Legacy's Prince

Chapter Two: The Funeral

"...It is with great sadness that we of Durcardi say farewell to our dear Crown Prince Nicholai." A bald man dressed in a long black cape says to the crowd outside the giant tomb they've made for Nicholai.

We're all in black. Me, Axellia, Father, Mother, the servants, and the endless sea of sniffling people standing in front of us. I look behind me inside the giant white tower. Nicholai is lying in a big stone box in the middle of the tomb.

"...brutally taken from us in the sixteenth year of his life. He fought gallantly to save the lives of his beloved citizens, demonstrating more courage and selflessness than many seasoned soldiers twice his age. It is for his bravery, his kindness, and his loyalty that we shall remember him as the king that never was. May his soul rest in peace."

"May his soul rest in peace," the crowd repeats.

The man who was speaking motions to me, Axellia, Mother and Father. Mother and Father each take our hands and lead us into the tomb to stand at Nicholai's side.

He still doesn't look like he's gone. He just looks like he's asleep. I let go of Father's hand and reach out to tap his shoulder, just to see if he'll wake up. He doesn't. He just lays there, eyes closed, hands clasped around his sword. He's wearing the blue shirt that he always wore to balls and festivals.

It's supposed to be his party shirt, not his going away shirt.

My vision gets fuzzy. I turn and run out of the tomb. Bebin bends down and holds her arms out for me. I throw myself at her and she picks me up. Some of the people watching begin to cry and some begin to whisper, but I don't. I can't. I don't know why. I look back up to the tomb. Mother, Father, and Axellia are coming out, Axellia crying into Mother's skirt as she sets a hand on the top of her head. Father walks and takes me from Bebin's arms.

"Thank you, nursemaid," he whispers as he begins to rock me back and forth, patting my back like I'm a baby, but I don't care. I just lean my chin on his shoulder and watch a group of rough skinned men in faded black clothes walk inside the tomb. They pick up the giant lid to the box Nicholai's body in and set it in place. I watch as the lid covers my brother, knowing it's the last time I'll ever see him.

Finally I feel tears on my face. I squeeze my jaw shut to keep myself from making any noise. Father still seems to notice, though, and tightens his arms around me. The men leave in single file, the last one closing the metal doors behind him. Another group of men who have been waiting at the top of the tower light the giant torch on top of it.

Once it's lit, everyone from the crowd begins to walk by the tomb. They drop flowers and candles, others pour bottles of sweet-smelling oil on the top step. They stop to tell us how sorry they are before leaving. A few of them stare straight at me. Something about their gaze makes me uncomfortable.

"...will be the next king now..." I hear someone whisper as I bury my face against Father's shoulder, trying to block all of them out. Father sets one of his hands against my ear, helping to keep all of the talking and whispering out.

It's sunset by the time the last of them leave.

The popping of the wood in the giant torch on top of the tower is the only noise left. A few more seconds pass before Father takes his hand off my back and sets it on Mother's shoulder. She doesn't look at him. In fact, I think I see her flinch. She looks...

...angry...

Father takes his hand off and clears his throat. "Let's go," he says.

Mother nods and walks ahead, jerking and dragging Axellia behind her. A servant opens the door of the carriage for her and she stomps inside. Father sighs as he follows her. He lets me sit on his lap the whole way back but he keeps his eyes on Mother. Mother doesn't look at him, or me, or Axellia. Her skin is still a cold, gray-like color instead of its usual deep brown. She stares out the window, her jaw set in a strong frown. Axellia sits next to her for a while, squirming uncomfortably. The creaks of her seat and the rumble of the carriage wheels are the only noises being made during the trip.