Queen of Shattered Dreams

22 - The Funeral

Photo by cottonbro studio on pexels

I study my reflection in the mirror as my servant dresses me in a black gown of mourning. My face has begun to fill out again and the circles from beneath my eyes are gone. Of all my royal gowns, I believe this is the most beautiful one. In fact, I've commissioned several more for myself.

"Thank you, Yana." I straighten my sleeve before realizing that Yana is gone. The servant will respond to whatever name I call her. Maybe I should try to find Yana, and bring her back. She's the only person who didn't betray me.

I make my way to the castle entrance where a carriage awaits to take us to the cemetery to bury Feodor. After the customary three days of lying in repose, we will finally be rid of his body.

Dark clouds hover in the sky, blocking the sun and threatening rain. Of course. A rainstorm while we're at the graveside is quite possibly the only thing that could make this day worse.

Mother's already seated in the carriage so I sit opposite of her. Today she has a black hat with a billowy veil, no doubt to hid the bald patches that are satisfyingly still there. She hasn't said anything, but I know she knows I've done it to her. It's too similar to what Grandma did for her to be ignorant that magic was involved.

"Mila," she says with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Mother."

"How are you?" She almost pulls a facial muscle contorting them into an expression of concern.

I bite my tongue. She knows very well I do not mourn Feodor, not in the slightest. But it's not as though I can say I'm happier than on my wedding day. What if someone overheard?

Mother digs a nail into the sleeve of her dress and tries scratching at the skin beneath. I may have cursed her with dry, itchy patches of skin the other day, just for fun. The hair loss was so successful I had to try.

I stare at the castle. Where is Dendrite? The sooner we leave the sooner all of this will be over with and I can move on to the next part of my plan.

I'm about to call for a servant to fetch her when she enters the carriage with an annoyed, "oh". She glances from Mother to me back to Mother. Which of us does she despise the least? I'm hoping it's Mother so I won't have to sit next to Dendrite.

She glances behind her to outside the carriage, which I can't see because she's standing in the way. She turns back to Mother. "Move," she commands.

Mother's eyes widen and her mouth drops open. It was rather rude after all. But she'll comply and of course Dendrite commanded Mother, because for the time being I am more powerful than Dendrite. Mother huffs and gathers her skirts. She almost knocks Dendrite out of the carriage as she switches sides. I raise an eyebrow when she plops into the seat next to me. She must really be flustered to plop. Our elbows bump and I scoot further away. Dendrite takes a seat and Prince Dashel enters the carriage.

My heart flutters in surprise. He must have arrived this morning. Why was I not informed?

Dendrite's smirk suggests my shock is visible. Of course a scribe would have sent word to Dashel when Feodor became ill because of his engagement to Dendrite. With Feodor's demise, the only thing keeping them from their new titles and kingdom is Dendrite's age. And that time is uncomfortably short.

I straighten my shoulders. "Prince Dashel, what a blessing you've been able to join us for the king's funeral."

Dashel takes his seat, pulling his knees in close. "I came as soon as I received word of the king's condition. I regret I could not arrive sooner and that my visit must be a short one."