It was a calm evening, one that could put anyone asleep or at ease. "Ms. Verzura we have arrived"
"It seems so we have" however, as I am now stepping out of this carriage and onto the muddy ground, nothing about this reunion seems peaceful. does it?
"We should hurry at once, the Sifanos get very impatient when people take too long"
"You worry too much Simon" pushing the shaft of my umbrella up i can see just how sad this place is. Gravestones along with more gravestones, i sigh.
"Besides, it's not like the dead has a saying of how long we take. isn't the purpose of a funeral to spend as much time as you can with your loved ones before sending them back to the earth?"
"Well..."
"Forget it" i dismiss him "That's not something for you to answer at your day and age" i start walking ahead of my dear butler who has been with me since i was an adolescent.
After a while of walking, we get there. "Sarah! it's so great to see you!" the joyful man hugged me despite the reason for my presence
"even in circumstances like these?"
"ah- yes well..."
It wasn't his fault, i bet the old fool was just happy to see his nephew. "hows Cassandra?"
he gave me a sad smile in return, giving the coffin a glance then looking back at me
"shes... way more happier in heaven"
ah.. heaven... a foolish fairytale that fooled society so much, government is practically involved in it.
Giving him my own soft smile i spoke in return "i bet the angels love playing teatime with her" the poor man broke down sobbing
"y-yea! they would love that wouldn't they?" i pat his back trying to give some form of comfort
"I know they would adore her til the very end"
"Thank you so much Sarah"
After that, we all payed our respects to his little girl. It was time for her to go, but of course not without a few words.
"My sweet little Cassandra, my baby girl was the light of my life. she would always laugh and play with the biggest and most widest smile on her face. she was my sugarplum and she always will be"
He looks at the coffin tearing up once more
"Cassandra baby girl, Daddy will always love you even if your playing with the angels, i just ask of you baby, please let daddy see you one last time." that was it, the final blow to his heart before he started to break down in grief.
I walked up to the podium looking Howard in the eyes, his were teary and filled with sorrow, mine on the other hand, nonchalant and filled with nothing but what i was seeing in front of me.
"It's okay Howard, I'll take it from here" a sad broken father of a man. "Thank you Sarah" he walked off back to his wife back into the crowd.
"Now i'm sure all of you may know Howard's wonderful daughter of the Sifanos family, i too played with her when i visited for business to meet with Queen Sirariuh." muttering in the crowd began, probably due to the undying fact Cassandra's own sister didn't show up.
"I believe she loved Cassandra the same way her father does, however she is a busy woman so please refrain from speaking ill of others while they are not present." the crowd got quiet, good.
"Cassandra was a flower blossom, blooming and growing whoever she latched onto, she grew on me. i was much kinder and gentle when she was around, not because she was a child but because she was a dignified lady. we would have tea parties often and her smile lit up the room, it made me feel warm and she felt like home. her actions made me feel included in her little mystery of a family." I smiled softly feeling the warmth once again
"Just because she's no longer here with us physically doesn't mean she's gone. But she has only evolved into a better life while truly having fun to her hearts content. Cassandra will always love her family she will always love you, Howard and Olivia as well as the rest of the Sifano family." the crowd clapped as the rain finally cleared up.
Stepping down from the podium Howard and his family approached me.
"Yes? did I perhaps say something of offens-"
Howard pulled me in for a hug "Thank you so much Sarah" it was tight and loving....i didn't like it.
"of course Howard" the rest of the family hugged me too, well... except for Sirariuh.
"If only Sirariuh was her she would hug you too" debatable
"I appreciate the thought, but the Queen has further opportunities to do that with me. it doesn't have to be at a funeral."
"I know" I feel them all move away from me, giving me room to move away myself from Howard's hug.
"Ms. Verzura, shall we go?" shifting my attention to the voice that called for me i agree.
"Let's go Simon"
Passing by each grave with every step, my mind wanders to my childhood friend once again which causes me to mutter "I wanna see her again Simon" I hear my butlers footsteps come to a stop.
"Ms. Verzura, you know that's impossible" I sigh frustrated and turn around to face him
"You know, i don't remember a single thing about her. her face, her name, just the fact that she called me Reena."
"Remembering the dead is-"
"Pointless... I know Simon" we remained in unspoken silence for awhile
"Come on, there's no use talking about her to you anyway"
"Ms. Verzura, i didn't mean to-"
"Just drop it, okay?" my tone remained nonchalant as always, but Simon knows me better than anyone. he knew i was deeply upset.
Simply because i can't move on.