Jon makes use of the potion

Jon pondered over the little object he had been gifted for the entire ride back to Highgarden, his mind wondering what to do with it. There was every chance that it was nothing more than a simple concoction of coloured water, a charlatan's present. Worse still, it could be poisonous to any who drank it, and an attempt against his life by some Blackfyre loyalist, though internally he conceded that the possibility of that was rather small. Curiosity compelled him to keep the vial despite reason insisting that he discard its contents.

The sun was low as he returned to the castle, but even so he was greeted like the royalty he was. Lady Alerie Tyrell, his future good-mother, graciously informed him what the evening's meal was going to be and led him to a seat of honour high up beside Margaery, and personally poured him a cup of wine before taking her own place at the table. Ser Willas had even managed to brave the steps down from his chamber to join them, and made pleasant conversation with Jon on recent hawking endeavours, which the prince replied to with some enthusiasm. Ser Loras, of course, did little to hide the lust in his gaze from his place at the table, but said little during the meal.

It was ultimately his betrothed who kept his attention the most, constantly placing her dainty hand over his as she told some idle piece of gossip from around the realm, gently rubbing her foot down his leg as they listened to other conversation and toying with a necklace that hung delightfully low between her impressive breasts. Jon found himself struggling to restrain himself as he took in his future wife, his mind already conceiving of all the ways in which he might fuck the living daylights out of the young woman. Restraint would be necessary though, for he had to operate under his father's time table, and it would not due for Jon to marry and have an heir before his elder brother, lest some unsavoury lords use them as a means to undermine Aegon and his potential reign. For all Jon knew, Margaery and her kin might be of that exact mindset, and he could not allow them to have too much sway.

"So tell me, Prince," Lady Olenna's voice cut through his thoughts like a cleaver, "what was it that you did today on that ride of yours?"

The woman did not flower her speech or hide behind subtle wordplay, and that directness momentarily had Jon off guard. "I merely rode about and took in the countryside," he took a small sip of wine, "the Reach is unlike anything in the Crownlands, Riverlands or the North. You should be proud of its beauty Lady Olenna."

"Hmm, yes, yes it's a rather pretty place," the old woman tapped at her wine chalice and then leaned closer an inch, "but why did you not take one of the household with you? I understand you and my grandson get along famously."

It was an effort for him to not glance at Loras, but Jon managed well enough. "Your family is so well known around these parts...especially so close to Highgarden, I was concerned that it may have given me another level of attention I did not need."

"Jon is fond of visiting the commonfolk, Grandmother," Margaery smiled brightly, her hand place over his, "I have heard that in the capitol he often gives coin to the local orphans, often anonymously."

"Not anonymous enough if you've heard of it," the old woman scoffed before turning her attention back to the prince, "though it is clever of you, boy. Getting the commonfolk on your side is a good way to remedy that poor reputation your mother had," she held up a wizened hand when Jon made to protest, "oh don't give me that face, you know as well as I do that Lady Lyanna is not very popular with the veterans of the rebellion. Personally I feel nothing for her either way."

Jon chewed on that for a moment, and he could tell that his betrothed and her kin were clearly embarrassed by their grandmothers comments. He defused the tension by returning to the earlier topic of conversation. "You are very savvy when it comes to the workings of court Lady Olenna," he took another sip of his wine, trying to appear less displeased than he was, "but i can assure you that my dealings with the commonfolk are not motivated by any political moves. My father used to do as such when he was young, and he taught my siblings and I to do the same as often as we could."

"I think that is a very noble thing," Lady Alerie said, giving him a gentle smile that lit up her face and made her seem younger than she was. "Would that more Lords took a page from your royal father's book."

Margaery hummed in agreement before turning to Jon, "I think that's enough talk about politics, would you care for a dance my love?"

A bard was playing softly in the hall, and when Jon looked into his betrothed's eyes he could not refuse her. She led him down with girlish enthusiasm, and when the bard and his musicians changed their tune to something more lively Jon could not help but find his heart beat a little faster. With Margaery's body pressed closed to his, they began to move together in a delightful, hypnotic rhythm spinning and moving around one another, their eyes never leaving the other's the entire time. It was entrancing a way that Jon could not escape from and absently he thought how wonderful it would be if he could truly love this woman without concern for subterfuge or manipulation.

Vaguely he felt the vial still pressed against his arm in a concealed space inside his sleeve, and he began to scheme. It was in all likelihood nothing, but he still felt compelled to try out the substance on his future wife, to at least test if he could make her a true partner for him in a way the foreign woman had promised. Several others joined them in the dancing and after a time Jon found himself back at the high table, a little dizzy and more than a little drunk, but with a plan in mind. He looked over at the table, saw a cup of wine and poured the vial's contents in as subtly as he could.

After a time, feeling exhaustion set in, Jon begged off and returned to his chambers, sleep taking him into its gentle grasp. He could not say how long afterwards he slumbered, but eventually he was woken by a visitor standing at the foot of his bed.