The Funeral

*Day of Funeral*

''You look beautiful, young miss.'' Ayana stared at her reflecting figure in a black dress on the glass mirror. Her caramel-colored hair was neatly styled into a neat bun and held in place with a silver flower hairpin.

''You also looked good, Nanny.'' She grinned at the elderly woman also dressed in black, reflecting on the glass mirror. Her Nanny had to be there with her little brother in the funeral.

Jason might be too young to attend their parents' funeral. However, as the true heir of the Kingston corporation, he had to be present, even if it was for a short time.

''Young miss….'' Ayana watched as her Nanny struggled with her words. She didn't miss the sad eyes that her Nanny had used to observe her before now.

''You are free to say your mind, Nanny.'' She smiled softly, hoping the elderly would reveal what was on her mind.

Though, Ayana had an inkling of what her Nanny wanted to say to her.

It was about the housekeeper.

Someone who had been working for the family, even before her parents had married.

''….why was the housekeeper suddenly dismissed, young miss?'' As she guessed, it was about the housekeeper. The latter must have complained about the injustice to her Nanny and perhaps other servants in the mansion.

An injustice that wasn't actually an injustice in the first place.

''Does Nanny doubt me?''

''….'' Nanny Hilda stared at her young miss's reflection, particularly her hazel eyes that sometimes sparkled like melted gold.

Eyes that did not reflect the innocence and arrogance of her twelve-year-old young miss. Normally, she could have interpreted the true feelings of her young miss through those eyes. But now…she couldn't, for some reason.

They were blank and cold, to the point that she wondered if the child was truly a twelve-year-old.

'The young miss has become a bit strange since the Master and the Madam's death.'

Nanny Hilda couldn't put her fingers, but her young miss had been very strange. As someone who had practically raised the child, she could tell at a glance.

It wasn't grief that she had been expecting since that lunch, but something else. Something that she couldn't put fingers on.

The feeling was like her young miss was not exactly her young miss.

''I don't doubt the young miss.'' Nevertheless her complicated thoughts, Nanny Hilda replied with full trust in her young miss.

True, the housekeeper had tearfully complained about the young miss ruining her life, but there must be something she had missed as the Nanny of her young miss.

Her young miss might be arrogant, spoiled and a typical brat, but she was never one to fire or harass the servants like some rumors of other families' young missy.

She made sure that her young miss still had some principles like respecting the elderly and people older than herself.

Besides that, her young miss had even been kind enough to give the fired housekeeper a letter of recommendation to work in other wealthy families.

Technically, her life wasn't even ruined at all, and she had the gall to complain tearfully to her and other servants about the young miss's behavior.

''The young miss must be in deep grief. I'll agree to her dismissal and come back with the Eldest Master's reinstatement. Perhaps this will suit her sadness in some way.'' were some of the housekeeper's words that elicited pity amongst many servants.

Those words had disturbed her quite deeply, and were also the reason for her full faith in the young miss.

Exactly why should the housekeeper meet the Eldest Master when the young miss and the young master were the true Masters of the family?

They were alive and healthy, weren't they?

''Thank you, Nanny.'' Ayana turned back to meet the sight of the elderly woman. ''Your words are all I need to do what I should as the young miss and heiress to the Kingston corporation.'' She said with a small smile.

'Ah…' Nanny Hilda's eyes shook slightly as she understood the hidden implications behind those words.

Her young miss wanted to be involved deeply in the Kingston family business. She wanted to fight for the inheritance that was belonged to her and the young master rightfully.

Perhaps the housekeeper was somehow involved in a way. That was the only reason that she could come up with the sudden dismissal.

''We will be late for the funeral, Nanny.'' Nanny Hilda snapped out her thoughts and she noticed that her young miss had left the full-length mirror.

''Young miss should wait in the car while I go get the young master.'' She smiled, watching the young miss by the dresser for a moment before stepping out of the room.

When had her young miss grown without her realization?

Nanny Hilda couldn't be more happier that young miss had somewhat grown up responsibly. The souls of the late Master and Madam would definitely be at peace in the heavens.

 However….her worries also deepened about the child.

If her young miss wanted to be involved in the dangerous schemes of wealthy families like the Kingston family, wouldn't it be the same with the young master?

Would the young miss also have to fight the young master for the inheritance of the Kingston family business?

After all, the young miss wasn't that close with the young master. Though that had somewhat changed in these few days.

Nanny Hilda deeply hoped that their relationship would blossom beautifully as she couldn't imagine fight between the pair of siblings..

 No…she didn't want to imagine the scene of her precious children fighting each other for wealth. She also hoped that she would not witness the sight….that is, if she was alive to witness such.

***

''Young miss, we have arrived.''

''Hm..'' Ayana hummed in reply. At the same time, her eyes took in the sight of the black gates to the private cemetery that was somewhat crowded with people dressed in black.

According to history, it was said that the Kingston family was actually a high-ranking noble family with power. To celebrate their deaths and let their souls rest in peace, one of the ancestors had built an ancient graveyard only for the Kingston family.

Particularly for the head of the family, his wife and children.

In her past life, her father and mother were also buried in this private cemetery. Someday, she would also have to be buried here along with her late parents.

'Had Axel buried me here?' Ayana's mind reeled back to the words of her ex-fiancé. Before her death, he stated that her grave had been built alongside her little brother and her late parents.

Had he meant the Kingston's private cemetery?

Ayana didn't know since that life had already passed away, only leaving her with deep-rooted memories.

'I wonder if I even deserve to be buried in the cemetery….' She thought as the bodyguards opened the door for her and her Nanny holding a sleeping Jason.

The souls of the ancestors would have surely wanted to chase her away from the private cemetery for ruining their family and generational hard work.

Together, Ayana and her Nanny with a sleeping Jason walked down to the black gates. The bodyguards trailed after them at a distance with their intimidating bulky figures.

''Ayana.'' She momentarily froze at the familiar voice as she neared the gates of the private cemetery. Her heart pounded like the drums of war as the voice slithered through the air like a venomous whisper, wrapping around her mind and igniting a fury that had been dormant for a moment.

 'Ha...' Ayana could feel the heat of her anger pulsing through her veins like a wildfire that threatened to consume her.

'Uncle!' Her eyes flashed with rage as her hands almost clenched into fists. Her nails threatened to dig into her palms as she tried to steady the storm surging within her.

Even before she had neared the gates, she had already seen the figure. Though, it seemed she had overestimated herself to be calm in his presence.

Thank the heavens that she was not looking up at the man…..or else he would have seen the deep hatred she had for him and his family.

''Ayana?''

''Young miss?'' Her uncle's voice overlapped with the worried voice of her Nanny's. It must have been weird that she did not answer her uncle's call. After all, she was still close to her him and his family at this timeline of her past and current life.

'Be calm, Ayana.' Knowing that her silence was attracting their attention, Ayana inwardly calmed herself.

She had to be calm and steady.

Graceful and composed.

She was Ayana Kingston. The only daughter of the powerful Kingston family. If she wanted to have her revenge, she had to be calm!

It was such a simple thing!

'…..' The corners of Ayana's lips curled into a delicate smile, and she raised her smiling gaze up to the man responsible for her death and her little brother's.

''Hello Uncle.''