After surviving a bank robbery, with much thanks to Aquaman, Camille decides to complete her training to join the police force; to help people like he did and to redeem herself from a gruesome death that she was too petrified to stop. After being as...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Everyone kept telling Camille that time would heal all of her wounds, but no one could tell her what she was supposed to do with all of that pain right now. It was right now that she couldn't sleep. It was right now that she couldn't eat. Right now she could still hear her baby and sense his presence even though she knew that he wasn't there. Right now all she seemed to do was cry. Camille knew all about time and wounds healing, but even if she had all the time in the world, she still don't know what to do with all this hurt right now. She was a genius of sadness, immersing herself in it, separating its numerous strands and its subtle nuances. She was a prism through which sadness could be divided into its infinite spectrum.
She wished that she could allow herself to feel it completely; to mourn her loss...but Arthur had left her to run the city alone. So, instead of grieving for Kasalus, she was forced to attend meetings. Instead of coming to terms with his death, she had to comfort the people of Atlantis. Some days it was a blessing, having such urgent distractions, but most times it only made her sorrow deepen. In all honesty, she needed Arthur now more than ever. She still found it hard to believe that he had deserted her.
"A few representatives have arrived from Xebel, my queen." Mera informed as she entered the throne room. She had been by Camille's side the entire time; organising all of her queenly duties and offering her support. Mera had gone above and beyond her usual duties, and Camille knew that she would have crumbled under the pressure without her help.
Camille steeled her expression and pressed down on her dress; a habit she had inherited on land whenever she was nervous. She wanted to wear the Atlantean armour that they had made for her, but when addressing visitors from other cities it was seen as a display of distrust to do so. The king would arrive in clothing stitched from seashells and seaweed, and the queen would wear a dress comprised of either jellyfish hoods or crab shells.
Camille nodded at Mera, showing that she understood, and reached for her newly-crafted circlet. She had never liked wearing these things. Much like crowns, they were meant to display power and superiority. Naturally, Camille despised them and managed to avoid wearing them for a long while. Now that Arthur was gone though, Mera had convinced her to wear one. To remind the people of Atlantis that there was still a ruler on the throne watching over them, if nothing else.
This one had been designed by Mera herself, and upon seeing it Camille remembered almost breaking down into tears again. It was glittering with gold and silver, but was etched to resemble the tentacles of a squid; wrapping around her head and tangling within her curls. It was stunning, but more than that, it made Camille feel like Inky was still with her whenever she wore it.
"Are you ready to meet with them?" Mera asked, analysing Camille's face to ensure that she was mentally prepared.
The queen nodded once more, stuck in her usual silence, but seemingly with enough strength to attend the gathering. It was incredible, especially to Mera, that Camille had been able to continue with her responsibilities as queen after the loss she had suffered. Especially without Arthur there to advise her.
