"It's okay, you're allowed to be sad too. I know you loved dad." Kia reached up and wiped Eya's tears. A soft smile was exchanged before they arrived at the doors and walked through.
Singing echoed through the expansive hall and the program began. People sang songs in commemoration and prayers were given by the priest. People filtered to the front and around the body to share speeches. Every moment felt agonizingly slow before the constant stream of people seemed to die down and the priest stepped forward.
"Are there any others who wish to say a word before the queen pays her final respects?" No one spoke until Kia stood and raised her arm up.
"I would!" Everyone looked to the young princess and the priest waved her forward. She looked at her mother nervously who gently took her hand at the pleading look in the child's eyes. Together, they walked to the front, everything so quiet their steps seemed to echo through the hall. Kia hesitated at the final steps to the front, but a squeeze from her mother's hand encouraged to continue. Finally, she settled at the front and looked around at all the faces.
"Thank you for being here," she started out timidly, a few smiles bringing her more courage. "My daddy was wonderful and it makes me proud to hear everyone say such wonderful things about him. He used to tell me stories about everyone and how much he loved helping everyone. Sometimes, I'd sit with him and he'd ask what power was if you didn't help people. I understand it now." Tears began to form again and she pulled her arm across her eyes. "I think Daddy helped everyone. I heard that my grandfather was a bad man and daddy fixed that. He wanted to be better and I want to be better too. Tha-thank you." With her last words, Kia broke down, sobbing as people stood and clapped for their princess.
Eya gestured for someone to lead Kia to a seat before she straightened to look at everyone there. As people sat back down, she began to speak, "Where to start? So many stories and so little time. I will keep it brief. My husband was an amazing father to our daughter. His daughter was everything to him, but so were his people and all of you. My husband ruled with his heart and touched your lives, and his large heart is what stole mine. I was a simple city girl, a girl from humble beginnings, but that didn't stop him. Even when his family didn't approve, he persisted until they did. We conquered every test and obstacle that came our way."
The queen paused to take a breath and collect herself. She felt the weight of his death sink onto her shoulders and her mind fought to justify it. All their dreams gone to waste. However, the thoughts passed quickly and she continued.
"But now he will live on through my daughter and all of you. But he will take the key to my heart with him." Eya finished and stepped back, the people applauding once more.
"Thank you for your words and on behalf of everyone in the room, I share our condolences," the priest said and looked back into the room. "Please allow the queen and princess to say their final goodbyes and pass through before anyone moves."
Eya took the cue and reached her hand out to Kia. They walked together up to the king's body, the man dressed in white and gold as he held two swords crossed over his chest. At the first glance, his lifeless body almost looked alive once again, and Kia threw herself on top of him in her violent sobs.
"Please wake up, Daddy! Don't go, please! Come home, just come home! I'll never complain about anything, and I'll be the best daughter, I promise! I miss you, it hurts!" Her fists beat against his chest as she tried to shake him. Eya pulled her back and signaled for the guards to take her out and back to the car.
Eya followed Kia shortly after she was taken away, the queen grappling with her own tsunami of emotions. She spoke many of her words out of diplomacy and less from the heart, but they still swirled through her mind and brought a grief she no longer wanted to endure.
The sudden sight of Essa waiting by her vehicle brought waves of relief over Eya. She walked faster and the two sisters threw themselves into an embrace, savoring the moment of comfort they could share.
"I'm so glad you came. I wasn't sure you received my message," Eya said, pulling back to look over her younger half.
"I'm sorry I was late! I didn't have an official invitation so they wouldn't let me in."
"Oh Essa, I forgot to send you one! In the rush and the chaos… The guards should have known better! You are my sister, that is undeniable!"
"Eya, Eya!" Essa grabbed the queen's hands and pulled her from returning to the hall to give the guards a piece of her mind. "Don't worry, alright? It's been a rough time since George died. It's alright."
Eya took a deep breath and nodded. "I suppose. Why don't you come back with us? Stay for a little while."
"I don't want to intrude an-"
"Please?" Kia's soft voice broke through the conversation as she rolled down the window, tear-stained face pleading her aunt.
"I know the palace makes you uncomfortable but I can get you whatever you need to make it feel like home," Eya added.
Essa looked between her sister and niece, Eya's reassurance and Kia's sniffles winning her over as she nodded. "Alright. For the two you."
The three rode back together in silence, Kia snuggling against Essa for awhile and drifting off to sleep. The air was thick with grief, exhaustion, and a slight fear of the unknown. But there was comfort. A comfort that kept Kia still asleep when they arrived. Eya instructed a guard to take her to her room and not disturb her while she brought Essa to her own room.
In the privacy of her room, Eya sank onto the bed with a soft groan. "I am glad she was sleeping. I fear she would have nagged us to no end had she been awake. She is a stubborn one and would have wanted to spend time with you."
"I remember when we were her age," Essa giggled and sat down, nudging Eya playfully. "I hope you have not forgotten how all we did was talk, ask questions, and never listen. Especially you. You were quite stubborn."
"I was beyond my years, I think. I couldn't simply do as I was told without understanding why. But I see your point and perhaps Kia is the same," Eya chuckled, but her expression fell as quickly as it had come.
"What's wrong, Eya?" Essa shifted closer and took her hand. "I know when something is wrong."
"It's nothing."
"Eya…"
Eya looked at Essa for a moment before nodding, leaning in closer. "Very well, but no one else is to know what all has happened. You must promise me no one will ever know."
"You know I wouldn't share."
"Promise me!"
"Alright, alright." Worry swirled through Essa's eyes and she squeezed Eya's shoulder. "I promise. Now please, tell me what is going on. You are worrying me."
"Come with me." Eya stood and grabbed Essa's hand, going to the door before looking down the hall. Seeing no one, she pulled her into the open and down a few passages before yanking her inside a small, quiet room. Dust covered almost everything, and it was clear no one had come to this room in ages, and in turn, probably wouldn't show up now.
"George was having an affair," Eya finally admitted in a hushed whisper, Essa's eyes widening. "And whoever that woman is, is expecting a child."
"Are you sure?" Essa hissed back.
"I overheard him talking to Ian and Luke. But I don't know who the woman is. Essa, I need to find her and I need to kill her."
"Eya!" Essa stepped back with horror painted on her face. "An innocent life? Surely not! You couldn't do something so cruel!"
"Then you don't know me well enough. Innocent or not, I have to find her and end both her and her son. Once the coronation takes place, I need to do this."
"But why? And how can you be so sure it's a boy?"
"Beyond George saying as much, I visited the prophets." Eya leaned close again, "They said the child would be destined to rule over us all. This child will destroy us, Essa! A bastard child will destroy me and you and put the planets at stake! Surely, I can't let that happen."
"But sister, you know the prophets can't be trusted. Mother warned us about them. You must stay away from them and the magic they use," Essa insisted, taking Eya's hands. "Please!"
"You know there is an old legend of bastard boy one day coming to change the fate of the planets. And now there is a bastard boy, my husband is dead, and I am certainly not with child. The prophets have not been wrong. I will protect this family and do my duty as queen no matter the cost!" Eya insisted, lifting her chin to match the passion in her voice.
"Mother wouldn't warn against the prophets for no reason and I feel something is off. Please, I beg of you, Eya, tread cautiously before making any rash decisions."
"I have thought everything through, but I will do so for you again. Now, let's rest, please. I will have to start helping with plans for the coronation. I wish for your support and that we don't talk about this. There are ears everywhere after George's death."
"For you. Only for you."
Eya pulled Essa into a hug once more and the two left the room. Eya's mind grew heavy with her thoughts and she shoved them away quickly. Nothing could be done until she was queen, she tried to remind herself, and shifted her thoughts to the hope of a coronation. If she could get the approval of the intergalactic council that she be in charge of the Mother Planet and the decision that came with it.