Chapter 26: State of Affair

Mr. Havoc said as he walked back to the chapel, "Your Highness, His Majesty will go home today as for General McGunning's statement."

"What's the deal with this sudden decision?" I inquired.

"General McGunning is now in charge of the investigation there with His Majesty Zoltan. As for their sudden decision, I'm not sure why, but I hope we'll find out as soon as he arrives," he said as I nodded.

As I approached the chapel door, the guarding knights opened it automatically. He comes to a complete stop and bows.

"Your Majesty, I am going to Almondia to depute His Majesty Levin; currently, His Majesty is on his way home and is said to be already here in a minute because the decision was already made when they fleet there," he said.

"In that case, did he just come from Almondia?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied.

"May I ask why?" I asked flatly.

"King Zoltan wanted His Majesty Levin to be here for his brother's funeral as a mark of respect for the Highness's death," he responded quickly.

"Good to know. Take care, General." I said as he salutes and walks through the exit.

"Dear, did you know that Levin will go home?" Mother said while walking fast towards me.

"Yes, Mother."

"How's the meeting with the Prime Minister?"

"It went well. However, the meeting with him was only one topic that he addressed. The rest, according to him, will be discussed with Levin." she sighs in relief.

"Oh good."

"Are you nervous, Mother?" she giggles.

"Actually, yes. It's not that I'm nervous about something you don't know. It's just that the meeting you just had with the Prime Minister was your very first move as Queen," she then breathed and smiled proudly at me.

"Ahhhhh... I can't believe I now have a daughter who is also a Queen with me," she holds my hands and smiles again.

"Mother, why do you look so grateful?"

"Despite our previous disagreements with Mondrians, we were able to resolve them and finally gain peace with each other. Don't you just love it?"

I understand her point, but in my opinion, the important thing here is the power we have as one of the high positions in the monarchy, which has grown stronger as a result of Levin's new rule about the positions.

"But Mother, are you really happy about that?" I confidently asked.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's confidential to you and me, Mother. Don't worry." I said. She then sighs.

"It may appear that I am thirsty for power, but I am proud because we are making history. I am doing this not only for our country and people, but also for our ancestors who led our country to be systematically smooth in our hands," she smiles.

My Mother is someone I am very familiar with. I'm relieved she's not obsessed with power.

"Glad to know that, Mother," then the chapel door suddenly opens, revealing the man... or should I say, my husband?

"My gracious thanks to you for being here while I am away, Mother," Levin says, smiling.

"And to you, my lovely wife, I am sincerely grateful for your presence here with my brother and Mother," he said as he approached me, then slowly grabbed my hand and kissed it.

"No problem." I shortly said as Mother clears her throat.

"Well, I should sit down there first and leave the both of you to have a little conversation." Mother said as she walks away and sits on the pew.

"Ocea-"

"It's okay. I'm fine now. Besides, I don't want you to be stressed out because we're not particularly in good terms because of the incident yesterday. Do focus on your brother's funeral and the investigation. I already discussed our first duty as husband and wife with Prime Minister Walid. After the funeral, when we're in Paris, do explain to me the other projects. I'll try to do those promptly."

"Are you sure? Is it really okay with you?" he asked, as I agreed with a nod.

"Well, I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not completely convinced that my wife is totally comfortable with this, and I've already decided that I'll coax my wife whether she likes it or not." I look away to avert his gaze because my cheeks began to heat up.

Of course, that is not something I would want. That would be fantastic. I'm just being thoughtful and not selfish. I'm just putting myself back in the right place because of the situation we're in right now.

"I honestly would love that Levin, but I don't want to be inconsiderate for Prince Ephraim's death; I'm absolutely fine here and am focused on his burial; I know it's not yet well settled. I'll help you with that," I explained.

"I'm still not convinced by anything you say," he said.

He's so stubborn.

"All right, fine. Do whatever you want, but don't blame me again. I already told you about this," he nods and smiles.

I believe he is sincere to me, but something would seem to be wrong. I'm not sure why, but I find it strange that I was the first person he approached when he arrived here.

"How about you come to your brother?"

"He's just ashes..." I was taken aback by his response due to the words that came out of his mouth. He appears unconcerned about his brother's wake.

"How can you say that?" I yelled, holding his arm, but he sighed.

"I wanted to see him lying down on his bed, not lying with this marble thing."

I'm so disheartened.

"But, Levin, it is your brother's wish, and his soul cannot be at peace if you do not follow his will," I comforted.

"I know. That's why I fulfill his will, but this is just unacceptable. Even though he's dead, of course I wanted to see him with his body still attached. He didn't die with a chopped body!" he half-shouted as I pressed my index finger into his lips as I noticed Mother looking at us with concern.

"Lower your voice, Mother might hear us," I said quietly as he walked away.

He walks up to his brother's vase and gently touches it. Another deep sigh escaped his lips.

"Brother... such a stubborn man," he exclaimed abruptly.

"But he is my inspiration for all of my achievements and accomplishments that I have received since I was young," he says as he looks at me.

"And I hope you will stick with me and support me no matter what happens in the near future."