章 23: Forlorn
Seymour just watched his King smile in happiness at getting his love back. Though he did not know his story and why he had been separated from the girl he loved dearly, he did know that his King had been in immense pain all these years. He was in such agony that, at times, Seymour too had felt the pain he was going through.
Now that his King had finally found his girl, Seymour was elated for him and his face said it all. Just like King Kieran, he too had been desperate for the young man to meet his Queen and get back his love. But he was even more desperate to find who she was and how she was able to tame the man who never listened to anyone in the land.
Seymour's smile slipped as soon as he remembered a matter he had utterly forgotten. "Your Majesty," He started softly, not wishing to spoil his King's ecstatic mood. However, this matter was important and concerned his life and love. Therefore, Seymour could not avoid raising the topic even if he wanted to.
"Hmm?" Kieran turned to him, raising his eyebrow at him to continue. However, his smile was still intact, and his red eyes twinkled brighter than the stars as they reflected the light from the torches.
"Your Majesty, the Onguls will not be happy after hearing about our Queen," Seymour stated, observing his King's reaction closely. And to his relief, there was not much change in his expression except that his smile became brighter, only this time, it was filled with ridicule and provocation.
"Onguls," Kieran scoffed lightly, and immediately after, he started laughing, his maniacal laugh reverberating through the room, suppressing his gentleness and letting out a mysterious and sinister aura around him. His red eyes flashed with mirth before they narrowed dangerously. "It is time for the Onguls to come out of their slumber. They have stayed hidden for a long time now. It is time I deal with them and exact my vengeance for what they did to me and my darling girl."
Kieran's expression was so terrifying that even Seymour felt the hair on his skin stand in fear. Chills ran down his spine and his entire back was drenched with sweat. He had never seen such a daunting expression on his face, and for a moment, Seymour had the urge to escape from the room, from the devil in front of him.
Even though the torches were burning bright, the temperature dropped suddenly and Seymour shuddered, the cold hitting him hard until he folded his hands to warm himself up. Kieran saw this action of his and softened his stance, smiling at him apologetically.
"You must be cold, Seymour. I apologize for losing control." Kieran pushed his hair that had fallen over his face back. "Would you like something to drink that will help you warm your body?"
Although Kieran's words were utterly innocent, his smile said otherwise. Seymour, at once, realized what drink he was referring to and he shook his head fervently. His fear rose as he thought about the drink his King was speaking about.
"You are one funny man, Seymour. All I want is your well-being and you deny my kind intentions." Kieran let out a deep sigh as though he was regretful instead of Seymour for not accepting his drink. "I will not force you if you are unwilling to have the drink. Would you like to have some tea instead?"
"No, no, Your Majesty. I am good." Seymour denied his offer immediately. Even though the King had genuinely offered him tea to warm himself up this time, Seymour could not bring himself to drink it.
"It is tea, not blood, Seymour. But if you insist, I will not offer it too. How is your daughter, by the way?"
"Your Majesty, she finally regained her consciousness." Seymour's fears vanished as soon as he thought about his daughter, and a gentle smile landed on his lips.
"That is good to hear, Seymour. Take good care of her."
"I will, Your Majesty. I will. She is the one only I have now."
Kieran gave him a knowing smile before returning to his throne and sitting on it regally. Even though Seymour was now smiling, his face still could not conceal the concerns he had in his mind, and Kieran noticed it immediately.
"You do not have to worry about the Onguls, Seymour. I will take care of them. They will be unable to touch my people, let alone harm them." Kieran stated, and Seymour did not doubt his words. His King sure would protect his subjects with his life. It was something else that had his mind occupied, and Kieran discerned it when the Duke's worry was still evident on his face.
"I see that it is not the Onguls that have you worried. What is bothering you, Seymour?"
"Your Majesty," Seymour hesitated for a while before he lifted his head to meet his King in the eye. "It is my daughter. She...she..." Seymour moved his gaze away from the King and closed his eyes for a moment. "She has lost all her memories."
Kieran leaned forward for a moment, intrigued by Seymour's revelation. "Has she lost all her memories or does she not remember only a few matters?" He tilted his head as he waited for the Duke's reply.
"Your Majesty, she has forgotten everything, including me. She even failed to recognize me, her father." Seymour lowered his eyes in grief. His heart had wrenched in pain when his daughter had failed to recognize him and even more so because he held himself guilty for failing to protect her well.
"This is interesting," Kieran mumbled to himself. "What have you thought to do now, Seymour?"
"Your Majesty, my daughter has now become a completely different person after she got up. She does not loathe me anymore like she used to, nor does she ignore me. Instead, she speaks to me and cares for me. So..."
"So, you do not want her to regain her memories lest she returns to her old self and starts resenting you again. Am I right?" Kieran had discerned what was running in his mind, and he pursed his lips as he thought about it.
Seymour did not have the courage to reply. Instead, he just nodded at him, his eyes filled with guilt and sorrow.
"But you are also guilty because you are being selfish and harsh with your daughter." Again Seymour nodded in agreement. Kieran shook his head and let out a helpless sigh.
"Seymour, sometimes, it is good to be selfish." Kieran's voice suddenly turned gentle as he spoke to him. "You have been devoid of your daughter's love for a long time, and now that you have finally got your daughter back, treasure her, for you never know when what might happen."
The seriousness in his words made Seymour meet his gaze, and he noticed that his King was now not smiling. Instead, his face was filled with misery, and Seymour understood what he was trying to say.
"Do not try to gain control of the situation when it comes to matters related to your loved ones. Just let everything happen as it is supposed to happen." Kieran continued, his gaze distant and filled with grief.
Seymour gave him a confused look and Kieran let out a deep breath. "Do not try to force your daughter to gain her memories out of your guilt or regret; at the same moment, do not try to avoid or hide those memories from her. Instead, let her live her life the way she wants."
Seymour now perceived what the King was trying to advise him, and his sorrow diminished. His lips arched up in realization, and he bowed deeply in front of him for showing him what he should do in his situation. "Thank you very much, Your Majesty. Thank you. I am now relieved and will do as you have advised."
Kieran smiled at him in return. But his smile did not reach his eyes. Seymour could see the loneliness in them, and for the first time, he realized how forlorn the powerful man was. "Your Majesty..."
"If there is nothing else, I would like to be alone for some time, Seymour." Kieran stopped him before he could continue, and Seymour bit his lip. He bowed at him and walked towards the door. He took one last glance at the powerful man before he closed the door after him.
And the moment the door closed, the entire room was plunged into darkness.
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