Listening to her mother, Autumn wanted to argue that it was her mother who needed the rest. She drew in a long breath as the woman spoke and told her she would remain alright. Turning as Cordelia said her name, she rose a brow only to have her attention drawn to Athena who told her outright what had happened to her father. Autumn's eyes widened and she put a hand to her mouth. Her father? He was dead? She turned her gaze to her mother as she moved once more. She stood then, wanting to aide her but the woman had shrugged off the aide of many. She spoke to Athena and then to Cordelia before returning to Autumn. The girl felt her mother's touched and turned her cheek into it. The men of her family... They didn't know who was all safe, but they did have each other. After a few moments, Autumn finally nodded. She watched her mother as she went to get as fized up as she could. She drew in a breath and turned her attention to Cordelia. "Let us go." She told her before following her to the tent's door. She turned to her mother then. "Promise you'll rest too mother. You're the only one I know is safe... I can't lose you too." The pain in her voice was there, could be heard by anyone who knew her. She gazed at her mother a few moments before turning to follow Cordelia once more. Autumn followed her to her mother's tent and found it already made for the two of them and any other surviving family members. Once in the confines of the tent, Autumn felt the tears finally fall. She looked around and shook her head. How could her worlds have fallen apart so easily?
Athena jumped just slightly at Rebekah shouting at her. For Athena, she would rather be informed outright, but Rebekah had a point, some couldn't handle straight to the point cause or well didn't want to hear it. Maybe she should have pulled Autumn to the side, but in the heat of the moment, she told her. She then shut her eyes and nodded, looking back up at Rebekah and Autumn, "Of course you are right. Forgive me, Your Highness," She then turned to Autumn, "And my princess? I should have dealt that better."
Athena turned to Cordelia as she held onto Autumn and then looked at Rebekah, bowed lightly and went to walk out, going to search for the others. She really couldn't afford anymore bad news and wanted to help at all costs. Her people were involved and well she didn't have a problem with the royal family.
Only two days had passed since the Earth shake that had broken each of the royal families. In that time, only half of the royal children were accounted for. Autumn and one of her brothers. She had been at her mother's side the entire time, helping wherever she could incase of emergency.
Standing in their temporary home, a tent that had a center to it for them to gather, Autumn pushed her pale hair from her face. She had just finished dressing, getting ready for the funeral for her father. Her mother had put it off but her advisors were encouraging it to be done so they could move on with life. The idea that her father was dead had not yet set in for her.
Turning as she looked at the two empty spots in the tent she drew in a breath once more. She hoped the two were alright, that their whereabouts were safe and free of this mess. That was all she could wish for as she stepped into the morning sun, dawning a black gown as was tradition for the family having lost a member. She looked over the area, guards heavy in order to protect the royal trio left to care for the kingdom. She wondered where her mother was, knowing the woman wouldn't be far but wanting to know just so she knew.
The two days since the quake had been filled with chaos, especially with the disappearance of her son, the severe injuries of her eldest, and the death of her husband. Rowan had been completely inconsolable at the loss of his brother and even the queen herself hadn't been able to get him to crack a smile. Not that now was a good time for smiling, of course. She stood before her reflection, alone in the royal chambers for the first time in a long time. She had her own apartments in the palace, but her husband had insisted that they share these rooms. It wasn't strange, therefore, for her to be there so soon after his death. It wasn't even a little inappropriate. However, she still felt slightly out of place. She suspected that this would be how she felt for a good while. Rebekah looked over her reflection, her eyes caught by the crown on her head. It was the one she'd first been given when they wed all those years ago, a beautiful and stunning piece he'd assured her had been handed down to new brides for generations. The jewels at her throat were a gift from Entioch upon news of their engagement. He had commissioned them for her just after their first meeting. A twinkle appeared in her eyes as she gazed at the diamonds and emeralds. "Green will suit that black hair well," he'd said as he clasped the necklace behind her. She remembered breathing sparsely as his hands traced down her back, fingertips just barely touching her gown's laces before they were interrupted by the clearing of her governess's throat.
Rebekah turned away from the mirror to look into the royal chambers. They were relatively unharmed, thanks to the superior structure of this side, the newer side, of the palace. It was still, however, slightly dangerous for her to be in here, but she'd insisted. Being out there, she wouldn't be allowed to grieve as fully as she'd like to, she'd said to the chancellor who had opposed her request. Her eyes widened and her chest swelled with unheard sobs as his heart melted and he begrudgingly allowed her to go upstairs, so long as she brought an escort. Rebekah stepped softly, so as not to alert the knight just outside the doors, and moved towards their marriage bed. More than once, Entioch had taken from Rebekah what he had no right to take, but there were still occasions here that she remembered fondly, primarily from the early days of their marriage. She'd loved him so intensely back then. She'd been so young and idealistic without even a shred of knowledge of what they'd come to be. Her hand fell to Entioch's pillow, stroking it softly. It was too late to dwell on what had happened, she thought to herself. Now it's time to look to the future. She nodded to herself, then turned and walked out the door of what was now only her chambers. Of course, it belonged to the ruler of the realm who was now meant to be Cyneric, but Rebekah had come too far now to let her plans fall by the wayside.
She arrived in the large tent where Autumn waited within moments, the court assembling just outside in the outer tent. The inner sanctum for the royal family was largely empty, save for Autumn and now the queen herself. She was a vision, as she typically was, her long hair unbound and flowing down her back, just like the king had always preferred. On her hands were not any signet rings or crown jewels, but merely a simple wedding band on her ring finger. Simple and elegant, the queen was the picture of the perfect young widow she'd always hoped she would become. Spying her daughter, the serene royal glided over to her child, taking her hands and holding them tightly. "I know you're afraid, Autumn, of what the world will become now that we must continue on without your father. I am afraid too. But as long as we have each other, we will survive." She raised a hand to touch the side of Autumn's face, glancing to the left as a sulking Rowan slinked in and sat in his assigned throne. Men are always so dramatic, she thought to herself before looking back to Autumn. "It's time." She nodded softly, then released Autumn to move towards her throne. The king's throne remained empty, as was tradition, and would later be burned in his honor so that the new king's throne could be crafted using its ashes. She sat in her place, leaning back and breathing deeply. She just needed to get through the next day, and then she would be able to begin the next stages of her plan.
Cordelia gave Autumn space but at the same time was nearby for her just in case. She still did her usual chores, laid out Autumn's clothing, helped her bathe and dress. Mainly Cordelia kept quiet because of not knowing what to say. She loved her father and her father was the one who recommended her to the royal family. She'd seen the way Entioch treated them and the earthquake couldn't happen any more on time. Cordelia shook her head and tried to erase those thoughts. She might be sentenced of treason and lose a spot her own dear father wanted her to have. She tried not to follow Autumn like a lost puppy and have her space again. Once the queen showed up, she curtsied lightly and waited.
Athena could not believe it had been two days since the devastating earthquake. One they started to gather Enotich, she got ready to speak at the funeral. Her clothing were simple, not to over shine Rebekah and the family. Once everyone was settled she thanked the crowd for joining her and the royal family today and saying goodbye to the king. She spoke about his accomplishments and didn't let them expect on the horrible stuff she'd seen. Once done, she offered the royal family to say any words.
Autumn turned as her mother joined them and smiled softly as she looked up at her. When she spoke, Autumn nodded. "It's just so hard without my brother's here. I know Cyneric is safe where he is but it scares me knowing that we don't know how bad his wounds are, if the Ishgar Princess is being kind to him, or where in Estherel that Arioch may be" She drew in a breath and looked down. "I know Father was not a kind man. But surely the fates could have been a little kinder to him." She sighed softly, "Apologies Mother." she whispered, "So much has been going on and I, well, it's difficult to keep my head up."
She looked up at Rebekah for a moment before turning to Cordelia. "We should probably get going. We don't want to be late right?" she asked, going to her dear friend. She turned to her Mother and smiled softly. "I love you Mother" she told her, "and I pray to whatever Gods that hear me that you do not leave us for a long time." Autumn was scared, truthfully terrified. The future was so uncertain to her know that she didn't know whether it was a good or bad thing.
