Chapter 80

Crown Princess Elora

Furiah

"It is enough, Elora. Know when to stop," Oren chastised her from above.

An hour had passed since the heavens had opened, and the rain showed no signs of relenting. It descended in relentless sheets, cascading down in an unending deluge. The earth had transformed into a watery symphony, each raindrop composing its own unique melody as it splattered against the ground. The pitter-patter of the rain on the grave echoed through the surroundings, creating a rhythm that danced in harmony with the storm's intensity. Everything was enveloped in a cloak of water and sound, especially her clothes.

"When the sun was scalding hot, you were here as well. You wish for death," Oren droned on.

It was not that she wished death upon herself. She just felt overwhelmed and was spiralling in a dark tunnel she did not know how to get out of.

Finally, rose to her feet and followed him into the palace, where her retainers graciously waited. She was their queen, now, after the coronation that took place three days ago.

Seven days. A week had passed since her mother took her leave to the world of bliss.

Not more than two days after her funeral, they went on to place the crown on Elora's head. The people in attendance at the funeral, therefore, had not departed so as to attend her coronation ceremony.

"Your Majesty, here will be my update." Nylah was the lady in charge of the queen's schedule and running the palace. They recognised her as the Senior Palace Lady.

A long coat was shoved on her by another retainer, seeing her drenched in rain and trembling.

"His Royal Highness is still unwell," Nylah summarised Yun Xiang's state.

Since the passing of his grandmother, all he did was cry every minute he was awake. Even his feeding had become minimal. His health was all right when he was checked, so they could only conclude that he missed his grandmother.

His days were a relentless cascade of tears, shedding them relentlessly throughout each waking hour. Even the most basic of tasks, such as eating, had dwindled to a mere necessity, eclipsed by the weight of his unyielding grief.

Physician evaluations yielded no tangible ailments affecting his health, leaving the conclusion that his profound decline was solely attributed to the loss of his grandmother. But until when he would continue to cry, nobody knew. And this worried Elora. What if something else was the matter and they were just ignorant to it?

Her mother always seemed to know what to do. She understood Yun Xiang more than anyone else, and he seemed to respond positively to every effort she put toward him. Now she was gone and Yun Xiang and Elora had each other. They did not know how to deal with that fact.

In the past, Elora would hide behind her mother whenever Yun Xiang became too much to handle. Only when the storm had passed would she suffice it fit to step in.

Not anymore.

And this just made her feel like the worst mother. Whenever she went to him, she could not handle more than an hour of his crying and unhappiness.

His grandfather, Oren, did not seem to mind it as much, but he was mostly busy with organising matters concerning the military and the many events that did not seem to end due to the passing away of the queen.

"His Majesty, Emperor Huizhong, still insists on being granted your audience. He refuses to leave Furia till then," Nylah continued.

Yuwen Hong attended her mother's funeral just as the many dignitaries that appeared from all corners of the earth. Now that the coronation had passed, everyone dispersed and departed for their homes. Not him, who had insisted on seeing her from the day he first arrived.

She had seen him in the crowds at the different ceremonies that took place over the week. Gladly, the many people between them had kept them apart. And whenever he made an effort to approach her, they did not get time to speak before another would join and take away the opportunity for privacy.

"The North has been flooded by this rain. We request your approval to release resources to assist the affected."

After Elora passed by her study chambers to affix her seal, authorising the allocation of resources to the flood-stricken regions, she withdrew to the sanctum of her bedchambers. Sensing her need for solitude, when her loyal attendants sought to accompany her into the chambers, she swiftly intervened, issuing firm instructions that refrained them from entering.

Trudging, tiredly, she threw herself to the floor and a flood of tears immersed her. Although these moments rarely occurred, when it did happen, she did not know how to face it. She felt as if she had been thrown into a sealed box where she could barely breathe and no matter how much she banged to be let out, she could not come out.

Her wet clothes clung to her body, mimicking how cold she internally felt.

They wanted her to stand as the firm queen she was supposed to be. It was expected of her to take responsibility and be the incredible mother she could not be. She had to stand up for others where she could not stand for herself. Be there for people where she could not carry herself.

Pitiful. She was quite pitiful, yet she did not feel sorry for herself.

Hours later, or be it minutes? Elora woke up to find her chambers darkened, though now lit candles provided a bit of light. The roof swayed and spun around as she found herself getting sat on a bed.

"Your grief breaks my heart. Be it possible, I'd bear it for you."

Warm, sure, hands softly pulled the coat off her, then began to work on the buttons of her dress.

Puzzled, she looked up to find Yuwen Hong standing over her and looking down. He wore the dark robes symbolising mourning in Furia, compared to the white they wore in Nevoria when they mourned.

"I had them prepare a hot bath for you." He pulled her to stand as he pushed the dress down her hips, leaving her only in her undergarments. "You have a bit of temperature."

After getting her entirely naked, he carried her into the steaming dish and laid her inside. Gently did he rub the soapy towel over her body.

Someone taking care of her, when she felt horrible about herself, had the walls in her heart falling while tears trickled down her cheeks.

Of course, only him would know how to deal with her now. He had done it before in Nevoria, and again, he was doing it now when she needed it; picking up her broken pieces and putting her back together.

Yuwen Hong saw her tears and wiped them off. She welcomed him when he cuddled her into his chest where she cried even more.

For the first time, she actually felt that she was crying not in vain, but releasing something from the inside to allow healing.

"Grief is not something we can entirely get rid of. We just learn to live with it," he whispered to her. "And if anyone can do it, it's you."

She nodded as she bit her lips to stop crying even more.

When he was done bathing her, he dressed her into warm sleeping garments, and carried her into bed. Taking the other side of the bed, he slid in after stripping his outer garment. His body engulfed her whole by wrapping around her.

"Remember you are stronger than you feel, Li Lian. I have seen you do it before, and you can do it again." He whispered into her ear.

She nestled closer to him, finding solace in the warmth of his embrace, and listened intently as his hoarse voice softly enveloped her in a soothing melody of words. His presence, his calming timbre, it felt more than enough to chase away the darkness. He lulled her into a tranquil state that she easily succumbed to the gentle embrace of sleep.

As her consciousness drifted away, she found herself transported to a vivid dreamscape—a vast, verdant field stretched out before her, vibrant with life. Her mother stood by her side as her guiding light. The air was filled with the sweet scent of grass, and the sky above was a perfect shade of cerulean.

Laughter bubbled up from within her as she and her mother ran through the field, their joy echoing across the expanse. They raced with unbridled enthusiasm, their spirits intertwined in an intimate dance of pure happiness. Each step they took was like a dance move choreographed by the universe itself, a synchrony of love and laughter.

They transcended the earthly realm, ascending together, ascending beyond the horizon, and vanishing into the endless expanse of the sky.

S.V