The Weight of Eternity

His clenched jaw loosened as Sylvie's horrible truth reverberated against the dreary silence.

He gazed at her, his pupils constricting and trembling as his mind raced.

'What kind of mad kingdom does that to one of its nobles? To a princess no less?! Shame on you and your greed!' 

Whether in Egypt, East Asia, Northern Europe, or South America, many cultures once buried the living alongside the deceased to accompany them on their last journey. But was it right?

His teeth cracked. Of course not! That's why they had rid themselves of these traditions!

'I'll never accept them! Not when they're even worse in this realm! Chained to guard an empty throne for eternity; what a cruel punishment.' His eyes narrowed into fiery slits. 'Cruel because I still don't believe you're innocent.'

As if reading his mind, Sylvie's slips parted to let a long, weary exhale out.