Chapter 17: Funeral
The grandeur of the Ravenstein estate took on a somber hue as the day of the funeral arrived. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, their weight mirroring the heaviness that had settled upon the hearts of those in attendance. The air was thick with a sense of reverence, as if nature itself paid homage to the solemn occasion.
Nestled within the heart of the Ravenstein estate, the burial ground of the Ravensteins stands as a solemn testament to the legacy and power of this formidable family. Monuments of marble and stone rise gracefully from the ground, each bearing the mark of a distinguished Ravenstein.
Elaborate sculptures and intricate engravings capture the essence of these illustrious individuals, immortalizing their achievements and contributions to the family's legacy. A marble dais, adorned with flickering candles and wreaths of midnight-hued flowers, held the empty casket that symbolized Ariel Ravenstein's final resting place.
The Ravenstein family, their distinctive white hair, stood together at the forefront. Their expressions were a mosaic, each face etched with the weight of their lineage.
Atticus, Ember, and Caldor stood together at the front. Ember and Caldor's eyes were completely red from crying all night. Atticus couldn't help but clench his fist as he watched them in this state.
He had always cared deeply for his family, and seeing them like this pained him. In the silence of the morning, a single word echoed in his mind: 'Strength,'
As the service began, a hush fell over the assembled multitude. A soft dirge, carried by mournful strings, intertwined with the rustle of leaves and the distant echo of a mourning dove. The head of the Ravenstein family, Avalon, stepped forward to address the gathering.
Standing amidst a gathering of somber faces, Avalon's voice carried a weight of both sorrow and reverence as he spoke about his fallen brother.
"He was a good man. A good brother. A good father." Avalon's words seemed to hang in the air, a testament to the depth of his feelings.
"Talented beyond measure, Ariel had a spirit that burned with determination and a heart that knew no bounds." A faint smile tugged at the corner of Avalon's lips as he reminisced, a bittersweet contrast to the heavy atmosphere.
Avalon's gaze turned downward for a moment, his expression clouded by a veil of sorrow. "He didn't deserve to go like this," he murmured, his voice a mere whisper carried by the wind. "To have his light extinguished so abruptly, it's a loss that will forever linger in our hearts."
As his voice wavered with emotion, Avalon's resolve remained unshaken. "But even in the face of this death, we must remember his legacy," he declared, his words a rallying cry. "Ariel's spirit lives on in the ideals he embodied and the impact he made on all of us."
Avalon's voice grew stronger, his eyes shimmering with a mix of pride and sadness. "Let us honor Ariel by carrying forward his values, by continuing the work he started, and by standing united as a family. For even in death, his presence remains a guiding light that will forever inspire us."
A poignant silence settled over the courtyard as the empty casket was slowly lowered into the ground. The absence of Ariel's physical form was a poignant reminder of the uncertainties of fate.
Yet, the air was infused with a sense of unity, a shared understanding that Ariel's spirit would forever be intertwined with the legacy of the Ravenstein name.
Atticus, Ember, Caldor and the other family members, their expressions a mixture of sorrow and resolve, each took turns placing a single white rose upon the casket. The petals seemed to carry a whisper of their emotions, a silent tribute to the fallen.
Following the solemn burial of Ariel Ravenstein, the grand estate bore witness to a procession of families who had come to pay their respects. The tier-1 families sent representatives as they deem it beneath then to come all the way for such.
In the grand hall that had been transformed into a gathering place for the mourning and the families paying their respects, Atticus moved with purpose. His eyes swept over the somber crowd, he saw Freya and Caldor talking with some people but no Ember.
Finally he found her standing alone in a corner, concealed by shadows. Her demeanor a reflection of the grief that weighed heavily upon the room.
Approaching her with a sense of empathy, Atticus offered a gentle smile. "Ember," he began, his tone soft and reassuring. "I know this is a stupid question, but how are you holding up?"
Ember's gaze shifted toward Atticus, her face was a portrait of anguish, her once bright eyes now red and puffy. Her sleeves were soaked from the constant wiping of tears "He didn't deserve this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her words carrying a raw vulnerability.
Atticus nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding. "No, he didn't," he agreed. "Sometimes life deals us painful hands that we can't control. But remember, you have a family that cares deeply for you, and we'll support each other no matter what."
Ember's silence lingered, her eyes fixed on a distant point. Atticus continued, his voice gentle yet resolute. "You have to get past this, Ember. It's what Ariel would have wanted"
For a moment, Ember's fa?ade seemed to waver, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability in her eyes.
"It hurts" she admitted, her voice finally revealing a hint of the emotions she held within.
Atticus reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to hurt," he assured her. "But don't let that pain consume you. Lean on those who care about you, and together, we'll find a way to honor Ariel's memory."
Ember's gaze met his, tears streaming from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace and whispered, her voice barely audible, "Thank you."
Atticus held her close, gently patting her head. "You're never alone, Ember," he reassured her, his words a promise.
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