TO LOVE A KING || Maegor II Targaryen [SLOW UPDATES]

010 ▪️ THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER

In the afternoon, after lessons with Septa Mallow had ended at the Maiden Grace Royal Academy, Charlotte sat beneath the ancient weirwood tree in the Godswood, its white trunk stark against the full bloom of spring..

The wind whispered through her locs, casting a soft glow over her lashes as she read. But as she turned a familiar page in the manuscript, her thoughts drifted to her late mother.

Lady Tissaia Darklyn had bore one gallant son; Gwayne Hightower, then Charlotte. Tissaia had barely been laid to rest before her father, Ser Otto Hightower, remarried Lady Alyrie Florent. Soon after, her younger sisters: Alicent and Naomi were born, and everything changed.

As the eldest daughter of Ser Otto, Charlotte was known for her dutiful nature, sharp wit, and charm, qualities that had won over nearly quarter everyone at court, except the King. She was admired, sought after by many suitors, and despite being Rhaenyra's closest friend, her relationship with her half-sisters, Alicent and Naomi, was far more complicated.

Charlotte and Alicent had never truly gotten along, though she tolerated Naomi. Lady Alyrie often claimed that sisters naturally bicker and reconcile, but Charlotte and Alicent were like night and day, or rather, like clashing steel. Naomi had always played the peacemaker, the spoiled yet soft-hearted last child.

Competition had always existed between them, but Charlotte had outshone them both. Naomi was coddled, and Alicent was uncouth, Alicent was a stubborn brute who could never measured up. Not when Charlotte was their father's favorite daughter.

Their bond had only strengthened when their mother fell ill and died. Soon after, their father was called to King's Landing to serve King Jaehaerys Targaryen.

Charlotte still remembered it vividly,their father preparing to leave, Alicent and Naomi pleading for her to come with them. But Otto had chosen his favorite, and three days before his departure, she and Alicent had fought bitterly.

Naomi had tried to stop them and was hurt in the process. That was the breaking point. When Charlotte left for King's Landing, she left them behind in more ways than one.

Life at court had been swift and consuming. Then Rhaenyra happened. Their friendship had spanned a decade, so much so that Charlotte often forgot she had a sister in Oldtown at all.

The sun filtered through the crimson leaves of the weirwood, casting golden rays across Charlotte's face. The oak's carved face seemed to watch her as she inhaled deeply, lost in thought.

A familiar voice broke the quiet.

"I knew I'd find you here, reading."

Charlotte startled at the sound and turned to see Rhaenyra approaching with a bright smile.

"Rhaenyra!" she breathed, then softened into a wholehearted smile, yet faltered in the process.

The princess settled beside her, studying her face. "Are you alright Charlotte? You seemed lost in thought when I walked in. Is something the matter?"

Charlotte pressed her lips together before flipping through the pages of her book. "It's nothing. I was just thinking about my late mother."

Rhaenyra chuckled. "What about your half-sisters? Don't tell me you don't miss them already."

Charlotte gave a small, half-hearted smile. "I do. I haven't seen them in ten years... Alicent must be Twenty by now, Naomi is eighteen. I barely even know what they look like anymore, except that they must be beauties in the South, resembling their mother." Her tone was light, but there was something hollow beneath it. Vile and loathsome.

Rhaenyra studied her carefully before offering, "Then why not write to Oldtown?"

Charlotte let out a dry laugh. "And say what?"