"Echoes of Sorrow"

Copyright © [CrimsonMoon] [2025]. All rights reserved.

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The morning sun cast its golden light upon the castle, illuminating the bustling corridors.

Servants scurried about, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls as they prepared for the

evening's wedding ceremony. The air was alive with the sweet scent of flowers and the soft

chatter of the castle's inhabitants.

In the midst of the commotion, a lone servant, made her way to Princess Lila's chambers,

carrying a tray of steaming breakfast and a gentle smile…

The princess's chambers were located in a secluded wing of the castle, guarded by two

burly men-at-arms.

She approached the door, which was locked and guarded by the two men. "I've brought the

princess's breakfast," she announced, holding up the tray.

One of the guards nodded and unlocked the door, allowing her to enter. Before entering she

knocked the door, and called out softly, "Your Highness, I've brought your breakfast."

But there was no response...

She pushed open the door and stepped inside, calling out softly, "Your Highness, I've

brought your breakfast." But as she entered, she was hit with the unmistakable scent of

blood.

Her heart racing, she rushed further into the room, her eyes scanning the space for any sign

of Lila. And then she saw her – the princess lay on the floor, a silver dagger lodged in her

chest, blood pooling around her.

Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the scene. She felt like she'd been punched in the

gut, her breath knocked out of her.

Her mind went blank as she stared at Lila's lifeless body. She felt like she was in a

nightmare, unable to wake up. Suddenly, she let out a blood-curdling scream.

"Your Highness! Help! Anyone out there! Guards!" she shrieked, her voice echoing down

the corridor.

The two guards stationed outside Lila's room burst into action, rushing into the room with

their swords drawn.

The guards' shouts and the servant's screams echoed through the corridors, causing a stir

throughout the castle. "The princess! Something's happened to the princess!" one of the

guards yelled.

Guards and servants rushed to the scene, their footsteps pounding the stone floors. The

corridors were soon filled with the sound of shouting, wailing, and frantic whispers.

One of the guards was dispatched to inform the king of the tragedy, while the other guard

remained at the scene, trying to maintain order.

Amidst the commotion, a tiny figure emerged from the crowd. Zuki, pushed his way through

the throng of people, his eyes scanning the scene before him.

His gaze fell upon the open door to Lila's chambers, and his heart sank. He quickened his

pace, his long strides eating up the distance.

As he entered the room, he was met with the sight of his aunt's lifeless body, surrounded by

guards and servants. The servant who had discovered the body was still screaming, her

eyes wild with horror.

Zuki's face went white, and he felt like his heart shattered into a million pieces. He

stumbled forward, his eyes fixed on Lila's body…

His face crumpled as he gazed at Lila's lifeless body. He let out a heart-wrenching wail, his

small body shaking with sobs. He crawled closer to Lila, his tiny hands grasping at her

dress.

"Aunt Lila…wake up! Please wake up!" he cried, his voice trembling with desperation.

He shook her body gently, as if trying to rouse her from a deep sleep. His eyes were wide

with terror, his face streaked with tears.

The guards and servants watched in silence, their faces somber with grief. They knew that

Zuki was too young to fully understand the permanence of death.

As Zuki continued to cry and shake Lila's body, the king's arrival was announced. The king

rushed into the room, his face ashen with grief…

The king's eyes widened in horror as he took in the scene before him. His gaze fell upon

Lila's lifeless body, and his face contorted in grief.

He rushed to Zuki's side, kneeling down beside his sobbing son. "Zuki, my child…oh, my

poor child," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

Zuki looked up at his father, his eyes red-rimmed with tears. "Hic…Aunt Lila…she won't

wake up!" he wailed, his small body shaking with sobs.

The king wrapped his arms around Zuki, holding him close as he cried. "I know, my child…I

know," he whispered, his own tears falling onto Zuki's hair.

As they mourned, the guards and servants slowly backed away, giving the royal family

space to grieve. The king's arrival had brought a sense of calm to the chaotic scene, but the

pain and sorrow remained, a heavy burden that would take time to bear.

As the king held Zuki close, he gently rocked him back and forth, trying to comfort his

distraught child. Zuki's sobs slowly began to subside, replaced by hiccuping gasps for air.

The king's eyes, however, remained fixed on Lila's lifeless body. He felt a wave of guilt wash

over him, wondering if there was anything he could have done to prevent this tragedy.

One of the guards cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Your Majesty, what…what do

you want us to do?" he asked, his voice hesitant.

The king took a deep breath, composing himself. "Inform the elders," he said, his voice firm

but laced with sorrow. "And…and prepare the funeral rites. We will give my sister the

farewell she deserves."

As the guard nodded and backed away, the king's gaze fell upon Zuki once more. His child's

eyes were closed, his small body exhausted from crying.

The king's heart ached as he held his son close, wondering how he would help Zuki through

this dark time…

On the other hand, Lyraez stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks as he heard the

commotion outside. His servant, Kael, burst into the room, looking pale.

"Master Lyraez, it's…it's the princess," Kael stammered.

Lyraez's eyes narrowed. "What about her?" he asked, his voice low and even.

Kael swallowed hard. "She's…she's dead, sir."

Lyraez's expression changed, his eyes widening in surprise. "What? How?" he demanded.

Kael hesitated before speaking. "I-I don't know all the details, sir. But…it seems she took

her own life."

Lyraez's face fell, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "How…inconvenient," he muttered.

Lyraez nodded, his mind already racing with the implications of Lila's death. "Kael, prepare

the carriage," he said, his voice low and even. "I'll be attending the funeral."

Kael bowed slightly. "Yes, sir. I'll see to it immediately."

Lyraez nodded, his gaze lingering on his reflection for a moment before he turned away. He

knew that attending the funeral would be a necessary gesture, one that would help him

maintain his façade of respectability.

Meanwhile, as the news of Gorthok's death spread in the Moonlight Wolf Clan, the clan's

stronghold was thrown into chaos. The Wolf King, enraged and grief-stricken, stormed

through the corridors, demanding answers.