Chapter 24: Prince Ephraim's Funeral

We finally arrived at the Mondreich Kingdom, all dressed in black with a black veil. People in Mondreich greeted me with sadness. They are all throwing flowers at the palace gate, and when we entered, I was greeted by General McGunning, who escorted me and Mother straight to the chapel.

"Your Majesty Oceana, can you sign this for me?" General McGunning asked as I approached the chapel.

"What exactly is that?" I inquired.

"This is a document of authorization to handle Prince Ephraim's funeral. It has already been discussed with His Majesty because he will be absent for several days for the investigation. You are also permitted to sign it, Your Majesty Cliodhna." Mother nods.

We both signed the document while I pondered a question to ask him.

"Why are you calling me Your Majesty, General McGunning?" he asked, smiling.

"Your Majesty Oceana, you are the princess from the other nation, and you are supposed to be the future Queen there; King Levin does not want you to be just a princess because he took you and removed your title as the crown princess in Starnstadt."

"So?"

"So, the King decided and added a rule in Mondreich: If a Crown Highness or a Majesty decided to marry a Crown Highness' from the other nation, your title will still be moving here to continue the previous majesty's legacy," he concludes.

"Dear, if your Father and I die someday, you will return to Starnstadt as their Queen. You will be a Queen there in the meantime, and when you have a child, they will be the new majesty in our country when they reach their age," she smiles and cups my cheeks.

"But for the time being, both of us are still strong enough to lead our country." I became confused about the child.

"One last question, Mother. What if I gave birth to a boy? Our nation is a Queendom." I looked at her concerned as she sweetly smiles.

"Well, our lineage is famous for having daughters as their heir, but now, our blood, especially yours, will be mixed with the blood of a Mondrian who inherits sons. Levin and I already talked about this, my dear. So don't worry about it now. You will know this soon." General McGunning opens the chapel door, but I was still restless because Mother gave me so little information, so I whispered to her ear for a final question.

"What about Mondreich?"

"It's pretty obvious that you need to have two heirs," she winks as I come to a halt, stunned.

"Are you serious, Mother?" I asked as I continued to walk.

"Of course, darling." she giggles.

"Your Majesties, we're already here." General McGunning said.

"Hm? But where's the coffin?" Mother asked.

"Apologies, Your Majesty, but Prince Ephraim stated in his will that he would be turned into ashes," he says, pointing to the marble vase at the top of the altar.

"Did King Levin approve?" I inquired, and he nodded. I lowered my head and felt sad. He approaches me and hands me a paper written by Prince Ephraim himself, on which his will is written.

"I am sorry for your loss, Your Majesties," he bows, then bows to the vase containing the Prince's ashes.

Because it's still early in the morning, he doesn't appear to have any visitors.

"What time do you accept visitors, General?"

"I apologize, Your Majesty, but no one is permitted to enter Mondreich until the investigation is completed. You and Your Majesty Cliodhna are the only ones legally allowed."

"How sad..." Mother lamented.

It's too bad that people can't express their condolences to the family in person.

I approach the vase and gently touch it.

The first man I ever admired in my life is no longer alive. I'm a little confused because I just met him and now I'm seeing him in a vase.

Not that I romantically have feelings for him but before I admit it. I actually don't care about that anymore but I just can't believe that he's gone...

And now that King Levin has no shoulders to lean on, I have to be with him at all times. Maybe I should talk to him later, when he gets home.

I sat on the pew with Mother, staring at the vase.

"This poor man didn't even have a happy moment at his brother's wedding," Mother says abruptly.

"At least his life will be much longer than this if the wedding didn't happen sooner," I say as Mother caresses my back.

"Darling, it's not your fault. No one is to blame in this family. Everything will be okay. Your husband, your Father, and I are all in this together, so don't worry too much because we have other nations on our side to help us," she comforted.

"Mother, I don't want to sit here and stare like this; I have to help him, King Levi—-" she cut me off by covering my lips with her index finger.

"Husband," she clarified.

"Mo---"

"Oceana, I know he already apologized to you, and I know you're still disappointed in him for blaming you for his brother's death," I said, trying not to defend myself to avoid Mother's sermons.

"But please, dear. Practice calling him your husband. Your beloved husband. You are now married to a man, Oceana, and he has a huge reputation to protect, and you as his wife must be there to help him through this situation he is having." I bite my lower lip a little hard because I am feeling guilty.

Mother is correct. I should humble myself. He lost his family at a young age and relies on me as his wife for support.

"Oceana." I raise my head and saw Mother still plastering a serious look in her face.

"This isn't just your first day as his wife." and then she hold my hands.

"This is also your first day as the Queen of Mondreich."