The organization of the new government took some time, but I have now returned to the capital. Sadly it is not a time of celebration but a time for mourning. I was currently at my estate, which has had a funeral set up in the front for those who wish to come to pay their respects. "Why is there a long list of names here?"
"Sophie wished to lay her parents to rest along with those who died in Cyrilia village." Adel, who was standing at my side, answered. I looked at the mourning plaque and saw hundreds of names on it. Even now, Sophie was thinking of me by doing such a thing.
"Where is she?" I asked while lowering my head. I was trying to hold back my tears.
"She is with Mother and Father, receiving guests," Adel answered as she held my hand and led me to where everyone was being handed an incense stick. In this world, when someone dies, they burn incense as a means of showing respect. It was the same for some Asian cultures as well back on Earth. Many people were showing up to pay respects, I never thought so many would come, but they did.
"Sophie." I saw Sophie pretending to be strong as she greeted people. When she heard me call out to her, her ears dropped, and her tail sagged. I guess my voice was enough to cause her wall to come crashing down. My body flashed, and I appeared in front of her and pulled her into my arms. Her tears once again soaked my shirt.
"Faith, take Sophie. I will handle this here." My father said while handing me an incense. I nodded and pulled Sophie away.
With Adel following behind us, I walked with Sophie over to a room that held an urn that was being used as Sophie's parents' casket. From what I understand, only a few bones were left, which was not enough to even fill a casket, and only this one urn was enough. I sat down in front of it and lit my incense, and placed it in the holder.
Sophie and Adel sat on my left and right while I reached out and gently touched the urn. "I never got to meet you…. But my name is Faith Cyrilia. I am your daughter's girlfriend. I never thought I would be meeting you in such a way. I had planned to meet you after the things in the capital were settled, but I guess things did not work out that way. Life's funny in a way. It can take the things you care about most away from you but at the same time give you something or someone you wish to protect more than your own life. While we had to meet in such a way. I promise you. Sophie will be safe. I will protect her from everything. I promise never to make her sad. And…. I promise that she will one day walk down an aisle wearing a wedding dress. It might not be any time soon, but I swear here, and now I will make her my wife one day."
I realized this while I was thinking about things the past few days. Love is not something you find. It is something you fall into unexpectedly. My care and concern for both Adel and Sophie are not just that of liking or that of a friend. I truly love both of these girls. And I will do what I can to make them happy. While now is not the time to be holding a wedding, I do wish to make both of them my legal wives.
"Faith!?" Sophie's eyes widened as she stared at me from the side. I turned and put my finger to her lips before turning back to the urn and leaning down, and pressing my head against the ground. "I, Faith Cyrilia, promise to love and care for Sophie for as long as I live. So while I know, you can not answer me at this time. I do hope you will give us your blessing."
I kept my head lowered like that for a few minutes while I said a few words of silent prayer in my head. If her parents were able to be reborn as I was, I hope they can find each other again and live a full and loving life together in a peaceful world.
As I raised my head, I turned and looked at Adel and smiled at her, then I looked at Sophie and pulled them both into my arms. "Will you both marry me in the future?"
""Yes!"" The girls both answered at the same time. We were alone right now, so it was only us in here. I know this was no place for a marriage proposal, but I wanted Sophie's parents to see that their daughter would be loved and cared for. And I wanted them to see with action that I truly meant it. The two girls hugged me while Sophie softly sobbed. I owe so much to both of these girls, and I want them to be happy.
Mourning time was one week. Only when the week was over did a plaque with all the names of the people who died in Cyrilia Village and the urn for Sophie's parents get buried in the royal cemetery. The king was kind enough to allow it.
A few days later....
"You both want to come with me?" I asked as I looked at the two girls standing in front of me with bags on their backs.
"We will go with you. While our engagement ceremony will not be held for a while, we do not wish to be apart from you anymore." Adel answered. Both Adel and Sophie had determined expressions on their faces. I sighed and nodded my head. I knew they would not take no for an answer.
"Fine, but I still have one kingdom to take over before reaching my final destination," I explained. They both nodded with smiles and began stuffing their bags into Sophie's space which made me chuckle.
At least now Sophie was smiling again. I know she still hurts, but even with the death of loved ones, time still has to move on. You must also move on. Life will always continue no matter how much death is in the world unless the world itself dies.
