Frederic was on his knees at the foot of the dais. His head was bowed, as though in prayer. (But that wasn't right, Coronians didn't lower their heads to pray. They turned their faces upwards, towards the Light). The hall was deathly silent as Arianna made her way to stand behind him.
The pillow upon the pedestal nearly shouted with its lack of occupancy. The absence of the crown that had so long rested there seemed to suck all the air out of the chapel.
It was empty. Just as she was. Empty, hollow, barren. Devoid of substance, a shell of where life had once been. Like her.
Her chest ached with that emptiness as she stared at where her baby's tiara had been until less than an hour ago. Coming to a stop behind her husband, she rested her hands upon his shoulders. Her hands trembled, but it was disguised by Frederic's shaking. (He made no sound. After all these years of loss and pain, they were both masters of crying silently).
Arianna felt the tears burning at the back of her eyes, but she kept her head erect and refused to let them fall. Not now, she ordered them, there will be time for you later. First, we find this burglar and see him punished.
"Do you know who stole it?" Her voice rung through the utter stillness and silence, but she didn't look away from the empty dais.
"Ye-Yes, Your Majesty." The guard who responded was wringing his hands – Anxiety, or guilt, or both. She guessed he had been one of the guards on duty. His nose was red. In this heat, he must have allergies. In other circumstances, she would have ushered him off to the physician right away. "I…I got a good look at him. It was Flynn Rider, Your Grace."
Flynn Rider. Arianna had heard that name before, if only in brief mentions. A petty theif, from what she'd heard, of little consequence. Well, formerly. Now, he was the second most wanted criminal in the kingdom, lower only than the Kidnapper of the Lost Princess.
"Are there searches out yet?" she demanded.
"Of course, my lady. The Captain of the Guards is already in pursuit with a team of men."
Arianna nodded slowly. Rupert had been in the service of the royal family for a long time, and was staunchly loyal. He would do all he could to return their daughter's stolen crown to them. She was surprised by how little emotion she felt at this theft. Shock, she supposed, the pain would come later. She was so tired of sorrow and tears. What she wanted now was justice.
"Good. Ride out yourself and join the search party, will you? Tell the Captain that we want Rider captured alive."
The guard nodded, saluting as he left the room.
"We haven't found the Kidnapper," she whispered to her beloved, "But this Rider will pay, my heart. He took all we had left of our baby, and he will die for it."