It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Goodbye

The Queen's tears dripped upon the silent prince's hand as she sat beside his bedside. Her pale hand caressed his frozen cheek, her thumb stroking the bone as she watched down upon him, too late to say her goodbyes.

It had been two days since the Queen and her family had arrived in the palace and Athena had spent her entire time.in the infirmary, undisturbed. Until now.

"He worked day and night trying to revive him," Carla's voice sounded from behind her. She didn't bother turning to look his way. "Your King is a weak and foolish man."

"He is a good man," Athena spat in Reiji's defence.

"That's what I said," Carla retorted, moving to stand at the end of Shin's bed. "He is a good man; that's what makes him weak and foolish."

"Carla," Athena let out a long, heavy sigh, "our little brother is dead." Her grey eyes met his golden pair, "Can we get along for at least a few hours?"

"If we must."

The Queen sniffled as she brushed Shin's hair back. His eyepatch had been removed and his sleeping face was young and beautiful. "I never forgave him in time," she whispered, "I wasted time mad at you both. I lost that last of his time," her voice caught in her throat as she took a sharp breath, "he died thinking that I didn't love him."

"It was my fault," Carla said with little remorse, "I pushed him away from you."

"You did," she nodded.

"But he always knew that you loved him. You were the person he loved most." She wiped her eyes as she looked at Carla's monotone face.

"How can you stand there and feel no sorrow?" She asked, scowling, "The brother we used to chase around the courtyard, the one who would trick us into water fights in the fountains, the-"

"Athena. You will only upset yourself," Carla said coldly, "Most of my memories have already faded, my emotions no longer exist. I barely know who Shin is. I don't know who you are, in all honesty. I merely guessed your name, it was one I heard the servants uttering."

"What are you talking about?" She stood from her seat, letting go of Shin's hand as she stepped towards her older brother, "Carla?"

"I did a foolish thing," he said, "and I am confiding in you as the last standing Founder."

"What are you muttering about? Now isn't the time to play horrid pranks!"

"I found the cure," he said, "I found it and I took it."

"For… endzeit?"

"The price is dark," he said and only now that she was closer could Athena make out the decaying parts of his flesh, "my soul, my memories, my body."

"You… you followed his footsteps," Athena whispered, "our uncle's-"

"I've no recollection of who that is." Carla informed her, "I came here to say goodbye. I believe that you deserve that much, at least."

He left the Queen by herself, hugging her arms as a fresh wave of tears flooded down her face. A knock sounded at the door as a maid sauntered in, bowing politely. "Apologies, Your Majesty," she squeaked, "the King requests your attendance."

"Of course," Athena nodded glumly, "where is he?"

"He said to go to your chambers, My Lady."

"Thank you Yukino."

-_-_-_-

After an hour of waiting in their bedroom, the door creaked open and the King entered the royal room. "Apologies for being so late," he sighed, shrugging off his coat, leaving him in his white shirt, "I was stopped by Laito-" He was cut off when Athena's head collided with his chest, her thin arms wrapped around him tightly as she sniffled quietly. He said nothing as his arms circled around her, his hand landing upin her head.