rachel's perspective
"I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT."
My mother's voice wobbled as she pinned up my hair.
Tears stamped to her face as she attempted to keep her composure.
My brothers were dressed in black suits, my mother and I in black dresses. Not one ornament or cloth we wore had a sparkle or shine.
Dull.
Dreary.
Dead.
My eyes remained dry as I looked at my altering skin in the mirror. I disliked how I appeared to myself and to the world.
"Queen Alexandra is there any help that you need?" one of our maidens Arlene, knocked on the closed door.
I knew every Servant and Maiden by voice, laugh, and sneeze.
"No thanks Arlene, we're almost ready." my mother bowed her head in dismay.
She busied herself fixing my brothers' ties.
They lost their usual energy to play recklessly, and loosely held the bouquets of red and white in their hands.
"I wish I was ready." I glanced at my quivering lips, and turned away from the mirror.
ﾟ. ───
We arrived at the Frogmore Gardens on the Western Sect of Azarath. It was only a few minutes away from the Castle. I never realized how much people were in the Nation until now.
The rich, the poor, the light, the dark, the young, the old, the injured, and the healthy all showed up for my father's Farewell Ceremony. Green shrubbery surrounded us along with colorful flowers. But that was barely noteworthy with a dulling sky and the aura of lament.
"And today we mourn the death of the late King Thomas of Azarath..." the Clergyman commenced.
His face was dismal and he wore all black.
My family and I stood in front of the Crowd, and stared at the black box. There was a white star and a white dove engraved unto the top of the coffin.
"Who has departed from us in a premature manner. A man of honor, charity, and justice.
A husband, father of three, missed and loved sincerely by all." he droned in despair.
Cries cracked the atmosphere while my heart rumbled. My face remained paralyzed as my mind attempted to believe the reality.
"Please, pay your due respects to the Fallen Monarch." the Clergy bowed his head and stepped back.
People began to place their last remnants with the King and resumed to their original spots.
"Come on Children." my mother urged us to give the last respect.
"Good-bye Dada. You, you will be missed. I love you." Richard placed a white bouquet on top of the mountain of flowers with his favorite pair of cufflinks. Richard bowed, and kissed the edge of the coffin.
"I hope to see you ag-ain one day Dada. You were a better King than I could ever be." Raymond let out a shrilling wail and rested the red flowers and his favorite pair of trousers.
My skin turned hot as I recognized it was my turn. My heart resounded in my head as I plodded forward. People looked at me with moderate disgust and rejection.
I shoved my abnormal conditions behind my head and focused on the Ceremony.
I put my favorite necklace on the roof of the coffin, and fell on my kneecaps.
The necklace was made of intricately cut diamonds and sparkled light into the dark present.
I started to break. The galaxy seemed to distort as the truth shattered me. My lungs delayed each respire and my blood turned cold.
Of course gorgeous. This will be a night we will never forget.
The nightmare of the Gala repeated in my head.
"Dada- wake up..." I knocked the coffin slowly.
"Please... don't leave me here... I love you." my damp face scrunched in pain.
"Dada, get out of there... Get out of there!" my grey knuckles and chipped against the wood.
A wave struck my brain and my nerves gave out.
"Rachel, Rachel honey..." my mother placed her hand on my shoulder.
"HE'S NOT ANSWERING ME! I'M NOT LEAVING HERE UNT—IL HE ANSWERS ME!" ferment washed over my body and I lost control.
"Rachel! Rachel!" my mother tried to solace me as the crowd murmured in deep concern.
"We can't leave him here Mama, w-we can't!The last thing in this world he would do is leave us, leave us all by ourselves..." I cried desperately.
My mother embraced me and wept.
"The good thing darling, is h— he will always be in our hearts." I blinked a tear down my face and my vision cleared.
The same woman that slaughtered my father and hexed me was standing not too far away from us. Her shadowy draperies made her blend right in with the crowd. Her flesh-hungry eyes glued to me. I tried to look away but I couldn't.
My mother let go of me and put her most precious crown to rest with her husband.
It as if I was the only one in the world in front of my Father's predator.
Don't bother crying Princess... because this is only the beginning, her eyes said to mine.
I had no choice but to shrink apprehensively in my clothes, let the wind freeze my fallen tears, and break all over again when the shovels put dirt over my King.