IV. Sepulture

Death had no boundaries.

It had multiple definitions. I faced death when mother vanished from my life, not returning. Ever since she boarded that train, she never came back. I grew, with a pang staking my heart, one that could never be taken out. Death must be a fucking crime for it had left a scar. Perhaps it wasn't death to blame.

Pushing the thoughts of mother out of my head, I stood on a patch of grass where I could see graves protruding from the ground.

Above, the sky seemed to join Helmburn in weeping, with its swelling clouds, begging to mourn tears of rain.

Somehow, I found it stupefying how time could no longer grasp us. When time had let go, it was time for us to let go as well. In one of the books I read which was penned by Atherton Herrera, he had quoted, "Change begins within, and in time, change can be good or bad."

Call me a book nerd, but books opened a window of an alternate reality, or perhaps, an echo to reality.

Whether I was headed for good or bad, I found change a risky path to take.

Then, I detached from the swirling thoughts in my mind to look into the present. There were pale faces, those shadowed by sorrow that their monarch had been taken.

"The weather as of the moment is quite opposite from the morning," Rosalie remarked when she slipped into view beside me. She was holding a black umbrella to shield herself from the gazing gray clouds. "Queen Amice's death got a throng drawn in. Simply put, she's been the better one than her mother."

"Queen Victoria has always been depicted as strict according to the books, and some articles." I replied.

"Some articles are frauds trying to make their way to the headlines," Rosalie said in a calm mock tone.

"Sort of factual," I responded.

"Guaranteed, and factual," Rosalie whispered. "According to the gossip ladies that is. I'm part of a circle, as you may have already known."

A question clicked. "Do those gossip ladies have any, and I mean, any information on the assassination?"

"There are rumors that Lady Deanne has been smuggling to fill her lack of excuses about the sudden absences during parliamentary conferences," said Rosalie.

"What else?" I lifted an eyebrow, while my eyes darted everywhere.

"Another one is about the Opera House. Shady. There's always a guard there for the night, but a break-in? I am not certain if it links to the assassination though."

"What materials went missing after the event?" I asked.

"A jaguar costume for a theatre actor who was supposed to play a feral animal during one of the scenes of The Crown. Apparently, Mrs. Hiles is on the path of repairing before the big show. She wants to make sure that Princess Salome finds exquisite entertainment," said Rosalie.

The upcoming show could possibly be a trap to lure in the crown.

A break-in sounded like an attempted silent heist to masquerade in a costume.

The question remained. Why?

These rumors seemed far off, straying from the focal point which was Queen Amice, but a connection was possible.

Before long, familiar faces had arrived. The Heads of Houses, the Parliament representatives, and Aunt Genevieve with a morose look attached to her face.

"Ivy, Rose, you're both here." She looked at us.

"Is the casket on its way?" Rosalie asked.

"It is," Aunt Genevieve replied with certainty. "Although, I hope that the rain doesn't fall upon us."

"I brought your umbrella for you," said Rosalie.

"Thank you, my dear." Aunt Genevieve wore a smile.

I tore my attention from them, and let my gaze go around until it landed upon a dug hole where they'd sink the casket in. Near it was a stone engraved with Queen Amice's name.

Governor Philipps came to us in slow steps. His eyes flitted from Aunt Genevieve, to Rosalie, then remained on me. I stared at him in discomfort, wanting to break eye contact. But his gaze held me in, suffocating. When he transferred it to Aunt Genevieve, I let out the breath I had been holding.

"There will be a gathering in my estate after her Majesty has been buried safe and sound. Please, help yourselves to delightful meals later on." He invited. As he left, he gave me one last look that lingered. Even as his form had retreated into distance, his stare wasn't as far; it felt like it had persisted.

Rosalie noticed how I was thrusted into a state of discomposure. "Is someone bothering you?"

"No one," I lied.

She nodded, but in her eyes, there was a hint of incredulity. "Alright, if you say so."

Aunt Genevieve pulled out her hand fan, which stretched out in display. She fanned herself, her eyes studying the scenery. "I'm in dire need of a cigarette, but I'll have to pass out of respect."

"You and your cigarettes," Rosalie rolled her eyes with a click of her tongue. "Mother, you have to quit the addiction. Ara and I don't want our lungs to rot from your smoke."

"Cigarettes are what breathe life into my lungs," Aunt Genevieve responded.

"And Ara and I suffer the smoke then," said Rosalie.

"It's alright. We can always distance ourselves whenever Aunt Genevieve needs to smoke," I chimed in.

"See? You should listen to your cousin. At least she takes my side." Aunt Genevieve shaped her lips to an O as if imagining a small chimney through her mouth.

"I did not take sides. I stayed in the middle," I told her.

"Anyways, I surmise the casket is to arrive soon. We must prepare to pay our esteem to her Majesty." Aunt Genevieve walked off.

"I wasn't taking her side to be clear," I said to Rosalie, who looked at me and dropped the topic. She didn't want to continue it any further, which led me to drown in awkward silence.

Time ticked to carry on the inevitability.

The delivery of Queen Amice's casket had approached. Behind it was a carriage with a regal insignia which had been Princess Salome's ride.

It led up to the cleric leading the rites of Sepulture. Minutes later, it was time for Princess Salome to deliver her speech.

She presented herself. It was no surprise that she was grieving. Her expressions were distinct, and far more vulnerable than the rest. She lost someone in flesh and blood.

"Queen Amice had always been a caring sister. I am grateful to live under the same roof as her." She looked at the sky, her eyes soaked with stifled tears. Her gaze remained there, as if searching for a trace of her sister watching over her with a smile. "Because of her, she made my life more fortunate than it already is. She was there in the darkest times I fell in."

She halted to hide her shaky voice from a sea of watching eyes. When she took a deep breath, she continued. "Sister, I'll see you again someday."

The cleric peered at her with pity, before he was cued to continue. Princess Salome sauntered away from the burial ground. She watched as the casket was lowered, until it was covered in a thick mantle of soil.

They said the people you love were never truly gone... but why did that sound like a lie? A deception?

* * *

Eventually, we wound up in the glorious estate of Governor Philipps. Although, I was quite surprised that the estate turned out to be more simpler than I had expected. In my head, I painted caricatures of luxurious living, and in reality, I witnessed minimal simplicity.

One thing I was certain of was that the Ausleya Manor was far bigger than his estate. Considering that he had not mentioned any spouse, or marital status, I could assume that he was unwed. There was no first lady to attend to him, instead he was greeted by the clutches of a sweet home.

We were guided along until we made our way to the garden where a long table had been set, lining with colorful dishes, and mouthwatering confections.

"This is a pleasant surprise," Aunt Genevieve commented about the place, her eyes skimming the exterior with precise scrutiny. She sighed before shoving her hand fan inside her bag.

"Pleasant, indeed. I hope the Governor finds our presence, delightful," said Rosalie. She flicked her gaze at someone. I followed where her eyes aimed at, which led me to Lord Erika. "He has a way of trying to awaken intrigue between him and Lady Adelaide."

"Has Lady Adelaide shown interest?" I asked.

"Not that I know of. Lady Adelaide can be a little sordid in the eyes of society." Rosalie spilled. She tilted her head up. "One can't deny her odd mannerisms. Her decorum is fickle at times, where it seems to fall from that of a behaved woman, to a scandalous spirit."

"From the sound of your voice, I take that you dislike her?"

"I don't dislike her. I disagree with the way she displays herself," Rosalie responded. In her eyes, there was a blooming emotion. "It's like she's not a woman."

I carried my gaze upon Lady Adelaide who was in a distance, chatting with two men. Then, I swiveled my head at Rosalie with a chuckle. "Let us not pay her heed. Our focus shall go on..." I realized that there was an absence which tied in to the lack of atmosphere. "Where your mother must be?"

Rosalie looked around. With an annoyed huff, she folded her arms. "Seems that she had abandoned us for a lovely time with cigarettes. Oh, the woman needs to get rid of that distasteful habit."

In a sudden manner, Lord Adrian squeezed himself into the picture with a smile dancing on his lips. "Lovely to see you here, Lady Arabelle and Lady Rosalie."

"As well as you, handsome inspector," Rosalie called him another name.

"Wait, you know that he's an inspector?" I was shocked.

Lord Adrian had an adorable dent on both sides of his face that tickled my chest. "Your cousin here is no stranger to my side hobbies of playing detective."

Rosalie bobbed her head. "I even planted nonsense clues to distract him from the main point."

"You both sound like you have fun," I smiled.

"We are close associates. I find the Ausleya family quite captivating, holding their own unique charm." That compliment slid out of Lord Adrian, which was good to hear.

A glass was clinked; a delicate ringing that drew our attention. All eyes laid on Governor Philipps, and beside him was Princess Salome. "To those who have chosen to come, I am grateful you chose to attend. We gather today to lighten the spirit of our Crown Heiress." He gestured toward Princess Salome who shook her head slightly.

Meanwhile, I asked Rosalie if Governor Philipps was single or not. Rosalie told me that he had never undergone a blissful nuptial.

"We celebrate for her upcoming coronation!" Governor Phillips raised his glass, to which the crowd responded with a dissonant reply of hurrah.

Despite the supposed sullen mood for today, Princess Salome seemed as if she had quickly bounced away from sadness. Perhaps, she veiled that for the celebration? Moments ago, she fought hard to battle the onslaught of desolation.

It was not my place to control her emotions.

"Hear, hear!" A chant sounded like a domino, a ripple that lapped over.

Fortunately, Governor Philipps was smart enough to pin down table shades outside, in case the clouds had given up stifling the rain. But the better place to eat was inside the estate.

Princess Salome ducked away from the public, to slip into her own comforts of privacy. She disappeared from view. Meanwhile, Governor Philipps had been entertaining the guests which were few. Not a lot of nobles chose to accept the invitation.

"I am going to have a little chat with Lady Adelaide. Will you be alright, Ara?" She looked at me. A part of her face was shielded by a net coming from her black fascinator hat.

"Go ahead. I'll find ways to entertain myself," I answered.

Once she had sauntered over to Lady Adelaide, I decided to bring myself inside the estate. I knew that I had to leave Princess Salome to herself and that she'd be safe, but a tingling sensation in my gut told me otherwise.

Then, I caught onto an animated figure rummaging through a glass cabinet. "Damn it. Where is it?" The voice sounded familiar.

Immediately, I hid myself from view.

"There must be something in here..." It was a strained furious whisper that I had eavesdropped on. "Not my luck."

It was a woman, but I didn't know who. I processed the tone, discerning it.

When I leaned forward to peek, the woman surprised me when she appeared. "Oh my goodness!" Her face was washed by shock.

I knew who she was.

"Lady Deanne?" Surprise latched my face. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here? You must be outside, along with the other guests. Mingling. Chatting." Lady Deanne replied, and cleared her throat.

The figure... it was Lady Deanne. She was trawling through the items in the glass cabinet, searching for an item. But what could it be about, and why? I recalled what Rosalie told me earlier, about Lady Deanne's sudden absences. Perhaps the rumors were true.

"I have lost my way around, attempting to explore this place," I answered. Her eyes gazed, slightly narrowing.

"Alright, but I expect your presence in two minutes," said Lady Deanne before walking back to the gathering.

At this point, I found everyone suspicious.

* * *

July 15, 1877

This evening was different than any other. I tried to understand the twisted concern on my mother's face as she trudged through the door.

With her absence throughout the day, there was a hole drilled in my heart. But when she came, I immediately ran up to her for me to be folded in a warm embrace.

"Ara, oh, I haven't been gone for days." She giggled. "Yet my beautiful daughter already misses her mother, doesn't she?" As she said those words, she lifted me from the floor. She heaved out a few breaths.

"Mama," I held my small hands out to her, trying to touch her face. "Outside?"

"Yes, mama was outside. I had business to attend to." She held me close to her. I sipped in the foreign scent of her perfume which wafted off.

"What bus-busy? Nest?" I was perplexed.

"Business." She thought carefully. "A way for me to provide for you."

"Provide?"

"Yes, darling. I love you so much, and I wouldn't trade another life." She rested her forehead against mine. "My little angel."

She delicately put me down which meant that she couldn't handle my weight anymore. I was in the process of growth. Growing. When I peered into her eyes, they glimmered. But it was a different type of glimmer. It was a sullen type. Her eyes held an opposite meaning to the mask she had, a smile.

"I love you too, mama," I smiled. But somehow, in my chest, I felt a tight compression that something wasn't right.

Later that evening, the door to her bedroom was slightly open which gave me an opportunity to spy on her. She was on the bed, holding the blanket close to her face. Her body quivered, shaking.

She's crying. I thought. How could I make her feel better?

Was I not the perfect daughter? This question stayed with a mark in the back of my head, accentuated, the moment she left the manor and never came back.

* * *

There was a sole reason that I went into the estate, and that was to follow Princess Salome. But after checking through almost every room in the estate, I couldn't find her.

She had evanesced from the gathering, and had left no trace.

"Where is the Crown Heiress?" The question rolled out of my mouth. "She is nowhere to be seen."

"She's gone?" A wide-eyed nobleman faced me in reply.

"The Crown Heiress must have ran away." Tossed over was a presumed reason for her disappearance.

Amid the growing uproar, Governor Philipps jostled his way through to ring clear a loud statement to quell the nobles. "Rest assured, the Crown Heiress is safe. Everyone please remain calm."

But she was nowhere to be found.

"If the heiress disappears, we are all doomed! No monarch to guide Helmburn!" One cried out from the throng.

Everyone dissolved into hushed murmurs that were clashing, and unintelligible. Even when their mouths blabbered, it was clear that they were all talking about one person—Princess Salome.

"What is your course of action when we discover that the heiress is... dead?"

Again, the deafening music of cresting voices hovered over the air.

"Enough!" Governor Philipps cried out. A wave of silence washed over everyone. "The Crown Heiress must be gallivanting for her own private space. Understand that today is the sepulture, and she might need time alone." He added. "It is not easy to deal with a great loss, am I right?"

He successfully shepherded the formerly raucous nobles to agreeing to him.

"We must be overreacting after all," a noble woman spoke.

Transfixed by the moment, I had a delayed reaction to a teardrop that fell from beyond. I looked up, to see that the clouds had given up. They had swelled for too long, that they had to release what had been kept in. Rain. Droplets in a torrent.

"Everyone please proceed inside and take shelter from the rain," Governor Philipps instructed in a calm manner.

Despite the wavering trust I had on him, I had to push through to him. He noticed my approach. "We must find the Crown Heiress!"

Governor Phillips furrowed his eyebrows in worry, and sighed. "My lady, I ask you to seek comfort in my estate. The rain shall not touch you."

But I protested. I needed to find out if Princess Salome was truly safe. Governor Philipps began to falter from the firm encouragement to keep me confined in his walls. Without another speckle of time to waste, I grunted out frustration to go after Princess Salome—even when I had no idea where she was.

At the sound of a reverberating noise, I swiveled my head to see Lord Adrian come after me. "Lady Arabelle! Do not go alone."

"I-I can handle myself," I stated in doubt.

His face was clouded with a resolute determination. "After the rain, I'll go search the castle grounds with you. It is a solemn promise."

Between the two choices I had in mind, I chose to lay low and stay in the estate.

When Lord Adrian and I made our entrance to the parlor, everyone made themselves comfortable by the fireplace, in which it emanated warmth throughout the room. Even if I wasn't able to track down Princess Salome, I could gather clues in the meantime.

Among the faces I could see, there lingered Lord Jake, Lady Adelaide, Rosalie, and Aunt Genevieve.

"What is your plan, Lady Arabelle?" Lord Adrian questioned, while surreptitiously scanning the parlor as if hunting down a suspect.

"Have you got any new clues?" I asked.

"None in my luck."

"Then, I'm looking for those." I caught a glance from Lord Jake, who appeared to want the picture of my body. The thought of him thinking that evoked disgust in me. "I'll begin with Lord Jake Partridge."

Within earshot, I managed to catch a snippet of their conversation. "That debit was used to improve infrastructures."

"It appeals me how invested you are in the betterment of our kingdom." A nobleman chatted.

"Governor Phillips plans to publish a renewed policy on trade as well." Lord Jade continued, then espied me. With a smile, he introduced. "Gentlemen, this is Lady Arabelle of House Ausleya."

The noblemen transferred their attention. I held a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Good day to you fine men," I held out my hand to them as I spoke.

One of them shook my hand, and mentioned their name. "Good day, Lady Arabelle. I am Viscount Sinclair." He gestured to Lord Jake. "Lord Jake and I were discussing potential bills to be passed."

"What might those be?" I asked, curious.

Viscount Sinclair responded. "Governor Philipps plans to pass a bill that grants the commoners their voting rights which means that the nobility aren't the only ones with the privilege anymore."

"This is, in fact, an advantage. This bill will finally loosen the chains, and allow the citizens to express and vote for their favored candidate," said Lord Jake.

From the tone of the conversation, it seemed that Governor Philipps wanted to look like the face of a hero towards the people. Perhaps, this planned bill was a gateway to something else. Lord Jake mentioned that he chose to gave away a sum of his money to improve the infrastructures of Helmburn.

"Governor Phillips certainly has a knack of helpful thinking," I complimented. A part of me glared at the bill. There could be a potential campaign to remain seated in the Parliament.

"Indeed he does," Viscount Sinclair grinned.

Torn away from the talks about Governor Phillips, I sauntered over to Lady Adelaide, Rosalie, and two noblemen.

"Ara, you decided to join us." A look of surprise came to Rosalie, but she shrugged it off with a smile. "Lady Adelaide and I were advising Sir Robert and Sir Michael about their business merger."

Lady Adelaide pointed her gaze at Sir Robert. "Apparently, Sir Robert thinks that the merger will be a mutual benefit."

"My proposal to Sir Michael is that, with this union, we can achieve a remarkable market share," Sir Robert stated.

"I always consider the disadvantages," Sir Michael replied.

After a few minutes of the conversation, Sir Michael began to contemplate with a hum. Then, Sir Michael lit up with a smile. "Let's further discuss what happens after both parties agree with the union."

I backed away, feeling a little faint and dizzy from all the business talk.

What I had gathered so far was that Governor Phillips planned to pass a bill, which is giving the privilege of voting rights to the commoners. Speaking of him, I wondered where he went off to.

The visitors were either in the parlor, or the lobby, mingling in their own colloquies. Meanwhile, I was on the search for Governor Phillips. He must be in his bedroom, I thought. That made me start up the stairway.

I brought myself to a secluded hallway. Every door was locked. The boundary that I could merely reach was rattling the door knob.

Then, there was that faint muffle in the other room. I pressed my ear to the wall to listen.

"-launch one of the dependable alternatives to selecting a-" There was a moment of silence, before the sound returned. "-in case... lost forever."

Afterwards, there was nothing else to hear. I had to know the source of this sound.

I stumbled upon a door with a crack of light coming from beyond it. Before I was able to sneak my way in, I heard the rhythmic thumping of footfalls that closed in on me. As quickly as I could, I rushed down the stairway. Hopefully they didn't seize a glimpse of a fast silhouette disappearing around the corner.

When I was on the way to the parlor, with my eyes set on my back, I bumped into someone. I uttered an apology, and glanced up to see a shocked Aunt Genevieve. "Ivy, what on Earth are you doing running about?"

"Pardon my indecorum, Aunt Genevieve. I..." I had to think of an excuse. She bore her gaze through me, slowly impatient of a response. "I was charged with an expectation to hear news of the Crown Heiress."

"Even with an anticipation, Ivy, do not pretermit being careful. Always look where you go, and use your eyes well," said Aunt Genevieve.

"I am awfully sorry for what I have done," I apologized.

"I'll let this little misconduct slide." Aunt Genevieve made her way around to head for the exit.

* * *

Later that evening, there was a call from the receiver that I picked up. "Good evening, Lady Arabelle Ausleya speaking."

"Lady Arabelle, it is I, Lord Adrian. I come bearing a discovery."

"Did you find something that I didn't when we searched the castle?"

"Not exactly. There is no news about Princess Salome. She is not in the castle." He stated. "But a witness came forward claiming that Princess Salome was last seen with someone in a jaguar mask."

"Is there any additional information?"

"Unfortunately, we don't. Until we find that person in the jaguar mask, Helmburn will have no Crown Heiress."