Fifteen
She was on the ground, the sound of her door slamming behind her turning into a distant memory as it was drowned out by loud, shaky sobs.
Once her throat burned, Anabella pulled herself onto her feet, a gasp for air coming from her lungs.
She walked toward her dresser with her bottom lip trembling. Crashing into the chair before her vanity, she pressed her palms against the cold wood of the structure before her and tried to calm herself down.
As her eyes met with the blurry reflection within the golden frames of her mirror, her heart hammered within her chest. The sunlight streaming into the room sent small rays of light around the room from the jewels on the crown that was now perched on her head, the same jewels she would spend hours playing with as she sat on her father's lap.
"Are you proud of me?"
Her voice was a mere whisper, a plea to reach ears that worked no more, but a soul that she prayed raged on.
"I sure am.", a voice, as soft as the pillow that lay on her bed, said behind.
She turned.
San was leaning against the bathroom doorway, a smile captivating his lips.
The knot in her throat threatened to strangle her as she threw herself into San's arms, her sanctuary ever since her parents had died.
As she cried against his shoulder as she had in that room before her parents' caskets, he ran a hand through her hair, "I am so sorry, Ember. I should have supported you from the beginning."
She squeezed him between her arms before reaching up and landing a painful slap against the back of his head.
He rubbed the sore spot she had left with a wince.
She laughed and tried her best to wipe her tears and makeup off her cheeks before wrapping her arms around him once more, "But, I should be as well. There is nothing in all of Sonar that could happen for me to wish our friendship to end."
San rubbed her arm, "I love you, Anabella. I mean...Queen Anabella."
She giggled, earning another fond smile from her friend.
Someone cleared her throat behind them, causing the pair to pull away from each other and turn to the newcomer.
Seonghwa was standing in the bathroom's doorway, his brow furrowed as he looked between the two. "Pardon me. Was I interrupting something?", he asked, false concern lining his words as he raised an eyebrow.
"No, of course not.", Anabella looked at the ground before glancing over at her husband.
She took a step forward and hugged Seonghwa with all the force in her tiny arms. "Thank you so much.", she whispered, her heart pounding within her ears drowning out her voice.
"For what?", he placed a hesitant hand on her back, staring at the ground instead of at the eyes before him.
"For going through with it.", she responded, leaning back, but, she did not want to remove her arms from around his waist.
"I believe this is a private moment, so I will excuse myself out.", San sneaked out but not before sending a smile at Seonghwa. A smile, not a glare.
He turned back to the beautiful woman before him, the sunlight in the room bouncing off her cheeks. Fixing the crown on her head, he smiled, " There's no reason to thank me. You did everything yourself."
Her lips tugged upwards and then they crashed under the weight of her guilt, "I did do everything myself."
As she pulled away, Seonghwa asked, "Pardon?"
"They did not seem too happy about it. I could start a civil war.", her hands raised to her head, "Oh, sweet Sonar, what have I done?"
"But, what is important is that you are happy. And, without change, there will never be any type of progression in this kingdom. You're making Sonar better.", Seonghwa placed a hand on her shoulder.
She turned, her soft eyes studying his face as her mind articulated what to say.
A series of voices rang out into the room, interrupting the conversation just as Anabella opened her mouth to speak.
She ran to and opened the door to see Mr. Conrad trying to get past Yunho, Mingi, and Jongho to get into the queen's chambers. "The queen made it very clear that you are not welcome here anymore.", Yunho explained as he placed his hand on the sword at his hip.
His eyes met with Anabella's and he pointed an accusing finger at her, "You are one foolish girl. Are you not aware of what you have caused?"
She stayed silent, an eyebrow twisted up in annoyance, as she let him vent, veins bulging out of his neck.
"This kingdom will become a laughing stock because of your selfishness and idiocy."
"Don't you dare talk to my wife like that.", Anabella felt Seonghwa wrap a protective arm around her shoulders.
She looked up at him as he glared at Mr. Conrad.
"Your wife is going to send Sonar to its doom!", Mr. Conrad yelled, pushing against Yunho.
"I am bringing this kingdom to progression!", Anabella pulled against Seonghwa, but he managed to keep her back, gently squeezing her shoulder.
"Sonar does not need progression. And, we especially, do not need a queen."
"Leave! Take your acquaintances and get out!", she screamed, and, as she raised a finger towards the hallway, another series of sparkling white sparks left her hand, dispersing into nothing as they touched the ground.
Before Mr. Conrad could continue, Anabella's bodyguards grabbed the furious man and dragged him off, his protests ringing out through the palace's hollow halls.
Anabella slammed the door closed and paced through the room, holding her head, loud groans of anger escaping her lips, dry from screaming.
"Hey, calm down. Don't listen to him. He's just another old-fashioned idiot.", Seonghwa reached forward to touch her, but her skin was scorching.
He leaped back, holding his hand, the skin of his palm slowly turning red. Her eyes filled with regret as she looked up at him.
"I am so sorry.", she hurried to him and she scanned his hands as she gingerly grabbed them.
"It's okay, Anabella. But...your skin?"
"Nothing, nothing. Here, we should really put some ointment on your hand.", she tugged him back towards the bathroom.
"Anabella.", Seonghwa pulled her back.
"I am your husband. You can trust me."
"You are but a stranger who is married to me, Seonghwa.", she sighed, her eyes scanning the ground, "I'm sorry."
"No, you're right.", he nodded.
"Seonghwa."
"I-I will see you later.", he smiled, one that was quite shaky, and walked out.
And, as he walked away, both had the same question in their head: Why did the other's absence hurt?
Author's Note
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