Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 251

Chapter 251: Chapter 251 Final Goodbye

Phoebe’s POV

The grief sat heavy in my chest like a stone I couldn’t swallow. Through the glass coffin, Elder Tricia looked peaceful—almost as if he were simply taking one of his afternoon naps in his favorite chair by the library fireplace.

Marcela’s preservation spell had worked perfectly. No signs of the violence that had taken him, no evidence of his final, desperate fight to protect us all. Just the kind, weathered face I remembered from countless conversations in the palace gardens.

My fingers pressed against the cold glass, and I wished desperately that I could reach through and grasp his hand one final time. The same hand that had steadied me through brutal council meetings, that had guided me through the maze of royal politics, that had never once failed to offer comfort when I needed it most.

"I’m so sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible in the greenhouse’s hushed atmosphere. The scent of jasmine and roses surrounded us—flowers he’d personally selected for this space, believing that beauty could heal even the deepest wounds.

The regret burned in my throat. He would never know that I’d found my voice again. Would never hear me laugh at one of his gentle jokes or thank him properly for everything he’d done.

"You were my shield," I continued, the words coming easier now. "Every time the other elders circled like vultures, every time they questioned my worth, my right to stand beside Perry—you were always there. Fierce and unwavering."

I leaned closer to the glass, studying the lines around his eyes that had deepened from years of smiling, the silver hair that had once been dark as midnight, the hands folded peacefully over his chest that had once moved expressively as he told stories of Perry’s childhood.

"I swear to you—I’ll be the queen this kingdom needs. The queen you always believed I could become." My voice grew stronger, more certain. "You don’t have to worry about Perry anymore. I’ll take care of him the way you did. I’ll protect him, guide him, love him the way he deserves."

I pressed my lips to the glass barrier, tasting the salt of tears I hadn’t realized were falling. "Thank you for showing me what true loyalty looks like. What it means to serve with honor. You’ll live on in every decision I make, every stand I take."

Another kiss to the glass, and I lingered there, reluctant to leave this final sanctuary of grief. Because once I walked away, once I returned to the world of royal duties and kingdom politics, I would have to be strong again. I would have to be the queen everyone expected.

But here, with only Marcela as witness, I could be just Phoebe—a woman who had lost someone irreplaceable.

"We’ll all miss you terribly," I whispered. "But we’ll make you proud. I promise you that."

I felt Perry’s presence before I saw him. The familiar warmth of his aura, the subtle shift in the air that always announced his arrival. Marcela sensed it too, offering a respectful bow before quietly slipping away to give us privacy.

He moved to my side without a word, understanding instinctively that this moment required silence, not conversation. His hand found mine, fingers intertwining as we stood together before the glass coffin.

"I’m going to miss him," I said quietly, then turned into Perry’s embrace. The tears I’d been holding back finally came freely, soaking into his shirt as his arms tightened around me.

"We all will," he murmured against my hair, his own voice thick with emotion. "He was the father I should have had. The mentor who shaped me into the king I became."

We held each other in the greenhouse’s gentle light, surrounded by the flowers Elder Tricia had loved, sharing a grief that words couldn’t fully express.

The funeral began within the hour. The entire kingdom seemed to have gathered on the hillside overlooking the city, their faces solemn as we laid our beloved elder to rest near the royal grounds.

Perry spoke beautifully about Elder Tricia’s service, his wisdom, his unwavering loyalty to the crown. I added my own words—about his kindness, his patience, his ability to see the best in everyone he encountered.

But as I stood there, watching them lower his casket into the earth, I felt something shift inside me. The scared girl who had hidden behind Elder Tricia’s protection was gone. In her place stood a woman who understood that leadership meant carrying forward the lessons of those who came before.

Elder Tricia had devoted his life to this kingdom, to our family. His final resting place would allow him to watch over what he’d loved most—a fitting tribute to a man whose dedication had never wavered.

When the service ended, people began to drift away, leaving us with only a small group of Perry’s most trusted warriors at a respectful distance.

"Go ahead without me," Perry said, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. "I need more time here."

I understood completely. Elder Tricia had been more than an advisor to Perry—he’d been the steady presence that had guided him through his darkest moments, the voice of reason when emotion threatened to cloud his judgment.

"Of course," I replied, returning his kiss before stepping away. "Take all the time you need."

Wade fell into step beside me as I walked down the hillside, with Samuel flanking my other side. Both young warriors had recovered completely from our recent battles, though I knew Justin’s death during his mission to protect me still weighed heavily on Samuel’s conscience.

We’d held separate memorial services for both Justin and Orion. I’d paid my respects at their graves, had spoken with their families, had ensured they would be remembered as heroes of the kingdom.

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