In Highgarden in the Reach, the golden roses within the beautiful white castle finally bloomed again as temperatures rose. In the castle gardens, ablaze with flowers, Duke Tyrell and his vassals were holding a party.
"Seven above, this dreadful winter is finally over! Ten years! At last, we can enjoy ourselves properly."
Duke Tyrell was riding high these days, for the Reach had lost almost none of its population during this nearly ten-year winter.
Although his household's supplies were almost exhausted, the hardship had finally given way to better days. With the Reach's wealth, a single harvest would be enough to put them back on their feet.
Moreover, thanks to the old duke's tireless efforts, his newlywed wife, Lady Mei Dou, had finally borne him a plump baby boy in this warm, blossoming spring-Garth. House Tyrell finally had the heir he had longed for.
After the death of his mother, Lady Florence, Duke Tyrell held all the power and ruthlessly sidelined his daughter Margaery and his grandson Vermond.
Having lost both his claim to the Iron Throne and his great dragon, Vermond had finally managed to accept his position as heir to the Reach after completing his service in the Dragonpit. But the long winter had left him little chance to accomplish anything, as everyone huddled in their castles, not even daring to hold a single feast.
Several years earlier, Lady Florence, the true power behind House Tyrell, had also passed away. After regaining control, Duke Tyrell promptly married Meilia, the eldest daughter of Earl Mei Dou of Greenvale, who had been stripped of his title over his grain reserves.
Not only that, he had forced his grandson Vermond to marry Meilia's younger sister, Meishanna. Feeling utterly humiliated, Vermond grew even more twisted and erratic than his already violent, arrogant