1 Chapter 1 The Forsaken Eldest Son

In the Reach at the end of February, the sun was scorching hot, and even the air was twisted by the scorching heat . This extended summer had persisted for seven years, long enough that all memories and awareness of cold winters had slowly faded from people's minds.

Traveling along the scenic Rose Avenue southward until it met with the coastal road, one would come across the most picturesque city in Westeros - Highgarden, perched on a hill next to the Mander River.

Stepping inside the castle made of gleaming white marble, one's senses are immediately overwhelmed with the splendor of the surrounding decorations. Everywhere you look, there are breathtaking sculptures that showcase the skill of master craftsmen, each one unique and intricately detailed. The sound of trickling water draws your attention to the fountains scattered throughout the castle, each one more mesmerizing than the last. And the sweet aroma of blooming flowers fills the air, their vibrant colors enhancing the beauty of every corner.

But amidst all the grandeur, one thing stands out above all else - golden roses. They are present in every part of the castle, from the walls to the floors, as if they are an inseparable part of the very foundation. They are the symbol of the owner of this castle ,Tyrell family, and also a reminder of the wealth and power they possess. Every petal gleams in the sunlight that pours through the castle's windows, giving the impression that the entire castle is glowing with a golden radiance.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

The melodious sound of the bell echoed through the winding corridor as three figures made their way into the knight hall. The coat of arms adorning their chests wasn't that of a golden rose, but a walking hunter with a bow - the emblem of the Tarly family .

The leader was a man in his forties, with a serious expression, short beard, and wearing a dark green silk dress trimmed with white fur. He carried a heavy two-handed giant sword on his waist. This man was Lord Randyll Tarly, the Earl of Hornhill.

His two sons followed behind him - the eldest, Samwell Tarly, and the second son, Dickon Tarly. Both inherited their father's dark hair, grey eyes, and tall stature, but Samwell was overweight, and the straight and tough facial features of the Tarly family did not appear majestic on his chubby face.

The aristocratic dress on Samwell's body made him almost breathless due to the hot weather. However, he did not dare to unbutton his collar and could only suffer through it.

The three of them stood still in the center of the knight hall, waiting quietly.

As time passed, Dickon began to show signs of impatience. He glanced over at his absent-minded brother and couldn't resist asking in a hushed tone, "What are you looking at?"

Samwell responded nonchalantly, "The stone pillar."

"What's so interesting about a stone pillar?"

"It's not just any stone pillar," Samwell's lips curled slightly as he said. "It's the stone pillar from the bard's poem."

"The bard? Okay, wow, did you sneak out for a drink last night?" Dickon teased.

"Quiet!" Earl Randyll turned his head and glared at the two brothers.

Dickon fell silent, and Samwell lowered his head with a trace of loneliness and regret flashing in his eyes.

  During the three months since he arrived in this world, his sense of loneliness had grown day by day.

  However, after learning that he was now in the continent of Westeros and the eldest son of the Tarly family, he had no time to dwell on his emotions.

  For although Samwell Tarly was the earl's eldest son, he was despised by his own father.

As one of the most accomplished generals in Westeros, Earl Randyll has an extensive list of glorious achievements. His most famous triumph was defeating the founder of the Baratheon kingdom at Ashford during rebellion.

King Robert I, a brave and skilled leader, suffered his first defeat in his illustrious military career at the hands of Earl Randyll .

As a proud and valiant lord, Earl Randyll could not fathom the idea of his successor being a timid and overweight man. While Samwell possessed exceptional intelligence, knowledge, and empathy, his father deemed a courageous warrior as the ideal heir for their family, rather than a scholarly bachelor.

Despite Samwell's admirable qualities, his father's beliefs left him at a disadvantage.

Samwell is also very clear that according to the original plot, he will be forced by Earl Randyll to go to the Wall in the near future to become a night watchman who "does not marry, have children, or inherit land", thereby giving up the family inheritance rights to his younger brother who is more favored by his father.

  Of course he didn't want to go to that damn place.

  Samwell tried to change all this when he first crossed over.

In an attempt to redeem himself in his father's eyes, Samwell started eating in moderation, excercised vigorously, and dedicated himself to master the arts of fencing and horsemanship.

Of course, just as his body fat cannot be lost in a short period of time, it is not easy to reverse the deep-rooted image in Earl Randyll. Despite his best efforts, Samwell's progress was hindered by a fall from his horse.

Luckily, at the time of his fall, Samwell was not riding at high speeds and his excess weight served as a cushion. While the incident did not prove fatal, it did confine him to his bed for more than a month.

According to the family's equestrian teacher, the fall was an accident. However, Samwell suspected that someone had meddled with his saddle. It seemed that someone did not wish to see the Tarly family's eldest son, who was deemed useless by many, make a comeback.

Samwell didn't know who hit him this time, but he also had a rough guess.

Earl Randyll was not the type to resort to underhanded tactics; if he wanted Samwell to give up his inheritance rights, he would have said so directly. As for his younger brother Dickon, he was just a thirteen-year-old child, and if he possessed such cunning, ruthlessness, and acting skills at such a young age, he could very well be a contender for the Iron Throne in the future instead of being relegated to obscurity like his character in the story.

Despite this, it was unlikely that Dickon was responsible for the attack, but rather someone close to him. Samwell had been deemed a useless member of the family for too long. Earl Randall had given up on him, and many in the family had already begun to view Dickon as the future lord of the house.

In contrast to Samwell's isolation and helplessness, Dickon had too many vested interests and had already gathered a group of loyal followers around him. If Samwell wished to reclaim his rightful place as heir to Horn Hill, he would need to quickly regain his strength and fight back against the opposition. However, he must also be prepared for the continuous onslaught of blows and even assassination attempts that lay ahead.

After the incident, Samwell came to the realization that he had lost his chance in the battle for succession and that it was too late to reverse the situation. He faced great risks if he continued to pursue the battle. Given the circumstances, he believed that giving up was the wisest choice.

Moreover, he knew the plot well, giving him the biggest bargaining chip in the upcoming Game of Thrones. Therefore, it did not make sense for him to remain in Horn Hill, a battlefield where he had no chance of winning.

Instead, he decided to take the initiative and seize the opportunity to gain reasonable benefits. He knew that he could not continue to put on his cowardly appearance and wait for the day when his father would force him to go to the Great Wall of wilderness . He had to be proactive and ensure that he gained something from the situation.

So he decided to take matters into his own hands and sought out his father and asked him to help him secure a development order from Duke Mace, the ruler of the Reach.

When Earl Randyll heard his eldest son's request, he was taken aback and thought that he had misheard. He had never expected his timid and cowardly son to exhibit such courage. However, after reflecting on it for a moment, Earl Randyll eventually agreed.

He realized that by allowing Samwell to venture out and open up a new territory, his son would effectively relinquish his inheritance rights to Horn Hill. This was something that Earl Randyll had always wanted to see happen.

Thus this trip to Highgarden by a father and two son's .

The sound of crisp footsteps echoed in the knight hall. Samwell turned his head and caught sight of a fiery red figure making her entrance. It was a charming girl with brown eyes reminiscent of a forest deer.

She wore a red silk tunic dress that accentuated her tall and well-proportioned figure. Her soft brown curls cascaded over her smooth shoulders, accentuating her already fair complexion. With her unique facial features and irresistible charm, she was truly unforgettable at first sight.

This girl was none other than Margaery Tyrell, also known as "The Rose of Highgarden," daughter of the Duke mace.