“—Anna. I know you aren’t feeling up to a party right now, but… Being queen means sometimes fulfilling obligations even when you don’t want to. I mean, you’re crazy if you think I want to spend half my days treating with foreign dignitaries, but I do it with a smile because it’s necessary — and I don’t want to place that burden on you. Now…
—now it’s your turn. Just for tonight.”
☃ _ ღ She could hear them already. The mumbled condolences, those subtle glances of pity, all of which expressed by those she was expected to dance and dine with. A room full of people focused on her and her a l o n e. Muted whispers, harrowing questions of the circumstance of her rule – she knew she couldn’t do it.
Looking away, she forced herself to keep their hands entwined, though she wished to do little more than to pull away, to recede into her own personal cask of isolation, where she wouldn’t – couldn't – be forced or persuaded to attend.
❝Hans, I–❞ She swallowed, taking in a slow breath. ❝I don’t think I can.❞
