The violin hummed. Piano accompanied, bringing structure to the melody but fading into the background otherwise—insignificant when compared to the magnificence of the violin.
Reina stood beside the grand piano, her violin on her shoulder. Both of them had grown several times over since the first instrument she had picked up, nearly eight years ago. She was at peace like he rarely knew her to be, when she was wrapped up in her music: her eyes shut, a little smile playing across her lips.
The large drawing room was filled. Every available seat had someone in it. Others still were standing around, lining the walls. Members of the court and council. High-ranking Crownsguard officers. Captain Ulric. And, of course, Regis and Noctis. All of the most important people in Insomnia were in attendance, but when her eyes opened she only looked at one of them.
Outside in the hall, the crowd had spilled over. The servants had been congregating when Regis arrived; try as they might to remain inconspicuous, it was difficult to justify having fifty attendants in the hall for any reason.
Let them listen. Reina's music was a magic all of its own. Regis could hardly remember the last time he had truly listened. It must have been nearly four years ago now. Something always seemed to come up when she held a recital. This was the first in at least two years.
"Your Majesty." Cor knelt by his armchair to whisper in his ear.
Regis glanced sharply at him. Even those few seconds with his attention away from Reina's recital stirred his temper. Regis pressed a finger to his lips and waved Cor away.
"But Niflheim—"
"Can wait," Regis hissed under his breath.
Cor stared at him, taken aback. Regis turned his gaze back to Reina. She still held her cheek pressed to her violin, but her eyes flicked between Regis and Cor, a little wrinkle on her brow. The next few notes of her song wavered—one squeaked discordantly. Even now she feared he would turn his attention elsewhere and walk away.
"Never interrupt my daughter's recital again, for any reason. Is that clear?" Regis whispered to Cor.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Cor said, though he looked as if he said it against his better judgement.
"Now we will have silence," Regis snapped under his breath.
Cor withdrew. Regis looked back to Reina in time to see a single tear streak down her cheek. He fought the urge to climb to his feet and gather her up in his arms, assure her that he would never turn his back on her again. He could do that later. For now, he wanted to hear the end of the song.
A shaky smile worked its way across her face. Regis returned it. She shut her eyes again, letting one more joyful tear fall, before she redoubled her focus on her violin. The second half of the song was all the more powerful than the first, fed by confidence and assurance and the knowledge that her father had just put everything else in the world below her.
A hand landed on Regis' shoulder. He looked up to find Crea beside his armchair, smiling down at him. If he had needed any more reassurance, that was it. The woman who loved his children more than anything thought he was a good father.
A good father.
He intended to keep it that way. Even if it meant standing against the Astrals themselves.
AN: I forgot this was the last chapter! Things have been so crazy, I nearly didn't prep the next story. It's a damn good thing I started writing it before editing Reckoning...
Anyhow, Of Defiance should be up now. If it isn't, wait like 30 minutes for the site to refresh. Or for me to catch up with you.