Sophie's hair was tucked into a careful plait before being rolled up into a crown about her head. The ceramic sculpted flowers and pearls softly complimented her rosemary-scented hair.

The handmaid was silent, almost quivering at times. Whether it be in awe and appreciation for dressing the almost queen for her coronation or in fear of the rumors of Sophie's character, she did not know. The maid tucked the billowing white chiton beneath the red corset, carefully laying the pleats to fall in perfect symmetry.

The bard in the corner carefully plucked at the strings of his lyre, gentle lyrics falling to the quiet women's ears like feathers resting atop a finally still river.

The maid carefully lifted her hand, freezing when Sophie's head instantly trained on it as if it were a loose arrow. Her eyes were fierce and trained on the maid. The maid stared at the gentle wet lashes cushioning the dulled brown eyes that had people talking around the corner of corridors and the deepest of gossiper's tongues. The maid swallowed and carefully lifted the eyeliner brush and pot of rich black pigment. Sophie muttered a soft apology and closed her eyes. The maid gently lined the red-rimmed eyes, the brush hiding the evidence of any torment of the queen with black.

"You are ready, my lady," The maid's head dipped as a goodbye, just as she had been taught to do. The maid's eyes were trained on the fine edge of Sophie's coronation dress. But when the assassin made no move to leave the room, the maid's head hesitantly rose.

Sophie stared in the mirror with an emotion that no one could truly place. Whether it be hesitance, terror, or maybe agony, all three bodies knew in that room was the minute Sophie left, all would change. Sophie stared at herself with the unrecognition reserved for a stranger. Yet it is a face she often wears now.

Sophei blinked once. Then again, before finally turning to the maid in bewilderment at returning to the world of the living.

"I-I'm sorry, my mind wandered. Thank you, Iris. Tell the Senate I shall be out in a moment," The maid stiffened at her name. They didn't tell her in the training school that the nobles she would serve would know her name. Iris's mouth opened and closed momentarily before clearing her throat for Sophie's attention, "The Senate could not attend today, my lady. It is a small coronation, highly exclusive. They decided that there were other matters that needed attention."

Sophie opened her mouth to push further information, but Iris fell back into a deep bow and waved to the bard to leave the woman in haste. The door closed with a soft click, and Sophie was left with her thoughts once again.

The Senate wasn't at the Coronation? They were the ones who pushed her to be the Queen, but they couldn't even attend the defining and name-altering event that puts her in the spotlight?

Two soft knocks at the door, and Sophie spun to meet it. Iris's head poked in once more. Her fingers tapped against the wooden frame as she whispered like a barn mouse, "The other maids in the chambers say they are dealing with the fallout of Senator Vincenzo's removal. It has created a bit of an uproar in the... community he was involved with."

Ah. That would take anyone's attention. Sophie blinked, and Iris was gone once more. Sophie turned to the massive mirror before her.

She liked it. The dress, at least. The plait on her head was too tight for her liking. And the perfume was smothering her in a pillow of rose and other feminine flowery scents. The council had chosen everything for the official coronation of the soon-to-be Queen Amalia, first of her name.

Everything except her shoes. They had left that one up to Sophie. Maybe they thought it too inconsequential to worry about. But they hadn't expected her to go without them entirely. If Sophie had any choice, any little thing that belonged to herself, it might as well be her shoes. Or lack thereof. They were the things no one saw tucked beneath her long flowing dresses. So that means no one would see her forgo them. It was like her own little secret.

The horns trumpeted outside, and Sophie smoothly stepped off the dressing stand and opened the door, faced with two Senate guards. They both placed a hand on Sophie's back, keeping a close eye on her as they escorted her through the various Senate halls. Their hands on her back felt nothing like the small circles Ruy would trace on the small of her back as they lay in bed together, murmuring about their days and what tomorrow would look like. Had she ever thought she would be queen when lying in bed with Ruy? She couldn't remember anymore. Maybe her memory wasn't as photographic as her pride wished it to be.

Before she knew it, the trumpets had stopped, and she stood before a grand set of carved stone doors. The doors were carved with Inalian stories, deep inset faces of the heroes her father would regale her with as he described their history and lore.

The faces kissed her goodbye when the doors swung open, basking the radiant woman in the sunlight. She heard gasps and murmuring but no clapping. People were in silent reverent awe as she glided down the center aisle of the massive cathedral. She took her time as the Grand Cardinal, a different fatter one than the one she and her darling brother had threatened only a few months before, spouted his holy nonsense about the queens and kings of old. Sophie's eyes flickered between the stained glass windows of the Vatarian pantheon, catching onto Kynareth's for a cruel moment longer. The sky and death god's window was clean and simple, depicting a form similar to how Sophie first met the god. Fresh blue skin, curling horns, and white hair flowed out and filled most of the geometric masterpiece staining the room in color.

Her toes sunk into the velvet carpet they had rolled out for her, keeping her grounded and focused on the texture to remind herself of where she was.

Her brother, sister, and aunts were at the end of the aisle, all behind the Cardinal in big carved chairs mimicking the massive stone one taunting her. Her brother held her eyes, and Sophie wanted to look away. But the tears rimming his eyes made it damn near impossible.

"I'm sorry," He mouthed.

Sophie closed her eyes, not wanting to ruin Iris's hard work with tears running down her face.

"- All the eyes of Inalia saw Queen Kassandra announce Amalia the true queen of Inalia, the rightful heir! Through her, our people will be great once more!" The Cardinal roared, causing the room of patriots to erupt in cheers and applause. The Cardinal gestured to her, ignoring her desperate eyes and hesitant stance.

"Kneel, my child." Sophie sunk to her knees. Like a king who was struck in battle would.

(Sibylline Original)

The glorious crown of Inalia, the golden laurel embedded with gems and pearls alike, was held aloft to the light. The world marveled at it, but Sophie kept her eyes trained on her family.

Maria clutched Lilac and Alexios' hands, muttering a quiet prayer with closed eyes. Filomena rubbed Alexios's back as his chest hiccuped, holding back sobs. But Lilac just stared at her sister. Deeply. Truly.

And Sophie smiled at her darling sister as the crown touched her hair.

"ALL HAIL QUEEN AMALIA, FIRST OF HER NAME!"

Ruy could not have been more bored in his life. He sat beside Henrietta, who kept glancing over in hopes of getting his attention. But another banquet, celebrating who the hell knows what, was the last thing he needed to focus on.

"They tell me you are a poet?" Henrietta's query makes Ruy lazily look over.

Ruy snorted, pushing the chicken around on his plate as another brown-nosing noble was toasting to the royal family's health.

"And who told you that? I'm afraid they are wrong." Ruy glanced over at his Promised, gritting his teeth. The moonlight and flickering center pyre flickered off her dark skin and contrasting hair. She was beautiful. Ruy could admit it.

"Oh? They said you run away to this mysterious studio whenever anything goes wrong so you can write poetry in peace." Henrietta explained.

Ruy shoved the freshly baked bread into his mouth, "And who told you this?"

"Your brother."

Ruy froze, a smile peeling at the corners, "Which one? The stuck up jackass or the one who doesn't know up from down?"

Henrietta's head tipped back, boisterous laughter filling their small corner at the end of the table. A few people glanced at them, but Ruy found himself not particularly caring.

"Well, obviously the latter. Cato is a good boy." Henrietta smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Loves to play pranks though," Ruy took a shaking breath, chewing his food down before sighing, "I sculpt."

Henrietta's eyebrows rose, "Really?"

"Yeah. Write music from time to time if I need another outlet. Not poetry, I'm afraid."

"Oh well, there go my childhood dreams of marrying a poet prince who will sweep me off my feet."

Ruy stopped the food tasting like ash in my mouth. That's right. He is marrying her.

Henrietta noticed him freeze and quickly swallowed a gulp of wine, probably for the confidence needed for her next question.

"Is it because of the Mentore? The reason you are so quiet, is it her?" Henrietta tumbled out. Ruy's fork stopped mid-air.

"W-What?"

"My mother told me that you had an ex girlfriend you were still wrapped up about, so that it would be even tougher with an arranged marriage-"

"Sophie is gone. There is nothing more to be hesitant about. There is nothing to be... I- ugh. She and I- Yeah, okay, I'm done." Ruy grabbed his plate to stand, grabbing an additional roll on his way out.

Henrietta grabbed his wrist, eyes careful, "I'm asking about her because of the coronation. I did not mean to upset you."

"Coronation?"

Henrietta glanced around her apprehensively, lowering her voice, "She was crowned today. Queen Amalia. She is attending the gala your father is holding for our engagement in a week."

Ruy's eyes narrowed. Sophie was queen now? She was in hiding a little over a month ago. And Ruy knew Sophie. She was smart. But then she knew better than to trust the Senate. No matter what they say, no matter what they do... but if they were the ones to put the crown on Sophie's head, then this may be bigger than Ruy would've thought.

But no. There is no way the Senate could be trusted.

He could sneak out. His armor was in the chest beneath his bed. His father had yet to find it. He could find a way back into Inalia, investigate this for what it truly is-

Ruy's eyes met his father's at the head of the table. The king shook his head, motioning for Ruy to sit back down. Ruy slumped back into his seat, drumming his fingers against the table. He couldn't get anything done with his father watching him like a hawk.

He just had to wait a week to meet her face-to-face. And that terrified him more than any foe he had ever faced before. 

And those final words mean you are getting Soruy in the next two weeks ;)

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_Sibylline_