308 The Musician’s Funeral (2/2)
At this time, Natasha added, ”I'll add the profit of one of my personal manors on top of the prize, so the prize of both Evans Music Award and Continental Evans Piano Competition shall be three hundred Thales.”
”It's very generous of you, Your Highness.” Othello slightly bowed.
Lucien's relatives were also fine with the decision.
Only the red-robed cardinal, Gossett, frowned slightly. In his eyes, Evans Music Award sounded very much alike Holm Crown Prize or Immortal Throne Award. Maybe Lucien Evans was inspired by the princess or Professor.
But in such an occasion, Gossett could not oppose the proposal. And there was also no serious reasons other than that for him to say no.
After setting up the award and the competition, the memorial part of the funeral was completed. The funeral guests started to sing hymns led by the choir. The funeral was sacred and solemn.
In the end, Gossett sprinkled holy water on the coffin to wash off all the sins from this world.
The coffin was lifted up again toward the cemetery beside the Golden Cathedral. Lucien's relatives and close friends followed while other nobles and musicians were ready to leave.
As soon as they walked out of the cathedral, the nobles were shocked. They did not expect that the crowd was still waiting.
Seeing that the nobles were leaving, people started to flow to the noble cemetery nearby. On the other side of the iron fence, they saw the black coffin slowly sinking down into the ground.
The rain had stopped for a while, and a few rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds. But when mud started being thrown on top of the coffin, the grief became unstoppable again.
The mud slowly buried the coffin, as if it was cutting off the last piece of string connecting the dead and the mourning. Alisa, Felicia, and Elena could not stop crying, while Joel, John, Victor, and Natasha closed their eyes.
People on the other side of the iron fence also started weeping.
At this time, a girl started singing in her slightly hoarse voice:
”Joy, bright spark of divinity, Daughter of Elysium…”
Although the theme of Ode to Joy did not fit the atmosphere of the funeral, its spirit matched the impression that Lucien Evans left to people.
When facing darkness and pain, do not give up.
When facing darkness and pain, one shall still head for the destination where there are brightness and joy.
More and more people joined the singing.
”Fire-inspired we tread… Within thy sanctuary…”
The singing became louder and louder. Felicia and Elena cried even harder, while Natasha also joined the singing.
”All creatures drink of joy,
”At nature's breast.
”Just and unjust,
”Alike taste of her gift…”
Goodbye, Lucien Evans, the young musician who once brought people the pure joy, the ultimate beauty of music.
”Joy, bright spark of divinity, Daughter of Elysium…”
In the singing, the tombstone was erected, on which there was a short line of the epitaph.
”Here was buried an angel of music.”
...
In the late night, in a noble villa.
John and his relatives were sitting on a couch. They could not fall asleep.