The Bastard (Darling #2) [complete]

Chapter Thirty-Two

I T  W A S difficult for Maryann to be happy on that day - the day of King James' wake. She was not upset over his death, for he was an evil man who had it coming, but she was upset that his life was going to be celebrated on that day.

She always knew it wasn't going to happen, but his wake was being held on the day of her wedding. It was the day she was to be wedded to the crowned prince - the future king of Darling. Instead of celebrating a union, there would be speeches and wine poured over the life of the late King James - murdered by a rebel.

It was the story Thatcher and Dane had gone with, not wishing to have a charge of treason against them. Only those who were conspiring against the king's plan for the eldest Clemens daughter to marry Thatcher (the queen, Mister Albernathy, Dane, Louelle, Thatcher, Ruby, and Maryann), knew of what really occurred in those woods. Though, it did seem like the brothers had left some bits and pieces out. Most likely for the benefit of Louelle as she was healing from King James' attack.

When she found out about the attacker that nearly killed her sister, she wished for the king's life to end, too. She silently prayed that the brothers would succeed, but also asked for forgiveness. If it were anyone else who had harmed Louelle, they would have been punished. Just because King James was not a "normal" citizen of Darling, it did not mean he didn't deserve to have justice served, too.

But he was the king, and the king could have done whatever it was he damned pleased. And for that, Maryann prayed for the brothers' success because if the king had survived and they did not, who knew what he would have done to her little sister when he returned? She would not have either of the princes to protect her.

He would have killed her.

Although she was also aware that she and Thatcher were not to wed when all was said and done, she still couldn't help but to mourn her wedding day. She had spent weeks choosing fine china, the carnations, the streamers, and getting fitted for her wedding gown and helping her sister design it. It wasn't a wedding for her at the end of the day, but she still planned for it.

And she was mourning it.

She was mourning what could have been.

Even if she was wearing black that day, sulking about around the castle, it wasn't on behalf of the late King James.

It was for her pretend wedding.

She was ambling about throughout the corridors taking a stroll to clear her mind before the celebrations of life began. When the time came, she was one of the people who had to act as if they were saddened and shocked over the king's death.

But before then, she had to prepare and get herself in the headspace.

Although the corridors were busy and bustling with servants, guards, and castle goers making haste last minute preparations for the wake, there was an almost eerie feeling in the air. King James was dead. His body in his coffin, ready to be buried beneath pounds of soil, confirmed it. Thatcher and Dane had confirmed it. However, although he was dead and it was confirmed, it still felt like his unrested soul was haunting the castle.