Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 0
Her husband has died.
Cecilia raised the front hem of her pitch-black coat. The deep hole on the ground swallowed the darkly stained sandalwood coffin.
On the golden-engraved lid, the name became gradually faint.
‘Logan Harper.’
He was the nephew of the current king, the illegitimate son of Duke Pierceāthe king’s half-brotherāand the most outstanding naval officer in history.
But he was not Logan Pierce; he was Logan Harper throughout his life and even after death.
He was both the nephew of the current king and the son of Duke Pierce, but he was the illegitimate child of a single mother.
Therefore, despite the preceding splendid titles, in the end, he was merely Logan Harper.
If you were to remove positive words like ‘maritime hero’ or ‘guardian of the western coast’ from the articles that included his story, it would generally read something like this.
Logan Harper. The illegitimate child of a commoner Harper. A symbol of the desires shed by a woman thirsty for social ascent. Also, the price of an audacious challenge. Tragedy. Failure.
Humans enjoy lowly theater plays. It’s even more delightful if it’s based on a true story. You might fall asleep while reading a biography, but you can’t pass by without knowing the story of an ordinary person.
Mockery is a profound human pastime.
Yet, Logan wouldn’t have lived resenting and blaming everyone who ridiculed and pointed fingers at him. Cecilia had seen that he was a man who didn’t waste time on baseless rumors.
If there was someone he resented throughout his life…
“Madam, please place the flowers.”
The officiant handed over a singular lily to her. Cecilia raised her gloved hand.
“I’m fine.”
“But Madam, this person…”
“I’m truly fine.”
A firm refusal.
The chilly voice made the surrounding gazes cool. The back felt numb, and the shoulders were heavy.
But Cecilia could willingly discard her dignity for the sake of a dead person.
“He would not have wanted my tribute.”
She didn’t release the flowers. Instead, she gathered her hands and closed her eyes quietly.
Coincidentally, in the distance, the bells rang from the church tower. Ding, ding… Sensations lifted memories like water pouring, and suddenly, the wedding bell rang loudly in her ears.
That day, his voice, falling like frost.
“Cecilia, I despise you.”
