The sky turned into an ashy gray color. The clouds thick and heavy released light rain. The carriage rattled and shook on ever rock with every pebble that it ran over, the wheels wet from gathered puddles on the streets. Everyone, outside the small carriage window, walked with heads down, hurrying to the one place that carried grief and pain.
Emerelda looks away and to her hands holding each other tight till her pale skin turns white as paper. She told herself she would not cry it was only right. She shifts in her dress; the dark, black, plain, fabric spread itself on the blue leathered seat. Ahead of her sat Emmet, watching her with worried eyes.
She looks up and silently said she was fine. He was not convinced. She wasn't either.
Finally the carriage came to a stop and Emmett took the parasol and pushes the door open, he smoothly got out and held out a hand, Emerelda took it. She stood on the step and looks around. The glowing Golden Gates of Garlin a distance away, although it was hard to tell through the thick fog that gathered around the cemetery.
A memory came to her.
"Why is the cemetery of fallen royals near the Golden Gates of Garlin?" She sighs looking over at her brother who sat reading in front of her. They were in the royal library. She was studying as he was wasting time.
"Because-"
"No!" She cuts him off, "Let me answer. Ahem, because-"
"Because when the first King of Garlin was fighting over the land over those who wanted to intrude, he fought and pushed the enemies back. But sadly," he placed a hand on his chest acting as if he was upset, "He had passed away on the ground. They decided to bury him there; a reminder that he was the one who made sure Garlin was its own country standing tall away from greedy hands."
She glared at him, "Oh Floyd, thank you very much for that information."
Floyd bowed his head, "Of course. I'm glad to be able to help you with your royal inquiry test." He smirks. He's blue crystal eyes were twinkling.
"That wasn't funny."
"When I'm gone you'll find this moment hilarious."
She rolled her eyes, "Please, do leave."
He stood up and stretched, "Your right, I have responsibilities to carry out." He dropped he's book on the table, "Don't miss me too much or cry." And he winks leaving her alone annoyed.
How ironic, she thought, to remember such a memory of that at this specific time.
She got down and Emmett opened the parasol and held it above their heads. She was ready to move when he didn't. He looked down and whispered, "Ready?" he's gold eyes soft.
She nods and they followed the crowd inside the cemetery. She had a handkerchief covering her nose and mouth, and a bonnet that covered almost half her face. If anyone did tend to look her way, it would be hard to recognize her, especially with her hair cut short.
The cemetery gates were large and tall as well, smaller then the Golden Gates of Garlin, and in silver. All around royals of the past were buried. All around her past family members laid dead. She remembers coming here to her mother's burial. It was all blurry as she was sobbing, thought she remembered everything that had happened. How Floyd held onto her tight. How the Priest had spoken of her mother's greatness. How her Father laid the first rose. How she laid the third rose. How they covered the dark wood casket with soil.
"From dirt we came from and dirt we return. To lord we pray to during the living, and death we go to him."
Standing at the center was her Father, the King of Garlin. He stood grim, large hands clasp in front of him. Apostles filled the first row of the circle, then nobles, and finally the commoners. Emmett found a place where it was right behind the Nobel Thomas family.
Luther turned once and said nothing.
The choir that stood behind the King at the center wearing all black started to open their mouth and a musical sound escaped from it. Everyone turned their heads under their parasol and watched the royal guards and the Priest who spoke for her mother walk towards the King from the silver gates.
The priest was the only one wearing white. They had all wore black, the armor of the royal guards were a deep onyx, only to be worn for a royal's death or after a war to show the mourning of the fallen. Elliot and Mr. Leonard were at the front, as their families were the protectors of Royals. Trent Leonard protected the first King till he's final death, and it was he's Brother Karl who carried the casket of the first King till he's grave.
They slowly walked, the left side of the large circle opened up for them as they stepped through. The casket was a deep brown wood color. At the front of the casket, the initials F and G were engraved. Nothing else, there was no more decoration. Death is not to be decorated for, death was not to make it seem appealing. It was a reminder that one day, you would be next.
Finally they placed it beside the open grave and the Priest started to talk. The sobbing started, and the sad, grim, faces worsen, and the choir's voices ended.
"…he was a magnificent son of the King, a warm, caring Brother for the Princess, and respected the late Queen as if she was he's own mother. Always had a wide smile, he's blue eyes would sparkle with kindness when he spoke with anyone. He was the true light in the palace." he was saying.
He was much more, she wanted to scream, much more, but she held herself.
"When god came down and given the first nine people of he's chosen desire here at Garlin, he had given each their very own unique gift that could be passed down from generations, to generations. There was one who asked for the gift of bringing back the dead, but God refused. He had said 'Death is a gift of God only, and only God shall keep he's gift.'"
Someone appeared next to Emerelda and she looked down. White hair stuck out from their black cap, pale hands gripping the parasol as if it was holding it for their dear life. Vivian Throne. He's silver eyes looked up at her and nodded. She nodded back.
The guards lift up the casket and placed it in the grave.
"Let the first of the one who brought Floyd to the world cover him to the dirt we came from. Let he's murderer perish in hell. And let he's sins be washed away with he's final breath!" a guard gave him a tray, and a single fresh golden rose from the palace garden lay. He stepped aside holing it out for the King.
The king took it and placed the single rose on the casket.
There wasn't another family member to drop a rose.
She was supposed to be there to do so.
But she wasn't.
And she wouldn't be able to have her golden rose buried with the casket.
The king bent, picked up the wet dirt on the side with he's gloved hands and sprinkled on top of the casket.
"May Floyd Andrew Garlin, Prince of Garlin Golden state, son of Deim Garlin be with god, and may he rest peace and judged well. Heu, ut pax in aeternum ire cum te regia unum, Reliquum nunc o regia unum!"
Everyone at once started to chant, "Reliquum nunc o regia unum! Reliquum nunc o regia unum!"
The guards all at once started to fill the grave as the King stood silent watching with grave eyes.
"Reliquum nunc o regia unum! Reliquum nunc o regia unum!" all around people chanted.
"Rest now oh royal one." Vivian whispers, "Rest now oh royal one."
"Reliquum nunc o regia unum! Reliquum nunc o regia unum!"
Emmett said nothing, nor did the Thomas family.
"Reliquum nunc o regia unum! Reliquum nunc o regia unum!"
The casket started to disappear under the dirt.
She didn't even get to say good bye.
"Reliquum nunc o regia unum! Reliquum nunc o regia unum!"
The boy at front next to Luther under he's parasol gasps, he turned he's head and started to follow something until he's head turned back to her. She was trying hard not to cry and had her head held high under the parasol. Her lips shut in a fine line.
The boy had dark brown hair and a brilliant color of dark blue eyes. He's dark blue eyes trailed and stopped in front of her. He watched with eyes wide and lips partly open. He's eyes went side to side and then a small smile appeared on lips. He slightly nods and turned back.
She frowned and looked at Emmett who was slightly smiling in awe but said nothing. She then looks at Vivian, though he was too busy staring at the boy with a small smile.
Finally the casket was filled and at last everyone chanted the last chant, "Reliquum nunc o regia unum! Reliquum nunc o regia unum!" and the Thomas family said it with them for the first time, Emmett murmured along, and she couldn't help herself, Emerelda did as well.
She suddenly felt no need to fight her tears.
The boy in front of her could see the dead. He had seen her brother and he had come to her for his final good bye.
Her brother was dead, although she now accepted he's death. It still pained her deeply, though knowing her brother is safe somewhere else gave her a sense of slight peace.