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Published at 3rd of August 2018 08:55:06 PM


Chapter 167: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 4

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Alanis dreamt all night. She dreamt that she had fallen into a pond filled with jellyfish. Rearing jellyfish in a pond? Seriously, even Alanis felt that this didn't make sense. However, she went along with the dream without giving it much thought.

The dream was something like this; the Princess of the Empire and her husband were rearing jellyfishes. The jellyfishes grew to be "huge and fat", which pleased the people. She and her husband laughed happily. Later, the situation took a turn and poisonous spikes sprouted from the jellyfishes. These thorns could break the surface of the water and attack the people. A tentacle that was larger than the spikes dragged Alanis into the water. She cried to her husband for help but all the while, Oscar had that annoying smile plastered on his face.

The thorns that had fur sprouting on them scared Her Highness the Princess stiff and the big, fat jellyfishes that collided with each other would also emit blue arcs of electricity. The spikes didn't attack Alanis. These soft parts wrapped themselves around a man and dragged him before her. Alanis' eyes widened; the rotting old man was her father, who had on his crown.

"Are you alright?"

The Princess wiped at her dripping forehead; her body was drenched in cold sweat.

"What time is it now?"

Oscar gazed out of the window; the sky was dark. "It should be past afternoon. It should be about time for the national funeral."

The Princess pushed aside the ice-cold velvet quilt. She no longer wanted to stay in her bed. Her husband helped her to the washroom and rang the copper bell to summon the attendants, who filed in. These Imperial Household retainers had all put on black coats and made one sick just by looking at them.

Alanis waved her hand, "I think I'll manage myself!"

Oscar shrugged. He watched as his wife carefully washed her face before applying seaweed paste, which men wouldn't even bother with, onto her face and later rinsing away the altered deep green substance. The Princess then applied skin serum that contained all sorts of natural substances onto her face. The Prince averted his gaze. He had no idea whether every other Princess in this world was like this; he only knew that his Alanis cared a lot about her face.

A solid bulge was already visible at the abdomen of the Princess of the Empire. A healthy fetus was growing. After shifting his attention from his wife's face, Oscar eyed the unborn child. Naturally, he couldn't make out much and could only look upon it with troubled eyes.

The icy water and all sort of cleansing products made Alanis' face a shocking, deathly pale. She positioned her bare back towards her husband and Oscar helped her button up her skirts. After that, he helped the princess tighten her corset and chest binder like a female servant.

Alanis was slightly in pain and breathless. Corsets and chest binders were only created to satisfy the men's lowly preferences and sensory satisfaction. These things that accentuated the waist and breasts were to appreciate women in name, but in actuality, they were torturous to them.

The Princess furrowed her brows. The man's strength was strong as expected. As a pregnant mother, her breasts continued to enlarge and the bulge in her belly became even more prominent under the constriction of the corset.

"Are you sure about this? Won't it harm the fetus?" the husband of the Princess was worried.

"No problem!" Alanis panted lightly, "All pregnant women have endured this!"

"Poor things!" Oscar kissed his wife's snowy white neck. Alanis spun around and gazed at her lover. Oscar grinned, "Why are you looking at me that way?" the Princess came back to her senses, "Why…"

The Prince of the Empire suddenly slapped his forehead. "That's right! The tailor had dropped by. He had already altered the ceremonial robe you sent into a funeral gown. I've looked at it and there didn't seem to be any problems, so I accepted it for you. Would you like to try it on?"

"Of course!" Alanis rubbed her forehead, "I reckon that I'll have to be wearing this black widow-like thing for the entire week!"

Oscar pouted. He didn't like the term "black widow". Wasn't his wife reprimanding him?

It was clear that the prince wasn't too pleased. He again helped his wife summon the attendants. The attendants raised the black funeral attire high up and then spread open the huge skirts of the formal attire. The Princess stepped into the shadow of the skirt and at that moment, the attendants brought down the entire skirt over the Princess' petticoat. Lastly, the attendants decorated the noble lady with lace and fastened the buttons that were inlaid with black diamonds.

"I still need to comb my hair, set it, and select jewelry. Aren't you going to busy yourself with your own matters?"

Oscar sat on the sofa indifferently, "During this period of the national funeral, everything has come to a halt. I can't find anything to do. It seems that… only Rudolf Hoss is still busy, but I know that he won't tell me about it."

The Princess didn't make any comments and merely sat quietly at her dressing table, waiting for the maids to take care of everything for her.

Colonel Vick Keegan had already been waiting for ages outside the door. Only after the Princess had put on her agate necklace was he then allowed into the Prince's bedroom.

"Everything is ready on the court's side. The time fixed by the Secretariat is two in the afternoon. We still have more than an hour."

Oscar nodded and rose from his seat. It seemed that he had to busy himself with his own matters.

Without bidding farewell to the Princess, His Highness the Prince left the bedroom of his own accord. This was because it was testing his perseverance. He only felt unbearably drained when he faced Alanis. His woman's father had wanted to murder his father, but he had been a step ahead and had ended her father. It would feel very odd to voice out about such a matter even though it had seemed like the naturally correct course of action. Furthermore, when one was truly confronted by it, it wasn't something easy to endure.

Oscar met the Commander of the Red Tigers in the huge vestibule outside the bedroom. He embraced General Murat Bedoya, who was looking unsettled.

"Has the urgent letter to home been sent out?"

"Without a doubt, it has gone on its way yesterday night!" Murat gulped, he seemed to have trouble speaking out about something, "But… if the matter is really as what you described, then I fear that our notification may not make it in time…"

"Shut up!" Oscar shoved the chest and neck of the Red Tiger Commander abruptly. "Murat, let me warn you; there isn't that possibility! Understand? There isn't!"

Murat could only nod.

"When do you plan to leave?"

Oscar gazed in the direction of the bedroom, "No matter what, I must wait until the initial mass ceremony has ended! However, I can't wait for the burial. Tomorrow or tonight, we must leave. Otherwise, there may not be any change at home!"

Murat nodded his head resolutely, but he was again a little worried. "If this happens… the people of Dulin will suspect you. You don't have any reason to abandon the pregnant Princess and return to Narcissus County at this moment."

"I couldn't care that much!" Oscar turned his head away coldly. "I'm not interested at all in the Morisette Household's business. It doesn't matter who becomes Emperor! Moreover, I believe that Alfa III, that devil, has already made it crystal clear that Rudolf Hoss and Silver Fox Alan will ensure that Alanis gets what she desires. She doesn't need me!"

Murat didn't say anything more and only opened the huge doors of Kenshin Palace for the commander. Almost immediately, all the palace doors in the corridor flew opened. Oscar passed through and more and more high-ranking officials, who gathered behind him. He and all the officials were dressed in trim and neat uniform and all sorts of long swords hung at their waists. The sound of boots stomping on the ground filled the air. This made Alanis, who was nonchalant, feel unusually depressed, knowing that her husband was going further and further away.

***************

The sky was so gloomy that it was intimidating; it was as if the heavens could sense the atmosphere of a funeral. The citizens of Dulin had assembled in a few areas designated by the Imperial Household's patrolling military force. Everywhere, cordons had been set up and mounted knights everywhere held up shields and batons.

The people had waited from morning all the way to the afternoon. Some had waited from the moment the knell sounded up until now. The 12th month of Dulin was cold, but not excessively cold. Aside from feeling bored, the waiting crowd didn't have too many complaints; after all, they had lost a monarch. Just like a comet shooting across the sky, losing an Emperor was something a person would encounter at most a few times in their life. The people mostly joined the crowd with such a mindset. Only a few fellows who lived in glory and fantasy were weeping by the curb, saying "Almighty God of Light, have mercy on my Lord and may he receive eternal life!"

The number of misdeeds that Alfa III had done wasn't excessive but wasn't negligible either. In any case, there were those few. May the almighty God of Light have mercy on him. After all, this monarch of a million over subjects was suffocated by a locally produced, cotton pillow and saying it just made it exceedingly pitiful.

The people waited and waited, but they didn't manage to see the Emperor's coffin. However, they could still find the previous Emperor, Alfa II's item book for his funeral ceremony. Uhh… now it seemed that the Imperial Household of Morisette, which possessed four hundred over years of history, still deserved to abide by the ancient customs. Firstly, it was the farewell ceremony of the Imperial Household members and the family of the deceased Majesty, usually conducted in Hamilton Palace and in some conditions, at Tacheles Fortress. Next were the representatives of the Guards and government that would hold a brief flag-lowering ceremony. They would elect those prestigious figures and Imperial Household members to spread a pall over the deceased Majesty's coffin. After that, the handsome carriage that stowed the Emperor's coffin would pass through the Avenue of Kings to receive farewells from the people. Lastly, the coffin would arrive at Dulin Scott Cathedral. That cathedral would hold a mass for the Emperor and then it would be the farewell ceremony of each nation's royal representative and key military and government officials.

As for the burial… this was difficult to say! The commoners had no way of witnessing that. In other words, everything had a set rule.

The history of the Imperial Household of Morisette determined that all the various ceremonial functions would be exceedingly perfect. Even a great matter such as the passing of the Emperor would not pose a problem for the old rituals officer of the secretariat. The old rituals officer was already dressed neatly when he heard the knell. He had been looking forward to that moment. Without caring about anything else, he only carried out his duty.

The rituals officer was a unique position. All the main monarch nations of Westland had a similar position, however, the Morisettes of Titan differed slightly. Those who took up the rituals officer post was not necessarily a single person, sometimes it would be a whole family generation serving in this aspect.

Eleventh generation Marquis Leveenrob, an elder close to a hundred years old, was Alfa III's rituals officer. He was a representative chosen by the Leevenrob Family, which specialized in handling the Imperial Household's offerings and all the funeral matters.

If it were normal days, no one would meet the Imperial Household of Morisette's rituals officer in public. This was already proven to be ominous. Originally, the Leveenrob Family wasn't as prominent in the beginning as they were now. This was because the monarchical power of the Imperial Household of Morisette had yet to be as highly honored then as compared to now. Thus, it was unavoidable that the Leveenrobs, faced with a dynasty that was developing and flourishing by day, would have to make adjustments. The entire manpower of their family started to handle sacrificial offerings and funeral matters. Otherwise, they would not be able to satisfy the Imperial Household's memorials that were increasing in scale.

It was the same this time. The Imperial Household of Morisette's rituals officers were a huge family. The large family mobilized their star members. Some were in charge of contacting the military, some were responsible for communicating with the House of Lords, some were in charge of the decorations of the cathedral and some were responsible for upholding the appearance of the city together with the Guards. As a representative of the rituals family, Marquis Leveenrob was the person who led everything. He set up his office at Tacheles Fortress, in the room next to the place where the Emperor's body was placed.

The old man followed the former practices of the previous dynasty to put together the whole flow of the funeral, more or less as that expected by the people. It was just that the old man encountered a little trouble in terms of expenses.

In a rough estimation, all the carpets used in the funeral ceremony were to be replaced with new ones. The white muslin clothes that decorated the cathedral and city, the farewell banquet of the Imperial Household and also the Emperor's massive crystal coffin had long since been ready, but at that time, the payment hadn't been made.

The rituals family of the Imperial Morisette Household was accustomed to coming across such matters. The Emperor's cabinet ministers were the same. Before the people they strived to outdo one another while behind the scenes, they shirked responsibilities and exposed their true colors. The old Emperor was dead.

The person that was about to ascend the throne was still having a hangover, but this troubled world had no way of complaining.

However, Marquis Leveenrob was bound to be able to find a way. This was his job. He allotted the expenses according to their status. The Imperial Household was to contribute a few golden Tis and the same went for the nobles. And just like this, by taking a little here and there, when the secretariat, in the end, confirmed the funeral orders, there was even a little remainder from Tacheles Fortress' side. The rituals officer then said, "Leave it, the living still has to live on!"

This was also a tradition. The rituals officer of the Imperial Household would only at this time receive a little income and similarly, no one would complain about this.

***************

Church's year 799, the 24th day of the 12th month, at two o'clock in the afternoon, the direct line of descendants of the Imperial Morisette Household and representatives of the extended family followed the knights' majestic funeral procession to leave Tacheles Fortress. They had just carried out a brief farewell to the remains. Emperor Alfa III's corpse was placed in a snowy white, crystal coffin. This massive coffin was a highly valued piece of art. More than ten artisans had spent seven years at work, and only then did they complete the carvings on it.

The front of the crystal coffin had the Morisette's golden lion totem engraved upon it. Alfa III's head was directly facing the Imperial Household's symbol of worship. He was lying on an ice-cold silver pillow and scattered all over the corpse were fresh little snapdragons that had been shipped from afar. The yellow corollas accompanied the cold and pale respected deceased. His mourning attire that was sewn from a silvery thread that emitted an armor-like brilliance from amidst the cluster of flowers.

The sun wasn't shining in the sky, and only layers upon layers of dark clouds could be seen. The funeral procession of the Imperial Household had divided into three groups on the mournful Road of Kings. The first group was the cavalry and monotonous paladins that helped clear the way. They wore neat armor and over them, black cloaks with snapdragons and red crosses painted across them. The second group was the procession of carriages. In the lead was the carriage of Alfa III's widowed Empress, Rolyn Kate. Next came the Emperor's coffin. When the carriages that were towing the coffin passed before the crowd, the citizens of Titan knelt one after another. They cast a mix of natural and artificial flowers towards the funeral procession. The last in the line up was the procession of followers and ministers. These chaps with miserable faces could be mistaken for performers of a certain theatrical group. This was because their acting was truly genuine; some even shed tears while muttering to themselves. In short, those who shot a glance at them would all be moved.

Alanis and her husband were seated in the fourth carriage. In front of her was her hungover elder brother and her second brother, who had his arms around a woman. Her second brother's woman had once been His Majesty III's fondest mistress and had now been taken up by the Emperor's son.

The Princess of the Empire sized up her husband, "What will come next?"

Oscar looked at the funeral program in his hands, "Mass!"

"I'm not talking about this!" the Princess spread her palms before her husband and in it was a gleaming button. "I'm talking about you… what do you plan to do next?"

We don't know the way in which Oscar regarded that button. He could choose to come clean about everything to the Princess and could also weave careless lies to deceive his wife, but O'Neil Andrew Morisette only gave a sigh and didn't say a word.

"Oscar, going on like this won't do!" Alanis had lost her patience, "I have never gotten involved in your matters and I think that is as far as a good wife goes. However, it's mostly because my husband has never willingly confided in me. I have no idea what's going through your mind, and your…"

"Niz!" Oscar suddenly cut his wife off, "What do you wish to know?"

The Princess of the Empire revealed the button, "I only wish to know whether you're the one who accidentally dropped this button. Is it?"

The Prince couldn't help but chuckle. He and his wife were similar. They were equally cruel and selfish. He just knew that Alanis would say that, for she still had to rely on her man.

Her man was a Marshal of the Empire, the leader of the military's secret service system. If she still had any expectations of the coronary ceremony, then she would definitely say it like this.

"Thank you, I've been looking for it for quite some time!" Oscar took the golden button from his wife's palm.

"Then tell me, just what do you plan to do?"

Oscar shrugged, "I have to return to Narcissus County. The Andrews will experience some unforeseen events. If it isn't handled appropriately, we will suffer from it!"

Alanis' eyes widened, "You're going home? Are you joking? At this hour? You're abandoning me to myself?"

Oscar heaved a sigh. He nodded feebly. "Niz, you shouldn't think like this! You should think, if your husband doesn't get the power of Duke Andrew, how would we be in the future?"

"I only know that I'm pregnant! Your child is still ceaselessly kicking in his mother's belly! I also know that a profound crisis is brewing in Dulin City. A wrong move and I may well be…"

"Don't tell me you don't have confidence in yourself?" Oscar gazed at his wife somewhat teasingly. "Yesterday night it was Rudolf Hoss who sent you back to Kenshin Palace. Could it be that you're still unclear as to what will happen in Dulin City?"

Alanis gulped. She couldn't utter a word. She didn't wish to plead with this man. Moreover, her pride wouldn't allow her to do so.

"So meaning to say… you've made up your mind?"

"Yes, Niz! But I promise you, when everything back home is settled, I will return to Dulin right away. Perhaps I may even make it to your coronation ceremony, who's to know!"

"Don't say it so lightly and with such a tone!" Alanis' temper suddenly flared.

"I don't owe you anything! And I wasn't the one who intentionally killed your father! But you? You have indeed committed this murder charge. How do you intend to explain this to me?"

Oscar took out the button. "Niz, I must say, if you still regard me as your husband, then please don't ever speak of anything related to the so-called murderer. It really hurts my feelings. Moreover, your father died of heart failure and you also believe that I accidentally dropped this button."

Alanis snorted a laugh. Her husband was actually bringing up the term 'feelings'. Did he have any feelings for her? When he had murdered her father, toyed with other women, and chosen to leave at such a trying moment for her, where had been his feelings for her? She had seen through him! O'Neil Andrew Morisette's hypocrisy was no different from those hypocrites; in fact, he was even more outstanding than them. He didn't need any justifications and could overlook all the facts without even thinking anything of it.

"Niz!" the hypocrite's face suddenly softened. "Don't make everything so complicated. You're born in the Imperial Household and I'm born in Andrew. Our union has destined that someone has to sacrifice and someone has to invest. If we really have to weigh the sacrifices and investments on a balance to measure, then our marriage would have lost its original meaning!"

Alanis averted her head derisively. She admitted that she was happy when her husband was by her side, but now she felt that she was uncomfortable all over when she regarded her husband. He wanted to go settle matters of the Andrew Family. There was indeed nothing really bad about that.

"When are you leaving?"

Oscar took in a breath, "Tonight… I'm only bringing along Loran's rangers. Murat, Kamille and Barbara Schubernate will all remain in Dulin; they won't let you run into any trouble. You should trust my knights. If you still fear of any incidents, then call for Torry's Artillerymen Division to enter the city and arrange the six fortress cannons onto the sidewalk of Kenshin Palace. I reckon that no one will dare take you for granted anymore."

Alanis nodded her head, refusing to comment. "What about the Military Intelligence System?"

Oscar laughed lightly; his wife was indeed not sloppy in the least. "There's Messier! Besides, my deputy, Count Tivoli Hadley, won't refuse your requests."

The Princess of the Empire suddenly eyed her husband with a gaze that was difficult to fathom, "Have you never thought that… leaving the capital at this hour could cause you to possibly lose all that you have gained previously?"

Oscar raised his wife's veil. His gaze bored into Alanis', "All of mine is yours! Remember this!"

Alanis evaded the man's eyes. However, she acknowledged that he wasn't wrong. No matter what, she and he were firecrackers that had long since been bundled together. If one of them were to turn into fireworks, then the other would be ignited together with it.

Bells started to toll again in the Dulin Scott Cathedral. The palace soldiers of the Capital Security Division had completely clogged up the empty space between the streets and the huge doors of the cathedral. The guards focused their lines of sight beyond their steel shields and gleaming swords.

The paladin procession was the first to come to a halt and after that came the entire vehicle procession. Two paladins helped Empress Rolyn Kate down from the carriage. The people could only catch sight of the black lace scarf ragged on the ground and the Empress' black diamond earrings; nothing else was visible.

The crown prince of the Empire, Lobble Alfa Morisette wasn't too sober. He had gotten drunk the night before and had ended up falling asleep in a man's bed. In the middle of the night, he had been carried away to Tacheles Fortress without reason. After that, he had gone to revere his father's corpse and lastly, had been shoved into a carriage by a crowd.

Lobble went to greet his brother-in-law as soon as he alighted the carriage. Oscar steadied him. One could tell that the Prince of the Empire was a little embarrassed. He felt that this friend of his was a humiliation.

His Second Highness, Lobmus Alfa Morisette, had broken away from his father's mistress. He went to kiss his mother. However, Empress Rolyn Kate dodged away slightly. That was because her son had just scurried out from under the skirts of a prostitute. Who knew what this chap's saliva brought with it!

Regardless of how excessive the displays of the Imperial Morisette Household members were, the cabinet ministers who had arrived on the scene crowded over. They had to work together to lift His Majesty III's coffin and place that massive crystal coffin before the image of God within the cathedral. Looking at the tea-white fleece carpet that was laid down from the hearse all the way to the entrance of the cathedral, and thinking about the crystal coffin which weighed more than two hundred kilograms, these cabinet ministers had no choice but to put on an eager expression. However, a moment elapsed and no one made any moves.

Marshal Robin stretched his weary old body. He poked his young student's belly, "You're a young man, lead on the way!"

Oscar immediately massaged his shoulder, "Old wound… old wound! Last night I suffered from the wind's…"

The old Marshal sized up the young prince in disbelief and then looked at the complexion of the Empire's Princess. Finally, he couldn't help but say to the Head of the Palace guards, Colonel Basil, "Look for a few strong paladins to help us!"

Colonel Basil promptly agreed. His soldiers still retained the air of paladins. A small platoon of Imperial Household knights dragged the Emperor's coffin helter-skelter and then yelled in a chorus until the massive crystal coffin landed on the shoulders of these soldiers.

"What is everyone doing standing there?" the Chief of Staff of the Guards took the lead. Grizzly beard old Marquises and Counts immediately squeezed into the ranks of paladins. They put on a show of putting in all their efforts in lifting the coffin of the former Emperor and then dawdled towards the direction of the cathedral.

The brass band started to play a sorrowful dirge. However, the conductor of the band emphasized a little too much on the tragic atmosphere of the scene. The tuba was trembling a little and the violins were even worse off. When the whole band combined with each other, it gave people an absolutely unbearable feeling.

However, the band was insensitive and sped up the pace for the paladins carrying the Emperor's coffin. Those cabinet ministers who were pretending to help were exposed. Their shoulders didn't even make contact with the coffin, their empty hands were raised high up and their faces were scrunched up as if they were supporting a pillbox with exploding gunpowder.

Upon entering the huge doors of the cathedral, the chaotic scene instantly became solemn. The awful musicians outside the doors could finally retire and the choir in the cathedral had lifted their voices in song. They were singing the "Dulin Scott Requiem Mass". Their lyrics quoted many famous religious pieces of literature. For a moment, the entire space resounded with a breathtaking dirge.

The crowd that was carrying the coffin finally arrived before the image of God in the cathedral. The God of Light Sapriuses gazed at the deceased and his subjects with kingly eyes. Emperor Alfa III of the Morisette Dynasty had his eyes closed; his crossed arms even had a scepter wedged between them. Perhaps he didn't like being positioned this way because he had brought this up during this younger days, but there wasn't anyone at hand. It seemed that even the far superior gods had shifted their gazes away and didn't care at all about Osli Alfa Morisette, who had once been a monarch of the people.

When the final funeral mass was about to begin, the Titan parish's religious leader had already opened the authority book bestowed by the God. However, a sudden violent sound of wood breaking rang out in the cathedral. The wooden platform at which the Emperor's coffin was placed caved in with a drawn-out creak at one corner. The cabinet ministers, Imperial Household relatives, and foreign envoys all let out a startled cry. The Emperor's coffin followed the defected corner and smashed into the ground. In that instant, the entire cathedral immediately erupted with chaotic cries.

"Hahahahahaha!" looking at the crowd that fought to rush up the platform. Lobmus Alfa Morisette howled with uncontrollable laughter. His brother-in-law clutched at his arm with all his might, but the crown prince of the Empire still acted without any regards to others. Oscar had no other option but to land a heavy blow on his old friend's chin. As a result, this brought about jeers from His Second Highness.

Alanis had long exceeded the stage of rage. She used icy gazes to evaluate the chaotic scene. Some were weeping on the scene just like her mother, some were chortling, just like her brothers. The Princess of the Empire spat quietly.

"Do you see now, father? They're mocking you; all of them are mocking you! They are humiliating the divine Morisette's without restraint! But rest assured, I will claim justice for you! No one can look down on the ruler of Titan! May the almighty God grant me the strength to be able to strike these bug-like lives into hell!"

"Le roi est mort, vive le roi!" Alanis muttered in the noisy cathedral and among the requiem that had yet to stop. She suddenly snapped around to face her husband. "Oscar, your decision is just too wise! If possible, even I will like to go far away from this wretched place!"

Oscar was truly a little frightened, "You're not serious, are you?"

His wife burst into laughter. She laughed even brighter and than her brother. "I'm merely joking! But you must bring back good news from Narcissus County, otherwise, don't you ever return!"

Looking at his wife's face that had suddenly turned cold, Oscar subconsciously nodded. His wife had changed. She had become exceedingly unfamiliar and terrifying.

The disturbance of the mass ceremony finally came to an end. The paladin had quickly used bricks to once again lift up the platform. The Emperor's coffin was still in good condition. After this, Archbishop Karl Arnold abided to the standards and made a prayer of eternal rest for the Emperor. Then, the Emperor's corpse was sprinkled with holy water and holy oil and burned incense that represented the mark of the gods.

The servants started off the farewell ceremony, which was then followed by the high-ranking officials and the foreign envoys. When everything had ended, the setting sun was already on the western horizon. The radiance of the fiery color penetrated through the layers of clouds and shone softly onto the multi-colored stained glass windows of the cathedral. The entire floor was instantly blanketed with a kaleidoscopic myriad of colors.

The Emperor's coffin was to be left in the cathedral for a period of time. Later, another pope representative who had come from the faraway Holy City of Rome would conduct another prayer of eternal rest. This servant of the gods brought the noblest worldly symbol of divine right – a shroud that was sewn from golden threads and engraved with religious incantations. Alfa III had to be wrapped in this shroud, only then could he be buried peacefully. It was said that this article could allow him to possess the divine power to ascend into heaven and prevent disturbance from the devil and emissaries of hell.

However, at that time, no one would care about this. The Emperor's burial had nothing to do with the Empire's subjects; that was something the Imperial Morisette Household had to worry about.

***************

In the dark of night of the 24th, the effects of the capital's night curfew were still very notable. The Northwestern wind blew over the shoulders of the soldiers of the Guards, carrying away the dust on the streets and all sorts of filthy objects. The bone-chilling frigid wind dispersed the gathered clouds. The moonlight was deathly pale, reflecting the outline of the heavens.

Daytime in Dulin was so grand and majestic, but why was its night so eerie?

Alanis closed the curtains. Her husband had just bid her farewell. The instant he caressed the child she bore, the Princess of the Empire was slightly moved, but the resolution and distraught in his eyes quashed the Princess' enthusiasm. It seemed like this man had caused everything to become unnatural.

The command of the Red Tiger knights rang out from outside the palace doors followed by the tremendous sound of the cavalry galloping by. The husband of the Empire's Princess set off on his journey home. However, Alanis knew long since that he would first stop by Swan Hill Castle for he had to pick up his nothing but silly little sister.

Alanis had always regarded Lady Sasha Nedgabel Andrew this way.

"Actually… this is also understandable! The former Emperor has already foreseen this!" Rudolf Hoss leaned against the sofa contentedly. He seemed to have a card up his sleeve.

"Foreseen what? The shameful performance of his subjects?" the Princess of the Empire remarked disdainfully. She feared that the incident at the funeral mass would forever be etched into her memory. That was too disgusting and may perhaps cause her to feel sick about it her whole life.

"No!" the Head of the Secret Service exclaimed while pointing outside the window, "Your husband's actions! He would definitely hurry back to Narcissus County when he learned of the inside story and then set out to sort the internal affairs of the Andrew Family. It is also because of this that His Majesty III didn't hand over too many matters to him while he was alive. Our Lord had entrusted the capital affairs to Marshal Alan and me."

Alanis scoffed coldly, "What should we do next?"

The Head of the Secret Service stood up and helped the Princess to settle back against the sofa. He had never had any dealings with pregnant women and so, was quite curious about the Princess' large belly.

"What you have to do now is to care for your health and break away from the pain of losing our Lord as soon as possible!"

"Then?"

"Then nothing!" Rudolf Hoss laughed smugly, "You only need to stay put quietly at Kenshin Palace and wait for the Imperial Secretariat to announce you as the successor of the Empire's throne!"

"That simple?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the Head of the Secret Service suddenly went down on one knee.

"What did you call me?" Alanis' eyes widened, but she still extended her right hand subconsciously. "If there aren't any incidents… actually, there won't be any incidents; I will be the first to address you as Your Majesty!" Count Rudolf Hoss kissed the back of the Princess' hand lightly, "I am extremely honored, my mistress!"

Alanis' suddenly kneaded her brows. Her son or daughter had given her a heavy kick.

***************

Reynold Hewitt Preston massaged his skull in alarm. He had no idea why his grandfather was so severe in his actions.

Alan's face expressed resent over unmet expectations. He glared at his somewhat childish grandson.

"Do you know what you have done? I recall that I've emphasized this to you more than once, that is, don't allow anyone to leave the Karl Arnold Family's base camp. So tell me, what is up with this wretched young lady?"

"Lady Karl Arnold was holding the invitation letter from the Imperial Secretariat, and I had no reason to bar her entry!" Reynold wrinkled his brows, troubled. He knew that his grandfather's mood was awful. Ever since news about the funeral came from Dulin, he had started to pick on things to fuss over and putting on a face that implied that everyone on the face of the earth was a blockhead. Alan spread his hands impatiently. "Remember! Once again, remember! This is the last time! Don't let me discover anyone missing from the Karl Arnold Family's base camp!"

Reynold had been suspicious all the while and cautiously shifted closer to his grandfather's seat.

"Sir, permission to ask."

"Don't give me that!" Alan shot a look at his grandson, "If there's anything, spit it out!"

The contemptuous Lieutenant General of the Guards gulped, "I have never understood; the decisive battle is at Dulin, so why are we guarding the Jebron Family's Fortress?"

This time Alan directly knocked him with the hilt of the Marshal sword. "Are you an idiot or what? Are you even worthy of the comments Duke Andrew wrote on your resume? What fine military accomplishment and a style that is up to mark; who are you kidding?"

Reynold had already retreated to a corner in the room. He rubbed at his sore spot like a pitiful creature.

"For what reason is Rolyn Kate continuing to linger on in Dulin? Her control over the northern military affairs hasn't been just a mere day or two, but ten years, foolish child! Do you know how many commissioned officers in the northern army have received double salaries from the Empire's military and the Karl Arnold Family? Do you know what kind of matter it will bring about if the northern army, under the urge of the Empress, were to travel south and descend upon Dulin?"

Reynold shrugged, "His Elder Highness is just for display. If the Empress really chooses her second son, I believe that the southern army, under His Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette's control, will definitely not agree to it. The Prince will back his wife, Princess Alanis."

Alan heaved a sigh; his grandson wasn't foolish beyond redemption. "It's a civil war! If at this moment, a war were to break out internally, Titan's millennial foundation will be doomed! The western wolf cubs will not miss this opportunity. They will unite to attack our country and seek to reap benefits for each of themselves."

"Weren't you and His Majesty III all the while been striving hard to avoid such a situation?"

Alan nodded, "His Majesty III commenced it a little too late. Empress Royln Kate still has a religious leader by her side. Archbishop Karl Arnold's authority isn't something that can be measured by worldly interests. He can easily obtain the authorization of the pope and support from all the religious countries. When that moment arrives… what is legal will become illegal!"

Reynold held the old man's hand, "You should rest! I understand what you're worried about and also know that you're extremely pained by the death of His Majesty III! Those indeed hurt me so. Don't tell me you still refuse to give it a rest!"

Alan couldn't help but smile, "Foolish child, I just know that you're a smart rascal!"

However, as soon as the old Marshal's gaze flitted away from his grandson, they plunged into the previous loneliness. "Osli… Osli! I watched him grow into an adult, become the crown prince of the Empire, being crowned Emperor, indulge in flings and lastly, watched him being tormented by his debts until he couldn't rest or eat in peace… I'm glad that I didn't watch him leave. Otherwise, I'd definitely have lost my sanity!"

Reynold patted the back of the old man's hand. "Sir, you didn't let His Majesty III and this Empire down. You're the role model of the soldiers of the Empire and also mine! Do you want to see the epitaph I wrote for you? It's very interesting!"

"You're asking for it again, aren't you?" Silver Fox Alan was so enraged that his beard was quivering.

"But I must thank you!" the Marshal of the Guards suddenly grinned, "I feel much better!"

Reynold finally reeled in all his frivolity and saluted to the old man.

"Sir, your commands, sir!"

Silver Fox Alan snorted coldly, "Order all units affiliated with the Northern Army Group that during the national funeral, mobilizations of all fifty-people groups, which is anything more than a platoon, is prohibited. If any army is found to disobey and secretly mobilize their units, it will be regarded as treason!"

The old man chuckled and took a breather. He was eager to see the game-changing methods the Karl Arnold siblings and the Westland Kingdom Alliance that kept revealing from up their sleeves.

A real contest that didn't keep the people sitting upright in their seats with suspense would lose its meaning.

At least that was the thing that Titan's Secretary of State, Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand, had said. He had returned to the small house in Ravenhan after the Emperor's funeral mass. The people were all guessing the troops that this old fox would select.

However… if anyone could guess it, then the man at Ravenham wasn't Kachev and merely a random character.





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