The Two Empresses
Funeral, Pain and Healing

Night was not a bad thing, but for all the people in Ceshier, grieving in the palace courtyard for the loss of relatives who died while protecting the kingdom was not a pleasant thing. Those who lost crying were literally in the coffin, trying to open it to see at least the pieces of his family's body. But Max who knew there would be such a riot decided to seal it so they would not see the corpse that was not intact. Others prepared lotus-shaped lanterns and distributed them to everyone, not least the royal family. They wore clothes as dark as night, occasionally comforting those who wept over the victims.

"Father and Mother are still not awake" said Nero.

"That means I have to replace them?" ask Max lirih. There was no answer, only anxiety enveloped the cousin. Max put on a thin smile and patted her shoulders gently. He walked to the second floor standing on the balcony with a lantern in his hand.

"O my people whom I love. We know that we gather in this place not to celebrate victory, but to mourn the loss of our brothers, lovers and children while protecting this kingdom. It is not easy to let them go under these circumstances, but we must also be heartened to accept all of this. Slowly over time, the wounds in our hearts will heal" he said aloud. The people were moved by his short speech which was quite soothing. Max sighed and spoke again.

"We will pray to the Aegis God to lead the souls of our soldiers to heaven properly, for that I ask Bishop Made to bless them."

Bishop Made walked up to hundreds of coffins in the palace courtyard dressed in white robes with black accents for a sign of mourning. He chanted praise and prayers, followed by people who chanted prayers. Finished chanting the praise, he raised his staff and a soft blue light shone on the coffin.

"The Aegis God will come and take you lost souls to be with him in heaven. Sleep in peace, we will always remember you here" Bishop Made said. "Dear people, we give all night to pay our last respects before tomorrow morning a funeral will be held. Let's prepare the way for the soldiers of our pride."

Max immediately lit the lantern and distributed his lamp to his brother, then continued the fire relay throughout Ceshier. The soft light produced made the place as if it was illuminated by the sun. Some races outside Ceshier were amazed to see it, in contrast to Saciel who had just finished changing clothes and sitting on the edge of the balcony with a face of a nelangsa. Parvati who entered with a cup of honey tea approached cautiously and did not forget to salute when the queen turned away.

"Is Ceshier celebrating the festival?" ask Saciel.

"No, Your Grace. It was one of the rituals for the last honor of the fallen heroes. I heard Vatra attacked Ceshier and massacred hundreds of soldiers" Parvati said.

"So they're grieving like us?" saciel said bitterly. His memory was still fresh when he returned from the northern border. He who had just got off the carriage was startled by a loud cry in the back. At that instant he turned and felt his chest tight when he saw a middle-aged woman crying and roaring while hugging one of the coffins carried by his soldiers. He tried to get close, but Lao held him back by gently grasping his hand.

"Your Majesty, you'd better come in and rest. We have to prepare a funeral for them" Lao said softly. Saciel tried to rebel, but his strength was exhausted. He could only resign as Lao slowly pulled him into the palace. Sobs he could still hear even faintly, making him worse. Phillip along with the senior servant immediately greeted him and took him to the room. But as soon as his eyes fell on Lao, Phillip stayed behind and greeted him.

"Have you returned?"

"Yes. Because what I'm chasing is on the northern border" Lao replied casually. "How are things here?"

"Quite conducive after taking care of it. It's just that I didn't see Vatra in this attack" Phillip said.

"Ah, really? I thought they were together. Looks like they deliberately did this to make the people scared and panicked."

"I wouldn't be surprised if that was the motive. Where's Duke Zografos?"

"At the hospital. He's been seriously injured and lost his right eye" Lao said.

"Is that going against Vristhi?"

"You can see from Saciel's attitude.I mean Your Majesty, right? I just threw him in jail. You can prepare yourself to interrogate him."

"I'd better prepare a funeral. The Great Priestess will not like to hear this" Phillip lamented as he walked away from Lao. The one who was left walked to the queen's room, but Stevan blocked her.

"Can't ya?" ask Lao.

"Sorry, Duke. His Majesty currently needs a rest. I suggest to see him another time" Stevan said firmly. Lao simply nodded and walked out of the palace, finding more and more people coming and lamenting the death of the soldiers. He sighed and stepped back until he was unaware of the presence of the lady from the Schariac family.

"Ouch! You can see no, anyway?" moaning Tania. Lao lowered his gaze and chuckled.

"Greetings, Lady Schariac. What are you doing here?" greet Lao friendly.

"I heard that Saciel's sister is back, so I'm here" Tania replied casually.

"That's right, Your Majesty, Tania. Even though she's your friend, now her position is queen. Understand" Lao asserted.

"I'm sorry, Brother Lao."

"It's good that you learn from your mistakes. I think you'd better come back, 'cause I was just asked to leave by Stevan."

"Why?" tanya Tania was curious. Lao looked at the servant standing beside him, as if asking for his approval. The servant nodded and took a step back. Lao immediately invited the little girl into the palace area filled with coffins.

"Ah? It's..."

"The victims of the border attack. Therefore you are not allowed to approach Her Majesty the Queen for some time" Lao said.

"...Is this really the result of Brother Vristhi's actions?" ask Tania lirih. Lao nodded faintly. Tania squeezed the end of her skirt and started to shed tears.

"Why? Why did Vrishi do it?" lirih's wish. Lao slowly carried her and led her to the deserted palace garden. Slowly he lowered the girl on a nearby chair and sat down beside her.

"What happened while I was locked up?"

"You have to be the head of the family first to understand it," Lao quickly breaks up.

...****************...

After lighting all the lanterns, Kezia led the people to cast the lanterns they brought in the river. Slowly the others followed and watched all the lanterns drift towards the vast ocean. Mourners who had been throwing lanterns began to return to the city and put black attributes on the street corners. Others began arranging white lilies and chrysanthemums to place on the coffins of the heroes. The children were immediately taken to the contest to rest together with his mother. The young men who were still able to survive to guard all the coffins along with the soldiers. Bishop Made approached Kezia and patted her on the shoulder slowly.

"Daughter, it's almost late at night. Let's go back to the palace. The princess needs to rest for tomorrow's event" he said softly.

"I still want to be here" Kezia said. "The lanterns are too pretty to dazzle my eyes."

"It's night, fast sleep before I drive you to sleep outside" Max said fiercely.

"Ih, Nii is evil" Kezia complained as he walked in with the two servants. After the girl entered, she went back to check all the preparations with Nero until 2 am.

...****************...

The mourning atmosphere grew thicker, plus black cloth was hoisted all over Ceshier. Bishop Made stood on the podium, chanting prayers and praises, while the young priest lit incense and squirted a neatly lined coffin. Finished praying, all the coffins were instantly transported towards the burial garden located in the mountains, about 300 meters away. The troupe followed the carriage carrying the crate while sobbing, while the royal family also walked supervised by the soldiers so as not to cause chaos.

"Nii, I'm sad."

"I know, Kezia. It's not easy to go through all this" Max replied.

"Kezia, we'll help the people after this. Wanna?" bargain Nero. Kezia nodded quickly and put on a thin smile. Their journey stopped when they reached their destination. Hundreds of holes for the tomb have been prepared. The soldiers began to put the coffin according to the name on the tombstone, then covered it with soil. The men even helped take care of the funeral to make it faster and more efficient. Women and children placed flower arrangements on the tomb while praying privately.

As the princess of the kingdom, Kezia also placed a white rose on the tomb in honor. He even comforted them with hugs and comforting words.

"Daughter, you're really nice. Thank you," said a middle-aged mother as she gently squeezed Kezia's hand.

"Thank you back. The stoic ones yes, ma'am," said Kezia. Max and Nero also entertain, although not as subtle as Kezia. After the funeral, everyone went back to their homes.

"Okay, you two can start moving around providing help. I'll take care of the Lumos area first" Max said.

"Be careful. We don't know what's going to happen there" Nero said, patting his brother on the shoulder. "You're our royal representative for now."

"certain. Finished work straight home to the palace."

"Nii, go to Nee's place" said Kezia.

"No, our condition is still chaotic. I'm sure Careol is going through a disaster, too. Wait until the atmosphere subsides, then you can go. Understood?" reject Max.

"Uhh okay," Kezia replied with anxiety. Nero and Kezia head straight back to the city, while Max and the soldiers continue on towards Lumos.

...****************...

"What do you mean the outcast prince ran away?" asked Saciel growled. The warden trembled in fear while kneeling before him.

"Please, Your Majesty. I. I was attacked by Elder Erika."

"Erika's Chief said you? Heh, apparently he's starting to show himself. And Vrishi?"

"Still in prison with extra strict supervision" said the warden. Saciel sighed and told the warden to leave. After leaving, Saciel grabbed a letter Phillip offered. After opening and reading the contents, he folded the letter to form a stork.

"Your Majesty, it's a letter from the elf kingdom. Why did His Majesty even make him origami?" phillip asked refraining from advising him.

"Because I've read it. They are still offering to help us overcome the food crisis. How do they know?"

"Should I investigate?" ask Phillip.

"certain. Oh, please wait a minute. I'll write a reply for them" Saciel replied. He grabbed a pen and started writing. After putting the royal seal on the envelope, he gave it to Phillip. Phillip receives the letter and leaves, along with Parvati's entry.

"Your Majesty, I have found several candidates for His Majesty" Parvati said while giving a list of names and personal data. Saciel read carefully, occasionally asking the chief maid.

"Alright, I'll appoint three people first. Please deliver a letter to them" Saciel said, returning a list of names he had marked.

"All right, Your Majesty. Excuse me" said Parvati. After giving his respects he immediately left the young queen who sighed tiredly. He opened the window and stood on the balcony, enjoying the gentle breeze caressing his cheek.

"...you don't have to hide, Tania. Come here, if you fall Duke Schariac can be hysterical" Saciel said firmly. A girl with a lolita-style dress appeared from behind the roof with a big smile. He flew by a broomstick and landed in front of Saciel.

"Good day, Your Majesty," Tania said.

"Good day, Lady Schariac. Is there anything I can do for this uninvited guest?" saciel half joked.

"I'm sorry for the impoliteness I've done to His Majesty. I..need to talk to Your Majesty," Tania said. Saciel gave a smile and invited Tania in, calling Stevan to prepare tea. After the two sat down, Saciel opened her mouth.

"What talk do you want?" ask Saciel.

"Can I be the head of the family?" ask Tania. Saciel frowned hearing that.

"Now? What makes you want that job?"

"Yesterday...Brother Lao didn't tell me the truth about the attack on the northern border. He said I should be the head of the family if I wanted to know everything" Tania said. Saciel exhaled quite loudly, making Tania mistake her for anger. "Pardon me?"

"Eh? I'm not mad at you, Tania. I'm just upset by Lao's words to you. For this matter, you should speak carefully to Duke Schariac first. You're young, you have a lot to learn before you become the head of a whole family. You're still learning time magic, aren't you?"

"I want to be useful to this empire. Since I was the youngest, many people underestimated me. They were gossiping behind me, saying that I didn't deserve to be part of the 7 Eternal Wizards" Tania said.

"You don't have to listen to them, just be yourself and fight harder than others. Your father has given you the duties of the 7 Eternal Wizards, but he has not given up the duties of the head of the family because you are still not ready. Talk carefully first, then you can come back if you have the answer."