𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒.

𝟒

                                      𝟏𝟐𝟕 𝐀𝐂.
-☆-

𝐋𝐀𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃.

Astraea hadn't been dressed in black since her own mothers funeral and staring at her reflection felt like she was reliving the very worst day of her life.

"Astraea," she heard her father call out to her, knocking firmly on the door.

"Come in." She forced the words out of her throat, picking at her fingers. She didn't know why she wanted to cry, she'd not known the Lady well, aside from her being her best friend's aunt.

To Astraea death was like a shadow that loomed, never truly leaving enough time to heal before taking the next.

She'd saw her father come in through the mirror's reflection, not bothering to turn around and meet his eye. 

"Daughter," he says as he puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Hm," Astraea offers half heartedly.

"A pig." Paul said, moving her hair from her shoulders.

"What?"

"Her Grace spoke with me," The girl's father informs her, turning her to face him, "About an incident that occurred involving Jacaerys and Lucerys. Did you have anything to do with that?"

"No." Astraea says, mind drifting to Aemond's words from days ago. She wanted badly to tell him how they were all friends now, but knew it would only draw more questions from him. The girl knew the Queen's disdain for the boys now, and her father sat right at the kings table. The brunette picked harder at her fingers.

"The truth." He reaches out to lift her chin.

"I told you no. That is the truth, father."

He sighed, letting go of her chin. "You know very well the Queen is a generous woman, daughter. The king is bed ridden. She provides the privileged life you live here. Choose wisely what you make of yourself, yes?"

"You ask of me things no one should ask their daughters, father." She took a step back after a beat, understanding exactly what he was telling her.

"You hear what the Princess tells you to hear. You miss the full picture."

"I will not do anything to favor the queen's nor the princess' wishes! I do not value my relationships based on your opinions or greed-"

Her father reaches and squeezes her jaw, frightening her into silence. "Her sons seem to never come out... correctly. Continue to defy me and your insolence will ruin everything I've built here for us. Do you understand?"

"...Yes." She yanked away, glaring at the stone floor.

-☆-

𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊.

Astraea had never been before this day. It was beautiful, to her. The castle was impressive and the presence of the saltwater smell never truly dispersed. She loved the sea, it's vastness. Her mother told her the sea was the only thing that was truly free in this world, that no one could tame it.

The girl had no clue what the Lord of Driftmark was saying in the tongue of the dragon riders, simply watching the waves crash and pull back repeatedly.

She looked over to where Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffery stood with their mother, who stared hard at the stone coffin that was presented in front of everyone. The brunette wondered if Rhaenyra had been close to Laena.

The girl glanced at the queen, who stood with the king and her children. Astraea fought not to roll her eyes at Aegon's bored expression. She hadn't spoken with Aemond since Alicent had harshly scolded them a few days before, opting to play with Helaena and her insects instead. When alicent looked up at Astraea, the child quickly became interested in what her pinkish dress skirt's material looked and felt like.

Astraea went back to watching the waves, but quickly snapped her gaze up as she heard someone laugh. She didn't have to know Valaryian to understand that it was definitely disrespectful, looking around at the surrounding spectators reactions.

Daemon continued to laugh as the casket was freed of the rope that anchored it, allowing it to slip into the sea. The girl thought it was a good place to be buried, compared to being burnt by a dragon, the Targaryen tradition. But still, as it fell, the tears prickled her eyes. She hoped Laena wasn't in pain, wherever she was. She felt for Baela and Rhaena, knowing how devastating it ia to lose a mother.

Astraea's empathy stretched far, perhaps farther than her own good. She hadn't known the Lady Laena, and yet she grieved for her the same.

Her eyes immediately found Jace, and focused hard on him, pleading with herself to hold in her tears. She wished to stand next to him. Maybe then she could cry because he'd understand why she was and just hold her until she stopped.

When everyone stood outside after the ceremony, Astraea quickly found Jacaerys and stood next to him quietly. She knew he'd felt uncomfortable under everyone's judging gazes due to his brown hair and eyes.

"Have you seen your father?" Rhaenyra spoke, walking up to them and running a hand lovingly through Jacaerys' hair.

He shook his head, and Astraea looked away, not knowing where she fit in the conversation.

"Your little cousins have lost their mother...reckon they could use a kind word," The princess smiled softly at the girl, "You should go as well, Astraea. They'd like a girl friend."

"I have an equal claim to sympathy," The brunette boy said, looking up at his mother.

"Jace—"

"We should be at Harrenhal, mourning Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin." He persisted, frowning as his mother looked around to make sure no one heard.

"It would not be appropriate," She knelt in front of him, "The Velaryons are our kin, and the Strongs are not."

Jace looked away, then back to Rhaenyra, then past her to Astraea. The subtle nod she gave him was enough for him to listen to his mother and approach the two sullen girls.