Ancient Empire Calendar Year 1816
The funeral lasted longer than expected. Everyone was taking turns making long speeches for Seliarnevre.
Even Orsman was astonished by this.
"Normally, funerals don't even last an hour. This is the first time I've seen a funeral last this long."
"This was to be expected. Lady Seliarnevre Payrist was very beloved by the palace folk," said Eduardo.
The funeral continued until late at night, ending around midnight.
Ricardo retired to his room. His wife, Xiao Meiran, and his concubine, Dilara, were with him.
Without saying a word, Ricardo lay down on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"I am accustomed to death, but I can never get used to my mother's death, not in this life nor in my previous one," he thought.
Meiran and Dilara lay down beside Ricardo, hugged him, and rested their heads on his shoulders.
"Are they trying to comfort me? Perhaps if someone else were in my place, they would be sobbing uncontrollably, but I don't cry. No tears come from my eyes."
Ricardo closed his eyes and forcibly suppressed the voice in his mind, the pain in his heart, and the conflict in his soul, as if crushing a rebellion.
As Ricardo slowly fell asleep, he felt death always at his heels. He felt he was paying for the lives he had taken with those of his loved ones.
Both in this life and in his previous one.
A month had passed since the funeral. Everything had returned to normal.
While Ricardo was performing his duties for the Dynasty, a servant knocked on his door.
"Enter," said Ricardo.
The servant who entered the room bowed her head and spoke in a respectful tone.
"Dynasty Heir, the Dynasty Lord summons you to his study."
Ricardo stood up and walked towards the study.
He reached the room a few minutes later.
He knocked on the door.
"Enter," said Orsman.
Ricardo entered the room and bowed his head. The Eastern envoy present caught his attention.
"You summoned me, Dynasty Lord. What is your command?"
"A request for aid has come from Marco, the Dynasty Lord of Ashterah."
Ricardo was surprised.
"Is there another invasion?"
Orsman shook his head as if saying no.
"Half of the Eastern lands were burned and destroyed during the Sapharos Invasion; the other half we burned and destroyed during the Second Great Kislavein-Ashbrum War. Although Marco Ashterah has overcome these devastations, he needs help. Most of the skilled people in the East also died during the war, so they have personnel shortages."
Ricardo asked.
"I understand, Dynasty Lord. But what exactly does this matter have to do with me?"
"You must gain experience in governance. You cannot fully learn a job while staying by your parents' side. For real experience, you need to go to foreign lands. Prepare yourself. Take your wives and children with you. I am appointing you to lead the personnel we are sending to the East."
Ricardo bowed his head and accepted the order obediently.
"As you command, Dynasty Lord. With your permission."
Orsman raised his hand.
"You may go."
Ricardo left the room and ordered his servants to begin preparations.
A week later, the personnel team led by Ricardo had gathered in front of Kislathor to depart for the East.
Orsman had assigned three legions of Blood Hawks to protect his son, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.
At the head of the legion was Eduardo Kislavein, Ricardo's master and personal guard.
"All preparations are complete. We can depart, Dynasty Heir," said a Blood Hawk.
Ricardo nodded in approval. He mounted his horse; his wives and children would travel in a carriage.
Ricardo drew his sword, pointed it skyward, and gave the signal to move.
Seeing the signal, the group set off, led by the vanguard of Blood Hawks.
Dilara, watching the outside from the carriage, turned to the Easterner Xiao Meiran and asked curiously.
"How long will it take us to get from Kislathor to the East, Lady Xiao Meiran?"
Meiran turned her eyes from the daughter in her lap to Dilara.
"It will take us several months to reach Ashterah from here. I can't give an exact number. I don't know how long it will take with this crowd; it might even take until the end of the year."
Dilara's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wow, that long? Can these babies, who aren't even a few months old, endure such a long journey?"
"No, but they can endure it with my healing power," said Meiran.
Dilara bowed her head with jealousy.
"I'm really very jealous of you. You have a deep history and a wonderful power inherited from your lineage. I have neither an impressive history nor a power inherited from my ancestors."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. Your ancestors took part in many important battles in the Central Lands and accomplished great things. Even if the world has forgotten you in the last century, you and your descendants will accomplish great things," said Meiran.
Dilara smiled at these words.
"You're right. My daughter carries the genes of the future Dynasty Lord. Her children and the descendants that come from her can achieve great things. Maybe even centuries from now, a woman from my line could give birth to a Dynasty Lord!"
Meiran laughed.
"Hahahaha, your mood changes very quickly."
Dilara was embarrassed but very surprised.
"That's the first time I've seen you laugh."
Meiran was also very surprised.
"Yes, I suppose talking with you is good for me."
Dilara smiled. Meiran laughed with her. They spent their journey smiling and talking, and they arrived in Ashterah City towards the end of the year.