The funeral rite 2

"I present to you the head of your enemy!" Anakin declares.

Gasps ripple though the crowd followed by murmurs. No one had anticipated that the Third Prince would bring such a macabre offering to the funeral, especially the head of the enemy commander. 

Anakin rises to his feet and strides towards the coffin. He places the box on it with utmost reverence, a symbol of honour and finding closure. He stands there solemnly for a moment before going on his knees to kowtow.

The soldiers follow suit, kowtowing with their foreheads hitting the ground. 

Meanwhile, away from the ceremonial ground, Yetsune cuts across a corridor when a firm grip seizes her hand and pulls her into a room.

"Callan!" she exclaims, startled. 

He hugs her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I missed you," Callan whispers into her ear.

Her body instinctively moves to return the embrace, but she hesitates, feeling a sense of impropriety.