The following day:
A large group of people gathered, everyone dressed in black, sad looks on their faces. All the elders were present as his picture was placed in front of the hall. Silence engulfed the place, as all that could be heard were the cries of the people.
The elders entered the room where his coffin was kept, as it was only accessible to the royals. The room was silent as Manu and Zanu sat there.
One of the elders finally broke the silence.
Leonidas: "Who could have known that the king had any strength left in him?"
Lucius: "Don't say that, especially in front of the bereaved family."
Darius: "The problem on ground is who would take over the throne now? Manu has been dethroned, and we can't have a nursing mother watch the kingdom."
Cian: "What's wrong with having a nursing mother watch over the kingdom? Zanu has shown promise of becoming a great leader ever since she was a child."
Darius: "Yes, that was before she got pregnant for an outsider."
Leonidas: "The baby's fate has already been decided since birth. He would be a sacrifice before the real king reclaims the throne."
Lucius: "How can all of you have this conversation in front of the grieving family?"
Darius: "It's better we start talking about it before rumors start spreading."
Leonidas smiled evilly. "I don't mind being the king before everything is…"
Darius: "If such a mistake should happen, it should be me taking over the throne."
Leonidas: "Oh please, you can't even control the Zandra people for crying out loud. Let me."
Cian: "Silence! None of you have any say in this. At least show some respect to the king."
Manu stood up from where she was sitting and confronted Zanu.
"Zanu, I'm really sorry for your loss. Right now you have to focus on your child. If you think things are much for you, I don't mind taking my place back on the throne."
Zanu raised her head and glared at her. She stood up and confronted the elders.
Zanu: "It's getting late now. As the crowned queen, I'd like to cremate him as soon as possible."
Leonidas scoffed. "What a queen you are. Aren't you supposed to be grieving?"
Zanu: "Crying over spilled milk won't do anyone good. I should focus on my people."
Cian: "Okay then, I would go call the people that—"
Zanu: "Elder Cian, I'd like to cremate his body by myself. No one here knows my dad more than me. Allow me to do this final rite."
Leonidas: "Well, sorry to burst your bubble, princess, but there's a rule that said only—"
Zanu: "That's your highness to you, Elder Leonidas. I shouldn't repeat myself again. That rule was long broken by Mauja."
Leonidas: "Mauja, that bitch, I swear to God—"
Cian: "Leonidas! Are you in your right senses?"
Leonidas: "Now we just listen to what this little princess tells us to do?"
Cian: "That little princess is now the queen."
Darius: "Now that you all mentioned it, what if Mauja and her son don't return? We let that half descendant have kids and rule us?"
Cian: "The queen said that he is alive and well."
Lucius: "Darius is right! We can't let the boy's offspring lead us."
Darius: "We take over the throne ourselves, then once the boy is gone. Zuko has been plotting who knows what in your side of the kingdom, and you haven't even caught him yet. I'm just saying, such negligence isn't fit for the throne."
Leonidas: "Your kingdom is the dangerous one of all. What the hell do you know about my own?"