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” Thank you, father.” Justin politely received the cup of coffee from his father’s hands. It’s not always that the king treated him to a cup of his favourite beverage. Although he felt that something was awfully wrong, he still enjoyed the coffee to the last drop. His father may not treat him right always but whenever he did, he would make him feel special. After everyone was done with their drinks, the room fell awfully quiet. No One said a word until the king cleared his throat to gain the attention of the two.
” I have something to confess to you Justin.” He started and Justin’s breath was caught in his chest. The feeling of dread increased rapidly hearing those simple yet complex words. ” Yes, father.” He responded, his voice soft. The King lowered his head in shame. He was finding it hard to look Justin in the eye without feeling the guilt gnawing his heart. He had lied to the boy for as long as he can remember, it was not intentional but that did not mean he wasn’t guilty. ” You are my adopted son!” He blurted out the words after gaining as much courage as possible. The moment those words left his mouth, his heart felt a little lighter.
Justin mind was trying to process the new information he was told. His mind was now like a broken computer. He couldn’t explain if what he heard was true of a figment of his wild imagination. ” Someone pinch me!” He said dramatically and moved to pinch Miranda’s thigh. Miranda jolted from the sudden invasion of pain. She looked at the culprit who by now had a disappointed look. She wondered why the expression? She expected that by now he would be fuming mad or better yet, have stormed out of the room angrily.
” I thought I heard the king say am adopted!” He inwardly questioned with a puzzled look and the two people in the room stared at each other before looking at the man like he was an alien.” I just pinched myself to feel the pain and see if it’s true, turns out I was imagining things.” Justin said, sighing heavily, his looks dejected. ” You Just pinched me, it’s only practical I feel the pain and not you.” Miranda scolded. She couldn’t help but shake her head at his childish reaction. Miranda’s words switched a fuse in Justin’s mind. ” You mean to say I heard it right?” He turned, now clutching Miranda’s hand tightly. One could unmistakably see the anticipation in his eyes.
Now, it was Miranda’s turn to be dumbstruck! What’s with the reaction? Why did it appear like he would dance hearing that he was an adopted child. This was not the reaction they expected. That’s Why they had been careful, keeping everything in the wraps to avoid hurting him. Miranda could only nod to answer his question. ” Really?” He had to have that assurance. ” What’s wrong with you, are you alright?” Miranda was worried. She was worried that the news had driven him nuts. ” Ofcourse I am alright baby, just answer my question.” David insisted.
” Yes Justin, you are my adopted son.” The king chose to answer him at this point. He wasn’t expecting such a reaction but either way, he would clarify things with Justin today. ” Look, I never meant to tell you this kind of information this way nor was it my …” Before the King could finish his well programmed speech, Justin dashed to him hugging him ever so tightly, surprising the two people in the room. The King was caught off guard and Justin’s Young bones crushed to his Old and brittle ones making him lean on the sofa for support. He was taken aback by the reaction he got from Justin. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think that he would get a lovely and warm hug from his adopted son after finally revealing the truth. He has pictured this moment countless times but this was the only reaction that never passed his mind. Miranda who was watching the scene unfold could swear that someone watching this would mistake it as a reunion. A warm reunion. Her mind was going hazy Just watching this.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
” Thanks father, you don’t know how happy I am to hear this!” He said breaking to a huge smile. He was akin to a convicted inmate being declared free of any guilty. His reaction was supposed to relief the king but somehow, he felt stung by it. It would have been understandable if Justin just cursed him and called him names. Who would have thought that he would be so excited to hear he was of no royal blood. ” Did you hate being a royal that much you’ll be happy on the first revelation you ain’t one?” The king asked sullenly. Justin was taken aback by the king’s question. He was too occupied with his happiness that he forgot about the king’s loneliness. ” Of Course not father, i am happy to be your son but more importantly, I can finally be free to roam the world with the love of my life.” Justin replied blatantly. The King expected that kind of answer from Justin afterall he was never interested in State affairs. He had a dream he lived for and that dream was his next focus.
Miranda finally heaved a sigh of relief after hearing Justin’s words. She was relieved that he took the words positively. ” You don’t even want to know who is the rightful heir to this kingdom?” The King then asked and Justin shrugged. ” The only thing I could do is to apologise for taking his position in his life.” Justin replied straightforwardly. As long as he was free from royal duties, nothing matters to him anymore. Justin’s words surprised not only the king but Miranda as well. He wasn’t even interested in knowing the king’s next of kin? If he remained this nonchalant, how were they going to execute their next plan?