It took five days to finally wipe out the remaining rebels.

News soon came from Thomas and Chester. Having captured the traitor, Clifford, alive, they were now on their way back to the capital. Also with them were the rebel leaders, including Yuvan, Harvey, and Wayne. They would arrive in the city in a matter of days.

With the exception of Oliver, the remaining targets had mostly been caught.

On July 25, the Royal Management Department organized Hayden's funeral. Due to the treason committed by Nicholas, the funeral was a modest affair. Salvador convened a council to discuss whether Hayden could be buried in the Princes' Mausoleum. Though he had been innocent, Nicholas' crime had stained his entire family.

Carissa was not summoned to participate in the discussions. Instead, she, along with Hell Monarch Estate's staff, made their way to Willowbrook Estate to mourn.

The funeral was kept quiet and understated, with no officials attending. Unless Salvador granted

permission for Hayden to be buried in the Princes' Mausoleum, no one would dare show up.noveldrama

Dressed in black, Chaya knelt before the coffin and arranged some flowers. Hayden's body had been placed in the coffin, though it had not yet been sealed. When Carissa, Violet, and the others arrived, they could still view his remains.

Three coffins were placed together-one for Hayden and another for Sonny.

The third was empty.

Chaya had kept Hayden's body preserved in the ice cellar. So, when people came to pay their respects today, there was no smell of decay.

Hayden was dressed in a blue velvet tunic, richly embroidered with intricate bat motifs-a symbol of protection in many cultures. His cheeks had been lightly dusted with rogue, but it did little to mask the unnatural pallor of his skin.

Chaya's voice was thick with emotion as she said, "This was the outfit he chose for himself. He said he wanted to wear it when he was buried. I did the embroidery myself."

With tears streaming down her face, Violet asked softly, "Had he already planned to end his life when Nicholas started the rebellion?"

"We agreed to die together," Chaya replied, her voice hollow. She had grown thinner, and her eyes were void of life. "When he took his life, I stood by his side. Sonny was the first to go. His Highness held on for a while longer before he passed. He told me to live well."

Carissa glanced at the empty coffin and asked, "Did you prepare that one for yourself?"

"I've had it prepared for some time," Chaya said, wiping her tears, her eyes swollen and red. "When they brought his coffin, they brought mine along with it."

"He wanted you to live well. You're still young, and there's so much life ahead of you. If you truly miss him, you can do the things he always wanted to but never could," Carissa said softly.

Chaya's eyes were distant and filled with sorrow.

No one would ever treat her as well as Hayden had. She wasn't afraid of death. What was there to fear about it? In the past, her life had been worse than a dog's. She had wanted to die but couldn't.

But Hayden had wanted her to live well.

"Why don't you stay at Skye Embroidery for a while?" Violet suggested.

"No, I won't," Chaya replied, shaking her head.

After a moment, she turned to Carissa and asked, "Where will he be buried? Wherever he is, I'll build a small house nearby to stay with him."

"We don't know yet. If he's buried in the Princes' Mausoleum, you won't be able to go there," Carissa replied.

The Princes' Mausoleum was near the Royal Mausoleum, an area restricted within a three-mile radius.

"To be making funeral arrangements

but still not know where he will be buried..." Chaya's heart sank even further.," he can't be laid to restin the Princes' Mausoleum, where will he be placed? I asked the Royal Management Department, but they wouldn't say."

She numbly returned to arranging the flowers, tears streaming down her face as she did so.

Carissa and the others made their offerings of flowers and candles then sat nearby, also arranging the flowers. Before leaving, they asked Lulu and Pearl to stay behind to help and keep Chaya company.

Violet had been staying at Glimmering Tower over the past few days. With both her father and mentor in the capital, she wanted to be with them as much as possible.

When she had time, Carissa would also head to Glimmering Tower. She hoped to keep Adrian around a little longer and not let him return to Meadow Ridge so soon. But she was often too busy.

There were many details to take care of, and with the battle having resulted in heavy casualties for the Mystic Army, the follow-up compensation had to be handled properly.

After a discussion with the court

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officials, Salvador decided to find a suitable burial site for Hayden near the Royal Mausoleum, though it would not be within the grounds. Ultimately, Hayden could not be buried in the Princes' Mausoleum.

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