She stood at the end of the aisle, looking down the long rows of expectant faces gathered in the Chapel of Cephied. Their eyes wide with anticipation as the crown descended onto the princess's head. Once in place, she looked upon her subjects with eyes close to tears.
"My people...." she started softly, her voice ringing in the silence of the chapel. "My people, my family, for you are all I have left. I will be your Queen and you will be my brothers and sisters, and daughters and fathers and mothers. A family will survive as long as there's trust between us. I trust you to be loyal and follow me through thick and thin. I hope that you too can trust me to be a good leader." Queen Amelia lifted a shaking hand to dab at her tears, so much for her vow. "I trust you to support me in times of need, and I will do my best to be there for you. I would give my life for Seyruun, for all of you, if I had to. Be my family, and I'll be yours."
With that, she flowed down the steps almost like water, her skirts hiding her feet and her head remaining level. The crown set upon her hair glittered in the light as the faces of her people stood in respect, watching as she left, the long white cape dragging the ground behind her. The cape was startling against her somber black dress.
* * *
Amelia stood in her rather empty seeming rooms, staring at the white curtains that were draped around her bed. She was a queen now. "A queen without a king," she stated sadly and sat upon the bed, her black skirts rustling softly. Carefully, she removed her diamond earrings and set them upon the night table beside her bed.
"Maa, maa, Amelia, no dolls? No lace? Are you feeling well?" Xelloss said softly as he appeared nearby.
"Have you come to gloat, Xelloss?" Amelia asked softly, deadpan. She didn't even look at him, instead staring straight forward.
Xelloss came closer, his eyes opening as he looked upon her, "Amelia... you don't seem yourself... What happened?"
The new queen of Seyruun turned her head to look upon the Mazoku. "She died, Xelloss. She was broken into pieces, a peace for every person she ever gave her heart to, and with each death, that piece of her died. Now there is nothing. Only me."
Xelloss carefully sat upon the bed, "I'm sure you've heard by now..."
"Yes, I know. I can only say that I'm not surprised. You're a Mazoku, it was bound to happen someday."
"Lina could have lived longer if she hadn't taken to drinking." Xelloss fingered his staff gently, tapping the blood red orb.
Amelia simply nodded, "Yes, I know that as well. If there was nothing else you wanted to do then torture me, then please leave."
"Ah, but you see, that's not all I had in mind when I came here." Xelloss smirked, running his hands along the bed. "Red.. such a lovely color! Graduated from Pink to Red, have you? White to Black as well."
Amelia turned her face toward him. "What is it that you want, Xelloss, I have other pressing engagements to attend to."
"Ah, yes, the banquet celebrating your coronation, yes." Xelloss tapped his finger against his chin. He stood smoothly then, taking a slow walk around the room, Amelia's eyes on him the whole time. "I've come," he paused, sliding his hand along the empty top of her dresser, "to make a proposition. Not just any proposition, mind you," his opened eyes gazed at her, his smirk hiding behind his cool mask. "Allow me to become one of your advisors... and I'll give you something."
Slowly, Amelia blinked. "A position as one of my advisors in return for what? An absolutely firm pact that no Mazoku will attack Seyruun?"
Xelloss lifted a finger and she had the feeling he was going to tell her it was a secret. "That- I can not give you. But I can give you this," he tossed something to her.
Quickly, Amelia caught the golden ball, it felt so fragile. The queen blinked at it a few times, realizing it was one of those soul balls that Phibbrizo had had back when they fought him. "Yes, Amelia, that is exactly what it is. Do you want to know who it is?" Xelloss asked as he slid around to stand behind her, whispering into her ear. "All you have to do is ask..."
Amelia opened her lips, tears falling from her eyes, making her makeup run. "W-who is it?" she asked brokenly.
Xelloss smirked, his hands resting on Amelia's shoulders, "I can bring him back for you.... I destroyed his body, I can bring it back, easily, Amelia... all you have to do is agree."
"I- I-" Amelia stuttered, her mind whirling too fast. She couldn't make up her mind. She couldn't let a Mazoku have power over some of her decisions, and yet.. and yet...
"Surely you want him back..." he whispered like a snake behind her. "How nice it would be to have him smile at you once more..."
"Xelloss- who is it?!"
The Priest-General narrowed his eyes, "You have to ask."
"TELL ME WHO THIS IS!" Amelia spun around, holding the soul carefully in her cupped hands.
Xelloss smiled, "That- is a secret," he disappeared, leaving her with the soul and her question.