The entire capital was plunged into chaos. This was only natural, as it happened because the youngest, beloved daughter of the chief astrologer had suddenly passed away.
The high-ranking nobles who attended the funeral watched as the pale-faced heiress of the order lit candles on the altar where Gardenia's coffin lay with trembling hands. In the end, the woman was unable to light all ten candles and dropped the lighter from her hands.
«Oh my God.»
Everyone clicked their tongues when they saw Liana Dexsin's emaciated wrists after the sudden news of her younger sister's death. There was a lot of sympathy because most people had heard that after she first received the news, Liana had suffered from a high fever for seven full days and couldn't open her eyes. It was only by a miracle that she managed to recover in time to attend the funeral.
As for the cult leader himself...
Khalias Dehsin's face was so pale that it seemed even whiter than a sheet of paper. From the very beginning of the funeral, this man did not utter a word and showed no reaction when it was his turn to light the candles for the repose of his daughter's soul. It seemed as if, with the death of his youngest daughter, his soul had left his body along with her.
Ultimately, this was not surprising. After all, isn't the loss of a precious child the greatest grief for any parent?
Gardenia's funeral was a grand affair, if one could call it that.
It was almost impossible to see everyone because almost everyone who worked in the astrological order and the Imperial Palace came. Other nobles living in the capital and beyond came too.
Nevertheless, the eyes of all those present were undoubtedly fixed on one person. The one for whom this day was truly the greatest tragedy.
«The young head must be devastated right now...»
People continued to whisper among themselves for some time, discussing the terrible tragedy that had befallen the family of the chief astrologer. This continued until one person, who was also standing in the crowd, stepped forward.
Everyone fell silent when they saw the person holding the lighter. It was a woman with silver hair, dressed in black. She then began to light the remaining candles directly with the lighter, when Liana Dexsin was unable to do so.
It was natural for a relative who attended the funeral to light a candle. Moreover, even though they were not related by blood, their families were still closely connected to each other.
Now, the gaze of those who saw this scene changed from pity to interest or disgust. At Gardenia's funeral, this woman had acted quite boldly, and perhaps even provocatively, when she came here.
Now, when the two women's eyes met, it was difficult not to notice the sparks that flew between them.
— Lady Dexsin, I offer my sincere condolences for your loss.
The princess of the north who spoke these words met Liana's gaze. For the first time since Gardenia's death, the heiress of the order's dull gaze flashed. She had to bite her lip to keep from showing too much emotion.
— .....
Nevertheless, despite the lack of any response, Asil Nara Ashelot was not at all embarrassed. Asil bowed politely in front of the memorial plaque while Liana was still kneeling in front of the coffin.
— I just want to say that in these difficult times, the north mourns with you, — she said.
After paying her respects to the deceased, she turned and walked slowly back. At that moment, everyone's eyes followed her as Liana Dehsin grabbed the coffin lid and stared after her.
After Gardenia Dexsin's sudden death, public opinion boiled over.
After all, this tragic incident had occurred in the northern territory and could not help but be linked to the northern devil himself. According to the official version, it was just an accident when the girl fell into the clutches of monsters before help could arrive.
As for another theory that continued to spread actively in high society... People preferred not to mention it aloud.
Ultimately, no one wanted to be responsible for the consequences that would be associated with spreading these very rumours. And for this reason, people continued to tactfully remain silent when Asil returned to her place.
— Wife, when are we leaving here?
The immature, muttering tone made Remesis Rania Ashelot, the princess's spouse, feel frowning.
— Stop it. How can you say such things at a funeral?
— But, wife, I have already paid my respects, as you told me to... What else can we do here?
— Be patient a little longer. The ceremony is not over yet.
Asil could only blink as she listened to her wife's categorical objection.
In the end, she just sighed and puffed out her cheeks, behaving like a capricious child whom adults had forced to participate in a boring formal event.
Remesis frowned as she watched her.
— Wife.
Out of boredom, Asil quietly called her a few more times, buried her face in her neck, and kissed her gently. Remesis asked her to stop doing indecent things in public, but Asil did not listen to her and continued to play with her as if she were a puppy.
«Ah.»
Remesis sighed when she once again suffered defeat at the hands of the princess and allowed herself to be kissed on the neck, when in fact her thoughts were far away.
The shocking death of Gardenia Dexsin shook the empire at the same time as the news of the death of the crown princess. It seemed as if an unknown evil fate had befallen the empire in an instant.
How on earth could these two shocking events have happened at the same time?
At present, the investigation into the death of the crown princess was still ongoing, and as for the death of Gardenia Dexsin, it had been officially recognised as an accident. Nevertheless, despite this, Remesis still had her doubts about the matter.
Gardenia Dexsin should not have died in such a way. At least, that was what Remesis knew for certain, based on her knowledge of her past life.
Nevertheless, it had happened.
That day, Asil had returned with only the remains of her body, stating that it was all her soldiers had been able to find. According to the testimony of the knights who participated in the rescue operation, they personally saw demonic beasts devouring the remains of Gardenia's corpse before they managed to drive them away. Among the participants in the operation were also people who had earned Remesis' trust and would not lie to her.
Nevertheless, even after all this had happened and an official funeral had been held, Remesis could not stop tormenting herself with doubts.
«Was it really just an accident?»
Remesis looked at the princess rubbing her neck and felt conflicting emotions.
As for attending the funeral, it was entirely her initiative. Ultimately, since the incident had occurred on her territory, Remesis couldn't ignore it even if she wanted to. She had to show up at the event, even if only out of common courtesy accepted in society.
The girl was one of the first to pay her respects to the deceased, doing so in front of Liana Dexsin. The heiress of the order herself was in such a depressed state that Remesis was unable to even talk to her a little. Liana seemed not to see her at all at that moment.
Although they were not particularly close, their relationship could not be called bad, so seeing her in such a state was a little depressing for Remesis. Although, what other mood could she be in at the funeral of her own younger sister?
— ...Wife?
Remesis' train of thought was interrupted when the silence was broken by a quiet, insinuating voice. Remesis opened her eyes as if awakening from oblivion. In response to the unexpected interruption, the young woman next to her parted her lips, as if asking once again: 'How much longer will we be here?' Only then did the focus sharpen, and their eyes met.
Eyes that sparkled like the sun shining through them were turned towards her. Remesis covered her eyes, as if from fatigue.
Although they had arrived at the funeral only an hour ago, the princess had no patience to wait with dignity for the ceremony to end. Instead, she continued to openly show her boredom and pester Remesis, who had been trying to keep her composure all this time.
In fact, such behaviour was completely unacceptable at such an event and was considered an insult not only to the deceased but also to her family members. But then again, had the princess ever cared about such things?
However...
The next moment, Remesis had no choice but to finally give in.
— All right. If that's what you want, then we'll leave.
Asil looked at her happily.
— In that case, wife, maybe now we can do something more interesting than this boring funeral ceremony?
The fingers holding her were gentle but firm at the same time. The eyes looking at Remesis were excited, like those of an ardent admirer or a child who had finally received a cherished gift.
The princess of the north was wary.
«Hmm? What has she come up with this time?»
As usual, Remesis's premonition about her wife's plans was not very good.