Chapter 69

"MY LADY, YOU SHOULD EAT SOMETHING," Clara said with a twisted face.

Magnolia had not eaten anything for the past few days. She spent every day in her bed either crying, sleeping, or sitting on the edge and staring into the distance.

The maid pushed the table closer to the duchess, but just like her previous failed attempts, Magnolia did not even acknowledge her presence.

Clara sighed before she left the room. She knew Magnolia was not going to touch the food, but she still left it for her just in case. She would go back to check on her in an hour or so.

"How is she?" Henry asked, as soon as Clara closed the door.

"The same," she answered with a dejected face.

"I see. Please keep trying."

"Of course, Lord Flock."

Henry walked away to check on Daniel. He too had not been well. He had not left his office since the incident.

Henry waited for the duke to burst into rage and march to Baron Pruice and every baron involved in the kidnapping to attack, but he did not. He was just grieving.

"Good morning," he greeted Daniel when he entered the office. He was lying down on the settee. "Would you like some breakfast?"

"No."

"It seems that the last duke and duchess of our nation will die from starvation." Henry sighed.

The duke did not answer.

"The priest will arrive in an hour for the funeral, you should get ready."

Daniel clenched his teeth at the thought of burying Geoffrey. Henry took a few steps closer to the settee and kneeled next to his friend.

"Daniel, let us burn it all, let us kill those bastards and avenge your son."

His words surprised the duke. Henry never liked violence, even when they were at war, he only hurt the people who attacked first. Daniel closed his eyes and shook his head.

"It will not bring him back."

THE FUNERAL WAS SHORT AND GRIM. There were not many people either. The duke and duchess, the Flocks, Laya, Killian, and Paula.

Magnolia did not cry. She did not scream like she had a couple of days ago. She just stood there in her black dress. Her face was covered with her black veil that hid her expression.

She watched the knights lower the coffin into the ground as the priest said his prayer. It was unreal to her. She just felt cold, every part of her body, as if she was lifeless herself.

The duke stood next to her with his fists clenched the whole time. He wanted to close his eyes and pretend that this was not happening, but he made himself watch because this was all his fault.

He was the one who killed Geoffrey. He was too proud and arrogant to think that he could save him while going against the barons.

As the coffin was lowered into the grave, his heart hurt as if someone's hand was tearing it out of his chest.

When the knights started to throw dirt on the coffin, Daniel wanted to stop them, push them away to prevent them from filling the grave.

He had wanted to do the same when they were burying his parents eleven years ago. But he knew that, just like back then, he had no power to bring Geoffrey back either. He bit his lip so hard it bled, but he did not even feel the pain.

"May the Gods keep Geoffrey Van Konigl by their side, forever in the Heavens," the priest uttered with his eyes closed. Then he walked to Daniel and patted him on the shoulder. "I pray that the Gods give you both the strength and patience to endure this hardship, Your Grace."

Daniel did not respond. His eyes were fixated on the dome that was now sitting on Geoffrey's grave.

"Your Grace," the priest bowed to the duchess before walking away.

Killian guided Magnolia back to her room, like a child who did not know how to walk on her own. He walked her to her bed and kneeled in front of her.

"Mag, my heart hurts when I see you like this."

He squeezed her hands but there was no reaction from his sister. His eyes glimmered with unshed tears.

He wanted to capture every single person responsible for his nephew's death and kill them in the most agonizing way, but he could not do anything without his sister's approval.

Even if he did not have the chance to meet Geoffrey, he was his blood, his family, and they took his life before he could even hold him in his arms.

"I just need to hear the words from you, I would avenge Geoffrey even if it is the last thing I do."

When Magnolia did not say anything, Killian pushed to his feet and kissed her head before walking away.

"You should rest, dear."

"Brother," Magnolia finally uttered, making Killian halt his hand on the doorknob.

Her voice was hoarse and barely audible. He looked back to her face and saw that she had uncovered it. Her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks sunken as if she had not eaten anything for weeks.

"I want to be the one to avenge my son," she said. "Would you help me?"

"Mag." Killian rushed back to his sister and sat on the bed next to her. "I will do whatever you need," he said as he squeezed her hands. "The Phoenix and I will be by your side and at your service."

"Even if I go against a royal?"

Her words shocked him for a second, but he recovered quickly. After all, he and the Phoenix were going after the king himself.

"Yes," he answered in an assertive voice. "Even if you go against the whole royal family."

"Thank you."

"But Mag, what about the duke? He is loyal to the king."

Magnolia looked down at her lap.

"I will give him a choice," she said. "He can either join me to avenge our son, or he can betray me and support the king. Then, we will stand on opposite sides of the war I will wage."

'As enemies.'