Kiss Me Not

-UNEDITED-

Raine turned to look at Gavin and murmured with snapped brows, "Seriously?"

Seeing the confusion on Gavin's look, Raine shook her head and elaborated, "You're just human, Gavin, and you won't be able to handle everything alone."

"Do you want to live long? If you do, you need to hand over the throne to Cedric as soon as he can do it. You will snap out often like what happened a while ago. And there's no particular day or time, Gavin. You see, there are changes now, unlike before when it's always nighttime in your dreams. These mytures are more vulgar now that we also need to work nonstop daytime to keep everything balance and make sure that the human race is still intact." 

She honestly felt bad for every chosen historian of their book like Gavin. 

Gavin's current situation and responsibilities as King of the whole country and his duty as a historian would clash one way or another. He needed to choose, but he could not let go of his gift unless a new chosen one arrived to replace him. And based on what she knew, there would only be a new historian once the previous one died or would no longer be capable because of old age. So Gavin must let go of his crown instead.

Gavin sighed deeply, understanding what Raine was saying. He also felt that his body was too exhausted already. 

"You're also a family man now, Gavin, so you must take care of your health first. I am sure once Cedric woke up, he would gladly help you, especially once he found out how much you did for the family…" Raine commented.

"Father said… Cedric hates the crown because of the great responsibility. Cedric wanted to live just a normal citizen," Gavin helplessly voiced out.

Raine lifted her brows as she looked at the unconscious man on the bed.

"Don't worry. I will take care of it. Cedric will return soon to your family and take all the responsibilities on your hands as King. He won't have a choice at all but to do it, whether he likes it or not." Rain confidently stated.

Gavin chuckled and said, "Hey, don't you dare be mean to my twin, or I will not tone down my writing about your legacy."

He was aware of how capable Raine was. She was good at making people obey her. She had this seemingly natural charisma in manipulating people, and he witnessed that often with his gift of sight as Mirage Historian.

Rain chuckled too and replied, "are you threatening me, huh? Don't forget you owe me a big one, and nothing's free in this world. Someday I will knock on your door and collect debts..."

"Sure, anytime, Raine. I owe you so much, and I haven't thanked you enough for saving my brother," Gavin said with a smile.

"Anyway, now you see your brother in one piece, safe and sound, you should go back home to your wife. I want to rest too. Don't worry too much because Cedric is in good hands now."

Gavin nodded. He held Cedric's shoulder and gently squeezed it as he said, "Come back home soon to us, brother. We'll be waiting for your return."

"By the way, you should inform the people of your intention to give the crown to Cedric as soon as he comes back. Let's make things easy once Cedric returns. Let's put your brother on the spot!" Raine said with his viscous wink.

Gavin only shook his head then said, "Yeah, I will do that. You're scary, you know, so I definitely should not make you mad!"

"Good thing you know," Raine leered.

Raine's men drove Gavin back to where Kevin and Gavin's security were waiting. Kevin looked around, wondering why their King was alone when he thought they rushed out to pick up Prince Cedric.

"Let's go home, Kevin, and make sure that you keep this meeting confidential. Cedric needed more time, and he will return to the palace on his own. We have to wait more," Gavin instructed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Kevin answered, wondering what really happened and why Prince Cedric was not yet with the King. He was honestly worried about the prince.

Gavin noticed the concerned look on Kevis, so he patted Kevin's shoulder and said, "He is fine, Kevin. He will return to us soon."

Kevin nodded and then quickly opened the door of the car for their King to go inside. It was already late, and it was not safe for them to stay out on the road for too long like that.

Gavin heaved a long deep sigh while he was inside the car. Raine had a point. He could not keep doing everything all at once. His body could reach its limit, and he did not want his wife to get worried. But what choice did he have right now? He must endure it all because his father also deserved a break from the crown.

***

When Gavin reached the palace, he saw his father sitting on one of the benches at the inner courtyard when he passed by it going to his private wing. He was staring at the night sky. He approached him and sat beside him.

"Why are you still up, father?" Gavin asked.

"Just staring at the stars, son."

Gavin smiled and said, You have a balcony in your room, father. Why are you out here?"

Lucas grinned and said, "Well, the inner courtyard is bigger so I can see more stars…"

"Are you alright son?" Lucas asked. He was honestly worried about Gavin. He had been through a lot. He was smiling but Lucas knew Gavin was in deep pain for the man who he loved as a father.

Gavin heaved a long deep sigh as he looked at the sky. There was a minute of silence before he answered, "it will be a lie if I say I'm okay, father, when I'm really not. However, like every challenge in one's life, I should keep going and move forward so I will be fine, father."

Lucas patted Gavin's shoulder and whispered, "I am so proud of you, son.. And I'm sure you're mother too wherever she is right now."