𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖞 𝕹𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙;ʰᵒᵗᵈ

1

ASTRAEA walked through the large halls and corridors of the Red Keep. The Red Keep where she resided and lived ever since she was of six name days was never called a home by her. 

The cold and dark halls of the Keep was nothing like the free and bright halls of her childhood home, every morning she was greeted by the loud noise from the city instead of the morning bird's songs unlike her childhood home, every night before she went to bed instead of fireflies she was bothered by the mosquitoes, every time she went out of the palace she was greeted by the foul smell of fish, pig shit and people instead of the sweet smell of the flowers, chirping of the birds and warm smiles of people she received back in Oldtown, her Home. 

Pushing aside all these thoughts she quickened her pace to reach her destined place. Growing up in the Red Keep with a dragon princess who was as wild as her dragon Astraea knew each and every rooms, doors and corners like the back of her hand. She soon found herself infront of the large door, before entering the room she smoothened down the skirt of her gown.

Being the daughter of the Lord Hand had many advantages. She could live in the capital, attend fancy balls, see dragons, wear beautiful clothes and jewelries. Wearing clothes and jewelries was her favorite part though, right now too she wore a beautiful silk gown in light green shade which had a square neckline with intricate pattern printed on the chest region and puffed sleeves paired a gold belt around her waist. She had her dark hair in half-bun half-down letting the curls on either side of her face loose. She let a delicate headdress designed with pearls sit proudly on her head and a pearl choker paired with another pearl necklace with the seven pointed star around her neck.

After confirming everything is in place she opens the door and enters the room. As soon as she enters the lower rank servants quickly bow their head in respect as she smiles at them muttering 'good morrow' to each and every one of them which they really appreciated.

"Good morrow, my queen." Astraea greets the consort of King Viserys, Queen Aemma whose face brightened at the sight of the young girl. "Good morrow, Astraea." she smiles. "How have you been, my queen?" Astraea at the age of nine was made the lady-in-waiting for the Queen. Otto already had his other daughter as the friend and mate of the Princess Rhaenyra. It would have been normal to send his younger daughter too as a companion to the young princess as the two were closer in age and she would have her older sister nearby as well. But sending his precious daughter Astraea as the lady-in-waiting for the Queen would ensure allow his presence in the internal family matters and would ensure a safe and bright future for Astraea.

Astraea since young was a charming young lady just like her late lady-mother. The Queen had taken a quick and strong liking to her and often seeked for her company. 

The young Hightower was offered to the Queen when she had lost yet another child, the Queen wanted a child and Astraea wanted a mother. Since Rhaenyra was mostly taken care by her septa and spent her free time with either Alicent or her dragon Syrax the Queen Aemma was quite lonely and had nobody to shower her maternal love to, the continuous miscarriages didn't help it either. Whereas Astraea despite being the sole object of all of her father's affection still longed for a presence of a maternal figure, Alicent was always either stuck with the septa or Rhaenyra. So naturally both the Queen and the young lady found solace in each other. 

"The babe is quite active. Always moving and kicking." the queen answers rubbing her huge swollen belly. She was near to the end of her end of her pregnancy and it was a high time to everyone both inside and outside the palace. 

"And yes, could you please do my hair. I probably look like a mess being stuck in this bed all day." the Queen requests. "Ofcourse, why not my queen?" Astraea quickly gets all the oil, combs and necessity.