The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 614

"Dried osmanthus blossoms will be fine," Leilani said with a grateful nod. "Thank you, that would be perfect."

The shopkeeper began skillfully arranging the bouquets, making small talk as she worked. "Are you visiting family, dear?"

"Mmm," Leilani hummed in response, her gaze drifting out the window. The streets were bustling with pedestrians and the distant calls of street vendors mixed with the faint scent of incense. With All Souls' Day so near, the area around the cemetery was much busier than usual, almost festive in its own somber way.

"Here you are," the shopkeeper said, handing her the finished arrangements. "The chrysanthemums are elegant, perfect for an elder. And this one, with the dried osmanthus, has such a sweet fragrance. I'm sure your family will love it."

Leilani took the flowers, her fingers brushing against the soft petals as she quietly thanked the woman.

…

At the cemetery entrance, Ethan was already waiting. Dressed in a black suit, he stood tall and straight, his usual sharp features softened by a rare gentleness.

When he saw Leilani approaching, he stepped forward to take the flowers from her. "I'll carry these."

Leilani nodded, and they walked into the cemetery side by side. The stone path was lined with verdant pines and cypresses, and rows of headstones stood in neat formation. The quiet air was filled with the scent of candles, punctuated by the occasional soft sobs of other visitors.

Nancy and Maggie’s graves were adjacent, the headstones clean and well-tended, clearly visited often.

Ethan knelt, gently brushing a fallen leaf from one of the stones. "Grandma, Mom, I brought Leilani to see you."

Leilani placed the white chrysanthemums before Nancy's grave, then set the bouquet with the osmanthus blossoms in front of Maggie's. "Maggie," she whispered, "I've come to see you."

Their eyes met, and in that shared glance, they found a mutual warmth and a shared longing for the past. The candle flames danced, their light a silent tribute to the memories they held dear.

…

After they both spent some time speaking to Nancy and Maggie at their graves, they started to head out, noticing the day had grown late.

As they reached the cemetery gate, they came face to face with a middle-aged man in a dark, tailored suit. He was holding a bouquet of expensive white lilies, and his hair was impeccably combed, but the refined man from Leilani’s memories had long since vanished, replaced by a paunchy figure with wrinkles creasing the corners of his eyes.

And he wasn't alone. A woman with a perfectly made-up face and a sparkling diamond ring on her finger stood beside him.