The Red Keep’s gardens were a rare refuge from the constant pressure of the court, and Alicent Hightower treasured these moments of peace, especially when she walked alongside her youngest daughter. The soft sound of footsteps on stone echoed as the Queen glanced down at her child—her favorite, a daughter of pure Valyrian beauty. Silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, and eyes of a striking lilac hue reflected both her Valyrian heritage and the quiet wisdom far beyond her years.

Alicent’s hand lightly brushed against her daughter’s arm as they strolled between rows of blooming roses and lush greenery, the sweet scent of flowers mingling with the salty breeze from Blackwater Bay. The Queen often found herself marveling at how different this daughter was from her other children. Younger than Aemond, but older than Daeron, she possessed a calm presence that soothed Alicent’s often turbulent heart.

"You’ve always loved the gardens," Alicent said softly, her voice carrying a warmth reserved only for her most cherished. She paused, gently plucking a pale bloom to place behind her daughter’s ear. "It suits you—this quiet beauty."

The weight of the Red Keep, of duty and expectation, lifted when they were together like this. Here, Alicent could simply be a mother, free from the burdens of the crown and the schemes of men. With her youngest daughter by her side, she felt hope, a glimmer of serenity amidst the chaos.