𝕖𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖 𝟞
{The Princess and The Queen}

120 A.C

AESTRA WOKE UP in her bedroom to see the sunlight who was crashing through to window to reach her pretty white face.
"Good morning, little dragon." said a voice in the dorm who was very close to her. Aestra opened her ocean blue eyes just to say uncle Daemon standing on the bed with a bright smile on his face because the girl was feeling better, it was seen on her face.
"Uncle!" shouted happily Aestra before she jumped to hug her favourite and only uncle."How is that you are here?" asked the girl after she let go of the man and put her back under the blanket. "Am I not allowed to visit one of my favourite nieces or?" said Daemon with a smirk on his face and ruffled her hair with his hand as Aestra laughed really hard. "I am really glad that you see me that way, uncle"responded Aestra smiling brightly at her uncle who clearly was concerned about something. " But I know you are not here just for me." continued Aestra giving her uncle a questionable look.
"Why do you me know so damn well?" said Daemon licking his lips and glacing at the window. "It is like you said, I am-" began Aestra but was cut off by the open of the doors who let in a furious and rushed Alicent Hightower.
As she walked in, she did not bother to say anything or do anything just asking "Daemon, of what circumstances have you decided to come in Kings Landing?" Aestra scoffed at her mother's words and rolled her eyes "Did she really come in here to bother my meeting with uncle, didn't she?" thought Aestra in her mind. The Queen never really cared about her, or even if she did it was for the image, but instead the others were much important, she would protect Aegon at any costs, after all he is her first born son, something that queen Aemma was not able to do so of course she acted like she was much better, so her acting never surprised Aestra, Alicent is Alicent and she could never be changed.
"Apologized, your majesty, for not announcing my visit but I wanted to surprise Aestra if that is something I could do without anyone to know." said Daemon with a strict and furious tone. The Queen took a deep breath and smiled forcefully at Daemon: "Of course, my prince." said silently Alicent before turning her gaze to Aestra who was still very confused of the tense conversation between the two.
"Darling, how are you feeling?" asked The Queen with a fake tone that anyone could hear, she wanted to sound like she cared for Aestra in front of Daemon and he could see that.
"Better, my queen." responded Aestra laying again on the puffy pillow and covering with silk yellow blanket.
"Oh, I've told you many times, I am your mother." said Alicent putting accent on the last two words before turning her eyes at Daemon for a moment who clearly did not like how the conversation was going on.
"Forgive me, your majesty. But I should go." said Daemon before clearing his way out of the room and Aestra was sure that he went back to his wife Laena Velaryon and their daughters Baela and Rhaena.
Aestra never met the girls or their mother, she's just heard stories from Daemon who was occasionally visiting, she always wanted to see them and be friends with them.
"Now, you must stay in bed until you recover and I must congratulate you for the marvellous scene you've maid one day ago when you "fainted" in front of Rhaenyra's chambers. You are very good at acting, you know." explained the Queen gesticulating and sitting next to Aestra on the bed. "I do not know or care if you feel bad, but you must obey of what I tell you, understood?" said Alicent while taking Aestra's hand in hers and looked in her ocean blue eyes.
"DO NOT EVER DO THIS KIND OF THING, OR YOU WILL REALLY FEEL BAD!" Alicent threatened the girl by folding her hand and pressing it on the bed.
"Argh! Moth- mother! It- it hur- hurts!"  tried Aestra to speak but couldn't because the pain in the hand was growing with every minute. "I am- sorry-" said Aestra just as tears began to fall on her cheeks. "Understood?" asked again Alicent more severe. "Yes- just- just let go!" cried Aestra out of pain. Alicent took away her hand and went out of the dorm leaving the girl alone and frightened, asking herself why the Queen acted in this way around her.

The morning passed quickly leaving the afternoon to come in and letting Aestra to get out of the bed and go outside to breath some fresh air. She was already sick of that much staying in bed so she decided to walk in the castle yard. As she entered it she saw her brothers training with Ser Criston Cole and with them the Velaryon boys but Ser Criston did not give so much attention to Rhaenyra's kids because he hates the princess, Aestra knew that by hearing him once talk ugly things with her mother about Rhaenyra.
"Very good, my prince." said Cole after Aegon defended himself from a hit. Aemond was much silent and waited to make a very magnific move to impress everybody. Jace and Luke stayed in there place waiting for Cole to tell them something, but the knight acted like they were not there.
"Jace, Luke." greeted Aestra as she approached the boys who seemed a bit said about the training.
"Es, how- how are you feeling?" asked Jace as she caught sight of the girl.
"Much better, thank you." smiled Aestra at the brown eyed boy who gave a smile back to her.
"How are handling the sword?" asked Aestra looking at the two swords that were held by the two boys.
"Bad, we cannot do anything." said Luke with his face on the ground.
"No, I am sure that is not true." said the girl trying to cheer Luke up.
"Ser Criston." said the princess. "Why you do not train all of the boys in here?" asked Aestra crossing her arms.
Ser Criston froze in his place hearing the princess asking something like that.
"Princess, I am sure that is not your concern, is it?" said Cole putting the sword in the belt. "And the princes are very good at what they are doing, can't you see?" asked Cole turning his way to armour where Aegon was training.
"Are you insulting me by calling me blind, Ser?" asked Aestra with a furrowed eyebrow.
"God's have mercy I could never insult you, my princess. Let me demonstrate it to you." explained Ser Criston smilling at the girl who seemed very angry on the fact that they were so mean.
"Prince Aegon will fight prince Jacaerys, how you feel about that, my prince?" asked Cole looking at Aegon who certainly wanted nothing more than humiliating the Velaryon boy.
Aegon took his position, so did Jacerys who was a little scared of the fact that he must fight his uncle who was much skilled than he ever will be. Jace glanced at Aestra before taking a hint, but failed because Aegon pushed him on the ground. Aestra took a breath in, she knew her brother would cheat, but Jace tried again and succed in hitting Aegon, but the Targaryen boy throw the mannequin on Jace who was able to shelter.
"Wrong played!" shouted Ser Harwin Strong who was carefully watching the whole scene.
"I'll deal with it!" said Cole before taking Aegon by his back and started saying something to him while Ser Harwin took Jace by his armour and told him about how he must hit and to be correct. Aestra looked from afar at the whole situation which she did not like very much.
"You know it's your fault if he gets hurt." spoke Aemond who came near his sister.
"Of course you'll blame me like you did with the Dragon pit incident, won't you lēkia? (brother) said Aestra turning her gaze to the Targaryen twin who sighed and rolled his eyes before he went back in his place.
The boys started again to fight, Aegon much angry and his anger was his force so he used it, that was what Criston Cole was teaching.
"Use a foot!" said Cole and Aegon hit Jace with his right foot, so the Velaryon boy was again on the ground.
"Don't let him get up!" ordered Cole just as Aegon was ready to do his final move, but Ser Harwin jumped in and gripped Aegon's sword and pushed the Targaryen prince away. Aegon started shouting but Viserys who was watching the training from the balcony scold him.
"You forget yourself, Strong. That is the prince." said Cole looking angrily at Ser Harwin.
"That's what you teach Cole?" said Ser Harwin who was collecting the wood swords from the ground. "Cruelty? The weaker oponent?"
"Your interest in the prince's training is quite unusual" started Cole standing behind Ser Harwin who folded the last swords. "Most men would only have that kind of devotion for a cousin or a brother" continued Cole as Harwin lifted from the ground still with his back on Cole. Aestra knew were this is going to go and she begged for the Gods that Cole would shut up.
"Or a son." with this Ser Harwin turned to Cole and jumped on him punching his face, his forhead, his mouth and his eyes until blood came out. The guards came to take Strong away from Cole and he started shouting something Aestra could not here because of the shock she was in, all that she felt was Jace's hand taking hers.

Ser Harwin Strong was banished to Harrenhal along with his father, that was what Aestra was told, she did not get to say goodbye because Alicent locked the girl in her dorm until everything was sold out. Rhaenyra was really sad about Ser Harwin's leaving so were Jace and Luke. After a couple of hours the Queen let Aestra get out of her dorm and the first thing she did was to go and see Jace and Rhaenyra.
"Princess. I apologize if I bother you, I want to know how are you feeling." said Aestra standing on the couch near Rhaenyra who was still hurt by Ser Harwin's depart. "No need to call me that, dear. I am feeling very well thank you." smiled Rhaenyra to the younger girl who gave a proper smile back.
"But I'm afraid I must tell you something you won't like it, my lovely Aestra." said Rhaenyra taking ahold of Aestra's hand. "We will be leaving for Dragonstone." continued Rhaenyra taking a deep breath after. Aestra froze in her place and tried to choke back her tears.
No..
No...
She could not lose him... she could not lose Jace...
"Have you tried to ask my mother if I may go with you?" asked Aestra with her teary eyes and bitting her lip. But she already knew the answer. Even if Alicent was dead, she would put people keep Aestra in King's Landing at all costs.
"Yes, she already said no. I am sorry darling. I truly am, but I promise you someday you will come to Dragonstone and live with me." explained Rhaenyra trying to keep her crying back too.
Aestra lifted her head and nodded with tears running down her cheeks. "Jace-?" began Aestra but Rhaenyra cut her off. "Is in the library, waiting for you."

As Aestra opened the door of the library a loud sound was heard in the whole hall. She entered and searched if someone was there, but no sign of a human, suddenly she heard sobs coming from a corner, as she followed them she found Jace sitting on the floor with his face in his palms. Aestra placed herself next to him and the Velaryon boy raised his chin to look at her. "Es, I am sorry. I do not want to leave... without you." said the prince still with dry eyes. "Oh come on, you will be there with your family, don't let me hold you back plus I'll come visit soon enough." explained the princess trying to cheer up the boy, but inside she could feel her heart break in pieces.
"You promise?" asked Jace looking sadly at her friend who smiled and nodded as a sign of yes before taking him into a big hug.

Aestra knew she could never make it out of King's Landing as long as Alicent was behind her back and that meant that she will break Jace's promise. All she could hope was that Rhaenyra will do something about it with time.

Time...

Hi folks! Sorry for taking so long to publish it. I am sick and I also have vacation so I have more time to write.
Anyways hope you like the new chapter!
Love y'all!🥰