Adelia Hightower was the perfect lady. Everyone thought so, expect her father, sister, and the Princess Rhaenyra. She was good and kind, a breath of fresh air in the dreary Red Keep. Her flaming hair and emerald dresses was a welcome sight amongst t...
Adelia strolled through the halls of the palace after leaving the small council meeting. The court often commented that the girl looked more like she was gliding than actually walking. She could usually be found with a soft smile on her face, and with her head up in the clouds. But now Adelia's beautiful face held a small frown that darkened her bright features. She wished her father loved her as much as he loved her sister, Alicent. All Adelia wanted was to make those she loved proud of her. She tried so hard to be a model lady of the court, and while most would say that she had no trouble with this, it seemed her father would never fully be pleased.
And though the interaction with her father had left her considerably upset, she refused to go into her majesty's room holding an ill-feelings. Queen Aemma was troubled as of late with her progressing pregnancy. There hasn't been a time in Adelia's life that she can't remember the whispers of the court. They constantly ridiculed the fair queen for only delivering one son. An heir was great, but a spare was desired, and no lord would ever accept the princess as such. The queen struggled with difficult pregancies, losing several in the womb and more as babes. Adelia was determined to only easy the queen's worries and not add to them.
Ever since Adelia's own mother had passed away, Queen Aemma had taken the young Hightower under her wing. This of course pleased Aelyx to no end, as he loved to see his two favorite women get along so well. The queen filled a hole in Adelia's heart that was left by her mother, as the woman was the only one in Adelia's family to show her true, unwavering love.
As Adelia approached the queen's chambers, she could hear the hustle and bustle of the midwives and ladies attending to her majesty. She gave a nod to the guard stationed outside of the room, which he returned in kind, and entered the room as the doors were opened for her. Upon entering, Adelia dropped into a low, respectful curtsy as she was announced.
"The Lady Adelia Hightower, Your Majesty," one of the many ladies announced.
"Adelia, dear, please rise. You know better than to be so formal with me," scoled the queen gently. She admired Adelia's manners and respect, but she truly saw the girl as her own daughter and would not let her be treated any less than.
"As you wish my queen," spoke Adelia as she rose and made her way over to the small chair beside the queens bed.
Upon sitting down, Queen Aemma rested her soft palm on Adelia's cheek so that she could study her. Adelia found herself leaning into the warmth of the touch and lifted her own hand to grasp the Queen's.
Adelia froze as she heard the queen gasp, and only then realized that she must have used the hand that had been marked not so long ago.
"Adelia, sweet child, pray tell what happened to you hand... and don't lie, you know I can tell," asked Queen Aemma in a concerned tone.
"It was truly no matter, your majesty. My father just wished to grab my attention and accidentally squeezed my wrist too tightly. I believe he does not realize the fragility of young girls," Adelia brushed off with a laugh. This was not what she wanted to happen. The queen should be resting, not worried about a silly mark on her wrist.
"Come here, my sweet," beckoned Aemma as she moved to the other side of her bed.
Adelia was quite used to this and settled into her majesty's loving embrace. Though she knew it was highly improper, she cherished these moments of affection that the queen showed her. It seemed that Aemma and Aelyx were the only people to show her any, like mother like son.
Aemma began to run her fingers through Adelia's firery, red locks. She felt the young girl relax underneath her touch, and she knew that Adelia was much to worried for a girl her age.
"Adelia, dear, I want to say that if this pregnancy does not end as desired -"
"Don't speak it into existence your majesty," interjected Adelia, "You will soon be delivered of a healthy prince or princess, and then you will live out the rest of your days as our fine, fair, queen."
"I love your confidence, my dear, but you know that pregnancy is always a risk. Should anything happen to me, I want you to know that I have loved you as much as I love my own two children. You are a blessing to this court and to my family. But I wish for you to promise me one thing, can you do that for me," pushed the queen.
"Anything that your majesty wishes, I will do," said Adelia in earnest as she stared up at the regal queen who, at least to Adelia, seemed to glow like an angel.
"I wish for you to promise me that you will love and comfort my son. He will be lost for a while, and will need someone with such loyalty as you to keep him on his path. He will not survive losing me without you, of this I am sure. And eventually, when you are out of mourning, I wish for you to promise me that you will marry Aelyx and rule this kingdom with your gentleness and grace"
Adelia was floored at the queen's last request. Of course she would be there for Aelyx, she wouldn't imagine being anywhere else but by his side. However, she couldn't marry him. He was the heir to the iron throne and she was just the third child of a second born son. She was no great lady and would not bring any notoriety to the throne. She was certainly not worthy of becoming Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, not in comparison to the woman asking her to swear it now.
"I can see the gears running in your head, Adelia. You are plenty good enough for my son and the realm. I only wish for my children to find love and I thank the gods everyday that you and Aelyx have found love with each other so young. Do not overthink my request, as your heart wants you to accept," reassured the queen.
"If your majesty wishes that this be my promise to you, then I solemly promise it with my whole heart," said Adelia firmly. She was never one to give her word lightly, even though the weight of what she just promised laid heavy on her heart.
"Good, now rest my love. I know you are tired," whispered Aemma as she laid a tender kiss to Adelia's brow.
The two women gave into the warmth and comfort they felt with eachother and drifted into a serene sleep. The midwives and ladies excused themselves to let the two rest in private.
As they left, they nodded to the blonde prince who had been listening at the door for quite some time.
Aelyx entered the room and gazed lovingly at the sight of his mother and his Adelia laying together. This was the first time in months that he had seen true content on either of their faces. He quietly crept over and left a kiss on his mother's head. He then made his way to Adelia and left a stronger, lingering kiss on her's.
"I will make your promise come true, little fox," Aelyx whispered as we drew the curtains and darkened the room. He gave one last glance to the two women who held his whole heart in their hands and slipped out of the room.
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