Gryn came to Sansa's side and examined the painting she indicated. "Riverrun is a beautiful great castle. Most of the lands belonging to it are fertile farmland, and with the Tumblestone and the Red Fork, they were enough to feed hundreds of thousands of subjects."
He sighed. "War is too cruel. As far as I know, Riverrun now has only tens of thousands of starving people left, trembling in fear. The long winter is approaching; among them... who knows how many fortunate ones will survive."
At his words, a mist rose in Sansa's eyes.
She clasped her hands together and said sorrowfully, "Oh, what are they to do? May the Gods bless and pity those helpless people."
"The merciful Gods will surely bless them."
Gryn shifted his gaze from the painting of Riverrun and continued, "As King of the Seven Kingdoms, I have a duty to prevent tragedies among men. Yet once the long winter arrives, I must protect the entire Seven Kingdoms, not merely one part of them."
He slowly began walking again. "The North, The Reach, Dorne, and the Iron Islands all possess the strength to shelter their own people. As for my direct lands... especially the Riverlands, they have nearly become ruins. They are now like a gold-devouring beast, endlessly consuming what little resources remain in the Vale, the Old Crownlands, and the Stormlands."
Gryn stopped before a painting of a banquet. Lady Catelyn in the painting was still a maiden, with the entire Tully family present, and the atmosphere was cheerful and warm.
He slowly clasped his hands behind his back. "Once, there was no one who did not envy the glory of House Tully."
Gryn's sudden sentiment made Sansa, who was still considering what he had said before, pause in slight surprise.
A proper lady's