In Palatine, Caelan's funeral was brief and barely ceremonial, an event designed to appear solemn while actually being the end of Caelan's story.
It began early, because Palatine loved symbolism and logistics equally. Streets around the imperial cathedral were cordoned off with discreet metal barriers and too many guards wearing earpieces beneath mourning hoods, their stance modern even when the uniforms tried to look historical. Cameras were present - hidden in carved sconces, perched on rooftops, and embedded in the 'antique' arches - because Palatine did not trust memory when it could have footage.
