The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: 1917 (from '1917') [Piano version]- Thomas Newman

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Lucy sat down in front of the grave that belonged to her caretaker Ruby. She didn't know for how long she sat there, while recollecting the events that took place this noon until someone behind her spoke,

"Why did I know you would be here."

Her head turned around to see it was Gabriel, who had recently been assigned as the priest to the nearby local church of a village. "I didn't know I would have company," responded Lucy, and the angel smiled.

"I thought you could use some as it would be lonely in here with no one in the cemetery," replied Gabriel, walking around and taking a seat next to her, which she hadn't expected.

Listening close to his words, she wondered if it was his way of saying she wasn't going to be meeting anyone here today.

"How are the wedding plans coming along? I heard you got your wedding gown today," said Gabriel, and Lucy wondered how much the angels knew about what was going on in the living world.

But then, Gabriel was also in the loop when it came to the wedding as they had decided he would be the one to perform her and Theodore's wedding ceremony in the church.

"I did. Did you get the church prepared?" asked Lucy, worried that since she was a vampire, she wouldn't be able to stand too long inside the church.

"Don't worry about it. I have picked a place which is not only going to give your privacy, but also you can enter it freely as it is in Baudeux," replied Gabriel.

"Thank you for your help," whispered Lucy, and the man smiled at her. "People won't question you? That you are helping us vampires and...demons."

Gabriel continued to smile at her question, "If you are worried about me getting into trouble, you should free your mind from it. You only want to get married, and I am the assigned priest of the village and so it only becomes my duty to uphold my responsibilities."

Lucy nodded her head, understanding what the angel meant, but she found it strange how he had come here. "Are you waiting for people like me?" she questioned him, a small smile on her lips, and the man chuckled.

"I guess in one way I am waiting, but at the same time I hope they won't," replied Gabriel before adding, "I know why you are here, Lucy."

Lucy looked down at the ground, a sigh escaping her lips. "Is it wrong that I hope to see people whom I care for?"

"Not at all. It is what makes a person of the living world so human. Attachments and other emotions," answered Gabriel, craning his neck as he looked up at the branches of the trees that had spread above, partly covering the sky. "It is not wrong to hope, but you know how the rules exist. Keep them in your memory while letting them go. You might come here again, and spend more days, waiting for people who might not show up. Do you think it is healthy to cling on to something which has left this place a long time ago?" his words were patient and gentle to her ears.

"What if all we know is to cling onto the memories in hope to make some of the things right?" Lucy questioned him back, her voice low.

When Ruby had died, Lucy had not been there. She had arrived at the gallows several minutes later, after finding out that her grandmother had ordered her to be taken away from the castle, to hang her. She couldn't help but feel guilt that built itself in her heart, believing it was her fault for sneaking around and making it difficult for her maids.

Gabriel could sense the uneasiness and turmoil on the vampiresses mind. It was probably one of the first few times where he met a night creature who showed compassion as much as a human did.

"What happened isn't your fault, Lucy," said Gabriel, "Somethings were meant to happen and predestined. Sometimes even the choices that we make leads to the written destination. I understand that life in the living world is difficult, but do you think the people you have lost would want you to be sad? To remember is good, but to cling will only hurt them. It would be equal to not letting them go in peace."

Hearing this, Lucy's eyes widened, and she looked at Gabriel, "Madame Fraunces said Ruby is in Heaven, is she not?"

"She is. Madame Fraunces has been stubborn, holding on to past memories and not entering Heaven. It is going to affect her soul and push her to be a demon. Not that all demons are bad, but the one she might turn might not be good," came the calm voice of the angel.

"Ruby is in a better place. Let me show you something, but it will be our little secret," and he waved his hand in front of him.

A fog-like smoke appeared before it cleared to show the woman whom Lucy had continued to remember. She could see the bright place where Ruby sat under a tree and on the bench. She had a peaceful look on her face, and Lucy's eyes teared up by seeing Nana.

"She looks much better than the last time I saw her," whispered Lucy.

And the fog that was in front of her disappeared to bring in the darkness where they sat.

Gabriel placed his hand on Lucy's hand and said, "Sometimes we are late to certain things, and we feel terrible thinking we missed it, but maybe it is for the best," he patted her hand before letting it go and standing up. "You should go back now and get some rest."

Lucy stood up, bowing her head in appreciation, "Thank you for your company."

Gabriel offered her a smile before disappearing in a blink of an eye.