I stood by the window of my gilded cage, watching servants prepare the grounds for Fenwyn's funeral. Sleep had eluded me all night, haunted by the thought of Fenwyn and my father—two fierce forces—destroying each other but at what cost?
With dawn's first light, I rose, bathed, dressed, and braided my hair into the customary crown braid. Now, I waited silently, watching the servants doing there chores, waiting to be summoned.
"Princess, may I come in?" Friya knocked at the door.
"Yes, come in," I replied, stepping away from the window and moving toward the couch.
"Princess!" she gasped. "You've already gotten dressed? But I was supposed to help you!"
"I couldn't sleep. There was no point in tossing and turning."
"But you should've sent for me!" she cried. "You bathed in cold water? You could catch pneumonia!"
"I'll survive," I said with a faint smile. "But I am hungry."
"Right—yes, of course!" Friya nodded frantically and rushed off. Had things been different, I might've laughed at her usual dramatics until my sides ached—but not today.
She returned minutes later with a cart overloaded with food: berries, cheeses, breads, pastries—enough for a small feast.
"I didn't know what you liked," she said, catching her breath.
"Where did all this come from?"
"The kitchens, ma'am."
"Locally sourced?"
"Yes—farms, bakeries, dairies… all from around Caerthrone." As she prepared my plate, she added, "Shall I make you some tea as well?"
I nodded and took a bite of warm bread. I ate most of what Friya served me, my first proper meal since arriving in Caerthrone. "How long until the funeral?"
"An hour or two, perhaps."
"Is there a library in the manor?"
"There are two—one is the main library, the other is the Lord Commander's private collection."
"Could you bring me something from the main one? Anything. I just need a distraction."
She returned with an armful of books—twenty, by her count—and left again to tend to chores. I settled on a story about an animal kingdom, but my mind refused to focus. I read the words, but they felt hollow. Eventually, I stacked the books neatly on a table—there wasn't a shelf—and had just placed the last one when a knock interrupted me.
"Come—" The door opened before I could finish. "—in."
Kaelen stood there, cold as ever. That glacial stare, unfeeling, unreadable.
"You're ready," he said flatly, stepping in. He wore formal black armor—ceremonial, not practical.
"We'll leave shortly. Follow me."
I stood up and smoothed my mourning dress, checking for crumbs. His gaze did the same, assessing me in silence before meeting my eyes.
"If you're done grooming yourself," he said, "follow me."
He turned without waiting. I quickened my pace to catch up but slowed again, falling a few steps behind. We exited through the same doors where he'd dragged me in days earlier.
A footman moved to open the carriage, but Kaelen waved him off and opened it himself.
"Princess," he said, offering his hand.
I ignored it, climbing in without help.
He joined me inside, and though I wanted to ask why he was riding with me, I said nothing. I watched the world pass instead: fields, inns, shops—Caerthrone more alive than I remembered. I couldn't recall the town center ever being this bustling.
The carriage stopped at the House of God. My family had visited it weekly in the past. Some things, at least, remained unchanged.
"Princess, I'm going to offer you my hand," Kaelen said suddenly. "I need you to take it."
"Why?"
"I won't ask again, Princess"
"Nyriane," I snapped.
"I won't ask again, Nyriane."
He stepped out and extended his hand. This time, I took it. Cold steel enclosed mine as I descended.
"Who's she?" I heard the murmurs.
"Princess Nyriane. King Elarion's granddaughter. Captured after Baylor's fall."
"Why is she here—at her enemy's funeral?"
Kaelen didn't flinch at the whispers. He held my hand firmly as we entered. Once inside, he released it to greet the priest.
"Let the crowd in after we're seated," he instructed, and the priest nodded.
He led me to the front row, gestured for me to sit, then approached the casket. I watched as he adjusted something—armor, perhaps—and leaned in to whisper words I couldn't hear. For a moment, he looked like someone mourning. Someone human.
But as the crowd filtered in, the mask returned. He sat beside me, stiff and silent.
The priest began in the old tongue, lighting the candles of repentance. Final prayers were spoken. Flames were snuffed.
"Now I ask our new Lord Commander to speak."
Kaelen rose.
"Craven Fenwyn was not a gentle man, nor did he ever pretend to be. He was steel—unbending, forged by war, and unafraid to draw blood for what he believed was right. He raised me not with kindness, but with purpose. And though his methods were harsh, his loyalty to this realm was absolute.
He did not seek glory—he seized it. He tore down a corrupt throne and built something stronger in its place. Whether you loved or loathed him, none can deny he changed Velmoria forever.
Today, we lay to rest a warrior, a king, and a man who carved a future from ash. May his enemies curse his name, and may Velmoria never forget his strength."
He turned to face the casket. "I hope you are now at peace, Father. Reunited with Amara, Parson, and Lee. I will protect Velmoria as you did—and as you taught me to."
Some in the crowd sobbed. I remained silent, watching him.
Bitterness welled in my throat. I was standing at the funeral of the man who killed my father—a man who also died by my father's hand. It felt surreal. I was their enemy. So why was I here, not imprisoned or paraded like a trophy?
"Everyone will now pay their respects," came a voice beside me—the head priest.
"Please, we ask you to go first."
"Me?" I asked. He only nodded.
I walked slowly toward the casket. Kaelen was already there.
Craven hadn't changed much. A bit leaner, his hair thinner. But still the same man I remembered in fragments.
"He does seem at peace," I murmured, standing beside Kaelen. "Is this how any of us gains peace?"
"Maybe," he replied, softly.
His gaze never left the casket.
"May he find the light," I said, then turned and walked away.
I sat down in the front row and watched as people payed their respects to the old Lord Commander and the new one. This seemed to go on forever till finally, Kaelen whispered something the priest and the priest in turn nodded.
"The doors will now close, everyone who has paid their respects please leave. It's time to lay the dead to the ground"
The last few people in line paid their and soon the only people left were Kaelen, his soldiers and four to five people who looked similar to Craven. Knowing he didn't have any immediate family they were most likely distant relatives.
Kaelen helped carry the casket outside to the graveyard. The crowd watched from a far, looking over the short wall of the graveyard. It didn't feel right to stand next to his family so I stood a few feet away as they lowered his casket down into the ground.
I stood in place and Kaelen placed the final handfuls of soil over his father's grave. Once done he paid his final respects and walked straight towards me.
"It will be dark soon, Princess," Kaelen said as he approached. "My soldiers have brought your father's casket to the Starwyn graveyard back at Aureliath."
My mouth went dry. All I could do was nod. As Kaelen led me toward the carriage, I clutched my dress, dreading what was to come.
Maybe this is a nightmare, I thought. Maybe I'll wake up.
But there was no waking up from this.
As we neared the Starwyn graveyard, I saw my father's casket from afar, resting beside an open grave. My feet moved of their own accord, my mind numb. A priest stood nearby, along with a few revolutionary soldiers.
I sank to my knees beside the casket, my arms limp in my lap.
"Open it," Kaelen commanded.
A soldier obeyed, bending down to lift the lid.
I couldn't hold it in any longer—a scream tore from my throat, raw and unrelenting.
"Father, please! No! Oh God, no!" I sobbed, gazing at his bloodied, battered form. "It's your sunshine, Father! Please don't leave me!"
The priest placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "It's time, my child. Say your final goodbyes."
"I hope you're at peace now... finally reunited with Mother," I whispered through my sobs. "I'll always love you."
Tears streamed down my face like a dam had broken, unstoppable and wild.
"I hope you find the light," came Kaelen's voice beside me. I turned to see him kneeling at my side. "And are at peace."
He looked up at the soldiers and gave a silent nod.
They began lowering the casket.
As the last handfuls of soil fell over his grave, my world gave out beneath me.
Darkness closed in.
And I fell.