The most nondescript of the royal carriages were parked outside the palace as the sun began setting, and the queen's nerves were raw as the reality of her exile settled over her. Musketeers readied themselves for departure, their muskets and swords rattling against their sides as they thoroughly checked the horses and luggage, preparing the group to leave.
Standing before her mirrors, Anne held her arms out at her sides as Rebekah tightened the ties of her traveling corset. Staring at her reflection, reminding herself she couldn't look this miserable when she departed her rooms, she looked up at Rebekah's reflection over her shoulder.
"You will be with me, won't you, Lady Rebekah?"
Rebekah, consumed with thoughts of Armis, his rough hands coarsing over her skin as he'd kissed her in the gardens the evening before, looked up at the queen in the mirror and gave her a smile. "Of course, Your Majesty."
Aramis had been chosen as part of the queen's entourage earlier in the day, which amplified her willingness to go. She gave her friend, her queen, another smile. "I won't leave you."
Anne released a breath of relief.
"I greatly value your companionship, Rebekah," she admitted, her sincerity on her face as it only ever was in moments like this, when they were alone and she was safe to show her emotions.
"As do I yours," Rebekah admitted, tying the laces into a bow at the top of the corset. Anne was able to smile slightly through her stress, thanks to the comment.
Gathering her dress from Rebekah's arms, Anne dipped her head through it and straightened it over her underskirts. "Would you summon your brother, Lord Elijah, for me?" she asked in an even tone.
Wondering what the queen could want with her oldest brother, Rebekah nodded and hastened out to find him. She did so easily and explained the queen had requested an audience. He was equally as befuddled by the summons as she, but he hastily followed her back to the queen's chambers.
Anne was fully dressed and awaiting him when they returned, her gloved hands resting over her waist as she leveled a calm look at him. She gestured for Rebekah to stay as Elijah bowed at his waist before her.
"Monsieur Elijah, I have a request of the utmost importance for you." She took a breath, the sound shaking softly in the air between them. "Upon my departure, I believe you may be the only one in this court I can trust."
Elijah's chest inflated slightly as he straightened to his full height and dipped his head genteelly. "Your wish is my command, Majesty."
Her voice dropped somberly, her tone low so no one listening beyond the room would overhear her as she continued. "I am afraid my husband's principles may be misled in my absence," she admitted. "There are those who would see me deposed from my throne, and my… vacation," - she'd almost called it what it truly was: an exile - "endangers my position as queen even as it protects me from the beast prowling within this castle."
She cast her eyes toward the wall as if she could see through it to the cardinal: the true beast within these walls. Turning back after a beat, she continued.
"My hope is that you will be my voice, that you will help His Majesty to hear wisdom whilst others may attempt to sway him otherwise." Her eyebrows drew together slightly, consternation etching across her dainty features.
Elijah stepped forward immediately and bowed to her, sinking to one knee on the floor at her feet.
"Of course. I will do as you wish, my queen."
Rebekah knew her brother enjoyed little more than dabbling in politics and subtlety. She imagined she could see him quaking with anticipation already as he bowed his head before the queen.
"I know you will, milord." Anne reached out and brushed his shoulder with her fingertips, silently granting him permission to stand. As he rose, she released a heavy breath and barely managed another smile. "Perhaps, when I return, we will all have your joyous wedding to attend."
Elijah bowed his head even as he stiffened, a slightly strained smile on his face. "Perhaps, milady."
The queen's expression became distant as her thoughts turned toward her journey. With a hasty nod, she left the room without another word.
There was only a pause and a shared look between the siblings, silent understanding passing between the two of them before Rebekah swept off after her.
The sky was on fire with oranges and reds as the queen gracefully exited the palace and came to a halt at the top of the sweeping staircase overlooking the carriages and their prancing, impatient horses. A few of her most trusted ladies and courtiers filled the few coaches, each with musketeers flanking them on horseback for protection.
As she took a breath, forcing her shoulders to rise and fall smoothly, the king appeared beside her and leaned in to give her a soft kiss on her cheek. He was practically vibrating with excitement, surely because he was almost free of her for two solid months, free to live as wildly and lecherously as he wished in her absence, while proclaiming to rid the palace of a mystery beast. She knew it all to be a sham. Cardinal Richelieu wanted her power. Louis wanted to bed every pretty girl who sauntered past him, without feeling any guilt for committing adultery. She wasn't a fool; this forced vacation was more for them than it ever would be for her.
Suddenly, she was so disgusted by them both, by the entire court, that she started looking forward to her exile.
Just as she was about to step away, wanting to put space between herself and the palace, a figure appeared before them, blocking her path.
"Your Majesties." Niklaus Mikaelson bowed low before them. The depth of the bow was dramatic and mocking - Anne could tell by the impish glint in his eyes as he raised his head - but the king didn't seem to notice.
"I would like to offer my hand in protecting Her Majesty, Queen Anne." His tone changed subtly as her name rolled off of his tongue, as if he was tasting it, and Anne lifted her chin slightly until she was watching him down the length of her nose.
"And also to act as a chaperone to my maiden sister Rebekah," he added after a moment's pause.
Behind the queen, Rebekah stiffened and kept her face passive even as her blue eyes started blazing. She didn't dare venture a glance at Aramis over her brother's shoulder. The joy that had bloomed in her chest over the idea of being away from her overprotective brothers for months was suddenly dashed. She was ready to voice her disagreement, in spite of how inappropriate it would be for her to speak up in this moment, when the cardinal cleared his throat on the king's side opposite from the queen.
"That is an admirable offer, monsieur. I am sure His Majesty would appreciate the additional protection over his queen," Cardinal Richelieu spoke, turning to the king as he said so.
Louis grunted in agreement, nodding curtly, which made his black ringlets bob. Klaus's grateful smile was wolfish as he glanced up at his sister before briefly meeting the queen's gaze.
Reaching over, Louis took Anne's hand and tugged her toward the stairs, practically dragging her toward her carriage at the front of the caravan. Her gait remained smooth as she walked proudly, as if marching to the gallows. She'd lost this battle against the cardinal, but she would leave with the pride intact.
Upon reaching the carriage, she accepted the assistance of the musketeers who took her hands from the king and helped her climb inside. Sliding across the seat, she cast her gaze through the far window and couldn't summon the energy to look back toward her home as Rebekah climbed in after her and shut the door behind them.