That woman is the bane of your existence.

Your 'stepmother', your father's second wife, your late mother's replacement. Alicent Hightower may put on the face of a noble gentle Queen, loyal wife and caring mother, but you know the real her, the rotten, evil, scornful woman that she is! At least this is what she is with you.

It started promising, it did, she promised to love you, like you are her own, but that vow was broken swiftly. There is not a week going by when you don't see servants whispering behind your back and running to the Queen, when she doesn't call you to her chambers for scolding, or at least when she doesn't bestow you with a sharp comment over dinner that your father blissfully ignores.

But tonight it is something more dire.

You have been misbehaving, you know it, and yet you've hoped no trace would lead Alicent to you. You were wrong.

The Queen has called you to her chambers.

Once you arrive, you see your stepmother lounging on the sofa, wine in hand, hair loose, star-necklace removed from neck. It has been a long day, and the Hightower Queen has never called for you so late. She isn't happy. Hiding the scowl behind the cup, the Queen gestures you to approach, to sit, and by her eyes alone you know - you are in deep trouble.