Kiss Me Not

Gavin let out a deep breath inside the car and Brione knew that Olivia's words affected him very much.

"I'm sure she will come around after all these things have passed," Brione consoled, gently squeezing Gavin's hand. They headed straight to the funeral home to see Olivia instead of going to see Lucas as he had called and instructed them to go visit Olivia first. When they hesitated he reassured them that he was feeling better and that they had to go see Olivia's family first.

"I hope so too, sweetheart but I doubt it will happen, especially after seeing the look on Olivia's face. Her eyes were filled with anger and I have a feeling that it will take her a long time to get over it. I can feel the determination in her words. She is blaming us for her brother's death and is holding us responsible for it which is true because he did die because of me."

"Our enemy… Duncan is not a very simple person. No wonder my father is having a hard time finding or locating him until now. I should take this case into my own hands. My father… I don't think he can handle his long-time foe…"

Gavin sighed in helplessness again. He wanted to personally take care of it but his father insisted on doing it himself and asserted that he could save Oliver with the assistance of Will and Sean.

Brione bit her lower lip not knowing what to say. She knew that Gavin was somehow right. Maybe it would be better if he were to handle this issue himself. But her heart was pounding against her chest because was feeling scared and worried. Things were getting dangerous here, especially with how suddenly Olivia's brother died.

'Oh my God! I can't lose Gavin again…' she almost cried at just the thought of losing him.

She turned to look at him and said. "I can't lose you again, darling."

Gavin shifted in his seat to face her and gently cupped her face with his hands. He tenderly gazed into her eyes while caressing her cheeks lightly.

He gave her a comforting smile and said, "You won't sweetheart. Please don't worry your pretty head too much. I will make sure to take care of myself and stay by your side till we grow old alright?"

Brione pouted her lips and mumbled begrudgingly, "Yeah, we have to grow old together!"

Gavin chuckled and gave her a quick peck on her lips. He knew that Oliver's death was just a sample… It was a warning from Duncan that he was someone who shouldn't be taken lightly.

He clenched his jaw and vowed to capture that man and torture him! He would stay in Country B until he took that bastard down.

"I have to tighten your security, sweetheart. So please don't be stubborn and let me keep you safe," Gavin said.

Brione sighed and whispered, "Yeah I will behave and listen to you."

They soon reached Derhan Palace. Lucas was already awake but was put on dextrose so he was resting in his room. Both Brione and Gavin went to his room to see him.

"Father," Gavin called and quickly sat next to Lucas and hugged him. Brione also hugged her father-in-law and gave him air kisses before sitting on the couch. She wanted to give the father and son some space and let them have their moment to talk.

She sighed as she looked at the two men. Both of them deserved to have a peaceful life so she could not wait for Gavin to bring down Duncan. Just thinking of his name made her blood boil in anger. She couldn't believe that a person as evil as him was able to live so long that he actually planned and made another attack. She was aware of the story behind Duncan and could not help but curse him. 

She looked at Lucas as another sigh came out of her lips. Her father-in-law looked so distressed and tired that she couldn't help but feel bad for him. Gavin had asked her to take care of him and that was exactly what she was planning to do while she was staying in the Palace. She would make sure that her father-in-law would relax despite everything that was happening. It was the least she could do in this situation and hoped she was helping Gavin in the littlest of ways.

"Son, I failed and it cost us a life…" Lucas weakly stuttered. He still could not believe that a young man like Oliver was killed because of him. Duncan was doing it because of him. All these years, that man was just waiting for the right time to attack him again. And even after so many years, he not only failed to bring him down but also became the cause of Oliver's death.

The guilt he was feeling was so heavy that his chest felt like it would explode anytime.

"Father, I'm here now. And I will take care of everything from now on. You should stop worrying and should get some rest. Cain called me and told me about your condition. So please just focus on recovering. I promise I can handle everything. You must focus on your health. Brione will stay with you as long as she can so you two should just unwind and relax"

"What happened at the funeral? Did Greg talk to you? How are Olivia and her mother?"Lucas asked, ignoring Gavin's words.

"Things are complicated right now, Father.  It is just as we had expected, their family doesn't want to see anyone from the Royal family. They want us to leave them alone and I agree that we should do that for the time being. Let them grieve and handle things on their side while I will do the same on our side…"

"That Duncan is a cunning and a very dangerous man, Father. We cannot beat him if we continue like this…" Gavin commented.

"What are your plans, son?" Lucas asked.

Gavin smiled at him as he scolded, "And here you are back with your old habits. Don't be curious about it. Ah, as I said earlier, you should just relax and rest. Brione will take care of you so please make sure you focus on yourself and not think of anything else."

Lucas sighed deeply as he whispered, "Alright. I guess it's time for you to take charge. I will ask Sean to arrange everything for your coronation as King. I will step down from my position and hand it to you."

"It's time Father… To finally use my real identity. The people should know about our story. I will proceed with things as planned. There's no need to keep my identity a secret anymore," Gavin said to which Lucas nodded.

"Yes, son. You do what you have to do and I will just listen to you," Lucas uttered. His son was right, it was time for him to retire and let Gavin handle everything.