Chapter 286: Epilogue
Music Recommendation: Ice Skating (Clair De Lune) - Guy Farley
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In the Blackthorn Palace, the corridors were filled with light chatter. Servants no longer cowered as they had many years ago, before the marriage of the King and Queen of Versailles. The territory, once covered in sand, now boasted tall trees, providing shade for many and expanding the kingdom’s borders. A steady stream of carriages continued to make their way through the kingdom’s gates, proceeding towards the palace.
Inside the palace, within one of the corridors, Mr. Gilbert walked alongside Theresa, whose position had been elevated to Madame Theresa, in charge of looking after the Queen as she had faithfully done for all these years. Mr. Gilbert spoke,
"The guests have been settled in the lower rooms, and additional rooms have already been prepared to accommodate even more. Don’t they know this is a time for family and that she needs rest?" his tone becoming slightly annoyed.
"Mother Queen has left quite an impression on everyone, making them want to see her," Theresa remarked, who had aged gracefully herself. "The rest of the family members should be arriving shortly."
"Mm," Mr. Gilbert responded briefly before saying, "I will go see how things are going at the entrance."
Madame Theresa observed the man as he walked away with the same vigour as he had displayed in the past. Afterwards, she walked up the stairs accompanied by a maid and arrived at the Mother Queen’s room. The Mother Queen, who had lived her life to the fullest, now lay in her final moments. She looked frail, with dark circles under her eyes, and appeared smaller than usual.
"Come in, Auntie Theresa," Anastasia called her in, and the woman stepped inside along with the maid, who held a tray carrying juice.
"Is that alcohol?" The Mother Queen raised her sparse eyebrows as she sat up against the headboard, cushioned by plush pillows for support.
"The physician has ordered you to abstain from alcohol. A glass of juice would do you much better," Lady Sophia remarked, casting a pointed glance at her mother-in-law, as if she couldn’t believe that the woman had no regard for her own health.