The Funeral
“She’s more hurt because she served the princess for many years before getting appointed to serve his highness,” Hula explained.
At Hula's explanation, Elora got even more emotional. She stepped forward to Brenda and took her hands in hers before leading her to the bed.
“Sit down,” she offered, and then gently wiped the maid’s tears with her fingers.
“Yo…your highness, the…the poor princess,” she cried.
“It’s fine, Brenda. The princess must have been very lucky to have you by her side.” Elora leaned closer to the servant and patted her back as she let out tiny hiccups. “I’m sure the second princess is in a better place.”
“I served her for almost half my life. You don’t understand, your…your highness. You’re a princess after all.”
She shook her head immediately. Holding her servant closer, her voice cracked and dropped as she replied. “If there is anyone who understands the loss of a loved one, it’s me.”
Her words got the interest of the servants. They leaned closer to her in curiosity and waited for the princess to continue.
She let out a deep sigh and clasped her hands together before she finally spoke again.
“I have mourned people who are still alive, people I don’t remember, my mama whom I have no memory of. So I do understand what Elyria is going through. It’s unfortunate.”
Silence fell upon them for a minute and afterward, Hula broke the silence and asked.
“My lady, is it true that…you have no memory of half your life?”
Lia replied from behind. “Not half. My lady has no memory of her life before she turned 15. It's still a mystery to us all as…” she clamped her mouth shut when she realized she’d blurted out more information than required. “Forgive me, your highness.”
“It’s fine. I hope one day, I’ll regain my memories and find out everything that happened in the past.” She wore a dreamy expression on her face. And when that day comes, she’ll finally have an answer to her numerous questions. She’d finally know the reason for her exile and the suffering she’d experienced all these years. Were the weird dreams she’d been having perhaps related to it? Deciding to shift the conversation from herself, she returned her attention to her servants.
“What was the second princess like?” She couldn’t help but ask.
Brenda gently wiped her eyes. “The second princess was a sweet soul.” She hiccuped. “She was like a breath of fresh air wherever she went. Although she barely spoke, her presence did all the speaking. Her beauty was divine, out of this world.”
“She seemed like a really sweet person.”
The atmosphere was solemn and their voices were low, filled with sorrow.
“You’re right, your highness. It’s just that, the princess was pulled into the politics of Elyria too quickly. It’s such a regret that she was married to the prime minister to form an alliance. Her marriage wasn’t for love.”
Elora’s eyes dimmed at Brenda’s words. It explained the reason why she hadn’t met the second princess of Elyria and why she was barely spoken of. Just like her, the princess has been married away for an alliance. Her tragic end made her wonder. Would her marriage to Rafael make her end up like the princess too? At the thought, she felt herself become uneasy.
Brenda continued. “The princess did not want to ever take part or he used for politics. It was the reason why she refused to take sides in the conflict between Prince Rafael and the royal family.”
The funeral of the second princess took place only two days after her death at the imperial castle. As the rule of Elyria, a member of the royal family cannot be buried outside the castle and so, the body of the princess was transported from her husband’s house to the castle to be buried.
At the Royal graveyard, guests were all dressed in black attire. The atmosphere was dark and snow fell on the earth, causing the guests to hold black umbrellas over their heads as they laid the Princess and her baby to rest. Sniffles and cries were heard amongst the crowd. Elyria mourns not just for the princess but for her vampire baby who didn’t have the chance to live even a day.
It was strange for a vampire lady to die during childbirth but it was even more strange for a vampire baby to die after being born. Vampires were known as one of the strongest creatures for a reason and the sudden deaths made them wonder. Was the Holy One sending his wrath their way again? Was the death a sign of impending doom?
“Direba didn’t deserve to die,” Arielle sniffed beside Elora as they both turned their backs and began to walk out of the graveyard after the funeral. She had swollen eyes that were covered by a thick hat and a crackled voice that was a result of her crying for the past days and from watching her sister get buried. “She…she was my favorite. I saw her only a few days ago and…and she looked healthy. How is this possible?” She stopped and turned to her. “Princess Elora, this is rather strange, right?”
Elora gave a nod. “I…I think so too.” Everyone thought the same.
“Is Brother Rafael going to show up?”
Elora swiveled around and began to look through the crowd but Rafael was nowhere in sight. After that day, she’d only had the chance to see him at night when she was already sleepy. They hadn’t had any conversation since then. “I don’t think he’ll come.”
“Do you think he’s already investigating this? We can’t let this go just like that.”
Before Elora could reply, Arielle stepped forward and took her hands in his. “You must help, Princess Elora. He’ll listen to you. I beg you, please ask him to investigate Direba’s death, okay?”
Elora’s mouth fell open and closed. She gazed into the eyes of the third princess. Her eyes were filled with regret, desperation, and sorrow. And somehow, she understood her feelings.
“Please.”
“I will help.” She clasped Arielle’s hand tighter. “We’ll definitely get to the bottom of this. For now, let’s go for the last funeral rite.”