On the day Lonzell arrived at Horn Hill, Highgarden also welcomed its distinguished guests: Ser Mund Hightower and Prince Daeron Targaryen, who had been fostered in Oldtown. The young prince would become Ser Mund's squire when the time was right.
The heir to Hightower had brought a massive entourage of eight hundred men, including sixty landed knights. The Lord of Highgarden, the young Lord Loras Tyrell, could not refuse their arrival.
Fortunately, his wife, Lady Zhenxia of House Fossoway, was exceptionally capable. Otherwise, Highgarden would surely have been turned upside down by the Hightowers.
Lady Zhenxia had prepared a luxurious garden palace for the heir to Hightower and the young prince. Marble fountains, lush flowerbeds, and towering ancient trees filled the grounds. The Tyrell family had even diverted underground water to build a bathhouse that could provide hot water at any time. Even the picky Mund Hightower could find no fault with it.
"Your Highness." Mund walked over to Daeron, who was reading one of Highgarden's books.
"Uncle." The young prince had been so absorbed in his book that he did not react until Mund called him. He hurriedly rose to greet his cousin-uncle. "My apologies. That was my mistake."
Mund fondly stroked the young prince's short silver hair. "Loving books is a good thing. Oldtown has the largest library in Westeros. When you are a little older, I will bring its books to you."
"So, Uncle, why aren't we waiting in Oldtown for Uncle Lonzell and my..." Daeron paused. "Strong nephew." He quietly spoke the latter term. "I remember the letter said his grand tour would reach Oldtown."
"Highgarden is more suitable, Your Highness." Mund placed a hand on the prince's shoulder without directly answering Daeron's question. "Neither Hightower nor Tyrell has girls of suitable age. Having both houses