey’s failed leadership during the Battle of Blackwater. Humiliated that his uncle outwitted him in front of his guests, Joffrey petulantly pours wine over Tyrion's head and orders him to serve him wine as his cupbearer. Margaery eventually interrupts the tense moment between the pair and announces that it is time to cut the pigeon pie. Joffrey then hands his wine goblet to Margaery, who then places it at the edge of the table near Olenna. Joffrey draws his new sword, cuts the pie, and several white doves fly out. Sansa and Tyrion attempt to leave the feast but Joffrey commands Tyrion to serve him wine to wash down the pie. Tyrion hands the goblet to Joffrey and he quickly drinks all of it. Joffrey then tries to speak but begins coughing as he grabs his throat while Margaery exclaims that he is choking. Joffrey collapses face down and begins vomiting and convulsing as Cersei rushes in and turns Joffrey over on his back. A court fool named Dontos Hollard suddenly approaches Sansa and urges for her to escape with him. As he convulses, Joffrey points an accusatory finger in Tyrion's direction, as Tyrion examines the wine goblet. Joffrey's eyes turn red and blood runs from his nose. He soon stops convulsing and quickly dies in Cersei’s arms, who sobs with grief and then orders the Kingsguard to seize Tyrion for the poisoning of her son. A fleeing Sansa, however, is able to escape King’s Landing despite Cersei ordering her arrest as well.

Some time after the horrific events at the wedding feast, Margaery sits in the gardens of the Red Keep with her grandmother, questioning the validity of her title as “Queen” due to King Joffrey’s murder. Lady Olenna explains that she is more of a queen now than she was with Renly Baratheon, but as Margaery didn’t consummate her marriage with Joffrey the title remains up in the air. However, Olenna urges Margaery not to press the issue at this sensitive time. Margaery assumes she must be cursed as both of her kings have now been murdered, to which Olenna responds, however, by saying her circumstances have improved remarkably. She asserts that while Margarey might not have enjoyed watching Joffrey die, it is far less than the suffering she would have experienced in her marriage to the sadistic king. She also insists that their alliance remains necessary to House Lannister. Olenna then compliments Margaery’s work on Joffrey, calmly adding that the next marriage should be easier.

Meanwhile, as they sail through the Narrow Sea, Sansa Stark accuses Lord Baelish of having Joffrey murdered. At first, Baelish evades the accusation, pointing out that he has been away for weeks. Sansa then defends Tyrion’s innocence and concludes that Baelish is too smart to trust a drunk like Dontos Hollard to be his accomplice. Impressed with her instincts, Baelish admits that Tyrion is, in fact, innocent, and reveals Sansa's own part in Joffrey's death. He explains that Dontos' necklace that he gifted to Sansa was the murder weapon, and someone slipped a poison-filled stone into Joffrey's wine. Baelish confesses that while his friendship with the Lannisters was fruitful, Joffrey was too volatile and a king like him as an ally was more a hindrance than a benefit. More importantly, though, Joffrey's death was something that his "new friends" wanted very much, and a gift is always helpful to help a new friendship "grow strong", quoting the house motto of the Tyrells. Back in King’s Landing, Lady Olenna informs Margaery that she is about to depart to their home in Highgarden. She mentions the prospective marriage between Margaery and the next king in succession, Tommen Baratheon, Joffrey’s younger brother. Olenna insists that Cersei will turn Tommen against Margaery if she doesn't act fast. She notes that fortunately Cersei is distracted by her innocent brother’s upcoming trial. Margaery insists that Olenna cannot be certain of Tyrion's innocence, but Olenna states that Tyrion certainly is innocent and confesses that she would never have let Margaery marry "that beast," revealing that she was the one to slip the poisonous stone from Sansa’s necklace into Joffrey’s goblet. Margaery is shocked but her grandmother firmly ends the conversation.

Late in the evening, Lady Margaery enters Tommen Baratheon's chambers, slipping past the Kingsguard and startling him awake. As she sits by his bed, the obedient Tommen claims that she isn’t supposed to be here and that his mother doesn’t allow for him to have visitors at night. Margaery insists, however, that she is not a visitor and discusses with him the rumors of their new engagement. Margaery swiftly and easily charms the Lannister boy, noting that many arranged marriages never get to meet one another until the wedding day. She puts in his mind the idea that one day she will be his and they might as well get to know each other beforehand. When Margaery asks if he would like that, Tommen excitedly agrees but questions his mother Cersei’s knowledge of this. Margaery then insists on keeping this as their “little secret,” adding that, as future husband and wife, she hopes there will many secrets between them. She then interacts in a friendly manner with Tommen’s cat, Ser Pounce, and they both bond over their relief that they won't have to live in fear of Joffrey anymore. Margaery compliments to the soon-to-be king of his kind demeanor, stating: “you don’t strike me as cruel.” Shen then promises to visit again. Realizing that she must be maternal in her initial manipulation of him, Margaery gives him a kiss on the forehead as she leaves.

Some days later, in the throne room of King’s Landing, Tommen Baratheon is crowned as the new king of the Seven Kingdoms on the podium in front of the Iron Throne to enthusiastic applause. Following the ceremony, Cersei meets with Lady Margaery along the gallery of the hall. Margaery compliments Tommen by stating that he sits on the throne as if born to it. Cersei enquires whether Margaery still mourns for the deceased Joffrey Baratheon, which is met with a polite response. Cersei then admits to Margaery that Joffrey would have been her nightmare and goes on to comment on the things that he has done has shocked even her. However, she informs that no matter what they do, you never love a child moreso than your first. Cersei then ponders who the last decent king was and asserts that Tommen could be the first man in over fifty years to actually deserve sitting on the throne. Margaery suggests that this could be consolation for all the horror that put him there. Cersei asks if Margaery still wants to be the queen, to which she replies that she hasn't thought about it. Cersei ignores the obvious lie and insists that Tommen will need someone to guide him, saying that “a mother is not enough.” Margaery informs Cersei that she will have to speak to her father Lord Mace. She then comments on the fact that she soon won’t know what to call Cersei, “sister, or mother.”

Some weeks later, in the dungeons, Ser Jaime Lannister enters his brother Tyrion's cell to escort him to his trial. As he is brought to the throne room in chains, Tyrion’s trial begins with the newly-crowned King Tommen recusing himself. Instead, a group of three judges are appointed to oversee the trial: Lord Tywin, Lord Mace Tyrell and Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne. As the trial begins, Margaery and Loras are both seated next to each other to watch over the proceedings. Cersei has organized several witnesses to testify against Tyrion on the stand, such as Lord Varys, Ser Meryn Trant and Grand Maester Pycelle, who exhibits the poisoned necklace Dontos Hollard gave to Sansa Stark, which at some point had been found when Dontos’ body was recovered in Blackwater Bay. Later, as recess ends, Ser Jaime speaks with Tyrion and urges him to plead guilty, and also advising him to "keep your mouth shut. No more outbursts." Returning to the trial, Tywin then orders a surprise witness to the stand: Shae. His former lover’s appearance astounds Tyrion, whom he thought had left the capital. Shae testifies that Tyrion and Sansa planned Joffrey’s murder together, claiming that Sansa wanted vengeance for the murder of her family. She also tells the judges of Tyrion's sexual desires, embarrassing him in front of the crowd. Before she can continue however, Tyrion, enraged beyond sense, angrily demands that he be allowed to confess his crimes. He angrily roars about how he saved King's Landing but should have let Stannis Baratheon kill everyone, much to the horror and disgust of the people in the court. Tyrion then claims to be guilty. His father Tywin formally asks for him to admit to the court of the murder, however, Tyrion denies this, saying he is guilty of a "far more monstrous crime. I am guilty of being a dwarf!" Tywin scoffs at Tyrion's claims and says he is not on trial for being a dwarf. Tyrion angrily says he has been on trial for that his entire life. Tywin asks if he has nothing to say in his defense. Tyrion then says he has nothing to say in his defense, however, reveals his true feelings about Joffrey, denying the murder but saying he wished to have killed Joffrey himself. Tyrion then turns his fury towards Cersei and says that watching her "vicious bastard" die gave him more relief than "a thousand lying whores". He then roars to the court that he wishes to be the monster they think he is and would gladly give his life to watch everyone die from drinking poison. This enrages everyone in the court as Tywin then orders Tyrion back to the dungeons. Before he can be escorted out, Tyrion bellows that he will not lose his life for a crime he did not commit and, knowing that he will get no justice, demands a trial by combat. Margaery and the rest of the court express much surprise of this demand.

Some weeks later, Lannister guardsmen escort the shackled Tyrion to the arena, where a large crowd has assembled for his trial by combat, though Margaery herself is not in attendance. Tyrion grows apprehensive as his champion, Prince Oberyn, is battling against Ser Gregor Clegane, a monstrously sized and infamously brutal knight. After impressing the crowd with a display of acrobatic spear maneuvers, Oberyn goes on the attack, stabbing at Gregor and constantly moving out of the knight's reach, forcing Gregor to tire himself out chasing his opponent. As he evades Gregor, Oberyn repeatedly taunts Gregor by constantly bringing up his part in the murder of his sister, Elia Martell, and her children, demanding a confession. As Oberyn starts winning, Tyrion remains optimistic, but his hopes are quickly shattered in the moment when Ser Gregor knocks Oberyn down and crushes his head, then confessing his war crimes and sealing Tyrion's fate. As Tyrion is struck with horror, Lord Tywin states that the gods have made their will known and Tyrion is sentenced to death. Some time later, however, Ser Jaime releases Tyrion from his cell in the middle of the night and has arranged for his escape from the capital. After they part ways, Tyrion decides to pay his father Tywin a visit in his quarters and murders him with a crossbow before departing from King’s Landing.

Following the murder of Lord Tywin at the hands of her brother Tyrion, Cersei Lannister is escorted to the Great Sept for Tywin's funeral, surrounded by numerous lords and ladies, including Queen Margaery, who she glances at suspiciously. Cersei informs the High Septon they will all have to wait a little longer while she has a moment alone with her brother Jaime and their father's corpse. That evening, during Tywin's wake, Cersei is approached by Ser Loras, who babbles on with platitudes about her father, but she ignores him, as she is intently watching her son Tommen with Margaery, who share some few words while holding hands. Later on, while in bed together, Ser Loras and his squire Olyvar contemplate a birthmark on Loras' thigh, which Olyvar thinks resembles the shape of Dorne. Queen Margaery then walks in on the two of them, stating that she and Loras are late for dinner and insists that Olyvar leave. After Olyvar’s exit Maragery complains to Loras about his lack of discretion, however, Loras retorts that since his sexuality is an open secret anyway, there isn't much point in discretion. He also opines that as Tywin is dead, no one will force Cersei to marry him, which he adds is unfortunate for Margaery, as Cersei will now remain in the capital, free to harass Margaery. Margaery cooly replies with "perhaps," alluding to some scheme in the works.

Some weeks later, King Tommen and Queen Margaery are wed, much to the dismay of Cersei, who remains stone-faced throughout the ceremony. That night, following the ceremony, Margaery and Tommen consummate their marriage. Tommen is especially elated as the two discuss their future together. Tommen thinks that his mother is unhappy in King's Landing and seeing an opportunity within that, Queen Margaery manipulates Tommen into thinking that as long as Cersei stays in the capital, she will continue to treat him like a child, watching over him. The following morning, Tommen and Cersei are out for a walk along the battlements when he tells his mother that he thinks she should return to Casterly Rock if it will make her happy, since she used to talk so fondly of her childhood home. Cersei declines, however, deducing that this is Margaery’s doing. Cersei then pays her a visit, to find Margaery bragging about Tommen's libido to her handmaidens. Greeting her mother-in-law, Margaery is now more confident than ever and subtly rubs her queenship in Cersei’s face, gloating about her “exhausting” night with her son. Cersei tries to verbally spar with Margaery as she used to, but the younger queen is in her prime, and assaults Cersei with backhanded compliments, including a comment on Cersei’s drinking habits. Instead of attempting to match the queen, Cersei walks away feeling defeated.

In the last few weeks, an extreme religious faction called the Sparrows have risen in popularity and the Faith Militant that work beside them storm the streets of the capital, attacking taverns, brothels and street vendors selling idols from other religions. Inside Littlefinger’s brothel, Olyvar is struck and ignored as they barge in and assault the patrons. While this occurs, Lancel Lannister leads a squad of the Faith Militant to then apprehend Ser Loras while he is sparring in the practice yard. In her quarters, Queen Margaery is furious over her brother’s arrest. King Tommen then goes to his mother Cersei and demands that Loras be released at once, though Cersei calmly points out that she didn't arrest Loras, so he should ask their leader, the High Sparrow, to release him. Tommen naively thinks the High Sparrow will simply do as he requests, so he heads to the Great Sept but his path is blocked by the Faith Militant, who refuse to move for the king. The Kingsguard request that Tommen let them kill the Faith Militant in order to pass. Tommen is surprised at this and does not want to risk bloodshed escalating matters so realizing this is not going to end well, Tommen meekly withdraws back to the Red Keep. Margaery is even more upset at how ineffectual young Tommen is and states that she is going to bring her grandmother Olenna back to the capital to deal with this.

Some time later, Lady Olenna returns to the capital after learning of her grandson Loras’ arrest. She meets with Margaery and is angered in the fact that while Renly’s homosexuality was widely known in the c,apital, her grandson is now being targeted. They both agree that Cersei is working with the High Sparrow. Olenna then meets with Cersei and tries to talk her into releasing Loras though Cersei sticks to her claim that she had nothing to do with it. Olenna warns Cersei that her actions have endangered the Lannister-Tyrell alliance – the very alliance that, for example, is supplying the capital with food. Cersei informs Olenna that the High Sparrow has called for a preliminary hearing to determine whether the charges against Loras have merit and expresses confidence that Loras will be acquitted. Afterwards, the High Sparrow himself interrogates Ser Loras in front of King Tommen, Cersei and the Tyrell women. Loras denies the accusations against him, insisting that Renly Baratheon was his friend and his king, adding that he was wrong for supporting Renly’s claim. He further testifies that he also has never laid with any man. Assuming the interrogation has concluded, Olenna tries to leave with her grandchildren, however, the High Sparrow then asks to question Queen Margaery, who then also denies any knowledge of these allegations. The High Sparrow then calls in Olyvar, in character as Loras’ squire, who claims that the accusations against Loras are in fact true. Olyvar also testifies that Margaery walked in on them once in bed, but did not seem surprised. To support his testimony, Olyvar tells the High Sparrow of a birthmark Loras has that is shaped like Dorne, much to Loras' shock and fury. Deciding that this is more than enough evidence for a holy inquest, the High Sparrow has Loras arrested. Furthermore, since Queen Margaery bore false witness before the Gods as well, she is also arrested. As Margaery is forcefully dragged away, she calls out for King Tommen in panic, who is paralyzed with indecision, while Olenna contemptuously regards Cersei's barely-contained smug expression.

Days later, Olenna meets with the High Sparrow inside the Great Sept and demands that he release her grandchildren, however, he declines, stating they will be punished for their crimes. The High Sparrow insists that the laws that uphold the Faith of the Seven must be applied to everyone equally. Olenna first tries to bribe him by ending shipments of food to the capital. Despite this threat, the High Sparrow remarks that the nobility of Westeros have forgotten that they are outnumbered by the common folk and tells Olenna to ponder what happens when the many stop fearing the few. Outside, Olenna then receives a letter bearing Lord Baelish's seal. Afterwards, Littlefinger meets with Olenna in his ransacked brothel and the pair share a tense conversation, as Olenna reminds him of the role they both played in Joffrey’s murder, and that, should House Tyrell fall, she will have no reason to keep his involvement a secret any longer. Baelish then explains that he was obliged to give Cersei information, but informs Olenna that he will give her the same thing that he gave Cersei: a handsome young man - implied, in this instance, to be one of the leading Sparrows, Lancel Lannister, who once had an incestuous affair with Cersei. In the prison cells beneath the Great Sept, Cersei meets with Margaery and brings her food. Margaery refuses, however, revealing that she knows that Cersei is responsible for having her and Loras imprisoned. Cersei, fearful of being overheard, denies this. Margaery then mocks Cersei for her unconvincing lies of trying to save her, going as far as to say that while she knows how to lie and scheme, she doesn't understand innocence and decency well enough to fake them. Margaery adds that she suspects this is exactly why King Tommen loves her and was willing to send Cersei away. Cersei, concealing her fury, informs Margaery that her trial will soon begin and that her son needs his mother more than ever. Margaery throws the stew at Cersei, and yells at her to get out. Cersei leaves the cell, smiling smugly at Margaery. However, upon her exit, Cersei is also arrested and will be put to trial for claims of adultery and incest.

Several weeks later, in the cells of the Red Keep, the imprisoned Queen Margaery is being read scripture from the Faith of the Seven by Septa Unella. Margaery calmy interrupts Unella and requests to see her brother Ser Loras, who also awaits trial in a cell under the Keep. The septa informs the queen that “sinners don’t make demands, they make confessions.” Their increasingly tense interaction is halted by the arrival of the High Sparrow, who excuses Unella and insists to Margaery that he will speak to the septa with regards to her overzealous behavior. He then informs her that his reason for the visit is because of her husband, King Tommen, who misses her dearly, adding that their love reflects the love the gods have for them all. The High Sparrow then calmly tells her that only confession purges sin, to which Margaery remains insistent on having nothing to confess. He then asks her is she believes she is pure and without sin, as she then claims that nobody is without sin. The High Sparrow then informs her that she is on the right path, but still has a long way to go.

Some weeks later, Septa Unella enters Queen Margaery’s cell and leads her to a private meeting with the High Sparrow. The Sparrow asks Margaery what she would do if he allowed her to leave that day. Margaery replies that she wants to return to her family and her husband King Tommen. The High Sparrow respects her love for her family but tells her that attachment leads to sin, citing his previous experience as a cobbler. Margaery manages to impress the Sparrow with her knowledge of “The Book of the Stranger,” which she admits that Septa Unella had read at her. The High Sparrow agrees that Unella has a habit of reading at people instead of to them. He then recounts how in his youth, he was a womanizer, a drunkard and then underwent a conversion experience the morning after an orgy, as his drunken guests lay naked all around his house. Tired of what he was now perceiving as a meaningless existence, the High Sparrow turned his life around and became a devoted member of the Faith of the Seven. He then left his job as a cobbler and devoted his life to the poor and destitute. Believing he has found a way to reach Margaery, the Sparrow allows her to visit her brother Ser Loras. She then finds a dejected Loras lying on the floor of his cell, who has lost the will to continue resisting. He pleads with his sister to help him, as Margaery urges to Loras that the High Sparrow is trying to use them to break each other. She insists that he needs to stay strong, as he is the future of House Tyrell.

Some time later, inside the Great Sept, King Tommen is speaking with the High Sparrow about Margaery’s impending walk of atonement through the streets of King’s Landing and his fear that it could be dangerous. Understanding Tommen’s concern, the High Sparrow insists that the queen will be protected the entire walk, stating that the Faith Militant are very stern with those who overstep their bounds. The High Sparrow then offers to let Tommen visit with Margaery, as the Sparrow trusts that she too is now devoted to the Faith of the Seven. Tommen then meets with Margaery, who tells her husband that they will be together again soon and everything will be better than it was before. Tommen is then surprised to find her speaking positively about the High Sparrow. He is also surprised to hear her speaking contritely about her past sins, including her vanity about being seen to help the poor and needy. He eventually finds himself agreeing with her feelings towards the High Sparrow, as Margaery asserts that there is something about the devoted man and his way of viewing the world. When Tommen then asks of her brother Loras and his imprisonment, Margaery explains that she loves Loras, “a pure soul,” and that his sins don’t erase his purity, it only obscures it. She then admits that her brother also needs to atone for his sins.

Afterwards, Lord Mace Tyrell leads an army through the streets of the capital to a waiting Jaime Lannister, who is working with the Tyrells as his sister Cersei also awaits trial following her imprisonment. Together, they proceed to the Great Sept of Baelor, outside which the High Sparrow, Septa Unella, the Faith Militant and a large crowd of city folk are preparing for Queen Margaery's walk of atonement. The army arrives, along with Lady Olenna in a litter, as the High Sparrow is speaking, and Ser Jaime demands that he release Margaery and Loras, before they can "be on their way.” The High Sparrow refuses and fends off Jaime's threats to kill all the Sparrows by saying each Sparrow yearns to die in the service of the gods. After a tense few moments, however, he proclaims it will not be necessary, as there will be no walk of atonement for Margaery. The High Sparrows then explains that she has already atoned for her sins by bringing another into the faith. To Jaime's astonishment, the doors of the Sept open and King Tommen emerges, escorted by his own guards. The king walks down the steps to join the High Sparrow and his queen in a demonstration of unity between the crown and the faith. The crowd burst into cheers after Tommen's speech, demonstrating that the High Sparrow now has the support of both the crown and the smallfolk. Baffled by this turn of events, Lord Mace expresses his confusion as Olenna informs her son in disgust that the High Sparrow has beaten them. Meanwhile, a furious Jaime seethes at the High Sparrow's triumphant expression.

Days later, Margaery is studying the Seven-Pointed Star and informs the High Sparrow that in the past she pretended to love the poor when in fact she only really pitied them. He asks her why she hasn't joined King Tommen in the marriage bed, and Margaery explains that the desires that once drove her no longer do so. The High Sparrow assures her that desire is not necessary, but she has a duty to produce an heir. Afterwards, Margaery returns to the Red Keep, as Olenna meets with her under the supervision of Septa Unella. Olenna insults the septa until Margaery comes to Unella's defense. Olenna then pulls Margaery into another room in an attempt to gain some privacy, but Unella simply follows them. She then tries to convince Margaery to leave King's Landing and return to Highgarden. However, Margaery refuses, stating that her duty requires her to be at King Tommen's side and instead pleads for Olenna to return to Highgarden. As she emphatically tells her grandmother to return home, Margaery secretly slips a piece of paper into Olenna's hand. In doing so, she communicates to Olenna that she doesn't quite mean what she's been saying in front of Unella. Once in private, Olenna unfolds the piece of paper and finds that there is a rose drawn on it, indicating that Margaery is merely tricking the Sparrows, her true loyalty still with her house. Olenna also seems to understand that Margaery is urging her to leave for her own safety.

Some weeks later, everyone is getting ready for the trial being held for Loras, as well as Cersei. The crowd amasses inside the Great Sept of Baelor, along with Queen Margaery, her father Lord Mace and Cersei’s uncle, Ser Kevan Lannister. As Grand Maester Pycelle heads to the Sept, a small child stops him and whispers something into his ear that changes his course. Meanwhile, inside the Sept, the Sparrows of the Faith Militant bring Ser Loras in first, as the High Sparrow awaits. Instead of having a trial, Loras confesses to his crimes and tells the High Sparrow that he wishes to devote his life to the Faith of the Seven. The High Sparrow tells him that this would mean that he renounces his family name and his future lordship of Highgarden, as Loras tearfully agrees. The Sparrows then grab him, hold him down and carve a seven-pointed star into his forehead. His father Mace actually tries to fight his way through the crowd to stop them but Margaery, her voice trembling, holds him back. Shocked by this action, Margaery afterwards protests to the High Sparrow for mutilating her brother. The High Sparrow then informs her that he promises to allow Loras to leave the Sept after Cersei faces her trial as well. At the same time, King Tommen prepares to depart the Red Keep for his mother’s trial but Ser Gregor Clegane prevents him from leaving his room. Inside the Sept, Lancel Lannister informs the High Sparrow that Cersei has yet to leave the Red Keep, so the High Sparrow asks him to go retrieve her. As Lancel is walking out, one of Qyburn's "little birds" lures him away to the catacombs beneath the Great Sept. Meanwhile, Grand Maester Pycelle follows the whispering child, who is another little bird, into a room where Qyburn awaits him. Qyburn apologizes to Pycelle for the inconvenience, then multiple children surround the grand maester and begin stabbing him repeatedly to death. Below the Sept, Lancel continues to follow the young boy, who drops the torch that he was carrying. When Lancel goes to pick up the torch, the child stabs him in the spine and runs off. Paralyzed from the waist down, Lancel looks around where he is laying and discovers that there is a cache of wildfire, one of those the “Mad King” Aerys Targaryen secreted beneath King's Landing as part of his plan to deny the city to his enemies when facing certain defeat at the end of Robert's Rebellion. As Lancel crawls closer to the main source of the illuminated green liquid, Lancel sees that the wildfire is about to be set off with three candles at the end of the hall that are almost burnt out. He desperately crawls toward it in an attempt to put the candles out. Meanwhile, an impatient and increasingly worried Queen Margaery realizes that something is very wrong as they continue to wait for Cersei and King Tommen’s arrival. She immediately confronts the High Sparrow and insists to him that this is a trap, frustratedly informing him that Cersei understands the consequences of her absence and she is absent anyway, adding that “she does not intend to suffer those consequences.” However, the High Sparrow does not listen to her astute assessment of the situation. Margaery then yells out to everyone that they all need to leave immediately, however, the Faith Militant block the doors instead, preventing anyone from exiting. Down below, Lancel does not make it to the candles before the wildfire ignites, flooding the tunnels with green flames. Inside the Sept, Margaery clings to her brother as she then shares a look of terror with the High Sparrow. Margaery, Loras, Mace and the rest of the gathered nobles then hear the muffled explosions below before the fire punches through the floor and burns everyone inside the building to such intensity that the Sept then shatters and crumbles to rubble, flinging debris far and wide, leveling the city for a mile around. Cersei, looking out of her window, grins maniacally at the explosion even as the screams of the dying ring through the air. Meanwhile, from his own chambers, King Tommen stares out at the explosion in shock and disbelief, which eventually leads to his own suicide.

*In the aftermath of Margaery’s death, follow Olenna’s journey throughout the rest of the series.