Chapter 297 - Pull The Plug (1/2)

Two years after the war, a memorial was held in Nisia's National Cemetery to remember and celebrate the lives of those who perished.

For the occasion, a stage was built in the parking lot, and facing it were chairs lined up in rows. At that moment, the sun was setting in the background, painting the sky a rich ombre of indigo and pink.

Soon, the place was filled with survivors from all walks of life: civilians who welcomed strangers into their homes, nurses, and doctors who tended to the wounded, and soldiers who made it out alive.

The chatter died down when the emcee got up on the stage with a mic in hand. His energy was lively, and his spiels were too funny to miss.

Whatever came out of his mouth, it lightened up everyone's mood, momentarily washing away the reason behind why they gathered that night.

Once everyone was settled, the emcee announced the arrival of the country's royal family.

Heads turned behind their shoulders to get a glimpse of their king and queen. Walking holding his mother's hand, King Maxen and Queen Mother Isla took the lead.

Trailing behind them, Queen Olivia and their adopted child Princess Aerith were all smiles as people welcomed them with a big round of applause.

Arriving at the first row, the royals were front and center for the memorial service. When it was Maxen's turn to deliver a speech, proud mama tears pooled Queen Mother Isla's eyes.

Her gaze never left Maxen as he walked from his seat to the stage. Her son was groomed to be king, and so he carried himself as such.

If King Alistair was still alive, he would be so proud of what Maxen had become. But life happened. Everyone thought they survived the war, but after getting treatment for his wound, King Alistair found out he had a stage four pancreatic tumor.

The former king refused to get treatment, citing how he hated being hooked up in an IV. He said he'd rather enjoy the remainder of his life surrounded by family and friends.

His diagnosis also fast-tracked Maxen and Olivia's engagement, and in five months' time, the couple's marriage was finally official.

Living the rest of his months rebuilding the nation, King Alistair took his last breath on the first night of summer's solstice—almost nine months after his first diagnosis.

Meanwhile, up on the stage, Maxen scanned the area and scratched the skin above his eyebrow. More than a year after his coronation, and he was still adjusting to his new title.

His eyes swept across the front row and landed on Olivia. Seeing his wife's eyes glistened with so much adoration, he smiled and got his much-needed confidence boost.

”My fellow countrymen, good evening.” He smiled. ”Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate the lives of those who fought back. The lives of those who stood their ground against the people used aggression for their cause, whatever that was.

”The rebels said they wanted a clean government. The rebels said they wanted peace and order. The rebels said they were fighting for everyone's right to a better future.

”But those rebels were the first to wield their weapons. Those rebels started the chaos. And those rebels tore down houses upon houses in their fight for a new tomorrow.

”At the end, each of us lost. A brother. A sister. A mother. A father.” For a brief second, Maxen's gaze landed on Aerith, and his jaw clenched. ”We lost a friend.”

Maxen felt his world spin and his grip on the podium tightened when Wyatt's cheeky grin flashed in his mind. Closing his eyes, he cleared his thoughts and continued to deliver his speech.

”Nobody can achieve peace by using a gun. Unity cannot be forced unless there was understanding.

”The road to our recovery and healing as a nation is still within reach. And those who threaten our peace are still at large.

”But we will not live in fear and we will never give up to rebuild what they tore down. We will show them that living a life with the freedom to be whoever you wanted to be will always be a life well lived.”

Thunderous claps deafen Maxen up on the stage. He waited for it to die down, and ended his speech with the very words his father would remind them, ”Tonight is our reminder for the gift of life we received from those who had given theirs. And may we not forget to think about our people first.”

…

After the memorial service, Maxen and Olivia dropped by the hospital where Shadow was staying. She had been placed under a coma for two years.

That morning, Shadow's physician gave Olivia a call and informed her that Shadow went into another cardiac arrest, and was now brain dead.

Left with a choice to either keep Shadow hooked into contraptions that would artificially support her life or pull the plug to end her suffering, Olivia opted for the latter.

She thought that if Shadow could speak, she would scream at Olivia for extending her life by placing her on a hospital bed, which Shadow hated the most.

For a second, Olivia snapped back to reality upon hearing sniffles behind her. Inside the room was Yana, who was crying silently, and Secretary Gail, who hugged the little lass.

Beep. Beep. Beeeeeeeeep.

How though?

How do you let go of a person that became a part of your existence?

How do you let go of your shadow?

Standing before Shadow's bed, Olivia found her answer.

You wouldn't let go of that person for they would always remain in your heart. You just have to get used to living without them.

…

The following day at exactly five in the morning, Maxen's leg jerked, rousing him up from his slumber. However, instead of getting up, he let his hand roam Olivia's body with his eyes closed.

With her back facing him, he felt himself harden as his palm skimmed her skin, working her up from her inner t.h.i.g.h, and stopped by her mound to cup it. A smile crossed his face when Olivia swatted his naughty hand.

”Okaaay,” he whispered. He then retracted his hand and thought about going back to that place later.