Chapitre 342: **Ch 357: The Ancient Funeral
Before a clearer picture came into focus, all I heard was obnoxious weeping and wailing from the hired mourners. Right outside the ancient city was a burial site that was the length of two football fields, which was off from the side of a dirt roadway that led to the city. A weeping crowd gathered at a sarcophagus that had divinely etched lambs and horses on the outer casings and base on it. Servants pushed the marble slab off to the side, which was designed into a detailed bodily carved image of the man and a child who were resting inside it.
Inside the tomb were, indeed, the decaying remains of a once mighty man whose features were handsomely defined on his face, and his thin long hair was blonde. Gold coins were laid over the man's eyes since it's a common tradition amongst the upper class to place coins on their deceased loved ones. Next to him, lying in the crook of his right armpit, was a small girl with blonde hair. They were buried in the finest silk and linen-sewn garments. Aside from the fact that they were still slowly decaying, anybody could catch the girl was gorgeous, and the man was considered attractive.
Coming forward with a limp as she walked was Zoey. She wears a dressy long sleeveless stola that was made from dark blue silk, light wool, and linen. Draped over her head was a dark blue shawl that covered her exposed shoulders. Cradled in her arms was her deceased newborn, which was bundled up in a red silk cloth. Her baby looked like a beautiful doll who was only sleeping.
In the dead man's left arm, she placed her stillborn newborn with her deceased husband and their firstborn child. Then, the heavy marble slab was moved back over the bodies. Zoey stayed with her higher-educated servants while the hired mourners and her family members from both sides departed in their chariots.
A woman dressed in a rich silk gown walked up to Zoey, and she touched the shawl over her shoulder. "My condolence," she offered as my lower jaw dropped off the joints of my mouth.
"Crystal," upon my shock, I uttered aloud.
"Thank you for staying, Crystal," Zoey replied as she faintly sniffled.
"Of course, I could never leave you like this," Crystal whispered as they stood unmoved.
Zoey softly sobbed to herself for a bit longer before she was ready to leave.
Not too shortly after they walked away from the tomb, horses neighed and snorted, which brought their attention to the dirt road. Over thirty military chariots trotted to a halt by the horses and chariots that were already here.
"My lady."
I was shocked again when CJ got off his chariot, and then he humbly bowed to Zoey. His upper body was plated in strips of metal armor, and he wore a red kilt. No doubt, his vampiric nature was personified as a senator for the Ancient Rome army. Little did anyone know that most of his army was his clan.
"I am sorry for your loss." CJ tried flattering Zoey by kissing her on her hand.
"Thank you for your sympathy," she praised as a polite lady.
"This may not be appropriate to ask such a question, but I must know your answer to my marriage proposal?" CJ sweetly inquired, and Zoey cringed awkwardly at his cringey attempt to ask her.
"You've flattered me to want to marry me, but I am afraid that I must decline," Zoey shot him down.
Right away, CJ's expression darkened for a brief moment before he recollected his composure into being a modest gentleman that he personated to be.
"May I inquire why?" he requested from her as he concealed his morose tantrum.
Zoey wasn't reluctant to answer when she explained. "I own my husband's estate, land, and slaves. There is no need for me to have a guardian or to be remarried when I have ownership over my husband's wealth. Given my circumstances and age, I have more freedom as a widow than a wife."
"You're an elite lady. Why let your bloodline die? Don't you wish to have another child?" CJ endeavored to convince her otherwise.
"My bloodline will be carried on by my siblings. I've decided our household dies with me. My heart can't bear to lose another child," Zoey declared before she emotionally turned her head to the left as a mournful teardrop rolled over her cheekbone.
"You would risk everything if anything were to happen to your home and property. With your father dead, you could end up a slave or a beggar. If you m—"
"In my opinion, it's worth the risk. It's unlikely for any of that to occur. Now, good day to you, Senator CJ." Zoey declined before she stumbled off in discomfort. With a groan in her voice, she staggered and limped to her chariot.
"My mistress, let me help you—" A servant was about to offer her his help until CJ raised his hand to shut him up. Doing it himself, he helped Zoey to her chariot and lifted her in it to have a seat.
"Heal well, my lady," he uttered, kissing her forehead before he climbed out of it.
Crystal then got inside her chariot before CJ's army escorted them and their servants back to the city.
Things turned dark for a second as Zoey veered her memory to her home.
"It's now two days later," her voice echoed in my head, before I found myself inside her home.
Her ancient home was large, and it had several oval cut rooms. Ancient furniture decorated the interior. Furs were nailed to walls as they were also used on the floors and chairs to make softer padding. Even for being inside the kitchen, it was still well organized with carved-out cabinets and shelves that stored the pottery dishware, basins, and whatever else. Multiple maids were preparing a meal as they kneaded yeast into dough for bread on the table while others chopped fruits and veggies. Over a fire, there was a pot boiling meat from inside the ancient chimney oven.
Down from an oval-cut hallway, Zoey limped herself into the kitchen as she still held her stomach in pain. Today, she wore a long silk red sleeveless dress with a matching head shawl. Her face carried the unbearable pain of what postpartum brings. Fresh blood stains were visible on her dress as she was still bleeding after delivery, and her chest was damp because her breasts were lactating. It's something they certainly never show in a movie, but the reality of what a woman faces after childbirth is no doubt painful and uncomfortable. Moreover, it was heart-rending to know her newborn didn't survive, which was common to happen during the early ages.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Sara_Weber_9938
Sara_Weber_9938 This was a very sad chapter to write. Unfortunately, it is not over yet for the younger human Zoey. Feel free to share your remarks and let me know what you think or feel.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone