Chapter 188 (1/2)

Chapter 188: Chapter 188

The third day of the fifth month in 964 by the imperial calendar. Today, they were going to hold the state funeral ceremony of the late emperor after a long period of preparation.

There were refreshing yellow green lights lit in the streets under the golden sunshine.

The Central Palace was quieter than expected, although all the nobles of the empire arrived in the capital for the ceremony, except for the local nobles who could not attend because they were too far from the capital or had special circumstances. Those who could carry the late emperor’s coffin were limited to the great nobles with the rank of marquis and above, so most of the nobles already moved to the great hall of the temple Sanctus Vita.

In the central hall, where the emperor’s coffin was temporarily placed, bells continued to ring softly. People on standby had a solemn expression, ready for the upcoming ceremony.

When I was lost in thought, looking at the emperor’s stone coffin, a blonde man who stood out among those in black came to me and said, “Hello, Lady Monique. Sorry for my mistakes the other day,” he was the son of Marquis Mirwa.

“…Hello, sir.”

“Why aren’t you with the crown prince? Oh, you are dressed in a formal dress, not uniform.”

“Well, only full-fledged knights can attend the funeral procession. I am not eligible yet.”

“Oh, really? I think I made a mistake because I’m not familiar with the knights.”

I sharply glanced up at the man who slightly bowed. Isn’t Marquis Mirwa one of the core members of the noble faction? Why is he trying to approach me and show interest?

“I heard that you were serving as the captain’s aide. Is that true?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Then, you must know very well about the work of the knights. Sometimes… ”

“The Sun of the empire, His Majesty, is entering now!”

When I was wary of this man who kept talking to me, I heard the protocol officer announcing the arrival of the new emperor. People talking in small groups of two and three bowed all at once.

“We’re honored to see the Sun of the empire, Your Majesty!”

“Everybody, please stand up.”

When I raised my head, I saw him in black formal dress. His face was expressionless, as usual.

“Start the ceremony.”

When he ordered coldly, the royal knights in black uniforms instead of the usual white ones escorted him to the late emperor’s coffin. Some of them carried the coffin covered with a blue cloth on which a roaring golden lion engraved on their shoulders.

When they reached the main gate of the Imperial Palace and laid down the coffin in a carriage drawn by six horses, the official knights of the 1st and 2nd Knights got on the horses. The 1st Knights, who saluted the new emperor, departed first, followed by the new emperor and great nobles in black robes, escorted by the royal knights. Finally, the 2nd Knights in black uniforms stood at the end of the procession.

The streets of the capital were crowded with people. Unlike the knights’ inspection ceremony held last year, most of the people in the capital filled the streets in an orderly atmosphere.

When they saw the procession carrying the late emperor’s coffin, their cries were heard all over the streets.

I looked up at the sky for a moment through the black veil hanging under my hat.

‘Are you watching, Your Majesty? So many people are grieved that you were held in Vita’s arms.’

I felt like tears were about to drop, so I quickly blinked and silently drove a horse.