Death News and a Funeral

Death. For some, it is the most terrifying word to hear. Some deaths were caused by an accident. Some are intentional, while some are because it's inevitable. But no matter what it is, death is death. No one can escape it because it is bound to happen in the end.

Upon finding the dead body of Elizabeth, the Count started preparing the funeral. Of course, he informed the Lottways about the death of Elizabeth. Then the news about Elizabeth's death quickly spread to the nearest towns to the empire's noble society. Different rumors started to circulate regarding Elizabeth's death in the aristocratic society. Some of those were exaggerated, but they still bought it.

"Have you heard? Lady Elizabeth died."

"Yes indeed. Someone said she got kidnapped."

"Kidnapped? I thought she was sick?"

"No, they said she eloped with someone, but they got into an accident while escaping."

"What? She was engaged, and yet she has a lover?"

"They are still not engaged. I heard her lover was one of their servants."

"A servant? Isn't it a knight?"

"No, they said he was a commoner."

"Well, I don't like her. She seemed to act whenever she talked with us. And she just kept on hogging all the men in parties."

"Yes. She was such a leech."

"It's good that she died."

Many ladies loathed Elizabeth's beauty, charm, and influence. When they learned about Elizabeth's death, they cried. Not of sadness but joy.

The next day, they finished the preparation for the funeral. Nobles started coming to the mansion to give their 'condolences,' although their intentions differed from what they were supposed to do. Many nobles knew about the relationship between the Lottway and the Harriston; thus, they would like to take this opportunity to be on 'good terms' too.

As the number of nobles who came for the funeral increased, the mansion became livelier, as if there was a party rather than a funeral. Nobles chatted and boasted to each other about their recent travels and luxuries.

"I am so sorry for your loss, Percival." Lord Bennet told the Count as soon as he arrived.

"Thank you, Sven." The Count replied as they walked inside the room.

Upon seeing Lord Bennet, the nobles started whispering to each other.

'The royal tailor is here, too."

'And he even called Count Harriston by his name.'

'I heard they've been friends before he even got a title.'

'Didn't Baron Bennet the one who helped get his title?'

'I heard that rumor too.'

And the gossiping started again. Count Harriston and Baron Bennet were chatting as they walked towards the coffin.

"I was shocked to hear that she died. It was not even a week when I came here and heard about her disappearance. And now she is found dead. I can't imagine how you are feeling right now." Lord Bennet as he touched his right cheek with his palm.

The Count frowned and whispered, "Where did you hear about her disappearance?"

Lord Bennet suddenly realized he had said something he shouldn't, so he kept quiet.

"Sven, where did you hear it?"

Lord Bennet sighed and spoke, "Fine. I hear some staff gossiping about it on my last visit. Remember kicking me out before telling me anything because your wife come? I was on my way back when I heard them. Happy now?"

The Count gritted his teeth and said, "I should have fired them all."

Lord Bennet sighed with relief when Count Harriston believed him.

'I should say sorry to Mary later for barely exposing her.' Baron Bennet thought to himself.

Baron Bennet couldn't help but ask him when they arrived in front of the coffin. "Where is your wife? I didn't see her at the entrance or in the room."

The Count sighed and answered, "She's gone mad upon knowing Elizabeth's death. I need to restrict her from going outside of her room."

Lord Bennet scowled and whispered, "You lock her up?"

"I have no choice. Reeva is hurting anyone in her sight. If I let her out, everyone here might get hurt." The Count reasoned to him.

"Poor her. I hate her, but knowing what she is going through makes me pity her." He fell into silence for a while then he opened up another topic. "How about Lady Ashley? I didn't see her too."

"She is staying in her room right now because she got sick. The doctor checked on her already and advised me not to let her experience any emotional event that will stress her."

Lord Bennet nodded slightly, "Is that so?"

Suddenly Carl came to them and informed Count Harriston about the arrival of Count Lottway.

"Then, I'll visit Lady Ashley for the time being." Baron Bennet said as he walked away from him. Escorted by Carl, Count Harriston made his way to meet and welcome them.

"Thank you for coming here today." Count Harriston greeted with a sad smile (fake one, of course) as soon as the Count, his wife, and Owen entered the mansion.

"Of course, we'd be here. My deepest condolences for your loss." Count Lottway replied with a handshake.

"Thank you." Then he glanced at the quiet Owen. "Lord Owen, I apologize for what I did last time when you came here."

Owen looked at him with a sad smile and answered, "No, I should be the one who should apologize. I apologize for coming here so abruptly that time."

"It's alright. I know that you are just concerned with my daughter. I'm sorry for what happened before your engagement."

"So, did you find the culprit responsible for her death?"

Count Harriston sighed and replied, "We were able to locate the man who kidnapped and sold her and was killed by my men when he tried to run away. But we are still searching for the men responsible for her death." He gritted his teeth and angrily added, "I'll never forgive them for doing such a thing to my child."

Count Lottway tapped his shoulder to calm him down. When Count Harriston calmed down, he apologized, "I apologize for showing such bad behavior."

"No. It's alright to be angry. If I were in your feet, I would do the same." Count Lottway said.

"We should go inside. I shouldn't have kept you here at the entrance." Then they went to the room where the nobles gathered and Elizabeth's coffin.

As they walked to the room, the happy and loud chats became whispers and hush. The nobles focused on the persons walking towards the center where the coffin rested. Count Harriston, Count Lottway, his wife, and Owen stop before the casket.

"I couldn't even recognize her face due to decomposition. Poor child." Count Harriston sadly spoke as he looked at the body that rested there.

"I hope they could catch those scumbags who did this to her. To do such things…" Countess Lottway said. "How is Reeva? I'm sure it's hard for her too."

"She lost it. She was yelling around and started to hurt herself. I have no choice but to not let her out of her room."

"Poor, Reeva. Can I visit her?"

Count Harriston hesitated, "That wouldn't be a good idea. She is still not in her right mind. I'm afraid she'll hurt you."

"Is that so?" Countess Lottway looked disappointed and noticed her son looking seriously at the coffin. "Are you alright, Owen?"

Count Lottway and Count Harriston look in Owen's direction. Owen just nodded while still fixed on the dead body before him.

The Countess told the two Counts in a low voice, "I think we should leave him alone for a moment." The two Counts nodded, and they left him quietly.

Owen stood there, staring at the body for a minute, then sighed heavily. The nobles, whispering to each other, held their breath as they watched the young man walk away from the coffin. When he finally went out of the room, they started gossiping again.

'Isn't that Lord Owen?'

'The rumors were true.'

'Poor young man. To be abandoned by his soon-to-be bride."

Owen walked and walked until he couldn't hear the words that the nobles were saying. He felt suffocated there the whole time. Their gazes and observing eyes felt like knives at his back. He found himself alone in the garden and thought he could finally breathe.

He remembered the meeting with the maid Esteban bribed at the garden. He searched for the highest shrub where they should meet and hide there. When Owen saw it, he looked around to see if somebody was there. When he looked back at the mansion, his eyes caught someone on the right-most window of the second floor.

A lady was standing on a small balcony in her nightdress. Tears fell from her eyes as she stared at the sky as the wind blew her ash-grey hair. Owen stood there, mesmerized and speechless.