Chapter Text
Ney had been found dead in her cell earlier, approximately having committed suicide out of guilt for her crimes. She had killed Michaela, and she had attempted to flee to Beelzenia. When that fell through, she had been caught and was to be executed at three o’ clock today. Obviously, that never happened.
Rina sighed when I told her the news.
“I knew there was something amiss with her. She was never polite around me,” she said. With a wave of her hand, she smiled. “Now, I believe you have an audience with someone.”
“Germaine Avadonia,” I replied. “Though, I can’t imagine what it’s about.”
Elle looked over at us but said nothing. Her cat wove around her legs, flaming fur bright in the sun. The girl’s expression was drawn tight with something difficult to decipher.
Mariam opened the doors, and a girl strode inside. She wore a plain red dress, but she was clearly outraged.
“King Alexiel,” she started, “your kingdom is dying.”
I stiffened and sat upright. “What ever do you mean?”
Her eyes were furious, and she inhaled deeply. “People are starving and leaving. Crime is rising, and nothing’s being done to stop it. There’s talk of war with Marlon and Elphegort. How have you not heard about this?”
Now that she mentioned it, I realized that she was right. I should have known about all of this, yet I didn’t. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how that had happened.
“She’s not wrong, Your Majesty,” Elle said. “I’ve seen it. On my way here, I was nearly robbed.”
Something dark flickered over Rina’s face, but it was gone in a flash.
Elle’s cat meowed, and it took everything I had to not yell at it.
“Very well, then. I’ll see what can be done about it.” My fingers choked the arms of my throne. “Thank you, Miss Avadonia.”
Leonhart’s daughter stared at me, expression unreadable. “You’re welcome.”
{*}
I couldn’t sleep, knowing how awful Lucifenia was. It taunted me, plagued me. It was like an annoying bug. Almost like how Riliane used to be.
Gods, I missed her.
I missed her laugh, how she smiled, even the soft touch of her fingers when I had done something right. I missed her gentle lullabies, the way she’d read her books out load for me to enjoy. I missed her card games, when she’d bring Chartette and Ney in.
Ney.
Traitor. Liar. Heartless murderer.
She got what she deserved.
Riliane would approve. I just knew she would.
She’d look at me, smile so kindly, then kiss my forehead or cheek or nose. Her hands would trace over mine, and she’d laugh and pull me into the garden to dance.
I remember when she had started talking about Kyle. Her cheeks had gone pink, and she had looked away from me as if embarrassed. She had played with her hair and lowered her eyelashes like a girl so deeply in love.
I remember I had wondered if Michaela did things like that about me. I guess I’d never know now.
Riliane…….
She and Rina looked so alike…..
My mind went hazy, and my hands lowered. From there, I wasn’t sure who I was thinking about anymore……..