Dissonance

the second chord - "regret"

Mythal Palace of Fyndan: 164 of the Karraien Calender

                It was no one's fault. As she woke to pouring rays of light, Alaeca was in the process of accepting what was to come. Arventh's fault? No, he was but a child when the deal was set in stone. Her adoptive parents? No. Fyndan was weak and without Xindin, it would crumble faster than it already was. What was her life worth beside millions?

                It was a hapless morning. Alaeca was angry, but nobody deserved to become the target of her emotions. At least she had slept well.

                After silently letting her maids clean and dress her, Alaeca ran a final check before shutting the three trunks that bore her personal belongings. She had denied the offer to eat breakfast because Grance would be there –his lack of concern was the last thing she needed.

                She glanced outside her windows, paying no heed to the palace workers placing vases of flowers at the entrance to welcome the Xindinan king. She had four hours at least, before he was scheduled to arrive.

                -

                The palace was quieter than she expected when the two carriages bearing Xindinan flags rolled in. Alaeca's heart was at ease, seeing the small number of people and officials present to see her off. From the moment she woke up, she hadn't spoken a word to anyone. If she opened her mouth, her feelings of anxiety would manifest and become too real to ignore. Once she conveyed her feelings through words, they would exist outside her mind and self. 

                Xena had stayed by her side all morning, urging her to say something. Alaeca simply shook her head each time, both aware and sorry that she worried Xena.

                "Listen to me," Adys sat down beside her. "You can't be weak in front of anyone that is not King Arventh, do you understand? His father was a good man, so I have faith that he is too."

                When Alaeca looked away, the king pressed her fingers against her cheek, forcing her head to stay in place. "Take my words to heart. Arventh is not a tyrant. But as a king, kindness is dangerous. So you have to dig deep to find the goodness in his heart. I know you're quick to give up on other people, but I beg you not to give up on living freely."

                Freely? Alaeca clenched her teeth as a bitter taste filled her mouth. The slight change in her eyes didn't go unnoticed.

                "Freedom is different for everyone," Adys placed a firm hand atop her head. "I know you will find your freedom beside him."

                Alaeca inhaled before nodding. She would remember his words, though in the back of her mind she understood that Adys was trying to ease her heart in any way possible. Adys pulled her into his chest for a tight, lasting embrace. From the corner of her eye, she looked down from the steps and in the distance, saw a figure emerge from the first carriage. And suddenly she was cold from head to toe.

                Adys had left abruptly to greet the younger king. Alaeca grasped at the air beside her, reaching for someone to embrace – to feel protected by – though her gaze was focused straight ahead. Xena was already at the palace entrance, almost fifty metres away, speaking cordially with the man Alaeca was to leave with.

                I need someone now.

                Her shaking hands found a shoulder. With trembling lips, she looked up to be stabbed by the unperturbed gaze of her younger brother. Grance shook her off, taking off down the stairs without a look in her direction.