Her funeral was just as sad as the prince expected. He didn't shed tears, as that was not an emotional state that was befitting of a soon-to-be-king. His tears would be spent in his own quarters, in private. As the priests burnt their incense, and the noble women forced tears of sadness Leon tried to think of fond memories of his mother. None came. He was sure there were some memories where he shared a laugh with her, a memory where she truly made him feel special and worthy. They would come in future days. He loved the woman, but there were times when she drove him mad. She had constant eyes on him, even when he was a grown man. The women he flirted with were never good enough for her or him apprently. If he befriended someone beneath his status they would be moved to different cities or towns. They would serve different nobles. He had lost a couple of friends that way, that the message was apparent. No one was good enough for a queens son.<br/><br/><br/>When he stepped towards the podium he was silent for a moment. Claudius had told him that a moment of reflection would look better than reciting the speech he spent the morning learning. "Dearest friends, family and servants of the realm. Thank you for attending my Mother's funeral. Queen Octavia was a kind-hearted woman, and we must remember her determination and strength in the coming days. She will be seen as a beacon of prosperity and virtue for many generations. It is... hard to think of words worthy of the woman. She was a great mother. And a just queen. The realm will be worse without her."<br/><br/><br/>"Yet, in the coming days I will do what I must to fill the gap that she has left in our hearts. The grief will be short lived. The trials of tomorrow are upon us, and with unity we will strive forward into another age of prosperity. It would be what my royal parents would want of their only heir, and I shall do everything in my power to deliver such an age." He raised a small wine glass, and let silence surround the room. "To tomorrow,"<br/><br/>A small amount of sad applause filled the room. Leon nodded and dismissed himself from the podium. It was three days until his coronation and the next few months would test the young king. There was a betrothal waiting for him.  Lady Selyse, A young princess from the kingdom of Rhyne. Leon had only ever met her once, and that was when he was twelve. She was the same age as him, he believed, and was pretty to look upon at the least. He took no pleasure in a forced marriage, but it had worked for his parents despite the large age gap.<br/><br/>The queens body was lowered into the ground. A final wave of mourning hit the crowd. Men and women began to weep and Leon felt his own heart breaking then. He did not know why. He had found a comfort in the safety she had provided. A small comfort. A net that protected him as much as it held him back. His uncle would become a problem now. Claudius had warned him that he had avoided coming to the funeral because he was already massing troops beyond the sea. He was acting fast. The marriage to Princess Selyse would be crucial if the alliance was to be kept. Leon had very little options.<br/><br/>Claudius had informed him to be suspicious of who he spoke to. There were many spies. Many people who believed his uncle to be a better longterm ruler. Claudius was the closest thing Leon had to a friend. He was his mentor, and the old man was almost like family. He found comfort in the mans advice. He had served his parents faithfully for years.<br/><br/>When the service was over, Leon returned to his quarters. He untied the laces on his boots, removed his cuffs and opened the top button of his shirt. A fire was started by a serving girl. She left him alone to stare deep into the flames. Night came, and the prince sat in darkness.