A breeze, soft and cool, brushed past the curtains and into the window. Her movements were harsh and precise, her words echoed the person she wished to be. With a sigh she set aside her writing, words for the history books, words to comfort her people, words to cover her sorrow.
She leaned back in her chair, tilted to see the world beyond the window. This time, two years ago. A mantra in the back of her head. One year for us. One year alone…
A shiver violently shook her out of her stupor. The breeze held a hint of winter within it, but then when the next woosh held only warmth, she wondered if the winter was within herself.
The creak of the door caught her attention. "My lady," Beatrix chided softly, motioning to the door and the balcony.
Garnet rose with all the grace of her ancestors. She smiled sweetly, happy to see the wrinkled tension in Beatrix's face melt away as she returned the gesture.
She floated out to her seat, her stride had not even a glimmer of her sorrow. Steiner was already on the balcony, beside the door. He too carried tension in his face, so here she smiled again, genuinely happy to see his anxiety disappear.
Gently she grazed the throne with her fingertips. Briefly she remembered her mother and bit back her tears. This day was not her day; it was Alexandria's day. It was to commemorate the restoration of the city, to remember the former queen and to celebrate the crowning of another.
She turned to face the crowd, smiling and waving. They adored her, and she them. She smiled and waved for here she had her reason to live and here she knew someday she would once again find her happiness. Perhaps the words she wrote earlier were true. Perhaps she was finding her way, learning what to do when she was lonely.
Still, it's like a piece is missing… I never said… how I felt… She pushed those thoughts aside. I live for my people, I live for myself, I live for…
The shadow of the theater ship passed over her and she smiled once more. She took her place on the throne.
...my memories and yours. I live for the past and the present and the future.