บท 28: Chapter 28: Blood Red Dahlias, A Funeral And A Scream

The funeral took place in private, Marina was buried in the garden of the palace. It was bitterly cold that day, but no one was bothered. The snow had receded a little and the lifeless lawn, with single brown patches, flashed through. The sun broke the snow into small crystal dunes several times. The whole scene was far too cheerful for the occasion. Mr and Mrs Temper were in the front row and looked distinctly uncomfortable. On the other side of the row of chairs was the royal family. Although the press was not to be involved in the matter, a brief moment of silence would be shown at the next broadcast of the report with a picture of Marina superimposed. I sat at the very back, burying my face under a black lace veil. Like all the other girls, I wore a simple black gown in vintage Chanel style. Coco Chanel had been a fashion designer in the 20th century and her style had endured to this day. In particular, her little black dress was a dress that was suitable for everyday wear as well as for festive occasions. I may not have mentioned it before, but I got a lot out of it when I worked for Madame Parisie. One evening, I was doing an overtime shift for once, she introduced me to the world of fashion and glamour. At first, I felt completely out of place, but then I blossomed from the colours and the fashion. Even though I could never realise my dream and went through life with dress conventions. I still felt the fascination of fashion on my fingers. I looked up briefly and could only guess what was going on at the front of the coffin. The sudden death of Marina Temper had hit us all. It was the first time in the history of this casting that none of the ladies tried to put themselves in the foreground. We humbly and demurely honoured that sad day that we all would not forget. I didn't hear the ceremony, I was too lost in thought, even when the prince gave a eulogy. His lips were moving, but that was all I could make out. Slowly, the ranks in front of me stood up and strode forward. In their hands they held a white dahlia, I guessed they were their favourite flowers. I felt ashamed that I didn't bother to find out who Marina Temper was. Was I not being hypocritical? I condemned the monarchs for their narrow-mindedness and ignorance, but I was no better. I promised myself from that day on to devote myself more to the other ladies. Maybe I would also find a girlfriend. When it was my turn, I walked gracefully and thoughtfully to the coffin, reached into a pile of native soil with my black glove and threw it down with the flower. At that moment the dahlia turned blood red, I squinted and it was white again. The footprints of the others also turned blood-red. Once again I had let my eyes deceive me. The next moment I felt dizzy. What was wrong with me again. I bit my lip. Had I eaten anything today? Apart from the dry rusk, nothing. "Shall I keep you company until we reach your room, Mylady?" Mylady, I hadn't been called that for a long time. I looked up and recognised a male stature under the veil. My cheeks glowed slightly as I smelled Nicola's perfume. "Gladly," I nodded and slowly caught up with the prince to the others.