“The palace is on high alert. Wandering may not be so wise, ..Princess.” Markus said aloud to Brittany as she started to walk away from them. Honestly, he thought it to be rude that she was just leaving without being dismissed by either one of them. Well, that was simply okay because, by this time tomorrow, a new leadership will be official.
Today was an utter mess, and both of them couldn’t wait for the day to end. But, they still had a few more people to talk to before they could retire for the night. They thought that they would get more answers out of Princess Brittany– seeing as how she admitted to being a witch and all. But, despite their efforts, they gained no information out of her. But, the night was fairly young, and they owed a duty to their fallen father and king. Although, maybe all of this was.. just due to his health and not due to any other cause at all.
The palace was quiet well into the next morning– So quiet, that it made the previous day seem like a misplaced nightmare. But, the sound of a phenomenal bell rung in the early morn. The bell was familiar to the kingdom because it meant that someone important had fallen. The bell tolled thrice in a row before humming to a still. At that point, the reality of what had happened was settling in.
Those rings were significant enough to cause the citizens of Thespyria to stir from their homes towards the palace. When enough of them had gathered, the kingdom was informed that the king had succumbed to a terminal illness. Of course, the people of Thespyria were in shock. Many of them reacted to the news differently– Some with gasps, and some with tears. Some with disbelief and uncertainty. But, after the information on when the funeral would proceed, the palace appointee left the citizen to their own devices. As of now, the kingdom was… kingless.
The bittersweet thing about the king’s death was that his funeral was already planned. People knew what they were supposed to do during the ceremony, so that meant things didn’t have to be put together last minute during their grief. Out of all things, the most concerning was how quick things were happening. However, there wasn’t much that anyone could do about it. Thespyria was leaderless, and that needed to change soon.
Citizens clamored to the massive courtyard to attend the ceremony. The king’s body was encased in a glass casket that was encrusted with jewels and accessorized. Many people in the kingdom took the opportunity to pay respects to the King Cedric, but the guards ensured that no one got too carried away. It seemed as if a couple of hours had passed before the viewing was dwindling to a close. Now, with a stroke of a bell again, the ceremony officially begun.
Of course, the two princes walked to where their father’s body was located. Tears were forming in each of their eyes, but they had to remain strong for their people. Connor and Markus talked amongst each other as they had the chance to be near their father’s body alone. Markus brushed his hand briefly against the case, and Connor allowed a small sigh to come from his mouth.
“Rest in comfort, glee, and peace. You have no worries any longer.” Connor stated just under his breath with a short nod of his head.
“..Rest well, Father. You will be.. forgotten not.” Markus remarked backing away from the casket. He hung his head in sorrow, but it took only a few seconds before he corrected his posture. The kingdom was watching, and he didn’t want to disappoint his father’s stance on appearing strong. So, after the two princes gave their final bows in unison, they walked off together to their rightful places.
With that, the ceremony continued as followed and the rest of the royals– including the princesses– were each escorted to their assigned seats. The princesses had only been in Thespyria for one night, and they were already at a funeral ceremony for the king. Once all of the royal figures were seated, the priest commenced with his scriptures.
Thirty minutes had passed before all of Cedric’s rightful passing privileges had been announced or provided to him. Something like this in Thespyria was significant– Especially for someone as superior as a king. But, with a final toll of the bell, three guard came up to each side of the casket and lifted it in unison and started to carry the casket to it’s appropriate destination to the horse-drawn carriage. Connor’s eyes followed his father’s body up until a point, but Markus kept his eyes focused to the crowd.
“In the event that a king departs from this Earth, he respectfully gives up his reign. When that reign has ended, a new king must take up the throne.” The priest announced aloud to the audience. “King Cedric was a dutiful, respectful king during his reign. This kingdom has prospered because of him. He has done all that is necessary to keep Thespyria protected.”
“By born right, the title of king is bequeathed to the rightful heir of the king. At this time, would the king’s firstborn please approach me.” The priest stated with his book in hand.
Markus had practiced this what seemed to be a thousand times, and he had assumed that he would be ready for it. But, the actual day could never compare to the simulated days. Still, Markus stood to his feet and made his way to the priest. When the prince did make it to where the priest was, the priest brushed a light layer of oil against Markus’ forehead in means of anointing him. Then, the priest simply had Markus sit down in his father’s throne.
To a tee, the prince followed all that had been instructed of him. It was dead silent except for the priest’s readings to Markus. Eventually, a different person toted a beautiful crown on a gold pillow towards where Markus was. When Markus did see that crown, it all flooded to him that this was actually happening. The priest picked up the crown from the pillow and carefully placed it in on Markus’ head.
“You rested in the throne as a prince, but now you rise as a king. Please rise.” The priest said as he backed away from the throne.
Markus only sat in silence with a furrowed brow as his eyes looked out over the many people.. The many people that he had to look after. It was.. scary, in a way. But, as the new king did stand to his feet, the priest bowed his head and other people soon followed. Eventually, a small disruption was caused by multiple people bending their knee to throne. It was.. quite the image to take in. He refused to disappoint them all.
“…We are strong!” Markus yelled aloud towards the many people before him.
“We are strong!” In a booming voice, the Thespyrians repeated those words back to him.
“King Cedric forever; Thespyria forever!” Markus continued to rally with a hardened expression, but with teary eyes. Despite that, the citizens in the kingdom seemed to have been chanting whatever he did. It was definitely a powerful image, even on such a gloomy occasion.
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