They didn’t find Signe’s body and they didn’t hold a funeral. Johan couldn’t bear the thought of sending her away without her most loved ones by her side. Instead he held his own little memorial. A small thing, just to say sorry. He didn’t say goodbye, not when it was his actions that killed her.


    Somehow life continued on. Signe was dead, yet no new deity came to take her place and unlike the last time, when dead people were stuck in their own decaying bodies, this time they actually died. As if having a deity of Death was completely unnecessary.


    The deities of Heaven had been happy with their win, and with a horde of fresh deities, the replacements for those that died in the revolution, they had set their efforts to rebuilding the city. Turns out Johan had caused a lot more damage than he thought.


    Note was gone. He had walked away and that was the last time Johan saw him. He hadn’t come back and no matter how much Frey tried to reassure that he would, Johan didn’t believe it.


    And Vero. She had left in silence after Johan had passed out, without even a word to him or the sins before she disappeared. Maybe she had gone after Note. Johan didn’t know.


    “Please understand her.” Greed said, standing to the side of the palace’s master bedroom as he watched Johan be dressed by the servants. “You didn’t see it but Signe gave her final goodbye to Vero in that last moment. Give her time to come to terms with it.”


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    “She won’t.” Johan said numbly. Signe had been the love of her life. When she had died the first time, Vero had spent years searching for her. “She’ll never stop searching.”


    Greed sighed and walked around to stand in front of Johan, but before he could say anything the door creaked open.


    “It’s time, your majesty.” Envy’s voice filled the stuffy room, soon followed by the click of her heels on the floor. “You look-”


    “Forced.” Johan finished for her and turned.


    “Majestic.” She corrected, a small smile tugging on her lips. “Like a king.”


    Johan didn’t say anything, instead opting to take a last look in the mirror. He felt suffocated already.


    The outfit hugged him, expensive fabric decorated in gold embroidery, and a heavy, red cape moved behind him at every movement. Johan barely recognized himself. Even his hair was unfamiliar, two twin braids on the top of his head tying his hair away from his face and leaving nothing to cover his dead eyes. Johan couldn’t remember the last time he had gone outside without them hidden.


    He looked like Emil’s painting. The only thing missing was the crown.


    “Today is an important day.” Greed said seriously, face bright. He put a hand on Johan’s shoulder. “Do well today. It will be your first appearance as king.”


    Envy smiled at him in the mirror. “Come on now, or you’ll be late for your own coronation.”


    Johan nodded and followed her, Greed’s hand lingering on his shoulder until he was out of reach.