From the very beginning, Missy's storyline is one huge Tearjerker, mixed with Nightmare Fuel perhaps, as her hopeless situation at Kingsgrave, being at the mercy of Albin Manwoody and his freaks, is displayed with brutal efficiency.
One of the biggest Tearjerkers of the first chapter, similarly in Missy's parts, is the death of the Purple Ocelot. One of the few characters that are actually helpful towards her (even if he just followed orders), gets brutally murdered merely to send a message. It becomes worse after realizing that he really got dragged into this situation merely because he followed his master's orders.
Gwendis' storyline holds one big Tearjerker when her actions behind her father's back, though done for the good of the kingdom, end up with him deciding that she's too much trouble to keep at Blackmont. In this moment, the seemingly dark sorcerer-king turns out to be merely a disappointed father, hurt by the actions of his favourite child. At the same time, Gwendis, so far always strong and in control, is clearly crushed by this realization and by the sudden feeling of being powerless.
Chapter 2: Kings and Snakes
The beginning of Gwendis' storyline in Chapter 2 already kicks off with a big Tearjerker, equal parts this and Heartwarming, as Gwendis and Benedict have their first father/daughter talk in years. In it, Benedict apologizes for his shortcomings as a father and he clearly feels crushed over the time they never had. It becomes even worse due to it being the last time they will see each other for a long time at least. With Gwendis leaving Blackmont for parts unknown, it is up in the air if they will ever see each other again.
The death of Ser Yandry is surprisingly emotional for such a small character. There's not only the fact that he loyally gave his life for his princess, but especially Nymeria's reaction, as the usually so stoic princess momentarily tears up at the sight of her loyal knight's corpse.
Missy's meeting with the freaks is majorly tearjerking, due to her being pushed and taunted by them to snap back into her old personality. This is the first time her true identity as Kortney Caron is revealed, making it clear what happened to the young girl Myke has set out to save. Her backstory makes it even worse, as it shows just how horribly she and her lover Norano failed at building up a new life for themselves. With Kingsgrave located just behind the dornish border, it means they made it only a couple of miles before being captured by Albin Manwoody's men. It also means she has been so close to home, yet so far, for over a year by the time the story starts.
Relatively light in comparison, yet still hitting quite hard is Desmor Fowler's reaction to the broken marriage pact between his house and the Blackmont's. While he is relieved he doesn't have to marry Gwendis against either of their wills, he is crushed by the fact that he once again failed at being useful for his house. His clear feeling of being inferior gets only harder to read once you take in mind that this has been the result of Gwendis' choice, a choice she herself has already started to doubt.
Illor's death. The man took a spear to the gut and Naelia held him until he died. The fact that he muses if he will go to either one of the seven hells or heavens septons talk about or if there's nothing on the other side only makes it more heartbreaking. And how hard Naelia takes it; she hasn't felt so heartbroken since her mother's death, and despite her initial thoughts of forgetting him to prevent more pain, she soon rejects the idea and promises to remember him.
Chapter 3: Children of the Sun
The death of Prince Ferris Fowler, who's assassinated when he was alone. The fact that he always felt he wasn't as good as his younger brother Desmor only makes it sadder.
When Isabella and Desmor find out, Isabella breaks down in tears while Desmor almost rides back to Skyreach on a futile attempt to avenge his brother.
During the Battle of Godsgrace bridge, we see how many secondary characters we have grown attached to, die on both sides like the White Elephant, Jacke and Broden.
Trentan's death by Human Sacrifice was nothing but tragic, with Gwendis losing her only friend that had accompanied him during most of her ordeal. Even Aisha felt shocked Valerie Sand would go that far so quickly.
Myke, Joran and Steffon's sacrifice to allow Kourtney and Prestan to escape into the safety of the lands of House Caron, dying fighting against Larry and his men. The old knight died content knowing he had fulfilled his duty.
Dalia's death and subsequent funeral. Desirea remains strong, but Kris knows she has lost the mother whom she had only recently reconnected, and there's a very unlikely chance she will see her father again.
Dianna's sacrifice. She killed Hargan Harlaw in the panic of the attack on Brimstone, and Bjorn Harlaw kills her in retaliation. For these two who had grown to respect each other, is quite saddening.
Ulwyck Tiddle's futile last stand, since the man only did his duty and wanted to protect his sister the Queen, and paid for it with his life.
Interlude 1: The Kings of Dorne
Garrison Fowler remembering his simpler days when he was young, and still able to see. He also sadly muses that he has outlived his wife Ashara and son Ferris, making him feel blind and broken.
He also wonders what has become of his second son Andren, since he hasn't wrote in over four years since he went to the Citadel.
Histories & Lore
Myke's Histories & Lore part, though fairly upbeat for the most time, becomes Harsher in Hindsight after the revelation of Kortney's fate. Seeing this sweet, innocent girl makes reading Missy's parts a lot harder, to say the least.
The Purple Ocelot's Histories & Lore part, though mostly a moment of Awesome for him, gets two Tearjerker moments. One is the part where he describes the death of his mother, one of the rare parts he actually shows sorrow. The other moment is very much Harsher in Hindsight, once you consider how eventful his life has been, only to end due to him swearing his loyalty to the wrong man.
Gwendis' Histories & Lore part is set shortly after the death of her mother. With her being merely ten years old, this is already hard on its own, as the girl, who already shows some of the composure she has in the main story, struggles to appear strong, if only for her brother, who reacts with childish anger over the sudden loss. Hearing Naemon describing just how much he hates his father and what he sees him as capable of is similarly hard. Then, there's the final scene, in which Gwendis cannot hold back anymore, resulting in her breaking down in Naemon's arms.
For the same reasons as Myke's above, Missy's part is partially this, as long as it doesn't cross into pure Nightmare Fuel. It really drives home how far the girl we met in the knight's Histories & Lore part is actually gone.
