Kira and Jared [Historical Romance]

✍Breathe no more

In the present

Third-person

"Jared? How, how are you still alive?".

"Edrin, I don't have much time. Listen carefully, you are not a little boy anymore, stop expecting the world to give you all you want. Grow up, your father is dead, all you have now is Kira, you must protect her--"

"Kira is dead". Edrin beat his chest in despair.  "That old witch killed her. It's all my fault, I should have kept her safe-". 

"She is not dead, you will see her soon".  Jared felt sorry for him, at least, telling him that Kira is still alive will reduce the guilt he was feeling.

"I am so sorry for what I did to you-"

"Don't. It's fine". 
Jared embraced him.

Victor signalled that it was time to leave, so he broke the hug and left Edrin there with Richard and an Aakhian friend of his.

×××

   Jared rode back to Verthona with Victor and Hector... His coronation day was fast approaching.
Thanks to empress Xhi-lan and the regent, his true identity and Grayson's sins were revealed to the people of Verthona and across the lands. They now knew him as Jared, son of Dexter and future King".

  After a tiring day's ride, they stopped to make camp for the night as they still had a long distance to travel by dawn. Victor and Hector observed as Jared stayed quiet the whole time. He laid down with his two hands as support behind his head as he gazed at the night sky.

Victor cleared his throat.
"My lord"

"Hmm"

"Why did you help Edrin after everything he did to you? I know you still love Kira. You could have kept her by your side if you wanted to".

"I do not wish to speak about it. Kira is his wife, that's all that matters".

"But--"

"Enough. Rest now".

Silence engrossed them except for the noises of crickets.
Jared stayed in the same position, not sleeping a wink. His heartbeat was faster each time he remembered Victor's question.

Was he giving up the only chance he had to be happy?

He shook his head, No.
The corner of his eye caught something. "What now, Victor?"

"How long will it take you to admit that you married Princess Jo-Kwan out of spite and that you regret it now--"

"No, I did not".   He answered frustratedly.

"Then, tell me--"

"The regent asked me to! That's all you need to know. Besides, she is a lovely girl, any man would be lucky to have her".

"I hear you, my lord".

Jared sighed.  "If only I could, there's so much that needs to get done".

"All in due time. For now, relax your mind. I'll go take over from Hector and keep watch".
He left to the area Hector had been standing for the past one hour.
Shortly after, Hector came to lie down.

"Well done, Hector"

"Thank you,  your majesty".

×××

"By the power vested in me as archbishop, I name you, King Jared Dexter Armstrong, the first, leader of Verthona and commander of her army!..."

People cheered and sang as the crown was placed upon his head. Men and women chorused praises, children played around the palace courtyard. It was a happy occasion for the majority.