Chapter 080
As soon as the news of the Emperor’s death spread, the funeral proceeded swiftly.
Officially, the position of Crown Prince was vacant, so for the coronation to follow immediately after the funeral, everything had to move without a hitch.
The citizens of the empire gathered in the square for the funeral.
The nobles were dressed in black formal attire, while the common citizens wore a mix of clothes. Yet, everyone’s face was shadowed with grief.
The Emperor had a good reputation and ruled for the people. That was why even among ordinary citizens, many bowed their heads, wiping away tears.
Sobs could be heard, but Theo, visible from afar, remained calm, not shedding a single tear. Clearly, he could not show his grief recklessly, as all eyes in the empire were upon him.
His younger sibling wept beside him. In contrast, it felt sad that he could not freely mourn.
Though it must have been hard to accept the news, he carried out his duties thoroughly during the ceremony.
With his bow, everyone present offered a silent prayer in respect.
I closed my eyes too.
I had lost people close to me before, but this kind of farewell was new.
In the original story, the Emperor’s death never happened. But now, after being mixed into The Month of Cobentin, what meaning did it have to dwell on the original plot? The story had long since taken on its own variations.
He wasn’t especially close to me, but he was Theo’s father and was well-liked by everyone around me. Our last meeting hadn’t been particularly pleasant, but he had never treated me harshly.
Naturally, tears began to flow.
The Emperor’s face in the coffin looked peaceful, making his death feel even more futile.
Had he already known his fate? Theo stepped forward to announce the will the Emperor had prepared.
“My death is not a trial for Cobentin. I leave Cobentin to answer the call of the heavens. My ordained mission remains to protect the peace and prosperity of Cobentin, only the place where I shall carry it out has changed. For the eternal well-being of the Cobentin Empire, I designate Theodore Cobentin, the rightful and suitable heir, as Emperor. May Cobentin be blessed alongside him.”
The funeral ended with the lowering of the Emperor’s coffin.
A solemn atmosphere still lingered over the square, and people could not easily leave, paying their last respects.
A period of mourning was declared across the empire. All social events were suspended for two weeks, and the previously ostentatious decorations were taken down.
During the funeral, Peredil briefly came to see me.
He conveyed that, while honoring the Emperor, his work as a diplomatic ambassador and duke was overburdened due to preparations for Theo’s coronation. He added that it seemed unlikely he could deliver a congratulatory speech in Matias.
It was already doubtful whether the harvest festival in Matias could proceed as scheduled under the circumstances.
For some reason, Luna was now in a standby position. Her divine energy didn’t align well with Theo’s, so she would be temporarily relieved from the Emperor’s escort duties.
Until the reason and solution were clarified, she had no choice but to take a forced leave, which left her looking disappointed.
It wasn’t something she wanted to do, and as a noblewoman, she didn’t need a job at all. Still, having assisted the Emperor, she had found fulfillment in her duties, and stepping away suddenly left her feeling hollow.
The continuous changes left me unsettled too.
Everything I had been preparing seemed to collapse at once. Why was my life unraveling so effortlessly, I wondered.
Even saying goodbye to a friend like Theo, who was now hard to reach, seemed difficult.
Accepting that the time would come someday, I boarded a carriage to return to Woodville.
The carriage jolted and stopped suddenly, startling the entire Woodville family riding with me. Count Philip barely caught the swaying Mrs. Molly.
A familiar silhouette stood at the door. When Philip opened the carriage to assess the situation, Peredil was bowing his head.
“I apologize, Your Excellency. In my haste, I moved first and startled you.”
“It’s all right, Duke Seymour. What brings you here?”
“By the order of Crown Prince Theodore, who will soon become Emperor, we are returning to the palace. I wondered if Miss Joyce Woodville might accompany him.”
Philip looked at me, seemingly to ask my opinion.
“Am I allowed to go?”
“The Prince has not yet granted permission. But if I may be presumptuous, I believe it would be better for both of you if you went along, so I ask your intention.”
Of course, if he asked…
“May I accompany the Prince with Duke Seymour?”
Philip nodded at my earnest gaze.
“Comfort the Prince well.”
Peredil bowed again to Philip, then extended his hand to me.
I took his hand, and Seymour’s carriage set off for the palace. Upon arrival, he escorted me to the study.
“Wait here. I will finish speaking with the Prince and return.”
I followed his instructions quietly, sitting in the study.
I wondered what I should say when I finally met Theo, anxiously waiting for him.
…
“You knew, didn’t you? About Father’s illness.”
As soon as we entered the audience hall, Theo angrily blamed Peredil, who had bowed his head.
Peredil was the one who had delivered the Emperor’s will to him.
Duke Seymour, whom the Emperor trusted, had concealed the severity of the illness. He was discreet, handling everything without complication, and carefully prevented any leaks of information about the Emperor’s condition.
The Emperor had even commanded that the princes be kept unaware, so Peredil could not defy that order. Though he thought it cruel, he refrained from imposing his own judgment.
“He could not say it to his sons but could speak so freely in front of you. Did it never occur to him to tell Noah or me?”
“The Emperor commanded silence for the Princes, so I could not speak.”
“Command, command, command!”
Theo’s rage burst forth, veins standing on his forehead.
“How convenient! Everything becomes justified instantly just by citing the Emperor’s command!”
“I apologize. Beyond the Emperor’s command, it was also a family matter, so I could not intervene carelessly.”
“I am humbled by the Duke’s thoughtful consideration.”
Peredil remained kneeling, showing no movement.
“I am worried because he was so close to Father. I cannot hide the anxiety that the Duke may resent me, who cannot even come close to Father.”
It was a petty complaint. He had no fault, but Theo could not suppress the bubbling anger.
Knowing it was just venting, Peredil accepted it willingly.
“The House of Seymour pledges eternal loyalty to the Cobentin Imperial Family.”
Peredil bowed solemnly. Seeing no defiance, Theo gradually regained his composure.
“I look forward to the continued cooperation between Cobentin and Seymour.”
Though it implied I should leave, Peredil stayed.
He looked to his subordinate with the expression of someone asking if there was another matter.
“There is a lady waiting for an audience with the Prince.”
“Theo, are you all right?”
I expected to go to the audience hall, but instead I met him in his study.
Peredil left us alone to talk, allowing Theo to call me by name comfortably.
Sitting beside him, I got a close look at his face after a long while. He looked extremely gaunt, his face showing the strain of grief.
I worried if he had been eating or sleeping properly.
“…Father.”
Theo finally spoke, his head bowed in silence.
“He was selfish to the end. Hiding his illness from his son—how could he? He should have let me pay my respects properly. I hate Father… I really hate him so much…”
He buried his face in me, sobbing.
Though my shoulder became wet with his tears, I felt relieved. It was not difficult to lend him my shoulder; I wanted him to express his sorrow fully.
I patted his back.
“Cry as much as you need, Theo. As much as you want, as much as you need.”
“Why does everything I want always leave me…?”
He asked, gasping between tears.
“Joyce, you’re going back to Bria soon, right?”
“Yes, I’m going back.”
“Can’t you stay? Can’t you stay in the capital?”
Startled by the sudden question, I drew back.
“Would you like me to stay in the capital?”
“I know what you want. Better recognition and treatment for the theater troupe, and the opportunity to become a female troupe director. I can give you all that.”
His bloodshot eyes looked at me pitifully.
“Joyce… how about becoming the Empress?”
