The Twilight of Self-Reflection

[DanteriusAvius]

Within the Shimmering City, an ancient woman, who once called herself the Crownless Queen began to play. Having lived much of her twilight years in near solitude, having not touched the ivory keys of a piano for close to eighty years, it was slow, and halting. But the practice was to be had. For a final task lay at hand.

Within the Shimmering City, in a far corner of the castle, a song was sung. Practiced, until it could be performed up to the standards she saw fit, utilizing her failing mana circuitry to ease the aches and pains of her age. Servants, visitors, any who asked why the interest, were met with a singular response.

"I promised this song to someone once. And while they may never hear it, I feel they'd have wanted it performed even once, rather than leave it left unsung, as another regret upon myself."

Weeks, and months passed until finally the song was sung, in a manner in which the elderly queen was pleased.

---

The following day, Lady Arista rin Petrakis, the Crownless Queen, was found deceased in her quarters, sitting in a chair and gazing up towards the sky. She survived to the age of 94, the year of 1922. She had seen other countries rise and fall, had given rise to a Monarchy in her own right, and left little behind, having given most of her possessions away as she had aged, her children no longer residing within Osrona.

It was said, that she was smiling ever so slightly, a rare sight in her lonely twilight years.