Nathaniel woke up with a throbbing headache. His eyes were swollen from crying, and his body felt heavier than it ever had. He remained seated on the bed for what felt like forever before finally forcing himself to stand.
He washed his face with cold water and looked at his reflection.
"Aurora needs me," he whispered to himself.
He opened the bedroom door and stepped outside.
The servants, guards, Jasmine, Olivia, and Frederick had all been waiting quietly in the hallway. The moment they saw him standing, they released a sigh of relief.
Nathaniel looked at everyone before speaking.
"Let the burial arrangements begin."
His voice was empty.
No one argued.
Preparations had already started. A white wooden casket had been made during the night, the priests had been informed, and Eleanor's family had arrived from different parts of Aerathia. The entire Clifford Estate had become a house of mourning.
The following day came.
The Clifford Estate, once filled with laughter during Aurora's birthday, was now decorated in black and white. Long black drapes hung from the balconies, white lilies surrounded the entrance, and candles burned along the stone pathway leading to the family chapel. Every servant wore black, and nobles from Aerathia arrived dressed in dark mourning clothes to pay their final respects.
Nathaniel sat in the front row, dressed completely in black.
His eyes never left the white casket.
Aurora remained inside the mansion with the maids. Nathaniel couldn't bring himself to let a four-year-old watch her mother's burial.
The priest stepped forward.
"We have gathered here today to honour the life of Eleanor Clifford... daughter, wife, mother, and Duchess of Aerathia. Though her time with us was short, her love will remain in every heart she touched."
The priest lowered his head.
"Let us stand and sing for the soul of the departed."
Everyone rose.
A slow hymn filled the estate.
Olivia quietly held Nathaniel's hand because he couldn't bring himself to sing a single word. His throat closed every time he looked at the casket.
After the prayers ended, the priest nodded toward the guards.
The casket was opened one last time, and Nathaniel slowly walked closer. His world stopped.
Eleanor lay peacefully inside, dressed in a white gown with fresh lilies around her. Her face looked calm, almost as though she was sleeping, but her pale skin carried faint purple-red patches along her neck and hands-the cruel marks left behind by her illness.
Nathaniel's lips trembled as a broken smile appeared on his face.
"You still look beautiful..."
His voice cracked before he looked away, unable to bear another second.
The guards gently closed the casket.
The procession moved toward the Clifford family cemetery, located behind the estate where generations of Cliffords rested beneath tall white marble stones.
The grave had already been prepared.
Slowly, the guards lowered Eleanor's casket into the earth.
Silence filled the cemetery.
Nathaniel stepped forward carrying a single white rose.
"Goodbye... my love."
He placed it gently on top of the casket before stepping back.
Everyone bowed their heads while the guards began covering the casket with soil. The sound of sand hitting the wood echoed through the cemetery until the grave disappeared beneath the earth.
Eleanor Clifford was gone.
The family slowly returned to the mansion, and the house felt emptier than ever. The moment Nathaniel entered, tiny footsteps rushed toward him.
"Daddy!"
Aurora threw herself into his arms.
"Where's Mummy?" She looked around the room innocently. "The maids said she went somewhere."
Nathaniel immediately knelt before her as his heart broke all over again.
"Yes... Mummy went somewhere."
"When is she coming back? She promised me cookies."
Nathaniel smiled through tears.
"I don't know, my princess. But before Mummy left, she told me to tell you something."
Aurora's eyes lit up, "What did she say?"
"She said you must be a good girl, read your books, listen to Daddy and the maids... so she'll be proud of you."
"Really?"
"Really."
Nathaniel hugged her tightly, holding back his tears.
"And remember... Mummy is watching us from above." He pointed toward the sky, "You can always talk to her."
Aurora looked up through the window.
"Okay, Daddy."
The maids gently took her away, while Nathaniel remained kneeling long after she left, shortly Olivia quietly approached him.
"How are you feeling?"
He didn't even think before answering.
"Bad."
Olivia sat beside him, "Nathaniel..."
He looked at her.
"When are you going to marry again?"
Nathaniel stared at her in disbelief.
"Mother..."
His voice carried anger for the first time. "She died yesterday, and marriage is already what you're thinking about?"
Olivia closed her eyes, "I know it sounds cruel."
"Then why say it?"
"Because Aurora needs a mother."
Nathaniel looked away, "There are maids."
"Eleanor wanted someone to love Aurora."
He clenched his jaw, "No one can replace Eleanor."
Olivia sighed, "You think I don't know that?"
Her own eyes became wet.
"When your father died... I wanted to die with him."
Nathaniel looked at her.
"I became a Duchess, a mother, and a provider all at once. I buried my husband and still woke up every morning because my children were waiting for me."
A tear rolled down Olivia's cheek.
"Some days I wished someone would take away the loneliness."
She smiled sadly.
"But life kept moving because you, Jasmine and Frederick needed me."
Nathaniel lowered his head, "I've heard you, Mother."
Olivia stood up. "You're young, Nathaniel."
She gently touched his shoulder. "Don't let yesterday become the end of your life."
She walked away quietly.
Nathaniel remained alone. His eyes landed on Eleanor's portrait hanging on the wall and walked toward it and touched the frame.
"No one can replace you."
His voice was barely audible.
Days passed and Nathaniel buried himself in work. He stayed longer at the palace, slept in taverns, and returned home only when exhaustion forced him to. Every corner of the estate reminded him of Eleanor.
One evening Olivia found him in the living room.
"Aurora wanted to see you."
Nathaniel didn't look up, "I was busy."
"Busy doing what?"
"Working."
His voice became louder. "Putting food on the table. Fulfilling my duties as Duke."
Olivia's expression hardened, "You do not speak to me like that."
Nathaniel immediately looked away.
Silence followed.
"She had a fever yesterday," Olivia said quietly. "She cried for her father... but her father was nowhere to be found."
Nathaniel's heart tightened, "There were maids."
Olivia shook her head, "Maids cannot replace a father."
Her voice trembled.
"If I could carry this family after losing my husband... then you can raise your daughter after losing your wife."
Nathaniel said nothing, after that a long silence followed. He stood up.
"I'll go to her."
Olivia smiled faintly, "That's the son I raised."
Nathaniel walked to Aurora's room. She was sitting on the floor with crayons scattered around her, drawing on a piece of paper. The moment she saw him, she jumped up.
"Daddy!"
She ran straight into his arms amd Nathaniel caught her and hugged her tightly.
"Yes, my princess."
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
He kissed her forehead and checked her temperature.
"Are you feeling better now?"
She nodded happily, "I'm okay."
Nathaniel smiled, "Good."
Aurora looked at him for a few seconds before asking the question he feared most.
"When will Mummy come home?"
His smile disappeared then he swallowed painfully.
"I don't know." He pointed toward the sky again, "But she's watching us."
Aurora frowned.
"I've talked to her every day... but she never answers me."
Her little voice broke as tears filled her eyes. Nathaniel then pulled her into his chest immediately.
"Don't cry."
He kissed her hair.
"Mummy may not be here... but Daddy is here."
Aurora slowly nodded.
Nathaniel laid her gently on the bed and tucked the blanket around her small body. He blew out the candle beside her bed.
As Aurora drifted to sleep, while Nathaniel remained sitting beside her, watching the little girl Eleanor had trusted him to protect.
For the first time since Eleanor's death... He realized he could no longer live only for his grief.
He had to live for Aurora.