"Father!"
When he saw the coffin, the old duke's second son, Peders, couldn't hold it in any more; he fell before the coffin, crying as loud as he could.
Celder, however, frowned at his brother.
He maintained his countenance as he walked over to his brother's side. He tapped his brother's shoulder before turning around to Mary, saying, "Forgive him, Your Highness. Peders forgot his manners due to father's death."
"Mm."
Mary nodded without a clear remark when she saw the blood in the coffin.
The blood was fresh, no coagulation, and the joints and muscles weren't hardened, as if the old duke had really died not too long ago.
Ellen, Mary's mother, taught her much about dead bodies. The knowledge came afloat in her mind as she inspected the old duke. She then looked at Kieran, her eyes showing disbelief of the scene.
"Fantasies are always beautiful. Reality is always cruel. But sometimes, it is much crueller than you can imagine."
