The Royal Rescue

Chapter 26

Serenity's PoV

I didn't think it would come to this. To have to relive the past once more. To have watched yet another family member pass away in front of my very own eyes and now watch as he is buried.

It was heartbreaking.

It had only been two months since I first saw him again, after all these years and now it feels like I'm saying goodbye all over again.

'Here lies Evan Beaumont. A loving father and husband. May he rest in peace. (1944-1995)'

I cried into Ricardo's shoulder as he gently strokes my back reassuringly. He has always been there for me and I appreciate him so much for it. I don't know what I would have done without him. He has been the light that's guided me out of darkness, the colour of my monochromatic life. He is my everything and I'm so glad he's here now.

As they lower his coffin, I cry even harder. I couldn't even look because I knew that he was there. He was no longer alive and my heart yearns for him.

The priest taps my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry for your loss. Would you like to throw a complementary rose on his grave?" I nodded muttering a quiet thank you.

I took the Rose he offered and kissed one of the petals.

"Father, I may not have known you long but I know that... I know that you are now in a better place... you with mum and I bet that you are finally happy. I forgive you... for everything and I love you so much... even in the short time. May you rest in peace." I threw the Rose softly and it landed perfectly.

I stayed there for a little while crying hysterically wishing that he could have still been here with me but I knew that it was impossible.

Once again, another hand touched my shoulder. I looked up to see it was Ricardo.

He had his arms wide open and I jumped into them crying loudly like a newborn. He knew exactly what I needed at the right time and I could have stayed in his arms like this forever.

It was lucky that we kept this funeral to just the priest, Ricardo and me. I didn't want anyone else to see me like this. A crying, bloodshot mess. After all, we wanted our privacy and Ricardo kindly offered for my father to be buried in our royal cemetery, which I was surprised about. After all, my father wasn't royalty and not even related but the king wanted this. Therefore I agreed.

We stayed like this for a while, letting our embrace comfort us.

He was a dad to both of us.

We all knew what happened to the previous king and queen. Ricardo's parents. It was announced everywhere in the town of Pembroke even though I heard it and I didn't ever go to the meetings.

They were travelling out of the kingdom to attend a meeting which was to discuss a treaty. However, on the way home, they were trapped in the aftermath of a rockslide and the only one who escaped was one of the two horses that pulled the carriage.

It was a tragedy and like every royal family, we too had a mourning period. In our kingdom, since it was both members, we mourned for a whole month.

I had never seen the kingdom so upset and it made me feel sad for those closest to the royal family.

Now I know how he must have felt when he lost both his parents.

"Did you want to stay a little longer or shall we return home?" He asked looking at me for an answer. I frowned a little. Was this his way of telling me he didn't want to be here?

"What time is it?" I asked as I had genuinely lost track. He looked down at his gold shiny watch and then replied.

"Three-thirty. Why?" Now he was frowning at me.

Wait! Three-thirty in the afternoon? We've been here for five hours?! No wonder he asked if I wanted to leave.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know it was that time and I would have left earlier if I had known and I..." he pressed a finger to my lips stopping me immediately.

"Serenity, you can stay as long as you want to. I asked because I thought you may have gotten hungry or tired. Just don't think that I am rushing you because I would never do that, especially today of all days. This is a hard day for you and I'm here to support you no matter what." I looked up at him and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

"Thank you. I think I'm ready to leave now. Let me just say one final goodbye." He kisses my forehead stroking my hair.

"Take as long as you need. I'll let you have your privacy." I nodded and he walked off to the exit of the cemetery. I looked back at the tombstone.

"Thank you for everything, dad. You have helped me become stronger even in the short time that we knew each other and that's what I love most about you but now it's time to say goodbye. I'll visit soon, I promise. Now, it's time to see what the future has in store. Hopefully, it will be something great. Goodbye dad, I love you." I kissed the gravestone and headed toward Ricardo.

He smiled lightly at me and I returned the gesture.

He was the perfect boyfriend. The king that I needed to save me from my royal pain of life.

My father's death wasn't an ending but a beginning. He had always said so himself. When god closes a door, he opens a window. Ricardo is my window and I know he will always be there, no matter what.

My father will always be in my heart, just like my mother but sometimes you have to not let the past be the reason for your procrastination. I forgave my father even though he killed my mother in the past but he changed for the better.

Life will throw curve balls but you have to seek out the options and choose one that suits you. I chose to be a personality defined by their name.

Calm, peaceful and untroubled.

No longer am I alone.

I have Ricardo.

He has saved me and I am never letting go.

I walk up to him and take his hand which he so kindly offered to me.

"Let's go home."