Chapter 68 - Peparations

Damion's POV

After that conversation with my father, I felt that I had finally set free the child trapped inside waiting for my father's embrace.

The moment that I had waited for so long, had finally arrived and I could finally breathe.

The next day come, I had planned once again meet with Ceaser and over see the preparations for the farming society, we had gathered handful of nobelman, who accepted our invite to invest, and start our own farm.

As I was about to leave, father come to find me getting ready for the day.

"Morning my son." He greeted me.

"Good morning father." It was unusual for him to be here so early and since he hadn't been in is best health he would stay until late in his chambers.

"I want to come with you today." I stopped, I lifted my head from the papers that were all over my desk, I look up at father.

"I... I thought you were still not in a good health, shouldn't you wait until you get better?" I asked concerned.

"In my age, there is no waiting to get better. " Coughed once again, if I don't do it know I don't know when I might get the chance.

I nodded, "Fine, I am getting ready all the paperwork in advance..." I stopped to look how he was dressed in is lavish very eccentric clothes. " Are you going dressed like this?"

"Why wouldn't why? " He asked with his brow raised.

"Well the place is going under structural changes, and there mud and dirt everywhere. I advise you to change to other clothes father, something less.... more modest.Much more modest. " I add. I thought he would get angry and complain, but he just laughed.

"Loyd!" Father yelled.

"Yes your Majesty?" Loyd quickly answered.

"My son seems to think that my clothing is too extravagant, and that I should wear something... Modest."Loyd nodded not sure of what to say. "Would you be kind and let me borrow one your clothes?"

I was surprised at such request, and by the looks of it so was Loyd, who was silently trying to understand what my father meant.

"Any problem?" My Father asked.

"N..no your Majesty, is just, my clothes are not suitable for your grandiosity your Majesty..."

"Non sense, bring it to my room, I need to get ready to be able to go with my son." My mind went blank as Loyd followed my Father outside the room. I couldn't believe at the visible changes, that my father went through, all because of..

"Your Highness?" A familiar voice brought me out of my fogged mind.

"Rahua..?!!"

"Ahahaha, you finally heard me. I have been calling you but you seemed to be lost in a thought." Before I could process anything my body was already moving towards her.

"Good morning Rahua." I say placing my hand on her face gently caressing her.

"Good morning Damion." She says smiling. Is such a bliss be able to see her like this in the morning. "I come to see you because I want to talk about my departure." My hand that was caressing her face suddenly squeezed her cheeks.

"That hurts Damion." She screamed.

"I am sorry." I say taking my hand back."I was caught by surprise. Why are you still thinking of leaving? " I ask confused.

"What do you mean why? I have told you, I can't stay here, I have to go back to my family. I am healed." She says looking brightly and happy. I don't want her to leave, I wish I could keep her here forever.

"What if your family moved here..."

"I don't think they would feel comfortable with that."

"I don't want you to leave, I thought you wanted to be with me. " She looks surprised, and blushes. Why is she surprised? I have made clear of my intentions, haven't I?

"Damion!" She covers her face with her hand as if she was troubled. "I can't stay with you like this, I mean, I really do want to stay with you, and all. But we are not married, nor engaged and people will certainly comment." She starts to rumble on and on.

"Rahua!" I say firmly " I should have made clear. I guess I didn't. I want to make you my Queen!" She blushes. " I want to marry you. I..."

" I get, I get, you don't have to say it." She covers my mouth blushing. "I want all that too." She sights.

I move her hand away from my mouth and I kiss her hand. I kneel before her, holding her hand gently. "Rahua, will you marry me?" I ask, looking up into her eyes with sincerity and love.

Her eyes widen in surprise, and her face flushes even more. "Yes! Yes, Damion, I will marry you," she says with a bright smile, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

I feel a rush of happiness and excitement fill my being as I stand up and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I love you, Rahua," I whisper, feeling the warmth of her embrace and knowing that our future together would be filled with happiness and love.

I brush away the tears streaming down Rahua's cheeks and kiss her passionately, both of us overwhelmed with joy and anticipation for the life that awaits us.

*Cough*

We break apart, still holding each other hand, as father is standing, at the entrance. I can't help but feel happy with Rahua by my side.

I don't know how would I be without her, she made me want to be strong, and want to protect her and others, she made want to be the King and the protector of this realm.

"Sorry to interrupt, but it seems I made an appointment with my son to go the Farming project. "

"That's sounds fun. Maybe I would take this as an opportunity to go meet my family." Says Rahua, I don't like that she is still insisting in leaving me. I squeeze her hand.

She looks at me, I feel my heart squeeze knowing that I can't keep her confined here.

"Damion? What are you afraid of?" Her question caught me off guard. I- I didn't know, why was I so reluctant to let her go. Her simple question made everything look so silly.

I loosened the grip on her hand, I couldn't let my fears of losing her take of over me.

"Be careful. " I say kissing her hand.

"Don't worry, I am kind of invincible, I am wearing a plot Armor, you know. And besides, I'll always come back to you." Rahua reassures me, laughing. I don't understand what she means by she's wearing an armour. She only has a gown.

But I think that's what she calls a 'joke' where I should just laugh with her. I smile at the strange woman that has my heart.

*

Father and I are on our way to the farming houses that are being built for the project. Ceaser is probably already there.

We ride our horses, in a consistent pacing. My father despite of his age seems to be a good rider.

As we arrive the workers already busy with their tasks.

I could see Ceaser from afar, he was overseeing the progress.

We rode our horses, as close as possible, to the working site, as we descended from our horses, the workers stopped their tasks and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness. " They greeted me, they were used to see me around so they kept their busy work. Only later I noticed none of them greeted my father as the king, they were still respectful, but didn't recognise him.He didn't say anything either, he seemed to be lost in thought

We kept going, as Ceaser approached us is serious face, greetings us. "Your Majesty, it's an honor to have you here."

"Hello Ceaser." Father silently greeted Ceaser. He seemed to be observing everything.

" Damion, " Ceased greeted me. "The preparations are going smoothly, and we expect to have everything ready as planned."

"Perfect!" I say. This project is important to me, I want to successed and make the kingdom self-sufficient.

As we continued our tour of the farming houses, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. It was a new beginning for our kingdom, and I was glad to be a part of it.

Throughout the day, I worked alongside the workers, helping them with various tasks. I was glad to get my hands dirty and be involved in the actual work. It made me feel connected to the people and reminded me of the importance of their livelihoods.

I noticed father was quite the entire time and he observed everything, I didn't know what he was thinking, but I was starting worry.

As the day came to an end, and the sun began to set, my father and I made our way back to the palace. I slowed down for a moment, seeing my father tired face. Is cough had subsided, he was coughing as intensive.

"A silver for your thoughts." I say.

Father looks at me confused. I smile awkwardly. "That's something Rahua says sometimes, when she trying to ask about what I am thinking."

He laughs slightly, but quicks fades away. "I have been a fool Damion. I- I have been a invisible King, she was right, noone recognises me, no one knows who I am, if not for my clothes or the whole knights assemble.

I fear that I have left you with an arduous path to follow, because of my own incompetence."

"Father.." I say, but the truth is we failed our people and it didn't started with my father, our family for a few generations had neglected the kingdom. "Is going forward now, that's what counts. We can't change the past, but making up for a better future should be our focus."

As we rode back, my thoughts kept drifting back to Rahua. I missed her already, and I couldn't wait to see her again. Her presence brought me so much joy and happiness, and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

I made a promise to myself that I would do everything in my power to ensure her safety and happiness. No matter what challenges we faced, I would always be there for her.

As the palace came into view, I couldn't help but feel a surge anxiety. Was she waiting for me? Was she still not there?

I longed to see her, and to have her, but I knew I couldn't cage her, or I would lose her.

I handed over my horse, and helped my father come down from the horse, I kept looking at Palace.

My Father with his hand on my shoulder, "Go to her." As if he knew what was on my mind.

Without waisting time I ran to her chambers , eager to be in her presence once again.

As I reached her door, I knocked gently, my heart pounding in anticipation. There was no reply from the other side, my impatience made me swing the door open, revealing an empty room, she wasn't there.