Divine Realizations [ Clarion X Milori ]

Chapter 47

- Later that night -

Milori sat silently, listening to silverware clink against plates as he and his daughter ate dinner.
They were eating in the colossal dining hall which should have been awkward with only two people, but luckily it was not.
This was a new thing he was trying out, ever since Clarion departed, he told Avalon they would eat every meal together from here on out.
It was an attempt to fill the gaping hole Clarion had cut out of his chest with her departure.
Thankfully, Avalon easily covered the void, if only momentarily.
"Where's Clarion now?"
Milori paused his chewing at the question.
Nearly everyday Avalon brought up Clarion, whether in little comments or full-out questions like now.
Again, he despised lying to her but he couldn't stomach the thought of telling her what was really happening.
Swallowing, Milori wiped his mouth.
"I told you remember? She's traveling for that special project."
But Avalon only frowned.
"Why isn't Ranger Skye with her then? Were they not both working on it together?"
Milori gripped the table at her innocent yet insightful question.
"Yes, but he must remain to patrol the coast, that is his first and most important job."
Mentally, Milori patted himself on the back, that was a decent save.
This was only proven as Avalon seemed to accept his answer and continued eating.
In the past few weeks, many had been surprised and pleased to see a change in Milori.
However no one was more surprised than he.
But lately he had this crushing feeling that nothing truly mattered except his family.
His family who he wanted to give all his time and attention to, something he should have begun long ago.
Lately, his relationship with Avalon had never been better.
The first thing he did with his newfound outlook was hire a general.
No longer did he lead training Excersises with his winter milita or even over see their day-to-day. Only during special sessions and tests did he instruct his soldiers in person, all the rest was now handled by his new officers.
Similarly, he delegated most lower and non-essential tasks to other personnel which freed up his days immensely.
He also began implementing more social events with his people, events designed to get him mixed in and mingling with his subjects.
In all of this, he felt a burden had lifted from his shoulders and now he understood why Clarion never seemed to shut up about doing all of these things.
All of it had only garnered a positive reaction from those around him, making him further want to be a better father, ruler, and hopefully... a better husband.
He would never forget who it was who originally pushed him to make all the lifestyle changes, he just wished she would come around to see the fruits her effort finally created.
Pushing his food absently around on his plate, Milori brought himself out of his musings.
Here he was again thinking about her.
She stayed on his mind constantly, never giving him rest, if he were anyone else he was sure he'd be seen as a stalker.
Pushing his chair back, he stood, glancing over at Avalon.
He felt guilty that he pretty much kept to himself, thinking about Clarion, the whole dinner and not really interacting with Avalon.
Walking over to her side, he brushed some hair behind her ear and smiled.
"What do you say to us ice skating tomorrow." Immediately a gleeful shout filled the air as Avalon jumped to her feet.
"Oh yes, yes, yes!"
Satisfied with her enthusiastic response, Milori smiled once more and kissed her on the head. "Then it's a date, 9am sharp tomorrow."
She grinned in return, "I wouldn't miss it." Nodding, he bid her a goodnight and headed up the stairs.
It would be another sleepless night but that was nothing new.