Bonus

(Always and Forever)

Julius lay his head on Charles's shoulder watching the lively children running and laughing on their garden.

Julius can't help wiping the tears that swell down his cheek.

"Oh? What's wrong?" Charles woke up and saw his lover crying again.

He is as thin as always.

His long black and white hair is flowing in his chest.

Even though they are already old, Charles had never seen any man as handsome and as beautiful as his wife.

"Nothing." Julius shakes his head.

Charles holds his hand, grasping it tight.

Julius smiles looking at their entwined fingers.

His free hand hugs Charles as his face lays on his chest.

"Thank you."

Charles chuckles.

"Thank you for what?"

He rubs Julius's hair with his free hand.

"For giving me this." Julius said and looked at the happy children playing without care in the world.

The children they raised were now independent individuals who are working and living in this country. They already have their own family.

But they still recognized them as their parents.

Pay respect.

Give filial piety and still and always treat them as their family.

Charles and Julius are generous.

They love them all but never spoil them.

If one made a mistake, they scold,hit or give punishment befitting the mistake they made.

Giving rewards and punishments are always reasonable.

That is why the kids love them the most.

Because they know that they love them unconditionally even without blood relationship.

"Dad,Mom," Happy walks to the two old couples.

"You are late." Charles frowns.

"Sorry Dad,Mom." Happy scratches his head.

Every new year they will celebrate it as a family.

Julius smiles and hugs his eldest son.

"How is your wife and new born son?"

Happy's face brightens.

"That is why I am late, Mom. My wife wants me to celebrate the new year here with our newborn son. She knows how sad I am when I can't come last year because of me participating in war."

"Nonsense! Your wife and our grandson's safety is more important. Why are you so superstitious?" Charles shakes his head.

Julius also shakes his head.

"It's very cold. You really am such a blockhead! If something happened to your wife and our grandchild, see if I don't spank your bottom!"

Happy laughs happily despite their angry reprimanding.

"No worries. I ask the doctor if it's okay to travel."

The couple smiles at him.

"You are such an idiot boy. Where are they then?"

"They are in the carriage. I will get them for Dad and Mom to see."

"So cerimonial. Hurry." Julius said.

Watching Happy's back the two look at each other and smile.

In the middle of the celebration, another two carriage came.

Julius and Charles are old but they all kneel to see the imperial carriage.

"Dad! Mom! No need to kneel!" Cheska, this beautiful Queen walks down the carriage.

Hurrying from behind is the Queen consort Remy.

"Dad, Mom."

Julius and Charles look at each other.

They greeted the two Queens but they were hugged by the two beauties.

"Dad, if you don't stop, Your little Remy will really cry! You said that you fear the most is my tears!" Remy said.

Charles wryly rubs her hair.

"This child ah!" He can't help but laugh.

"Mom! Mom! I misses,Mom. Everyone is trying to bully me in the palace. I wanted to quit! I don't want to be the Queen anymore." Cheska whines loudly.

"Sister!" Remy glares at her.

"Don't glare at me! Mom, Remy is so scary."

"You! You are the Queen Empress. Do not make trouble." Julius said pinching her sides.

Cheska winced.

"Mom, your pinch hurts." Cheska pouts.

Julius sighs.

"Do not talk like this. What if someone uses this against you? How can we protect you when we, your parents are this old?"

Cheska acts coy and hugs Julius tenderly.

"Mom, I can only talk like this because I am in my home. Nobody will hurt me here."

Julius rubs her hair and wipes his tears.

"Didn't I told the two of you not to marry the King!"

Remy and Cheska look at each other.

Their eyes reddened.

"We are sorry Mom."Remy

"No more whining from me Mom."Cheska.

Charles hugs Julius and kisses his temple.

"You always cry when our babies complain. Don't you watch them grow up? Who in this kingdom can bully our little girls? Even if not for my family sake then what about their brothers and sisters? Happy is a general that is highly praised by the King, their other brothers who work for this kingdom."

"Right, right...We are just complaining, mother. Don't cry." Remy said, hooking Julius arms.

"Um...." Julius sourly. "I just don't want anyone to treat you badly."

Remy and Cheska smile.

In front of the world, they need to be strong, powerful and flawless but in their home, they are just little girls to their parents.

Prin and Sander laughed watching the two girls.

"You two, if you are so timid then just come home."

"Talking nonsense!" Remy glares.

Happy shakes his head.

The countdown of another year came.

The family is lively.

Tomorrow they will visit Charles family and Julius Family. Then they will stay together just the two of them at night.

Just gazing in the sky watching the bright stars.

They don't have much.

They do not own riches that can blind anyone.

But in the whole kingdom, they are the most envied couple.

Their children are all filial and respect them.

Those children that are the most prominent in the kingdom.

Even the crown prince and the six princes are their grandsons.

"My wife," softly, Julius whispers.

Charles opens his eyes slowly.

"Umm." Julius never called him wife in front of anyone.

Julius's tears slowly drip down his cheeks.

"My wife, you are the best wife in the world." He said.

Charles's lips slowly went up.

"If you are in pain, you go ahead. After you left, I will follow you."

Charles nods.

He is tired.

He only holds on because Julius doesn't want him to go.

But it is his time now.

When Charles opened his eyes he saw a white light floating in front of him.

"Do you wish to get reborn? In another world, in another place?"

Charles shakes his head.

"I'll be waiting for my husband, that is what a good wife does."

"..........You do not want to have another life?"

Charles shakes his head.

"I already have the perfect life. If I will have a chance to live again....I will do it if it's with him."

Julius looks at the white light.

"There is no meaning in a second life if the life I wish already has been mine. I just need to rest forever with my wife. That is enough."

The white light scatters in the air.

Sounds of thousand cries echoed in the air.

Cries of the people they used to know.

Their family, their children, brothers and friends.

Wishing them a happy rebirth.

Charles opens his eyes and sees a man gawking in front of him with blood drifting down his lips.

They both blink.

Charles laughs merrily.

Julius is confused.

"What...how?"

Charles understands.

"It seems we are given another life to cherish each other?"

Julius eyes dilated

"You too?"

Charles chuckles merrily.

The servants that are trying to separate the two fighting husband and wife are confused.

Julius takes the initiative and runs to hug Charles.

Their lips touch.

"I love you. Forever." Julius whispers.

"I love you. Forever." Charles lowers his head and licks his lips.

A/N:

For those who loves them.

Thank you as always.