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✧ Location | Royal Abode xx✧ Company | Opheliaxx✧ Mood | Determinedxx✧ Money | $245 EC

Hysteria rode though Etherland on her horse, a single guard in tow as she looked around the once proud Phoenix Kingdom with a cloth over her mouth. The people seemed to still be struggling with what had happened with the mountain, the city showed that they where just getting sicker and sicker instead of recovering, however they where in better shape then the camp.

Riding up to the Royal families current residence Hysteria would stop her horse and wait as her guard jumped down first and helped her down. She looked out at the people gathered around and Hysteria frowned, she knew none of them which was a good sign, she doubted any of them where traitors. Taking a deep breath Hysteria said to one of them "My name is Hysteria Bellris, head councilwoman and former queen of the Bellris Republic. I would like to speak with your queen, Ophelia" she said to the guard.

Hysteria looked at the guards, her curly blonde hair resting against her shoulders, barely moving in the slight breeze that ran though across her. She allowed the guards to watch her, to monitor her every movement as she held her tongue, she would not let them hurt her, she couldn't run away from this. Not by magic and not by wing, she was for all purposes...human from this day forward, she could not rely on the gods anymore, they had taken away her magic. So instead she let the guards watch, let them look at the last acting queen of Bellris, the last of her line, and as far as history was aware, Ethe's biggest enemy, ever since Bellris had broken away and created her own kingdom, ever since Ethe had sent an assassin to open up her throat, The darkness and the light had always been enemy's.

Hysteria would stay their with her only guard, her only means of protection, until the queen finally came. She would take a deep breath as she bowed to the queen of the light, curtsying to the queen that her entire bloodline had been told to reject as a person, Hysteria was here to help this time, just as her sister Theodora had wanted to help "I understand the hostilities Queen Ophelia, but I doubt it has much to do with your kingdoms recent misfortunes, and more with the fact that the darkness and the light have always fought, the light killed our first queen, Bellris and the Kingdom of mine long ago tried to extinguish the Ethernal flame, and in relationatin your ancestors attempted to sow my Kingdom with Salt... your soldiers at acting with was Is expected" she said to Ophelia "But I don't come to continue the retaliations. We have both lost much to the fire. Your kingdom, your family.... my sister had been on a mission of peace to Ethe to accept a marriage proposal from one of your nobility when the mountain erupted and stole from Bellris as well..." she said but then shook her head not bothering to bring up Ophelia's appearance, it wasn't that bad to be honest "Thank you" she said as she walked inside.

When she walked inside Hysteria felt the initial hesitation fall from her, this was a good idea. She was not just making friends, but she was helping, just like her sisters would have wanted "why I've come?" she said and turned to look at Ophelia "I want to help" she said to her "Survivors have already come to Bellris and Phobos, I am doing my best to keep the order, but the hostility between us is deep rooted in the blood of even our people" Hysteria said "Since I gave up my title I am not at liberty to do anything to big or anything I cant afford out of my own pocket" Hysteria said and smiled "I want to help Ethe rebuild, the best I can do is offer food, my family still controls the majority of grain harvests and we can offer vegetables that will be ready to harvest midseason..." Hysteria trailed off, not knowing how to bring up what she wanted in return for this. She knew Ethe couldn't afford it right now, not with gems or labor, but maybe if she brought it up she could get support from Ophelia instead.

Hysteria smiled at the queen "yes, you're right, it is time the darkness and the light gave up the wars that began so long ago" she said to her and then sighed "I also came here to ask for your opinion and support in certain matters that could effect everyone" she said to her "In light of current events, what happened to your kingdom and the changes that are befalling all of us, from loss of magic to new rulers. I want to propose a major roadway that connects all the kingdoms, a stone road, not a dirt one." she said to her "Right now it is difficult to get anywhere due to the roads being dirt, any time it rains soldiers get pulled into the mud...and I'm sure you've heard of the food wagons that we have been trading with Zalto going missing." she said to her "If we had roads trade would be easier. Not just trade but helping other kingdoms as well" Hysteria said to her as she moved some of her blonde hair behind her ear "Bellris has already began plans for this road leading up to its boarders in the west, if were lucky it will also cut down on monster attacks as well" she said to her "Phobos has already agreed to support this venture...and my younger brother, Roland, has gone to Zalto to speak to King Arthur on the councils behalf" she said to her.

The horse ride to the royal castle was not a pleasant one. in the past month the only light he had was the letters he had received from his daughter. since the explosion of Mt. Adara he had been busy whether it was making sure the child of Evelyn was kept properly fed and safe in his house, or looking at how to best help those that had come to Etherland for safety. He received word that the grainsroom was now at ten percent and that was the catalyst that had led him to send word ahead of him that he was coming to see the queen.

the guards tried to tell him that she was in a meeting he did not listen to them, moving past them. no mater who she was speaking to he knew thee fate of her people would weigh heavy on the queens head. he had heard nothing but good things of her being with the people helping where she could.; but why had none of her advisors asked to go to Belris for help. the thought that the young fools would not be able to see past the war between the light and the dark infuriated him tremendously. he stopped short of entering the dinning room where the queen was. he stared at one of the guards at the door. " well don't just stand there, I still must respect her enough." the guard bowed and went inside to tell the queen the mayor was waiting to be let in

What would they have to pay to get help from belris? as he waited to be let in he thought of what he had heard of the queen, she had stepped down ending a monarchy and creating a republic.; he did not know ho wise it was to let the people choose there leaders. as he thought of what the worst case scenario might be he let his anger go. it would not do to interrupt the queen and be angry. he did not know who she was with and he did not care. he had been cooked up dealing with to much paperwork to worry about the wellbeing of others pride. he was sure the queen would forgive if she learned of just how bad the food situation was. teen percent would not last them the next month. and the longer it took for the people to get back to working or for the land to heal. the more likely revolution would once more rear its ugly head.

maybe if they had some project to work on thee peopes morale would raise. but he wondered what kind of project would mean enough that the peope would egerly begin to work. and how could such a construction project involve bellris... yes the more he thought about it, the more he let hope ring in his heart, the more he knew it was unlikely to be. the world was not a kind place. but maybe the queen could pull of the impossible. the help they had gotten from liionis after the explosion was largely thanks to his queen or so he liked to believe.

after running all of this thoughts. he entered the dinning room his head held low he did not see who she was with, but the smell of tea told him at least it seemed a peaceful conversation was being had." My dear queen, I am sorry for interruption, but I must speak with you at once, its a matter that could lead to the survival or destruction of our." he raised his head as he spoke, his voice dropping of a he saw who the queen was talking to." land."

standing before him, having tea with his queen, was the very person he was going to ask to be sent to to plead for help. the former queen of bellris.

for the first time in a truly long time, Joachim was left without words or action. stunned.

▁ ▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ Ophelia Estelle Quatrez Queen of Ethe
❛It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things.❜
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I'm feeling: Grieving | I'm with: Joachim | I have: $700EC


She stayed locked in her chambers, her heart shattered over the news of the death that had struck another close to her. Her tears ran like a loose faucet, her voice hoarse from the many hours she spent crying to her heart's content. She felt so broken, so shattered. She felt violated, robbed of her only source of happiness. The only person who understood her, who's been there for her. After the former queen had left, she was struck with the news of an assassination. How Ethe's captain guard has perished in battle to protect her, to protect the kingdom. Foolish. He was so foolish. She held his cloak in her hands, her fingers tightly clutched onto the soft fabric. She fell silent, her eyes drained of tears yet her heart still ached so painfully. Is she not allowed to feel any sort of happiness at all? Her husband, Kaede, her daughter. Why had she been stripped of her only source of happiness? Again and again. If only she could replace their deaths with her life, she would gladly do so. Anything to bring them back. She blamed herself for being so foolish. She blamed herself for the death of the person she loved.

Yes. Her love.

Why had she realized such a thing only now? The warmth of his touch, the feeling of his lips upon her forehead. The sound of his soothing voice. How he'd wrap his arms around her when she cried. The tears he had shed for her. All of those. She fell in love with all of those. Yet why had she only realized such a thing now? "Foolish. You were so foolish. Why did you have to leave..? Was I too late? Is it too late to tell you now..? That I loved you? That I've loved you like no other..? Did you know.. did you know I'm pregnant with Azazel's child..? You promised- you promised you'd be here.. Kaede." she dreaded each day, and each second that passed felt like an eternity, as if she was stuck in an endless loophole. Let her pain stop. Let her be free. Set her free. Her hands held a soft glow, and it wasn't hard to tell she had formed a blade within the confinements of her finger. It would be over. She would be reunited with her family, her captain, but she couldn't. She had a new life forming within her. It was innocent. She couldn't afford to kill it, too. It was innocent. It did no wrong. It did not deserve.. death. She wept, and she cried eventhough there had been no tears. She refused to step out despite how late it is into the day. She refused to meet anyone. She simply couldn't bring herself to, but little did she know, someone had came up to her door. She jolted, her eyes swollen and red from the amount of tears she shed, bloodshot from the lack of sleep she received. Mayor. The mayor. Why is he here now..? She would send him away, but she knew better than to put the kingdom at stake over her own personal feelings. Ophelia pushed herself off the bed, and she'd wrap herself with her usual red robe. "Alexei.." she paused for a short moment before she spoke up once more. "Of course. Do come in. I apologize for showing myself in such an unpresentable state.. How are the people..?"

▁ ▂ ▃ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ Ophelia Estelle Quatrez Queen of Ethe
❛It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things.❜
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I'm feeling: Grieving | I'm with: Joachim | I have: $700EC


She noticed how his brows furrowed, and she'd tear her gaze away. No matter how much she wiped her cheeks, the tears that once stained her cheeks were visible. She looked pale, and her lips quivered ever so slightly. The enthusiasm within her voice was gone, and all that was left is just an empty shell. Void of any contents, any emotions. She was simply.. empty.

Normally, upon hearing her people's improving condition, she would smile and she would offer her blessing, perhaps even head over there herself but now, she could only afford a small nod of her head. She couldn't take the pressure, the weight upon her shoulders. She was so tired, so drained of emotions. What could she do? Nothing. She couldn't do anything. What kind of a queen was she? A queen who could not protect. A queen who could not.. fight for her own people. "I have spoken to lady Hysteria just a day ago. She has offered to supply food for our people. I believe that matter would be dealt with shortly. If anything, there are still food in the castle. I'll havd the guards send them to the camp." she could offer them food from the castle, for she knew her grains were much better than those delivered as of late. It may not be enough for everyone, but she hoped it could at least help a couple of them. The queen wasn't having any appetite as of late. Keeping it in the castle would only send it to waste. Kaede wouldn't be happy over her decision but he is no longer with her, who could stop her now? Two months. Two months pregnant. Her child. Why is she carrying a child now? Her face fell. She couldn't be a burden for her people. Not now.

When she was addressed, she'd lift her head, and she'd motion for him to stand up. "It would be fine to address me by Ophelia, sir Alexei. There is no need for formalities.." answered the queen as she would then wait for what he had to say next. Has he noticed? The weight she's been carrying? Of course he did. It was written all over her face. Her dark cresents beneath her eyes. Pale expression. Pale lips. Thin frame. Much thinner than she had been before Adara struck. She forced a small smile, and she'd nod once more. It was the same thing. Her captain once spoke of the same words, and she would feel her tears brimming within her eyes once again. "I understand. I apologize for worrying you, but I will be fine." no matter how hard she wanted to give up, how hard she wanted to run away, she knew she couldn't. She couldn't fall. She still had Kaede to lean on, she had him to count on. With him gone now, who does she have left? No one. Perhaps that was all meant to be. Perhaps all she brought was bad luck. She stood up, and wrapped the robe tighter around her body as she walked towards her open window. The sight pains her. Everything pains her. Light, her own being, pains her right this moment. All she wanted was to return to Antari's temple. Surround herself with nothing but darkness. Maybe that is where she belonged. Alone. "Alexei.. tell me something. When was the last time you told someone you loved them?" she asked, and she'd turn her gaze towards the mayor. "You should.. before it's too late. Or they'll never know. Because he.. never knew."