Chapter 27: Prince Ephraim's Final Day

[1 week later]

Today is Prince Ephraim's burial, and the carriage is being prepared for the short parade before proceeding to the columbarium, where the vase containing his ashes will lie.

Levin is still refusing to leave his room, so I decided to go check on him.

I knock on his door, and it immediately opens, revealing him with small puffy eyes that are barely visible. I approached him with a fake smile, and he hugged me even tighter.

I caress his back and squeeze him tighter. As I let go of his embrace and cupped his cheeks and smiled at him, I heard him sniff on my shoulder.

"Everything will be okay." I said as he nods.

I straighten his tie and pat his chest.

"Let's go. Everyone is waiting for you." he again nods in response.

I hold his hand and wipe the tear from his cheeks with my handkerchief.

This is the first time I've seen him cry, and I'm surprised he didn't try to hide it from me. Nowadays, men despise crying or are seen crying by women. It's their source of pride.

I cling to him as I look at him and smile at him, and he returns my smile. We exited his room while embracing each other's arms and walked down the hall to the balcony.

"Your Majesties, your seats are ready," Mr. Havoc said as we approached the balcony.

We both sat and noticed a few people waiting for the ceremony to begin.

"Your Majesty, you are needed to speak after the mass." Mr. Havoc whispered to Levin's ear.

"I can't." he shortly said.

At the same time, I sense his nervousness... weakens.

"But, Your Majesty---"

"I will." I suddenly said.

"Are you sure, Your Majesty Oceana?"

I check with Levin to see if he's okay with it. When our gazes locked, I could see through his pupils that he was in pain. I nod to Mr. Havoc as he bows his head and walks away.

The priest has arrived at the altar and has begun the mass.

Mr. Havoc reappeared, and I overheard him whispering to Levin.

"Your majesty, someone is here to meet you."

"Right now? Can't that person see what's the occasion today?" Levin angrily whispered back.

"It is urgent, Your Majesty." the look of his eyes went serious as Levin seems to realize who that person is.

He stood up and kisses my forehead.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." I nod as he left with Mr. Havoc.

The priest continues to sprinkle holy water into Prince Ephraim's vase while the mass is still going on.

Following that scenario, Levin returned with Mr. Havoc, who now sits beside me.

"May I know who might that person be?" I asked once he seated.

"It's someone from the government. The contract lawyer indeed."

"What is he doing here then?"

"It's about the investigation in Almondia, and he'll report to the chief justice on the request for strong security for Mondreich and Starnstadt," he explained.

"The Young Highness's mass is now finished. Before dismissal, let us hear the last and final speech of one of his relatives," the priest said.

"Your Majesty Oceana, it's time," Mr. Havoc said. I return my gaze to Levin, who nods. I nodded and am now being led to the altar by Mr. Havoc.

I became nervous and numb as soon as I stepped up to the altar.

When I started speaking in front of everyone, I pinch my arm to keep from stuttering.

'Remember Oceana, even outside the palace, everyone will hear you.'

I said to myself as comfort and chill down my anxiety.

I was already informed before entering Levin's room that there are thousands of people outside the palace, most likely waiting for his brief parade. I also believe they will listen to the upcoming speech later.

As I begin to speak into the microphone, I take deep breaths in and out.

"Good morning, Mondrians. I, Queen Oceana Saoirse Fleur Hansen, the wife of Levin Ross Gruber, am now in front of you, speaking on his behalf, as my husband is unable to make it here at the altar to speak to his dearest brother due to a disconsolate feeling."

"First and foremost, he is the one who greeted me along with the handmaids and other workers inside here, since the first day I met him exactly at the entrance of this palace, and I remember how I first stepped in here, my husband, Levin had a little brother to brother quarrel with Prince Ephraim." everyone giggles, and I smile at them.

"That first encounter may have been shocking to me because honestly, I'm a little panicked because they're arguing, but each day after that occurrence, I find it funny." they giggled once more, and I glanced at the balcony, I saw him smiling with his teeth visible.

"Well, no one is asking, but that scene occurred because Prince Ephraim was actually resting that day, but he got out of his room just to entertain me when I arrived, and that day was also the day of assassination, if everyone still remembers that. When we were all evacuated for a short time at the dining hall, Prince Ephraim rushed towards me when my husband was out for the search for the wrongdoer." He appears to be doing it to keep his tear from falling.

"He comforted me because I was trembling in fear," I explained briefly, before describing how he approached me after that incident.

"As for my husband, Levin, I know that they are so close. Prince Ephraim became his father after the death of their biological parents, and they even got closer as they grew up, and the fact that I just recently learned is that Levin's inspiration for what he has already done in this nation is Prince Ephraim." I carefully scan the room to see if everyone is still listening, as I noticed a few of them wiping their tears away with handkerchiefs.

"And let me tell you, Prince Ephraim was the most wonderful brother we ever had."