Honour

Chapter III: Dead King's Court

The royal family of Brienne held a strong front with two great leaders. Now it only has one. I had secretly hoped deep down that the king was simply in hiding. I suppose that was wishful thinking. Though royal and strictly brought up, there are times they lose their composure. This is clearly one of those times. The Queen before me, for many reasons in my heart, I see as my daughter, sister, mother and friend. While the king, who had taken me under his wing, was my teacher and brother. I approach the thrones, combing princess Axenscia's hair as I sit her down on her throne. I then walk over to Queen Rhea, offering my hand to welcome her and assist her back to her own. During which, I take the prince's hand gently and pull him close, hugging him and scratching his head in what I hope is a comforting manner? He grabs the fabric of my cape and takes his mother's hand in his other. The two make their way to their respective thrones, the empty one standing out more than ever before. The sight weighs heavy on my heart and mind.

How?

"If I may, Your Majesty?" I hold her hand seeking the tiniest motion of permission. With a nod in response, I stand next to her throne and half embrace her, resting my head on hers, doing what I can to comfort her. She was raised alongside King Vrien and had been engaged to him since childhood. She brought, no, brings glory to the Rhevihr name as a smart, talented, well-rounded lady and exceptional person, incomparable to any, other than her husband.
"Mother," Prince Amilier called, "The assassin has been captured." Holding a letter with a pigeon on the arm of his throne, he reads the parchment with furrowed brows. His precise emotions are unclear but hatred or a sense for justice, definitely present.
"We should call for the royal court and discuss what to do with him. For now, have him locked in the east tower." She lifts the right arm of her husband's throne and reveals some stationary. Offering it to her son, she gives a look of mixed feelings and pinches his cheek softly after caressing it, admiring his eyes that remind her of the late king. The king and queen had borne two beautiful children that each resembled different aspects of their parents, except their cheek bones, high and sharp like their mothers, and lips, curved bows of their fathers. All treasured by the kingdom and each well loved and respected by each other.

Prince Amil writes a reply, ordering for the assassin to be locked away, swiftly tying it to the pigeon's carrier cuff.

"We just had a war," She faced me again, her grey-green and eyes that seep into brown at the middle staring at me quizzically, facial expression changing from mourning to calculative and serious but still, a notable amount of negative emotions were present. "The land once called the Kingdom of Veurs is now owned by Brienne, their king is no longer a king, they have assassinated my husband, and now most likely run away. Amil is only 17, Axenscia is 7, and you- you're a century old if not more." She flows the conversation into something I can tell we aren't prepared for. "The Kingdom needs to be fortified, Amil isn't done with his schooling yet however—"

Oh, she wishes to hold the coronation ceremony.

"Your Majesty, Rhoum might hire another assassin." I note, worried about the rest of the royal family but needing to get things in order. Rather bitterly, I have to keep a clear head. Especially now that the queen seems shaken. The children are probably confused, but Prince Amil might have a little understanding on the topic. I wish I could ask Axenscia to return to her room but right now it seems best to discuss this together. And I don't feel safe with any of the royal family members out of my sight. "My queen, if I may, I suggest we call the Collective immediately." I ask her softly to follow up, she's still in mourning but we need to eliminate the threat or at least get what knowledge we can and prepare as best as possible for any reason.

"Yes, yes, you're right. Let us." She sniffles and dabs her eyes with a handkerchief. Despite still being upset, she, more than anyone, knows she needs to prioritise the kingdom's stability. How it will come to stabilisation needs to be discussed with the royal court.