Chapter 95 - Is It Impossible? (2) (1/2)

Chapter 95 – Is It Impossible? (2)

The Western king’s funeral arrangements were made after his death. Preparing them in advance was considered a bad omen, no matter how severe the king’s condition was. As such, the new king was required to organize his coronation as well as the funeral at the same time. Heinley might have been able to share the burden with a queen, but he was single and was busier as a result.

After a hectic day, Heinley somberly made his way to the temporary underground crypt where his brother’s coffin was placed. He wanted to remember his brother alone in a quiet and cool place, but when he arrived, there was already a familiar figure standing there.

It was Heinley’s sister-in-law and former Queen, Christa.

“Sister-in-law?”

Heinley called to her awkwardly and approached. They did not meet face-to-face often, but when he did, he felt strange calling her “sister-in-law” when she was usually called “Your Majesty”.

Christa turned her head to look at him, and smiled weakly and wiped her eyes with her fingertips. She looked like she had been crying.

“Are you all right?”

Heinley stopped at about five steps away from her.

“Where are your ladies-in-waiting? Why are you alone in this cold place?”

“I wanted to be alone here.”

“You might catch a cold.”

“I’m not that weak.”

Instead of arguing, Heinley pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and offered it to her. Christa had tears in her eyes again.

“Thank you.”

She reached out her hand, but just as soon as her fingers were about to touch it, Heinley pulled back the handkerchief with an apology.

Christa chuckled when she saw that the initial embroidered onto the handkerchief was not Heinley’s own.

“It must be someone else’s.”

“Ah…yes. Someone very important.”

“Important?”

“As important as the sun.”

She studied the handkerchief but could not surmise the name the initial represented. Heinley tilted his head and pulled out a different handkerchief.

“Thank you.”

She stopped speculating the owner of the other handkerchief and dabbed her eyes.

“Before my brother’s death, he left a will to protect you.”

Christa’s eyes widened with the handkerchief still held up to her eyes. However, she soon lowered it and gave a watery chuckle.

“He is a kind man.”

“If someone does or says anything to you, please let me know.”

“Thank you for your words.”

“It’s not just words.”

At the sincerity of Heinley’s words, she gave a nod.

“I will.”

Heinley exchanged a few more words with Christa before he left the crypt. Next he made for a temporary office he was using until the coronation was over. McKenna was buried in a pile of papers, and he stood up with a groan when he spotted Heinley.

“We’re running out of time, and we’re short of ten.”

“That is not enough.”

“You made me go and come back all the way from the Eastern Empire.”

Heinley ignored McKenna’s complaints and looked down at the letters on the desk.

“These are the coronation invitations.”

McKenna explained quickly before Heinley even asked.

“Even small children will know you will be crowned king, but the coronation should still be open to major foreign leaders.”

Heinley nodded and flipped over one of the letters.

“What about the letters to be sent to the Eastern Empire?”

“Not those. Here they are.”

McKenna picked up four letters from the other side and Heinley confirmed all the recipients. Three of them were addressed to certain other nobles, while one was for the Emperor and Imperial family.

And a member of the Imperial family…

“There is no chance, Your Highness.”

“I haven’t said anything, McKenna.”

“Are you wondering if the Eastern Empress will come?”