Ordained

Chapter Eighty-Six

The Marcellus family crypt was exactly as grand as she had expected. At the very edge of the manicured grounds, where the land was surrendered to the forest, was a large stone entrance leading underground. Emmeline had never ventured this way, despite her many horse rides and exploring, she had never strayed so far from the manor unaccompanied before. Cassius looked positively regal at her side, the weather was poor but he seemed unaffected by the drizzle as he sat rigid atop Orion. It had surprised her when he had chosen Orion over his usual horse Bellamy, but after the long ride home Bellamy needed to rest. Artemis moved to stand close to Orion, the pair arguably more devoted to one another than their riders were. The thought made her smile, but she fought the urge. Funerals were no place for silly ideas.

The body of Victor Marcellus was draped in the family flag, the stretcher carried into the crypt by eight knights, their chest emblazoned with the Marcellus' family crest. Her and Cassius sat atop their horses as the body passed by them and entered the crypt. Carmen went inside first, followed by the collection of other mourners, few Emmeline recognised.

Once everyone was inside Cassius dismounted, helping her down before the pair of them strode inside.

Traditionally, Emmeline should've been on Cassius' left, but given the weakness on that side, she was on his right. Her hand was placed atop his as they walked inside together, the eyes of all upon them. Tilting her head up a little, she squared her shoulders. Strength. She told herself. Strength.

The crypt was a long underground tunnel, its curved ceiling made it feel cave-like in the flickering candlelight. Emmeline wanted to wrap her arms around herself, the cold stone leeching the warmth out of the air. Instead she stayed rigidly formal in her posture, promising herself she would lay out flat in front of the fire later to warm up. Fire torches sat in iron brackets driven into the stone, illuminating the stone effigies of past Marcellus family members. Row after row of marble people were lying peacefully, their eyes closed to the world. They had nothing so grand back at the Elva Estate. Their private cemetery was filled with carved headstones that had impressed her before but now looked positively underwhelming by comparison.

Emmeline felt out of place amongst the collection of mourners. She had expected a large official service, but this was far more intimate. Carmen sobbed uncontrollably; her black handkerchief sodden as she dabbed her streaming eyes. Cassius stood sentinel at her side. His expression was pained, but no tears fell. The new Duke was a pillar of strength amongst the room of mourners. The grief all around her made her feel guilty. She felt bad for not being as moved as those on all sides of her. There were no tears she had to hold back, because she simply didn't feel like crying. Victor had been a good man. He might not have been the best towards her personally, but he hadn't been disrespectful nor cruel. It was clear that he had been a good leader, a beloved leader given the reactions of the rest of the room. Cassius had said it was their job not to fall apart today, and while Emmeline was definitely sad, there was no risk of her succumbing to her emotions.

She had hung back once the ceremony began, positioning herself away from the front of the group where she would be least noticeable. Cassius had glanced over at her a couple times, but didn't call her forward, for which she was grateful.

The flag was lifted to show a body wrapped tightly in bandages; Victor's face had been left visible, but the skin was a frightening shade of greyish blue. It had also swelled, making the features hard to distinguish. Normally, a person would be wrapped and buried immediately after death, before decomposition had set in. However, the journey back from the front lines had been a long one, and Victor's body was not as fresh as it perhaps might have been. The smell made her want to cover her nose but doing so would be rude, so instead she bit the inside of her cheek to distract herself. It made her eyes water, but that didn't look out of place at a funeral.

Cassius led a prayer for his father's safe journey to the afterlife. Carmen vowed to join him one day, praying he would watch over them until they were together again. It was touching, and despite whatever feelings she had towards Carmen, her heart went out to the widow who was feeling such obvious grief. Victor's body was lowered into a painted lead coffin. Scenes of battle, of heaven, or Marcellus Manor, all illuminated in gold, decorated the coffin's exterior. A beautiful piece of art. Emmeline thought to herself. It was sad when that coffin was then lowered inside another coffin, this one far larger made of sculpted stone. There was no effigy yet, but she assumed that would come later. It would take months to sculpt at least if the detail on the others within the crypt were anything to go by.

Hymns were sung and more prayers said before the mourners left the crypt in a procession of candles and flags. Cassius held his mother at the front of the line, the last two members of the Marcellus family finding comfort in each other. Emmeline had wanted to comfort Cassius but knew her intrusion would be unwelcome just then. Instead she fell into step behind the Duke and dowager Duchess, her head bowed respectfully.

Emmeline didn't seek out Cassius when a servant informed her he was with his mother. She thought it better to leave them alone together where they could grieve in peace. Clementine had been equally surprised when Emmeline told where the dress came from, her too touching the gown like it was infinitely precious and might break. Unsure what to do with herself but too restless to go to bed, Emmeline penned a letter to the Princess.

Her quill hovered above the page as she considered what she was doing. Her, Emmeline Elva, was writing a letter to the princess to thank her for a dress. Never in her wildest of imaginings could she have seen this future for herself. A small chuckle escaped her as she shook her head at the situation before penning her letter. She didn't seal it, thinking it best to have Cassius check it before sending it. She didn't want to cause offence accidentally.

With nothing else to do, she went to bed early but struggled to get to sleep. Victor's swollen face was imprinted on the back of her eyelids, and her desire to speak to Cassius felt like an unresolved lump in her stomach.

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Author's Note:

I feel like we passed over the half way point of the story a little while ago and I didn't realise till now. 

S x