novelNever Again
| ← Ch.199 | Ch.201 → |
"I thought you'd never come, " James said as he stood before the highly-protected gates of the Royal Burial Ground.
Every Rose descendant was buried here and many of which wore priceless jewelry with them. The security around here was unbreachable, with electric gates, high-tech cameras, and guards stationed everywhere. No one could walk in and out of this place without a highly detailed screening.
"Though, I do not blame you. The Mardens never liked us, " James stated with his hands behind his back. He observed Elias's cunning smile and Adeline's soft frown. Well, at least one of them was good at hiding their emotions.
James liked that he could stir emotions within Adeline. Hatred was only a step away from love. He did not need his only niece's affections. He was not shameless. He knew he didn't deserve it.
"Ah, Addison and Kaline's favorite flower, " James observed, ignoring the frightening stare of Elias, whose eyes showed a violent bloodbath was bound to happen.
James only meant to play a harmless prank on the King, that was all. Who'd think he'd receive a phone call that the King exited through the back of the plane, and their car was nowhere in sight of the cameras? What a disappointing reaction.
"It seems you're still a virtuous daughter—"
Adeline pushed past him and through the open gates. She didn't need to desperately seek her parents' grave, she knew exactly where it was. Her heart raced with anticipation, and soon, she was standing between the large white tombstone, which was extremely well-kept and cleaned.
Adeline felt a wave of emotions overcome her. Tears welled in her eyes and her face felt hot. Her parents were buried together. There were fresh flowers laid upon their tombstones that read, "In loving and honorable memories of Crown Prince Kaline Rose and Crown Princess Addison Rose."
"Mother, Father, " Adeline weakly said, the words like knives to her c. h. e. s. t. She had never wanted to cry so hard, except for in this moment. She had waited years to see their gravestones again.
"I've come late, " Adeline whispered, placing the bouquet onto their shared tombstone. Her hands shakily touched the stone, a wave of emotion hitting her.
"But never again, " Adeline said."I'll never be late anymore."
Elias's face hardened. He resisted the urge to say she'd see them soon. Instead, he kept his mouth shut and opted to rub her back.
"I'll visit every anniversary, " Adeline swore. She turned to Elias and weakly smiled."Father, your hard work did not go to waste."
Elias raised a brow."You should've been delivered straight to my door when you turned eighteen, " he muttered."But do not worry, ever since she has been in my care, I've protected her, and I will continue to do so, even after my death."𝚏𝑟e𝒆𝙬𝒆𝗯𝑛ovel - 🅽🅽novel
Adeline softly smiled. She lowered her gaze."Father, Mother, I was unable to say this the day of your burial, but I forgive everything."
Adeline left out exactly which part she forgave. She forgave her father for attempting to strangle her, she forgave her mother for being unable to cope with the guilt, and forgave them for the life they took. It was the closure that Adeline needed, should she ever depart from this world.
All that needed to be said and done was done. If she were to die at childbirth, she'd die peacefully.
Elias must've known the same thing, for he hugged her tight and said nothing else.
- - - - -
It was only after Elias and Adeline left the Royal Burial Grounds did the sky finally clear up. A blinding ray of sunlight peeked through the thick clouds of grey, shining directly onto Addison and Kaline's grave.
The entire walk back to the car, Adeline could not look away. Her attention was glued to the tombstone, and for a split second there, she thought she saw the outline of her parents standing side-by-side. But then, she blinked, and they were gone. It must've been the shadow caused by the sunlight.
"Do visit Kastrem more, " James told her."And not just the Royal Burial Grounds."
Adeline paused. She glanced at James and then back at the cleaned tombstone with fresh flowers. He kept a watch over her parents. She didn't know if she should feel grateful, or still let her anger speak for itself.
"And me as well, " James added on."You are the only Rose that I care for."
"That is because everyone else is dead, " Adeline coldly said.
James had a lonely expression on his face when he painfully smiled."No. I could care less if they were alive. But if it was you, Adeline, I'd care for you. You are, after all, my brother's only child. You're the last memory I have of them. You're my last family member, my little niece."
Adeline realized her Uncle was all alone in this world. He had a kingdom to rule, people to care for, but besides his employees, who cared for him? In the time that he was King, he had never been involved in a dating scandal.
"Create more memories, " Adeline softly said, the first time in a decade she lowered her guard and showed him sympathy."Not with me, but with a woman you'd start a family with. Only you can prolong the Rose family name."
James sharply raised a brow."And if I don't want children?"
"Then centuries of House Rose will fall with you. Our family name who've survived since the dawn of time will end with you, " Adeline said."It's your choice, not mine, Uncle."
Adeline turned her back to him and continued approaching the car, Elias's hand resting on her lower back. He was beginning to hover over her more frequently, worried about every little thing she did. He was worried she'd trip on a flat surface, get injured by a piece of paper, and the list went on. She knew he'd never say it, but she was mindful of his actions.
"Adeline, your parents would appreciate another bouquet next year, " James suddenly said. He knew what was coming for her, his human niece, pregnant with a Pure-Blood's child.
Adeline's heart trembled. She knew he couldn't utter the words, 'Please live, ' for it'd break all of them here. His wish alone was enough for her to softly laugh.
"I do not need you to tell me that, " Adeline said."I'm already thinking about how grander the next bouquet will be."
James forced a smile, despite the pain in his heart. He felt like he had swallowed a thousand needles, for words could not leave his parched mouth. In the end, will he be all alone in the world? Will he be the only surviving Rose?
"I look forward to your bouquet then, " James slowly said. He saw her hands tremble before she hid them in front of her stomach. He couldn't read her expression, but he knew by her voice that she understood the meaning of his words.
"Yours better not outshine mine, " Adeline told him, unable to look at her Uncle. In an odd moment like this, she saw he resembled her father too much. She touched her necklace, where three charms dangled from. A rose for her, her mother, and her father.
Duke Claymore, Lydia's father had gifted this to her before the wedding, but she still wore it every day. It reminded Adeline that her parents were always with her and that they've never truly left her side.
"Please, how can I ever dream of outshining my niece?" James laughed, but they both knew he had already done that when he seized her throne and won over Kastrem's heart.
But neither of them spoke of the usurping any longer. James watched as Adeline boarded the black car with Elias, and the two drove off. Only when the black car was a dot in the distance did James's expression change. For the first time in a while, he broke down in tears, for he believed it would be the last time he ever saw his niece.
| ← Ch. 199 | Ch. 201 → |