Chapter 269 - Old Life

-UNEDITED-

Gavin looked at his wristwatch and sighed. Kevin went inside his office, and he already knew why.

"Your Majesty, it's done," Kevin whispered. Gavin had a blank expression when he gave Kevin a quick nod.

"Kevin," Gavin whispered.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Kevin asked.

"Please handle his funeral. Get him a good place for his ashes, then pick me up after," Gavin instructed before he dismissed Kevin. He did not go to his execution because he was not confident to watch it. Just the thought of his father being executed was breaking him into pieces. It was tough and painful, but he needed to be strong.

Hours passed, Kevin arrived and picked up Gavin. 

Inside the car, Gavin looked at the urn beside him. He asked Duncan's remains to be cremated. He held his urn while they were on the road. They arrived at the columbarium, where he got a private space for his father's funeral urn. 

Kevin made sure that the King would have his privacy, so he instructed his men to secure the place and ensure that no one would enter the columbarium until the King was done.

Gavin gently placed Damiel's urn in its place, and he looked at his cheerful photo. 

He smiled, staring at the photo of his father. It was how he wanted to remember Damiel… him smiling like this. It was why he did not see him anymore after he confronted him on the coronation day. He wanted to keep his father's memory in him as a cheerful person like this.

"This is the only thing I can do for you, father, as your son, whom you took good care and love dearly," Gavin whispered. His voice was shaking as tears began rolling down his cheeks like water's rapidly falling from waterfalls.

"I… I-am sorry. I can't do much but this… I am really sorry that it's me who had to put a stop to you… Father… I will miss you and will keep you in my heart. Thank you for everything. I will visit you often, so please… rest in peace…" Gavin whispered, sobbing hard. 

His eyes were filled with tears. His knees weakened, and he slumped on the floor while he cried his heart out, something he could not do inside the palace for fear of his family seeing him in that broken situation. Making his loved ones worried about him was the last thing he wanted.

"I am sorry…" he kept saying those words as he cried. To everyone's eyes, Duncan was a monster… An evil person… But for Gavin, Damiel was such a great father that it was really hard and painful for him to accept that he was the real Duncan. But it was the reality that he must overcome, and Gavin knew he could do it in due time.

Gavin did not know how long he stayed there, crying helplessly on the floor. When he finally calmed down a bit, he wiped the tears on his cheeks and gave his father Damiel one last look at his photo as he whispered, "I have to go now. I will visit you soon and send you flowers you love."

He stood up and composed himself first before he opened the door to leave. He looked at Kevin, who was waiting outside, and said with a smile, "let's go."

They returned to the palace, and Gavin went straight to his private wing, knowing his wife had just gotten back from her appointment. He saw Brione in their living area, watching the television while eating fruits on a platter. He smiled, seeing she was watching her movie. If he was not mistaken, it was the last movie she did before he interrupted her world.

She was so engrossed in watching that she did not feel his arrival. Her volume was loud too. Gavin sneaked on her back then suddenly wrapped his arms on her as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"You are back," Brione whispered. Gavin only answered her with a sounding kiss on her cheek while he hugged her tightly.

Brione chuckled and said, "Ahh, you're choking me, darling. Come here and cuddled me here on the couch instead."

Gavin chuckled two and quickly joined his wife on the couch and cuddled her.

"How's your day, sweetheart?" Gavin asked since he and Brione had no schedules for this day.

"Hmm, not bad," Brione answered with a smile.

"I am so sorry. I didn't ask you first if you're okay with this. I'm sure you're missing your acting career and the singing too," Gavin whispered as he gently patted Brione's hair and kissed her on her head once in a while.

"Honestly, I do miss it, but it's okay. Anything with me is okay as long as I get to stay by your side. You see, I will miss being with you like this more than my career. Besides, you're more important and supporting you is more important to me, darling," Brione said. She raised her head to meet his gaze only to melt afterward because of his sudden passionate kiss on her lips.

"Sweetheart, we just need to wait for Cedric's comeback, then you can go back to your usual life…" Gavin whispered in her ear, followed by his nibbling of her earlobe.

Brione creased her forehead and gently pushed her husband to look at his face as he asked, "Is that why you suddenly announced that you will hand over the crown to Cedric when he returns?"

Gavin heaved a sigh and said, "not really. It's just that I might pass out and zone out often. I believe Cain explained this to you? It's like a side effect of my accident before, so it won't be healthy for me to stay on the throne for too long. People might question my health, too, in the long run, so I'm just saving myself and everyone from the hassle. Besides, I want to go back on being a news anchor too and writing as well…"

It was true. He took the responsibility as King because he had to.. But if he would be given a chance… He would prefer to go back to his old life since he loved being a news anchor and a writer.