Chapter 1333
Rufus’ POV:
I gently touched Arron’s soft head and looked over at Beryl, who seemed hesitant to approach. Her expression showed a mix of longing and fear.
Seeing this, Laura whispered something in her ear and gently nudged her towards me. Beryl shook her head and looked at me with guilty, doe-like eyes.
I scooped up Arron into my arms and went over to squat down in front of Beryl.
Reaching out one hand, I touched the neat little bun on her head and said softly,
“It’s not your fault, Beryl.”
My words seemed to have hit the nail on the head. She immediately burst into tears and threw herself into my arms, wailing,
“I’m so sorry, Daddy. It’s all my
fault. Mommy’s gone because of me… I miss Mommy so much…”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
I felt indescribable sorrow as I leaned over to k**s Beryl’s tear-stained face. “My Baby Beryl, it’s not your fault. Don’t cry. Your mommy would be heartbroken to see you like this.”
Beryl hiccupped, her eyes red and swollen from crying. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop herself from sobbing quietly.
“Don’t cry, Beryl,” Arron said bravely, though I could tell the little boy was fiercely fighting his tears back. He reached into his pocket and took out Beryl’s favorite candy, offering it to Beryl. His sister kept her head low, and although she stopped crying, she still looked dejected
Crystal’s death had a profound impact on our family. Now that I was left alone to comfort the two kids, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to face them.
“Rufus, the ceremony’s about to start.” Laura came over and took the two kids over from me.
I nodded with a heavy sigh, turned around, and walked up the stage.
The ice coffin had been placed on top of a large fire pit. The coffin itself was covered with a white mud-like magical medicine that was meant to dissolve the ice when the time was right. Underneath was a pile of firewood. Once the fire was started, the entire coffin would melt from the high temperature.
The priest was already waiting for me onstage. When he saw me approach, he bowed and began to pray.
This time, Crystal was buried as a queen. Although we hadn’t had a proper wedding, the formalities no longer mattered now. She became my wife five years ago, regardless of whether the others recognized her or not, didn’t care.
She was my other half-my only mate yesterday, today, and tomorrow-and. she would be buried with respect.
And in the future, when I died, I’d be buried alongside her, inseparable in life and in death.
I fixed my eyes on the ice coffin, recalling my beautiful past with Crystal. My memories of her were the only solace I had left, but what about in a few years?
Would those memories fade into nothing?
After a long prayer, everyone fell into silent mourning, accompanied by a few suppressed sobs.
“Your Majesty, do you have anything to say?” The priest looked at me, his expression filled with sympathy.
I shook my head and said hoarsely, “I’ve already said everything I needed to say.
Proceed with the cremation.”
I took a step back, allowing the soldiers to approach the fire pit with torches.
The restrained cries around me erupted at that moment.
All of a sudden, Flora rushed forward, crying and shouting hysterically, “No, don’t! Don’t cremate her! Crystal isn’t dead! She’s just sleeping!”
Warren grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back, trying to calm her down. “Shh, Flora. We’re all grieving Crystal’s death. It’s an inevitable reality that you must face.”
Flora sobbed uncontrollably, regardless of her image. Ever since she married Warren, she had never shown her emotions so openly. The carefree girl from before had become a composed, level-headed Luna. But at this moment, when she was standing before the coffin of her best friend, her facade came crumbling down.
I averted my gaze, feeling suffocated. Everyone was hoping for a miracle to happen. I found myself praying: Crystal, please have mercy on us one last time and give us a miracle.
In the end, Laura had to step forward to order the soldiers to proceed with the cremation.
I stared at them blankly. However, just as the torches were about to touch the ice coffin, I suddenly noticed a familiar symbol painted on the side of the coffin.
“Stop!” I quickly called for a halt.