𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒.

𝟏𝟐

                    𝟏𝟑𝟒 𝐀𝐂.
-☆-

𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐗, his voice echoing out into the quiet pit as if it held it's breath waiting for his word.

"I owe my thanks to all the great houses here today," Viserys paused, taking in the stands filled with a sea of colors and sigils, "for traveling from afar to celebrate this day so dear to me."

The stadium rumbled with cheers and clapping, Astraea taking it all in. She her eyes immediately went down, looking into the pit for Jace—for how far he was from Aemond's wrath.

"Commence the celebrations!"

The Hawthorne held her breath as the jousting began, flinching as the first man is knocked from his horse.

"Jace is good, Astraea. He is very good with a sword." Luke offered shyly, looking up at her.

"I do not doubt that, Luke. I simply do not care for violence." The girl smiled, patting his hand.

Deena stared down at the box her family sat in, barely paying the tourney any mind. She wondered if they could see her, from down there, if she truly blended in with the rest of the Targaryen's sat around her. Gella squeezed her hand, noticing her gaze.

"Why don't you try talking to your cousins?" The handmaiden asked encouragingly.

Deena sighed, looking to the side at Lucerys.

"Hello."

Luke looked up and gave her a nervous smile.

"Hello."

The girl cleared her throat awkwardly, turning her head more to engage herself.

"You'll be lord of the tides, yes?"

Lucerys nodded hesitantly.

"Yes. Someday."

Deena smiled, raising an eyebrow, "Are you sure? You don't seem sure."

Luke heard Astraea snicker next to him, figuring out that he was being teased.

"I am sure, someday I will be lord of the tides cousin," he spoke more confidently this time.

Deena looked up to Astraea, "and you? What will become of you, Lady Hawthorne?"

"A wife." Astraea stared at the Targaryen girl.

"That sounds mundane." Deena scoffed.

"Yes, it does. But I suppose you too know what it's like to have no control, no title." Astraea squinted.

"I am a princess, that is a title," Deena tilted her head, sizing the Hawthorne up, "One greater than yours."

There was a crash from below them, and a unanimous gasp from the crowd that followed. Astraea stood at the railing as everyone else had, looking over the edge, covering her mouth in horror. Aemond had knocked Jace off his horse, and Jace hadn't gotten up.

"Get up," she begged in a whisper.

Aemond stalked closer.

"Get up, Jace." She picked her nails.

Jacaerys kicked Aemond's legs out from under him, and she breathed out in relief.

Deena laughed, putting her face in her palm as the boys fought.

"They're rolling in the mud like pigs," Deena said, loud enough for everyone around her to hear. Aegon snickered, clearly drunk.

"Astraea, do you remember—"