A stony silence descended, every man in the room recognised the Empress. Marco's mouth fell open, as he watched the woman before him approach. Ramirez sat in the luxurious throne, his heart thumping so hard it felt like it was going to bruise his flesh, his breath was coming in short gasps.
"Mum!" Vyse could not contain himself. He did not know how, he did not know why, but his mother was somehow alive, and she stood, perfect, before him. He rushed from the dais, throwing his arms around her waist, causing both her and him to fall to the floor.
Atai yelled out in surprise. She tried to remove the boy's hands from around her, not knowing what was going on.
"Hey, kid, I don't know what your playing at, but let me go!" She said.
Ramirez snapped himself out of his daze. His Empress was clearly confused, having their son she had not seen in two years wrapped around her was clearly fogging her mind. He stepped down, and wrenched Vyse off her from behind.
"Aika," He breathed, "I thought you were dead, how is this possible?"
The question hung on the air, and everyone was awaiting the answer with bated breath.
"Excuse me." She silky voice cut across them. "this is hardly courteous. How dare your son attack my partner, have you no standards of mannerisms here?"
Ramirez turned to glance at the sable coloured female.
"Why is my wife with you… she is meant to be dead." He breathed, ignoring her remark.
"I have no idea what you are taking about. Atai here is my partner, and I do not appreciate you and your boy harassing her!" She snarled, helping Atai to her feet.
Ramirez looked back at the confused looking woman before him, his heart pounding… it was not her? He steadied himself.
"I apologise My Lady, my son mistook you for his late mother. You do bear an uncanny resemblance to her, I myself thought you were her for a moment. It will not happen again." He said, bowing his head ever so slightly to her.
Atai gathered herself together, and looked at the handsome Emperor. She had never seen such a striking male before, he was truly beautiful.
"It is quite alright." She said quietly, her eyes lingered upon his emerald ones for a second before she looked to her lover and came to stand beside her.
Vyse was confused. This woman was his mother, he knew it. It was her and she was alive, but… she didn't know who they were. Dejectedly he allowed his fathers firm hand on his spine to guide him back to his place. Once the two had once again sat, the talking began.
"So you have attacked my country, then enter my Palace, and expect to be treated like royal guests. Who are you, and why have you sent your ships against Soltis?" Ramirez said quietly, trying not to look at the woman he knew to be his Empress.
"My Lord, perhaps it is wise if we talk elsewhere, away from all these prying ears, perhaps me and my partner may join you for Dinner?" Celeste said, bowing her head low.
Ramirez scowled, not liking the way this woman talked. But, he knew that as long as he and Aika were in the same room together, he would appear weak, and he did not want his men to see this.
"Very well." He said. "Marco, escort these two women to the guest suits, post three watches outside their room and make sure the doors to their balcony remain locked."
"Is this how you treat all of your guests?" Atai asked, scowling up at father and son.
Merely hearing her voice almost caused Ramirez to kiss her on the spot, but he held back. It was impossible, this woman was not his mate…. His wife lay dead in the tomb he had placed her body in.
He breathed deeply, before he steeled himself and replied.
"It is how I treat those who have attacked my land without reason." He said shortly, then nodded to Marco who stepped forward and led the two women away.
"Dismissed." Ramirez muttered quietly, all the same every man heard him amongst the stony silence which had been left behind.
As soon as the huge doors had closed behind the last man, Vyse turned his imploring face to his father.
"Its her Father, why didn't you say anything, you know its her! Mum is alive!" he breathed.
"No son," He shook his head, "Aika died years ago, you know that. It may seem like it, but, this woman is not your mother."
"She is!" he yelled. "I know she is, she just can't remember!" Turning, the boy stormed out of the Throne Room, unable to stop the tears from rolling from his eyes.
Ramirez sighed, sitting back in the high backed throne…. Alone….. only the awesome, silent presence of the Silver Gigas floating endlessly above its master. How could it possible for two different women to look so alike…. It was her… yet it wasn't. He allowed his stunning eyes to slide shut and thought of the better days when she had been alive, their nights would be spent fiercely making love, and their days basking in the other's company.
Slowly he stood. Trying to draw his mind away from the achingly tantalising memories. He quickly summoned a guard.
"Have the banquet hall set for five." He commanded.
"I live to serve, My Emperor." He said, bowing low.
Vyse snapped his head up as his father entered the Hall, one of his strong arms supported Fina, and he placed her gently at his feet once the doors had closed behind them.
There was a moments silence between the father and son, as they stared at each other, the same thing going through each of their minds.
"It is her. You know that." Vyse said quietly.
"That is enough, Boy! I will hear no more of this madness. You must accept the fact that your mother is dead, buried beneath marble. Although it may be hard, you must come to terms with the fact that this new woman is not her." He said, sternly. How he longed for what his son said to be true, but his mind failed to understand how that would ever be possible.
"But, her name…"
"Is not, Aika. Aika is dead." He snapped, cutting Vyse off.
"No," the Prince said, his voice thick with emotion, and new found grief for his mother. "Her name is Atai…. Your telling me that doesn't stir any memories?"
Ramirez stared at his son. He had not realised the significance of the name. Atai was a rare name, one he had only heard for the first time when Ixa-Ness was destroyed. Now, for the second time, a woman by that name was within his walls. A woman who resembled his wife perfectly.
"A coincidence lad…. You must realise that it is as hard for me as it is for you, to be near this new woman… knowing that your mother is in a tomb. Knowing, that if she was alive now, she would look just as she does. But, you must let go of your memories, Vyse, you have to come to terms with it." Ramirez said, his voice held a tone of finality.
Vyse sighed, lowering his gaze. He managed to find a merciful distraction in his sister. He picked her up, for she had crawled to his feet, unaware of the conversation transpiring above her head. Her brother lifted her and hugged her tightly, the small girl giggled and tugged gently on his blonde locks. He remained unconvinced in his heart something was telling him that this woman was more than a coincidence.
The doors were opened. The very lady in question was led in, accompanied by at least a score of soldiers.
"You may leave us." Ramirez told them when she had been escorted inside. Silence prevailed until the large, elegant doors were pulled shut, again.
"Where is the other woman?" Ramirez asked, noticing that Atai was alone.
"She takes far longer to prepare herself in the ways of appearance than I do. She will join us shortly." She said, her eyes meeting his.
"Maa!"
Atai looked down in surprise at the small girl who was crawling towards her, a smile on her face. Her gaze softened to see the toddler, she crouched down and allowed her arms to lift the child.
"What a beautiful girl…" she murmured.
"Fina….Our…. My daughter." The Emperor replied, almost loosing himself in her eyes. How wonderful she looked, with his spawn perched on her hip.
Atai snapped her eyes up to his, scowling.
"I am sorry for your loss…. But you must leave behind this insane idea that I am these children's mother!" she snapped.
"You are my mother!" Vyse said, taking a step forward, "Remember, I am your son, Vyse. We lived in Ixa-Ness together….. Remember!"
Ramirez grabbed his son from behind and dragged him back.
"Silence, Boy!" He shouted.
"I am truly sorry My Lady. My son was devoted to his mother, as was I. He fails to see that it is impossible for you to be her." He said, he placed his right hand over his heart and bowed to her.
"Maa!" Cried Fina again, tugging on Atai's thick hair. The woman smiled slightly, and looked back to the little girl.
"I am glad to see you did not start without me." Said the silky voice. Celeste was being led in, in the same fashion Atai had been.
"What have you done to my mother! Why can't she remember me!" Screamed Vyse from where he had been pushed by his father.
Celeste scowled at the boy.
"She is not your mother. Atai, why don't you show these idiots who it is you love?" The dark woman said softly to the other woman.
Fina was slid gently to the floor, as the red haired female brushed past Ramirez. The Emperor watched, sickened, as he watched His wife walk to this lady, and kiss her. Not a mere friendly kiss on the cheek…. This was on the lips, deep and passionate. He had seen many female couples in his time, and he had neither cared or been bothered by it… but to see her…. This woman who so looked like his Empress and the mother of his children…. Do this. He could not stop himself….
Celeste felt Atai wrenched away from her, the soft skin to be replaced only with the cold steel of the Emperor's blade on her throat.
Wild-Roze: Alrighty… happy new year… bit tipsy, just got in from work :D