3rd Person POV
The lockdown had been ineffective. When the zombies saw that there was no one in the streets, they did not show their faces. Unlike what everyone else thought, the zombies were not all that stupid. After discussing the situation at length with her sister and son, they decided it was best they end the lockdown and instead tighten security.
“Any objections?” asked Irvette.
The ministers were all quiet, they did not feel like whatever they said mattered.
****
Reginald had arrived at the Blood Moon pack and his first destination was Xanthippe's house.
He was surprised however when he was not allowed in or given an audience. The guards at the door told him that he was not welcome into the house.
“You are greatly mistaken, I am here to see the fair lady, Xanthippe? I am courting Lord Augustine’s daughter,” but the guards did not allow him in still.
“The lady is engaged to marry Lord Finlay, I suggest you leave her alone. She does not want to be disturbed,” the guard told him. Reginald felt his heart break into a thousand fragile pieces. Xanthippe was engaged to be married? Was that why she had not returned any of his letters? With a downcast expression, he left the house and made his way to the palace.
When Harlin saw his friend he sensed at once that something was wrong.
“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Harlin.
“Is Lady Xanthippe really engaged to be married to Lord Finlay?” asked Reginald. If anyone should know it would be Harlin. After all, nobles always invited the royal family to their weddings.
“I'm sorry, Reginald. Lord Augustine has made all the arrangements. I sent you a letter, did you not see it?” asked Harlin.
“This has to be a joke, what about Xanthippe? Did you see her? I'm sure she’s not doing this because she wants to. Harlin, you have to tell your mum to stop this wedding. It cannot happen,” Reginald's fingers trembled as he spoke.
“You have to let go…”
“Let go? I cannot do that,” said Reginald, resisting the urge to burst into tears.
“When is the wedding? Where will it be? Huh? Tell me, Harlin!”
“It's a private wedding, it's going to be held in Lord Augustine's manor,” said Harlin.
****
“You cannot disappoint our guests, Thippe. I have made all the arrangements, all you have to do is show up,” Lord Augustine was saying to his daughter at the top of his voice.
“Show up? Father! Why are you doing this to me?” demanded Thippe with burning tears in her eyes.
“Because I love you, Thippe. That Prince boy is going to break your heart,” shouted Lord Augustine back at his daughter.
“Why don't you marry Finlay, huh? Just leave me alone!” shouted Thippe.
“Don't be ridiculous, Thippe. You are going to marry him. The guests will be coming soon and you will honour me by getting married to Finlay,” said Lord Augustine at the top of his voice.
“Honour you? That's what my marriage to Lowell was all about, wasn't it? I was not even consulted, you just decided to marry me off the first chance you got!” she shouted.
“Thippe! I am your father and you will put on that dress now!”
“Will you at least leave? Or you will watch me put on the dress?”
“You must be downstairs in fifteen minutes.”
****
Reginald was seated in the sample hall with Harlin waiting for the bride to come. Reginald wanted to punch the face of the smiling smallish-looking man who stood in front waiting for his bride to appear. However, Reginald had made up his mind that there would be no bride today. He was going to stop this wedding except if it was what she really wanted. However, he had been convinced that their feelings had been real.
“It's been an hour already,” hissed the lady who sat beside him. She was a beautiful woman and in his old days before he had fallen in love he would have engaged her just enough to get to her bed.
“Cuz, you never have any patience,” replied Harlin. The lady was Harlin's cousin from his father's side.
“Please! Someone should seriously check on her,” said Harlin's cousin.
Reginald stood up from his chair. Harlin made to stop his friend but he was too slow, Reginald was already gone.
Reginald left the hall and met Thippe’s father who was breaking out in a cold sweat out of embarrassment. He was about to go upstairs to hurry up his daughter when he saw the Prince.
“Where is she? Where is her room?” Reginald asked, shaking Lord Augustine.
The old man was in shock at the Prince's brazenness. In his shock, he pointed upstairs. Reginald wasted no time, he bonded off the stairs and then he began opening room after room looking for his beloved.
He finally got to her room.
She was in a white dress but what he saw was not right. She was hanging from the ceiling.
He wasted no time by cutting the rope that held her by the neck.
He was shaking her to wake her up but she was long gone.
“Wake up! Damn it! Wake up!” cried Reginald. His screams were so loud that they reverberated the entire house.
Lord Augustine was the first one to show up in the room. He saw the rope that still dangled from the ceiling and he knew without being told what had happened to his yellow horse.
“No, no, no,” he kept on muttering.
The other guests had trailed their way to the entrance of the room. When Harlin saw the scene he knew that his friend would be broken forever.
“Harlin! Call the Physician, she's cold. Why is she so cold? Please bring the blanket, huh? We need to cover her up. She's so cold.”
It took two full days before anyone could pry Reginald away from the corpse of his beloved.