"Today, we remember two great husbands, fathers, and gentleman." We had the Priest who performed our wedding, do the remembrance ceremony. "King Jerrold and Sir Peter were great members of society. King Jerrold left behind a kingdom, a loving wife, and six children. If anyone would like to speak of him, please do so now." Char got up from his seat by me, wearing a black tunic with mourning armor. "My father was a good man. He had many jokes, many speeches, and many words of wisdom to me and my siblings. I remember once, we were on our way to Ayothra. It was only I, Nicholas, Cecila, father, and mother who were expecting Edmond and Thomas around the time. We stopped at a local inn, and we had a pillow fight. Goose feathers flying everywhere! And the aftermath was exhaustion. When mother found us, she was not quite pleased with father, for getting feathers everywhere." Char spoke steadily in the front of the church. "Father taught me two things, bravery, and honesty. So I can't say that I'm exactly like him. Or that I'm as brave, or as noble as him. But I can say that I had a great father." He was to the point of tears, so he stepped down. When he sat back down, I took his hand in mine, and gave it a gentle squeeze. Nicholas and Queen Daria spoke.
Then the Priest spoke about father. "Sir Peter was also a wonderful man. He left behind a wife, his daughter, and two step-daughters. He was a clever merchant, who left the comfort of his home, to make a living. If anyone would like to speak of him, please do so now." I got up from my seat, wearing a black bonnet and black dress. "My father was very clever, firm, and not an easy person to fool or persuade. I remember after my mother died, he was going to send me to finishing school. I told him I would rather have a governess, and that I would work hard if I had a governess.
His response was 'So if I sent you to finishing school, you wouldn't work hard?' Thus I was sent away. My father was also known for his trickery. Went I stayed with elves in the forest, after running away from the same finishing school I was sent to, I told them I was his daughter. They called him, a sly man with tricks up his sleeve. He deceived many of the elves there. But he was still a good man who kept his word." I was also on the verge of tears; I remembered how much I loved the man, who betrayed mother and me. "When you remember my father, think of what I have said. Don't think of the sly Sir Peter of Frell. Think of the kind man who was my father." I stepped down, and went back to my seat. I pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped my falling tears. Char saw them, and gathered me in his arms, our lives were about to change for the second time in a week. The carination was tomorrow. We would take the throne.
-:-
After the mourning reception, Char and I traveled to an opened meadow. We didn't want to go back to the palace full of memories and sadness just yet. Everyone else had gone up there; we would go back in a little while. We sat down on a grassy hill, and I took off my bonnet, revealing my hair in a ponytail, tied with a black ribbon. We sat in silence for about five minutes. Then he spoke, "I'm going to find who did this. They'll give us another sign soon." His voice was firm and clear. Ayothra would never do this to their ally. Char suspects an enemy of Kyrria did this. That might mean war! So we changed the subject, "Char, even with your father gone, the council still remains true to what they want of me. I would like to keep my word. So…." This is awkward to talk about. He just looked at me, "Are you sure?" I was hesitant, "Yes, but only if you are." From that day on, I can't drink wine or be too active. I was trying to become pregnant within the month. Or else, Nicholas would take the throne. It was my duty to King Jerrold to keep my word. No matter how scared of childbirth and sex I am.
