Lily smoothed out her black dress as she stepped onto the balcony with Alexei.
"Couldn't find anything more colorful?" Alexei asked lightly. "Black is for mourning, my love."
Lily cringed inwardly but outwardly smiled at him.
"You don't think I looked pretty in black?" Lily asked sweetly.
"You look beautiful in almost anything," Alexei said truthfully as he patted her hand that rested on his arm.
They finally made it to the edge of the balcony. Lily looked down to see a huge crowd gathered down below.
"Citizens of Fortius!" boomed with voice of Vesky as Alexei smiled benignly at everyone.
"Smile, love. They might think you're not happy," Alexei said through his smile as the crowd looked on silently...scrutinizing Lily.
Lily did her best to smile down at everyone.
"Better,
