Hidden Empress

Chapter 44

Princess Elena's pov

I stood among the crowd outside waiting for Edward, William, Castor and Alina to return. The crowd were screaming celebrating our victory over Opena. There were singing, dancing and drinking. I smiled at some of their antics. Suddenly the crowd went wild and I knew they were arriving. I stood up from my chair and craned my neck eager for a glimpse of Edward. Suddenly everyone quiet down and I looked around to see what had caused it. Slowly the procession entered. I saw William, Alina and Castor sitting on their horses. No sign of Edward. Perhaps he stayed behind to sort out some issues or maybe William sent him on an errand. Suddenly I saw an open royal carriage roll by. A body was on it and it was covered. However from this distance, I caught sight of a glittering object laying beside the body. I looked closer and saw it was a sword. Not just any sword but a very familiar sword. My breath caught in my chest. I couldn't breathe. I felt dizzy. Everywhere was spinning. I laid my hand on the pillar close by trying to catch my breath. No it's not possible. I have to be sure. I moved forward and was soon shoving people aside eager to get to the carriage. I heard them curse at me as I shoved them but I didn't care. I just wanted to get to the body. Soon I stood before the carriage. I raised my hand at the driver of the carriage and he halted immediately. I realized that the once bubbly crowd was now silently watching me but I didn't care. My hand were trembling. I kept assuring myself there's no need to fear. It's just one of the soldiers, I told myself. But why will a common soldier be placed on the royal carriage? I found no answer to my question. With a trembling hand, I removed the cloth from the face of the body. My gaze settled on the motionless face of Edward. My legs suddenly gave out and I collapsed on the floor. I felt servants try to pull me up but I didn't care about them. My gaze was still fixated on Edward's corpse still not believing it. No it's not possible. No it can't be. Not my Edward. My first love. I let out a loud scream of agony.
"Edward!!!!"
I saw the crowd lamenting. Some were shaking their heads, I some were crying, some just stared. I leaned forward, letting my fingers roam around his face trying to get a response from him but nothing happened. He didn't move. I collapse on his body shaking him to wake up. William tried to move me away from the corpse but I refused. I clung to Edward. My eyes suddenly felt heavy and I collapsed unconscious.

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Alina's pov

It's been three days since Edward died. Elena has gone in recluse. She locked herself in her chamber and refused to open the door for anybody. I was worried about her. Her food were left outside untouched. Anytime I pass by her door, I do hear her scream out in pain. I felt for her but I couldn't help her. I was mourning too. I barely ate, nor sleep. William has tried talking to me about it but I couldn't make my body function like before. Today was the cremation of Edward's body. He was to be buried the royal knight way. His body would be burnt and the ashes spread in the river. However it won't happen that way. I'll bury him my way.

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William's pov

Edward's body was placed on a pile of wood ready to be burnt. All that was left was for me to pick up the torch and throw it on the pile of wood. However I couldn't do it. I couldn't bare to let go of my best friend. My body trembled as I struggled to hold my tears. A tear escaped and fell down my cheeks. I didn't bother wiping it. Soon others followed. Castor embraced me trying to comfort me but I saw he too was barely hanging on. Edward wouldn't want us to cry for him, no he would want us to be smile and bid him farewell. I could imagine his face. He'd cuff me on the bed and tell me to loosen up. I smiled at the imagination and summoned courage. I stood up from my chair and picked up the touch. With a deep breath, I threw it on the body. It caught flames immediately. Goodbye my friend, goodbye my brother, goodbye my comrade.

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Castor's pov

I watched as the ashes were collected in a gold urn. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I didn't bother wiping it off. What's the point if I do? My best friend is still dead. He was more than a friend, he was a brother at heart. We quarreled a lot but it only brought us closer. Soon William stood at the edge of the river about to scatter the ashes. I heard a voice call out.
"STOP!"
Alina marched forward with determined strides. She collected the urn from William and proclaimed in a loud voice "Edward is too important to be buried as a royal knight. He was more than that. As the empress of light, I hereby decree he will be buried amongst the centurion gods"
Silence reigned over as everybody watched Alina throw her hands in the air, chanting in an anxiety tongue. Suddenly a bright light appeared and six ladies emerged from the light. They looked like goddesses. So beautiful and pure. They smiled down at Alina and said
"Sister you summoned us"
Alina nodded at them and replied
"Yes I did. I want you to take this urn and spread the ashes in the lake of centurion gods."
They smiled down at her and one of them reached out and collected the urn.
"It shall be done"
They chorused and vanished as quickly as they appeared. William and I smiled down at Alina. She was right. Edward deserved to be buried like a centurion god.

Awww it remains the epilogue.