Flora was more than glad when Felix hadn't come back to visit in a while. Well, that's what she told herself. While she was incredibly angry at Felix for ignoring her concerns about marriage, she had grown bored sitting in her chambers alone all day, only seeing Rose and Amelia a few times throughout the day. Rose didn't like Amelia staying to long and chatting. As she put it, "if the girl has time to talk, she has time to train" and left it at that.
A gust of wind shuddered the window panes, causing Flora to jump. She was still having terrible nightmares during the night, but they had evolved into something more... muddled. Felix visits had calmed down her anxiety quite a bit, as she always felt safe with him. However, since their argument, things had gone a bit sour. Flora felt powerless, like no decision was truly her own. When she closed her eyes at night, she saw not only that vulgar man, but also something more abstract. Her nightmares would melt from that day, to the day her father beat her for information. Sometimes, a mysterious man, calling himself her husband would stand over her, forcing her into submission. Flora hated being like this. Why couldn't she just forget the whole incident and move on? Did she need to be stronger, or maybe something else?
The windows rattled again as the wind blew the clouds closer to the palace. Flora went over to close the curtains and lock the window. As she looked out, she could see little flurries making their way towards the ground. The first snow of winter. She tightly closed the curtains and went back to where she was meditating, still trying to see if she could reach out to something, anything really. She had been doing this for most of the morning, so she decided to take a break. The solstice was a little over a month away, so she decided that she would make a plan to bake cookies with Felix. It was a holiday tradition, but they didn't get to do it last year due to the war. She knew he was busy, but it might just be the perfect opportunity to make amends with him. There wasn't much of a point of staying upset for so long.
There was a curt knock on the door, alerting her to Rose's presence. She called her in, looking over to see Rose's face. Immediately, Flora knew something was wrong. Rose had a forlorn look on her face, her eyes cast downward. Neither of them spoke as they looked at each other. Flora, concerned, asked Rose, "is something the matter?" Rose didn't reply at first, so Flora spoke again, "it looks like there is something you don't want to tell me."
Rose stood there for a moment, apparently collecting her thoughts. She had never been one for chatter, but it was incredibly unusual that she wouldn't speak what was on her mind. She took a deep breath and almost whispered, "I have terrible news." She paused, dreading what she was about to say next. "The king is dead."
Speechless, Flora could only stand there with her mouth agape. What did she mean the king was dead? He wasn't that old and had seemed to be in good health. "How?" Flora could barely even make it out.
"I do not know the direct details, but he was found dead a few hours ago in his chambers." Rose's eyes roamed about the room, purposefully avoiding Flora's gaze. She didn't offer anymore information on the subject.
"What?" Flora was still utterly shocked. She had never really imagined life without her father, and that would mean... "Where is Felix?" She rushed over to the door, reaching for the handle, but Rose grabbed her arm before she could reach it. "Rose, I need to go see Felix. I need to know if he is alright."
"Calm down child," Rose murmured, trying to soothe Flora. "You need to wait here for a while until you are called upon. I am sure his highness has a lot to deal with right now." She lead Flora over to a chair, urging her to sit down. "He does not need you getting in his way."
"But..."
"No, you need to stay here." Rose was more firm this time. Flora wasn't going to be able to leave under her watch. "There will be a time for that, but not right now." She walked through the door into her dinning room, bringing back a steaming cup of hot chocolate. "Drink this."
Rose always had a way of commanding Flora about, but she didn't object as she slowly sipped the drink. It was a little too warm for her tongue, but she didn't even process the drink as her mind swirled. What was going to happen next? Prana had just lost a war, were they in danger changing leadership like this? Felix was still so young, would he be able to handle it? Flora finished her drink, and set down the cup, her hand wobbling the whole time. She was more shaken up than she realized.
A knock sounded a few doors down, the one by the outside hallway. Rose got out of her chair, and went to meet the person while Flora sat awkwardly twiddling her thumbs. Was she really only to sit and wait for someone to come get her? She felt even more useless than usual. Flora hated feeling like this. Rose returned, a guard in tow. He was clutching a piece of paper, trying to hide his fear of being in the same room as Flora. She could have laughed at the situation under different circumstances, but instead addressed the man in a cold tone, simply ordering, "speak."
The guard flinched back a bit, causing Flora's eyebrows to raise. Is this really what is left of the royal guard? "Yes, your highness." His lips quivered as he spoke, "I have a message from his majesty." He reluctantly held out the envelope in his hands for her.
Flora looked down at his hands with an annoyed look. Obviously she wasn't going to take that from him. "Give that to my hand maiden." The guard's posture sank into a relieved stance, handing the letter over to Rose. Flora didn't particularly like men in her room other than Felix, so she tersely said, "you are dismissed, now leave." She didn't need to speak twice as the man whipped around and followed his way back to the hallway. As she heard the last door click shut, she opened the letter from Felix. It was short, but Flora instantly recognized Felix's rushed handwriting. The note read:
Flora, our father has died, and I am now the king. Please do not worry. There will be a funeral held at sunrise in his honor. Your brother, Felix.
She sat for a minute, staring at the sloppy handwriting. It looked like he had only a moment to write down his thoughts to her. At least he was alright, she thought to herself. Rose had returned and was seated across from her, staring intently at Flora. "It would seem that we have a funeral to attend tomorrow Rose." Rose looked at her in silent question, worried. "I am fine Rose, do not worry about me." She didn't look convinced, so Flora moved on, "I need you to find me a black dress for tomorrow. I will see you first thing tomorrow."
* * *
The wind bit at Flora's nose as she stood bundled up against the cold, waiting for the procession to begin. She pulled her coat tighter around her body, struggling to keep the heat inside. Flora grumbled, wishing that Rose had been able to find her some thicker tights since her dress left her ankles exposed. She looked over towards Rose, dressed in the same mourning attire as everyone else. Rose didn't seem to be shivering as much as Flora was, maybe it was her heart of stone. Her gaze moved toward the large group of people huddled around the king's tomb, the place where all of the kings in Prana's history were laid to rest.
Advisor Perrin approached Flora and Rose, bowing before he spoke, "my sincerest condolences, your highness." Flora only nodded in response. "We are going to begin soon." Perrin opened the door, and six pallbearers exited the castle, carrying the coffin. They stopped in front of Perrin, still as death and looking forward towards the tomb.
Perrin bowed even deeper than before towards the door where Felix appeared dressed in the ceremonial mourning attire. The outfit was a jet black tunic embroidered with the Pranian colors of red and gold and plain black pants to match. Affixed around his neck, was a solid black cloak that looked as if it would swallow him whole. That cloak had been worn by every single new king for almost two centuries. It must have been preserved by magic to have lasted this long. Felix didn't even look towards Flora as he assumed his position in front of the pallbearers. Without a word, he moved forward, the procession following after him.
The service went by slowly and painfully. There were so many ceremonial steps that needed to be followed in order. This mostly meant that there was an action, a prayer, an action, a prayer, and so forth. The doors to the tomb were finally unlocked and opened about an hour into the service, and Flora hoped that it would be over soon... Hoped, but that would probably not happen since there was no move to place the coffin inside.
Flora shifted her feet slightly to not garner any attention from any of the nobles or clergy attending. She was placed towards the opening of the tomb, behind Felix, put on display as a member of the royal family. It wasn't as if she wasn't used to being gawked at anyway. Flora was freezing as tears pricked her eyes from the frigid wind blowing across the grounds. Flurries of snow began to fall, wetting Flora's boots and making her wish that she was the one going inside of the tomb. This might be the most miserable experience ever.
Finally, after what seemed like forever to Flora, Felix took the place of the priest to say the closing remarks. Flora had stopped paying attention as his voice drowned on and on, devoid of any emotion. Flora supposed that it wasn't surprising that Felix felt no emotion towards the death of the king. He was probably more concerned with what was to follow with him gone. It wasn't like the king had ever been a father to either of them. He was a rigid and grim man that only really cared about making Prana stronger.
Flora was snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of her own name. Felix wasn't addressing her, but he was talking about the family. "We are incredibly privileged to be a part of the Premoni family, and we bear that name with such a deep sense of pride. The Premoni family has a duty to carry on Prana's traditions and keep our country strong. Sacrificing ourselves for our country is not just expected, but a burden to take on with the utmost honor. My father ruled this country to the best of his ability. He wanted what was best for Prana, not himself. He was not only a great king, but a great man. My sister and I are so very lucky to have had a man like him as our father..."
Without even realizing it, Flora had begun to cry. She didn't even know why she was. It wasn't like the king had ever been a real father to her. In fact, he had practically exiled her to a far away part of the castle. Rose had told her that at some point her father had loved her, but that love wasn't strong enough to last past her mother's death. The king had not treated her as if she was his daughter ever since. She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief Rose had placed in her pocket. Why was she so upset? Flora should be relieved that the king was no longer around. Instead of relief there was a hollowness, as if something was missing.
The service finally ended, and the group of people headed back inside to the castle to the receiving room where the wake would be held. Tables had been set up with platters of food for the attendees to snack on as they waited their turn to express their condolences. Flora was sat next to Felix, who had taken up the place on the king's throne. Well, it was HIS throne now, Flora realized. Each group of people approached the dais, bowing and curtsying deeply, the groveling to gain Felix's favor disgustingly apparent.
Thankfully, most of the guests ignored Flora and focused only on their new king. She was able to stare off into the distance and ignore the annoying nobles. They would probably just assume she was grief stricken and leave it that. After what seemed like forever, again, Felix announced the end of the wake and left the room without another word. He must be exhausted from everything. Flora hoped he would get more rest soon. She ducked out of the room as people dispersed, trying to avoid any interaction. When Flora finally got back to her chambers, she flopped on the bed, not even bothering to take off her dress. She burrowed herself into the covers, savoring the warmth they provided, and fell asleep without another thought.