<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 125%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #BF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">House of Cadell<br/>Lady in Waiting</span></span></span><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130430235600/wiki-amistad/es/images/thumb/0/02/Scarlet_by_skipta-d5h1tgb.jpg/180px-Scarlet_by_skipta-d5h1tgb.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #BF0000"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Lady Amena Aeide</span></span></span></div><br/><br/>Queen Ines' words made Amena feel even more dreadful. She had disappointed the two people she respected the most and what was worse was that she had broken a trust that she had always kept sacred. Queen Ines was obviously very upset and pieces of Amena were breaking inside of her at the thought of how much damage she had done. She had known that the Queen would likely want to discuss the issue with Edward first, and Amena was fairly certain she could kiss her position good bye--as Edward had said himself that if it were up to him, Amena would be replaced.<br/><br/>The Queen told her that she was to attend her duties for the moment and that she would come back to Amena with a decision in due time. She dismissed her and Amena gave her customary curtsy,<span style="color: #BF0000">"As you wish, my Queen."</span>She retreated to her room next to Ines', as she had nothing that needed attending at that point. Her only job at this time in the evening was to accompany the Queen should she want it, and it was obvious to Amena the Queen would not desire her company any time soon.<br/><br/>When she shut her door, she collapsed onto her bed, muffling her sobs into the blankets. She wondered if Edward or the Queen would summon Yakari to speak to him, and very much hoped that he would not be in as much trouble as she was--though she doubted it. The Queen blamed him as much as she blamed Amena.<br/><br/>Amena hoped, beyond all hope, that the Queen would forgive her and give her a second chance. However, she knew that it was unlikely. She could not go back to Galline, as her father would make her suffer greatly--it was unlikely her and Yakari could go back to his home, as his family would surely be angry at his move. She couldn't stay in Ipale, unless the Queen granted her permission, and she doubted she would. Poor Yakari, she knew he would try, but it was doubtful he could find a solution so quickly if she lost her position. Their fall from grace would be hard and heavy.<br/><br/>But all that did not bother her so much as how much she had disappointed Edward and Ines. That was the part that tore at her soul the most. She could live in squalor all day, so long as she knew that she could still be there for Ines and Edward. But she had failed, after three or more years of dedicated, unfailing devotion to her duty and responsibility, she had hiccuped. She had destroyed all that she had worked for, toppling it all over because she wanted love. She chose to be selfish once, and this was the consequence of it. She had put her Queen in danger, had upset Edward when previously he had loved her like a daughter, and likely destroyed Yakari's life in the process. Not to mention she had driven her childhood friend into the arms of a dangerous man, Yakari's brother.<br/><br/>She was as stupid and foolish as her father said. Amena gathered herself, wiping her tears and leaving her room. She walked quickly through the halls, down to the King's chambers. The guards let her in, of course, and she went to the King's side. Sitting in the chair, she grabbed his hand and put it against her forehead, giving a silent prayer for his health.<span style="color: #BF0000">"I know it is unlike you hear me, my King--but I came to confess to you my sins. I have done you and yours a great disservice, after so many years of nothing but kindness from you. My heart is heavy and my soul is shattered by my actions. I know nothing but despair at what I have done. I have been so blessed with my time spent here, and I want to let you know before I might have to leave--I love you and your family so much. I miss the late queen and I miss your boys. I miss your smile and how you would tease me even though it made me so sour. I think that you've chosen well with Ines. She is a wise and kind woman, but I fear that she may have to throw me out because of what I did..." </span>Amena's voice was soft, tears dripping from her eyes onto the King's old, limp hand, and onto the bedding. Quietly she repeated her sins to him, and when she was done, she simply leaned over in her seat, laying head on the bed next to his hand, never letting it go as she cried herself into a small slumber.