1
King Benedique glanced at his watch. It's three in the afternoon. He had to make it by five to join Kevin and Howie in a public engagement at the Red Cross. His mobile phone rang and he immediately answered it. It was Nick on the other line.

"Papa, I'm just calling to remind you about my art presentation next weekend." Nick said.

Benedique smiled. "Of course, son. I'll come. Reserve a seat for me and your Mama, alright?" He sensed the young one smiled on the other end. God, how he loved that young man. So innocent, so kind, so full of life.

"Thanks, Papa. By the way, I love you." Then the line ended. Benedique gazed outside the car with a proud smile on his face. His sons were growing up. The two already had a family of their own, while the other two are still young, carefree and out to live every moment of their bachelor life. His thoughts turned to the younger two.

Nick has a very unique talent with crafts and fine arts. He told his father his plans of making a name for himself in the future but there's one thing that interests the king about his son. Nick is planning to become invisible, even for a period of time, after graduating from the university. He feared for his son's safety when Nick said that. But Nick assured his father that he only wanted to experience a normal life. Just like what he said, even for just a while.

As for Alex, the most unique among his sons, he had nothing against his penchant with the body art and extraordinary interests. He loves him. Alex certainly looks a lot like his father when the former king was young. That was probably one of the reasons why the Queen Mother favored Alex among the others. She missed her husband. Alex also shares Benedique's interest with sword fighting. Maybe if he will have a free time this weekend, he will challenge him on a duel. He needs exercise for his aging bones.

A loud bang interrupted His Majesty's thoughts. The limousine increased speed. Benedique glanced at John Lyndon who also grew worried about them. They heard the security in front ordering the other bodyguards on the convoy.

"What's going on, Rick?" Benedique asked his chief security.

"I suspected an ambush, Your Majesty. But we got back-up now. We just have to get out of here." Rick replied. Benedique double-checked his seatbelt as the car sped up.



~~~



Alex drew a deep breath as he swings the sword to the right side, to the left side and then plunged it forward. He straightened and took a deep breath. He held the sword with both hands, left foot forward, whisking the wind, right foot forward, swinging on the side. He twisted his arms for a ready attack, swinging it in circles in front of him and then turned around, only to meet another sword in return.

Clang!

Alex raised an eyebrow as a chinky-eyed woman with long, flowing hair stopped his sword with hers. Both of them stepped backward at the same time, moving to prepare for a battle. It was the woman who launched the attack, the saber slashing, thrusting, attempting to cut him but Alex managed to deny all of these. Who is this woman, and why are the bodyguards not doing anything to stop her intrusion? And where in the hell are they? He thought wildly. He was quietly practicing his moves in a secluded area in Bordeaux Castle, only to find himself now in a duel with this stranger. How did she reach the private quarters without anyone noticing?

The grassy lawn rang with the clashing swords, as Alex managed his defense against the woman with such spirit to challenge him. He beat down the plunging thrust from her, made a step backward then made his secret offense which has caught the woman off-guard.

"Who are you?" He asked as he met her sword, forcing it aside then quickly stepping over behind her, one arm around the woman's neck while the other is ready to slash her across the abdomen. His jagged breathing matched hers. Her long, silky black hair is being blown freely by the wind and he gladly smelled the nice scent of it. Damn, he could easily imagine a vixen in bed.

Alex was surprised when the woman in front of him stepped on his toe, elbowed him in the stomach and twisted her other leg to wrap with his and made him fell on his back. And then it was her turn to point her sword at him. The blade pressed deeper down his throat that he cringed when he felt like it was stinging him.

Alex looked up at the woman who now holds the decision to take his life then and there. Her long hair loose and moves freely by the wind, making him wonder if he had seen an angel or a devil incarnate. Her free-moving black, rayon blouse and black slacks add an effect.

"Your Royal Highness!"

The woman turned to the guards who called, and then before Alex could even react, she immediately went out of sight.



>> 2

2

Everyone stood up when they heard the noise down the hall outside the Sitting Room. It was Nick who first reached the door. King Benedique came in, giving his youngest son a brief hug before facing his wife.

"Are you alright?" Queen Isabella hugged her husband. Their children watched them with curiosity in their eyes.

"That was close." Benedique replied and he turned when his sons and daughters-in-law hugged him one by one. He stopped when he hugged Alex. "How is it, son? Did she take you down?"

"Papa, all I can say is that she's a very beautiful woman and I really intend to find her and ask her out on a date." Alex muttered. Benedique chuckled.

"Wow. She really made such a first impression on you, huh?"

Alex nodded. "But seriously though, I began to get worried about us. If the security didn't come on time, all of you are probably weeping for me by now. I didn't expect somebody would intrude without being detected by the security."

"We have to know these people that are out to get us killed.... again." Kevin said. "The investigation has started. We have to know...." His voice trailed off, feeling tired and hopeless. He is more worried now that he has his own family, taking care and protecting Cristin and his son, Scott.

"Please, we had enough of Monique." Isabella said worriedly. Cristin embraced her mother-in-law.

"What about the anti-monarchists? We witnessed some protests last week when the session in the Parliament commenced." Nick suggested.

"We always have them on the list but we cannot be sure. We respect their opinion, no matter what their opinion were to us." Howie replied to his brother, trying his best to be calm for them as he always is. He felt Adrienne gripping his hand tightly. Like Kevin, his concern is now focused on his wife and son, David.

"I can't understand those people. How come they judge us when they don't even know anything about us?" Alex exclaimed in frustration. He sighed as he excused himself and went out of the room. "I'm going to do something." He muttered under his breath. Contrary to what he told his father, he's extremely mad at that woman, whoever she is, for attacking him, for taking him down when he thought he's confident enough with the sword fighting skills he had. He swear, if he sees that woman again, he will not stop until he had taken her down – whether it would be on a grassy earth or on his bed.



>> 3


























3

Nick winced at the clinks and clanks of swords meeting each other. But honestly, he liked the sounds better than the gunshots he used to hear while he was taking shooting lessons at the Meadowood Shooting Range. However, the skill with the swords isn't his forte. Alex is more experienced in this area as he is with archery and sharp shooting. And since the unexpected incidents with Alex and their father last week, Nick noticed how Alex worked harder to improve his skills. He heard from Howie that Alex mostly spends his free time, from his royal engagements, working out at the gym and practicing his skills with the swords.

"I'm glad that you came, Nick." Alex called out. Nick turned and saw his brother walking towards him. He's holding a sword in hand, which seemed to be too heavy for him. But Alex's biceps told Nick that his older brother could get hold on to it.

"That was some gigantic sword you got there, AJ."

Alex grinned. "I'm sharing the name of the person who used to own this." There's pride in his voice as he said that.

There was only one. King Alexander, the Noble, Nick noted his family history. "Glad that you're giving credit to History, AJ. How did you manage to convince Papa to have that in your possession?"

"He actually gave this when he learned about my interest with the swords." Alex replied. Their father is a skilled swordsman as well.

Nick whistled in awe. He takes a look at the sword and saw an encrypted Latin quote on its blade. "Amor est vitae essentia," he glanced at Alex. "Love is the essence of life. How inspiring, AJ."

"Alexander the Noble had that written on the sword, and offered it to his bride when they got married." They walked out of the gym. "He said that he will never use the sword as long as they were married. He will impose peace in the kingdom as long as the family reigns."

Nick grinned. "Cool."

"Yeah." They nodded to each other and shared high-fives.

"Why did you call me for anyway?" Nick asked his brother.

"Grandma is coming over." Alex replied, referring to Queen Mother Marguerite.

Nick raised an eyebrow then laughed at Alex's uneasy composure. "So? Is there anything to worry about? You're her favorite grandson."

Alex took a side-glance at him and sighed. "And that's what I'm talking about." He scowled. Nick is starting to make fun of him and soon enough, the rest of the guys will. He could not understand why their grandmother fancied him the most and among the others. "I love grandma but babying me is really embarrassing. Aren't you even jealous?"

"Nah. I'm cool," Nick chuckled.

"Don't you care about increasing your trust fund from her?" Alex tried again.

"You know that I'm not that kind, AJ. I'm ready to earn my keep." They greeted a line of maids they meet down the hall. The ladies giggled when the princes gave them attention, especially from Nick. When they were away, Nick continued, "So, what's the catch right now?"

"Let's get out of the country."

Nick shook his head. "Easy for you to say that but I still got school. Sorry, J. The university is calling me. I guess you have to deal with grandma while she's here. Why don't you fill up your schedule so that the only time you have for a period of time is sleeping here?"

"I tried that before. She accompanied me most of the time to my previous engagements." Alex's shoulders dropped. "How's Alexei?" He suddenly blurted out to divert the topic about their grandmother. Nick has been open to his brothers about his affection towards his childhood friend.

"She went to Geneva with her new boyfriend."

"At the middle of the school year?" Alex asked. His brother just nodded. Alex sighed, shaking his head. "Let go, Nick. She's not worth the wait." Nick didn't say anything. "Okay. Whatever, Nick. I just hope that someday it would not be too late for her to realize her loss when you already found somebody else. We're just concerned, Nick."

"Don't worry about me, man. I'm still cool."

Alex smirked. "I know you're cool, squirt. Keep being that way."

"AJ?"

"Yes?"

"What is squirt?" Nick asked innocently. "I understand that it means 'squeeze' but why do you and the guys are calling me squirt? What does it have to do with me?"

Alex's laughter rang down the hall. Nick never ceased to amuse him.

"Now you're laughing at me. Let me remind you that I'm taller than you." Nick said.

Alex laughed, smacking his brother playfully in the arm. "Hey, respect! I'm older than you, squirt!"



>> 4


























4

Alex shifted from one foot to another as he stood along with his brothers in a ceremony to salute their fellowmen during the Independence Day festivities at the Prince Martin Monument Park. Kevin glared at the younger one, sensing his apprehension. Alex decided to look ahead to please Kevin and watched their parents and some veterans laid wreaths on the shrine of the unknown heroes.

"Got to get out of here. I need to pee," Nick muttered which brought contained chuckles from the group except Kevin. Nick shut up when he met his eldest brother's look and imitated what Alex did as well. "I swear. I'll be embarrassing every one of you." He added silently.

"You better not, Nicky," Anastasia muttered behind tight-lipped lips. It's an ability they all have to learn to avoid the lip readers from knowing what they are up to, something the cousins found time to work on to.

Two hours after the ceremony, the members of the royal family went on their own engagements. But at the end of the day, the family gathered at the Pearl Castle for a welcome dinner to Queen Mother Marguerite. Everyone was looking forward to it, most especially just to taunt Alex.

The Sitting Room, where everyone waited until the dinner will be announced, is full of noise mostly coming from the adults who were so delighted with the children. The added members of the family are Kevin and Cristin's two-year old son, Scott; and Howie and Adrienne's one-year old son, David. The great-grandmother is so very fond of the little kids that she didn't even notice her favorite grandson and Nick, graced their presence inside the room. Of course, Alex and Nick had to kiss their grandmother on the cheeks and that's only when the matriarch finally noticed Alex.

"Alex! I'm glad to see you again." Marguerite hugged her grandson, oblivious from the amused looks from her other grandchildren.

"You're always glad to see US." Alex emphasized, silently glaring at his brothers and cousins. Even his parents are aware of the situation.

"Let me see you," The former queen turned Alex around.

"Grandma, I'm too old for this...." Alex muttered under his breath. The guys finally gave in and laughed.

"You've grown, Alex. Anyway, I'm having fun with the babies here and I was wondering when are you going to settle on your own?" Marguerite glanced at her son and his wife, Isabella. "And I'm definitely against this passion over body art, colored hair and bad-boy attitude, Alex. I think that your parents tolerated you so much."

"Mama, we had enough of reprimanding Alex over the matter," King Benedique said, an amused smile across his face. Alex was turning red from embarrassment as he saw his brothers shaking their heads, chuckling on one corner, giving him a thumbs-up sign, and just anything to annoy him.

"Grandma, I know what I want to do with my life. It's not that I'm embarrassing my parents and go out to different women every night. I'm not like that. I only want to be myself, not as everyone sees as the prince."

"You will always be the prince and never turn your back on it." His grandmother said.

"Maybe you should tell that to the little blonde boy over there," Alex said, pointing to Nick.

Marguerite turned to Nick. "What's on your mind, Nicky?"

Nick put on an innocent face. "What, grandma? I did nothing."

"He's planning to become invisible once he graduated from college." Kevin added, much to Nick's wishful thinking that his other brothers won't expose him to their grandmother. Now, the attention is on him and Alex managed to get away from Queen Mother Marguerite and play with his nephews.

'Still smart, Alexander', he happily told himself. Nick tried to jumble out the words to explain to their grandmother, who apparently doesn't approve of the idea. >> 5


























5

Dressed in the clothes mostly fitted for a kindergarten teacher, the woman with the soft long and flowing hair grinned as she sets down the newspaper on the table. Prince Alex must have been mighty furious from the recent intrusion at his home. That's good news. His ego might have not taken it that a woman took him down on a sword fight – the one thing he believes he is expertly skilled.

And she is the one to blame.

She grabbed a hair band and tied her long black hair. She remembered how the prince wrapped himself around her, smelled the fragrant scent of her hair before she made her own surprise move and took him down. Prince Alex is lucky for the appetizer she gave him, for she only intended to tease him.

"I'll soon come into your life, Your Royal Highness. Just be patient." She grinned wider to herself. She stood up and walked towards the children's desks to arrange before classes start in an hour. She had a 'challenging' weekend. She just made the royal family grew panic. And she's looking forward to part two.



~~~



Alex smiled at his opponent as the other one bowed down and excused himself. When the man left, Alex began his moves once again. Holding the sword with both hands, he swings it in front of him, imagining the woman he had fought with days ago. He increased speed as he turned to the left, made imaginary thrusts, slashing the wind as if it would be cut into two. He fell down on his knees then plunged the sword forward, and stood up and made an immediate turn to the other side – and he stopped.

His imagination becomes real. The woman is in front of him once again.

"Are you practicing for me?" The woman asked with a sly grin. She attacked as Alex countered her sword, set it on the right but the woman made a round swing, almost catching Alex's pants.

"Watch out for the pants. I just got this from the laundry!" Alex exclaimed as they stepped backward at the same time. They walked in circles, facing each other and then Alex made an offense. The woman thrusts her sword forward, missing Alex's side by mere inches. Alex's sword come across the stranger in a surprise twist as Alex ducked backward and fell on his back. His leg reached her feet and tripped her until she fell on her back as well.

Alex heard a clapping of hands. He glanced only to find Kevin, and his instructor, Antoine, who must be watching them all along. "I take it that you had a fucking idea for all of this?" Alex asked the two. They laughed but Alex found it irritating. Who is this woman and how did those two meet her? Damn, he's been looking for her for a week!

"Hey, easy with Olivia." Antoine said, as Alex grabbed the woman's sword from her. He stood up and gave the sword to Antoine.

"Don't let that woman come near sharp objects. She's very feisty!" Alex said, obviously in a foul mood.

"By the way, Alex, this is Olivia. She's one of my former students." Antoine said. "And Olivia, you know who he is. Bad-boy Prince Alex."

Alex shook hands with Olivia, as the other one managed to smile a little. But Alex didn't return the gesture of smiling back. "That was quite the first impression I wanted, Olivia." He's referring to their first encounter a week ago.

Olivia seemed to know what he was talking about. "You were great, Your Royal Highness. You're fast. You tired me out." She jested. Alex rolled his eyes. The woman acted as if they did not meet before. And obviously, Kevin and Antoine were not aware that this is the woman who attacked him.

"Baby, I'll tire you out if you challenge me again. Enough of that hair effects."

Kevin shook his head as Alex is going to start flirting with the woman. "Alex, that was impressive. Anyway, the reason for the test is because we wanted to make sure if Antoine can already leave you."

"Huh?" Alex turned to his mentor, who was almost the same age as Kevin. "Why?"

"I'm leaving for Greece, getting married and settling down there. We invited Olivia here to give you one final test. She's the best from my former students, aside from you. And now that I've seen how well you are with the skill, I can leave a happy man." Antoine smiled, although he already sensed that Alex is not in the good mood.

"Oh, okay. Invite me to your wedding." Alex gave him a brotherly hug. "So, how about going out tonight? My treat."

"Sure, Alex. That's the other thing we came here for," Antoine joked.

"Wait, let me call Howie and Brian. Let's celebrate." Kevin said, pulling his phone from his pocket.

"Hey, when I said my treat, I wasn't thinking about including that two." Alex scratched his head, trying to joke his brother. Kevin ignored him. Alex turned to Olivia instead. "Wanna come with us?" He asked, praying she'd decline.

Olivia shook her head, her long hair followed behind her. Alex felt mesmerized by that hair. "Nah. It's the boys' night out, Your Royal Highness. Thanks for inviting, anyway."

"I'm just being courteous. You might think that I didn't invite you." Alex said then turned to leave.



>> 6


























6

Alex looked at the floor where Brian was dancing with some woman. That one still hasn't got any serious relationship, and he often wondered when will be the time that a woman would sweep Brian off his feet. He turned to his married brothers, the soon-to-be-married Antoine, his brothers' friends, Keith and Ivan, across the table. Their other friends, Brendon and Prince Dominique of Kreizig, who happened to be in the country, will join later. Kevin called everyone for a night out. When he said that Alex will do the treat, they were there in an instant.

"Problem?" Howie asked him. Alex shakes his head and drank his beer.

"AJ got a new crush," Kevin teased.

"Oh, please, Kevin. You sound like a school girl," Alex retorted, and then took a drag on his cigarette. He won't let the guys have the satisfaction to know that he's getting irate just by the mere thought of that woman. They will only tease him more.

"Crush? Who?" Howie asked. "Grandma would surely love to hear this." There goes the teasing again. Why do they have to always get to tease him, and never them? The only people he could tease are those younger than him like Nick, Anastasia and Giselle. The older ones know him too well to get something back on him. Even Keith and Ivan went along with the teasing.

"Olivia Travois." Antoine said with a grin.

"What? The chinky-eyed woman has a French blood?" Alex asked, noticing the surname. "I thought for a moment that she's Chinese, with all that sword-fighting skills and small chinky eyes."

"Her great-grandfather was Chinese and married an Arkadian. Olivia still hasn't been to China as far as I knew." Alex's mentor told him. "Careful, Alex. She's an anti-monarchist."

"Whoa! Really?" It was Kevin. Antoine nodded. "It's not obvious. How come?" Antoine shrugged in reply.

"Who's the anti-monarchist?" Dominique asked. He just arrived with Brendon. They sat beside Kevin. They congratulated Antoine for his impending wedding.

"AJ's new crush." Howie chuckled. The men teased the youngest one among them. Alex only shakes his head. His brothers' friends only came together once in a while. He always enjoyed the times being with them. So he will let them tease him just for the heck of this night's celebration.

Dominique puts an arm on Alex's shoulders. "Aren't you too old for that, J?" They laughed.

"Ignore it. They're drunk." Alex said.

"Did she say anything about us?" Kevin was curious.

Antoine lit another cigarette. He answered them. "She thinks that you're only the designs of this country. You can't do anything." He saw the frowned looks from Kevin and his brothers, including Dominique. Their friends did not like what they heard too. "So, I guess that'd be the last time you'll see her." He added. "I convinced her hard enough to come with me to challenge you one last time. She's my best student and I wanted to see how far you've learned, and how are you going to cope up fighting a woman. And you passed it, Alex. Olivia was surprised by your skill."

"She's not bad either." This is all Alex could say. Howie is eyeing him intensely so he looked away. That brother of his could read him well. He stood up to avoid Howie.

"So, what does she do?" He heard Keith asked Antoine.

"She's a pre-school teacher."



~~~



Olivia sat beside her student, Amber, on the bench while waiting for the little girl's mother. Classes have been dismissed fifteen minutes ago and the children vanished immediately as soon as the bell rang. But this one particular girl never leaves school until her mother would come to pick her up. Olivia waited patiently, as she got nothing to do when she gets home anyway.

"Here's some chocolate chips cookies, I'm glad that I still have something left," Olivia said to Amber. The latter smiled in gratitude and excitedly munch on the cookies she helped herself into. Olivia smiled back then turned her attention to a book she intends to read later at night. She didn't notice someone stepping up in front of them until the little girl beside her giggled. She looked up and saw Prince Alex once again.

"Hi, Miss Travois. Missed me?"



>> 7


























7

Olivia didn't say anything, but only looked at Alex. Amber offered him her cookie in which the man gladly received. "Hmm, this is delicious." Alex said.

"I baked it myself," Olivia said then felt the urge to pinch herself for not holding her tongue. Why did she have to tell the prince that? It wasn't like she wanted to impress him or something!

"Wow, really? I'm sure my sisters-in-law would love this. I guess those two are pregnant again," he chuckled. "They're always hungry and whenever Nick's at home, they would baby him like they don't have one already. Is that normal for pregnant women?"

"I think so." Olivia replied. What an odd conversation they started having, she thought. They turned when a woman arrived and Amber hugged her. Olivia took her time to introduce Amber's mother to the prince. The woman was ecstatic to meet a member of the royal family in unexpected circumstance, which made Olivia cringe. What's so delightful with the royalty?

They watched as the mother and daughter walked away. "What are you doing here?" Olivia hissed as she walked back inside the school to get her things.

"Like I wanted to be here," Alex rolled his eyes. "My brother wanted to see you. It seems like he'll be asking you to teach our cousin, Stace, with the swords."

"Tell your brother that I'm busy. Why can't you teach your cousin yourself?" Olivia walked ahead but Alex followed behind. The school is already deserted and the only noise is coming from the heels of their shoes.

"I'm busy. I don't have time for now."

"And you think that I'm not busy?" Olivia shakes her head. "You were thinking that I'd just follow whatever you wanted me to do."

"We didn't think that." Alex defended as he frowned. "Kevin just assumed that you might want the job he's offering." Actually, he only made that up. He wanted to see Olivia because he was challenged to know her more after what Antoine has told them about her views of the monarchy. He continued to follow her. "Why did you break in to the palace?" He asked her.

"Maybe I am what the papers said that I am." Olivia replied then turned left towards the faculty room. She grabbed her things then went back to the hall towards the exit.

"An anti-monarchist? Why?"

"You should be asking yourself why." Olivia turned to him that has made them both stopped in the middle of a long hall. "Stop following me, okay?"

"I won't stop until I get down to the bottom of this, if you don't mind."

"I do mind."

"So do I. I'm protecting my family and you're not going to threaten any of us," Alex retorted. "I'm going to do something to get back to you."

Olivia gave him a slow smile as her eyes grew little. "Good luck." Then she turned and left.

"How about another sword fight?" Alex's question made her stop on her tracks and back at him.

"Much better then." Olivia replied. "When?"

"Weekend then? Same place, same time?"

"Deal."

"I'm going to get what I want." Alex said to her.

"You're going to kiss my ass and go to hell."

"If you'd let me kiss your ass the way I am thinking I would, there'd be no problem then." Alex called back. Olivia gave him one final glare then walked off.



~~~



"Isn't it that the Tourism Board should support the private sectors in its international campaign?" Nick asked his brother Howie as they walked down the hall of the castle's east wing. They were talking about the Bureau of International Tourism, in which Howie is the current president.

"They are already doing that, Nick. I've read the budget plans and we've already mapped out some plans yesterday." Howie replied. "Still, we also need support from the Parliament about the execution. Someone's trying to hold it. I have a meeting with them tomorrow. And remember, Papa also wanted us for an emergency meeting of the family tonight."

Nick nodded. "Good luck, Howie. I know you can do it on tomorrow's meeting. And I'll be coming tonight before I go back to the university. Right now, I'll check a museum somewhere to study baroque." He patted his brother on the shoulders. "And I still have to finish those paintings we were asked to do in partial fulfillment for the course. Midterms are fast approaching."

"May I see your paintings?"

"Some other time, Howie." Nick smiled proudly. "My classmates and I were planning for a charity auction once they are done. I'm planning to donate it to my foundation."

Howie smiled. They both turned towards the large windows when they heard metals clashing against each other. "That must be Olivia Travois." Howie said. Alex and Olivia were sword fighting and some of the palace employees began crowding around to watch them.

"Who's that?" Nick asked. "I love the hair." Olivia's long hair swayed side by side as she clashed swords with Alex.

"Alex's newfound love." Howie only shook his head.



>> 8


























8

Alex forcefully met up with Olivia's sword; making the other one dropped it on the ground. He immediately bents down and picked it up before Olivia could get hold of it. She paused on her tracks when Alex had both of the swords by her neck, preventing her to move any further.

"Careful with the hair," Olivia sarcastically said as they stared at each other.

"Show's over, guys." Alex smiled over his shoulder. "Leave us. Thank you for watching." Their audience started leaving the two. Alex removed the swords from Olivia and gave hers. They shook hands and started walking down the palace grounds.

"So, how's your family?" Alex asked.

"Doing well. They are living in the countryside." Olivia answered.

"Any siblings?"

"Older brother, Mac."

"You're not much of a conversationalist, are you?"

"Not really, especially when I'm with you."

"Because I'm a member of the royal family. Why do you hate us?" Alex asked again. That question made Olivia stopped and turned at him.

"I don't hate you. It's just that I think the monarchy has nothing to do with running this country. You're only here as part of the tourist attraction, but nothing more. It's a good thing enough that you're rich on your own and not depending on the taxpayer's money to compensate on the luxuries you've been having." Olivia said without any hint of fear.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Now, that's a misconception, Miss Travois. I may not be the future king but I'm well aware of the duties and responsibilities of my father and brother for this country. We're not just some tourist attraction. The family helps in the economy and livelihood of the people."

"Then how would you explain the importance of the monarchy? We have the Parliament, who has the duties and responsibilities to serve the people as well. And as far as everyone knows, your family only has a little power over governing this country. You are denying us the democratic right to choose our own leader because of your hereditary right." Olivia met his look. "We aren't supposed to be your subjects, but we should be citizens. That would be fair."

Alex was taken aback by her sudden outburst. "I could tell that our family comes clean and we're not corrupting anything. We are here to help the country, aside from the fact that the family has been part of the Arkadian culture and history. I don't want to say this but I think you owed it to my ancestors. This country wouldn't be free and independent without my ancestors' help and influence. The history wouldn't be the same without my ancestors."

"Alright, it's given that you're part of the history but being the main influence of culture? That's bullshit. The monarchy is the foundation of culture?" Olivia laughed in mockery. "That's an insult, Your Royal Highness, not only to me but to the Arkadian artists as well. Because, as you are aware of, we're not lacking in the culture department. And may I remind you that most of our national artists weren't even part of your family but 'ordinary' people like me. Our culture is rich and diverse and very little of it flows from 'royalty.' And even without the monarchy, the government may even benefit more from our culture. History wasn't only about your family either."

"I know about that. As I told you, we were part of everything Arkadian. How could you judge us? Did you encounter something that made you turn against us? What? The monarchy represents a disciplined and a decent government. It also stands for the color, elegance and majesty of this nation, and a sense of history and continuity for the future generation. No one could just get away with that." Alex replied. This woman is starting to irritate him again.

"Really? You're so naïve. Look at you: your hair, your tattoo, and your smoking habit. How are you going to project a good influence and to be a model for other people when you're like....that? You were speaking of elegance and color?"

"I don't think anyone got a problem with this except my parents. And I can't believe that you're bothered with this."

"I'm not exactly bothered with that. I'm just concerned with who the younger generations are looking up to. Don't you aware of that? Your popularity made you an icon, Your Royal Highness, but most of those kids also wanted to be like you, look like you, and their own family misunderstood them as well. That's the problem with the monarchy. You're misleading the younger generation and making them believe in fairy tales."

Alex drew a deep breath of exasperation. "Damn, I don't have time to prove myself to you, Olivia!" His voice somehow raised more but Olivia didn't budge. They have been close to shouting at each other since the monarchy issue was brought up. "This is what I am, and I don't care a whit of what others would think of me. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm not having drugs. I was a good student. I occasionally drink alcohol now. My family is one of the decent people in this country and you don't have the right to judge us! You don't know us well. So back off!" He paused. "Oh, why do I have to explain things to you? Damn it!" He waved his hand away, whipping the thin air with his sword. He decided to leave her alone. Oblivious to the two, Howie and Nick were watching from the window at the second floor of the castle.



>> 9


























9

King Benedique and his sons, Kevin and Howie, were at his office and waiting for the other members of the royal family to arrive. "I heard about this woman fighting with Alex earlier at Bordeaux." He started as they sat down on the couches.

"That's Olivia Travois, Papa." Kevin replied. "Antoine's friend who fought with Alex on his last practical exam."

"I was informed that she's lovely, with that long hair, huh?"

Kevin and Howie looked at each other. Everyone had the impression of Olivia's beautiful long hair. "Uh, Papa. She's an anti-monarchist." Howie added. "She and AJ just had an argument earlier. Nick and I saw them exactly on that place, at the grounds, talking about it. They were almost shouting at each other, we feared that they're going to challenge each other with a real duel, a fight that only the one left alive will be declared the winner."

"That bad, huh?" Benedique shakes his head. "We can't make people think otherwise about us. There's what we call the two sides of the coin. There weren't always positive things for us." He cleared his throat. "Tell Alex that I want him to be careful with this woman, especially when they are in a swordfight."

"Oh, I doubt it if they'd kill each other, Papa." Kevin chuckled. So did Howie.

But their father wasn't amused. "Care to explain."

"They are quietly smitten with each other. If you'd just see them in person, together, you can feel the chemistry." Kevin replied. He and Howie surrounded their father.

"They're actually cute. And I've never seen AJ with that temper yesterday. He never raised his voice to any woman before. Olivia brings out the worst in him." Howie seconded. The older men looked at him.

"He did raise his voice to a woman?" Benedique repeated. Howie nodded. To their surprise, their father laughed. "Oh, Alex is a dead man." He shook his head and his face become serious. "But that's one of the things I wanted to talk about in the meeting tonight. We are in a grave matter and we need to make a decision as soon as possible."

"What about, Papa?" It was Kevin.

"The anti-monarchists, and the Parliament."

"Any problem, Papa?" Kevin asked, as his face grew concerned. He heard that some of their relatives would be coming over as well. He sensed that there'd be a surprising announcement soon.

Benedique drew a deep breath. "We'll talk about this later, son." Kevin and Howie exchanged looks, wondering what was going on.



~~~



Alex is still in a bad mood, as his last encounter with Olivia keeps on repeating in his mind. He is quiet all throughout the meeting as he listened to his father talked. It seems like a very serious matter, as almost all of the family members have come. His mother and brothers are all there, even Nick who came home all the way from the university. There's Michaela with Anastasia and Giselle. There's also Brian and his parents: Prince Philip and his wife, Jacquie. Harry wasn't around because he is in France. Queen Mother Marguerite is there as well. There are also the other members who were his father's cousins, people who were considered to be part of the Arkadian aristocratic society.

Benedique cleared his throat. "I'm glad that almost every one of you got the time to come here. It's hard for me to decide on this one that's why I called on this very important meeting to let you know first what does Parliament has talked into me privately." He started. He saw the apprehension from Kevin and Howie's eyes.

"What did they told you?" Philip asked his elder brother.

"There will be plans of a constitutional convention in two months and that would involve a democratic government – minus the monarchy." Benedique replied. There were murmurs around as he said the last one. "That means there are plans of abolishing the monarchy. But before the majority would decide on it, they consulted me first regarding the matter, laid out plans and propositioned certain adjustments for this family."

"And what is your say?" Marguerite asked her son.

"I'll talk to my family first before having a meeting with them once again on Tuesday."



>> 10


























10

Benedique looked around and saw his wife smiling at him. He felt relieved when Isabella smiled, knowing that she would be there for him on whatever his own cause for the issue. "Personally, I agree on stepping down the throne and supporting a government that would lead us all democratically. For two years, we've been through a lot of controversies, threats and attempts on our lives and I want to do something that would protect my family."

"But abolishing the monarchy isn't the solution, Benedique!" Count Braggart, his cousin, said. "If we become ordinary citizens, have you been assured that the threats on us will lessen?" Their other relatives nodded.

"No. I perceived that it has been part of our lives, Braggart, but I'm willing to take my risk to protect this family. When we become ordinary citizens, there'll be less prying on our lives. People will be less interested in us, and we can live in peace. Aside from that, the people will live in a democratic country with the privilege of being free and equal. There's no need for a monarchy. No more subjects, but citizens fairly to one and all." Benedique looked at each person in the room as he spoke. "So, tell me what you think."

"It's the modern world. I think that we don't need nobility after all. I agree with you, Your Majesty." Count Humphrey seconded his cousin.

"I didn't know that you've grown tired of this. If your father could only see this," the queen mother said in a sad tone. "You're throwing out the family legacy which has been around for ages."

"I didn't, Mama. Our legacy lives on, but in another face. This family is important for me. But I'm willing to be selfless just to give to our fellowmen what they deserve. This country is rich and abundant with everything it needs, and the monarchy is part of the rich history and culture that everyone can be proud of. But this country needs change. What do we have to lose here? Just a title, Mama. A title that we couldn't bring to heaven. We'll lose some privileges, that are for sure, but we'll live more peacefully after things are settled. I'll assure you that."

"It wouldn't be that simple, Papa." Kevin finally found his voice after his shock from his father's announcement. "There will be lots of things to consider."

"There will be some major changes in the constitution," Howie added, remembering his Political Science degree. Alex looked at his brother, who seemed shocked as he does. "Are you going to be a part of the convention?" Howie asked his father.

"Yes, I'll have my say on the decisions pertaining to it." Benedique answered Howie. "I will call for an assembly and we will talk about the formulation of a new constitution."

"This is absurd!" Duchess Cassandra stood up from her seat.

"But that's why I asked you to come here, Cassandra," Benedique told his cousin. He gave her a pleading look to understand him. "There's nothing to worry. I know that you're aware that this monarchy didn't receive any financial support from the government, and we are well financially abundant on our own. The only thing we will lose is our titles and the privileges that come along with it. We can live on our own, as private citizens."

"Anyway, we have businesses on our own." Brian sided with his uncle, receiving a glare from his parents, his aunt Cassandra and surprisingly, from Alex. "There's the food manufacturing company, the textile company, the family-owned multinational corporation, the lands we personally owned. We didn't lose anything."

"You're just as crazy as your uncle, Brian." Philip exclaimed as he stood up. "I can't believe this, Benedique."

"What? You're afraid that you'll lose your influence?" Brian snapped back at his father. "Personally, I think that we'd gain respect from the people after this. Uncle Benedique is planning a graceful exit for all of us, instead of the anti-monarchists who have been trying to abolish us many times over. Would you rather they dethrone us through a revolution? I am in favor of my uncle's decision. We need peace. I certainly need that peace!" He retorted as he talked back to his father. His face is now red with anger.

"Please, Philip, Brian. Let's talk about this without resorting to anger." Benedique said.

"I had enough of you, Dad. I blame you for pushing Harry to leave us and exiled himself in France. For years, you didn't even care about us." Brian said and turned to his uncle. "I'm sorry for my outburst, Uncle. Just to let you know, I am in favor of your decision and I'll support you." He gave one last glare to his father. "Excuse me." Then he left the room.

Alex stood up as well. Everyone turned to him. "Brian may be in favor of you, but I'm not, Papa. I certainly couldn't understand why you have to raise the white flag to the anti-monarchists. We just couldn't let it go. That's century-old legacy!"

"Alex!" Isabella called her son. Kevin and Howie gave their brother a warning look. Nick is just silent, sitting along with Anastasia and Giselle.

"Oh, don't give me that look, Kevin, Howie. I'll say what I've got to say. I don't fucking care if you'd turn against me but since Papa called us everyone to announce that bullshit, I'll share my opinion. And I'm not in favor of giving up every thing."

"Watch your mouth, Alex." Marguerite called his grandson. Alex shook his head, obviously pissed off.

"I can't take this. I have to leave, I'm sorry, Papa. Excuse me." Alex immediately left the room.

"You're tearing this family apart, Benedique." Count Braggart said in disgust.

Benedique remained firm to where he stood. "Your opinions are just clouded with fear for losing what we used to have as nobles of this country. But I assure you that I'm going to take every effort I have to keep this family protected. And the time will come that you'd realize that this is just what everyone needs, a change."



>> 11


























11

Alex watched as the scene unfolds in front of him. He switched from one channel to another on the TV and it seems like the latest News was about them. The people of Arkadia become divided as each has their own opinion over the issue. There were protests at the Prince Martin Monument everyday, vigils in some parts of the capital city, and special gatherings in some conventions centers in the Metro. Revolution is brewing as both sides defend what they have to either keep the monarchy or abolish it.

Nick went back to the university to continue his schooling, as that's what their father wanted him to do. Kevin and Howie accompanied their father everyday to the Parliament for the sessions, as well as at the Constitutional Convention in which they've become part of. Alex, on the other hand, was left to manage the family business with Brian and their second cousins while everyone was busy. His mother began to arrange the family mansion at the end of the city, as it will be their new home once everything has been fixed and they have to leave the Pearl Castle. Some of the large residences, like the Bordeaux Palace, Castle Lawrence, Saxton Palace and Jade Mansion that are all family-owned, will be retained in their possession. Other private properties across the country will be retained to the family, and will never be part of the new government's property. So, Alex will remain living in Bordeaux, Kevin and his family in Saxton, and Howie and his family in Jade. Some politicians insisted that they'd be stripped down from everything they have but that's just about it. The royal family has been wealthy for ages, without getting anything out from the people's pockets but from what has been gained from the businesses they legally owned. No one will take away the wealth, which was the outcome of the family's united hard work in the private businesses they owned. Just like what his father said, they won't live impoverished when they were no longer royals.

But surely, their lives will change.

Alex sighed and turned off the TV. He turned back to his laptop and stared at the report given to him by the Sales Manager. The company is going well. There has nothing to worry about it. Then he remembered Olivia, wondering what she is doing right now.

She must be taking this show very satisfactorily, Alex thought in gritted teeth. He'd never let that woman get the upper hand. War between them is not yet through.



~~~



Alex smiled at his friend, Vince, who is at the dance floor of a famous club in town. He needed a break and he's glad that his friend took the cue of taking him out of his family dilemmas for a while and go out for club-hopping. It's only eleven in the evening and they already have been to five clubs. This one has more people than the four ones they've gone to.

"Hi, Alex. Nice seeing you here again." Joe, a bartender and his friend, greeted him. "How are you?"

"Fine." Alex smiled and ordered a Jack Daniels. "The club's full. Nice to hear the business is going well, huh?"

"Thankfully. They must have learned that you'll be coming over." Joe said and smiled.

"Haha." He muttered his thanks then started with his JD. "It's Saturday night, but the first four clubs we've gone to weren't as full as this one. The music is great as well." He had to shout this time because of the noise from the people around plus the gradual change of music to an upbeat tempo. Joe just nodded in reply and turned to the other customer. Alex waved his hand goodbye and went back to the VIP lounge in which he found empty. His friends must have already gone to the dance floor to party with the rest. As for him, he's not that in the mood to party. He needed a break but he doesn't want to dance. It's been over a month since the meeting in the Sitting Room. He still hasn't talked much to his family about his own concern. They were pissed off after he talked to his father that way. Well, he doesn't care about them right now.

"I never thought you as a loner."

Alex looked up and saw Olivia. For some unknown reason, she literally took his breath away. She's wearing a black tight leather skirt and haltered red top while her long hair cascades down her back. What a beautiful sight she is but considering the other circumstances, Alex is still in his sane mind to prevent attraction towards her. "And I never thought that a kindergarten teacher could party and dress like that." He retorted. He moved aside in surprise when Olivia invited herself to sit beside him. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to tease you." Olivia laughed mockingly. "I never thought your father would give up the throne just like that. He had my respect now. He's a very courageous man. You should do your part as a member of your family. I heard that you're on your own opposition party."

"So you stayed here just to mock me at that? Believe me, Olivia. We may be no longer royals soon, but our war isn't over yet."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Oh. I wasn't aware that we have a war, Your Royal Highness." She smiled. "I should better call you that now before I couldn't say it anymore in probably three months' time, Your Royal Highness." She stood up. "Believe me, being a private citizen would do more good for your family." She winked at him then left. Alex gritted his teeth as he watched her walk away. Then he just found himself following after her as she made her way towards the ladies' room. She just couldn't walk away like that. The women inside were surprised to see him enter, so did Olivia.

"Please leave us for a moment." Alex told the others, as his look never wavered from Olivia. The other one returned that look. "It'll just be a quickie between me and this woman." He added it with a laugh.

"You're disgusting." Olivia said as the last woman closed the door behind her. "What do you want?"

"This." And without further ado, Alex met her lips in a surprising kiss.



>> 12


























12

Olivia tried pushing the prince away but as Alex deepened the kiss, she heaved out a moan. She felt herself leaning against the counter and Alex's hand is on her nape, edging her closer to him. "Don't...." Olivia tried to utter. She felt Alex moving his hand up her skirt, pulling it up. Then the hands went inside her top, undid her bra and rubbed her breasts gently.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"Yes." Olivia replied but her body said otherwise. What is he doing at her? This is absurd. This shouldn't be happening, should not even started in the first place! She leaned back as Alex tilted his head and leaned over to her. He put his mouth around her nipple and started rolling it around his mouth. "That's good." She said before she stopped herself.

She felt him pulling down her underwear and his hands began massaging her legs, then reaching her privately and took it, rolling around between his thumbs. "By the time we're done, you are really going to feel more than good."

"Stop, please." Olivia moaned as she tried preventing herself from wanting more. But Alex silenced her with a kiss. And when she's about to kiss back, that's when Alex finally stopped everything and made his distance between them. Olivia stood in shock, but still beautiful in Alex's eyes.

"An appetizer, Olivia, if you know better than messing up with me." Alex smirked then went out. He missed the sneer on Olivia's face as he retreated from the room.

"No, Alex. You tasted the appetizer. I knew better than you do."



~~~



Alex silently made his way towards his father office, casually greeting the people he met on the way which was still busy with moving all their personal property to the new house. He received a message from his father that he wanted to see him. He seriously thought that it is going to be about the issue of the monarchy.

After a knock on the door, Alex entered the office and saw John Lyndon talking with his father. When they saw him, John immediately excused himself and left the two of them alone. Benedique offered the couch for both of them where they can talk.

"How are you, Alex?"

"Still shocked actually, Papa." Alex replied without hesitation. "You can't just give up like that."

"I know. I thought about it as well, son. But believe me, your mother and I talked about this more than a dozen times. We fought, we cried, and we talked again. Living as a private citizen will do better for every one of us. I'm not tired to serve the country but since I was young, I'm not really into monarchy. I didn't tell this to everyone except your mother, and then to you. I seriously think that we can all live without the royal titles attached to our names."

"Didn't you ever think of what will happen to this country when we're gone from the position? We'll be like those other countries, who have been suffering from so many conspiracies, corruption, poverty...." Alex's voice trailed off as he saw the determination in his father's face. There's no use convincing the king now.

"It's like a relationship, son." Benedique said. "We are not going to experience the power of love if we will always hide beneath the comfort zone we are used to. It is all about taking risks. The people of Arkadia will never know the real deal in life, like the other countries, if they do not experience the power of having their own government, the right of suffrage, the right of democracy, the equality. We have to move out from the comfort zone we used to live. Furthermore, we are actually irrelevant now in this modern world. This country can stand alone, through its own government minus us, and together, the people can work together for the promotion of unity and progress. The people don't need the majestic extravagance of a monarchy but a leader voted by the majority to direct them."

"You're willing to take the risk the welfare of these people just to let them experience the hard times of life?"

"Alex...."

"I hope I can understand you, Papa. But we're in two different sides of the coin right now. If you really care about this country, you are not going to give up on everyone. I'm disappointed, Papa."

"Does this had to do with Olivia Travois?" Benedique tried asking after a long moment of silence.

"No." Alex replied. Then he shook his head. "Yes, Papa. I want to prove something to that woman."

"And to yourself as well, Alex." Benedique heard his son sighed.

"I don't think there's something that I have to prove to myself, Papa. I'm sorry, but you can't make me change my mind."

"I'm not convincing you, Alex...."

Alex shook his head. "There will be a lot of trouble before we get to that state that you want peace, Papa." He stood up. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave now." He walked out of the room leaving Benedique bewildered and concerned about his son. The issue of the monarchy is really a hard topic to debate with. There were different opinions on both sides, but he is still the king. He deeply believes that monarchy only sets a national boundary between the nobles and the commons. He wants equality and he wants to end the anachronistic class system, which promotes social division leading to many things.

But most certainly of all, he wanted peace for his family and away from the constant public scrutiny. He will end the family's political obligation and leave it for the people to decide whom they wanted to lead them. This is the change he certainly planned when he was crowned king, and he had to accomplish before it will be too late for him for anything. He had his wounds to heal through the course of his royal life and he needs to heal. He and his wife never told anyone their other reasons for pursuing this decision. Together with Isabella, they will start a new life as private citizens. For sure, time will come that everyone will grow to accept things as they happen.



>> 13


























13

Alex walked down the hall and could hear the loud sound of the television somewhere. The halls seemed deserted, and he began to wonder what's going on. He found the source of noise and saw the castle employees assembled at the common room and watching the news. Hopkins, their butler, greeted him.

"What's going on?" Alex asked.

"A great number of people had gathered at the main capitol protesting against the abolishment of the monarchy." Hopkins replied quietly. The other employees took a glance at Alex and were about to excuse themselves but he told them that it's all right to watch the TV.

"Since when?"

"It happened overnight, Your Royal Highness." Hopkins replied once again. "There were vigils around the place, including here at our gates, and by dawn, they marched towards the capitol to voice out their opinion over the issue." He drew a deep breath. They could hear the commotion going on as the news relayed the current event. The police and the national army have come to intervene with situation.

"- The parliament has declared for a state of emergency." The reporter continued with her report. "The assembly will continue to amend the constitution today, but there were reports that His Majesty and his sons, Prince Kevin and Prince Howie will not be attending the session. We turn over the report to Kurt Ravine who is now in Pearl Castle to update us on the latest happenings there."

"Thank you, Ira. We're here at the gates of the Pearl Castle and a palace statement has been released a while ago from His Majesty." Kurt showed a copy of the statement released by John Lyndon to the media. "It says here that the monarchy has served its purpose to the people of Arkadia for many years and although they will be stepping down from a 'leadership of heritage,' their passion to serve the people will remain in another face. This is the time, an opportunity, for everyone to fully grasp the freedom we've received from France more than a century. The royalty, in terms of title, may be gone but the legacy will continue." Kurt faced the camera. "It's only a brief statement. The ambiance here is actually sober, my friends, mostly from those people who wanted to keep the monarchy in the political organization. Lots of people have camped out in front, took vigil, and prayed for a miracle. But we all knew His Majesty's firm decision to pursue with this, once he sets his mind on a serious matter. Back to the studio."

"Thank you for that, Kurt." The news anchor said at the studio. "We still have the latest news coming up shortly after the break. And don't forget to watch this evening a special documentary as we look on the lives of one of the world's favorite royals, their history, the story of love and lives....in one last look as the end of the Arkadian Monarchy comes near."

"And what side are you on, Hopkins?" Alex asked the old man he knew since he was young. The news went on a commercial break for a while.

"I am loyal to your family, Your Royal Highness. You know that. And I personally think that being ordinary citizens will do better in your family. Leave the politics to other people before it will contaminate your values and tradition. You are one of the most noble and respectable families I've known and I couldn't bear the thought that there were people who wanted to take you down in violence. This might ruin you, and may resort to another violence that we may not wish to happen. So before anything bad will happen, it's better that His Majesty decided to take a graceful exit from the politics and into a private life." He glanced at the TV where they saw a mass demonstration going on between the anti-monarchists and the royal loyalists. The news program resumed. "Things like that are expected to happen. The people have the freedom to voice it all out. But I agree with your father when it comes to change. We need monarchy in some other ways but majority of it, like what your father said, a democratic government will do better for every one rather than just one family handling the politics forever."

Alex went towards the large windows and saw people camping outside the Bordeaux Palace. His father created this chaos as soon as he announced the words. Not everyone is happy about it. On Alex's part, he's neither happy nor sad. He's confused.



>> 14


























14

Alex saw Nick walking down the hall. The young man's head was bowed down, his backpack behind him and he seemed to be in deep thoughts that he did not even notice his brother coming his way.

"Hi, squirt. How's school?"

Nick looked up with his tired eyes. "Don't start with me, AJ."

"What did I do?" Alex asked him. "Oh, I get it. You're pissed at me as well for taking it against our father."

Nick drew a deep breath. He takes off a strand of hair that crossed his eyes and leaned against the wall. "No, it's not that, J. Sorry. I'm just tired from school. I'm having a hard time there right now, with all these political stuff going on. Other students were turning against me, while others wanted to recruit me for their campaign to retain the monarchy. Of course, I didn't go to either side. But everyone is watching my every move. It feels suffocating. Damn."

Alex watched the younger one. "How do these things happen?"

"There were student protesters everywhere. They were shouting at me whenever I passed by them. I often had dilemmas with my professors, triggering me in every opportunity they have during classes to open the issue about the monarchy."

"I'll tell the university administrators about this. Will that be okay with you?"

Nick shrugged. "Whatever happens, they're always there giving me a hard time. My bodyguards were all around me. They even almost fought with some guys at Baker Hall last week when someone just suddenly ran over me. What did I do? I'm only like some ordinary student there taking my time to study and I kept on ignoring them. But they won't leave me alone."

"Nick...."

"I'm fine, J. I guess I just need to let this out of my system. I can handle it with my bodyguards. Sometimes, like today, I felt that I need someone to let it out." Nick said and looked at Alex. "How are you?"

"Papa talked to me about this, but I still stand on my side. He asked me if this has anything to do with Olivia."

"It has, hasn't it?" Nick saw the strained expression on his brother's face. Alex must have been going through a lot, like what he's been going through as well.

"I don't want to talk about her."

"But you're the one who first mentioned the name."

Alex drew a deep breath. "Yeah, I know. I guess I needed someone to let it out as well." He grinned. Nick found himself smiling too. "It feels good." They started walking down the hall in silence. Their feet led them to the kitchen where the head cook just got through baking her pastries. "Hi, Mrs. Jane." Both greeted at the same time.

"Nice to see the two of you. Here is some good food." Mrs. Jane laid out a tray of hot pastries for them, followed by a pitcher of pineapple juice.

"I don't know what to expect, AJ, after everything is over." Nick said as they were left alone. "I mean, I think the only thing that will change is our status. But what will happen next?"

Alex shrugged. "Don't worry about it too much for now, Nick. That's Papa, Kevin and Howie's job," they chuckled. "Seriously though, I don't know either. Now that even I can't do anything about it, then let's just hope that there would be a better outcome from this." They looked up when the doors opened and Kevin and Howie came into the kitchen, talking about something. They paused when they saw their younger brothers. "How is it going?" Alex asked; the first sentence he said to the two since the argument at the Sitting Room over one and a half month ago.

Howie drew a deep breath as he sat beside Alex. "My father-in-law is harassing Adrienne to leave me because we won't be royals soon." He tightly clenched his fist at the thought.

"I told you, Howie, that I really don't like that Ambassador," Kevin said. "He's a sucker for social status, and he just pretended to like you because you're a prince even though you're adopted. Sorry to say that, man." Howie just nodded at that.

"Where are Erin and your son?" Nick asked, calling Howie's wife by the nickname he'd given her.

"They are at home. Adrienne's busy with her writing to even bother with that. But I know, she's worried. We kept on receiving calls from Martin." Howie replied. "I already told him to back off and leave us alone, especially my wife."

"You can charge him with verbal harassment, Howie," Alex suggested, "shutting him up. Threaten him. We know how he dislikes negative publicity. We should have given him that a long time ago."

"I might consider it though." Howie nodded.



>> 15


























15

The turnover ceremony is being witnessed by millions of people across the globe, transmitted by the powerhouse group of media networks worldwide. No one would ever pass up the opportunity to see the coming down of one of the most noble monarchies in the world. Opinions were shared, political analysts, historians and critics shared their part but nothing stopped the King Benedique in supporting the Parliament in the campaign of a new government.

Arkadia, in a week's time, will finally be a democratic government and the first election of leaders will be held in six months that will lead the country in to the new era. The constitution has been amended after six months of session in the Parliament. It has a lot of changes but most of it will retain the laws recognized by the people. Protests from both sides of the argument lingers, even after the unforgettable march towards the capitol, but it gradually lessened as the turnover ceremony comes. Many have come to accept it, while others were trying to make a motion of reconsideration to the Supreme Court of law to restore the monarchy. But still, what must happen is due to unfold on the day of the turnover ceremonies. The royal family is going to make a graceful exit from the political scene and a grand entrance to their own private lives as equal citizens of the country.

It will be held at the historic Prince Martin Monument, the place where Prince Martin Bordeaux of Theo, the nation's national hero, led the people with the political talks for independence. In this place, the people of Arkadia have witnessed the France's foreign affairs minister signed the diplomatic agreement between the two countries and the declaration of Arkadia as a free and independent country. Over a century later, this place is once again a witness to another historic event of freeing the people towards democracy.

The royal family lined up behind King Benedique, dressed in simple morning suits. The place was silent as the head of the family signed papers and gives a symbolic key to Prime Minister Paolo Castile, who will be stripped down of his title as an Earl as well for he is the king's second cousin.

Alex felt degraded as he graced his presence in the ceremony. He never wanted to come but his father would be disappointed. He never wanted to damage his relationship with his father and just so out of his respect, he followed what his father wished him to be. He looked at the crowd and saw banners in a distance, waving the family's royal coat of arms proudly. There's also a banner saying 'God bless the monarchy', 'we love the Royal Family', and some other things that tells their sides on the current event. On the other hand, there are also those who rejoiced for the abolishment. They have their own way of expressing it too. Arkadian flags are everywhere. The Army has gathered, to control the crowd.

"I received the duty as your king blessed by God to serve and protect the people. The end of the reign ends as the monarchy will step down, but I still stand by the words I spoke upon my coronation: I'll continue to serve and protect this country in many more ways I can but not as your king. I'm not giving up but I'll continue what legacy has bestowed upon me." The now former king said after the turnover rites. "We'll have the opportunity for democracy and I hope that we'll still unite together as Arkadians towards the betterment of ourselves, our lives, and our country. Let's support the new government...." Alex tried not to roll his eyes as his father began talking about politics. He's not interested in that. He hates to be in the position where he is right now. He wanted to turn back and leave but he couldn't.

"May God bless each and every one of us. Thank you." His father finished later on after a long 'farewell' speech. There were cheers and different emotions filled the place. Alex is the first person to turn back when they were ushered down the stage to leave the place. The noise from the crowd is overwhelming. There were massive applause around them, purple balloons and white doves were flown in the air, and flowers were everywhere, among other things that the people wanted to show their support or gratitude to the monarchy.

The family was ushered at the limousine intended for them. When every one was settled inside, true emotions welled up. Isabella hugged her husband and cried on his chest. Anastasia and Giselle hugged their mother, Michaela. Kevin comforted his wife and Howie kissed Adrienne. Alex and Nick watched them in silence. But the older one sensed the emotions himself and heard the young man beside him sniffling. Alex puts his arm around Nick's shoulders.

"It's going to be alright now, Nick. It's over. We just got through that chapter of our life and let's move on." Alex told his brother. Nick nodded as he wiped his tears away. Alex sighed as the limo pulled itself away from the monument and towards their parents' new official home. Their new life has begun.



>> 16


























16

"Why, Kevin?" Cristin asked her husband when the latter told her that he had just invited Olivia Travois over to Howie's private birthday party. "Why did you invite her?"

"I don't know what has come into me but I knew that I have to invite her tonight. Howie agreed on that as well." Kevin replied and kissed his wife. "I'm not playing cupid or anything, Cris. I just thought that it's impossible that the two would meet since they seemed like worlds apart but Howie and I are making a way."

Cristin frowned. "About what? There's nothing to talk about. The woman clearly wanted to stay away from us. She's an anti-monarchist and she wanted to brush Alex off her life."

"Alex has been a different person since he saw the woman and learned that she's an anti-monarchist."

"He did? So what? It just doesn't mean anything." Cristin stared at her husband. "How did you know that, Kev? Now, I'm confused at this woman. What's going on? And how did you convince her to come here today?"

Kevin drew a deep breath. "We wanted to know what she's up to, what it is in her that has somehow changed Alex. Howie and I had a feeling that she has something to do with it. We were thinking that she's the person who attacked him, remember that?" Cristin nodded at her husband. "And I told her that if she didn't come here, a limousine would come to pick her up at her apartment. That made her said yes. She didn't want any more fuss about it."

"Just like that?" Cristin asked incredulously. Kevin winked at his wife. God, they're getting the habit from Howie.

"What's up, lovely couple? I watched you busy talking and I was getting bored waiting when you are going to make out." Alex teased the two. Kevin glared at his brother. "I'm just joking around, man. Where's little Scott?"

"The baby is upstairs with little David." Cristin told her brother-in-law. "And don't you dare coming up to the room because it's their bedtime now."

"I can't? But why is Nick there? He just left a few minutes ago." Alex grinned and winked at them. The habit is spreading, Kevin thought. He smiled at Alex, knowing that he only went there to tell Cristin about Nick going upstairs to play with their nephews when everyone knew fully well that they aren't meant to be disturbed at night.

"Oh, that little brother of yours...." Cristin excused herself to follow Nick.

"Nice one to get rid of my wife, AJ." Kevin sarcastically said.

"I didn't do it on purpose, Kev. Nick is really there and he wanted to show the kids some new toys he bought for them. Adrienne must be on her way by now, too." Alex chuckled. "I can see it now. Two pissed-off mothers, scolding our little Old Nick." Kevin smiled.

"What's up, AJ? How are you doing?"

"Doing fine." Alex replied, sipping his glass of wine. They watched as Brian sang on stage, and dedicated it to Howie. "We need to help Brian out there. He needs our harmony." Alex laughed. Their third cousin, Ayesa, the theater actress, joined Brian on stage and they started to sing a ballad.

"Hey, Brian is doing well. He and Ayesa are doing a good show now." Kevin slaps his brother at the back of his head, laughing as well. "You, on the other hand, needed a harmony."

"Nah, I'm cool."

"Seriously, AJ."

Alex was about to speak when he caught sight of a familiar woman arriving on the entrance doors of the ballroom. Kevin noticed it but didn't say anything. "What is she doing here?"

"Howie and I invited her here. She's almost a friend anyway, acquainted through you and Antoine." Kevin replied then left his brother to welcome Olivia. When he turned to glance at Alex, his brother is watching him. Good luck, Kevin, he thought so to himself.

Olivia swallowed hard as she saw Howie's friends at the party. She knew they were famous aristocrats, now that they are already private citizens, but she never thought that their guests would consist of most of the low-profiled personalities in the Arkadian society in which some of whom she admires. She had seen the two of her favorite authors and biographers, some advocates of the environment, medicine and human rights, lawmakers, noble politicians and people who worked for the prevention of poverty and increase of workforce in the country. She's overwhelmed.

"Good evening, Miss Travois. I'm glad you finally graced us with your presence." Howie said as Kevin walked up behind.

"I thought you're not coming. I was about to ask the chauffeur to pick you up in a limo." Kevin said.

"That's not necessary." Olivia replied and turned to Howie. "Thank you for inviting me, and Happy Birthday."

"I'm much happier now that my friends are here." Howie replied, glancing at Kevin. The older one only nodded. She sensed that the two are keeping their eye on her. They must have learned that she hated royalty. "Anyway, let me take you a tour then and introduce you to some people." Howie ushered the young woman on the way. Alex only watched everything from afar.



>> 17


























17

Olivia looked around and smiled at the people passing by her. She's getting bored on this one and hoping that she'd be rescued. After introducing her around, Howie left her to talk with his father. It was his wife, Adrienne, who rescued her but then she also has to leave to go upstairs to her son.

"Don't look so bored."

Olivia drew a deep breath as she heard that all-becoming familiar voice now. She turned around and stood face to face with Alex. "Am I that obvious?"

"For me, because I've been looking at you the whole time." Alex replied. "I'm glad you let down your hair."

"You seemed to like this very much." Olivia told him, without much of a smile on her face.

"Oh, I do. Listen, if you're bored, let me take you out on a walk in the gardens. If that's alright with you." Alex received a hesitant look in return. "I'll behave, don't worry."

"For tonight, I looked at you as my savior. Yes, please." She placed her hand over his and they walked out of the ballroom before anyone would notice they're gone. Alex took her down the hall and turned left towards the quiet garden. Oblivious from Olivia, she finally reached the private area of the Jade Mansion where Howie and his family is currently residing. "This is a beautiful place." She silently exclaimed. Alex smiled at that. He let go of her hand and they sat together on a bench facing an assorted flowerbed and a fountain.

"Yes, this is." Alex sat back and relaxed himself. They sat quietly together for a long while before Alex made a sigh. "I'm still infuriated, you know." He added.

"Okay, is that the reason why you take me here? So that you can take out what you wanted to say and not letting the people see it huh?" Olivia frowned and turned to see Alex and his eyes are closed. "Oh, don't sleep on me."

"Call me AJ."

"What was that supposed to mean? Call you on your first name as if we're close buddies?" Olivia straightened from her seat and turned to him. "I'm not aware of this."

Alex turned to her, their faces were closer than Olivia could imagine. "For a petite woman like you, you're noisy."

"Me, noisy? What –" Her words were interrupted as Alex leaned closer to kiss her fully on the lips. The simple touch of their lips made her feel surrendering to her own need, and to the sensations that were just purely incredible and indescribable. It felt even more when Alex deepened the kiss. Olivia felt the familiar surge of wanting within her as she recalled the last time they kissed. This now became more intruding, more demanding. She felt his hand cupping her face. Olivia felt swimming among the sensations that are overwhelming her insides until the reality hits her when she heard Alex moaned her name. After one last nip, she pulled away. "Okay, that was different and you planned it." She stood up.

"Don't deny it, Olivia. I know you enjoyed it too." Alex nonchalantly retorted which vexed the woman more. He rested his back against the bench and stared at the fountain in front of them. He doesn't seem to care about what happened.

Olivia couldn't understand why she felt tears stinging her eyes. Maybe because she enjoyed the kiss and for a moment, she hoped that it would mean something. She had to leave before Alex would see it. But why does she have to feel like crying right now? She stood up. "I'm leaving and I never want to see you again. I swear that I'm going to sue you for harassment if you ever come within 500 meters of my radius, do you understand? Or else I'm going to file a temporary restraining order for you!"

Her nonstop speech made Alex raised an eyebrow. If he could reach out on her again, maybe she can stop talking too much. "You can't definitely do that to me." he said calmly. "You're nothing but a kindergarten teacher." He wanted her to go and give him a peace of mind because he's been thinking of her for days. It confuses him. This is the only way he knew to prevent himself from liking someone like her.

"And you're very arrogant." Then Olivia turned to leave. Her tears began to fall as she goes back in to the hall.

Why does it hurt when Alex doesn't even care about the kiss? Damn that man for getting to her nerves! She should stay focus on her plans. This is not the distraction she wanted.



>> 18


























18

Alex felt uneasy as he continued with the dinner he had with his family before going home to Bordeaux alone. Since Kevin and Howie got married, they were each given their own official residences. While Nick is currently living in the university dormitory, Alex occupies the Bordeaux Castle alone as it was their official residences as children of the king and still is, as a private citizen. The castle was named after their family name and it has been owned by the family for centuries, surpassing the time of war and peace through the years.

Now back to Olivia, he's not yet through with that woman. Irritated and probably frustrated, she left him abruptly. He did not know that paparazzi lurked at the other end of the yard and used their hi-tech cameras to take a picture of them. Now, his face once again graced the headlines – with Olivia on it. Shown were the pictures of him and Olivia kissing. 'Alex and new ladylove', said from one of those tabloids. He wants her out of his life. He's mad at her, but he did not like her to be the victim of those media preys either. And for the tabloids, he already filed a case for invading his privacy. Howie filed trespassing, on the other hand, because he did not invite any media in his party. Though the attendees were high-profiled, he intended the party to be private.

"You're not eating much, Alexander." Marguerite noticed her grandson.

'Don't start with me, grandma.' Alex silently warned, not voicing it out though. He saw his brothers and sisters-in-law exchanged knowing glances, sensing that now is not the right time for their grandmother to mess up with Alex's mood. He's grateful that they knew it, but their grandmother isn't a least bit aware. "I'm not hungry, Grandma." He told his grandmother.

"I read the headlines this morning, and I wanted to meet this Olivia Travois." The elder woman continued, still oblivious to the tension heating up. She's busy with her vegetable salad to even notice it.

"Why do you have to do that?" Alex asked. His outburst surprised his parents and their grandmother.

"Alex!" Isabella said.

"I'm sorry, Grandma. It's just that I'm pissed off at her right now. And I don't think that there's something you have to talk about. The tabloids were wrong about us. She's not my girlfriend. I don't even know her. And please, Grandma, stop babying me. I'm already twenty-three years old." Alex drinks his water. His family watched him. "I'm sorry, Grandma, about it. I just feel that I need to say that. I love you very much, really much. But I'm also a grown man now." He stood up. "Excuse me."

"Alex, come back to your seat." Benedique ordered his son but his mother stopped him.

"Let the man go. I forgot that he has really grown." The former queen mother said patiently. Alex heard it loud and clear, and turned around.

"Thanks, grandma." Alex said and then he continued walking out of the dining room.



~~~



Olivia found it amusing that she has another opportunity to step into the Bordeaux Palace grounds, and meet Alex's grandmother. She didn't know what does the family matriarch wanted from her when she received an invitation from her, but she has to go anyway. She didn't refuse any invitation without valid reason. Anyway, she respects the woman and she didn't do anything to her anyway. Once she's through with this meeting, she'll leave the castle as soon as she can before she caught sight of a man with unusual penchant for body art and unique hairdo. This is his residence and this is his territory.

She didn't feel nervous until she was announced later at the Great Ante Room to finally meet the former Queen Mother. She saw a serene-looking woman seated at a plush couch, smiling at her as she enters. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Olivia Travois." Marguerite stood up and shook hands with the younger woman.

"I'm glad to meet you as well, Madam." Olivia replied, taking her seat when the former queen invited her to.

"I don't beat around the bush so let's get on with what I wanted to say." Marguerite started. "I read about you in the papers and Alex told me that there's nothing going on between the two of you. I believe my grandson but I also wanted to ask you. What are your intentions?"

Olivia wanted to laugh at the absurdity. Intentions? "I don't have any intentions except to get away from your grandson as possible as I could, Ma'am."

"As I've been told." The older woman said. "I'm not prying over my grandchildren's affairs but I'm just concerned, Miss Travois. What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a pre-school teacher in Woodworth."

"And your family?"

Olivia tried not to raise an eyebrow. What's this? A hundred and one questions? "They're living in the countryside, in Treixe. I have an older brother, Mac, who works as an account executive in an insurance company." She saw a smile on the grandmother's lips. This is getting corny. The least she wanted is an old lady setting her up to a very impossible man, particularly her grandson.



>> 19


























19

"How did it go?"

Olivia sat on the other side of the bar and looked at her best friend, Deana, who works as a bartender in an exclusive restaurant of a famous hotel. "The former queen mother is an old lady who seemed to have plans of matchmaking me to her grandson." She silently replied to avoid being overheard by the people around. It's been good enough that she hasn't been noticed because since her face appeared on the headlines, some people would stop her on the street and asked her to comment about her relationship with Alex. Sometimes, there were people who would ask for her autograph as well, which is absolutely ridiculous.

"That bad, huh?" Deana smirked. "Anyway, your brother dropped by here with his clients earlier. He told me that he's planning on seeing you when he had time."

"Oh, Mac." Olivia smiled. Her brother is a master of conspiracies, and she knew that he has something in mind right now, something that has to do with the former prince. She's looking forward to meeting Mac.

"As for me, Olivia, all I can say is that I think Prince Alex is a nice guy." Deana said, mistakenly puts a title as others would too. It seems like it will take time before the people will get used to the new government without the monarchy. "I've met him here many times with his brothers. They were really nice people, down-to-earth, big tippers," Olivia rolled her eyes on that one, "and friendly. He may have looked unique unlike his brothers, very expressive and has a very interesting personality but I'm telling you that the people here like him."

"Then I can recommend you to him."

"Sorry, pal. I don't have a background with the swords as much as you do." Deana giggled. "What's the matter, Olivia? The monarchy was a great thing in Arkadia, when it was still around. I can't understand your principles against it. And I certainly can't understand your aversion towards that wonderful guy."

"Yeah. I don't think you'd understand."

"Try me, Olivia." Deana said in a challenging tone. Olivia stared back at her best friend, and only sighed. She can never tell anyone her reasons.



~~~



Howie slowed down when he saw a pile of boxes out in the hall and Alex's office is open. What has gotten in to his brother this time? "AJ, what's going on here?" He poked his head in the room. He expected some employees inside but Alex is the only one there.

"Cleaning out." Alex replied, without turning to his brother.

"Huh? Why? And you're just alone."

"I told them not to disturb me. I need my space."

"What's going on, AJ?" Howie asked again. He helped him put down some history books from the shelves as Alex began dusting it off.

"Nothing." The funny thing though, Alex still had his own accessories to match with his cleaning get-up. He had a bandanna over his head, clear eyeglasses on his face and an apron over his clothes. It is slightly different that he is more quiet and reserved now. "I'm trying to experiment myself to be like Kevin. Let's see how long it'd take me to get serious and quiet." Alex added with a grin but Howie didn't return a smile.

"What did you do to Olivia at my party?" Howie asked his brother. "Because I was surprised when she told me that she has to leave, and her face was somewhat tear-stricken." Alex stiffened when he heard the last one. Olivia cried that night?

"I didn't do anything." Alex went down the ladder and turned to arrange the mess on his table.

"Really? Anyway, is she the same person who attacked you with the swords months ago?" Alex looked at his brother. Howie shrugged. "I'm just wondering though. You never told us every detail of what has happened, except that it's a she. It's Olivia, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's her. So?"

"What's going on, AJ?" Howie asked again.

"Nothing." Clearly, Alex doesn't want to talk about it. Frustrated, Howie frowned and came into deep thinking. "Is there something you came here for?" He asked his elder brother.

"Adrienne and I will be leaving for a business trip and no one will be left to look after David. There's his nanny and we'll leave him to his grandparents. But I was wondering if you could look after him from time to time too."

"That's not a problem. Did you ever think about Kevin and Cristin too?"

"They're leaving as well. They're coming with us."

"And where are you going? You'll leave me and our cousins to take care of the business?"

"We are considering on venturing in to building a chain of hotels and restaurants. And we'll have a meeting abroad with some prospective investors. Mike and Owen are coming along with us too." Howie replied, referring the last ones, which are their second-degree cousins. "Please? I'm sure Kevin will come here to ask you to look after Scott as well. Nick is in the university so that gives us no other choice but to turn to you." Howie winked at him.

Alex chuckled. "I don't have any choice either. I'm your nicest brother."

"Thanks, J."

"You owe me."

Howie stared at him for a while. He knew Alex too well that something is in his brother's mind. He would not clean his office. He would usually ask someone to do that while he will only supervise. It must be something about the government's transition. Work is far from his dilemma since Howie knows how efficient Alex is at the office. Or maybe, it is simply something about Olivia. Howie always wondered about the kind of woman who will bother Alex a lot, including with his time and mind frame. He never thought that it might be someone like Olivia. She's far from his type. But then, love moves in mysterious ways. He did not expect to fall in love with Adrienne either but he did and could not imagine his life without her now. He loves his wife very much.

Looking at Alex, maybe God his plans for his brother. He only wished that Alex will be happy with whatever he decides on the matters of the heart. Howie would hate to see his brother get hurt.



>> 20


























20

Olivia drew a deep breath when she saw her brother making himself comfortable on her couch while watching something on the television. "I don't go beating around the bush so spill it out, Mac. Why are you here?" She took off her coat and went to drink water.

Mac smiled. "I never thought that you'd take it seriously, Olivia. And then I was just surprised to read you on the papers as you made your way inside the royal family's circle."

"Correction, former royal family."

"I know. Everyone is fully aware of that." Mac said and watched as his sister prepared something for dinner. "How is it going?"

Olivia gave her a brother a silly grin. "I guess that I charmed my way to the family through Alex. You must have seen his face whenever he sees me, mesmerized with my hair and my skills with the swords. In no time at all, he'll be around my finger. Then he'll learn too late what trouble he's got into when I'm just ready to kill him."

"Now, that was some bad thought, darling. You're intending to kill him?" He laughed as he said that.

"He's the very reason why we're still working our way to live, Mac. If not for him, and his family, we're rich beyond our wildest dreams. I might have been already married to that shipping magnate I told you that we drugged in to marrying me. But Alex ruined it all and it's going to be one hell of a payback!" Olivia was thankful that her brother is tolerating her, as that was just what she needed. She needs some motivation right now as Alex is beginning to affect her senses whenever he's around. That should not be happening.

"And when they thought that you're just some ordinary anti-monarchist like the others out there. They got it wrong, Olivia."

"Yeah. No one messes up with me or my plans to become rich." Olivia licked her fingers seductively, thinking of ways to attract Alex closer to him without him knowing it. "If I just have to trick him into marriage and strip him out with all that wealth, I'll do what it has to take. I won't forget you, Mac. You'll have your share on this one as well." She winked at her brother.

"That's my girl."

"Correction, I'm your sister and I'm genius."



~~~



Alex walked down the hall towards Kevin's office. He needs to ask about something with the Products Department's strategic plans that have been submitted to him earlier. It's been a tough week for every one of them as the Board of Directors' meeting is fast approaching and they need to polish everything up and to present it to the senior officers of the company.

Just as he neared Kevin's office, he saw it opened and his brother came rushing out in a hurry. "Hey, where's the fire?"

"Huh? Oh!" Kevin looked at him. "I was called from a hospital. Nick's been on an accident."

"My God!" He kept the pace with his brother as they rushed out of the office building towards the hospital. They were expecting Nick at home for the coming weekend. This is a shock that he would be on an accident. "Any news?"

Kevin shook his head. "They just called me that his car collided with another car, and he's now at the ICU." He sped up the car and Alex nervously reminded himself of his seatbelt. "Papa was informed. I just can't break the news to Mama." They knew how their youngest brother seemed so dear to their mother. Isabella will have a heart attack if she learns that her 'baby' has been in an accident. They knew their mother.

They reached the hospital and saw a few members of the press are already gathered around to catch up with any news. They tried talking with the newly arrived brothers but they were ignored as the two were immediately ushered inside. The doctor welcomed them at the hall.

"Please, doc. Don't break it gently. Tell us straight the details." Alex said after the introductions.

"He's got bruises from the accident. The impact seemed strong as he had broken ribs and he suffered a minor heart attack earlier but we managed to get him back. We've taken him now to ICU for further observation." Dr. Andrews told the two. "We'll do our best to save your brother, gentlemen. He seemed to be fighting for his own life out there and he wanted to live. Your brother is still a strong man. We just hope that he'd turn out fine and wake up anytime soon."

"The other car? Where's the person who drove it?" Kevin asked. He's nearly in tears as his heart went out to Nick. The doctor took them towards the ICU where Nick was. They were asked to wear protective lab gowns, cap, gloves and masks for protection inside the ICU. Nick lies unconscious on the bed, with lots of tubes attached to his body.

"According to the police reports, it was her fault as she drove in an extensive speed limit. Your brother was a victim of a reckless speed driving." The doctor replied.

"Her? As in she?" Alex asked. He turned away after seeing his brother's state.

The doctor nodded. "She's less than worse than your brother. She suffered minor injuries as well and still unconscious. She's already in a recuperating room and no family has arrived yet to look for her."

"Has she been identified?" Kevin asked.

The doctor nodded once again. "Her name's Olivia Travois, as what the police have found among her cards."



>> 21


























21

Alex's hand clenched in a tight fist when he heard the name from the doctor. Olivia Travois! Ever since she came to his life, she's nothing but trouble. He could tolerate everything she would have done but this is the last straw. Nick is fighting for his own life and it was all her fault.

Kevin turned when his brother left as soon as the doctor said where Olivia could be found. He sensed something not good is going to happen. He followed Alex after excusing himself to the doctor and casting one last glance to Nick. As they left, they did not hear their youngest brother groaned.

Alex had so much to think as he made his way down the hall towards where Olivia is. She has to pay for what she's done. And if Nick, may God forbid, will not survive this ordeal with his life, Alex would make sure that Olivia will pay for her own life. He saw a nurse coming out of the room where he's heading. Good. She's maybe awake by now.

He entered the room and saw Olivia, still looking sexy as hell with her hair in such a disheveled state as she lies awake on the hospital bed. She turned when she sensed him there and immediately sat up. Alex raised an eyebrow when he saw her smile as if she's excited to see him.

"It must be you. The nurse just came to give me my things," Olivia said. Alex came near the bed. Olivia surprised him when she took his hand and held it tight. "I'm sorry but I really can't remember anything." She bit her lower lip as tears started to fell down her face.

"What are you talking about? You can't remember anything?"

Olivia shook her head. "I'm must be a total disappointment to you." She cried once more. She showed Alex what was on her palm when she held it open. It's a platinum wedding band. "The nurse gave this to me, a part of my belongings. Am I really married to you?"

"Married?" Alex, and Kevin who was behind him, exclaimed at the same time.

There was a look of confusion on Olivia's face after that. "Am I not then? Oh, I'm sorry. I can't really remember anything." She let Alex took the ring and inspected it.

"This is a wedding band but I'm sorry, I'm not married to you. The nurse might have it all wrong." Alex said. Kevin took the wedding band and examined it as well.

"My name isn't Olivia Travois then?"

"It's your name but you're not married to my brother." Kevin said.

"I'm sorry but I forgot to ask your names." Olivia said to them.

"I'm Alex, and my elder brother, Kevin." Alex replied and watched Olivia carefully. She looked at him as if trying to figure out who are they. For a moment, he forgot that this woman is the main cause why Nick is in the ICU right now. When he remembered, his brows deeply furrowed. "Your name is Olivia, I'm not your husband and you're the reason why our brother is in grave danger right now."

"Is he alright?" Concern and worry crossed her face. Alex lost count on how many times she said sorry today, in which a normal Olivia would seemed impossible to do.

"No, he isn't." Kevin answered it. "I don't care if you have amnesia. I don't even know if you're just faking it. But I swear that I'm going to let you pay for what you've done to our brother whether or not he survived." Kevin is way more than mad at this woman, Alex thought. And so is he. Nick is their baby brother and he couldn't take seeing him in ICU with lots of tubes supporting his life.

"I'm sorry." Olivia tried once again. She ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated, confused and is about to cry once again.

"You should be. We're sorry that you're in amnesia, if you truly are in amnesia." Alex said and followed his brother out of the room. But his heart went out to Olivia, of whom he wanted to envelop in his own embrace when he saw her crying and confused. What's happening to him? He's not acting normally when that woman is around.

When the two reached the hall, their family was already there outside the ICU. Cristin hugged her husband. Alex looked sadly at the closed door of the ICU. He felt his father's hand on his shoulders. "The doctor said that Nick woke up when the two of you left to go to Olivia."

"He's awake?" Both Kevin and Alex asked at the same time.

"But too weak to even do something. He just stared at us and smiled." Benedique's voice quivered beneath the strong countenance he's showing to his family. His wife embraced him. "I can't stand seeing your brother that way."

"He's going to be alright." Howie said, his eyes brimming with tears. He was never afraid to show his emotions to everyone. "We pray to God he will be alright."

"How's the woman?" Isabella asked her sons.

Alex looked at Kevin first then to them. "She's in amnesia, Mama. At least, that's what she told us."

"And mistook Alex as her husband." Kevin added in obvious disgust towards the person who put Nick to harm.



>> 22


























22

Olivia breathed in deeply as she massaged her temples. She had to do something. Her plan backfired when Alex and Kevin did not even believe her. She needs to think of something to get Alex's attention. She's running out of ideas but she's not going to let her brother know about it. She knew Mac. Mac had the tendency to take the matter in his own hands, in a brutal way. She does not want violence – for now. She needs to gain Alex's family's trust. It wasn't her fault that her car lost its breaks and ran into Nick's. She actually felt guilty after hearing what happened to Nick now.

What's happening to her? Guilty? Is she going to have a change of heart?

"What happened?"

Olivia looked up and saw Mac, disguised as a nurse, coming inside the room. "Huh?"

"Don't act all innocent on me, Olivia. What happened after the two confronted you?" Mac sat on the edge of the bed. "That was some shortcut to our plans. If the kid dies, he'll be out from our priorities now."

"No. Not Nick." Olivia said.

Mac frowned. "Don't tell me you've been charmed by that kid before? Everyone loves the youngest prince. You've been her fan too?" He chuckled.

Olivia shook her head. "I think that what happened isn't just fair." She replied. "Anyway, our plan backfired. They didn't even believe that I've been to 'amnesia'. They were mad. They were threatening that I'm not going to get away from this and I have to pay for what happened to their brother."

"Olivia, stop feeling guilty!" Mac exclaimed. "They're rich. They have all the resources to make everything happen so as to save the kid. You, on the other hand, have to get out of here. We don't have enough money for you to confine here longer."

Money, Olivia thought. Then she recalled the look of anger and disappointment across Alex's face earlier. She felt that she lost her will to continue with this. What's happening to her? She asked herself once again. "You're right. We'll leave here."

"And we will continue with the plans. Penetrate into Alex's lives and get his money. We'll be rich. We'll have anything we want." Mac added. They paused when someone knocked on the door. Mac arranged his nurse attire then picked up the tray he brought with him. He opened the door and saw Adrienne and Anastasia in the hall.

"Madam." Mac smiled at them, quietly noting the beauty of the older one, Howie's wife. "Miss Travois is awake." He opened the door wider to let them in. He turned to Olivia. "Ma'am, you have visitors."

Olivia saw Adrienne and Anastasia coming inside. Mac made a sign behind the two, giving Adrienne one last look from head to foot, and then left her with the newly-arrived ladies.

"We learned that you're the person on the other car, and that you have amnesia." Adrienne started as she glanced at Anastasia. "We're Alex's relatives, the man you claimed to be your husband. I'm Adrienne, his sister-in-law and this is Anastasia, his cousin."

"I'm pleased to meet you." Olivia replied with a smile. The two looked at each other once again. What's with the exchanged looks?

"We dropped by here to check on how are you doing." Anastasia said. "I want to see the person responsible for my cousin's accident."

"I'm really sorry for what happened. I don't know what or how did it happen but even if I'm not on my right mind now, I could take the fault to what has happened. How is he?"

"He's awake. But we still cannot speak to him." Adrienne replied. The two started towards the door, ending their brief visit. "We have to leave." The two gave her a last look then went out of the room.



>> 23


























23

Alex saw his grandmother coming inside the hospital suite, as Nick lies sleeping on the bed. He stood up, kissed the elder woman, and helped her on a chair. Nick was transferred earlier to the recuperating room when his stats made the doctors decide that he's going to be all right soon. It's been more than a week since the accident happened and everyone is still worried of Nick, the most charming kid in the family. Alex is not jealous. He just noticed that Nick always had every one's attention and he's not an exception. He looks after his kid brother most of the time, too.

"Goodness, Alex, I'm old but I'm still strong," Marguerite said, pushing Alex lightly away. "I can manage to take my seat." Alex scratched his head and glanced at Giselle, who's just grinning in amusement. "How's Nickolas?"

"He's doing fine, grandma," Giselle replied after kissing her grandmother. "He sleeps a lot. I guess that he hasn't slept much while in the university."

"What's this I heard that it was Olivia on the other car?"

"That's right, grandma." Alex replied. "And she said she has amnesia."

"I don't trust the woman, Alex, from the first time I saw her. And the least I can do at that time is to smile and hear her answer my questions." Marguerite said.

"That wasn't you, grandma. You seemed to like everyone." Giselle pointed out. Alex just sat there in silence.

"I know, but it was different with Olivia."

"Maybe you're just scared that she got the chance of probably taking Alex away from us," Giselle added.

"Elle!" Alex glared at his cousin.

Elle shrugged. "What? Grandma told us to say what we want to say." She turned to their grandmother. "Sorry, grandma. It's just that I think, Olivia has my cousin's heart, whatever the odds are."

Marguerite turned to her grandson. "Maybe Giselle is right, Alexander. But there's more about that woman than meets the eye and I seriously doubt her. In fact, I already hired someone to investigate her background."

"Grandma!" Alex exclaimed. "No. You didn't do that."

"Oh, but I did, Alex. I'm concerned. Besides, I was wondering where she got the interest with the swords. That was a very outdated skill, but she knows about it and even challenged you many times. The last thing I wanted to hear is you being rushed here because you lost your hand, or something about that." Marguerite frowned. "I was never wrong on my instincts, Alexander."

"What else more can I do? Go ahead, grandma. Do what you think you should be doing in prying my own life." Alex replied. But to himself, his grandmother's words left him thinking. He doesn't know much about Olivia and maybe his grandmother granted him a favor. Olivia just suddenly came into his life, their lives, but there's still a mystery wrapped around her. "Excuse me, I think I need to breathe some fresh air." He left the room as soon as he could. He ignored the media in front of the hospital who were still trying to catch up on the development in Nick's condition. He turned to the other way towards the back of the hospital to avoid them. He needs to clean his head. Olivia is slowly corrupting his common sense and he felt that he would not be able to make some things right and think well in everything he will do.

He stopped on his tracks when he saw Olivia walking down the hall with a man. Olivia saw him too, and recognition and excitement crossed her face when their eyes met. Alex thought he could get away from the thoughts of her by being mad and pushing her away from him. But he could not understand the different feeling just merely at the sight of her. He wanted to rush over and hug her and never let go.

"Alex...."

Alex nodded at her. "Where are you going?" he asked them.

"We're going home. I'm Mac, her brother. She told me about you, Sir." Mac said. "Including that marriage thing." He added in a whisper.

Alex looked at Olivia's hand and saw the wedding band on her finger. "I told her that I'm not her husband. I did not even know how that idea came to her mind, Mac." He turned to Olivia. Those chinky eyes looked back at him. "Still had the amnesia?" Olivia nodded. Alex shakes his head. "If you have anything you need, you may just call me. Anyway, Olivia is an acquaintance." He told Mac. "I met her through my sword instructor."

Mac nodded. "Oh, I heard about that from her."

"Really?" Olivia turned from one man to another. "I'm skilled with the swords?"

Mac nodded. "We have to leave. Also, we'll face the charges that your family filed against my sister." Alex stepped aside as the two turned to leave. As he watched them walk down the hall, Olivia turned back to smile at him.

That was some smile that literally took Alex's breath away.



>> 24


























24

Adrienne looked to where her son, David, is pointing. She saw a big giraffe stuffed toy on a shelf and smiled. "You liked that, darling?" David smiled in response. She and her son went out for a little shopping while waiting for Howie's arrival. They are due to meet later for a family outing at the mall. Actually, Adrienne insisted that they should go out once in a while. Howie had so much in his schedule for the month and he could only afford to take them to the mall. But he promised the two that they will travel abroad for more quality time together.

Adrienne watched as her tall bodyguard took the giraffe from the shelf. She's carrying David in her arms and she cannot reach the toy. David clapped his hands as the toy was handed to him.

"He likes it." Adrienne smiled at her bodyguard. They started walking towards the cashier when a man stopped her on her tracks.

"Hi, ma'am."

"Uh, hi." Adrienne smiled and was about to walk through but the man stopped her. She stared at his face. "You looked familiar. You're the nurse at the hospital, inside Olivia's room."

Mac smiled. "I admire women with photographic memory."

Adrienne raised an eyebrow. She hoped that this isn't another Thomas Burke in her life. She hopefully glanced at her bodyguard who just stood within a distance. "Yes, I'm glad to have that because I also heard what you and your sister have been talking about that day. I know your plans and I intend to tell this to Alex."

Mac gave her a silent glare and then he slowly grinned at her. "Whoa! Now I knew why did your husband couldn't keep his hands off you, mademoiselle. Your beauty and brains are one heck of a combination. I like that. Now, what am I going to do with you? Hmm...." He slowly comes towards her.

"Better keep it to yourself and don't be brave enough to voice it out." Adrienne retorted. She hugged her son closer to her. "As you can see, my husband doesn't let me wander alone in which I am very thankful of."

Mac nodded. "I know. But that doesn't stop me from getting near you. You're royals no more, Adrienne." He grabbed her arm in surprise. David let out a scream and the bodyguards were suddenly all over Mac. He lets go of Adrienne's arm as the big men grabbed him away from her.

"You're not being wise, Mac." Adrienne said, shushing her son who's crying now. "Trying to grab me when my bodyguards lurked everywhere. You just blew up your sister's cover." She watched as Mac struggled to free himself from the two big men holding him off. "You and your sister are going to pay for what you've done."



~~~



Oblivious from what happened at the mall, Alex went to Olivia's apartment on the other side of the town. He got the address when he went to school and talked to the Personnel Department about Olivia. He had to see her but he did not know why. It was as if his feet dragged him to her place. Now, he's here in front of the door and trying to figure out why he's been there in the first place. He recalled that every time they have the opportunity to talk, they always end up fighting. Olivia brought out the worst in him. He's always irritated at her. But now he's here. What has compelled him to be here anyway?

Attraction, his mind answered it for him. He's instantly attracted to her on the first day he laid his eyes on her. But attraction isn't everything. He firmly believes in the deeper emotion that a person is capable of. Lust is just on the surface. He is looking far more than that and his mind denies that alien feeling towards Olivia. Not Olivia, he thought before. But thoughts of her just keep coming back.

Finally, Alex made the move of knocking at her door. The door opened moments later and surprise crossed the beautiful Asian face that answered it. Alex sighed inwardly. This is it.

"Alex?"

"I know I'm not your husband, and I think the nurse got it wrong that we've been married after all." Alex started. "I dropped by to see how you are doing so far." He came in when Olivia invited him inside.

"I'm physically okay, but I still didn't have the vaguest idea. It's a good thing that I have my brother but I don't even know who he is. I just had this trusting instinct, you know, that he's my brother." Olivia sat across the couch from him. She ran her hands through her hair and tied it up in a ponytail.

"If you're even married, you may have at least another man coming here to look after you, Olivia. But I can see no one here, so I think that you weren't married after all." He watched as she smoothed her hair in a tight ponytail. "No." Alex said. He stood up and reached out for Olivia's hand. "I always love that hair. Don't tie it up please." They had the moment to stare at each other for a while.

"You love my hair?" Olivia felt mesmerized. She took off his sunglasses and set it aside. "I always love your eyes. Never hide it from me, Alex." The way she says his name seemed music to his ears. Alex smiled as he slowly bents down to kiss her fully on the lips. His hands left her hands and moved to her hair. Olivia's hand went to his neck to pull him closer until Alex found himself straddling on her lap. The kiss went deeper as Alex managed to take off her shirt and unclasped her brassiere. "Alex...."

Alex moaned. He felt himself being stripped naked as well. They stood up together and took off all the things left in them. The kiss continued as their hands traveled around each other. They began walking semi-consciously to somewhere in the apartment until Alex realized that she took him inside her room. They tumbled together down the bed, pinning Olivia beneath him.

"You can tell me to stop, Olivia...." Alex said as he bent down to kiss her on the stomach and his hands found her thighs, caressing it ever so gently, waiting for her permission to do what he wanted to do, what he is aching to do.

"Don't stop," Olivia whispered. She couldn't help but tagged his hair as he made wonderful sensations within her. Olivia felt herself floating. Breathing through her nose as she tries to recover what has just happened, his lips were suddenly on hers. Then Alex trailed down once again.

"You're lovely, my dear." Olivia heard Alex's voice drifting between them. He seemed like dancing above her. Olivia reached out for his buttocks, giving him the hint of wanting him inside her. A few moments later, they were both breathing heavily. Alex lay down beside her.

"I hope you'll remember this when you get your memory back, Olivia. And I love you...." the words just seemed have a mind of their own as it came out from Alex almost naturally. Even Alex was surprised from his expression.

Olivia felt tears stinging her eyes as they stared at each other. "I love you, too, Alex." And she really means it.



>> 25


























25

Alex smiled at every person he meets at his parents' place when he arrived there to visit Nick. When Nick got out from the hospital, Isabella insisted that she takes care of her son. Nick was brought home to their parents' place until he fully recovered. The doctor advised him to stay at home and rest for a period of time before going back to the university.

"You're in a good mood, Sir." Miles, the house butler, greeted Alex down the hallway.

"I am, Miles." Alex patted the old man on the shoulders as he continued on his way. He just came from Olivia's. They made love several times until they got the chance to talk and learn more from each other. Although Olivia doesn't remember much, Alex found her a good conversationalist. It is something he never saw in her before maybe because they always fight over the issue of the monarchy. But past is past, and Alex is slowly opening up to change now that he loves Olivia. He'd stretch the mile for her if that's what it takes. So he dropped by his parents' house not only to see how Nick is doing, but also to talk to his father and ask for forgiveness.

"By the way, Sir. Your brothers are here as well. They are at the common room with your parents." Miles called out to him.

"Anything wrong, Miles?"

"You may ask your brother, Howie." Miles replied. Alex nodded, muttered his thanks and went to the common room. When he got there, he saw his brothers, except Nick, their parents and Adrienne, all sitting around.

"Am I interrupting a very important meeting?" He asked them. His wide smile received an exchanged looks between Kevin and Howie.

"Adrienne almost got into trouble earlier when Olivia's brother tried on harassing her." Howie said. "Luckily, Rich and Pete were there. Olivia's brother is currently detained in a police detachment right now."

"What do you mean?" Alex asked as he sat on one of the available chairs.

Adrienne drew a deep breath and began telling him what happened at the mall. "Then at the hospital, I overheard him and Olivia on a conversation involving you. Olivia didn't have amnesia. It's only her ploy to trap you and to get something from you, like your money." She finished.

"You're joking, Adrienne." Alex said in disbelief.

"I wished I am joking but it's true. Anastasia even heard them because we were together that time. We went there to see how she is because I met her before on Howie's birthday. I somehow knew her. But we were surprised when we heard the conversation. We didn't expect Olivia to be planning it against you." Adrienne felt her husband's grip on her hand as they saw that Alex is obviously skeptic about this.

"You're just telling me this to turn against Olivia."

"I think that we don't have to make an effort on that, AJ, do we? As far as we knew, you hate that woman." Kevin said.

"I used to hate her." Alex said.

"Have you forgotten that she's the reason why Nick has been in danger?" Benedique asked his son. "And she's the one who attacked you at your home months ago."

"Yes, those are true. But tell me, what's her motivation for all of these, aside from being an anti-monarchist?" Alex told everyone. There was silence, as nobody knows what to say. "Okay. In order for us to have a peace of mind, we'll investigate Olivia and her brother. And we'll start from that. Actually, grandma already did the initiative to hire someone to investigate." He told them as Kevin's phone rang.

"Grandma?" Howie glanced at their father. "Why?"

"Let's just say that she seriously doubt all about Olivia." Alex replied with a sigh.

"Brian? How is it going in France?" They all turned when Brian's name was mentioned. Brian went to France when a woman called him about Harry. Kevin glanced at the people around the room as he listened to what Brian is telling him on the other line. He gives his phone to his father.

"What happened?" Alex asked Kevin with sudden concern.

"Harry passed away. He died of leukemia." Isabella gasped aloud from that announcement. "Brian is crying when I talked to him."

"We'll pick you up there, Brian. Wait for us." They heard their father consoling Brian.



>> 26


























26

Mac grinned at the stupidity of the police of whom he successfully robbed off with the keys to his cell. He carefully walked down the hall to leave the place. He heard them talking about a basketball game on the TV and judging from the noise emanating somewhere in the police station, they must have been busy watching the game right now. No one would notice that the precious detainee would be escaping under their nose.

"Success, hahaha." Mac chuckled as he reached the back door and crept out silently, only to stop in front of a police officer. "Oops!"

"Freeze!" the police grabbed his gun from its place but Mac immediately countered attack by kicking him on his shin then ran towards the road. Panic-stricken, he didn't notice a truck coming down the road and hit him.



~~~



"Alex!"

Alex turned when he heard the person who called. He grinned wide when he saw Olivia coming towards him. She's holding a sword in hand as she crossed the grassy lawn. It was just yesterday since they last met and whatever it was that his family told him, he could not be mad at her. He still loves her and he will protect her from anything that his family will plan against her. Right now, everyone is busy as Brian gets home from France with his brother.

"I'm so glad to see you, Olivia." He opened his arms wide to welcome her but stopped when Olivia returned the gesture when she pointed the sword to him.

"What's the meaning of this, Olivia?"

"Mac is dead. That damn woman you called your sister-in-law had her in jail...." Olivia blinked twice as she stopped her tears from falling. "Fight me, Alex. I want to see your blood on my sword. I want revenge." She tapped her sword on the grassy earth and swings it on her side, readying herself to attack.

"No, Olivia. Let's not resort to this. It was Mac's fault. He harassed Adrienne." Alex said, although he drew his own sword swinging from his side. "Let's stop this and talk. We don't have to do this."

"We are going to do this!" There was the determination in her voice. They began walking in circles. Alex's bodyguards started towards them. "Don't you ever dare interrupt us!" Olivia glared at them then turned back to Alex. Everyone was silent and waited for the next seconds to happen between Alex and Olivia. The two began circling around, getting ready for another duel. Olivia's eyes narrowed and watched Alex's every move.

She gestured the sword towards Alex but he parried and turned it away. He didn't make any attempt for an attack. That was obvious. Olivia pressed harder but Alex kept warding off the sword from him. "Fight me!" Olivia cried aloud. Alex shook his head. She flashed her sword in and out, up and down but Alex kept on sidestepping, avoiding her attack. Olivia groaned in frustration as her sword met his. She kicked him in the stomach and they both stepped backwards.

"What's happening to you, Olivia? Let's not do this."

"You must die. You're the reason for all of my sufferings!" Olivia fought tears. She cannot do this either, but she has to. "Damn you, Alex." She lunged forward and almost missed Alex's arm by mere inches. But the sharp blade was caught by the whip of the wind enough to slice a piece of skin off his arm. Alex cried in pain.

"Dang it, Olivia! You asked for this!" Alex motioned his bodyguards to stay where they are when they moved to get close as he swings his sword from side to side and thrusts towards Olivia. But Olivia countered it with her own weapon and set it aside. Alex grinned as he gently parried against her, like he's just playing with her movements but quickly noted the sham movements she's making. He keeps his pace and his sword at the right point towards her. Metals clashing rang the grounds as the two continued. Alex deftly defied her every effort to plunge at him. Her hair swayed freely along her back and he'd never seen such a beautiful opponent in his life, and he dearly loves this woman.

"I love you, Olivia. Let's stop this and talk." He tried again but received a glare instead. "Damn! What's happening to you, Olivia? Is it really true that you had other plans on me, just like what my family has told me? Are you just after my money? Tell me, Olivia. Give me motivation to fight you with effort. You weren't married after all, were you? You don't really have amnesia." He swings the sword on the side, accidentally ripping off her sleeves. "Sorry, dear."

"I was Brendon vonKurt's fiancée." Olivia said. Alex's eyes grew wide when he heard that.

"The gold-digging actress he ditched?" He stopped in his ground but successfully avoided Olivia's attack with another meeting of his sword. He pushed her away. "That was you? Natalia Welles? Does this mean that you really don't have amnesia?" Brendon is his close friend of whom he met in the university, heir to a large shipping conglomerate.

"Yes, and I'm the gold-digging actress he ditched!" Olivia's nose flared in anger. "I was Natalia Welles, until you came along and interfered. Hah!" Olivia, with her hands on her swords, raised it and plunged it down on Alex. He saw her way of attacking, dropping down her defense.

"That wasn't the safe move, Olivia." Alex said as he bents down and swings his sword horizontally, causing a large wound across Olivia's abdomen.

"Aaah!"

Olivia stepped backward as her other hand held the slashed wound. Her hand was instantly covered with blood.

"You've done that to yourself, Olivia." Alex said. His breath ragged as he stared back at her. "And I didn't interfere. Charlene is Brendon's only love he's been looking for a long time. He gave up looking for her when he asked you to marry him. But I found Charlene and brought her back to him. It wasn't my fault that he's willing to give you up just to be with his true love. He only followed his heart." He watched as Olivia struggled to stand up straight and clasping tighter on her sword, which is the only thing she depends on to keep firm. "I'll take you to the hospital, Olivia. Let's stop this nonsense. I still love you. Start a new life with me."

"No!" Olivia hissed. She managed to give him a glare as she tried breathing hard. The wound hurts. She deserved it. "I'll leave and I never want to see you again."

"Don't leave. Let me help you."

"I don't need your pity!" Olivia said and felt very humiliated. The bodyguards went to get hold of Olivia but Alex stopped them.

"Let her go. Don't take her to the authorities." Alex said, a lump was formed in his throat and tried not to let the tears fall. It hurts so much that things must come to this. But he had to let go of the only happiness he will ever had. "Go, Olivia, before I change my mind."

Without any word, Olivia struggled to maintain a dignified walk out of the place. Alex followed him with a sad look, thinking that this will be the last time to see her. And he doesn't know if he could love anyone as much as he loves Olivia.



>> 27


























27

Alex stared hard at the earth on his feet as their cousin, Harry, is being laid down to rest. It's been almost a week since Brian broke the news about Harry's death.

Harry has lived in France, working as a curator among the number of museums there, far from the life he left behind in Arkadia as a prince and heir to an earldom. When Brian received a phone call from some woman, he immediately went to his brother only to realize that Harry was dying of leukemia. He went to France in hopes of saving his brother. But it turned out to be very much late. Harry passed away three days later and the younger brother took him home and to bury him at the family mausoleum.

Alex looked up when he heard his mother sniffed beside his father. Harry has been a dear to everyone. They lost someone special in the family. He caught sight of Harry's widow, Leighanne, weeping silently beside Adrienne and Howie. They were surprised to learn that Harry managed to get married a week before he died, on a very critical condition which has left Brian very doubtful over the two's relationship. Alex noticed Brian's indifference towards his sister-in-law. He couldn't even look at Leighanne for a long time and when he did, there was always an icy glare emanating from those blue eyes. It seems odd, since Brian tends to like everyone.

He remembered Olivia, wondering where she is now. He went back to her apartment after their fateful duel but unfortunately, he never found her there except for a note addressed to him. She left and never wanted to see him again.

"Harry's in God's hands now...." He heard Nick comforting their mother, who was being embraced by their father. Alex wiped his own tears as he watched Leighanne crying over her dead husband. He wanted to keep off the sadness and the emptiness he's feeling but every one around is sad. Even he is feeling very sad, not only for Harry's passing away but from missing Olivia. Tears streamed down his face as he bit his lower lip. He's in his cousin's funeral but he's thinking of another person. Olivia. She doesn't want to see him. He knew that she really walked out of his life.

For good.



~~~



Olivia immediately wiped her tears as she remembered Alex, and her brother, once again. It was all her fault why Mac died. If not for her hunger for wealth and power, none of this would have happened. She wouldn't have met Alex and fall really in love. She shouldn't be feeling the way she feels right now. And it isn't right, no matter how well she knew that Alex also felt the same way. She's done much for their family, challenged him on that dangerous duel which has left her wounded and she doesn't even know how she could face him. All she wanted to remember is his loving face looking deep in to hers. She wanted that face to be the only one to linger on her mind, not an angry face. She has to leave. She wanted to start anew, without Alex in her life.

The lightning struck the heavens as she made her way towards the countryside. Great, the weather is coming along with the emotions she has inside. The sky is going to cry, she thought sadly. Soon enough, rain began to pour. Tears began falling down once again. And memories started to dwell.... metals clashing, sword fights, Alex in front of her in school, dark lights in a club, Alex's lips on hers, a confrontation at the hospital, Alex's smile as they made love, his warm embrace, his kisses on her body, his loving words as they fought for the last time.

Suddenly, bright lights coming her way blinded Olivia. And the next thing she knew, everything is going black....



THE END



Find out what will happen after Olivia was gone out of Alex's life... on the next stories of the MONARCHY Series