[The Great Imperial Alverton.]
"Everything is set. The funeral will be held soon, Your Majesty." Arthur reported, his voice still sounding glum. "Golden Order Alliance envoy from Sellia; Vonstein's partner has prepared the crystal amethyst. The glass grave is ready. They are waiting for you to see his and her majesty late one last time. Alpha and Luna Morgenstern are also in the hall; they are asking for you."
All night long, it rained all over Imperial Alverton, as if the sky were mourning the deaths of Raziel and Viridian Constantine. Ares is staring at his reflection in the mirror. His posture stood out since Ares was often involved in imperial war missions; Ares never lost. As a mad war god. His well-shaped chest and back, stunningly physically fit under the black royal outfit, always gave off his unrivalled command, strength, supreme power, and authority vibes.
But the look in his eyes seemed empty. This emptiness that was hollow and bleeding in his chest. Ares briefly noticed the patterning lines of rain that slapped against the window of his pretentious room.
The silvery sky looked like a despairing artistic painting. Thick fog covers the magnificent of Arran's sacred mountain peaks.
"How's the investigation?" asked Ares deadpan. He missed Valeska terribly. Imagining if only she was by his side right now, perhaps this emptiness would not feel so excruciating.
V's jokes, laughter, and voice always humming thrilled like a songbird in Ares's head.
"Still haven't found any definite clues, but the head of the Corvus has concluded based on the investigation of the remaining debris that the accident was indeed sabotage." Arthur replied swiftly, "The Corvus team has arrested several witnesses. Interrogations are still ongoing as of now, and I'm still waiting for the result. Mrs. Vonstein offered to help with handling them. She can find out through the drowning spell."
"Then do it." Ares turned around, his proud robes unraveling. He walked out, preparing to head for the funeral hall. "About the search for Valeska? Why didn't you report it to me?"
Arthur was silent for a moment, an unwilling feeling in his soul. That human lady had made the supreme emperor of Alverton sacrifice and put his life at risk just to save her. Using the Forbidden Grimoire ilegally began changing Ares' hair; it was now completely jet-black. Only a matter of time before Ares suffered another complication.
It was possible that Halvard's immortality and noble power had also diminished. Arthur hid a long sigh of disappointment. "I have formed a team of elite secret troops, with Slater Volkan as the head of the Asmodeus teams. They will depart tonight as per your orders. Although the situation in Alverton is still in mourning. Should you not give them time to mourn with us, your majesty?"
"The sooner the better." Ares gave an absolute command. Walking down the hallway of the silent, majestic palace. "Since yesterday, you've been visibly upset, Arthur. Why? Do you find it hard to accept my actions towards her? You know how it works when you find your fated mate? I would do anything for her, even sacrifice my life. I will not abandon my responsibility to Alverton."
Only the palace maids were working. All the residents of the palace, from knights, guards, nobles, and alliance envoys, wore black clothes for silence.
Ares' mind recalled all the memories of when Raziel and Viridian were alive. Every hallway they walked together, or leisure time they spent in laughter and jokes. All the things they loved. Viridian is a bookworm; there wasn't a day without reading her favorite book.
Arthur bowed his head. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was presumptuous, but I don't fathom—why?"
The arrival of the cursed woman shattered the perfect Ares' life. Since that happened, Ares and Raziel's relationship continued to deteriorate every day.
Until death, Ares will be side with Viridian. He hated betrayal; he did not hesitate to cut off the head of anyone who had betrayed or struck him.
"I'm still alive now. That means V, my mate, survived to cross over to the Netherworld safely. You're not thrill? So, you'd rather have me die? Then what the difference is you to my own family who is eager to kill me? I'm sure, right now, she is somewhere. She's tough and strong. Able to survive under any circumstances. Sooner or later, I'll find her again. Whatever it takes." Ares claimed it vividly. His calm face lit up, staring at the raindrops outside the gigantic palace window. "She will be by my side forever as Alverton Imperial Empress. You must accept that."
If Viridian had not held him back, Ares might have finished Raziel long ago. Never mind committing the crime of coup d'état. Only for the sake of his mother's honor. Winning the war and slaughtering all the victims was an outlet for his rage.
"Sellia's envoy is in the sanctuary." Arthur ordered the bodyguards who were guarding the restricted sanctuary area before the bodies of his and her majesty's late were taken to the funeral hall. The sanctuary was closed; only Ares could enter it. Arthur added. "I will wait here, your majesty."
Naomi and Reiner Vonstein greeted Ares' arrival, their faces grim but full of sympathy. As the oldest Golden Order alliance, they had always helped Ares when needed support.
"Oh, your majesty. We are sorry for your loss." Naomi uttered in a trembling voice, briefly bowing in the most respectful greeting.
Ares smiled slightly. "Thank you for taking the time to come here."
Reiner shook his head. "What do you mean by that? Of course we came, representing the Balthazaars, who couldn't attend as their daughter had an accident at the Sellia magic academy."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Ares walked over to Viridian's dressed body, taking her cold hands for the last time. Gazing intently at her heavenly face. Ares slipped an alba rose into Viridian's fingers. "Please convey my sympathies to Eros and Einaar Balthazaar. If they need Golden Lotus from the mountains of Arran, take as much as needed. Don't worry, I'll order the Basilisk Dragon to stay out of your way."
"Your kindness is our honour, your majesty. We did plan to pick the Golden Lotus." Naomi confirmed, her eyes reddened, obviously holding back tears. She did not expect the Viridian Empress to leave so soon. "Even though last week I had a chance to meet with her majesty. We talked about many things, especially discussing her anxiety about your departure the other day."
Ares was observing Raziel, yet he hated him with a passion; arguments of nerves always occurred when they met, worsening every time, but seeing Raziel lying stiffly, dead-well, Ares just let out a long sigh. "During their lifetime, they did their duty well. They died in peace. There is no regret or wrath. It's time."
Naomi and Reiner nodded in knowing, "We will prepare the crystal amethyst now."
Their hands glowed, their sorcerer powers blending together in a stunning swarm of blue light. It blew out a scent similar to cinnamon and a breath of cool air. The blue light was getting brighter, blinding until Ares's hand shaded his vision.
Forming a crystal amethyst that melts as if gentle waves of water. Slowly creeping over every inch of skin, wrapping the bodies of his and her late majesty into the sturdy crystal amethyst coffin.
***
"Ares Halvard Emperors entering the hall!" The palace guards proclaimed.
The funeral hall doors opened wide, and everyone bowed obediently. "Our respects to the great sun of the Alverton empire."
Ares' sharp eyes were fixed on Cassius and Morgana Fenwick—it was clear; the return of Ares Halvard Constantine shocked them. It was deliberately kept secret by Arthur and all those who sided with him. It so hit them hard.
A nice little entertainment for Ares—the face of their defeat; and the entire noble family that was eager to kill him.
From now on, I'll be your nightmares.
The altar was filled with alba roses, fragrant throughout the hall. One by one, the mourners had paid their last and best respects.
Ares kneeled down, immersed in the prayers and wishes of his last respects.
Great mother, I swear. The Alverton Empire will prosper in my hands. I will guard Alverton with my blood and my life.
The great Scarfox elders gave a moving speech before the altar, and everyone bowed in solemn deep sorrow. As Empress of Alverton, Viridian had done her duty well. Alverton's people love her; although Raziel had a fatal flaw in Ares's eyes, as Emperor of Alverton, he had never let the welfare of his imperial people down.
Ares once fought alongside Raziel to win the Misthaven, Emberfall, and Moonvale territories from the invasion of the bloody terror of Black Annis and his deadly army.
"You look pale, Your Majesty. What happened to your hair?" Kaius Morgenstern whispered beside him. His tone was sympathetic. "Sorry for your loss. If there's anything I can help you with, anything at all. Want to talk, or do you intend to visit Digris Northlandic? don't hesitate. Just tell me."
"I'm unengaged and wanted to change my hair color. I asked Arthur to use his magic and change it. I'm much more charming, right?"
Kaius nodded as it was a mourning atmosphere. Seeing Ares smile faintly, as a close friend, Kaius felt relieved. "Well, I regret that I just realized that."
"And congratulations on the birth of your triplets. I hope you liked the gift I sent you back then." Ares smiled genuinely. "Thankfully, you and Luna Verena Morgenstern look happy happily after. That''s bless."
"Don't taunt me as your great supporting to us." Kaius snorted. He also whispered, barely audible. "I heard you went to the mortal world."
Ares agreed, "Well, it's been a great journey that I will never regret. Someday, I will introduce you to someone precious to me."
Kaius' eyes widened, his facial expression one of amazement and disbelief. Kaius was extremely grateful to hear this good news. "Oh my, don't tell me, so... you—?"
Ares just smiled mysteriously.
Kaius was getting curious. His eyes wandered around. "So, where's she now?"
***