When she learned about the death of Emperor Solus zos Galvus, Xth Legion Legatus, Petra van Sokovar first thought was for Prince Zenos. She remembered how close he was from the late Emperor and how important he was for him. “He must be so broken.” she whispered with sadness in her voice. Her relationship with her ex-fiance ended since two years but she remained able to feel sad for him. All the Legatus had been summoned to attend Emperor Solus’ funerals.
“Oh no! Am I too late ?! I must immediately return to Sniflheim ! I can’t miss the funerals !”
Petra rushed to her chambers. She removed her Altamiran dress for a Garlean casual outfit. She grabbed a bag and put few clothes inside. Stress was getting to her, was it still possible for her to arrive on time for the funerals ?
“Petra are you okay ?”
Olga tol Hydrus. Xth Legion Tribunus Laticlavus, youngest member of the house Hydrus. A strong headed commander, very respected by her legion and in Garlemald. Also the Lady Legatus closest friend. Petra started losing her nerves about something she couldn’t find. Olga pressed her friend’s arm.
“Petra ! Calm down ! Tell what’s going on. Where are you heading ?”
“Emperor Solus is dead and of course I just learned about it now with a stupid letter. Nobody tells me anything ! I need to go back to Sniflheim before it’s too late.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“I’ll go alone.” retorted Petra.
“What ? Petra why ? Let me accompany you !”
Olga gazed at her with sorrow. Lady Sokovar tried to fake indifference. Although she had a strong desire to comfort her friend, it was hardly the moment for this.
“You’re staying here. The people of Altamira feels more comfortable knowing a woman is in charge. When I can’t be this woman, you must be. You stay here, it’s the Legatus demanding it.”
Olga went back to her cold expression on her face. “Alright General Sokovar, safe travel.”
Petra closer her eyes as she could feel a soft kiss on her forehead. The time she opened her eyes, Olga already left the room.
“What I forgot, I’ll just buy it there.”
She closed her bag and headed to her airship. All the members of her legion were gather on line, singing the Garlean hymn with their whole chest. She energetically greeted them and jumped on her airship.
***
“I don’t have an outfit for the funeral !” She cried out loud.
Panicked, Petra ordered her driver to change the destination. Many storekeepers closed their shops today to support the royal family grief. Petra managed to find one opened. She entered, picked the only black dress on the shop. Oh the back was quite extravagant and revealing, she blushed about it. A veil and a mask was free with the dress. She put them on to cover herself and left the shop.
A little bit late, she finally arrived to the royal mausoleum. All the Garlean court was there, her heart missed a heartbeat when she spotted Prince Zenos. Discreetly, she tried to weave in and out people but a man intercepted her arm.
“Family only, young Lady. You can’t go further.”
“I’m family, well almost was.” Her voice faded. She stayed by that man side. No need to make a scandal in the royal mausoleum. The Galvus were ahead. All the princes next to each other, dressed in black, they were all very somber. The Commandante, his wife and their children right behind them along with the Scheinder. Further behind, all the Legatus and other nobles such as the Montepolis women. Petra sought for any member of her family but no Sokovar attended the funerals.
The ceremony started. Petra remembered the moments she spent with Emperor Solus. The family dinner and the few talks they shared at court. He always demostrated her much kindness and tenderness. Clearly he already considered her as a Galvus. She touched the ring on her finger, it belonged to the late Empress Varenis yae Galvus, wife of Emperor Solus. A gift of great sentimental value made by Zenos during their one year anniversary. Despite the end of their relationship, she never removed the ring. She couldn’t hold back her tears and allowed herself to cry.
“Oh sweetheart…”
The man handed her a tissue and softly pressed his hand on her bare back. She trembled, quite shocked by his familiarity. “It’s a funeral ! Some people really don’t have any notion of boundaries” Outraged, she took the tissue without thanking the man. She stepped aside and continued to cry silently. She sought for Zenos. His face was contorted and his blue eyes progressively wetting while staring at his great-grandfather's coffin. Seeing Zenos so vulnerable lighted a fire inside her she believed extinguished. Overwhelmed, she cried even more intensely. The Princes made a speech at the exception of Zenos, The Commandante spoke instead. One after the another everyone put a white flower on the Emperor's coffin. “I don’t have a flower !” she expressed out loud, shameful. Uneased, the flirtatious man handed over his flower. She took it and headed to the coffin. Her face turned vermilion noticing how everyone was gazing at her with much judgement. She bowed before the royals and walked away. Others followed to allow the royals to be alone with late Emperor Solus for the last farewell.
They held a buffet at the great hall. As always people of the court were back gossiping and Petra ate her food away from everybody. She showed up late, unannounced and inappropriately dressed, better not embarrass herself even more so. Only one person interested her anyway. Very hungry, she voraciously at her petit-four while observing Zenos. His vulnerability and sorrow added a little something that turned him even more attractive. She desired to hold him tight on her arms, make him feel her warm, kiss those trembling and nervous lips, navigate through his golden hair and whisper in his ear suavely that everything would be okay. She cleared her throat and her mind, it was a funeral, she needed to calm down. She had a drink hoping it would calm her nerves. Prince Varis would need a drink as well, he seemed on the verge to make a scene. VIth Legion Legatus Regula van Hydrus, Varis’ oldest and closet friend intended to calm him but Zenos interrupted their conversation.
“Father, may I leave? I’m exhausted.”
“Yes.”
Both men poked the young prince shoulders affectionately. Zenos left the great hall. Furtively, she followed him. Zenos was heading to his chambers, his mind lost in his thought, he didn’t even pay attention to the noise made by Petra’s heels. She noticed he was walking more and more slowly. He leaned on a wall struggling to catch his breathe. He let himself slide on the floor and burst into tears.
“Zenos !”
The young woman ran to him. She can’t remember a time she saw him so broken, not even when she ended their relationship. Cautiously, she caressed his hair and attracted his head on her breast. She held him tight in her arms, she didn’t touch him in 2 years, she closed her eyes savoring this moment of tenderness. Confused but comforted, he held her as well. They remained together on the floor overwhelmed by the despair and the tenderness of this moment.”
“Who are you ? Do I know you ?”
Petra blushed. She had no idea if Zenos would be pleased to see her, better not tempt his wrath and ruin their reunion. She remained silent and didn't reply his question.
“You are shy. Hmm I don’t need you to speak anyway.”
Langouorously he kissed her, she wasn’t expecting him to be so direct, she didn’t push him back. She was like mesmerized by this kiss. She waited for this for so long, her feelings for him were still vibrant, as vibrant as this kiss who was making her shivering until her toes. Zenos abruptly pushed her on the floor, his fingers went up along his legs ready to sink into her underwears. Petra let escape a moan full of desire. Oh how she was yearning to go further but she refused to take advantage of his vulnerability. She finally found the strength to push him away, gently and stood up.
“Stay with me.” he begged her with an unsure ton.
She turned her head to right to the left. She had to resist, no matter her feelings. She planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Goodbye Your Imperial Highness.”
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