𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒.

𝟏𝟏

                𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝐀𝐂.
                                         -☆-

𝐀𝐒 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐀'𝐒 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐃,

Deena descended from the stairs of her carriage, Gella behind her. She watched as nobles from the Across the narrow sea arrived. Everyone there to celebrate the name day of their king, her uncle.

The Targaryen girl nodded to those who passed, ignoring the questioning gazes of some. She looked to side, meeting the eye of a brunette boy, in the Targaryen house colors. Her eyes stayed glued to him, wondering how a bastard could be treated more like a Prince of the realm. than she was acknowledged as a Princess.

Once she was close enough, the girl standing next to him made eye contact. She smiled, instead of staring as if she were dissecting Deena.

"Hello," the girl next to him curtsied, "I am lady Astraea Hawthorne."

Deena tilted her head, not knowing what she'd respond with for a moment. She looked back to the bastard. She would say his name rather than hers.

"Prince Jacaerys Velaryon." The violet eyed girl spoke.

"Princess Deena Targaryen." Jacaerys spoke back. Astraea furrowed her eyebrows.

"Targaryen?" The Hawthorne spoke. She'd never heard of the girl, though she'd not been blind to her appearance.

"Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Rhea Royce's daughter." Jace explained.

"Ah." Astraea mumbled.

"Are you competing in the tournament, my prince?" Deena asked. Jacaerys smiled.

"Yes, princess. I am. Perhaps I've won your favor?" Jace replied teasingly.

Deena let a small smile weasel its way onto her face, nodding. Astraea looked between them, and then away. She'd caught Aemond's violet eye, much to her dread. His stare was hard, one that told her he'd soon find the ear of her father if she didn't remove herself from the conversation.

"I have to go, Princess Helaena awaits me." She turned before Jace could protest, walking quickly inside the Keep thankful for the crowd of people hiding her from the one eyed whom she knew was following her.

She found Helaena in her rooms, mumbling to herself.

"Princess," Astraea breathed, "the tourney is about to begin."

Helaena looked up from the bug in her hand. "I don't want to go. There's blood to be shed."

Astraea nodded, sitting next to Helaena. "Its a tournament of fighting."

"Not at the tournament." Helaena added, her tone anxious.

"If I don't escort you, Aegon will be told to." Astraea added softly. She'd known how terrible Aegon was to her. He hadn't wanted to marry Helaena, and he made sure everyone in the Keep was aware of the fact.

"Astraea?"

The Hawthorne dreaded the voice, she'd known he'd catch up.

"...Yes, Aemond?" She responded, still looking at Helaena.

"Your father wishes for me to take you to the tournament."

Astraea looked up at him, watching the muscles in his jaw tick. He wasn't lying. Was this apart of her fathers great plan?

"...Goodbye, Helaena. I shall see you at the tourney." She mumbled.

She stood, looking down as she fell into step with him.

"How is Jacaerys?" Aemond spoke, a hidden warning in the question.

"Well. I wasn't able to talk long, I had to speak with Helaena." Her words were chosen with caution.

"Does he have your favor?"

"No. He has Deena Targaryen's."

Aemond scoffed, a smirk gracing his face.

"She's basically a bastard herself."

"Shes a princess just as you are a prince."

"And yet this is the first time she's shown her face at the Keep."

Astraea bit her tongue.

"I want your favor, Lady Astraea," Aemond turned to face her when they'd reached where the viewing box's entrance was, "Do I have it?"

Astraea could hear the warning in these words, louder than the first. He was asking where her loyalties resided.

"...Yes, my prince. I wish you good faith." Astraea forced out.

As he left to the pit, she turned quickly to the box to find a seat. The girl put on a smile, her feet carrying her to the empty seat next to Lucerys.

"Is this one taken?" She asked playfully.

Lucerys looked up, his face brightening as he practically jumped out of his seat to embrace her.

"Astraea!" He exclaimed.

"Hello. You're taller, Luke." She laughed, petting his hair like it was second nature.

"I can speak Velaryian better too." He nodded proudly.

"I knew it. You're going to make a fine Lord, I know it."

Astraea looked up, meeting Rhaenyra's eye, and then Alicent's.

She curtsied to Rhaenyra, a warmer smile gracing her face. She would greet her later, she decided. Away from Alicent's watchful gaze.

Deena soon found her way into the box with Gella behind her, sitting next to Astraea and Lucerys. The Hawthorne tilted her head, confused. If the princess didn't even know anyone in this box, why would she choose to sit in it?

Deena looked down to the competitors, her eyes singling out her father with a glare. She hadn't had a chance to even talk to him yet. The Targaryen thought of what she'd say next time she saw him. A curse, maybe. But now, in the box with her kin, all she could think of was 'why'. Why would he leave her, why didn't he care for her?

The horns signifying the beginning of the tourney dragged her out of her thoughts, watching each house's representatives ride out on horseback.

And so it began.