SAVIOR AND SURVIVOR #wattys2017 (Under Editing)

EPILOGUE

The day of Nathaniel's funeral was quieter than any normal routine day. No birds chirped merrily, no wind blew to shake the branches of trees that day. It seemed that everything had lost track of time, it felt that everything in Eridanus Kingdom was paying last tribute to their Prince. Ella felt nothing, no pain, no sadness, just nothing.... just empty. She felt as though she lost a piece of herself somewhere and it was impossible to find it again. 

She felt alone in this huge world after losing the last member, her brother, of her original family. No tears were there to fall from her eyes at that moment.

Amber was in the worst condition. The thought that Nathaniel died because of her was haunting her. She refused to talk to anyone. James gave up on her when she locked herself in her room in Eridanus palace and cried all the time.

Thomas was doing no better either. Losing his best friend and close to brother cousin, this thought was eating him from inside. He just tried to keep a brave face for Ella so that she won't feel low watching everyone in this miserable condition. Eric spent most of his time with Ella but said nothing to her because he knew that anything he would say won't be enough to comfort Ella. The truth was nobody wanted to say anything to anyone, the Kings, Desmond and Raymond, Queen Harriet and even Queen Miranda was quiet. 

Before the burial, Queen Miranda took Ella out for a walk in the gloomy weather. She told her how sorry she was. She told her everything from her own past, how she was jealous of her sister Audrey and always felt ignored by everyone. In the end she apologised Ella for everything she did to her. Ella felt surprised at Queen's behaviour and even shocked when she cried for her sister, Audrey. 

This was first time in her life that Queen Miranda was this much open with her. Ella wanted to say so much to her, but instead she remained quiet, but in the end she spoke, 

''Mother was right. Every mother would have done the same thing to keep her children protected. I can't blame you and how am I supposed to do that? You gave such marvellous brothers and an amazing father. You were and are my only family, mother.''   

Queen Miranda cried even harder when Ella called her that, she cried on her daughter's shoulder and she was there to hold her mother.

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Nathaniel was buried with his parents. He was given a full royal funeral which was given only to the kings. But King Raymond said that it was the least they could for Nathaniel. He said that he was the true hero, he deserved a proper royal funeral. 

After the burial, when the Kings and Queens from all over the world had payed their tribute to the young Prince of Eridanus and left his family members at his grave, at that moment Ella lost control over herself.

She fell on her knees and cried, cried all the senses out of herself. King Desmond and Raymond were standing behind her with their wives and children, but Ella cared for none. Her world had fallen apart. Her pain was beyond measure.

"I'm sorry brother. I couldn't be that powerful to stand by you." Ella spoke as silent tears ran down her cheeks. She felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned her face to look at Eric standing by her looking down at the grave.

"I just d-don't u-understand! Why does it have to be you?! Always!" Ella spoke between her sobs.

"Why do you have to endure the pain all by yourself? Why was I never there for you when you needed someone?" Ella cried harder. James and Aston came to stand by her, but Ella was too busy crying to pay them attention.

"You saved us all and gave up on your own life for us. You are the true hero. You are the savior and we are survivors."

After some hours Ella was visited by Thomas in her room. At first, they didn't say anything to one another. Thomas was looking out at the view from balcony standing by dressing table.