Chapter 103

"It's been clear skies for so long now, and of all days it has to rain..."

Raindrops had been falling since morning, and the capital's mood had sunk under them. In the square, the clock tower let out its damp puff of steam right on the hour.

Nobles were gathering at the capital's largest chapel for Aurelia Vecchio's funeral.

"Is it really true, by the way? That they couldn't even find the body?"

"Keep your voice down. That's why there's no burial as such — just a prayer service held over an empty coffin, I hear."

"Oh dear... the Marquis and Marchioness must be devastated."

The nobles, dressed in black, murmured quietly among themselves.

"Still, since it's House Vecchio, every noble in the capital seems to have turned out."

"Word is the imperial family's attending too, so all the more reason to show your face."

The rain kept on, threatening…