As I stood at the head of the long, ornate table in the grand hall of the palace, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. The recent passing of my beloved parents-in-law, the King and Queen, had left me with a heavy heart and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. As the princess who was soon to ascend the throne and become the queen, I found myself thrust into a role I had never anticipated so soon. The room was filled with somber faces as the royal court gathered for a meeting, but the topic at hand was not the coronation or the official duties that awaited me. Instead, we were gathered to discuss the funeral arrangements for the King and Queen, and I knew that this moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life as the ruler of the kingdom. The air was heavy with grief and the weight of tradition, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the solemn task that lay ahead.
As the tension in the room grew palpable, I scanned the faces of the courtiers, noting the familiar figures who had served my parents-in-law for years. Whispers filled the air, and eyes darted towards the grand doors, awaiting the arrival of Nikolai. His absence had obviously not gone unnoticed, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and impatience as I awaited his arrival - they were his parents.
The delicate scent of roses from the floral arrangements mingled with the musty smell of old parchment as I clenched my fists, trying to hide my unease. Then, finally, Nikolai decided to grace us with his presence.
"You're late," I told him with a cool tone, trying to maintain my composure despite the turmoil within.
"My apologies," Nikolai said, his voice shaking and weak.
"Very well," I replied, my voice steady. "Let us proceed with the matter at hand." I gestured towards the papers spread out on the table, detailing the plans for the funeral ceremony. Nikolai's eyes flicked over them with a critical eye, and I braced myself for his inevitable input.
The kingdom was still a mess, and us too. With no king or queen to rein, the village folks felt a sense of loss, as they had no one to turn to. Everyone loved Aiden and Juliette. They were too kind.
After my encounter with Nikolai the previous night, I was left with more questions than answers. I couldn't shake off the unease I felt, not knowing where he had gone or why he had appeared to be inebriated.
I hated how yo and down we were. One minute we're ducking each other and the next we're not even on speaking terms.
Despite our recent progress in building a more amicable relationship, it seemed like our newfound rapport had come crashing down. It was frustrating to see him in a perpetual bad mood, and I couldn't help but wonder what had changed. I understood that he was grieving the loss of his parents, but I couldn't comprehend why he had become distant and sullen. Cam had also lost her parents, but she continued to be gracious and kind to everyone.
I found myself longing for Nikolai to confide in me, to let me help him through this difficult time, but he remained distant and closed off. It was disheartening to see our progress slip away, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the days when we were starting to like and understand each other. As I reviewed the funeral arrangements with the courtiers, I couldn't shake off the weight of the tension between Nikolai and me, and I vowed to find a way to bridge the gap between us.
"Your highnesses, I wanted to let you both know where the late King and Queen's bodies have been. We have not yet been able to locate them, this means my might have to have a close casket, and or none at all," our royal advisor says, as if nothing.
Did they lose the bodies, what?
Didn't the royals die in the castle?
I can't help but feel a familiar sense of sadness wash over me. Sure, we have been talking about arranging a funeral for them, but taking about their bodies. It's all too much, too real.
He takes a deep breath and clears his throat as he begins to address the courtiers about the funeral arrangements. "So as you know, they were killed just under a week ago-" he started, but before the old man could finish, Nikolai interjected, his voice sharp with disbelief.
"Excuse me?" He interrupted, his tone incredulous, echoing the thoughts that were swirling in my mind. "No, we were told they had died. Not that they had been murdered!" His words hung heavily in the air, and the room seemed to freeze as his statement sank in.
The advisors face drops, and I could see a mixture of shock and horror reflected in his expressions. The news of the King and Queen's murder was undoubtedly jarring, even more so as it was being acknowledged openly for the first time. The implications of such a heinous act within the walls of our once-secure palace were dire and far-reaching.
I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of anger and grief rise within me. The senseless violence that had claimed the lives of my beloved parents-in-law was unfathomable, and the fact that the royal advisor had learned of the true nature of their deaths before me and Nikolai did was infuriating. I exchanged a quick, concerned glance with Benedict, who was sitting beside me, his eyes wide with shock; however clearly trying to hide it.
"I apologize for the oversight in my choice of words," the advisor said, voice firm as he regains his composure. "The King and Queen were indeed murdered, and we must uncover the truth behind this abhorrent act and bring the perpetrators to justice."
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on my shoulders.
"Who?" Nikolai's voice was low and dangerous, bristling with anger. He spat out the word, his eyes blazing with fury. "Who fucking murdered my parents!" His outburst was raw and visceral, revealing the depth of his grief and rage at the senseless loss of his loved ones.
"I'm sorry," the old man said softly. "We are still investigating, and the details are not yet clear. But I assure you, we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to bring the perpetrators to justice."
The air in the room was heavy with tension.
"We will get to the bottom of this," He vowed, his croaky voice steady despite the emotions swirling within me. "But for now, let us focus on honoring the memory of the King and Queen and ensuring that their funeral arrangements are carried out with the utmost respect and dignity."
Nikolai nodded, his jaw still tense, but he didn't say anything further. It was clear that he was grappling with a whirlwind of emotions.
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this chapter was kind of weird but oh well. thanks for reading :)
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Tied to the Throne
Romance"This marriage is nothing but an alliance to me. Don't expect anything else, because you won't get it. I will never love you." "It felt as if my parents had tied me to the throne. Tied me to him." - A princess and a prince, forced into a marriage th...
