Free Web NovelChapter 550: Thank You for Staying Alive
Lorelle held back a laugh because she was many things, but kind and full of hope were definitely not among them. Still, since the priest was trying to honor her dead body, she decided not to ruin the moment.
The priest continued, "Though her journey has come to an end, the lives she touched will continue forward. The memories she leaves behind will remain in the hearts of those who knew her."
After offering a few final prayers, he stepped aside. Leofric and Edmund then began covering Lorelle’s body with soil and snow.
Originally, Primrose had wanted to invite a choir from the temple, but the ceremony would have attracted too many people, so she eventually gave up on the idea.
"Now that my body is actually buried underground, this really does feel a little strange," Lorelle muttered. "And a little scary."
[It doesn’t make any sense!] she screamed inwardly. [I’m not even the one inside that grave!]
Even though Lorelle’s new eyes were made of porcelain, Primrose could still see the sadness hidden within them.
"Take your time," Primrose said gently. She let go of Edmund’s hand and reached out to pat Lorelle’s hands. "I’ll be waiting for you in your house."
Lorelle didn’t answer. She simply nodded instead.
Primrose then glanced at Leofric. Their eyes met briefly, and she immediately understood that he wasn’t planning to leave Lorelle alone.
Before entering the wooden cabin with Edmund, Primrose asked several soldiers who had been waiting farther away to escort the priest and the plant witch back.
"It must be really difficult for her," Primrose said as she watched Lorelle through the window. "I felt strange too when I saw myself in those past memories."
Instead of sitting across from her, Edmund sat beside her so he could keep holding her hand. "Of course," he said in a low tone. A moment later, he added, "I would be devastated too if I had to see your dead body again."
"You won’t," Primrose replied with a small smile. Then she quickly realized how that sounded. "I mean... of course you’ll see my dead body someday, but I hope it won’t happen anytime soon."
Edmund tightened his grip on her hand and whispered, "It won’t."
Since Lorelle and Leofric remained standing in front of her grave for hours, Edmund decided to let his wife rest inside the cabin.
Fortunately, the cabin had two bedrooms. That way, if Lorelle and Leofric decided to come inside later, they would have a place to rest as well.
The next morning, Primrose could still see traces of yesterday’s funeral in Lorelle’s expression, but she looked much better than she usually did.
The heaviness that had followed her for so long seemed a little lighter now and it looked like she and Leofric had finally talked through some of their problems during the night.
"Rosie." Before they climbed into their separate carriages, Lorelle reached out and took Primrose’s hand.
"Thank you for everything," she said softly. "It really means a lot to me."
A warm smile appeared on Primrose’s face. Instead of answering with words, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lorelle.
Lorelle froze for a second before slowly returning the hug. For a brief moment, neither of them said anything and simply stood there, holding each other as the morning breeze brushed past them.
"I’m glad you’re still here with me, Lorelle," Primrose whispered. It wasn’t the first time she had said those words. In fact, she had repeated them several times already, but she still felt the need to say them again.
"Now you have another chance to choose your own path," she continued softly. "And no matter which path you choose, I’ll always support you."
Primrose hadn’t known Lorelle for very long. Even so, after everything that had happened between them, and after learning how much Lorelle had cared for Edmund in the past, Primrose had come to think of her as a sister.
"I’m happier than I’ve ever been now, Rosie," Lorelle said with a small smile. Her voice was calm and steady, as if she wanted Primrose to understand that the life she was living now wasn’t something she regretted.
Primrose didn’t argue and simply smiled in return. After all, she had promised Lorelle that she would always support whatever path she chose.
"Alright, it’s time for us to head back," Edmund said.
"Oh, Edmund, I think I’ll stay here a little longer," Lorelle replied.
Leofric immediately spoke up. "Yes. We’ll come back at noon. Don’t worry."
Edmund looked at both of them for a moment before nodding. "Alright, then."
Just as he was about to step into the carriage, he suddenly turned around and pulled Lorelle into a brief hug. "Thank you for choosing to stay alive."
Lorelle let out a soft laugh and gave his back a light pat. "I’m glad I chose to stay alive too," she said. "Otherwise, I never would have gotten the chance to see the melancholy Edmund."
Edmund immediately let go of the hug and turned his head away. "I’m not melancholy," he said. "I’m happy."
Lorelle slowly nodded, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. To be honest, he looked far too cold and serious to be considered happy. It seemed that the only person capable of bringing out a genuinely happy expression from him was his wife.
[Such a loyal dog,] Lorelle thought to herself. Of course, she didn’t mean it in a bad way. If anything, she found it a little endearing.
"Then we’ll be waiting for you at the palace," Primrose said. "Don’t stay here so long that you lose track of time."
There was a teasing smile on her face, but Lorelle rolled her eyes but nodded anyway.
Soon, Primrose and Edmund climbed into their carriage. The ride back to the palace was mostly quiet because Primrose didn’t stay awake for long before she drifted off to sleep again.
Her body still seemed to need plenty of rest after all the traveling they had done recently. Or maybe she had simply gotten used to sleeping more during her pregnancy, and the habit had stayed even though she no longer needed as much sleep as before. More than that, the gentle rocking of the carriage made it even easier to fall asleep.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Primrose suddenly jolted awake as the loud voice rang out from outside the carriage, followed by several hard knocks against the window.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
She blinked in confusion. They had only just passed through the palace gates, yet somehow, a problem was already waiting for them.
"My Lady, you can’t do that!"
"Please step back!"
Two soldiers were trying their best to pull a golden-haired woman away from the carriage.
"My Lady, you can’t keep banging on Her Majesty’s carriage like this!"
Still, the woman refused to move.
Primrose immediately sat up straighter and the moment she recognized the familiar golden hair, she pushed open the carriage window.
"Lady Nina, what are—"
"The skull!" Lady Nina cut her off before she could finish. Her face was flushed, and she looked as though she had been running around the palace for hours. "You have that damn skull, don’t you?!"
