Substitute Wife for the Mafia King R18-Chapter 296: Tipping the Balance

In an effort to express our endless loyalty, although there wasn’t a rule stipulating that everyone wear black, there was an unspoken understanding and agreement that everyone would wear black for an entire month until the day that marked the 30th day after the king’s passing. Luckily, I had an endless supply of appropriate black dresses and shoes in my closet.

Without any surprise, Anthony and Diana were invited to attend the innermost circle of the funeral held on the palace grounds. That meant that Bradon and I had to appear as a couple in front of the public once again for such a formal event. Everything in the country was indeed put on hold and the election was no exception. As far as I was aware, the election had been postponed until further notice. I was looking forward to seeing my father’s reaction at the palace now that he must have found out that the election had been postponed.

The atmosphere at the palace was even more solemn than anywhere else by the time they arrived. Brandon offered me his hand just like a gentleman would as he helped me out of the car. By that time, I had gotten sort of used to seeing Brandon in his usual black suit. Just like everyone else we were dressed head to toe in nothing but black clothes and accessories.

Members of the royal family, invited members of noble families, and associated people had gathered at the palace to pray for the king’s peaceful departure to the heavens. We were informed beforehand that Prince Desmond would be the one leading the ceremony himself. The palace had a church of its own that was reserved for the royal family’s key religious ceremonies. I don’t remember the last time that I was there, perhaps it was because I was too young at the time to remember much.

Bradon offered me his arm and I didn’t hesitate to take it. The occasion called for us to look composed yet sorrowful at the same time, and that saved me the effort of smiling. We met up with our parents just outside the church so that we could enter together as a family. Had we been a normal loving family, I wouldn’t have felt so conflicted when I had to greet them. Although Brandon acted naturally, I could tell that he also wished that we wouldn’t have to go through such a painful ordeal.

“It’s good that you’re here on time,” my father said as a way of greeting. It was just like him to nag at me about everything. I’m glad to see you looking so well.

“I’m sure that you have had plenty of time to rest given that the election has been postponed indefinitely until further notice,” I replied smoothly before smiling a little.

Despite telling myself that I shouldn’t go out of my way to rub him the wrong way, when the time came I just couldn’t resist the urge. I also felt like it wasn’t my fault since he was the one who started it. I chuckled softly to myself as I complimented myself for using such a childish excuse to pick a little verbal fight with the man who was supposed to be my father. I stared blatantly at his red and face as I enjoyed his furious reaction.

He would be lucky if I would be the only one tonight at this event who would bring up the fact that the election had been postponed and along with it the delay of his glory to sit as a country’s new political leader.

“Well, we do hope that the election won’t be postponed for too long. It would be a great inconvenience if everyone were to forget about the campaign that we worked so hard on, and we might not exactly have the time to go on tour with you again,” Bradon added on so casually that I wasn’t sure if he was intentionally pouring salt on my father’s raw wounds or not.

Despite not knowing about his intentions, I gave his arm a slight squeeze as I pressed my body closer to his side as a way to tell him that I was so pleased that he was taking my side. On top of that, I truly agreed that going on another tour to help promote my father’s electoral campaign would be a pain in the ass that I wouldn’t want to go through again.

“The election will happen very soon,” my father said through clenched teeth but I could tell that he wasn’t as confident as he would like to let on.

Somehow I had a feeling that if the new date for the election had been set, I would find out from Desmond way before my father would even hear the gist of it.

“Let’s head inside, honey. I would like to sit down and offer my prayers earlier,” I told Bradon before showing him a sweet smile.

Before any of our parents could say anything, we proceeded into the church without looking back their way. I was certain that our parents had many things to say to us, but that didn’t mean that we should have the patience to give them what they wanted. I sat down next to Bradon as we waited for the ceremony to take place. Everyone who joined us looked so sorrowful that I began to wonder if they were just busy putting up an act. I was certain that many people were saddened by the passing of the king, but I was just as certain that there were many people who were also looking towards the start of a new era.

“This is going to be so boring...” Brado muttered softly at my side. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“It will be over soon, hopefully...” I replied in a whisper to make sure that no one else heard us.

“It will be so soon,” Bradon replied and I knew that he was right.

After a short moment, the Crown Prince’s arrival was announced and everybody stood up to show their respect. I watched as a very royal-looking Desmond entered the church and took his position at the altar along with the senior priest. We took our seats again when we were invited to do so and that was when the prayer session began.

–To be continued...