The funeral and coronation
Amidst the chaos, Elysia's voice pierced through, "No, we have to go back!" She watched in horror as the dragon set the castle ablaze. Erik, tears streaming down his face, grasped her shoulders. "It's too late; there's nothing we can do," he sobbed.
From atop his horse, Deran—Elysia's brother—witnessed the fiery destruction. Survivors fled on horseback and in carriages, desperate to escape the inferno.
Elysia, Erik, Derik, and Aria stood together, tears mingling with ash as they watched their home burn. A royal council member who had narrowly escaped approached them. "My prince, shall we seek refuge in the castle by the shore?"
Erik turned to Elysia, urgency in his voice. "We must go. That dragon could return at any moment," he said, helping her to her feet while she was still reeling from shock.
Together, they mounted a horse and rode toward the Valdhorian Mountains near the shores.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by open gates and Erik's cousin Vēnlēnsēn. "What brings you here?" he inquired.
"This too is my home," Erik snapped, brushing past Vēnlēnsēn with a mix of anger and grief.
"What happened?" Vēnlēnsēn pressed.
"We were attacked," the council member interjected. "I'll explain later." Elysia followed Erik into the sanctuary of the castle.
Erik led her to a room. "This will be your quarters for now. Tomorrow you might be moved to another. I hope it's to your liking," he said before turning to leave.
"Are you okay?" Elysia called out before he could exit. "Today my family was murdered, as was most of yours. How are you coping?"
"I'm trying not to think about it," he replied with a hollow gaze.
"Please don't leave," she implored.
"Do you not wish for some time alone?" he asked gently.
"No, I really need someone right now," she whispered through tears.
He sat beside her on the bed; she rested her head on his shoulder as they shared their grief into the night. Sleep eluded them both as they wallowed in their sorrow.
The next morning, as dawn painted the sky with hues of hope, Elysia awoke to find Erik gone. She descended the stairs to find Aria waiting below.
"How are you holding up?" Aria asked softly.
"I'm managing. Where is your brother?" Elysia replied.
"He went to collect the burned bodies," Aria informed her with a somber tone.
"And my brother?" Elysia's voice trembled.
"He went with Vēnlēnsēn to search for your parents' remains," Aria said gently. "They left early in the morning."
A servant approached them with news that chilled Elysia to her core. "Princess Aria, your brother has returned—with the bodies."
Erik arrived on horseback, with carriages trailing behind him carrying the lifeless body of Derik. Dismounting, he inquired, "How did you sleep, Elysia?" She replied, "I slept well. Did you find their bodies?" He nodded, "Yes, I did."
"Where are the bodies? I would like to see them," she said. He deterred her, "The bodies are in a terrible state; sadly, mother was found without a head." Her voice trembled as she asked, "So when will we bury them, and when can we go home?"
He explained, "We can't go home yet. The bridge connecting our kingdoms has been destroyed, and you can't leave."
"Why can't I leave?" she demanded. He revealed, "You are now married and Erik is king; you are queen." She protested, "But I never wanted this."
"I know," he sympathized, "but I can't extricate you from this marriage now." She pleaded, "Can I at least see mother and father's bodies?"
He consented, "Fine, you may see them before my departure but not now; it will only upset you." Confused, she queried, "Do you leave today?" He confirmed, "Yes, for I am now king of Eldenhart and you won't be accompanying me."
She acquiesced with a simple "Okay," then approached Erik. Upon seeing her, he asked the same question about her sleep and informed her of finding his brother's body along with the others.
"We will bury Lēnsērīa's body next to my uncle today; after that will be my coronation as well as yours," he said somberly, the loss of his brother weighing heavily on him.
Elysia offered comfort: "Who knows? Maybe your brother is still alive. Don't give up hope." He replied with a faint smile, "I'll try not to," before walking away.
Aria approached Elysia next, urging her to prepare for the funeral which was delayed as Arnold's body remained unfound. At the wedding turned tragic, he had vanished into smoke; thus they proceeded with the funeral for Lenseria and other family members.
During the funeral, both Erik and Elysia mourned deeply for their respective losses. The coronation began shortly after the service concluded.
In the throne room sat Elysia and Erik as the ceremony commenced. Many attended, including her brother among the crowd. The priest was halfway through when Erik interjected: "Stop! I want Elysia to place the crown on my head."
Despite protests about tradition from the priest, Erik insisted. Elysia rose to place the crown upon his head. The priest then proclaimed them King Erik I and Queen Elysia of Valdhoria.
Later they paraded their new crowns before the public to signify their ascension. The coronation ended joyously.
Afterward, Derik informed them of his imminent departure to prepare for his own coronation. Despite Elysia's wishes to attend her parents' funeral and concerns about her newfound lineage as an Aerethien—a revelation from a centuries-old witch—Erik persuaded her to stay for her safety.
That night was one of pain for Elysia as she bid farewell to her brother and mourned her parents alone.