Prologue

Howie saw his brother Kevin walking down the hall. He happily smiled at him. The fourteen-year-old greeted Kevin. "Hi, Kev. Alex and Brian are setting up the plastic swords downstairs. Wanna join us for the sword game?"

Kevin frowned. "Where's Nick?"

"Mama took him to visit with her in a children's home. I bet they're going to be there all day. Nick loves to play around a lot of kids." Howie winked. He followed his brother as Kevin walked ahead.

"Have you seen Aunt Monique? Is she here or in Bordeaux?"

"Nope. I haven't seen her. Come on, Kev. Let's play."

Kevin frowned again. He's becoming irritated of Howie's presence. "I'm too old for that. I'm sixteen. And I don't want to play," He glared at his brother, "especially with you."

Howie stopped. "Is there anything wrong? Have I done something to anger you, Kev?"

Kevin stared at him. "No." He didn't want to admit that he is threatened by Howie's presence in the family. Howie is only adopted and in the laws of Arkadia, it doesn't matter. He is eligible to succeed on the throne like any of King Benedique's sons and Kevin is aware of his brother's capability as a leader and his responsible nature even at their young age. Aside from that, he charmed his way to the Arkadians that some say they wanted him more to be the king than Kevin.

It fears Kevin as he wanted to rule in the legacy of his father and it complicates more when he found out something in his father's office. While looking for a reference book, he found an old record book instead. It indicates the births, marriages and deaths in their family which dates back to the early 14th century. It's a priceless treasure that no one knows about. He saw the names of his ancestors, his own name, Howie's and the rest of the family.

But what struck him most is the name of a person he doesn't know which existed. It's a name that was written before him, has the same birthday like his and has his mother's name: Anna Isabella. He began to make assumptions. It must be a secret to his birth and it only threatens his succession even more.

He found out something that his parents must be keeping from him and if the government finds out about it, it will question his eligibility to succeed the throne. If that happens, Howie will surely be the next absolute candidate as the future king of Arkadia.



>> 1

1
Benedique grew fond of his grandchildren. He tried to accommodate them as much as he could in Eastwood Mansion, his home with Isabella ever since they stepped down as the ruling monarch of Arkadia. His grandchildren spent more of their time together in Bordeaux Castle where Alex's family lives, and Nick's family too, whenever they were at home for vacation. That was where he also set up his new office, so that he can be near the kids.

There was a knock on the door and he saw his eldest grandsons, Mark and Scott, entering his office. Mark, Nick's eldest son, will be leaving with his father next month to live in Florida in America. Yvonne, Nick's wife, gave birth three months ago to a baby girl they named Yves. Nick decided to take his family to the US to live a normal life and away from the scrutiny of the media.

"You called for us, grandpa?" Mark asked Benedique. The two boys sit down on the couch and their attention was focused on a crystal chess board on top of the coffee table. They began messing around with it.

Benedique smiled and placed back a thick, worn-out book on the bookshelves. Scott, who looks like his father when Kevin was a kid, curiously turned to it. So does Mark, who on the other hand, looks like his father too.

"What's in there, grandpa?" Scott asked. "That's a pretty interesting book."

"Oh, it's just some very old book that my great grandfather used to own." Benedique explained.

Mark and Scott looked at each other. "Aren't you coming with us, grandpa, to Florida?" Mark asked Benedique. "You promised that you will come and see the new house." Mark is Nick's son to Kayla Murdock, the woman he got pregnant with when he's only sixteen. Kayla chose to hide the secret of her pregnancy from them because Nick was so young then and there's the media to consider. Nine years later, Kayla went back to entrust Mark to his father. She was diagnosed of brain cancer and only got a little time to live. When she died, Nick took everything in his power to have Mark be recognized by the Bordeaux clan and bear the family's name.

His grandfather nodded. "Of course. I will come with you. I want to see that you will be living in a good place. And we will go to some of the beaches there."

Scott looked at the two. "I want to come along too and go to the beach but Daddy said that I need to go back to school next month."

"Your father is right, Scott." Benedique smiled down to his seven-year-old grandson. "You need to go back to school." He took something from his pocket. "Anyway, the reason why I called you is because a good friend of mine gave me tickets to see Disney on Ice. I want you to distribute this to your cousins and we will go tonight to see the show. How is it?"

Mark and Scott excitedly take a look at the tickets. "Baylee will surely be glad to hear about this. He's been asking his dad to take him but Uncle Brian left for France and won't be back until tomorrow."

"So does David." Scott reached out to hug his grandfather. "Thank you, grandpa."

Mark looked up to his grandfather. "I hope Yves can come with us but she's still too young. Did you know what, grandpa? Dad said that he wanted to have twins after Yves. I think that's a great idea. You know, like Aunt Monique and Aunt Michaela."

Benedique paused and stared at his nine-year-old grandson. He only nodded in reply. He knew that detail. Their family can bear twin offsprings as part of their genes and Nick clearly wanted to have twins. No one knew in his family that he and Isabella had a secret that they kept for so long. A secret that will create a big deal of a problem for everyone once they learn about it. A secret that may betray Kevin's trust to them. He couldn't bear to break his family apart and it scares him. He didn't know when he will have the courage to tell everyone the secret of Kevin's birth.



~~~



"I particularly liked the character of Miss Hannigan. I think she's really funny," Nick remarked as he, his brothers and Brian were on their way out of the theater. They just got through watching the musical play, Annie. Alex is the only one missing since he's on a vacation with his wife, Olivia and their daughter, Jamie.

"I like the actress who played Grace," Kevin said. "She has a wonderful voice and she played the role very effectively."

Howie nodded. "Ayesa? I like her too. You know, she reminded me of Mama while I was watching her on stage earlier." They stopped when the press people welcomed them as they got out of the theater. The media began asking them about their comments on the play as well as some other political matters. They didn't have a choice but to stay and try to answer the queries as they could. Kevin glanced at the posters beside him as the reporters bombarded him with questions regarding his plans of renovating the Bordeaux Castle. He caught sight of the woman who played Grace and smiled. He'd like to watch again and he will bring his family with him. Cristin will be thrilled since she loves musical plays.

"Yes, Ayesa. She also reminded me of Mama." Kevin answered Howie as he looked at his brother. He turned back to the reporter. "The renovation is needed in Bordeaux because we need to change the wooden floors among the rooms in the second floor." He said.

"How's your newborn baby, Sir?" the reporter asked again. Cristin just gave birth to their second child.

"My son is healthy, thank goodness," Kevin smiled. "I'm planning to make a baby girl soon and after that, I think it's enough." The reporter shared a laugh with him.

Howie grinned at his brother's reply. On the other hand, he is being interviewed about Adrienne's latest novel and her battle against plagiarism with a new author. Even though they were no longer royals, the media never get tired of them. They seemed to be still interesting for them. For the former royal family, it was still part of their day's work.

Howie glanced to the poster and once again, Ayesa reminded him of their mother, Isabella.





>> 2

2

'Wanted: Female Chief Executive Assistant for a Kreizigian company. Send in your comprehensive resume along with your one whole body picture through email at rbrown@stkarlcastle.gov.kz. We will only respond to qualified applicants.'

"This is anonymous enough. Have this published." Prince Dominique commanded and gave the paper to his personal secretary-cum-confidante, Roger Brown. He looked at his old friend, who never moved from where he is standing. "Roger, do I sound desperate that I really have to do this?"

Roger glanced at the paper then back to him. "Honestly, yes, Your Royal Highness. Why don't you just select from any one of your girlfriends or find a woman to love instead of hiring someone to do the job?"

"You knew it, Roger. I don't want to be seriously tied down in marriage. I just need to do this so that I can succeed on my father's throne. The doctors informed me that father only had about three months to live. No one knew that yet and I don't want to arouse any suspicion that I'll only marry to inherit the throne."

"But that's exactly what you're planning, Sir."

"I don't want my cousin, Anthony, to succeed on the throne." Dominique said. Since he is the king's only son, the second heir was his uncle but the king's brother has been dead for ten years thus becoming his uncle's eldest son, Anthony, the next heir. His cousin has been three years married. He, on the other hand, is already nearing his mid-thirties and yet, he's still a bachelor. That makes everyone speculate that the throne will be inherited by Anthony. He doesn't want that to happen. He knew Anthony for many years and his cousin will only bring the kingdom to its downfall. Dominique will never let that happen.

Roger sighed. "And hiring a woman to be your temporary wife will solve your problem."

"Exactly," Dominique stood up from his executive chair and glanced outside. Through the glass windows, he can see the beautiful landscaped gardens of St. Karl Castle. He loves this place and the heritage he was born into and he will do anything in his power to maintain it in his lineage. "Deliver that advertisement to the newspapers, even in Arkadia and in France."

But still, Roger remained there. The prince turned to his most trusted employee. "What about love?" the older man asked.

Dominique smiled bitterly. "My parents have loved each other so much that they ended up hating each other into very much extent. I don't believe that love can be an ingredient to an effective marriage. I am a businessman and the future king of Kreizig. I don't believe in love."

Roger drew a deep breath. He wanted to knock some sense into the prince's head. Love is a wonderful gift. It's a special thing that one can have and can give to make the world a more beautiful place. He couldn't imagine not loving and not finding his wife, Ursula, and not marrying her. Prince Dominique clearly needs that kind of blissful love. More so, when he's deeply set into succeeding his father as the king of their country. He should have a lot of love to give so that he can effectively rule Kreizig. Roger's mission now has been doubled. For Dominique and for the country's sake, he's going to find the most suitable woman who may only temporarily be his wife but will permanently leave a mark that will affect Dominique and will change the way he looked at life and love.



~~~



Nick kissed his wife for the nth time. He came to their room, taking with him their daughter Yves who is sleeping soundly in his arms. Isabella followed inside and went to take her granddaughter from Nick. She caught sight of the baby's birthmark at the back, the same one that her children also have on their backs. Nick's son, Mark, also have the birthmark and he didn't even doubt if the kid isn't his real son from Kayla. So did Baylee, Brian's son. His mark erased the doubts that Diana exchanged Brian's son into another one when she kidnapped the child years ago. No one outside the family knew about the story of their birthmarks. It's a distinctive sign that one is closely blood-related to the Bordeaux royal heritage if they have one.

"I love you," Nick whispered to Yvonne.

"I love you, too." They kissed once again.

"Okay, enough of that for now. Your wife just gave birth and you already wanted to make another one." Isabella jested. Baby Yves cuddled closer to her grandmother.

"I want twins," Nick said, "It's in our genes so maybe I can take a chance on it." He winked at his wife and sits beside her. Yvonne laughed. But Isabella was caught in surprise by her youngest son's reply. It's in Benedique's genes to possibly have twins. There's Monique and Michaela and then, Harold, Brian's brother, who had a twin brother but died during birth. It runs in their family.

Nick noticed his mother grew silent. "Are you alright, Mama? You're pale."

Isabella shakes her head as she gives him back his daughter. "I'm alright, son. It must be the changing of weather, I guess."



~~~



Ayesa mentally calculated the medicines she needs to buy for her mother after she received her salary. She carefully tucked the money in separate portions in her wallet and inside her bag and gets ready to leave.

"You did a nice rendition of Grace on that play."

Ayesa looked up and saw Heather, a fellow stage actress and her rival for many roles she auditioned in the past. "Thank you. Coming from you means a lot to me," she sarcastically replied and stood up.

Heather held her arm when she passed by her. "If you think that you've already won that title role in Les Miserables, you're perfectly wrong. Be prepared to be turned down."

"I believe that Mr. Jones is looking for someone with the talent so, don't get all your hopes up, Heather." Ayesa shrugged her off and walked out of the dressing room. She saw her friend, Eliza, when she got out and holding a piece of white envelope in hand. She gave it to Ayesa.

"If you will only go to your rich relatives for help with your mother, you won't be having problems with money and working around with the likes of Heather. They might offer you a stable job, considering that you finished your studies." Eliza told her as they walked out of the theater together.

Ayesa shakes her head. "If King Benedique didn't step down, we're still probably getting what we deserve at the theater. But the new government imposed new tax laws and labor codes. It was better when the monarchy was still around."

"What can we do? King Benedique got tired of his duties," Eliza shrugged.

"Oh, I don't think he really gave up. I can understand if he's just worried of his family's safety." Ayesa told her friend as she opened the letter for her. "I attended a family reunion once and although I was never around them that much, I saw how interesting they can be. They are this interesting bunch of beautiful and rich people but were very kind as well. And they were very close. It's no wonder that King Benedique chose to participate in the abolishment for the safety of his family. And they seemed to be like any normal people. Still, no one can take away their regal personality. Even I was star-struck." Ayesa's mother is former King Benedique's third cousin and that's what makes them related to the former royal family. Although they are part of the family, they are not as rich as their distant relatives. Ayesa and her mother worked hard to get through their daily necessities. She opened the white envelope and paused when she reads the letter. A smile slowly dawned upon her face.

"Yeah, whatever you say. I admit, I like them too especially Prince Howie. Adrienne Chisolm is so lucky to be married to him." Eliza sighed. "What's that?"

"An invitation for a job interview." Ayesa replied. "I hope they will get me."

"You're really leaving theater?"

Ayesa nodded. "I need a fall back when everything else in this industry fails. I know you know that being a stage actress isn't a lifetime career."



>> 3

3

Roger wearily rubs the back of his neck as the next applicant came inside the boardroom. He looked at the woman from head to foot, certainly not the queen material he's looking for.

"I don't like her," a voice in his ear said. His boss, Prince Dominique, is situated behind him, beyond the one-sided glass walls where he can freely see and evaluate the potential wife he's looking for without being recognized and blowing their cover. He is discreetly seeking a stranger he can pay to be his temporary wife while he arranges his stable position in Kreizig monarchy.

"What makes you qualified for the position you applied for as a Chief Executive Assistant?" Roger began to ask. Chief Executive Assistant! That's the most ridiculous representation of a wife he'd ever encountered. The prince is clearly making all of this fuss strictly business. "Care to tell me about yourself, Miss Theroux?"

The woman, who has soft black hair, smiled first. "I'm Amelia Theroux and I'm from Nice, France. I'm a model and also a graduate of Accounting..."

"I don't want her." Dominique hissed in Roger's ear as the woman continued. His secretary made a simple turn to the glass wall, trying not to glare at the prince. Amelia Theroux continued talking.

"Do you consider an idea of marrying a royalty?" Roger continued, ignoring the stubborn voice.

Amelia smiled wider. "Maybe, if Prince Brian of Arkadia wasn't married yet. But seriously though, no. I don't want that kind of life." She paused. "Is the question related to the job?"

Roger quickly shakes his head. "No. I just thought about it. Anyway, are you willing to relocate in case you get hired?"

"Yes, absolutely."

Roger nodded as he scribbled down on his trusted notepad. "Alright. I'll run over your application, Miss Theroux, and we will call you back for a final interview, just in case." He stood up to shake her hand but the woman immediately left the boardroom. When she's gone, Roger turned to glare at the glass wall. "I got your message, Your Royal Highness. I just have to be considerate on every woman's effort to come here for the interview."

"You know my type, Roger. And that woman looks like she doesn't have the character to temporarily be my queen."

"You're obviously hoping for a love at first sight, Sir." Roger pointed out.

"No, I go by my intuition."

"That's a woman's job, Your Royal Highness," Roger replied. When he heard the prince laughed, he couldn't help but grin in return. He can't be mad at this one for long. He sees Dominique like his own son but unlike his son Joshue, this one never listens to him. Dominique is the most stubborn person he knew. "Well, that's the last woman. We're flying to Arkadia tonight."

"Yes, thank you. Arkadia is like my second home. I'm looking forward to see my best mate, Kevin. I haven't seen him since Scott was christened. Do you think my godson will like the gift I bought for him?"

"Young Scott will surely love the scooter, Your Royal Highness."



~~~



Howie entered the house and his butler, Horace, greeted him. He caught sight of his two kids, David and Ava, running around upstairs. "Is Adrienne already home?"

"Not yet, Sire. Miss Adrienne told me that she will be at the publishing house in the morning and then will be having dinner tonight with Mr. Ted Laxe." The English butler replied.

"Oh, yes, I remember that," Howie muttered although in fact, Adrienne didn't tell him the part about having dinner with Ted Laxe. He went upstairs. When he reached the hall, he heard the kids playing around somewhere. "David? Ava?"

"Daddy!"

Howie saw his little girl coming out from her brother's room and followed by David. They ran towards him, their arms opened wide. It wasn't as if they didn't saw each other for long when they just parted ways in breakfast this morning. "How are my angels, huh?" He kissed and hugged each of them.

"Uncle Brian and Baylee dropped by to give us a can of cookies from Aunt Aya." Ava excitedly said as Howie scooped her up.

"That's great. Did you leave some for me?"

"Only a little was left. She almost ate it all while Baylee and I were on the pool." David said. Howie knelt down on the carpeted floor. "Where's Mommy?" his eldest asked.

"Mommy is still at work. The three of us will be having dinner without her for tonight." Howie puts down Ava and told them to go ahead to the dining room. When the two were gone, he called his wife. Adrienne answered on the fifth ring. "You didn't tell me that you won't be having dinner here, sweetie." He walked towards their room. "The kids are looking for you."

"Oh, sweetie. I'm sorry I forgot." He heard Adrienne sighed. He turned the speakerphone on as he changed clothes. Adrienne continued. "I left Horace some instructions for the kids' nanny before I left earlier. This is an important meeting, Howie. Ted is going to host my next book at the forthcoming international book fair next month. He will help me promote it as well."

Howie shakes his head. "Sweetie, you know that you can always count on me to support you on your books." He said. He turned off the speaker and placed the phone near his ear again. "I'm sure that this is just another one of your father's schemes to pull us apart." Ted Laxe has been Adrienne's boyfriend and it makes Howie jealous although he knew that there's really nothing to be jealous about. But his wife will be having dinner there with him tonight, instead of spending time with him and their kids.

"Howie, enough. Look, I admit that Dad recommended Ted to me but I will not permit him to go between us. Now if you continue thinking that way, it's not my problem anymore. You got to have trust, Howie, and stop being jealous." And with that, his wife hung up on him.

Howie sighed and wearily sits at the edge of the bed. How did she know that he's jealous? He doesn't like what's happening between him and his wife. Since they became private citizens, Jacques Chisolm has been trying to separate them. Howie now understand what Kevin knew all along about Adrienne's father: that Jacques is a social climber who's only concern is the extravagance that Howie's family could influence him and his political stature. But since they were no longer royals, he started his mission to separate Adrienne and Howie as the latter was no longer a prince. It had to end. Howie should do something that he's supposed to do a long time ago, as advised by Kevin. He will expose Jacques and his true skin.

But he shakes his head. It will affect his children's relationship with their grandfather and he doesn't want that either. His musings were interrupted when his mobile phone rang. It's his father calling on the other line. "Pa?"

"We need you, Howie. Your grandmother has died."



>> 4

4

Ayesa sadly read the front page headlines of the newspapers on the news stand. Former Queen Mother Marguerite is dead. She died of old age and left her entire family, and some people of Arkadia, mourning for the loss. She's mourning too since the former queen was a distant relative up to the third degree. Aside from that, she met Marguerite many times and the old lady was her fan. Marguerite loved the musical plays especially where Ayesa is in the lead role. She also sponsored the theater during its financial turmoil. For Arkadia, they lost a woman who deeply loves Arkadian culture and music, and an advocate of peace and international trade and tourism industry. For Ayesa, she lost someone who's almost like her own grandmother.

Ayesa takes one copy of the daily paper and paid the person selling it. As she walks down the block, everyone's attention turned to the convoy passing by the main road. She saw former prince Alex inside the car and sitting beside him is his family. It's no secret that Alex is Marguerite's famous grandson and she took pride in showing it to everyone. And everyone knew when she opposed to Alex's engagement with Olivia before until they came into good terms and fully welcomed Alex's wife into the family. Olivia became Marguerite's favorite in-law because of her husband.

With what happened, Alex must have cut off his vacation with his wife and while the former royal family started to gather for the loss of the beloved matriarch, Ayesa continued on her way towards The Ritz Hotel for her job interview. A few minutes later, she is already at the lobby outside the Treixe Conference Room where she found quite a number of applicants who were probably vying for the same position. She bit her lower lip. She needs to give her best shot.

A man, probably in his late 50's, went out of the conference room and collected their resume. When he's back inside, Ayesa sits beside a redhead and smiled. "Hi, I'm Ayesa..."



~~~



"I like her."

Roger shakes his head. "Definitely not, Your Royal Highness. You've been telling that to me so many times since that woman came inside. You even wrote it in your notepad." He tapped Dominique's notepad as the prince is only sitting beside him. The prince is wearing dark shades, a collared shirt and khaki pants, and a beard on his face. No one can tell that he's the crown prince of Kreizig.

"That's a bad sign, Roger?"

"Yes, sir. You liked her physically and that's not a good thing. There will be possibilities that you might get her pregnant and that will complicate your situation. You've already decided to name your favorite nephew, Drake, to be your heir when you become king." Roger said and studied the next resume. "Let's find out if this next woman is Arkadia's best candidate, shall we?"

As if on cue, a woman came inside and smiled confidently to them. She takes her time to shake their hands and went to sit on a vacant chair opposite their table. "Why did you buy today's newspaper, uh," Dominique looked down on her paper, "Miss Pierre?"

"The death of former Queen Marguerite is in today's front page, Sir. I liked her very much and I want to know the details on where her wake is going to be. I want to go and pay my last respects." The woman replied.

"Introduce yourselves to us," Roger said, taking alternate glances from his boss then back to the woman. Hmmm.

"My name is Anna Isabella Pierre. I am commonly called as Ayesa. I'm a theater actress and I've played several character roles from famous plays. I'm also a graduate of Management in Athenaeum University, the same school where former prince Howie has gone to, but I liked arts and music so much that I pursued with the career in theatre."

"I assumed that you applied for this position because you need to have an extra income, Miss Pierre. We need to remind you that this is an overseas job and you need to relocate in case you get hired. What are you going to do with that? Are you going to give up theatre?" Roger peered through his reading glasses. He looked at her from head to foot.

"I admit that I need an extra income but aside from that, I also wanted to have a permanent work other than being an actress. There's no assurance that I can stay that way forever. As much as I love arts and music, I need a fall back when all else failed. I want to use whatever I've learned in school to pursue another career." Ayesa replied as she looked from one man to another.

"Any boyfriend or husband that may influence you on your decision to work?"

"There's none."

"Any plans of getting married?"

"Absolutely. Someday, that will happen." Ayesa answered and watched the older man continued taking notes on her resume. Then she felt the stare of the other man.

"Do you believe in love?"

That question made the other man straightened from his seat. "Yes, sir. Of course, I do. Is that related to the job?" She grinned, trying to ease the feeling of tension that is starting to build up within her.

"No," Roger laughed, "definitely not."

"Never," Dominique seconded. "Are you willing to relocate? The job is going to be in Kreizig."

"It's fine with me as long as that what will make me more effective and productive to my job. I can handle pressure as well. I know that with a clear presence of mind and understanding, I can surpass any difficulties I may encounter in order to get the job done." Ayesa turned to the younger man who coughed.

"Okay, Miss Pierre," Roger glanced for a moment to his companion then back to her, "to give you a background, we are based in Kreizig. It's a small island kingdom located at the Bay of Biscay, west of Arkadia. The people have Arkadian and Germanic roots which can be traced back to the sixteenth century. Anyway, if you will be short-listed, you will be going to work on a one year contract, a very competitive salary, monthly allowance and free meals and accommodation."

"That's interesting," Ayesa smiled. She followed when the men stood up. She shook hands with them once again.

Dominique looked at her resume. "You missed out your middle name. What is it?" He looked at her, pen ready in hand.

"Bordeaux, sir." Ayesa replied. "Thank you for your time and I hope I can get a consideration." The two men watched as she leaves the room.

"Sure, you do." Roger said as he sits down and writes something on Ayesa's resume. The prince looked over.

"Hired? Roger! I don't like her. I think I should be the one deciding on this since I'm the one who'll marry her, not you." Dominique protested.

"You don't like her? Why?" Roger was amused upon seeing Dominique's red face. "She has character, she has grace. She seemed to have the spirit as a temporary queen. You need a woman like that. She may understand your contract and you won't be having problems with her because she's smart. Besides, she's an actress. She can make anyone believe that you're too in love to get married immediately."

"I still don't like her."

"And she's beautiful."

"Will you stop matchmaking me, Roger? Let's get this done and over with. I still have to drop by Bordeaux to visit Queen Mother Marguerite." He's so irritated and it grows more when his personal secretary grinned wider.

"Her middle name is Bordeaux. Only the former royal clan have that name." Roger pointed out.

"She has a royal blood?"

His secretary only shrugged.



>> 5

5

Ayesa carefully assisted her mother as Helena sits down on a soft chair after they viewed the remains of former Queen Mother Marguerite. Almost everyone in the family and distant relatives were there to pay their last respects to the family matriarch. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, the late King Edward at the family mausoleum, in the gardens of Bordeaux Castle.

"Helena..."

The two looked up and saw Cassandra, Helena's cousin. She's a former duchess, Benedique's first cousin, who's one of the people who opposed to the abolition of the monarchy. But when everything in the family has been settled, she began to accept that they were really no longer royals. Ayesa smiled to her aunt, the person who helped her get through school. Cassandra supported them when they were in need. "How are you?" she asked Helena.

"I'm fine, thank you. My daughter, Ayesa, is taking good care of me."

They all turned when Isabella approached their seats and she's looking at Ayesa. There's a slightly different expression on the former queen's face but immediately followed it with a smile. "Good evening."

Ayesa smiled shyly. "Good evening, Ma'am." She stood up to make way for the former queen to join the older ladies. She excused herself and left them who are now caught up in a conversation. Helena started telling some sort of a story to the two women. Ayesa walked out of the chapel just in time to see the new arrivals. She recognized the man who interviewed her yesterday. He must be a rich businessman to be acquainted with Kevin and Howie who welcomed him. A man emerged from the car and recognized him as Prince Dominique of Kreizig. She knew that he is Kevin's close friend. Ayesa stepped aside but Roger saw her. He only smiled and slightly bents his head towards her way in a simple greeting. The newcomers made their way inside the chapel.

"You knew Roger Brown?"

Ayesa turned around and saw Alex. He's wearing dark shades and she knew that he's hiding his eyes that are probably red from crying. "Not really, Alex."

Alex nodded. "Roger is Dominique's personal secretary. Anyway," he cleared his throat, "my brothers told me that you've done great justice in portraying another good role in a new play. I should watch Les Miserables soon."

"Thank you. I didn't know that you're my fans," she grinned. "You can still watch the last show of Annie tomorrow."

"I wanted to but I can't leave grandma." Alex cleared his throat. Ayesa noticed how he grieved so much for the loss. She placed a hand on her cousin's shoulders. "Maybe sometime, you can sing with us during one of the family gatherings. We've been trying to get you before but you're always busy with your rehearsals. Marc told us about your job at the theater. Do you play any instrument?"

"Only the piano."

"Just like Kevin." Alex saw his brother, Nick. "Nickolas, Miss Grace is here." Ayesa chuckled when he referred to her as the character she portrayed in Annie. The blonde man approached them, bringing along Mark with him. The two didn't look like father and son. They looked more like as brothers.

"Ayesa," Nick kissed her on the cheeks. Mark kissed and shook her hand. What a polite boy, Ayesa thought affectionately. "Will you sing 'Tomorrow' for me?" Nick asked her. She tried not to laugh aloud when he began to sing as well. "The sun will come out... tomorrow..." Mark chuckled.

Alex smiled as he shakes his head. "Oh, come on, Nick. We're in grandma's wake." He pushed Nick away. "Excuse me, Ayesa. I just have to spank this naughty boy." They walked away, followed by Mark who is amused by his father's craziness. At least for a while, Nick made his brother smile. Ayesa watched them go towards a hallway.



~~~



Kevin's brows furrowed. "Are you sure? Is that the only solution?" He watched as his friend, Dominique, drinks his brandy. Their friend, Keith, shakes his head while Brendon, another one of their friends, only remained silent. They are gathered inside a study room in Bordeaux Castle while the rest of the family is at the chapel for Marguerite's wake.

"Marriage is a commitment and a very serious matter," Keith added. The five of them, including Howie who just came inside the room, gathered together to talk about Dominique's dilemma.

"What's the problem?" Howie asked.

"Dominique's father only had three months left to live. The media didn't know it yet and it's pressuring him to find a temporary wife so that he will inherit the throne or else, Anthony will succeed as the next king." Keith explained to him.

"We have laws that only a married man can become king. I'm the heir apparent but I'm not married -"

"Wait, a temporary wife?" Howie interrupted Dominique. "You're getting yourself into trouble, Dominique."

"We try to put some sense in him," Kevin said. Brendon, the shipping magnate and Olivia's ex-boyfriend before she met Alex, still remained silent.

"Are you going to marry any of your girlfriends?" Keith asked.

Dominique shakes his head. "That will be more complicated. I already found a woman who might agree with my terms. Anyway, it's only a year."

"Who is she?" Howie asked.

"Your distant relative, Ayesa."

Both Kevin and Howie stood up at the same time. "Ayesa? No way, Dominique!" Kevin's instinct turned to be overprotective towards Ayesa.

Dominique smiled despite the Kevin's raging appearance. He stared at his glass of brandy. "I'm going to watch her musical play tomorrow. I bet you, it's going to be her last. I'm going to take her as my wife and bring her home to my country." He was surprised when Kevin is suddenly in front of him and grabbed the collar of his shirt. He accidentally dropped the glass of brandy. "Shit! Kevin!"

"Kevin!" Howie called by surprise at his brother's reaction.

"You're not going to use my cousin, Dominique!" The other men pulled Kevin away from the prince.

"Chill, Kev. I know you're overprotective but you have no choice now. I'm going to hire her. I conducted a job opening and she applied for it. She passed the interview. Roger chose her among the rest and he must have sent a letter to inform her about it now. Realizing that she's your relative, she's more eligible to pose as my wife for a year until I'm through with my ordeal."

"Fuck!" Kevin tried to grab his friend again but the others gripped him tighter.

"This is not good, Dominique." Howie stood between them. "Did Ayesa consent on your plans? Did she really know what she'll be going through?"

"No but I'll make sure that she will."

"I'll make sure that she won't."

That last retort from Kevin brought Dominique to the end of his patience. But Howie stopped him before he can reach his brother. "Stop it, kids!" Brendon's voice boomed inside the study. He stood up from his seat and gave his two friends a smack at the back of their heads. "You're idiots, especially you!" His calm yet firm voice told Dominique. "How dare you use women like that as if they're just things you will discard once you don't need them anymore?"

"You're just like me, Brendon," Dominique snapped.

"I probably was, until I married Charlene. I'm not like you. You're heartless and selfish. And you," Brendon turned to Kevin, "if I didn't know you better and knew how much you love your wife, I'm going to think that you have an eye for your cousin, your distant relative! Goodness, Kevin! A third cousin but she's still family!"

"It's not like that," Kevin reasoned out. Brendon and the others only glared at him. The five of them looked at each other as silence overwhelmed them. They released their hold from Kevin and Dominique. "I'm not getting back on my word." Kevin said. "You're not going to use Ayesa. Find some other woman you can fool with but not her."

"I know you've been through a dilemma that is almost like this, Kevin," Dominique drew a deep breath. "I'm keeping my legacy and I will take any odds just to see that it will happen. Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt Ayesa. I'm planning to be celibate as well." He received a glare and a muttered curse from Kevin and later on, he watched his friend walked out of the study. Howie went to follow his brother.

"What happened there, Kevin?" Howie asked as he kept his pace with the older man.

"You know what happened, Howie. I told you before the reason why I felt threatened that you can be the next king. You know my fear. Aunt Monique wasn't the only one who convinced me that you're a threat. You know that. You're not the only threat that I had then. I confessed everything to you, in private, on the night you told us that you found your real mother." Kevin quietly replied as they walked down the long hallway of Bordeaux Castle. His brother took his arm to stop him.

"Did you prove something from your speculations, Kevin?"

Kevin looked around to check if anyone is in the hall but only he and Howie are there. "It aroused my curiosity about it. You saw the book when I showed it to you. I made my own investigation in such a long time and I'm still looking for the missing puzzle, Howie. I want to reach the end of this." He placed his hands on Howie's shoulders. "I want to know the truth about my birth and who is Anna Isabella. I want to know if I have a twin. I want to know if she and Ayesa are one and the same. And I'm not going to let Dominique use her for his convenience."



>> 6

6

Mark and Scott looked at each other. Naughty grins crossed their faces as they saw their elders gathered inside the chapel. "Are you ready?" the elder one asked Kevin's son.

"But what if we get caught?" Scott's eyebrows come together in deep worry.

Mark drew a deep breath. "I've thought about it too, Scott."

"But that book is pretty interesting..." Scott whispered and grinned once again. They started towards the hall when they heard David calling them. "Ssshh."

"Where are you going?" Howie's six-year-old son asked his cousins.

Mark and Scott looked at each other. Then they pulled the little kid behind the large drapes. "We're going to sneak inside grandpa's office." Mark whispered.

"Why?" David whispered back.

"There's this large book that grandpa is keeping in the shelf." Scott said in a low voice. "We wanted to see what's in it because grandpa never told us about it. He's keeping a secret."

David's eyes widened. "Grandpa's keeping a secret?"

"Ssshh!" Mark covered David's mouth. They hid themselves further behind the thick drapes. "Wanna join us?" David only nodded. The three carefully peeked outside the drapes and when found that the hallway is empty, they quickly ran down the hall towards Benedique's office. They found the office immediately and went inside. Just in time, Kevin and Howie turned down from the corner and they missed the three boys sneaking inside their father's office. Inside, Scott and David watched as Mark reached out to get the thick book.

"Careful, Mark." Scott whispered anxiously. When their cousin got the book, they huddled together on the carpeted floor as they looked at the contents of the book. "This is only some bunch of records with lots of people's names."

"Not just names, Scott. Look, Alexander the Noble; Born in 1642, King of Arkadia, 1670." Mark read. They turned the pages and saw more names of their royal ancestors. "Prince Martin of Theo; Born in 1860. He's the national hero, isn't he?"

Scott nodded. David continued to look on. "Maybe, this book indicates the names of our family. Maybe, our names are here too. Maybe on that day that we saw grandpa with this, he just wrote Christopher's name." he said, referring to his newborn baby brother.

"Or Yves' name," Mark continued scanning the pages. He's looking for his name. He turned to the last written pages and scanned backwards. Indeed, Christopher's and Yves' names are there along with their birthday. And then he saw his name. His eyes blurred to tears at the sight of his name, Mark Nickolas. His grandfather thoughtfully penned down his name in the family records even though they only learned about him recently. He appreciates the gesture. This family loves him as much as he does. Scott and David found their names too. Then they began looking for themr fathers' names and found it. When they found Scott's father's name, Mark read a name placed above Kevin's. Anna Isabella, October 3, 1971. She has the same name as their grandmother. "Who's this?" They looked at each other.

Scott shrugged. They heard faint footsteps outside. They quickly closed the book and returned it to the shelf. They scrambled towards the back of the big couch and silently listened for the footsteps but they're gone.

"Let's get out of here." David whispered. His cousins agreed and carefully went out of the office and back to the chapel.



~~~



Ayesa's eyes widened when she received a white envelope from a messenger. She immediately opened it and learned that Roger Brown hired her for the position she applied for. Realizing now that he is working for Prince Dominique of Kreizig, she is going to be one of the royal employees too. She's excited. This is going to be a new experience for her. She rushed towards her mother's room and saw her on a rocking chair and working on her embroidery.

"Mom! I got hired!"

Helena looked up. "That's good, my dear." Her daughter kissed and hugged her. Ayesa seemed very excited. "That will give you a permanent job than being a stage actress." She never approved of Ayesa's choice to act on theaters although she knew what a talented woman her daughter is.

"Yes. This will keep me busy for a while. Maybe if I get stable, I might try going back to theater." Ayesa sat at the edge of her mother's bed. Their family, although a distant relative to the royal family, wasn't rich enough to live a luxurious life in the society. They have to work to make a living and to support themselves. Ayesa grew up that way. Her father, an impoverished baron, died early of pneumonia and her mother has a weak heart. Helena had a mild heart attack once and she's lucky to be still alive and well. Her condition prevented her from doing anything that might stress her. Former Duchess Cassandra, her father's cousin, supported their family until she's old enough and graduated from the university to support her mother.

Ayesa tried to be a stage actress because of her love to the arts and music. The salary she received then was enough to support them until the monarchy was abolished and labor laws were changed. She struggled to work. Oddly enough that none of her parents could even make a music tune, she has the voice that can make one cry and has the talent to make good music. She used it to continue with her passion. Her soft blonde locks, beautiful ocean blue eyes and tall figure make the additional bonus. But realizing that she needs to venture in to another thing, she started looking for another job.

"What does the letter further tells you?" Helena asked her.

"Well," Ayesa looks at the piece of paper in hand, "it says here that I should go to the Kreizig Embassy on Friday at 10AM for briefing. Mom, this is a job abroad. I'm just worried that no one will be here to take care of you."

"Don't worry about me, Ayesa. You had enough of thinking about me. It's time to think about your own and do what you need to do."

Ayesa looked back to the letter once again. "I just hope that this job will change our lives, Mom."



>> 7

7

Kevin nodded to Howie when he saw his brother reached the area in the second floor of the Bordeaux Castle where renovations are going on. Howie followed his brother towards a dusty room which was formerly their parents' when they still weren't the ruling sovereigns of Arkadia. The room is empty. The furniture was already moved on the third floor at the west wing of the castle.

"What is it, Kev?" Howie wondered why his brother talked to him at the chapel earlier and wanted to show him something at the second floor. They discreetly left the chapel then.

Kevin bents down the wooden floor. Howie noticed that it was slightly raised and his brother takes something from it. "One of the contractors here informed me that they found something beneath. I immediately informed you so we can take a look at it together." He unearthed some sort of a dusty box. He looked at Howie first before opening it.

It amazed them to find assorted baby linens and clothing with matching embroidery. Their eyes widened at the discovery. At the bottom of the box, they found a small piece of paper pertaining to the merchandise ordered from an exclusive clothing shop in Theo.

"This proves your speculations, Kev..." Howie whispered and reads the date. "October 3, 1971. They must have ordered this just right after you're born. They weren't expecting that Mama would be having twins and immediately ordered some specialized linens for another baby."

"And these were purchased in Theo where I was born on that day." Kevin bit his lower lip as he clutched tightly on the small pieces of clothing. "But when she was kidnapped on the second day and never heard of her ever since, they decided to keep the memories here."

"What are your plans now?"

Kevin shrugged. "I honestly don't know what to do first, Howie. I wanted to make sure if Ayesa is our missing sister but we have to find a proof. And Dominique wants to marry her. That asshole," he muttered. He frowned deeply. "I want to talk with Papa in private but..."

"He's busy with everyone who's coming to grandma's wake downstairs." Howie finished for him. "This is not the good time to tell it. Grandma just died."

Kevin nodded. "Howie, what should I do?"

Howie doesn't know what to do either. But he also wants to find their sister. "How about if we go to Ayesa and try to ask her if she knew anything about this?"

"We may sound crazy, Howie."

"But at least we tried. What? Come on." His brother hesitantly followed him when they stood up. He can sense Kevin's insecurity over doing this, fearing for something he's been trying to know for a long time now. The box was carefully held in Kevin's hands as he intend to keep it along with the other proof he's been trying to collect for years. He wished he gets lucky this time around.



~~~



"Hi, Ayesa."

Ayesa turned around to see Kevin and Howie standing in front of her. "Uh, hi." She kissed each of them on the cheeks and smiled. "How are you?"

Kevin drew a deep breath. "We're doing just fine. We're still coping up with the loss."

"Yes, I understand. Grandma Margie has been a part of my life too. I looked up to her a lot." Her blue eyes saddened. Kevin studied her features. She reminded them of their mother but her features were far from Isabella's, as well as Kevin's if she's really his twin sister. But then, she's like the female and older version of Nick: blonde and blue-eyed just like their father when Benedique was young. "Is there something wrong in my face?" Ayesa asked him.

Howie simply nudged his brother. "We're just thinking that you often reminded us of our mother, that's why." He quickly replied.

"But I'm not brown-haired and certainly doesn't look like her," Ayesa smiled. "Anyway, thank you. Being a reminder of her is a compliment. Your mother is a very wonderful person."

"We even thought that you could be our missing sister." Kevin added.

"Like as if you had a sister," Ayesa chuckled. She turned when someone approached their group. It was Dominique. Kevin tried to hide his frown at this man's sudden presence. Why is he always in his way of plans?

"Good day," Dominique greeted in general but his eyes were on Ayesa. "Hello." Ayesa only smiled. Kevin hesitantly made the introductions while Howie only shakes his head. He's becoming irritated with Dominique. The prince won't stop when he's focused to do what he intends to be done.

"Dominique, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Ayesa Pierre." Kevin turned to the woman beside him. "Ayesa, this is Prince Dominique of Kreizig." He watched as the two shook hands. He had the urge to pull the prince away from Ayesa but it wasn't appropriate. It might even only create a scene. It's the least he wanted, most especially that they are in his grandmother's wake.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Pierre, or may I call you Ayesa?" The pretty boy even showed off his charms, Kevin thought in between gritted teeth.

"Miss Pierre would be fine, Your Royal Highness." Ayesa turned to the other two men and wondered why they seemed to be displeased by Dominique's presence. She thought they were good friends, weren't they?

"Call me Dominique, then." Dominique said, not noticing the mood of his two friends. "Roger informed me about your employment. I'm looking forward in seeing you again at the briefing on Friday. But tomorrow, I will surely be present at the theater to watch your play."

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness."

"Dominique."

Ayesa only smiled. "Pardon me, Sir, but I think I'm not in the position to call you by your given name. It wouldn't be appropriate. Please allow me to call you based on protocol, especially that I'll be working for you soon." Kevin and Howie exchanged looks.

Dominique stared at her for a moment, not believing that she can be stubborn even though they just met. Didn't she just refuse to call him by his first name? She's unbelievable! He glanced at Kevin and Howie. Oh, yes. He forgot. She's a member of this stubborn clan and can be just like her cousins. He turned back to Ayesa. "Alright, call me the prince then. I'm sorry if I've been trying to be too informal." Now, she made him apologize. Whoa! Hold it right there.

"It's fine, Your Royal Highness. I'm also looking forward in working with you." She shakes his hand once again. "Uh, I hope you'll excuse me, gentlemen. I need to see how my mother is doing." The three men only nodded and watched her go. Dominique turned to the brothers when he noticed their smirks.

"You should never forget that she's after all, our relative. She has the Bordeaux trait of ultimate stubbornness." Kevin smirked once again.

"You'll find it hard to convince her that she'll marry you temporarily." Howie added. Dominique frowned.

"Well, you should also remember that I'm the famous brat of my royal family. I will go towards any depths just to get what I want, and that includes marrying your cousin." It was his turn to smirk. "See you later, guys. I got some important matters to do."

"Asshole." Kevin muttered as the prince walked away.

Howie chuckled. "At least we're confident that Ayesa can't be easily charmed by any royalty. She has a mind of her own. She knows where her principles lie."



>> 8

8

Howie watched as the lawyers entered the Dawson Hall in Bordeaux Castle where they will hear about their grandmother's will. Five days after her death, Marguerite was laid down to rest earlier in the family mausoleum at the back of the Bordeaux Castle. The lawyers called for the immediate family to gather in the Dawson Hall for the reading of the will. Everyone in their family came inside, followed by Mark, Scott, Baylee and David who were running down the hall. David went to Adrienne.

"Daddy?" Ava whispered to her father. Howie turned to the little girl sitting on his lap. "Why does Uncle AJ cried a lot when we said goodbye to Grandma Margie?"

Howie drew a deep breath and met his wife's look. How can he explain death to a four-year-old little girl? Adrienne leaned closer to Ava. "Honey, because Grandma Margie is in heaven now and we won't be seeing her in a very long time. Uncle AJ is going to miss her that's why he's crying."

"And I won't be seeing her too?" Ava's eyes began to grow misty. Howie hugged his daughter.

"Hush. Don't worry, Ava. Grandma Margie is with the angels now. She's going to be fine where she is and she wants you to be a good girl." He kissed the top of his daughter's head. "You will do that for her, won't you?" Ava only nodded as she sniffed. Howie looked at his wife who only gave him a smile. They still haven't found time to talk with each other since Marguerite died. Howie wanted to stop any gap that may start to build between them. He loves his wife and they have to get through these things together.

The reading of the will has begun. Since she was a daughter of the late Duke of Ortho, Marguerite's family was wealthy and has properties of their own. Her own assets will be equally divided among her four children: Benedique, Philip, Monique and Michaela. She also left a trust fund for all her grandchildren. Meanwhile, an estate in Ridgewood, a town near Ortho, will be a common property for her great-grandchildren.

One of the lawyers, Atty. Birch, looked around the room before he takes a document in front of him. "Madame Marguerite also left a codicil, in lieu to being the eldest granddaughter in her family." He began to read the document. "As part of my family tradition, the ownership of the Westgrove Castle in Ortho will only be transferred to the eldest living granddaughter once the current owner has died. But in this case, the castle will temporarily be under the family's common property until Anna Isabella is found within a year. If everything else fails after a year, the ownership will be given to Anastasia, the next eldest granddaughter." Anastasia gave a look of confusion upon hearing the name of some person. Her husband, Luke, held her hand.

Isabella gasped aloud when she heard her mother-in-law's will. They never knew that Marguerite knew hers and Benedique's secret. After the lawyer finished reading the codicil, he gave a letter to Benedique. Mark and Scott, who sat together, exchanged surprised glances. Anna Isabella is the name of the person in the book written beside Scott's father.

"Who's Anna Isabella?" Philip asked, breaking the silence. Everyone is confused.

Howie glanced to Kevin and he cannot mistake the tears in his brother's face. They knew what is about to come. This is the moment of truth. After this, all they need to do next is to find out if Ayesa is their missing sister or there's somebody else. "You had a daughter? A missing daughter?" Monique asked.

Nick's mouth dropped open. He had a sister? He glanced at Kevin and it confused him why his brother is crying.

"We have a missing daughter," Benedique admitted, "but she was kidnapped." Isabella held his hand.

"How come we didn't know this?" Philip looked at his brother with concern.

Benedique drew a deep breath and cleared his throat. This is hard. "We didn't know how did Mama know about our secret but it was true." He looked at Kevin. "Her name is Anna Isabella and she's Kevin's twin sister."



~~~



There were gasps inside the room after Benedique's revelation. Even the lawyers couldn't hide their surprise. Mark and Scott gasped aloud and looked at each other. Benedique looked at Kevin and studied the expression on his eldest son's face. "You already knew, Kevin?"

Kevin's jaw clenched as he slowly nodded. His hand gripped his wife's hand tighter. "I somehow knew it in a very long time and I'm just waiting for you to say it. I had my speculations when I saw that old book and I began my own investigation. I'm almost done until this happened. Howie also knew." He glanced at his brother who just nodded in return. "If it wasn't for grandma's codicil, when are you planning to tell us?"

Isabella bit her lower lip. "We're truly sorry, son. It's been really hard for us to lose her."

"What happened to your daughter? Why was she kidnapped?" Michaela asked. Maybe there's a reason why her brother didn't tell them about their daughter.

"Anna was born two minutes older than Kevin," Benedique started. He drew another deep breath. He takes all his strength to tell them the painful memories. "Being a young prince then, I was scared when we found out that Isabella had twins. We were thinking about the conflict it would bring to Arkadia when there were twin heirs to the throne. But when we were just about to tell everyone about it, the babies were just one-day-old. Anna was found missing beside her brother's crib. We discreetly searched for her but failed. She's gone. It wasn't a kidnap for ransom. Apparently, someone learned about the twins and took one of them from us. We never heard of Anna ever since."

"We missed her so much that when we found Howie in the hotel in Puerto Rico, we didn't hesitate to adopt him. Through Howie, we gave our love and care that we should have given to Anna if she wasn't lost to us." Isabella added.

"You still wrote her name down beside mine on that thick book of yours," Kevin said.

"Yes, because she's still family. That book was passed on to me by my father to take note of the births, deaths and marriages in this family," Benedique met his son's look. Kevin is mad. He couldn't blame him for that. He opened the letter and read it aloud.



'Dear Benedique, A mother always has to know her children and I know, it's been bothering you for a very long time that you didn't have the courage to tell about your daughter. It will be sad to think that you are reading this when I'm gone and you still haven't found her and didn't tell everyone about her. I don't want the family to know about Anna Isabella through this but I have no choice. She is the heir to the Westgrove Castle and if she's really gone, Anastasia will have it. I wish you can tell everyone so that you and Isabella can have the peace of mind. I believe that your daughter is still alive, somewhere. Let's only pray that wherever your daughter is right now, she's happy and have a good life in the same way that you wanted for her and for your sons. I love you and your family, as well as Philip, Monique and Michaela. I will tell your father you said hi. Marguerite'



'Grandma still found time to humor the situation,' Alex thought.

There were no dry eyes inside the Dawson Hall except for the little children who still couldn't understand the situation. They turned when Kevin stood up. "I'm going to find my sister. There's no threat in the succession since we're no longer royals."

Howie nodded. "Count me in."

"I want to look for her too." Alex added.

Nick gave his wife a meaningful look then said. "Yvonne and I will cancel our relocation to Florida until we found our sister."

Brian stood up. "I would like to help, too."

Kevin looked around. Without any word, he went out of the Dawson Hall. The two eldest kids, Mark and Scott, walked out behind him.



>> 9

9

Ayesa passed by the security after going through their inspection and issuing a visitor's pass. She went to the reception area where a man greeted her approach. "Good morning. My name is Anna Isabella Pierre and I have a meeting with Mr. Roger Brown."

"Kindly wait for a moment, ma'am," the man, whose nametag read as Alain, said. He picked up a phone and spoke with someone. Afterwards, he smiled to her. "Please precede to the ambassador's office at the third floor, Ma'am. You are expected."

"Thank you," Ayesa went to the elevator. There were lots of uniformed men when she reached the third floor and assumed that the prince is there as well. "Where's the ambassador's office?" she asked one of the men there. The others turned to her in curiosity, particularly looking at her long legs since she's wearing a pencil-cut skirt.

"Do you have an appointment, ma'am?"

"Yes, I -"

"Miss Pierre," Roger called. Ayesa turned around. "Please follow me."

"Thanks," Ayesa thoughtfully said to the uniformed man and followed Roger Brown. She is ushered inside the office and the older man immediately left. Moments later, Dominique came inside which surprised her. "Uh, good morning, Your Royal Highness."

They stood there, just staring at each other. Ayesa savored the moment to look at the prince. This is her second time to see him in person. He looked younger than his real age. He's tall and handsome. He got an aura that can easily charm anyone. His deep set of blue eyes can penetrate a soul. His curved lips can give a dazzling smile.

Dominique makes a mental note to himself as well. Kevin's relative quite had a simple yet remarkable beauty. Her blonde hair compliments the blue hue of her eyes and she can also make out a charm with her beautiful smile. Roger is right. This woman has grace and she looks like she has a strong character and an undeniable spirit.

"Take a seat," Dominique broke the moment and went to sit on the couch opposite hers. "First of all, I am Dominique. My full name is Dominique Henry Michel Christopher. We're of the same age. I am a graduate of Industrial Engineering in a university in Kreizig as well as an officer in the Navy." He met her look. "I'm sure you are wondering why I'm telling you this but this is part of your job. I'm going to propose a one-year contract where you will need to be in Kreizig, will receive a very high salary of a hundred thousand dollars a month, also an additional monthly allowance of twenty thousand dollars, free meals and high-class quality accommodations. Do you agree?"

"Yes, sir."

"I do hope you won't change your mind," Dominique said. "Now, this is the job." He straightened on his seat. "You'll be my wife temporarily for only a year. That's basically the main description as a Chief Executive Assistant. After a year, we'll get a divorce and you will receive fifty million dollars. You can live on your own and to be whatever you want. The title of a princess will remain to you. You may still have privileges by then because you will be linked as my former wife but I don't mind."

"Wait," Ayesa blinked twice. "That's absurd!"

"Pardon?" Dominique frowned. He's expecting this but she still surprised him.

"That's absolutely ridiculous! Excuse me, Your Royal Highness, but I won't agree to your terms. Marriage is a serious matter even if it's only for convenience. It's not a contractual job!" Ayesa stood up.

Dominique panicked when he saw her turning and about to leave. "Wait. Don't you want the salary I'll be offering you to be my wife?"

Ayesa faced him. "Did you realize what you just did? You insulted me, sir, and I will never permit that. I don't care if you're the prince of the world. You won't buy me. I will certainly not going to beg you for your money. I'm going to find another job. Thank you for considering me to offer that contract."

"Okay, I guess that's not the right approach," Dominique muttered. There was a knock on the door and Roger came inside. "Roger! She won't accept."

"I figured that out immediately, Your Royal Highness," Roger replied as he looked at Ayesa. He admired the spirit in this woman. She defied Dominique. Things like that do not happen everyday.

"You made it possible?" Ayesa heard Dominique said. Roger nodded while she frowned at that. She wanted to get out of that office immediately and never bother seeing these people again. She saw the prince turning towards her. She doesn't like the way he smirked. She ignored the fact that she found him really attractive earlier. He looked really devious now but he won't scare her.

He surprised her when he kissed her on the cheeks. "You're going to marry me, my dear."

"What makes you so sure, Your Royal Highness?"

"I just announced it to the world." Dominique simply said. He confidently smiled to her and she fought herself from feeling the weakness on her knees. "The announcement already reached the press. It was on breaking news and we will be in the 6PM news."

"I can take it back anytime."

Dominique shakes his head. Roger watched their dialogue in amusement. It will take long before the prince will convince Ayesa to marry him. He is sure of that. "You are not going to do that. Just think of your relatives and how this will affect them. The former king Benedique will be happy to hear that his niece will marry the Crown Prince of Kreizig. It will form a bond between the two countries and will help Arkadia's economy. And besides, I found out that you need support for your mother's health. I can provide you that. You're not selfish enough to deny your mother what she deserves."

"You're blackmailing me!"

"I suppose but I'd rather see it as an offer for an opportunity. Everybody wins if you sign the contract, our marriage contract."

"Why me? Why don't you just find a woman you knew who can easily agree with you?"

"You passed the interview. And I don't want the other applicants. But then, I underestimated you when Roger said that you're the best candidate. Sooner I realized that your link to the Bordeaux clan makes you more eligible for me. You see, Kevin is one of my best friends and I'm looking forward to be part of his family once we get married."

"Temporarily part of the family," Ayesa rolled her eyes. Roger tried to hide his smile. No one does that to the prince but it seems like Dominique didn't mind. He seemed more amused.

"So, it's a yes?"

"Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but I have to go."

"No, wait." Dominique followed her. "Why don't you accept?"

Ayesa stopped. "I'm traditional. I want to marry out of love. It is not a business matter for me and certainly not something I will get paid to do."

Dominique stared at her for a while, as if she spoke a foreign language. "Love?" To her irritation, he laughed. "That's the lamest excuse to get married. But I'll think about it. Maybe I can pretend that."

"You're impossible." Ayesa thought he's acting so ridiculous.

"We're still not through, Miss Pierre." Dominique said as she neared the door.

"Excuse my manners, Your Royal Highness, but as you know that I'm a member of the Bordeaux clan, I've got another thing to say to you." Dominique raised a snobbish eyebrow. "You're underestimating me."

"We'll see about that, Miss Pierre. Don't say your final words yet." He replied but she quickly went out of the office.

"Just like the cousins," Roger remarked. "I remembered the days when I watched over you as you play with Kevin and Howie during one of their vacation in St. Karl. All of you got different kinds of stubborn attitude. Miss Pierre is obviously standing for her principles." He gives a prince a glass of brandy. Dominique headed to the window. "Miss Pierre is no exception. Her stubborn attitude suddenly becomes an admirable and charming trait for her."

"I don't think she'll be that far." Dominique said. "She'll be back approving my proposal. Don't you think, Roger?"

"Well, that's a 30-70 percent chance, so to speak, Your Royal Highness. Your chance is only thirty percent. She's a very spirited woman. I can say."

Dominique's jaw clenched. He doesn't want any failure in his plans. He needs to inherit the throne. He needs to keep the legacy in his family and not from someone like Anthony who will lead it into destruction. "I'll be ready by 6 to hear the news." He saw Ayesa leaving the building and walking across the street. Seeing by the way she walked, he can guess how mad she was. He was never this blunt or rude with any one, especially with any woman but he's actually desperate. Besides, this lady somehow made it all appear him to be. He's looking forward to the next days of convincing her.



~~~



Kevin saw his father when he dropped his son, Scott, in Bordeaux to stay there for a day. They are the only ones in the hall. He stared back at his father.

"Kevin, I know you're mad. I..."

"You don't have to explain, Pa. After much thinking, I understand." Kevin never moved from where he is standing.

But still, Benedique tried to explain. "I'm sorry if we were not able to tell you that you had a twin. It's been traumatic for your mother and I to lose our only daughter to someone we don't know, and never knew what happened to her..." His voice trailed off.

Kevin watched his father's strained expression. He can see how the loss had caused so much pain in him for all these years.

"It's frustrating that I wasn't able to do anything to find my daughter. I can't even announce the search in public for fear that the people might take advantage and present us with baby girls that weren't really ours, just for the sake of giving them the life that we had. I'm not selfish to share what we have with others but it's just that all I wanted is to have my real daughter back, and not to have someone grow up with us and pose as your twin. I've tried to avoid that."

"I understand, Papa."

"I don't want just anyone pretending to be my daughter. I want my real daughter." Benedique continued. For rare times like this, Kevin saw his father cry. He walked towards him and hugged him.

"Hush, Papa. I will help you find my twin. We will do everything in our power to find her. Together, we are going to bring her back."



>> 10

10

"Kevin knew the secret all along but he wanted to make sure if it's true and not just a hunch when he saw our sister's name in that old book," Alex analyzed as he and Nick walked down the hall inside Bordeaux Castle. They are going to the study room where Kevin is. They wanted to ask their brother how they can help in finding Anna Isabella.

"It is possible that it was one of the reasons why he's been very insecure of his succession to the throne before. Having a twin is threat enough and then, there's Howie..." Nick shakes his head. "I can imagine if we're still royals. Imagine the chaos if our sister grew up with us and they're both first in line to the throne. And if Howie outlived them, a non-Arkadian would have been the future king. It doesn't matter actually. Howie is our brother. I'm more concerned about how it might have been for Kevin and his twin if things were different. It would have been hard."

"I want to see her. I got this feeling that she's just around." Alex said. They went inside the study and found Howie and Brian are there too.

"He just won't listen," Kevin muttered as he tossed the paper on top of the coffee table.

"Who?" Alex took the newspaper and read the headlines. Nick looked over his brother's shoulder. "Dominique is getting married? To Ayesa?"

"It's about time. He's not getting any younger," Nick smirked. He missed the exchanged looks between Kevin and Howie as he takes out a pack of Gummi worms from his pocket and began to eat.

"You're a father to a nine-year-old and you're still eating Gummi worms?" Brian asked with a laugh.

"I stole this from the stockroom. It's Mark's." Nick chuckled. He offered some to his cousin.

"Anyway, we need to look for Anna Isabella." Kevin said, changing the subject.

"I called Ivan about it and he's willing to cooperate." Howie said, referring to his friend who was the one who investigated on Howie's real parents. It turned out that he's the son of their mother's cousin, Aurora, and Conrad Burke, father of Thomas, who was Adrienne's stalker then.

"Please take note if she has the birthmark like ours. All of us have," Nick added.

"Except me," Howie smiled. His being adopted is no longer a big deal for them. Everyone can make a joke out of it and Howie wasn't offended, just like now.

"I can take you to a tattoo artist, Howie." Alex offered.

"No way!" Everyone knows Howie is not tolerant when it comes to needles. He is the only one who doesn't have any tattoo.

"We can't make a nationwide search. Posers will take advantage. That's why we never leaked this to the media. And what if she's not here in Arkadia?" Brian sighed. "What if she was taken out of the country?"

"This is harder than I thought it would be," Nick drew a deep breath. He turned to Alex. "What are you thinking?"

Alex is looking at Kevin. "Since she's Kevin's twin, I'm trying to imagine how Kevin will look like if he's a girl," He chuckled. "Oh, yeah. The eyebrows, the nose, the green eyes, black hair, square-jawed face..." They laughed.

"Think about it, J. Kevin is wearing a skirt and a tube top." Brian added.

"Or an office uniform and a hair in a tight bun," Howie chuckled.

"High-heels," Nick playfully wiggled his eyebrows. They laughed.

"Oh, shut up," Kevin groaned. "Guys, focus."

"We are focused."

"I'm not joking, AJ."

"Fine." There was silence and then, they laughed again. "Aren't you mad that Papa and Mama kept this from us for so long?" Alex asked Kevin.

"That's why he walked out of Dawson the last time, remember?" Nick interrupted his brother.

"I'm fine now. But let me be the one to ask you. If you're in my place, don't you think it's unfair that they never told you that you had a twin and they never seemed to have plans of telling it if not only grandma died?" Kevin told them.

"I understand their pain, Kev. It's the same torment I felt when Diana kidnapped Baylee," Brian said.

"But yours is different, Brian."

"Yes, somehow. But I'm trying to make you understand that if this is hard for you, it's also hard for Uncle and Auntie. They lost a daughter, they felt the pain and they felt the fear of the parents who couldn't do as much for anything to change what they should have done and what should have happened to protect her from anyone. It's frustrating for someone who's considered to be one of the most powerful people in the world." Brian looked at his cousins. "It's hard to lose a child. It may not be reasonable that they kept the secret for a very long time but you should understand that it's not easy for them. And right now, that's the least you can do. We should find your twin." He saw Nick looking at him in amazement and Alex muttering a 'wow'.

"It's cool to hear you make some sense, Brian," Nick jested. Brian stuck out his tongue to his cousin.

"You're not taking this seriously," Kevin shakes his head.

"Oh, but we are," Howie said. "Now, let's continue." He turned to others. "If you thought that Kevin's twin may have looked like him in a female version, I think it will mislead us. Because you see, Kevin had speculations that he found our missing sister and it's Ayesa."

"Why?" Alex asked. "It doesn't make sense. She's the daughter of Helena, wife of Baron Henry. It's just probably coincidence that her name happens to be Anna Isabella too."

"Besides, if she's our sister, how did she grow up to be Helena's daughter? Did the baron kidnap her to be their daughter? Were they holding a grudge against Papa or Mama?" Nick added.

Kevin raised his hand to catch their attention. "As I've said before, I made an investigation on this for a long time. Helena truly had children, twins, but I know and I feel that one of those wasn't Ayesa. And that's been supported when I found out that there's an exchange of babies. Helena's babies were prematurely born in the evening of September 30, 1971 in Prince Martin Memorial Hospital. My twin and I were born in Westgrove Castle in the evening of October 3, 1971. Now, here's the catch." Everyone is looking at him now. "The other baby girl died while one of the babies' names wasn't Anna Isabella at first but Mary Helena. We all knew that Baron Henry wasn't really well-off, financially, and Papa promised support to his wife's childbirth. When he learned that Papa fulfilled his promise by paying the hospital dues to help them, he changed the baby's name into Anna Isabella in honor of Mama. But this baby died too."

"So where does that support your theory?" Brian asked. "The babies died and thus, your twin was kidnapped to exchange it with the dead ones of Helena's?"

"That would be ungrateful, considering that it was Papa who helped him with the hospital dues," Alex said. "I think he'd never do that."

"My theory is someone exchanged the babies. Knowing that Helena has a weak heart, it would devastate her to learn that all her babies died. On the other hand, that someone must have learned about the birth of the twin heirs to the throne and realizing the threat of a conflict to the succession, my twin was kidnapped and exchanged for the dead baby of Helena." Kevin finished. "And how that happened still remains a mystery to me. I need to find the missing link, the person who did the exchange."

"You have a wild imagination, Kev. I wish that we can find something more out of that theory, if Ayesa is really your twin." Nick said. "Furthermore, she had to bear the Bordeaux mark. You know what I mean."

They looked at each other in silence. Every one is thinking about the possibility of Kevin's idea and they may start from there. However, if Kevin's speculations were wrong, they need to start from scratch. It will be much harder to look for Anna Isabella - the real Anna Isabella.

"Do you know what I'm thinking right now?" Howie blurted out, breaking the silence. They turned to the Hispanic-looking one. "I was thinking about how Ayesa reminded me of Mama when I was watching her in Annie, and she has a wonderful voice."

"Yes, she's really great." Nick shrugged. "I wished we find her already. I want to meet my elder sister."



>> 11

11

"Mom, it's not what you think. That man is manipulative, arrogant, a spoiled brat and desperate," Ayesa tried to explain to her mother when Helena confronted her about what she read in the headlines that her daughter is now engaged to the Crown Prince of Kreizig.

"How did that happen then? Surely, you have consent over this. Honey, I saw you both along with your cousins a couple of days ago and I felt it dear."

"Didn't you listen to what I said, Mom? The prince is lying. And what you might have seen was an act by him, Mom. You know me better... and he would try his best to be nice and gentle in grandma Margie's wake. We're not really engaged." Ayesa tried to convince her. Something inside her felt so warm upon remembering that day at the late queen mother's wake. She has always felt that intimate feeling of honor, pride, and sadness now, for the memory of the late queen in which, she secretly called her grandma when no one was aware of it.

They heard a doorbell rang at the front door. "I just met him back then and I don't know why he's doing this." She couldn't tell her mother. For some unexplainable reason, she just couldn't tell her mother that she got hired to be Dominique's temporary wife. It seemed embarrassing to tell it to Helena knowing that in her family, it was clear to everyone that love was the most important thing in a marriage. How could she break this unwritten law of their family that says 'Amor est vitae essentia'? Love is the essence of life. She is breaking that unwritten law, that unbreakable belief she also had for herself when she refused Dominique's unique marriage proposal. Above it all, she couldn't imagine that the man made her lie to her mother.

"I still don't get it. A crown prince wouldn't announce a bluff especially that this will affect his position in his country." Helena shakes her head. "Anyway, what happened to your job? How's your briefing in the embassy?"

"I declined it. The briefing informed me about very long hours of work but the pay will not be enough. Besides, I thought I just couldn't work there anymore when this prince already announced some craziness to everyone." Ayesa replied to her mother as she rushed out of the room, into the hallway and down the stairs. She stopped when she saw Dominique standing at the foyer with a charming smile upon his face.

"Long working hours and not enough pay? You know better than that." He said. He offered her the bouquet of flowers he brought along.

Ayesa only looked at the flowers then back to him. "I know, Your Royal Hmghness, but as I've told you, I decline the offer. I wish you would understand the notion of it and please, I'd rather appreciate if you would please leave now." She tries to open the door but Dominique stopped her.

"I won't stop, Ayesa."

"Don't call me Ayesa, Your Royal Highness. We're not that close."

Dominique frowned. "Well, Anna Isabella or should I say Miss Pierre, I am sure by now that there is a problem here. So I guess I can get anxious in knowing exactly what your problem is. You know, first you have repeated 'please' and 'would' twice already in one sentence and somehow I feel that you should be glad that a prince asked you to marry him. It's not something that happen everyday. It's a privilege and I'm giving it to you. You should realize how fortunate you are. You're marrying me."

Ayesa rolled her eyes and proceed to open the door. Conceited! "You know what, Your Royal Highness? You're cute. You're charming," Dominique smiled at that, "But I'm not giving in. Furthermore, I'm used to meeting royalties as I am a relative to them. You can't use that line on me. And as you have already noticed, I do tend to repeat when I am meeting someone that is not making me feeling that great. A final word of advice: take the story to somebody else."

"Whatever you say, Ayesa, I'm not giving up. You just gave me a challenge. I'm a man of persistence." Dominique whispered to her then smiled as he went out of the house. Ayesa slammed the door shut behind him.



~~~



"Have you contacted Dominique?" Howie asked when he passed by Kevin's office before continuing towards the board room. He saw Kevin filing out some documents he just printed from his laptop.

Kevin shakes his head. "I've been trying to since I saw the headlines. Roger said he went back for a while to Kreizig to visit his father and then he came back here again for Ayesa."

Howie went inside the office and closed the door. "Your friend is very persistent. Although I don't know Ayesa well, I think she's not the type that can give in easily to what he wants. And if she's really our sister, she'd be as stubborn as you. Dominique will be having a hard time with her, for sure."

Kevin found the thought amusing that he smiled. "Yeah, I thought so too." He sighed. "Howie, I need to talk with Dominique and explain this."

"Kevin, he's a very stubborn and persistent man. As what he said, he needs to marry and he found Ayesa as the eligible candidate. He won't stop until he gets what he wants. And he will avoid you if that's the only thing to do to prevent him from doing what he needs to do for the sake of his succession and for his country."

"And let him marry Ayesa?" Kevin shakes his head once again. "If he won't appear to me, I will go to Ayesa later."



>> 12

12

Ayesa opened the front door and saw Dominique outside and holding a guitar. "What are you trying to show me now?" She asked. For the past days since she rejected his offer, he's been trying to court her in many different ways which often amused her. She didn't admit it to him but she's impressed by all his efforts. The prince made her feel so special in his own ways.

Once he posted a banner for her inside the theater where everyone could see. She remembered it said something about 'My Beautiful Ayesa' and her picture was on it. Everyone's teasing her about him. Then, he did a special gourmet meal for her and her mother. There's also a time when he got drenched in the rain because he was locked out of the theater while waiting for her, something that a prince would not do but he did. And a day was spent on taking her to an orphanage where they fed the homeless children.

Dominique didn't reply when he began singing her a song. Ayesa raised an eyebrow on him. He couldn't even make out a rhythm in the song he's singing. "Do you know how to sing?" She asks.

Dominique smiled sheepishly. "No," he stopped strumming on the guitar. "This isn't mine. I just borrowed this from a friend. Can I come inside?" Without waiting for her reply, he walks in. Ayesa couldn't stop him so she closed the door instead. "I can't stay any longer. My adviser said that I should go back to Kreizig in a week because of my father's health."

"Then leave. No one stops you." Ayesa said.

The prince frowned. "Have I made it clear that I want you to reconsider my proposal?"

"And I am still on the same wave here."

They stared at each other in a long time. Dominique's strained face showed that he had a lot of things to think about. He shakes his head. "I still got a week, Ayesa," he told her. "I'm not giving up."



~~~



"Nice one," Ayesa heard Heather said as she walked past the woman towards her way out of the theater. While looking for another job, she will continue her commitment to the theater. She got the lead role for Les Miserables and they were just through their fifth-day of rehearsal. She ignored Heather's remark but the other one continued. "It will be much better if you go and marry your prince and leave the theater to me."

The staff obviously knew about her 'engagement' with Prince Dominique. She chose not to say anything although her close friends at the theater were excited to hear about the romantic details. There's really nothing to tell them about. Then they told her how secretive she was that she wouldn't tell about her relationship with the charming prince. They were surprised because they never knew or heard anything about her dating someone, particularly a royalty.

Ayesa only gave Heather a glare and went out. She stopped in her tracks when she was greeted by the paparazzi which were obviously waiting for her at the back door of the theater building. She groaned. This cannot be happening. It's all that conceited man's fault. Still, she chose to smile to the media and continued to walk towards the street to hail a cab.

"Ayesa! When is the wedding?"

"Why are you alone? Aren't some royal coach should be picking you up?"

She only smiled and let them continue snapping out pictures of her. Since the announcement, she's been seeing herself into various newspapers, magazines and even on TV. She's not used to it, even though she's a theater actress who gets everyone's attention when she performs on stage. She's a very private person, especially when it comes to her personal life. Leave the publicity to her other cousins.

"Where's your diamond ring?"

"Why do you want to know?" She asked instead and felt a hand on her waist. She turned around to see Dominique beside her. The paparazzi continued with the pictures. The people around began giving them curious glances.

"She's right. Come on, darling," Dominique whispered to her. That simple gesture somehow sent shivers right through her spine. It wasn't supposed to act that way, Ayesa silently protested to her body's reaction. She wished to disappear for a minute so she wouldn't be embarrassed by this moment. She somehow wondered how the prince would try one of his tricks to get her out of such situation. As an answer, his hand went from her waist and held her hand in his, the feeling of a metal ringlet in her hand surprised her for a second then, he smiled

"Guess you should wear it for the sake of all the paparazzi." he whispered to her, he silently placed the ring in her finger. She prayed in her heart that no one would notice the trick.

"Aren't you going to show us the ring, Ayesa?"

She looked at Dominique and felt him pulling her hand and placing it in his palm as if he was exposing some valuable treasure. The sight of the ring filled her with awe, though it was so simple yet it was beautiful.

"The ring is a family heritage. My great-great-grandmother Queen Eleanor wore it and I was honored to present it back to another lady from the House of Bordeaux." She heard Dominique telling the reporters. She knew this fact before that Kreizig and Arkadia has more than a friendly relationship when Princess Eleanor, the sister of Arkadia's national hero, Prince Martin, was married to the crown prince of Kreizig, Henry Mathew. But then it was out of love relationship.

Her thought chain was cut by the blinding series of camera flashlights.

She only followed Dominique after that inside the waiting limousine. She admittedly sighed in relief when they got inside. "I'm truthfully grateful for saving me," she said. She saw his grin. The car sped off. "But I don't like that grin."

"You clearly knew my intentions, Ayesa. Okay, I admit that what I'm planning is wrong in your own measures and I'm desperate." Dominique drew a deep breath. "I've been thinking since I've gone back from visiting my father." He moved in his seat and faced her entirely.

Ayesa blinked twice. She moved a little away from him. Though still shaken by her sudden encounter with the press, she tried to make sense out of everything that happened. "What have you been thinking?"

"I changed my plans. We can get married and never divorce. We can make this work out if this is what you want. We can be friends and we can help each other out for anything we need."

"But this is not what I want."

"You don't want to get married? You said in the interview -"

Ayesa shakes her head. "I want to get married but I want to marry because as I've told you, I'm traditional. I believe in love and I want to be with the man I love. This is not just a matter of convenience. I can be your friend but not your wife."

"Ayesa..." Dominique looked deeply into her eyes. He couldn't imagine her firm belief in love as an ingredient to a marriage. It is not important. What matters most is the respect and convenience of both people who agreed to live together in one roof, with a common name and supported principles. It's hard to see marriage the way this woman sees it. Love failed his parents' marriage and he knew that it will not work with him too, most especially in the way Ayesa wanted it to be. That's why he preferred to treat this as a business proposal until he reached his stability as King of Kreizig. His father's condition is slowly deteriorating and it already reached the knowledge of everyone in Kreizig. They are also looking forward to his marriage with an Arkadian. Many found the future union to be a good step because the two countries were close allies, like two childhood best friends. The forthcoming wedding will secure all the bonds between Kreizig and Arkadia.

"That's just how I see it, Dominique. Somehow, this is a thing I can't make you see."



>> 13

13

Ayesa didn't say anything as Dominique followed her inside the house when they reached her home. It turned to be a habitual thing for her now, for the prince had known his way by heart inside her home. It's almost dinner time and the prince thoughtfully bought food for them. She didn't protest anyway. She is hungry just as he is.

"Mom... Guess who is here today?" she raised her voice. She knew for the past couple of weeks whenever Dominique came to visit, her mother was happy and that was something she wanted her to keep.

"Mom .... Mother!"

She walked up the stairs towards her mother's room while Dominique initiatively went to prepare their dinner. He knew little things about kitchen chores since he stayed in a university dormitory for five years. And common sense will tell him what to do and what should be used. Just as when he found the cutleries, he heard Ayesa shouting upstairs and calling his name.

And he heard her calling her mother too.



~~~



She never said anything since Helena was rushed to the hospital. Ayesa found her in her bedroom and Dominique suspected that the old woman had a stroke. He initiatively carried Ayesa's mother out of the house and into the limo to get her to the hospital immediately. Since then, all Ayesa could do is cry. Helena is still in the ICU and a doctor just rushed inside when there's a beeping sound coming inside.

"Hush, Ayesa." Dominique wrapped his arms tightly around her as Ayesa began to cry again. "We'll pray that she'd be alright soon."

Ayesa pulled herself away from him and wiped her tears. "My mom is all I've got now. I don't know what I'll do if I lose her."

"Well, you got me too."

Ayesa slowly looked up to him. But the moment was instantly gone when she heard her name was called. She turned and saw Benedique, Kevin and Howie walking down the hall. She immediately stood up and when the former king reached out and hugged her, she gave in and returned the embrace. She cried once again. Feeling the warmth of his uncle, a family member, soothed her worries, at least for a while. "I don't want her to die. The doctors said before that her next stroke may be her last catch of breath." She told him.

His embrace went tighter on her while she felt the need to stay there. Cassandra arrived too and Ayesa went to her aunt.

Kevin and Howie looked on and then afterwards, turned to Dominique. "We.... I need to talk to you later." Kevin told the prince.

"There's nothing to talk about."

Kevin frowned. He turned back to Ayesa again. The glimmer of the ring caught his eyes for a second. He didn't want to believe what he is seeing. He wanted to be assured. He wanted to be sure that she is his twin but they still haven't found a link to prove his theory. That's the frustrating part.

Ayesa, Benedique and Cassandra turned to them. "Hey, cuz." Kevin hugged her briefly.

"We came here to make sure you're alright and to see how your mom's doing." Howie said. He hugged her as well. "Then we also found our friend, Dominique."

Ayesa nodded. "Thank you for coming." She said to them. "I appreciate this so much."

"We're family," Kevin smiled to her. "So, Dominique will be your future husband. When is the wedding?"

"We'll send you an invitation once we finalized everything." Dominique answered. Ayesa looked at him then to Benedique and Cassandra. Kevin noticed that. She seemed to have no choice about it.

Ayesa felt awkward after Dominique said that.

She didn't know what to say but then it was something out of her hands. It was a fact and probably it will be on the news that Dominique was with her at her place when her mother had her attack. Her knees were hardly holding her, and the only thought on her mind was her mother. She's thankful that the doctor came. She went to him, leaving Dominique with the others. "Doc, what's going to happen to my mother?"

The doctor acknowledged the presence of the people behind her with only a nod and then he focused on her. "Ayesa, please be strong after I tell you this. We've done everything we could but it's been the end. Ayesa, your mother is gone."

Ayesa didn't know what to do or how to behave, shocked...disbelieving the whole situation. "You are lying, tell me that she is not!" her voice raised. She looked back to where the other stood. Dominique, Kevin and Howie saw her confusion.

And they realized that what they all feared just happened. Dominique rushed to her as her knees finally couldn't help her to stand up anymore. He helped her as she broke into the most painful cry Dominique ever saw or heard in his life, feeling strange to him. He wanted to cry too.

For the fact that in the few weeks he spent with Helena, he felt how warm she was, how kind she was and he loved her as if she was his own mother. The mother he wasn't able to enjoy all his time with. And as he held Ayesa in his arms, he felt the loss of losing a mother he thought he would have and ever dreamed of. Now, Helena is gone. He will try to lessen Ayesa's pain of loss by being there for her.



>> 14

14

Dominique watched as Ayesa stands alone by her mother's grave after Helena was buried. He felt pledged to respect her wishes that she wanted to be alone and he respected that. But he never left the graveyard. Was it something to feel ashamed of what he felt what he wanted to do when he made sure everyone would have his or her own space and privacy throughout the ceremonies?

Roger and the security patiently stood behind the prince as they watched Ayesa spends her time alone with her mother. He noticed how Dominique patiently stood there and waited for the woman as well, and it surprised him. This is not the normal thing for the prince to do. He is an impatient man and doesn't wait for anyone and yet, here he is, taking his time to convince Ayesa to marry him even though she clearly stated that she is not interested. He even extended his stay when Ayesa's mother died although he's already been requested to go back to Kreizig for his father. Roger couldn't understand him now. When Ayesa declined the offer, he advised Dominique to find another one but the prince didn't want it. Dominique may not admit it but Roger can tell that he's now interested in Ayesa. And probably, the challenge to convince her to be his wife made him more persistent. He doesn't even care if his close friend, Kevin, is very much opposed to the idea. His mind is set into winning Ayesa over.

Roger hoped that Dominique is starting to care for her. Dominique needs someone like Ayesa as much as she needs him. They are just right for each other.

Almost an hour later, Ayesa turned to leave. There was surprise on her face when she saw that Dominique and his party stayed and waited for her. Tired and lonely, she didn't argue when Dominique offered to take her home. She went inside the car before him and they went off.



~~~



Scott saw Layla, daughter of one of the housekeepers in Bordeaux Castle, and called her over to join him and his cousins in playing ball in the garden. While their fathers were busy talking about something, he invited his cousins into playing with him.

"Do you know how to play football?" Mark asked her with a smile.

Layla smiled back and nodded. Soon enough, the kids were all playing in the grounds while Olivia and Leighanne watched over them. Kevin saw the scene from the windows in the study as he and his brothers talked about what happened to Ayesa. He turned to them.

"I never had the chance. I thought I could tell Ayesa when I met her at the hospital but I can't," he told them. "It's not just right and I don't have the evidences yet to prove it to her."

"Have you tried to take a look if she has any birthmark?" Nick asked.

Kevin shakes his head and glanced at Howie. "Dominique is firmly motivated to convince Ayesa to marry him." Howie said. "And it seems like she has no choice about it. She is already wearing an engagement ring."

"You were saying that she is only forced to marry him? That's insane! I can barely think about it! If she is truly our sister then... I am not sure how to say it but she can't be forced, for God's sake!" Alex stood up. Anger is on his face.

"Kevin," Benedique called his son, "are you sure that Ayesa can be Anna Isabella?" They just told him today about their speculations and he is still trying to absorb what he learned.

"I'd like to try, Papa."

"But what if she's not?"

"I'm confident that she can be my twin. And don't deny that she's reminding you a lot like Mama."

Benedique sighed. "Well, I admit that I felt warmth when I hugged her in the hospital."

"She's just like an older and female version of me." Nick said. "Blonde, blue eyes, sexy, cute..."

Brian rolled his eyes at his cousin. "So, what are we going to do now?"

Kevin smiled. "Blood samples for DNA test and the mark on her back."



>> 15

15

Dominique and Kevin stared at each other when the latter came into the penthouse where the prince is currently residing while he is in Arkadia. Both knew what are on their minds for Kevin's reason to drop by a visit but Dominique will not expect what is about to come.

"I don't want to ruin our friendship, Kevin. You should know that I'm not forcing Ayesa to marry me. Though she didn't fully approve my proposal, I still have hope. She wore the ring approvingly and she's still wearing it. I just can't retract on what I've announced about our 'engagement' but, she's still my choice to be my wife. I'm still going to try my best to show her that I'm a suitable husband for her." Dominique said.

Kevin smiled. "Finally, you're falling in love."

Dominique raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" He chuckled. "There's no way I'll be that. This is still a business matter and I need this to be king. Ayesa knew everything and she still refused the offer. That's what will make her an effective queen, even for a while. People in Kreizig will like her. And I'm going to be an effective king. That's the game plan. Now tell me why you are here."

"I will only ask a very small favor and in return, I won't press on this matter about your plans with Ayesa again."

"A favor? What is it?"

"If I said what it is, you're not going to ask me why I need that favor."

Dominique shakes his head. "Kevin, I knew you in a long time to know that there's something behind this. You're not someone who asks favor to anyone. You're too proud for that."

Kevin frowned. "Love changes people Dominique, nevertheless. Listen. This is an urgent matter. I'll tell you about it when I'm done with it."

"Alright. What is it that you want me to do?"

"I need Ayesa's blood samples and I'd like you to find out if she has a birthmark on her back."

"Oh, that's pretty interesting. I'd like to know why, after you got through what you're trying to do."

"I am sure you'll know every detail about it but deal with me on this for now, Dominique"

Dominique nods his head. "I'll do it. It's a deal." The two of them shake hands.

"Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me." And with that, Kevin turned and left the penthouse. That's just it, nothing more personal. He's not ready to tell anyone outside the family about what he thinks of Ayesa. Dominique is his good friend and he's maybe the most stubborn and idiot guy Kevin knew, the prince is a nice person after all. He just doesn't believe in love as he's traumatized from what happened to his parents' marriage. But he will never hurt anyone and Kevin trusts him with Ayesa. Above it all, Kevin saw changes in his acts whenever Ayesa is mentioned. He, too, hoped that his friend is falling in love with Ayesa.



~~~



Ayesa stood beside Eliza when her friend asked her to come near. Her friend is the only one who knows almost all the real deal about her and Dominique and she trusted her that she won't tell anyone. "He's there again?" She asks.

Eliza nodded. "Dominique is in the dressing room. Ayesa, you have to make a choice and I don't mean to pry what it is but I know that the lawyers you met the other day weren't here to talk about your mother's will. So are you sure of what you are going to do?"

"Eliza, you are my best friend and you have to know they were here to hand me a notice from the bank. I need to pay the loan we made to pay land taxes in my family's estate. I need the money and he's the only one who can give it to me. I'm going to disregard my principles when it comes to love and marriage, swallow my pride and do what I need to do. My mom is gone and the old house is all I had and I don't want to look desperate but I can't lose the house of my family." Ayesa whispered.

Eliza gripped her friend's hand tighter. "I wish I can give something to help but I don't have much either."

"I understand." Ayesa nodded. "I'm going to tell him now."

"Why don't you try to borrow money from your other relatives rather than to marry him?"

"I don't want to feel their pity and I don't want to disappoint them. You know I'll never be able to pay it back to them so other than that, with Dominique, I can take the agreement that he is offering. He doesn't pity me. He wants my help and offered to help me in return. I'm fine with that. I will tell him now." Ayesa bit her lower lip. "Oh, God. Please give me strength."

"Ayesa, you will make him believe that you love him. You're fooling him."

Ayesa sighed. "He may not pity me but I won't let him laugh at me for letting him know that I'm giving in just because of money. If he's going to use me, I will use him too. After all, this is a business matter."

"Ayesa, you're not like that." Eliza stared at her friend.

"I don't care anymore," Ayesa wiped her tears. "My mom is gone. Our job is getting worst and it is not in our hands to do anything. The estate is all I had. I have to do something. Wish me luck." She kissed her friend on the cheeks and walked out of the backstage. She went to the dressing rooms but stopped when she heard voices from inside hers and Eliza's dressing room.

"What are you doing? I'm getting married." It was Dominique. Ayesa smiled at his faithfulness, somehow.

"I can do better than Ayesa, Your Royal Highness. I'd like to show you that." She heard Heather said. She turned the knob and opened the door. She caught Heather working on Dominique's shirt while the latter tries to stop her. "Oh. Hi, Ayesa."

"You should never take what is already mine. Haven't you comprehended this lesson, Heather?" Ayesa said.

"And what are you going to do about it, Miss Eloquent Talker, huh?"

"This," Ayesa walked over and grabbed her hair, pulling her out of the dressing room and pushing her into the hallway. She went back inside and locked the door. "Why are you here? I thought you need to go back to Kreizig." She told Dominique.

"I only dropped by to bring you food." Dominique ran his hands through his hair after he straightened his shirt. And yes, Ayesa saw a hint of his muscular body. "I was thinking you might be hungry, and I guess you are like the other Bordeauxs. Haven't you seen the news or watched yourself lately?"

Ayesa looked at him wondering what was wrong with him. Dominique continued. "You look like you have lost a lot of weight, that's what I meant! When was the last decent meal you had?" He looked at her. "Don't say a word, Ayesa. I know that it is hard to try moving on after your mother's funeral. I didn't come here to judge you. I am sure that you need someone to take you into life again, so I brought you something to eat."

Ayesa saw the food and nodded. "Dominique... I don't know what to say; that was thoughtful of you." She said as the memory of her mother came back to her. She wiped the tears gathered in her eyes.

"You still wear the ring!" He walked towards her and handed her his handkerchief.

"I couldn't take it off, Dominique. I felt so lonely and I kept thinking about the days you tried to cook for us and make a joke out of your self to make sense out of me, I thought I am heading to madness." She walked towards the mirror and looked at her reflection. She wasn't acting but this whole situation was making it easier to fake falling in love with him.

"Ayesa, my offer is still the same. I would be more than glad if you accept it."

"You still want me to marry you." She looked at him telling herself, 'Ok, girl. It is time to start what you are good at...fake your amazement, astonishment and let him believe you are falling in love.'

"Oh Dominique... I don't know... I think if you keep treating me this way, I will never be able to stop myself from falling in love with you."

Dominique blinked twice. "You have fallen in love? To me? I don't know what to say..." He watched as Ayesa wound her arms around his neck. He actually doesn't know what to do.

Ayesa smiled. This stone-hearted, ignorant man doesn't even know what love is that's why he sees marriage only as business. He will not understand what and how love means, she thought.

But it surprised her the way he surrounded his arms around her then slowly, he kissed her. It felt so good.

"Let's leave, Dominique. Let's get out of here. I don't care where, just let us leave." She whispered to him.

"Let's get married tomorrow. No... Better, let's get married tonight. We still have time to do it." He bents down to reach her lips once again but Ayesa avoided him.

She raised an eyebrow. "Already? I understand the rush but don't you think that your people deserve to witness the wedding?"

"We can plan the church wedding when we go to Kreizig. I want to marry you here in Arkadia."



>> 16

16

"Nick, stop biting your nails!" Yvonne hissed. She swapped her husband's hand away from him. "Why are you so anxious?"

Nick turned to Yvonne and smiled. He gives her a light kiss on the lips. He couldn't get enough of his wife. It's been a torment that he couldn't make love to her when she's pregnant and after she gives birth. He wanted to do it so bad. "Dominique is invited to join us for Papa's 40th wedding anniversary. He told Kevin that he has a surprise."

"But don't bite your nails," Yvonne rolled her eyes, "bite me if you're anxious but not your nails." They both chuckled at that. Nick wrapped her arms around her as the orchestra continued playing in the background. They swayed against each other's arms and then he quickly nipped her shoulder.

"No biting for tonight, the children are around and we're anticipating a special guest." Alex and Olivia chuckled when they passed by the couple. Nick and Yvonne both blushed.

But Nick's wife easily recovered. "I offered my shoulder because he's biting his nails," she winked at her in-laws. Nick scratched his head while the three laughed.

"Don't get too anxious, Nick. We might still be wrong that Ayesa is really our sister." Alex said.

They turned when they saw Kevin passed by, together with his wife, as they welcome Dominique and Ayesa who finally arrived. Since it's a formal gathering, Dominique came in his suit and Ayesa is dressed in a tube gown. They actually looked good together and almost everyone in the ballroom gave their attention to the newcomers.

"Oh my God. They're married." Yvonne whispered to Nick when they are on their way to the group. "Look at their hands." Nick's mouth dropped open when he saw the identical glittering band on each of their fingers. Anastasia, his cousin, who just arrived with her husband and Nick's best friend, Luke Twain, were standing close behind the couple.

Dominique smiled when he saw Kevin's family gathered around them. He guessed that everyone is interested to the person he's with tonight. "I'd like to introduce to you my wife, Ayesa. We got married yesterday." He announced without preamble.

"You did?" Kevin unbelievably asked. "Uh, congratulations," he takes one glance to everyone before shaking the newlyweds' hands. The others followed.

It was for the moment, Anastasia came behind them to congratulate the newlyweds. Ayesa's hair swayed from her back revealing the birthmark every one was looking forward to find. It was Kevin who noticed it first, and looked at his brothers in amazement.

Anastasia looked at the group behind them now and said "Uh, Ayesa. Is that a birthmark on your back?" She innocently asked, smiling to her. Neither one of the ladies nor Dominique knew about Kevin's speculations that Ayesa can be the missing Anna Isabella. She's just surprised that the birthmark would make a big reaction from her cousins. Could it be that Ayesa is... Anastasia turned back to Ayesa.

Everyone grew silent and surprised by that. They seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for her reply. Ayesa smiled, not knowing what's going on. "I have a birthmark right at the center. I felt kind of awkward about it but Dominique insisted that I should wear this gown because I looked good in it."

Dominique is looking at Kevin while Ayesa is speaking. He fulfilled one-half of his friend's favor and it confused him why does he and his family were looking like they are hanging on Ayesa's every word. There's something going on here.

"Is there something wrong?" Ayesa asked when she noticed Isabella's tearful face and the brothers' shocked expressions. She turned to Benedique when the older man cleared his throat.

"Maybe we should talk about this in my study."



~~~



"Dominique, I don't really feel good about this," Ayesa whispered, looking down on her lap and fidgeting on her nails. Dominique stopped her from what she's doing and turned her face up to his. "I'm worried. I don't usually felt like this but I feel really nervous." She added. When the family left them alone, he ushered his wife towards a table reserved for them.

"I'm here. There's nothing to worry, Ayesa. I won't let anyone harm you even if they were my best friends. No one would get in to you, I promise you that," he assured her. But to himself, he couldn't help but worry and wonder as well why Kevin's family is reacting odd tonight. He can feel their look on them and he's not wrong. He saw the youngest one, Nick, looking at Ayesa. What's going on?

After an hour of mingling around different kinds of people, everyone learned about his marriage with an Arkadian. Almost everyone teased and hinted about his plans of building his own family in which Dominique only smiled in reply. He doesn't have any plans of starting his own family. This marriage is only temporary and he's not going to put some innocent soul in the situation just like the way he had with his parents. That's why he will name his nephew, Drake, as his heir. He is not planning to have a child of his own.

After an hour, a page silently approached them and told that their presence is requested in the study. The couple was ushered there and found Benedique and Isabella inside. They were accommodated to take their seats comfortably on the couch.

"We apologize if you felt awkward about the situation that we just had earlier," Benedique started. "We're really emotional and we couldn't hide it when we learned that Ayesa had a birthmark." They turned when the brothers and their wives came inside the office. Dominique felt Ayesa's hand gripping tightly on his, as if getting some amount of energy. She seemed very nervous.

"What's going on?" Ayesa asked quietly. "Am I a missing relative or something?" She tried to joke and nervously smiled. But when the family only looked at her in silence, she turned to Benedique.

"Ayesa, we have to share you in this but first the birthmark you have and share is not a coincidence. Every single person in this room has it and in regards to your questions, yes, we are almost sure that you are a missing daughter of ours and she's Kevin's twin sister." Benedique started.

"We had a theory that it's you, but now we are certain of it," Kevin completed what his father said.

So that's what all the fuss is all about, Dominique thought and looked at the friend he treated like his own brother. Kevin nodded. That's why he's overprotective of Ayesa. Kevin thought she's his twin sister. That's why he's asking for her blood samples, probably for DNA, and to see if she has a birthmark on her back.

"You had! You mean, you were investigating but..." Dominique glanced at his confused wife. "It's only a theory. How can you prove that it's her? What if you're wrong?" he asked them.

"We've thought of that but we're taking chances." Kevin replied. "I'm taking my chances. The birthmark symbolizes the Bordeaux royal bloodline. Every one of us has it on our backs. We never told the public about that."

Ayesa looked around and still tries to absorb what she just learned. They looked at her with impending excitement to hug her and savor the moment that they finally found her but she couldn't believe it. "I grew up with my own parents. I have... I had my parents and I ..." before completing her words, she was surprised seeing Kevin taking his shirt off.

"Look at it. The same birthmark. I am not faking it because we all know what it means," he told her.

Her eyes gazed into his birthmark then turned around the room to see everyone's still staring at her "I'm sorry about your loss but I don't think that I'm your missing daughter." A tear fell down her face. She saw the sadness on their faces. "Why didn't you tell me sooner, when my mother was still alive? Maybe she knows the truth about me. Why now?"

"I'm sorry, darling." Isabella said, biting her lower lip. "We're scared to tell our children our secret. We've been hiding about it for so long. They just knew about it when Mama died and she revealed it through her codicil."

Ayesa shakes her head in confusion. "I'm confused. My parents are my real parents. I don't know why you're telling this. I think you don't even know how I get to be where I grew up. That's because you couldn't find anything to prove that." She looked at her husband.

"Ayesa, it's only a speculation. We can't tell that you're really our missing sister." Howie said. "But you happened to have a birthmark on your back and that means a lot for us."

"If you'll permit us, we would like to take you on a DNA test, Ayesa." Kevin said. "Please..."

Ayesa looked around. "Excuse me. I'm sorry. I can't breathe here." She stood up and quickly left the room.



>> 17

17

Ayesa was practically running in the garden trying to find some air she needed to make sense out of all she heard tonight. She wasn't making any of it. She stopped her nervous walk as she heard Dominique calling her name. She turned to him and surrendered totally to his embrace, in which either she hated it or love it. But for now, she needed something to distract her mind out of what she has faced.

He broke off his embrace. "Listen, Ayesa. I don't want you to face any stress so I am going inside and I'll tell them we are leaving. I don't care how rude it might seem but I told you I'll let no harm get near to you. I'll protect you and I am going to keep my word," he said before he disappeared back in the ballroom.

For her, it seemed just far beyond any fairy tale. How could she be a princess when she had her own family and she just lost her mother less than a month ago?

Ayesa turned when her name was called as she decided to go back to the ballroom. She saw her aunt Cassandra coming her way. She didn't want to cause any scene for Dominique anymore but one thing she was determined was that she needs to be outside the study where the rest of the Bordeaux clan is. She needs space to think about what has just transpired back there.

"Oh, dear. I heard that you just married the prince of Kreizig. Congratulations honey." Cassandra hugged her. "Is there anything wrong?"

Ayesa looked at her aunt. Can she tell her what she just found out? Next to her mother, Cassandra is the person she's close with. Her aunt took care of their family and supported her schooling. "Auntie. They just told something unbelievable to me."

"Huh? Who?"

Ayesa bit her lower lip. "Uncle Ben and his sons. They told me that they have a missing female relative and I am that person."

Cassandra stared at her. She pulled her back into a hug. "Oh no. They told that to you?" Ayesa nodded. "Where's Dominique?"

"I'm here."

Dominique extended his hand towards Ayesa, his eyes commanding her to take it. "I told them to leave you alone for now. They can't be really sure that it's you. It's not leaked out in the media yet. Right now, I'd like to take you home and rest. We have to arrange things for your travel to Kreizig." Ayesa hesitantly takes his hand. "Please excuse us, Miss Cassandra."

"Bye, auntie." Ayesa sighed and followed the prince. After what she learned, she still needs to continue this charade with Dominique as the prince still insisted to help her financially. Apparently, he knows that she needs money. All she has to do is to continue the charade like she's really in love with him and that it's not really money that she's after.



~~~



As the luxurious Bentley drove away and headed towards Villa d'azur, Dominique looked at Ayesa. It was so clear to him that the meeting tonight wasn't to her liking. It was actually a shocking matter. For the time being, he suspected that the drive to the villa would be a silent one.

On the other hand, it could be an advantage to his consideration. The Parliament, the people, and even his own father would find it a great matter if he married a royalty, especially one from Bordeaux.

"Dominique, take me home please." She suddenly spoke to him. He looked at her in wonder.

"Ayesa. We are heading to D'azur," he told her

"I mean, my home. I need to look for something, Dominique. I need to know... please." It only took him a glance to his chauffeur and the Bentley took a U turn back to Theo.

When they arrived to her house, Ayesa immediately went out of the car. She ran towards the study room and started looking in to the drawers, flipping everything upside down before she falls in one of the chairs, crying. She felt helpless, mentally tired and afraid. She didn't know why but she was afraid.

Dominique thought it was his time and right to be beside her. He wanted to help her. He felt that he is obliged to do something to her. He walked to her, bent on his knees and held her. It was the second time in one night she ever allowed him to be this close to her or better, she surrendered her herself to his embrace.

"Anna, I know it is not a reasonable question but can you tell me what kind of a man was your father?" He asked her. She looked up to him.

"He was the kind of man you might grow up to be, stubborn, strict to the rules, kind and adventurous, he was a mixture of all, but he died young... he didn't live long." She told him.

"Don't you think if he knew all of these, he might have hide any clue about it somewhere he felt safe?" he asked her.

She stared and him and silently nodded. She realized she might not find whatever she was looking for in this room or any where in this house.

Dominique went back to his feet and looked around the study carefully once again. It was a great treasure room. There were masks from Africa, some colorful Persian carpets, Peruvian artifacts, Indian linens, loads of books, wooden mosaic chairs, and a nice French rose music box. The controversy that was in this room amazed him. Slowly, he walked towards the table where the music box was and opened it.

"Ayesa, I think this one should belong to you." He turned to her and in his hand, a small golden locket dangled from a very delicate necklace.

She stood up and walked to him. She held the necklace. "I have never seen it before. Mother never allowed me to open this box. She told me back then that the music reminded her of my father and made her really sad. Why do you say it should be mine?" she asked him

"There are your initials, AI and I am not sure if it is P or a B. It is scratched. Anyway, it is yours now."

She looked at the letters. Indeed, there were her initials and for sure what he said was true but she was more than exhausted to think about it. "Ayesa... are you ok?" She heard Dominique saying.

"I'd better take you home. Tonight was not a relaxing night to you, dear." He commanded, but she looked at him pleadingly.

"Dominique, I would like to stay here for tonight. I don't know if I have much strength to go anywhere."

For him, that settled the deal for their first official night together. They will stay at her house not in D'azur, which made him a little relaxed without a doubt.

When Ayesa woke up in the morning, she recalled what happened the night before. She went downstairs and saw the door at the Sitting Room slightly open. She peeked inside and saw Dominique sleeping on the couch. She wondered why he would sleep on the couch when there were extra bedrooms to stay in. She saw the little golden piece on the side table. She never thought about it but there are several things inside the house that forbid her to touch any of those. And being the obedient one, she did what her parents told her to and it never occurred to her to attempt on breaking their rules. She's beginning to have thoughts about her true identity and how did she come to know the parents she grew up with. If she's been kidnapped, she wanted to know the reason. But her parents are one of the nicest people she knew. She should give them the benefit of doubt. And maybe, Kevin is wrong about his speculations after all.

Looking back to the box, she was told that it was given to her father by Aunt Cassandra. And she was never allowed to open it. She never recalled her father opening it either. So there should be something to question about but not for this time.



>> 18

18

After a lot of thinking, Ayesa agreed on a DNA test. She immediately flew with Dominique to Kreizig the day following it. Roger already arranged her royal engagements and she realized that her daily diary is full. There's her introduction to the state parliament, an induction program in a cultural society where Dominique is the chairman, numerous visits to the orphanages and retirement homes, guest appearances with her husband to a number of parties and social events and a private gathering in St. Karl Castle with the royal family. She never thought about any of these and it overwhelmed and scared her at the same time. On top of all of these is her church wedding at the end of the month and her formal coronation as the crown princess.

Dominique turned to her when they are already seated at the back of the limousine that will take them to St. Karl Castle, the official home of the crowned prince. "Are you alright, Ayesa?"

She only nodded. She stared at the compact planner that Roger has given her. 'I can do this,' she thought. She turned to the windows and saw the people standing by the street and waving at them. "They are anticipating your arrival," she heard Dominique said.

"They are? They don't even know me."

"Paparazzi worked overtime on that. Thanks to them."

Ayesa turned to the man beside her. Dominique looked so dashing - and formal. He turned into a different man when they arrived at the airport and it makes her awkward. She's not used to that side of his personality. "Are you angry at me?" she asks.

"No." He smiled to her. "I'm very grateful by what you've done, for accepting my offer. Why should I be angry with you?"

"Nothing." She looked away. From a distance, she saw a large landmark in which she only saw in postcards and magazines. They are nearing St. Karl Castle. She's going to live there as Dominique's wife. She felt his hand on her lap.

"My cousin called and she'll be there to welcome us." He told her. "Her name is Phoebe. She's a feisty little one, but you will like her." Minutes later, they reached the castle and it seems like the whole household staff where outside to greet them. Dominique introduced her to everyone and she's amazed that he knew almost every people who work in the castle.

Phoebe is there too but unlike what Dominique said, she's a quiet one. Being alone in a foreign country, she seeks companionship from anyone she will be comfortable with. She likes Roger, her husband's trusted secretary, but he's going to be busy now that they're in Kreizig. With that, she began to feel homesick. She wished her mother was there with her but she's all alone now. She couldn't even trust if Kevin and his family are telling the truth about who she is. Sighing inwardly, she hoped to get along well with Phoebe but the woman seemed reserved and distant. And her clothes were outdated, like she's a replica of a 70s corporate woman with a Farrah Fawcett hairdo.

After everything was formally introduced, they were ushered inside the castle. They were taken in a big room with a round table and four chairs. "This is called the Little Room, where the family takes their casual meals. It's called the Little Room because the main dining area is called the Big Room. When all of the family is here, that is the place where they all take their meals." Roger told her. Only the four of them, including Phoebe, were left alone in the room. "Princess Phoebe is the only royal family living with Prince Dominique as the king is currently residing in Seton Palace, His Majesty's official residence. You will get to meet the rest of the family on Friday in a private gathering."

"Karla and Edmond will be arriving from the Netherlands. They emailed me about their curiosity to meet Dominique's wife." Phoebe said.

"They're also cousins," Roger filled Ayesa.

"Why are they there?" Dominique turned to Phoebe. They all seated on the chairs provided around the table. There was a knock and several maids came in, bringing along their food.

Phoebe shrugged. "I don't know. You can never tell what those two are up to. They are always ready for any adventure." She turned to Ayesa. "You've chosen a quiet wife, cousin."

Dominique looked at Ayesa. "Don't underestimate my wife, Phoebe. Her claws are longer than yours."

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Please. You don't have to tell me that particular detail."

"I'm still adjusting to this new environment." Ayesa said. "This is my first time in Kreizig."

"First time?" Phoebe groaned. "Dominique, you didn't tell me."

Ayesa looked back and forth to the cousins. "Phoebe is assigned to teach you everything about Kreizig." Dominique told her. "She's the royal historian as well." When Ayesa turned to Phoebe, the younger woman only gave her a smile.



~~~



Howie shook hands with some corporate businessmen that he and Kevin had a meeting with in a conference hall of The Shangri-La Hotel. They are expanding their business outsourcing venture in some countries in Asia and they will help in generating more jobs. Kevin turned to his brother while Howie busied himself checking his mobile phone for new messages.

"Two weeks are long and I just can't wait to know the result of the DNA test." Kevin told him. "Are you sure that's the fastest thing we can pull through?"

Howie nodded and looked at him. "Yes, me too. I can't wait but that's the way it is. We just have to be patient, Kev. What's a few weeks anyway? We waited for so many years. Now that the opportunity has arrived, that short amount of time to endure isn't a long wait." He patted the elder man in his arm. "Relax, Kev. We'll get through this..." His voice trailed off when he caught glimpse of his wife through the glass walls of the hotel's restaurant. Opposite Adrienne is Ted Laxe. He frowned. His wife didn't tell him about her meeting with the man today.

Kevin followed where Howie is looking at and saw his wife too. "Ted Laxe? Why is she having a..." he stopped himself before he can make any damage. He saw Howie storming inside the restaurant and he quickly followed. This is trouble.

"Excuse me," Howie cleared his throat. The two occupants on the table looked up. Adrienne was surprised to see her husband at the hotel and she stuttered, as she begins to say something to introduce the two men.

"H-Howie...this is T-Ted Laxe. I've already told you a-about him with r-regards to -"

"I know." Howie quietly said. "Can we talk in private?" Adrienne stood up immediately. She saw her best friend coming behind Howie. They probably had a meeting in the hotel too. "Excuse us." Her husband ushered her towards the bar. "You didn't tell me about this meeting, Adrienne."

Adrienne bit her lower lip. "I know. I'm sorry. It's not scheduled. There's just some emergency that we need to talk about regarding the international book fair. It's nothing personal, Howie."

"I'm disappointed in you, Adrienne. You don't trust me. I made it clear that it's okay that you transact business with him but this happened." Howie sighed. "I'm jealous, okay. You spent more time with him than me and the kids. You've been missing the Sunday lunch as well."

"Listen, Howie. I want to do this thing. I'm busy. You can't blame me on that. We will talk later at home." Adrienne turned and went back to the table. Howie followed her and out of courtesy, he bid his goodbye to Ted and Kevin. As he walks out of the restaurant, his jaws clenched from restraining himself to scream at the top of his lungs.



>> 19

19

Ayesa looked around the spacious bedroom in awe. After lunch, Dominique personally took her to the bedroom where she will sleep. He said that they are going to be in one bedroom only, so as not to arouse suspicion from others that theirs is only a temporary marriage. She is overwhelmed by the grandeur of the room she stepped into. She should expect it since she's in St. Karl Castle, one of the grandest castles in Europe, but the bedroom didn't come close to what she imagined it to be. The master suite is large. It has its own sitting area, which is like the Sitting Room in her family's estate, its own hallway, a big walk-in closet, a door leading to the balcony and another door towards the adjoining room. She saw Dominique standing on that door.

"I'm going to transfer to this room to give way on your occupation in my room," he said.

"Maybe, I should be the one occupying that room." She said.

Dominique shakes his head. "No. It's alright, Ayesa. Don't worry." He walked towards her as he takes something from his back pockets. "This is your credit card. The pin number is your birthday. I also asked Roger to open a bank account for you and to deposit your first-month paycheck there. It's probably ready by now."

Ayesa looked at him when he extended his hand to give her the card. Even though she told him that she'll marry him because she 'loves' him, he insisted to give her money as her allowance. They signed several contracts when they got married: the pre-nuptial, the job contract and their marriage contract. She thought she can take the job easily but she still felt embarrassed now that Dominique reminded her of her true position in his life. This is not the way she imagined her marriage life should be but she had no choice. "Thanks," she quietly said and takes the card. "Dominique..."

"Yes?" The prince stopped before he can turn around and leave.

"Will Phoebe be embarrassed if I tell her that I'd like to take her out for a shopping? I think your cousin needs some advice on ... you know."

Dominique chuckled. "I know what you mean. Maybe you can give her a hint about it. Believe me, beyond that reserved countenance is a nice and vulnerable person. She needs female companion. She was orphaned when she's only six and I'm her closest cousin. She never wanted to be away from me ever since her parents' tragedy and I love her like a sister."

Ayesa nodded. "Thank you."

Dominique looked at her for a moment and then turned towards the adjoining room. "I'll keep the door closed. Just knock if you needed something. I'll be leaving in an hour for a meeting in the parliament."



~~~



Ayesa went back to the castle after her visits at the different orphanages in the city. She smiled when she saw Phoebe, who now looked more stylish with her new clothes. Ayesa didn't find it hard to get her into shopping clothes with her. Phoebe responded with enthusiasm. The woman is nice after all. Anyone may just have the impression of finding her a snob. For the past days of spending time with Phoebe during her lectures, Ayesa found the experience fulfilling and enjoyable. The younger one looked up to her now as her favorite cousin-in-law.

Phoebe can look so charming when she smiles but now is not her day. She seemed worried about something. "Is there anything wrong, Phoebe?"

Phoebe turned. "Ayesa," she bit her lower lip. "I saw Heidi. She's Duke's ex-girlfriend and she's here."

"Duke? Who's Duke?" Ayesa followed her pace as Phoebe walked down the long hallway towards the study room where they will start another session of lecture about Kreizig.

"Duke?" Phoebe looked at her in wonder. "Oh. I called Dominique as Duke. It's a nickname I've given him. I don't like Heidi. She's mean. She's bossing me around whenever she's here."

"Well, don't mind her. You shouldn't let others make you feel inferior without your consent." Ayesa said. They stopped when they heard loud voices coming at the other end of the hall. They saw Roger keeping up the pace with a tall woman with auburn curls and slim body.

"Tell your boss that I'd like to see him immediately. That man! He didn't tell me that he's planning to get married. He should've chosen me instead of some Arkadian small-time actress." The woman continued.

Phoebe glanced at Ayesa when they heard that then back to the woman. The latter stopped when they saw them. "That's Heidi," she whispered to Ayesa.

Heidi stopped right in front of Ayesa and looked at her from head to feet, and back at her. "You're the peasant that Dominique has married. How much did he pay you to be his wife?"

"Excuse me? Who are you?" Ayesa asked in a soft voice.

Heidi gave Roger a side glance. The man cleared his throat. "This is Her Majesty Queen Heidi of Muschenberg. Your Majesty, this is Her Royal Highness Princess Anna Isabella, wife of Prince Dominique."

"Now, you know," Heidi raised an eyebrow.

"I'm pleased to meet you." Ayesa said with a smile. She extended her hand for a handshake but the young queen ignored it. She takes back her hand.

"Not me. Roger," Heidi turned to the personal secretary, "I don't have time to wait. This call is a nuisance to my schedule. I'd like to go ahead and see the King." She walked past them, without as much as giving the two women a goodbye.

"That's a queen?" Ayesa shakes her head. Dominique has dated a woman such as that?

"Yes. I pity her country. It must be pure torture to keep up with someone like her." Phoebe said. "She only accidentally becomes queen after her elder sister died in an accident." Ayesa didn't say anything. She has her own opinion just by meeting that woman and she will only keep it to herself. "Besides, she should stop wishing that Duke should marry her. My cousin cannot marry someone who is also in line to the throne or someone who is in the throne. Kreizig will not allow foreign alliances bonded by marriage. That will be a supreme disaster."

They entered the study room together. Ayesa wondered, if she's really the daughter of Benedique and Isabella, she was supposed to be the heir to the throne when the monarchy was still around in Arkadia. She never thought about it and realized she's lucky not to have the pressure that Kevin had. But now, she's facing it. She's married to Dominique and potentially, will become queen someday.

It scares her.



>> 20

20

"Hey," Cristin caught her husband's hand and pulled him close to her. "Stop worrying too much, honey." She reached out and kissed Kevin on the lips. Her husband complied and their kiss turned passionate. They pulled apart when the phone rang. Kevin gives his wife's lips one last nip then went to pick up the phone.

"Adrienne, what's up?" Kevin paused as he listened to his sister-in-law. "We separated at the restaurant. Did you try to contact him? Let me see." He closed his eyes and think.

"What is it?" Cristin asked him.

"Why didn't you tell Howie that you'll be having lunch with Ted? You already knew that your husband is very jealous of him." Kevin continued. He covered the mouthpiece and turned to Cristin. "Howie is not home. Adrienne is looking for him and he's not answering her calls." His wife stared at him. He turned back to Adrienne on the other line. "Alright, you may have a point right there but Howie won't do this if you have a fault too. I'll try to call him and know where he is. After this, you two should talk. Bye." He hung up.

"The two had a fight?" Cristin followed her husband towards their bed.

"Adrienne is having business with Ted Laxe, her ex-boyfriend, and Howie is jealous about it. Aside from that, he feels that she's not having time around them anymore, even missing out the family gathering every Sunday. She's looking for him now because he's not yet home. He's not answering her calls. The kids are looking for him." Kevin sits on the bed as he speed-dialed Howie's number. His brother answered on the first ring. "Howie, where are you, man? You're wife's been looking all over the place for you."

"I'm on my way home, Kev. Don't worry." Howie replied on the other line. "Adrienne called you?"

"Yes, because you're not answering her calls."

Kevin heard him sigh on the other line. "I love her, Kev. I love her so much. I just took some time to think about everything that's been happening lately. I don't want to ruin my family because of my insecurity."

"But you should talk about it, too."

"Yes." Howie said. "Anyway, I also found something interesting, Kevin. It's about Ayesa."



~~~



"I don't understand."

Ayesa turned to Dominique as they walked down the grassy path towards a gazebo in the gardens of St. Karl Castle. Their bodyguards kept their distance from them. "What is it?" She asks. It's the eve before she gets to meet the rest of the royal family. In the morning, Dominique will take her to Seton Palace to meet his father and in the evening, a gathering will take place in the palace's ballroom for her debut as the newest member of the royal family.

"Your love," Dominique replied. "I know that I insist to pay you to be my temporary wife and you still fell in love with me."

Ayesa smiled. "You really took time in thinking about it?" Is he for real? This man really has no idea about love?

Dominique chuckled. "I just thought about it now because I remembered my friend Brendon. He's just like me, you know. But he fell in love and he's happily married. I just can't imagine you giving up yourself to me because you love me. Believe it or not, I still can't understand the love issue."

'If you only knew,' Ayesa thought. She's just pretending she loves him. She wished if he'd change the topic.

"Is there anything on your mind? You are spacing out!"

"I was thinking about what happened before we left Arkadia. What if I'm Kevin's missing twin sister? What are you going to do about it?"

They stopped inside the gazebo. Her husband looked at her. "Do you want to go home when you found out about it?"

"Will you let me?"

Dominique nodded. "I admit, Ayesa, that I'm glad I found you. You know that I never believed in love but in these past days, I don't know what you're doing to me. Bottom line, dear, I think I like this idea of marriage. I felt I found a peace of mind. My life seemed to have a right path. The next thing I'd like to say is that you might be the best thing that has happened to me."

"Wow," Ayesa stared at him. That's one of the sweetest things a man could ever say to her. She's speechless. All she can reply is pulling him close for an embrace.

"I will give you whatever it is that makes you happy, in return to what you did to me. We will go to Arkadia when the results came in. We will visit the Bordeauxs." She heard him added. She knows that. For Dominique, making it on the throne is all that matters and she will help him to achieve that. And he will return the part if his bargain as well.

"... and I was thinking too about it." She heard him continue to speak. "I think you might want them to be there throughout the ceremonies. Someone has to give you away to your groom, right?"

She was again speechless. She never thought about this point. If Benedique was truly her father, it would be the most wonderful thing to have him next to her and dance with her.



~~~



As Howie entered his house, he was already feeling uneasy about the whole thing that happened hours before. He slipped into one of the guest rooms and threw his body on the mattress.

"Are you drunk, Howie?" He heard Adrianne's voice form the door.

"Do you care to know or are you only trying to act sincere?" he replied in a harsh tone.

"I do care, Howie, and that is not fair how you treat me and I have been trying to call you for over two hours." She commented. He could hear the pain in her voice. He was glad that the lights were off. She might have been crying too.

"No, I am not drunk, you know better to ask." There was silence after that. He felt her body sitting on the edge of the mattress. He doesn't want to hurt her. She's right. He's being unfair to ask this way when they should rather talk about what's going on with their relationship. He sat up. "Adrienne..." He heard her sniffed and his heart ached. He reached out for her arm and pulled her close to his body. "I'm sorry, sweetie."

As soon as she heard that familiar endearment, she gave in and cried in his arms. "This is really hard for me, Howie. I don't want us going through this. I don't want us to fight over something that's really unfair and not really worth fighting over with."

"I know. I'm sorry, too, for being so jealous. I love you." Howie kissed her on the forehead and wiped her tears. He wiped his own, too.

"I love you, too." Adrienne hugged him tighter. "You know that so there's no need to be jealous. No one's going to take me away from you. I hope you understand that it's my passion to write. Ted is only a friend who happened to help me with a good exposure for my books. He will only be that way. I hope you'd understand that."

"Yes, Adrienne." Howie replied softly.

"You're not going to be jealous anymore?"

"Yes, Adrienne."

"You will never do this drinking and driving again, okay?"

"Yes, Adrienne."

"We're going to talk about our problems and solve it together, okay?"

"Yes, Adrienne."

"Is that all you're going to say?"

"No, Adrienne."

Adrienne smiled as Howie bents down to kiss her. "Then what is it?" She nipped his lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck. She pulled her husband closer.

"I am wrong and I'm sorry. I love you and I'm going to make up with you for what I've wrongly done." With that being said, he pulled her into another deep kiss.



>> 21

21

When Ayesa saw King Louisse sitting on the bed, she can tell that this is not the man who's on his death bed. Even Dominique is surprised to see his father alive and well. "Papa, you should be lying instead of sitting up. It might tire you out."

Louisse ordered his nurse to leave them alone. When the nurse is gone, he turned to them. "Good day to you too, son, and to you, Anna Isabella."

Ayesa smiled and curtsied before him. "I'm pleased to meet you, Your Majesty." She turned to her husband who's still worried about his father. She noticed how much he cares for the king that even though he's thinking about his succession to the throne, he still doesn't want to lose his father.

"Duke, I'm alright. Stop staring at me. You're giving me goose bumps," Louisse chuckled. He looks like a light-hearted old man, Ayesa thought. "I'm glad you brought your wife today. I cannot make it tonight at the gathering as I might get tired. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask you several questions."

Uh-oh, Ayesa glanced to her husband. Dominique ushered her to the two seats intended for them. They sat facing King Louisse.

"Since the first time I saw your picture, I noticed your similarity to Isabella of Arkadia. If my hunch is true and according to what my son told me, you're her missing daughter. I've been a longtime friend of Benedique and Isabella and I admit that I fell in love at the first sight of her. I know what she looks like when we were younger. You somehow looked like her although there are dominant features coming from your father."

"We didn't know yet if it's the truth, Your Majesty."

The king looked at his son. "Is she for real? Dominique, how did you find your wife? This one is far from the women you dated." He turned to Ayesa. "She's polite, mild-mannered..."

"We met in Arkadia years ago, father." Dominique said. "When I get back there months ago, I saw her again and we dated for a while before I realized that I found the one I wanted to marry."

"Now, son, I prefer that you don't lie to me and tell me you are not doing it for the sake of keeping Anthony away from the throne. Do you love her?" That's a statement from King Louisse.

"I do," Dominique glanced to his wife. "I do love her. What makes you say that? I may have told you before that I don't want to marry because it might only end up just like yours but you know this one's different. Ayesa is not like mother and I am sure she is the woman for me."

"For real?"

"For real, father."

Ayesa drew a deep breath. This is going to be a harder work than she thought. Dominique's father knows how to catch anyone unprepared. If she and Dominique won't be careful, he will learn the truth about their marriage and the truth that she's only faking her act. If this is the way it goes today with her husband's father, she wondered what's more that's in store for her this evening when the whole family will be at St. Karl to greet her.



~~~



"You're staring into nothing again."

Isabella heard her husband's voice and turned to find Benedique standing by the entry way of their private balcony. She rested her head back against the rocking chair where she's sitting. She loves this chair, in which Nick has given her for their recently-celebrated wedding anniversary. She was teased by her children for being that old because she adores the rocking chair and always wants to rest just by sitting on it. She felt her husband's presence on the rocking chair beside hers. Nick has quite an unusual mind to give his parents a present for their wedding anniversary.

"I'm thinking about our children. It's been a long time since we hid this secret. Now that it's out, I feel so anxious to know if Ayesa is our missing daughter." She says. "Bennie, I've longed to hold our daughter in my arms. I've had dreams for her upon the time when she was born. I was frustrated but I couldn't do anything then but to hide it. I'm glad that the secret is out. It's been a relief."

Benedique reached out for her hand. "I feel the same way, too." A lump formed in his throat. For a successful and powerful man like him, it's frustrating that he wasn't able to protect his only daughter from someone who took her away from them. "Will you accept Ayesa if she's really our daughter?"

"I actually saw that birthmark when she attended Mama's wake with Helena. I was surprised to see that in her but I actually forgot it then. Now that she really has the birthmark, my hopes surged that she's may be our missing daughter after all." Isabella sighed. "Yes, I would like to think that she can be our daughter, Bennie."

"But if she's not, we'll start from scratch again."

"Bennie, it'd be hard." Isabella squeezed his hand holding hers. "I don't think I'll endure the wait. It's been agony for all these years that I've longed for my missing daughter, not being able to tell anyone about it and then this. I want to see her. I hope that it's Ayesa. I like that woman."

"She's married now. If she's our daughter, we didn't even have the chance to spend more time with her since she needs to be in Kreizig with her husband."

"Benedique?"

"Yes, darling?"

"I don't like Dominique."

Benedique turned to his wife. "Why? He's a nice bloke."

Isabella shakes her head. "I don't know. There seemed to be something in him that I couldn't suppress. There seemed to be something weird about their marriage too." Benedique fell silent on that. His wife doesn't know about the arrangement that Dominique had planned in able to secure the succession to him. Kevin and Howie filled him in on the details and he opposed to that kind of arrangement but who is he to interfere with his godson? He knew how stubborn Dominique could be, just like his own children are. They are firm in every decision they make. He only wished that the prince won't hurt Ayesa because if he did, Benedique will interfere and he wouldn't care about anything. To himself, he admitted that he wished that Ayesa is his missing daughter too. Now, if he tells Isabella about the complications with Ayesa and Dominique's relationship, he's sure that his wife will do something to interfere. Isabella seemed to be already considering Ayesa as their missing daughter, judging by the way she thinks about it for the past days since that night of their wedding anniversary.

"Don't worry, darling." Benedique said instead. "If Dominique tried as much as to hurt Ayesa, I will do something to take her away from him. After all, she's still our kin. Trust me on that. He will never see her again."



>> 22

22

Ayesa's mind is in blur as names and faces passed through her in the event of her introduction to the royal family. The Kreizig society's elite royals gathered together in the magnificent ballroom of St. Karl Castle. She's the center of attention, the main topic under scrutiny from Dominique's relatives and friends. When Dominique introduced her earlier, she had the urge to go someplace else and hide. It's a good thing that she saw Phoebe's supportive look, Roger's nod and Dominique's tight grip on her hand. What happened next were the several greetings coming from the noble clan and the members of the high society.

She doesn't have the ability to remember each of the people who were introduced to her. She even joked once to her husband that he should have required his relatives to wear name tags, to be able to recognize them, in which Dominique made a good laugh about. At that time, his relatives turned his way when he made that loud laugh. Ayesa blushed but Dominique never noticed the attention. He seemed amused. His performance as the main host for the evening is now transferred to the ever-trusted Roger Brown. Dominique made himself so busy with Ayesa that Roger carefully attended to other guests for their needs. His boss's wife is keeping him busy.

"I'm glad that we arrived in time to see you make a good laugh over something." A woman with wild curly black hair said. Standing beside her is a man with the most unusual violet eyes Ayesa had ever seen.

"Cousins, I'd like to introduce to you my lovely wife, Anna Isabella Pierre or rather, Ayesa." Dominique said with a smile. "Ayesa, these are my cousins, Karla and Edmond, who arrived so late. What happened to you?"

Karla kissed him on the cheeks before shaking Ayesa's hand. "There was some flight delay. So, Ayesa, I heard that you're a cousin to the Bordeauxs. How's Nick?"

"He's planning to migrate to the US with his lovely wife, Yvonne." Ayesa replied, quickly noting that Karla was one of Nick's ex-girlfriends. "They're just getting over some time to prepare due to Yvonne and their baby's condition. She just gave birth."

"Really? What's their baby?" Karla smiled but it never reached the eyes.

"It's a girl." Dominique replied. He noticed the impending burst of unusual attitude beneath Karla's smile. He had to do something to prevent the brat from the impending storm within her since her breakup with Nick. Karla still hasn't got over the fact that Nick moved on and is now happily married with his American wife. Dominique cleared his throat. "Anyway, please excuse us. I just spotted Phoebe and Aunt Gertrude."

"It's been nice meeting you, Karla and Edmond." Ayesa said before her husband ushers her away from them. "They don't like me, do they?" She asks him in a whisper. They stopped when a couple of Dominique's college pals greeted them.

"They don't and don't mind them. They usually don't like everyone here, anyway." Dominique smiled. "Hello, Eugene, Jim. This is my wife, Ayesa."

Both men shook hands with her. They seemed nicer than Dominique's cousins. "We learned that you're a theater actress. I wasn't surprised to find one talented lady in the Bordeaux clan." Eugene said with a wide smile. "The former royal family got music in their genes."

"You should hear the men sing some time," Dominique said with a laugh. "Kevin and his brothers were like professional singers when you get to hear them. My wife, on the other hand, is a different matter. She's a wonderful singer, far greater than Georgina Jules onstage."

"Oh, please, Dominique," Ayesa smiled shyly when her husband compared her to a famous international singing diva.

"Maybe she can sing for us."

The four turned to the one who spoke. Ayesa recognized the face of the man. She instantly sensed the awkwardness in the situation as rivals of the throne stood face to face. "Good evening, Anthony. I'm proud to introduce to you, my wife, Anna Isabella Pierre."

The man, Prince Anthony, gently takes Ayesa's hand and kissed the top of it. "You have a lovely wife, Duke. I hope you're sharing the same bed." He said so quietly that Ayesa almost failed to hear it. She looked at the man. He's as tall as Dominique. His dark brown eyes are very commanding and his features were stiff. He's good-looking but still, he won't surpass Dominique's charismatic appeal. Ayesa felt her husband's hand leaving hers. She instantly had to do anything to prevent something that Dominique might regret later.

"Oh, we are, always." She said with a sweet smile. "Do you have any problem with that, Your Highness?"

The men surrounding her turned in surprise to her outright question towards the prince. Although nervous of what might be the outcome of her seemingly improper attitude towards the royalty in front of her, she tries to remain calm. She's not yet fully briefed on the Kreizigian royal protocol but she knew that this man has no right to question their private marital relationship. She remained her head high as she meets the calm scrutiny of Dominique's cousin.

"Your wife got spunk, Duke." Anthony smiled but Ayesa knew better than to trust that smile. "She will bring you to the greatness of your time if you become the future king of this country."

"She will, I assure you that." Dominique said. "But not only she will be by my side when I become king, but also I believe that whatever the circumstances are, I am still the legitimate heir to the throne while you, my dearest cousin, will just always be the spare."

"Maybe," Anthony shrugged. "Anyway, I give my best wishes for your marriage. I hope it won't last for only a year. You need heirs, Dominique." With that, he laughed and turned to leave. Ayesa doesn't want to watch him go. She secretly sighed in relief. She turned back to the three men who are with her. She couldn't discern the look coming from her husband.

She felt alone in this gathering. She didn't know anyone and she wished that somebody from her family is, at least, there. Looking around, there were so many guests that Dominique invited for this gathering. And then she spotted someone familiar and her face light up.



~~~



Kevin and Cristin walked towards the couple. He saw Ayesa's face seemed to turn into relief when she saw them. Didn't Dominique inform her that her family was invited in this gathering? But only Kevin and his wife can go since the others weren't able to because of their busy schedule. "There she is, Cris. I am so happy to see her again."

"She seemed relieved. She must have felt so alone here in this foreign country," Cristin muttered in reply. They greeted the couple once they reached them.

"Surprise," Dominique tells his wife. Ayesa turned to him. She smiled in gratitude.

"I'm glad you're here," Ayesa said as she kissed Cristin and Kevin on the cheeks. "There are so many unfamiliar faces and I even wished my mother was alive and beside me."

Kevin nodded. "We're thankful that Duke invited the family tonight. Unfortunately though, only the two of us were able to come. The rest got busy schedules." He turned to Dominique. "How's His Majesty?"

"Father is in Seton Palace and resting. By the way, how's the DNA test going?"

Kevin looked at Ayesa. "We still haven't got the results until next week. But we have hopes that you are our sister, my twin sister. I've been looking for you in a very long time."

"How are your mother and father?" Ayesa asked him.

"They are fine. Mama is getting sick lately so it's not advisable for her to travel." Kevin replied. He watched as Dominique looked down to Ayesa and slightly brushed her cheeks with the back of his hand. His friend doesn't realize that he's starting to care for his wife more than he could ever think of. Kevin wished it won't be late for Dominique to realize it on his own. Ayesa, on the other hand, seemed distant and shy. According to Dominique, she agreed to the marriage proposal because she's fallen in love with him. But seeing her now, it seemed that she's feeling otherwise. Could Howie be true about what he found out on her financial dilemma? What's Ayesa's plan then if she wanted to end her charade? Or will she continue pretending to love Dominique and get more power and money from what she gained by marrying him? Kevin shakes his head. He doesn't want to think that Ayesa can be like that. He doesn't see her that way.



>> 23

23

Ayesa quietly closed the door of the master bedroom and walked down the hall to go back to the ballroom. She was given a beautiful bracelet earlier by one of Dominique's aunts and she thoughtfully went to her room to keep it. The least she wanted was to lose it because it looks like it costs so much.

As she walks down the hall, she prayed that time will run fast that this gathering is over. She's telling herself that all of these are only temporary. She should not get used to this kind of life that Dominique leads. She's not accustomed to lead life like this. She doesn't belong here.

"At last, you're alone."

Ayesa paused in surprise at the voice of a man. She saw Anthony leaning his back against the wall, his hands on his pockets. "Aren't you supposed to be downstairs along with the others?" she asks only to conceal the fact that he's making her nervous. She watched as Anthony walked towards her.

"You're supposed to be there, too, Your Royal Highness."

"There's just something that I need to do back in my room. What are you doing?" She stepped back.

Anthony gave her a devious smile. "Dominique must have paid you half of his wealth to ever consider being in this charade but I won't buy it." He caught her hand. His thumb ran circles in her wrist.

"Let me go or I'll scream."

"No one will believe a foreigner like you. You still haven't gained enough trust to pinpoint an assault on me. No one will believe you." Anthony hissed. "Think about it. When you scream, they will come here. They will find us in this uncommon setting, just the two of us. They will have their own speculations. It will humiliate you and Dominique. I know that you wouldn't like that. You're sworn to make him king and protect his name until his dilemma with the succession ends."

Ayesa tried to free her hand from him but Anthony pulled it tighter and her body closer to him. "Our marriage is real. I pity you for resorting into something as low like this, trying to threaten me, just to get the throne."

Anthony nodded with a mocking smile. "Oh, okay. Whatever you say, Your Royal Highness." He chuckled. He surprised Ayesa when he grabbed her nape and pulled her face close to his and kissed her on the lips. Ayesa struggled to stop him, pushing him away as much as she could. When she succeeded, she was pushed down on the floor. "Be careful, Ayesa. You and Dominique didn't know who you're dealing with." And with that, Anthony quickly left the hall.



~~~



Ayesa flinched when Dominique released his hold from her and went towards the adjoining door and slammed it behind him. It's been four in the morning and the gathering was finished two hours ago. After seeing their guests went off to go home, Dominique never said anything to her. She can sense his aloofness since his last encounter with Anthony again. By midnight, Anthony went back to them and said something to his cousin in which Ayesa has failed to hear. She, on the other hand, tried not to look at him as memories of what happened in the hall came back to her. She tried not to frown as there were people looking at them all the time. Her charade must continue and it's becoming so hard.

She decided to go to the other room to confront Dominique. The least she wanted is to sleep with things around her left unsettled. "Is there any problem, Duke?"

"Don't call me that." She heard his curt reply. She glanced to her left and saw him standing facing the windows, wearing nothing but his black slacks.

"Do you have any problem with me?" She tried again. There was a long silence between them until she saw him turn around. He walked towards her and surprised her when he suddenly bents down to kiss her. Ayesa wasn't able to respond as an unfamiliar sensation overwhelmed her. He ended the kiss before she knew it.

"Damn you, Ayesa." He pushed her away. She frowned at his behavior. What's going on? "I'm not impressed at the way you talk with some of my guests earlier." Dominique says in a cold tone. "You're acting way out of your league. You're just my wife but that doesn't mean that you'll act like one of us. I'm just paying you to do what you have to do."

In a blink of an eye, Ayesa crossed the distance between them and gave him a hard slap on the cheeks. She tried to fight back the tears from falling. His words hurt her more than the slap she gave him. "I forgot about that. I'm nowhere near to being noble. I forgot that I may have been a relative to the Bordeaux, I'm not still part of the society where your world is. You must have been regretting that you married me, for I am a big disappointment to you." Without any excuse, she went back to her room. She didn't know why Dominique suddenly acted and thought something like that to her. It wasn't his problem before if she needs lessons into being a royal. There must be something from what Anthony told him that changed his mind.

She heard the door opened. Dominique followed her in her room. "Is there anything more that you wanted to say?"

Dominique didn't say anything though. Ayesa is beginning to hate this selfish man who only thinks about himself and his assurance to the throne. She thought he's a friend she can really trust in this foreign country but she's wrong. He's the cold-hearted man that she really thought he is. All she wanted to do now is to go home.

"I will leave this place tomorrow. I will go and stay in Seton."

"Our agreement isn't finished yet."

"You will be king, don't worry," Ayesa smiled bitterly. She didn't hide the quivering in her voice. "We won't be divorcing until you finally had the power you wanted. Right now, I want to be away from you. I won't permit you say something like that again, Dominique. I'm maybe not on the same level of the society where you're in but I'm still a human being who can feel and understand what's going on. You really hurt me when you said those words." She shakes her head and stepped back when her husband tries to go forward. "Don't go near me."

She went out of the room, down in its own hall and towards its own Sitting Room. She curled herself on the lush sofa in the corner and cried. All the emotions she's been hiding all evening burst out like a water dam. The pressure of Dominique's relatives, friends and political allies on her, the indifference of the other people, Anthony and his unwanted advances earlier, and Dominique's coldness. She never felt so alone. She didn't have someone to go to, of whom she can really feel as her confidante. She thought she can manage to go on this charade because she can and that she's starting to care for her husband but Dominique will always be the stone-hearted man she knew: the one who never knew what love is. Her cries continued.

Somewhere behind the panels, Dominique stood quietly in the dark. His eyes closed. It hurts him to hear her cry but he's mad. It infuriated him when he caught his wife and Anthony kissing in the dark hall earlier. It angered him more when Anthony came up to him and mocked him on how delicious his wife's lips are. Apparently, his cousin saw him saw them kissed and it delighted Anthony. Why did Ayesa have to give in to the enemy? If she wants sex, he can give it to her although in his part, he respected Ayesa so much that he doesn't want to touch her and do something that they might regret later. There may be the possibility of having a child and that's the least he wanted right now.

Dominique opened his eyes and watched his wife cry.

Ayesa raised her head and wiped her tears. That should be enough. Dominique is not worthy of her tears. She stood up and decided to go to the only place and the only person who can help her right now. She walked out of the room, turned left down the hall towards the grand staircase. There were guards standing on their night post and they became alert when they saw her. She asked for a car. They never questioned her when she decided to be taken to the Seton Palace. A security team was instantly formed to take her there. Within minutes, without Dominique coming down to see her go, she went in the car and left St. Karl.



>> 24

24

Ayesa tried not to show any reaction when she saw Dominique at the hall when she came out from the room that is intended for her in Seton Palace. The king was surprised to learn of her unannounced arrival but made orders to everyone to give her a very special treatment while she's in his home. His Majesty didn't give her any questions pertaining to her stay in the palace but Ayesa knew that Dominique's father may already have the idea on what's going on between her and her husband.

"This is nonsense, Ayesa." Dominique stated in a hard tone.

"I agree. From the day you offered me the proposal, it's been nonsense." She retorted.

"I'll take you home."

"I'd rather stay here."

"Have you lost your mind? You're no longer an ordinary person, Ayesa. You're now a public figure. In a few weeks, you will be crowned princess of this country. Any action you make now had consequences and it will all concern me, too. Stick it to your mind. You don't have any choice. If you don't want to see me, fine. I'll transfer into another room but don't stay here. The people will start to think that our marriage is really a fraud."

Ayesa went back in her room and Dominique followed her.

"You don't have any other choice, Ayesa. You agreed to marry me." Dominique closed the door and locked it. "You will do what is appropriate for this family. You're not just humiliating me, or my father, but also your family. Have you ever thought of what your Uncle Benedique will think about this? And may I remind you that I'm still paying you to be my wife?"

It shocked her the way he bluntly addressed her. Another blunt regard from him since that night after the party. She knew something's bothering Dominique and he won't even tell her what it is. What happened to the person she met in Arkadia?

"You don't have to remind me that." Ayesa replied through gritted teeth.

"I should do that since it's my money that saved your house and everything's in it." Ayesa looked at him.

"What do you mean your money saved my house? What are you talking about?"

He gave her a sly smile. "Don't you think I will never know, that you only acted that you love me just to get money to save your family estate? Don't worry, Ayesa. I still give credit to your effort to act so lovingly to me and to your pride of not marrying without love. But you still give in to my proposal."

"Dominique! I don't believe you, you are..." she was out of words. She didn't understand what he was pointing to and somehow she felt her heart breaking up. She tried not to fall in love with him because she knew she's starting to care for him and deep inside her, she didn't wonder why it felt such pain hearing his words.

"I won't let this thing happen again, Ayesa. In exchange for humiliating me from what you've done, you're not going to go back to Arkadia until our marriage is over. I don't care if you turn out to be Kevin's missing twin. You will not leave my side unless I tell you so or else, you will regret it." Dominique continued. He's not even looking at her when Ayesa tried to look at him. "Now, you'll come back with me to St. Karl."

It would be easier if you will just say sorry over the things you said to me, Ayesa thought as she turns around. She bumped into his chest when he didn't expect her turn. He stopped and held her arms. There was always a sexual tension between them and both were trying to conceal that physical attraction. They both know that it may lead to something they might regret later. Dominique stared at her for a while before letting her go and stepping back and away from her. Ayesa knew she must not feel hurt at that. Her husband doesn't want her. But she sometimes longed to be held in his arms and hold her tight, just like any other normal married couples do. But of course, their marriage is far from being normal.

"You said things that are really hurtful," she tells him.

"But that's the truth, right? Besides, I saw you and Anthony kissing. What do you want me to think then?" Dominique glared down at her. She opened her mouth to speak and defend herself but her husband is already walking towards the door.

"That's not what you think it is." She tries to say.

"Come on, Ayesa. I know what I saw." Her husband turns around. "You're not going to be successful with your plans. You will be my wife and Anthony will never be king. Pack your things, if you have something with you. I will wait for you downstairs." And with that, he went out of the room.



~~~



Phoebe loves her cousin a lot. In fact, she looked up to Dominique more as a brother and she'd do anything for him to be happy. But seeing the way he acted towards Ayesa is not right. She could never understand why he treats Ayesa as if she's only one of his employees he'll order around to get what he wants. She knew he's the biggest spoiled brat in the family but that doesn't give him the right to treat his wife in the manners that only she can see within the castle and out from the prying eyes of the media.

She never understood when he played a lot with his relationships with women. She believes that Dominique should not blame the way his mother did to his father for the way their family turned out to be. She thought it's stupid that he acts this way. She thought he's very much an idiot for treating a wonderful woman such as Ayesa like some useless human being when they're at home. She tried to confront him so many times but he always ignored her.

Phoebe is getting frustrated at the way this couple's marriage is turning out. She thought that they looked so good together. She hoped that this will start a new life for Dominique as a man with compassion for a family life of his own. She watched as her cousin rode on his horse and played polo with his friends. Ayesa is quietly sitting beside her. The woman's face is covered with a big decorative hat and her eyes were covered with dark shades. When she takes it off and continued to watch the game, Phoebe saw the extraordinary look from her towards Dominique. This woman loves her cousin!

Carefully, she takes Ayesa's hand and patted it lightly. Ayesa turned to her with a smile. "I don't understand the game even though I've watched it so many times," Phoebe tells her. "How about if we go for some refreshments?"

"You can go ahead, Phoebe. I'd like to watch my husband play," Ayesa chuckled. She turned to the field and had this loving look towards a particular man riding on a horse. Dominique looked at her and smiled. She returned the warm gesture. Phoebe thought it's all just an act. What's really going on with these two? Was their marriage not even real?

"You're so much in love with him, aren't you?"

Ayesa looked at her. "Do I look obvious?" her face grew worried.

"Why worried?" When Ayesa didn't reply, Phoebe takes her hand again. "It's not part of the royal protocol to hide your feelings towards your husband. Come, let's get out of here and have something to eat." Her cousin-in-law followed her. A private enclosure has been provided for the VIPs of the event and the two went straight inside. Like a posh restaurant, they were given a special table where food was instantly served to them. "I can't understand why you love him." Phoebe said in a hushed tone. "I mean, he's a great man but he's not exactly the candidate for stupid Cupid's bow and arrow. I know him."

Ayesa sighed. "I believe in miracles, Phoebe. Call me stupid or idiot but I think there's still some good in him. We just all need time to let him change for the better."

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "I pity my cousin for having a wonderful person like you and not realizing it. Your church wedding will be in a week and I was hoping for miracles to happen."

"The results of the DNA tests will be revealed this weekend." Ayesa tells her. She informed Phoebe before about her possible relation to the former first family of Arkadia.

"I'm looking forward to hear that you're their missing daughter, Ayesa. And that will give Kevin and his brothers the right to meddle with your affairs and more or less, take you away from here. You don't deserve my cousin."

"Maybe but that's the way love is. I will never leave your cousin until the right time comes that we need to go our separate ways."



~~~



Dominique's jaw clenched as he stood in place while watching the wreath he offered is being laid upon his great grandfather's monument. King Horace was one of the country's national heroes. His mind wandered to Ayesa and the argument they had this morning. It's just a simple and stupid argument between them. She's only requesting his permission for her to go to the children's home and take the orphans on a field trip at the national museum. And he didn't allow her to because he just doesn't want her to get tired with a lot of things. She needs to focus more on her training with Phoebe on everything about Kreizig. But it seems like Ayesa loves the idea of multi-tasking.

He replied a salute when the Army Chief gave him one and then marched off. He glanced at his watch. He still had two hours more to finish his engagements.

"Are you alright, Your Royal Highness?" Roger asked beside him. The trusted assistant noticed the silence and disinterest within the prince and his mind seeemed elsewhere.

"I'm fine, Roger." Dominique smiled and shook hands with foreign dignitaries and members of the parliament who came to witness this honorary day for his great grandfather. They asked him about his wife and told them that they have separate engagements that day. Later on, he's already on his way to his next engagement in an inauguration with his book club. He picked up his phone and decided to call Ayesa to check where she is. It was her bodyguard, Eugene, who answered the call. "Where's my wife?"

"Your Royal Highness, she's playing football." Eugene replied. He heard cheers in the background.

"Football?" He frowned. Many say that his wife is unusual, far from the prim and proper they expect her to be. Roger, who's in the limo beside him, raised an eyebrow. "Why is she playing football?" He asked as he instructed the chauffeur to make a detour towards where his wife is. He also made signs to Roger, who on the other, hand makes a call to the security team to inform on the sudden plans. "Who's winning?"

"I think Her Royal Highness is doing fine, Sir. Everybody likes her." Eugene replied. Dominique frowned as he glanced through the windows. He ended the call. Everyone is curious about his wife now that she's married to him. The people like to know more about their future queen and it seemed like Ayesa had her own way to charm the people but this one is unexpected. What is Ayesa thinking? A princess never gets dirty in front of the people, for Pete's sake! Didn't Phoebe brief her about royal protocols and propriety?

"I think Her Royal Highness is doing great," he heard Roger said. "And she's taking quite a different perspective with her duties, enjoying every bit of it most of the time. It's important that the people can see her genuine concern over some matters. She's effective in what she does," his secretary continued. But he feels uneasy. He needs a one-on-one talk with his wife later.

Almost everyone turned when Dominique's royal convoy arrived at the football stadium. His security arrived minutes ahead of them and now settled their task within the area. Dominique was immediately out of the car and the media quickly took shots of him. His royal presence and aura awed the people present in the area. He smiled to everyone but his eyes scanned for his wife. He saw her surrounded by the football players as she walked towards him. Behind her are her bodyguards headed by Eugene and Ken Truschen, the team's coach.

Dominique felt the whole world seemed to disappear and Ayesa is the only one he sees. Her charming smile touched his heart in a way he never imagined it to be. They were still not in good terms since the night of the party. Her smile is only a charade for everyone to see. But still, she is so beautiful even with all that dirt on her face, arms and legs. She's actually wearing shorts for this particular duty? Her smile seemed to radiate unexplainable warmth to the mood in the area. The people seemed to admire her. Her ability to adapt to his countrymen amazed him and they are beginning to love her in return. Most of the people gave positive comments in believing that she will be the queen they've been waiting for in a long time. What will happen if they learn that she will happen to be the missing daughter of the former of King of Arkadia?

Dominique gathered her in his embrace, despite the dirt in her clothes. "Hi, honey. Who won?" Everyone heard his question and they laughed.

"You can never guess," Ayesa laughed too and he wanted to think that it's genuine. He thoughtfully wiped off the smudge on right cheek with his white handkerchief. The media took pictures of them. Dominique took the time to talk with the coach and the football team before finding themselves inside the limo that will take them to St. Karl.

"What was that?" Dominique asked her.

"Is there any problem?" Ayesa asked, rather innocently.

"Yes, you didn't follow the protocol. And you're wearing shorts! You're full of dirt!"

"Huh?" Ayesa chuckled. "I don't think there's wrong with that." She saw the seriousness in his face. "I don't understand why you worry so much about simple things like this. First, you won't allow me to take the children on a field trip so I made a commitment to go to this football launch today. It's not as if I'm stripping off for everyone to see."

"You should know that now you're a public figure as my wife, you should watch your actions. Do you think the people like to see their future queen acting like that? Remember, Ayesa, you're no longer a private citizen. And in this family, we follow certain protocols to protect our image."

Ayesa shakes her head in disbelief. She glanced at Roger, whose lips pursed. She sets her back on the seat and chose to be silent. She finds it ridiculous. She's aware of the protocols as her cousins have one like the other monarchies but Kevin and his family is not as particularly strict as Dominique is. "You should review my schedule, Roger. I might mess up again." She said after a long moment of silence.

Dominique instantly agreed. "Let me check her engagements, Roger." He takes the digital planner from his assistant. Ayesa rolled her eyes.

"Roger, will you kindly call Kevin?" Ayesa asked. "I think I'd invite them this weekend when the DNA results are out."

"No."

The two turned to Dominique. Ayesa frowned. "What is your problem? You can join me with my family if you want."

"You will be busy since the wedding will be next week. Your schedule should be open for all possible meetings in lieu to the wedding preparations."

"I don't think that there's still a need for the meeting. I slept so late last night because of your people of whom I spent all my time yesterday with their preparations and never-ending follow-up on the details. They're lacking confidence, Dominique. Are you sure you hired the best wedding coordinators? They kept on checking me with things and seemed unsure. Constant repetition on something that I've already been decided is irritating."

"They're just doing their job, Ayesa. They wanted our church wedding to be perfect." Dominique turned to her. "And why are you complaining a lot? Haven't we agreed on this before? You'll follow what I say - "

"I married you because I love you, Dominique, but you still doubted that."

"Stop with that crap."

But Ayesa continued. "You're a cold-hearted person who doesn't know what love is. You can't give me orders just because you are giving me money. I didn't ask for that. And I'm not complaining. I'm just stating a mere fact that you may have hired incompetent people who kept on doubting about their ability to make this wedding as grand as you expect it to be." Ayesa replied. They stared at each other for a while.

"I'm cold-hearted?" Dominique glared at her.

"Yes, you are. You're cold-hearted and you do not know how to care. The only important thing for you is yourself." Ayesa retorted. The car already reached St. Karl and before her husband could reply, she opened the door without waiting for anyone to do it for her and went out. She walked straight inside the castle, leaving her speechless husband behind.



>> 25

25

Dominique came home late and found his wife sleeping soundly in his former bed. While he accommodates the adjoining room, his wife had the luxury of the main bedroom all by herself. He never pushed through what he said before about transferring to another room. He wanted to stay where he is, where he can see his wife from time to time. Carefully, he sits down beside her sleeping form and watched her sleep. She looked so innocent and vulnerable, sexy and inviting in just her night gown. Through the brightness of the moonlight that has crept inside the dark room, he can see her lovely visage.

"I'm sorry if I'm giving you a hard time. I can't understand myself lately. I will make it all up with you when I'm ready." He spoke so quietly it was as if a wind just blew through the open windows. He raised his hand and brushed her hair aside. Slowly, he leans down to kiss her on the cheeks. He couldn't resist her, no matter how hard-headed she can be sometimes. He understand that it's part of her traits, a part of her for being a member of the Bordeaux clan. It scares him if this is love he's feeling. She's right when she stated that he's a cold-hearted man who doesn't know what love is. He haven't had the faintest idea how it feels to love to that certain level like the way Kevin loves Cristin or Brendon loves his wife, Charlene. He is married but it scares him to be in this kind of commitment. He doesn't want something as complicated as this one.

He stared at her for a long time. He couldn't touch any more of her. He doesn't want anything to happen between them for he may not be able stop himself from giving her a child. Sometimes, during his idle moments, he thought about spending a lifetime with her. He even imagined himself growing old with her and having children. But things are complicated right now. It even confuses him why there's this alien feeling inside that reaches out only for her.

He stayed for more minutes. He couldn't let the three words out of his mouth. He bit his lower lip. He takes one last look at her before he stands up and walked towards the adjoining room to retire for the evening. Tomorrow is another day. And he's still a coward not knowing what's happening to himself and what he is doing to Ayesa. Surely, there will be an end for all of this.



~~~



"How is it going in St. Karl, Roger?"

Roger looked at the king. He was called upon to report on what's happening in St. Karl and about the couple living there. What should he say? The truth? Well, his loyalty is to the king even though he cared for the prince as well. Dominique needs sound reprimanding from his father, judging by the way he treats Ayesa. "It's getting worst, Your Majesty. The couple never lasts a minute without fighting each other. It hurts me to see them that way. Is there a solution for this, Sir?"

Louisse shakes his head in frustration. "Ayesa is a good woman. How could not Dominique see that?" Roger didn't say anything. "Please look after her, Roger. Please take care of Ayesa. If she really needs to go home to Arkadia, kindly inform me. She doesn't deserve my son if Duke keeps on treating her that way."

"You will let her leave your son, Your Majesty?" Roger asked the king.

Louisse sighed. "If that's the only thing to do, Roger, I will."



~~~



"Where's Ayesa?" Phoebe asked her cousin when she saw Dominique at the hall. They have plans on going to a theater to watch a musical play but it's been fifteen minutes now and Ayesa still hasn't come down in the castle's main lobby. Phoebe decided to come upstairs towards her room and know what's taking her so long. That's when she saw her cousin.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Dominique asked in innocence.

Phoebe glared at him. "For the past days, I hate you, Duke. I hate you. I don't like the way you treat your wife." She said, instead of replying his question. She's pointing her finger to his chest in which her cousin replied with a raised eyebrow.

"You don't understand me, Phoebe..."

"What is not to understand, Duke? You have a wonderful wife who loves you and yet, you're treating her like some incompetent employee who can't meet your expectations." She pushed her cousin. She scoffed.

"Phoebe, don't be mad at me..."

"I am mad at you!" Phoebe walked towards her cousin's room. She sighed when she reached the Sitting Room and walked down its own hallway, a series of closets until she finally reached the main bedroom. She saw Ayesa lying on the bed with the covers all over her. She's still sleeping. "Ayesa?" She grew worried when she touched her face and found her temperature high with fever.

"What happened to her?" Dominique followed her inside.

Phoebe glared at Dominique again. "What kind of a husband are you? Go and get a doctor. Your wife is sick, you asshole!"

"Hey, you don't talk to me like that, young lady."

"I hate you." Phoebe snapped. "Go and get a doctor!" Dominique didn't say anything more as he followed his cousin's orders and went out.

~~~



"She's stressed out, Your Royal Highnesses." The doctor tells Dominique and Phoebe. "She needs to rest in time for your church wedding next week."

"The preparations tired her out." Phoebe concluded. She's sitting beside Ayesa who is now awake but too weak to say or do anything. She's down with flu and her throat is sore. "I will take care of her."

Dominique tried not to clench his jaw at his cousin's indifference now towards him. He doesn't want Phoebe getting mad at him. This is the first time and it's all because of Ayesa. "Thank you, Dr. Welles. I'll take note of everything you advised."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness. Excuse me." They shook hands and then, the doctor went out. Dominique turned to the bed and saw his wife and his cousin. He had this urge to reach out for his wife and take care of her but his cousin is in the way. Phoebe turned to him.

"I'll take care of Ayesa." She says.

"I'm her husband. I should be the one taking care of her."

"No, you don't know how to take care of her." Phoebe casts him a glare.

"It's alright, Phoebe. I will be fine. Thank you so much." Ayesa said in a hoarse voice. She smiled at her to assure that it will be alright to be left alone with her husband. Phoebe hesitated for a while but gave in. She stood up.

"I hate you."

"You said it so many times today that I lost count already." Dominique sarcastically replied. He's getting irritated by her being overprotective towards Ayesa. "It wasn't like I'm beating my wife."

"There's much worst than physical violence that not even doctors can heal, Duke. It's called a wounded heart."

"Phoebe..." Ayesa sighed. "Leave it. I'm fine."

"I will leave for now but I won't stop telling your husband how stupid he is." Phoebe walked out without even saying goodbye.

Dominique turned and sits beside Ayesa. "I'm not telling her anything so don't ever start thinking that I brainwashed your cousin to make her hate you like that." she tells him. He surprised her when he lightly kissed her forehead.

"I'm not thinking about that. And it's true that I'll be taking care of you." Dominique met her look. "How do you feel?"

"Tired. My throat aches and I feel like I can't do anything right now. I'd like to rest now."

Her husband nodded. "Yes, take a rest now. I'll be back with you shortly. I'll just go to the other room and change." He stood up and went towards the adjoining room. Ayesa takes a pillow and hugged it. She needs to relax her heart from beating so fast after Dominique kissed her, even if it's just on the forehead. Within minutes, she's asleep. When Dominique came back to her room and found her sleeping, he decided to take the space beside her and lie on it.



>> 26

26

Phoebe quietly walked in to Ayesa and Dominique's room to check on her. She found her asleep but she's surprised to see Dominique sleeping beside her, his arms around his wife. She smiled. Dominique, after all, cares for his wife more than he can admit it.

Quietly, she tiptoed back to the bedroom's Sitting Room. She almost gasped when she saw Roger inside, working on his digital planner. "Roger, what are you doing here?"

"I'm working, Your Royal Highness." Roger gave her a warm smile as she sits near him. "I was informed that the princess is sick. Is her husband with him?"

"Yes, more than you'll ever know. I saw Duke sleeping beside Ayesa, his arms around her."

"Really?"

Ayesa nodded. "Can you rearrange her schedule, sir? Cancel everything until after the wedding. She needs enough rest. We don't want a shabby-looking bride on my cousin's wedding day, do we?" she winked.

Roger sighed. "I wish that your cousin would fall in love with his wife. There's nothing that is not to love about Ayesa. She has a pure soul, a kind heart and a wonderful personality, not to mention that she has a beauty like her mother."

"It's my heartfelt wish, too, Roger. I pity my cousin for not knowing the feeling of love. But you know, it seems like the tide is changing. He may not know it but somehow, he's starting to care for his wife. That after all, he's still a person capable of loving. It would be wonderful, you know. I mean, I want to see him happy. I love my cousin and I know that this marriage will be a good thing for him."

"Let's pray that it will really be a good thing because if it isn't, we need to let go and face the fact that that's how Dominique wanted his life to be, alone and lonely."



~~~



Nick shakes his head when his father offered him a glass of brandy while they are waiting for Kevin, who will bring the news about the DNA test results. He couldn't bring himself to do anything but wait in much anticipation for what could change their lives as soon as Kevin arrives. He wanted to secure the fact that Ayesa is their sister so that he can fly to Kreizig and beat the hell out of Dominique for offering her a ridiculous proposal and giving her an awkward position in his country.

He heard from Kevin about his experience when he attended Ayesa's debut party in St. Karl as the newest member of the family. He said that she looked as if her marriage is giving her problems. Nick couldn't hardly wait for this week to end to know that they already found their missing sister. He glanced at his wife, Yvonne. He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "I love you and I'm so grateful to have you in my life, sweetheart." He gathered her small body closer to him. Yvonne leaned on his body.

"The waiting is killing us," Yvonne said to him.

"He's not answering his calls on where he is right now," Cristin shakes her head. Everyone is inside the Winston Hall in Bordeaux Castle, except the children. They all wanted to hear the results.

"He's keeping us with the surprise," Howie shakes his head too.

"I think he got great news to keep us all in suspense." Alex smiled. He is confident that the results are in favor of them. He doesn't want to look for anyone anymore. He couldn't even imagine a stranger walking into their lives as their long-lost sister. He felt comfortable to think that it's Ayesa. But he knew that if the results are negative, it will greatly disappoint him and everyone else, most especially their mother. He is ready to face that but he will think about it later when the results turned otherwise.

They heard the heavy footsteps on the hall and everyone turned to the door, waiting for it to open. When it did, Kevin came inside, followed by Brian. He looked at everyone with a blank expression on his face.

Kevin sighed heavily. Others held their breath for what is about to come. Brian patted him on the back.

"What?" Nick asks impatiently.

"For all these years, I tried so hard to find that missing link in my life ever since I found out the secret in Papa's logbook. We are all here to face whatever lies beneath the results of the tests and ready for any outcome that these will give us." He paused. "It's been one frustrating month. Howie, AJ, Nick, Papa, Mama..." Kevin looked at his family. Slowly, his face dawned into a smile.

"We found our sister. Ayesa is our missing family!"



~~~



Ayesa sets down the peach gown on the bed and sits beside it. There will be a bridal shower that evening at the Seton Palace. It has been arranged by the royal staff for them, as ordered by the king. For her, the party seemed pointless. There's no point celebrating. But for those people, Dominique's marriage is very important in the royal heritage. She couldn't blame them. It's just that she doesn't feel like going to the party but for the sake of their silent agreement, she will force herself to appear that everything's alright. She will attend the bridal shower as if she's the most excited and loving bride in the world. She didn't imagine herself going through such hypocrisy. Thinking about her cousins in Arkadia, she knew that they were never hypocrites when it comes to showing off their relationship with their wives. Kevin and his brothers love their respective partners and Ayesa admired them for that. They never pretended for the public.

She sighed heavily as she recalled the things happened in the past. She felt like she's been in a rollercoaster for the past months since she met Dominique. Her life changed in a way she never imagined: she met him in an unusual setting, her mother died and the former royal family of Arkadia told her that she's their missing relative. She thought that everything's been too much and she was surprised that she's able to carry herself through it all with the strength she never thought that she had. Even now, with Dominique.

She recalled the nice things he did for her before they get married and she wanted that side of him more than the one that he's portraying to her now. She smiled as she recalled the times when he posted a banner for her inside the theater where everyone could see, when he did a special gourmet meal for her and her mother and when he got drenched in the rain because he was locked out of the theater while waiting for her. And then there was also the part when he showed up on their front door holding a guitar and sing even though he's out of tune. She realized the many things he has done for her, protecting her from the media and at the time when the Bordeaux clan revealed their secret with her. He's been there like a real boyfriend should. Those were the times that he may have laid out his ridiculous proposal but still, he showed his caring and passionate side that attracts her to him.

And she will never forget the night when it's only her and Dominique in the garden of St. Karl Castle. He said that he never believed in love but in the past days of being married to her, he admitted that he liked the idea of marriage, that he felt he found a peace of mind. His life seemed to have a right path and that she may be the best thing that has happened to him. It seemed so genuine for Ayesa. Or was he also just acting out things for her? Was he also only acting out when he takes care of her while she's sick?

He successfully gained her affection and it hurts her now for the way he treats her. It's just not fair. She tried to tell him the fact that she didn't intentionally kiss Anthony but he won't listen. He believes in something he only wanted to believe. In addition to that, he said something about saving her mother's house. She admits that she married him for money but when she's about to use it to pay for her mother's house, she felt that she couldn't do it. Her pride made her put the money instead in a bank. She doesn't want him to realize that she really married him for his money because through the course of time, something dawned in her. She married him because she wanted to help him with his dilemma. She wanted to help him because she cares him. She only wanted to be with him. She didn't see how complicated it is to love someone to that certain kind but she knew that she's beginning to fall for him. All she wanted is to be there for him, to let him use her for his political objectives. The money isn't all that matters to her but just being with him is enough. She thought she could go on the charade of pretending but her feelings for him become real. And it's hard.

And so, in order to make some money to save the house, she asked Eliza to find an exclusive auction house where she can silently sell some of the antiques in her father's study room. Since they were collective items, she earned a huge sum from it and used it to pay the bank. Eliza helped her in taking care of it while she's in Kreizig. Her friend made sure that things will be alright. Ayesa thought she will find the right time to tell Dominique about it.

Her thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on her door. She didn't say anything for someone on the other side will come inside anyway. It's Dominique. They stared at each other for a while. He walked towards her bed and looked down at the gown. "It's beautiful."

Ayesa stood up, making her stand beside him. They looked down at the gown. "Yes, it is." She turned just in time that he did. There must be a magnetic force between them because all of a sudden, Dominique's lips captured hers in a warm, slow, wondrous kiss. Ayesa only closed her eyes and responded wholeheartedly. It lasted for so long that she thought he's the air that she's breathing. It seemed usual for them to casually engage in one quick kiss but that's just that. Like the one they had just now. And every kiss they shared was special for Ayesa. Somehow, she felt really connected with him every time their lips meet, assuring her that someday, things will be alright with them. That's beside the fact that she loves kissing him.

When her husband stopped, he traced her lips with his thumb. "I'll see you later in Seton." His monotone voice told her.

"Have you heard about Kevin?" She asks instead.

"He still hasn't called. You're may be not his sister after all." Dominique stated then turned around to leave. Ayesa frowned at his retreating form. After that wonderful kiss, why would he act like that? She can never understand him. When he's gone, Ayesa walked out of her bed room, passing down its hallway lined up with large closets and reaching the Sitting Room. She stopped when she saw Roger. The ever-reliable employee stood up when she came.

"Is there anything you want, Roger?" She gave him a smile.

"Is Prince Dominique still in the room?"

"He's preparing, I guess. How are you?" They sit down on the sofa.

"Quite fine, Your Royal Highness."

"It's Ayesa. You don't have to sound formal when we're just alone, Roger. I see you as my friend. I appreciate it if you call me Ayesa when no one's around." She saw the old man smiled. "Have you heard of Kevin?"

"I believe that he will go here personally to deliver the news, Ayesa. By the way, His Majesty calls for you." Roger stood up after she did. "He's getting weaker. It may not look like it but he's really getting weaker. He requested for your presence."

"I'm worried of him. I know he's just trying to appear well but beneath that, he's suffering." Ayesa's face grew concerned. "I'll go to him now. Kindly cancel my schedule for this day. Thank you."

"Gladly, madam."

Ayesa stopped before she reached the main door. "Oh, Roger. Kindly look out for my husband, too, will you?"

"Anything that a wonderful lady wishes," Roger slightly bents his head on the side. He watched her go out of the room. Dominique didn't know how much that woman loves him. Should he make his move now?



>> 27

27

"Thank you for the coffee, Miles." Benedique said while he continued writing something on a paper.

"Sir, Madam Cassandra is here to see you." His butler said.

Benedique looked up and saw his cousin. "I'm surprised." He said when the butler is out of the office. "What brings you here?" He watched as she placed a box on top of his large desk.

"You know that I'm one of the people who opposed when you decided to bring down the monarchy and give us the life as private citizens. You never knew why. I felt guilty depriving something from you and Isabella. This is my chance to make it right. I heard about Ayesa on that night of your anniversary party. She told me." Cassandra said. She remained standing in front of the desk despite Benedique's request for her to take a seat.

"What's in the box?"

"Take a look."

Benedique looked at her for a while before taking the box and opening it. It revealed some baby linens with special embroidery on it. His fingers trembled as he carefully touched and examined it. He recognized it. Isabella thoughtfully arranged the baby linens for the birth of their firstborn. They never thought they will be having twins but she had enough for the two babies. But in his excitement, he ordered more baby linens on the same day his wife gave birth and only to find out that their other baby was missing.

"The necklace wasn't there. It's in the possession of your real daughter." Cassandra added.

Benedique's jaw clenched. "Why, Cassandra? What have we done to make you do this to us, this agony of losing our child and not knowing what happened to her?" He closed the box.

"It's only simple, Benedique. I learned that you had twins and I'm overly concerned of what it would do to our family and the succession to the throne then. I was also in Theo when Isabella gave birth and one of the maids informed me about the birth. She helped me took the baby." Cassandra spoke as if nothing matters to her life but to tell the truth to him. She doesn't care anyway. If the couple felt the agony of wondering where their daughter is, she's been through a great deal of guilt as well. She didn't want to let the things she's done go to nothing when Benedique announced about abolishing the monarchy. But it happened and she had to bear the thought that she committed kidnapping.

"It will be our own problem on who between the twins will be the heir, not yours, Cassandra. Where did you take the baby?" He wanted so much as to strangle his cousin but there's no use doing it. All's been done. They suffered from what happened in the past. He's sure that Cassandra has been through enough guilt in her life.

"Whoever has the necklace is your real daughter." Cassandra quietly replied.

"Is it Ayesa?" Benedique asks.

Cassandra looked at her cousin. "I don't know. I gave the baby to Henry when his wife gave birth to premature babies. Helena had twins, too. I don't know if it's your baby or theirs who died." Tears fell down her face. "I'm sorry, Ben."

Benedique shakes his head as his own tears fell. The DNA results may have said that Ayesa is his missing daughter but can he really tell the credibility of it after what Cassandra has told him? He weakly sits down on his chair. That's the moment where Howie and Alex came into the office and found out what happened.



~~~



Ayesa quietly regarded the nurses who were leaving the room. When they're gone, King Louisse called for her. She sits on the side of the bed after giving the old man a kiss on the hand.

"I will do my best to attend the wedding of my only son." The king said as he smiled to her.

"Please, Papa. Don't push it when you can't." Ayesa said. Louisse insisted to call him Papa by his daughter-in-law. He grew fond of this woman who he believes will help Dominique change the way he looks at life and love. This one has the spirit like her mother. When he first saw her, he's not doubtful that she's the missing daughter. He felt nostalgic upon seeing her. She had this warmth in her personality just like Isabella.

"Oh, hush. You know that I won't listen to you." Louisse takes a box near him and asks her to sit beside him. "I'd like to show you my son's baby pictures." He chuckled. "These are my treasures and I hope that when you decided to build your family, you'll keep your children's pictures in a box too, huh?"

Ayesa nodded with a smile. The king showed her pictures and telling a story about each one of it. There's a woman in some of the pictures and she recognized it to be Dominique's mother. She never knew what happened why the king divorced his wife. She didn't even knew why Dominique hated to have their marriage be compared to his father's and her, be compared to his mother.

"My former wife, Juliana, Dominique's mother, was a nice woman." She just heard her father-in-law started to say. "She may have done terrible things in the past but I'd care not to talk-ill about the woman who's long been gone in my life and the mother of my precious son. Somehow, I've loved her. The reason why I'm telling this to you is that I don't want you to make the same mistakes that we did. I hope that your marriage with Dominique will last forever." Ayesa met the king's look. "I hope that the power of love that is in you will help heal Dominique's wounds of the past. My son is afraid. He's a vulnerable person beneath that arrogant facade. You are my only hope to make him be the worthy person for this kingdom and a loving husband to you."

How could that be? Ayesa silently asks, without actually voicing it out loud. She only gave the king a questioning look.

"Don't you think I wouldn't find out the real deal between you and Duke?" Louisse smiled instead to her. "I'm disappointed when Duke lied to me about this. He told me, in front of you then, that he loves you when he's only actually acting like it. I knew that he would resort into something like this to keep the succession in his name. He's the biggest spoiled brat of this country, firmly getting what he wants." He shakes his head. "Anyway, Roger diligently made his homework and reported to me everything my son has done while he was in Arkadia to court you. He's never done anything like that before and that's what makes me firmly believe in you, Ayesa. There is something in you that will make him a better person." Ayesa looked away when tears started to fall. The king takes her chin to look at her. "I'm old, Ayesa. I've done everything I could to try to soften the cold-hearted man. You arrived and he changed. I've never been happier than I was before."

"I love him, Papa, but he's hard to please. I can't understand him. I still don't even know him." She looked down towards the pictures in front of them. "I will do things to make him happy but I also want to make myself happy. Will I be happy if I continue with this? What if our marriage will only turn out to be like yours?"

"It will never come to that, my child."

"I wished I have the same faith that you have in me."

"Do you want to give up?" Louisse sighed. He can't force this woman to sacrifice her own happiness for Dominique's sake. Ayesa had enough of what happened to her life. She deserves to be happy. "Alright, if you have doubts in marrying my son, you have my blessing to go back to Arkadia. Think about it, Ayesa. You'll have my word on this. If you decided within this week that you can't marry my son, I'm only a phone call away for you to request for a private flight back to your homeland. I don't want to force you into this. I will take care of Dominique. He will still be my heir, whether he's married or not."

"Papa..."

"No buts and don't say anything. Think about it first, Ayesa. Marriage is a longtime commitment."

Ayesa looked at her father-in-law. She wanted to be in that kind of commitment. Deep in her heart, she wanted to stay married to Dominique. But is she really willing to give up her happiness to be with a complicated man who does not even know what love is?



~~~



Ayesa's phone is ringing when she arrived at St. Karl to change clothes for tonight's party. Her heart beats faster when she saw the name Kevin on the caller ID. She immediately answered it as she walks towards the grand staircase and up to towards the main hallway leading to the castle's private quarters. "Hi, Kev. How is it?"

"Ayesa, the results are in. Your DNA matched ours."

Ayesa stopped on her tracks. "What's going to happen now?" She heard her brother laughed on the other line, her brother. She felt warmth at the thought of it. "Kev, please. I don't need jokes right now. If you're my twin, you should somehow feel that I don't need jokes right now." Her voice quivered as she felt that she's about to cry. Realizing that she still has a family, her true family, she seeks the comfort of their presence to assure her that everything in her life will soon be fine despite her struggles to stay strong in her marriage with Dominique.

Kevin stopped on the other line. "Ayesa, is there something wrong? Is Dominique hurting you?"

Ayesa continued on her way. "No, I'm alright. It's just wedding jitters, I guess."

"Listen, the entire family will go to Kreizig to see you. We will attend your wedding and then we will announce to the world that you're our missing family." Kevin told her. Ayesa didn't reply as she continued on her way. She decided to pass by Dominique's office, in case he's inside. There are guards on her way there so she knows that he's in the castle. "Ayesa, something's going on that you're not telling me."

"I'm alright, Kevin. I'll see you at my wedding." She opened the door and immediately looks for her husband. And there she caught him kissing someone, someone like Heidi. "No, I'm taking it back. I'll see you tonight, Kevin." Then, she ended the call.

The two, who heard her voice, stopped kissing. Dominique's eyes widened when he saw her catching them on the act. He pushed Heidi away. "Ayesa, listen..."

"There's no need to explain, Dominique. I'm just nothing for you anyway, isn't it?" Ayesa stepped backward. She managed to make a smile. "Don't worry. I'll disappear. Carry on." With that, she quickly went out of the office.



>> 28

28

Kevin drew a deep breath after recalling what his father said about Cassandra's visit earlier. It was unexpected that it was their aunt who plotted the kidnapping of his twin sister and the worst part is that she couldn't even tell now which his real twin is. Is it Ayesa who lived or the other one of the premature twins who died in the hospital? Her birthmark told them her relativity as well as the DNA tests but Cassandra's unexpected admittance to her crime caught them all in surprise. Their mother wept for seemingly like hours upon learning that. Cassandra, on the other hand, is now under police custody after Benedique filed a kidnapping case against her.

He shakes his head. In his heart, he believes that Ayesa is his twin. Science proved that. The birthmark proved that. Her facial similarities gave a hint on that. No matter what his aunt said, Ayesa is his twin. Nothing can dampen his spirit.

"There it is." He heard Nick says. They are waiting at the airport's tarmac for Ayesa's arrival. He only told her about the news, not including the part about Cassandra because he wasn't informed about it yet when he called her. When she decided to go home immediately to Arkadia, he sensed that something's wrong with her marriage with Dominique. If only it is the right thing to do, he'll go to Kreizig to wring his friend's neck if he hurt Ayesa.

He - together with Nick, Howie, Alex and Brian - watched as the private Learjet of King Louisse taxied down the runway. They waited for more minutes before the plane settled down near them.

"If your friend hurt Ayesa, I might kill him." He heard Alex says. They saw their sister came out of the plane. As soon as she set foot on the ground, she ran towards them. It was Kevin who hugged her first. Soon her brothers take turns in hugging her. Kevin felt mistiness in his eyes as he watched her being surrounded by them. Even Nick is wiping his eyes. Ayesa looked at Kevin and his heart swelled.

"Welcome home, sister."

He never thought that those simple words will immediately make Ayesa break down and cry. They all caught her and took her to the waiting car.



~~~



Benedique looked over to his wife who is sleeping soundly beside their daughter. Ayesa's arrival last night caused a stir among everyone. They were all excited to know about her. Then they came to the part about her marriage with Dominique which caused her silence. For a while, there was awkwardness in the room until Ayesa began opening up on what's happening to her and Dominique lately.

"I don't want you to be mad at Dominique. You just don't understand him. And besides, I love him."

Ayesa's words were more like a pleading for him. She may have somehow knew that they would fight for her with all their might just to make sure that no one's going to hurt her, even if the person is the crowned prince of Kreizig, their closest alliance.

Benedique quietly walked out of the room. He nearly laughed when he saw Alex and Nick at the hallway. "Ayesa is still sleeping with your mother." He tells his sons. Isabella insisted to have her daughter sleep beside her last night. She wanted to feel what it was like sleeping with Ayesa, her long-lost child. She wanted to make up for the time lost, not being able to be with her daughter and experience the things she's been through: from being a child, a little girl, a young lady to a full woman.

"Oh," Nick smiled and glanced at Alex. Hands on his pockets, Nick still doesn't look like a father to two kids.

"By the way, we're wondering about Ayesa's husband. What if Dominique will come here to get his wife back?" Alex asked through gritted teeth. They followed as their father quickly walked past behind them. Nick gave Alex a worried look. "What are we going to do, Pa?"

Benedique's answer is sure and firm. "We're not going to give Ayesa back to him. He should get through us first."



~~~



"Your wife has no breeding at all."

Dominique looked up from his laptop when he heard that. He saw his ex-girlfriend, Heidi, walking towards him. He didn't realize her entrance in his office. A lot of things occupy his mind right now, including Ayesa. He watched as the woman, looking stunning in her glamorous get-up, comes near him. "What brings you here unnoticed? Your country needs you, Your Majesty."

Heidi smiled. "Your naive wife wasn't thinking about the consequences of going off like that when you just got married, Duke. You don't deserve a stupid one like her. You and I belonged together." She sits on his lap and Dominique didn't even mind.

"Really?" His hand went to her waist.

"Yes. We have the same blood. We both craved for that power in our countries. We can be strong together. You can have wider influence if you'll have me instead as your wife." Heidi said. Dominique smiled and she saw her hope in that. She leaned down to kiss him fully. It lasted for some time that her hands begin to wander down to his pants. But he surprised her when he pushed her away and stood up. "Duke?"

"If you think that because I let you kiss me will give you confidence that we have another chance together, you're wrong. I will never marry you, Heidi, not now that you're the queen of your own country."

"Duke... I thought..."

Dominique looked at her. "No. I'm maybe a very ambitious man but I won't marry you. I won't permit foreign alliances bonded by marriage in my country, Heidi. You should know that. My people won't like the arrangement either."

"I hate you."

"That would be unhealthy, Heidi, since you just become a queen. Your country needs my economic investments. You should know that the GC Holdings just signed a deal with a company in your country to build medical centers and improve the infrastructures. You wouldn't like to hate me, Heidi. You have bigger responsibilities now since you plotted that accident with your sister." Dominique smirked. He walked towards his mini wine cellar. "Brandy?"

"You're a coldhearted man. Ayesa should realize that."

"My wife knows that, don't worry." He drinks his glass of brandy. He saw her still standing there. "You've done enough damage, Heidi. My wife flew back to Arkadia. Get out. I don't want to see you." He didn't flinch when the door slammed after Heidi angrily walked out of his office. Slowly, he drinks his brandy. He walked towards the lush sofa and sat there. He yawned for the nth time. He was not able to sleep since last night. He spent all his night in Seton Palace explaining to his family, friends and colleagues about the absence of his wife. He hasn't eaten anything yet either. He told the guests the reason for his wife sudden leave again, carefully insinuating some emergency family matters that needed her presence. When not everyone seemed to believe him, he left the ballroom and went to his father's room. He knew that the king helped Ayesa leave the country considering that she boarded the royal jet back to Arkadia. Only upon the king's orders that such transportation will be used by anyone.

"Why did she leave?" he asks his father as soon as he entered the king's chambers.

"Should you be asking yourself that question, son?"

Dominique ran his fingers through his dark mane. "I don't want her to leave. I wanted her to be here." He began pacing back and forth.

"What makes you so afraid that she'll leave you?"

Dominique stopped and turned to his father. "Afraid?" he chuckled. "Father, I'm not afraid. It's just that..." he sighed. He started towards the door. He couldn't tell his father about the agreement that he had with Ayesa, the job proposal he offered her. He felt embarrassed admitting to his father his last resort just to secure his succession to the throne.

"What? You're acting like a coward, son."

Dominique stopped and turned to him. "She's not supposed to go to Arkadia when our church wedding is only a few days away. The people will have suspicions that something's wrong."

"Is there? You told me on the time you presented her to me that you love her. Was it all just an act, a ploy you're trying to play with your father?" Louisse frowned. "Duke, I didn't teach you to be like that. You've become the spoiled brat that the newspapers say that you are. What's the problem with you?"

Dominique stared at his father and after a while, he walked towards the bed and slowly sat beside the king. "I can't understand myself, father. She turned my world upside down."

"The same goes with me towards your mother."

Dominique looked up to his father. "You hated her. That's why you're divorced."

"I taught you not to hate your mother, Duke. I have loved her but things weren't meant to be for both of us. Divorce was the only way to let go of someone who would never be mine. We came to the point in our marriage where we fought a lot and it's no longer healthy. Before we go to the point of losing respect for each other, we decided to give it up. We can't deal with each other anymore."

Dominique studied the king's face. His father has gone through a lot in his life. He can see how hard his life since then. He wanted to give his father the happiness he deserved and he felt that having Ayesa around will add something to do that. But he didn't even know what to do with her. Just like he said, Ayesa turned his world upside down. He's in panic and yes, he's afraid. "What should I do, Papa?"

"Follow what your heart desires. Listen to what it tells you. Bear the consequences it may bring you. Learn to live with any decision you make."

Dominique shakes his head when he recalled those lines from his father. What does his heart really desired anyway? He knew since he was young that he's destined to take over his father's job and lead the people in Kreizig towards the betterment of their country. He's firmly trained to become an effective king in the future. He knew he had no choice about it but is it really what his heart desires, to be the future monarch of this country? It is an obligation given to him from the day he was born and he's been dedicated to continue the heritage that will be passed on to him and to the next generation. But, is this the life he wants? He never felt so alone and lonely like this before in his life.



>> 29

29

Ayesa closed her eyes as Isabella traced her face with her delicate fingers. Then she raised her hands to hold her mother's hand. "I'm so lucky to have two mothers in this lifetime." She said. She opened her eyes and saw that the elder woman is about to cry again. "Mama..."

"I've longed for you in such a long time. I'm glad that you were brought up nicely by Helena." They woke up a few minutes ago and felt that they would stay to bed a little longer. It's Sunday and later, like their family tradition, everyone will arrive in Eastwood to gather for Sunday lunch.

"I can't believe that Aunt Cassandra was the one who kidnapped me. She's the one who helped my mother and father as I grow up. Maybe it's the guilt not knowing if I'm the child she took from you. Guess what, Mama? I haven't told this yet to anyone last night." Ayesa tells her mother.

"What is it, Ayesa?"

"Aside from the birthmark and the DNA tests to prove I'm your daughter, do you think this may prove something?" She takes the necklace that's hidden inside her shirt. "I found out about this at the night you told me your speculations that I'm your missing daughter. It wondered me what do the letters stand for. I remembered my mother told me that it was given by Aunt Cassandra. When I found out that she formulated the kidnapping, I thought that this might help in connection with you." She showed Isabella a small golden locket dangled from a very delicate necklace. Her mother gasped.

"Ayesa, we haven't told you yet about this." Isabella borrowed the necklace from her. "This was given to me by my father when I married my husband. It stands for my initials Anna Isabella of Bordeaux. I, uh..." she trembled. Ayesa looked at her with wide eyes. "I placed this necklace under my baby's pillow. I remember that because I know that aside from my other child, the necklace was also gone." She took Ayesa in her arms. "Oh, Ayesa. I just knew that you're my daughter!"

Ayesa wipes the tears that started to fall again. "Don't you have doubts in me, Mama?"

Isabella shakes her head. "Ayesa, darling, I believe that you're my daughter. There's no doubt in my mind about that. A mother's instinct never fails. That's probably the reason why I always felt warmth when just being near you. My heart beats in connection with yours. I believe that. Besides," she traced her daughter's face. "Your features combine mine and your father's. And don't you think that DNA tests are proof enough to tell that you're clearly related to us?"

Ayesa smiled. She hugged her mother. "It's good to be home, Mama."



~~~



Ayesa stood by the window and gazed upon the magnificent view of the gardens in Eastwood. She felt lucky to have another family after Helena died. But she still felt empty not having Dominique around. She was told that the rest of the family will arrive in an hour for the usual Sunday gathering. She's looking forward to meet everyone, including the children.

"You looked like you carry the problems of the world on your shoulders," she heard her father said. She turned and saw Benedique standing in the hallway, walking towards her. When he gets near, he smiled down to her, "when in fact, your only problem is your husband."

"I spoke with your Mama. She told me about the necklace you showed her earlier."

Ayesa nodded and showed the necklace she's wearing. Benedique felt mistiness in his eyes. "It was Dominique who found this in a music box in my father's study. There were so many antique collections in that room that I wasn't allowed to touch including this. On that night you told me about being your missing child, I tried looking for something that might prove you otherwise. I found this and I never thought this might prove something from Kevin's speculations. Pa?"

"Anna?"

"Do you believe in me?"

Benedique wiped the tears in his daughter's eyes. "Yes, I do. And I believe that you're my daughter, without any doubt." He embraced his daughter. They've been like that for a while. "I missed you very much, my child." When they broke apart, Ayesa leaned on her father as their gaze came upon the view outside the window. Benedique embraced her, his hand smoothing her hair. "Are you afraid that someday, you will become queen of your husband's country?" He softly asks.

"I never really thought about it, Papa." The marriage is only temporary anyway, she added silently to herself. "But at the time that it occurred to me once, I'm scared." She looked at her father. "Do you think I can do it?"

Benedique smiled. "I trust you can do it, Anna." He chuckled. "It's ironic. I thought before that I'd see Kevin become king in this country but the monarchy was abolished. Now that we found his twin, and that's you, you have this chance to become queen in another country. Royalty may never be lost in our lives. There's always something to remind us of the past."

"Don't you have regrets that you gave up your power?"

"This is my choice, Anna. I only want to protect my family that's why I did it. We can still serve the country but not in the hereditary tradition that we were used to be. I know not everyone understand that but it's something that I got to do. There are still groups who don't stop until we go back to rule in this country but that will take time."

"Is married life with Mama wonderful?" Ayesa looked up to her father.

Benedique felt nostalgic upon remembering Isabella. "Everyday is a new day for me, Anna. I love your mother and I always feel blessed having been there every morning, waking up beside her, seeing her smile or cry ... It's wonderful. I never thought that we'll end up together before because you see, we only met in the university while I was young and I always get tongue-tied whenever she's around. I knew we always have a kind of a silent mutual attraction then. I couldn't get the chance to talk to her, my bodyguards were always around, the media were always watching and I don't want to put her in a situation where she would be under scrutiny. But you know when the first time we finally got to talk?"

"What happened?"

Benedique sighed like a lovesick teenager. Ayesa chuckled as she leaned her head on his shoulders, looking up to him. She never thought that he can be like this, the former king Benedique can be like this, her real father. "It was magic. We're in a library. I found the courage to introduce myself to her and we talked for hours. Afterwards, I invited her to the nearby cafeteria and we clicked. We became friends then became a couple until the day of our graduation when I found out that my parents engaged me to a woman. Isabella was so mad she wouldn't speak to me and flew home to Portugal where her family lives."

"But love prevailed and she came back to save me from destroying my life. I knew I couldn't live without her. I took the first chance I got and married her." Benedique finished. He looked at the necklace that Ayesa is wearing. "Her father gave her that necklace when we got married. That's my love story and you already started yours, too. Am I right?"

"I never thought that part of loving is getting really hurt at the same time." Ayesa said instead of replying her father's question. "I cared for him a lot. But he is a complicated man. I couldn't understand him."

"My dear, you need to talk the problem to your husband."

"It wasn't easy, Papa. I need time to cool things off. I don't want to see him for now."



>> 30

30

Ayesa felt nervous as she passed through the butler's cheerful greeting when she came down the grand staircase of Eastwood Mansion. It's Sunday and everyone came to see her in their weekly gathering in the estate where the former king and queen now resides. She left Kreizig with a heavy heart yesterday, aside from the fact that she also wanted to see her new family upon learning that she's the missing child of Benedique and Isabella. The people wanted answers why she left her husband but she kept mum about it. But Benedique stated that he's going to announce it once she's legalized to be part of the family.

She followed the butler down the long hall towards the other end that will lead them to the back of the mansion where the gazebo and the Bordeaux clan is gathered. She slowly heard the laughter and conversations as they get near. Through the large glass windows, she saw kids running around. The butler, Miles, smiled at her when they reached the final door leading outside. "I'm pleased to meet you, Your Royal Highness." He slightly bowed then opened the door.

"Oh, she's here!"

Ayesa felt warmth as everyone turned to her. She silently thanked Miles then walked towards the garden. The four brothers greeted her with their embrace as well as the two sisters, Anastasia and Giselle. When they cleared aside, she saw Isabella and Benedique in front of her.

"Honey, I've prepared some brownies for you." Isabella stroked her hair and cheeks after she and Benedique hugs her.

"Grandma said the same thing when I first came here," they heard Mark said. The family laughed.

Ayesa shakes her head. "Great. I'm looking forward of having lunch with you." She replies. Her eyes grew misty. The family now surrounded her. She must be in shock at first when they told her their secret about the missing daughter but having them around her now, she wanted to feel being in a family again. Losing her mother, Helena, was a big sad moment in her life but she needs to go on. Helena will always be in her heart. Marrying Dominique is another thing too and she felt alone, even though he's there. This family is making her feel special and that's what she needs now. She won't miss any opportunity to feel being belonged and having a family again. She felt grateful that she's the long lost child of Benedique and Isabella after all.



~~~



Ayesa looked on in amusement as the children ran around with three large dogs and play with them. They all had lunch an hour ago and while the brothers and Benedique are having a chat about the family business, she spends time with Isabella, Monique and Michaela.

"You're supposed to be with your husband." Monique stated.

Ayesa expected that straightforward comment from her. Monique is known to everyone as the bluntly honest member of the family and never afraid to speak out what's in her mind. She didn't say anything.

"Everyone's aware that you just got married and still haven't had your formal honeymoon. You can't blame them if they will think that Dominique only married you because of his dilemma with his succession. But we can't let them go on with that thinking," Monique continued.

"Monique, please. We don't know what really happened." Isabella said. "Maybe Ayesa is just on a vacation right now."

"You won't do that if you just got married, Isabella." Monique tells her sister-in-law. "What's going on, Ayesa? Why didn't your husband comes here to get you?"

"It's nothing. I just missed Arkadia and went for a vacation before I go back to prepare for my church wedding. Besides, I want to see all of you upon knowing the fact that I'm your missing relative." Ayesa replied. She saw Nick and Yvonne are now cuddling on a corner with their newborn baby daughter. They looked so much in love with each other, so did the other men with their wives. She envied them and wondered when she will have that kind of moment with Dominique, being truly a wife and a mother. She stopped herself from thinking more. She doesn't deserve a selfish and coldhearted man such as Dominique. He doesn't have any feelings in him except for his heart on that throne. She will keep herself from falling in love if that's what it takes to prevent the pain from coming. He's nice from the start and has done things that overwhelm her as a woman. She thought she knew some part of him as a person but now, she even doubt who is the real Dominique. He's a very complicated man.

Isabella watched the young woman's face full of thoughts and she wondered what could be the things that bother Ayesa. She felt that it concerns Dominique. Benedique didn't say anything but Isabella feels that there's more to that marriage than what they claimed to be. She felt that the relationship is going on a one-way track, with Ayesa being the only one in love with the prince and not getting anything in return. She felt that politics and his royal stature has something to do with that marriage and she wondered what compelled Ayesa to marry him if that's the only reason of the other party. Ayesa doesn't seem to be the type who will enter in that kind of situation. Ayesa seemed to know better than to do that.

"You're bluffing. And your husband's a fool, Ayesa, for treating you this way. Look at yourself. Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You seemed so stressed. That's not the look of a newlywed woman. You looked liked you're sentenced to death." Monique continued. She turned to others. "I know that because I looked like that when you sentenced me an exile to a monastery in Seychelles. I have souvenir pictures."

Ayesa didn't know if she'll smile in amusement at the humor that Monique is trying to bring into the situation or she will cry for self-pity. "I'm fine, Aunt Monique. I really am."

Isabella realized that they will never make Ayesa talk about her marriage life. She decided to change the topic as she can see that Ayesa is having a hard and an awkward time right now. "Monique, I suddenly remembered. I thought you baked a cake today?"

Michaela laughed when her twin sister's face light up. "Yes, I forgot." Monique stood up. "It's my first attempt to bake and I'd like everyone to taste it first."

Nick heard his aunt and shakes his head. He turned to Yvonne. "I already tasted it and it's just so weird. The presentation is deceiving." His wife chuckled. Just as then, they heard Monique exclaiming aloud for everyone to hear.

"Just who among you got the first slice of my cake, huh?"



~~~



Dominique ignored the media who welcomed him when he appeared at the opening session of the Parliament on Monday morning. Everyone learned about Ayesa leaving the country without him and they only have a speculation in mind: their young marriage is in turmoil and he only did it for the sake of succession. Everyone is aware of the strict rule of succession in the royal family that even though Dominique and Ayesa appeared to be a couple-in-love, many still doubted the sincerity in their relationship. Everyone is beginning to think if there will be a weekend royal wedding.

His advisers told him to go to Arkadia to prevent the negative press that's starting to go around. But he disagreed. His alibi is that he and Ayesa agreed that she can go on a vacation alone for a while in Arkadia as he can't leave because of his father's health. Of course, he wouldn't tell them they had a misunderstanding. He needs the assurance to become king more than anything else.

Roger Brown stopped and faced the media as Dominique continued inside. "Everyone, His Royal Highness is a busy man and the princess understands that." He said, answering the question about the couple's marriage. "You should also know that being a foreigner, Her Royal Highness missed Arkadia and needs to visit her home for the meantime before the royal wedding. She'll be back before you know it."

"Mr. Brown, what can you say about the princess' appointment to be the new president of the actors' guild here?" a reporter asks.

"Princess Ayesa is a very talented actress in Arkadia and came from a family of artists such as the Bordeauxs. If the Actors' Guild felt that they appreciate her support and concern for the welfare of our artists here, it would be a great honor. And Prince Dominique will be very supportive of his wife's endeavors towards the betterment of the industry." Without waiting for any more questions, Roger walked inside the Parliament and found Dominique is already at the podium to deliver his speech. He recognized that this man had his heart set for his country but Roger hoped that in his personal life, Dominique would give himself a chance to be happy as well. He hoped that the prince would set his heart for that and won't be too late before realizing that he lost what he needed to have the only thing to make him happy and complete.



>> 31

31

Phoebe's brows furrowed furiously as she saw the letters coming from the bank and addressed to Ayesa. She's at the main receiving area of the castle when she saw the butler brought along the new mails for that day. She started to go over it, hoping to find the credit card application she made from a bank a week ago. And then she saw several mails for Ayesa.

"Looking for something, Your Royal Highness?" Phoebe turned and saw Roger, and a woman standing beside him. "By the way, this is Miss Priscilla Hawthorne. She's the new financial consultant of Princess Ayesa."

"You hired her?" What's going on?

Roger nodded. "As requested by Her Royal Highness, I hired a professional accountant. She needs someone to go over her income." He smiled as he takes the bank mails from Phoebe. "You see, Princess Ayesa has been selling some genuine artifacts from her deceased father's office and she's earning a lot from it. She requested me to have someone to manage it." He turned to the accountant. "This is all we got for now, Priscilla. Thank you and I'll see you later in my office." The accountant discreetly excused herself and went off.

Phoebe is still wondering. "Why would she have to do that?"

"She needs it to save her family's estate."

"But she can ask Duke for some money."

Roger shakes his head. "Let me ask you something, Your Royal Highness." Phoebe nodded. "If you're married to a rich man and you got financial problems on your own, would you ask him for some money to get it done and over with?"

"I got my own money, why would I ask my husband for anything?"

Roger nodded. "My sentiments exactly, Princess Phoebe. I've been through that part in my marriage life with Ursula as well. She's too proud to ask me for any help financially. She wanted to solve it on her own. Princess Ayesa deals with the same thing although she doesn't have enough finances to solve her problem with the estate. She managed to find a way to solve her problems."

"Didn't my cousin know anything about this?"

"Prince Dominique knows and he's giving her money for that. But the princess only put it in the bank; won't even touch a single cent from it." Roger sighed.

"You didn't inform your boss about this?" Phoebe received a negative nod in reply. That's probably one of the reasons for Dominique's attitude towards Ayesa. Maybe she's true with her hunch after all, that her cousin only married the woman just to secure his succession to the throne and he's compensating the favor to Ayesa. That is ridiculous. He didn't know how his wife loves him in return when for him, it's all pure business. "Maybe I should tell him."

"Will he listen? I tried to talk to him last night but he's intoxicated. He submitted himself to alcohol since yesterday."

"What?" Phoebe shakes her head. "Have you ever noticed that he can really be stupid sometimes, Roger?" She didn't wait for his reply. She immediately walked out of the receiving room.

Roger drew a deep breath. He hoped he did the right thing of informing Phoebe about the situation that is going on between her cousin and his wife. He tried to help the prince last night but Dominique doesn't want to be bothered by anyone. He shut himself inside his room. Roger wanted to think that the prince missed his wife and cares for her after all.



~~~



Dominique drew a deep breath as he walked towards the bathroom. The bedroom seemed so empty without Ayesa in it. The place is so quiet, he missed the sound of her singing in the other room while doing something.

He was feeling lightheaded. He made a long day of heavy commitment to his country but as soon as he came back to his study, his wine glasses never been empty. He kept wondering about the pain he was feeling. It wasn't that physical pain rather than the feeling of being lost in time and space. He walked in the bathroom, flooded the sink with water before taking a deep breath then diving his head into the water. The cold water made him feel numb. He only rose up as the need for air filled his lungs and soul.

"I must be losing my mind," he thought to himself, for he heard some noise coming out of his wife's study, "I must be dreaming on. She can't be there." The study is another part of the large chamber that Ayesa is occupying and any noise coming inside can be easily heard.

Dominique stared at the mirror as he listened. Again, the sound of moving furniture, dragging chairs and paper filing filled that room; he pulled a towel to dry his hair and face then headed to Ayesa's office.

There, he saw this young lady standing within the files, organizing and calculating things all around. As soon as she saw him, she stopped, stood up and placed everything she was carrying. "Excuse me, Your Highness. I was told you were at the Parliament at this time. I didn't think that I was late here. I am Priscilla Hawthorne, the new accountant."

"...Accountant? Don't we already have accountants here? Where is Roger?" It was one of the un-familiar and amazing things Dominique was capable of doing: transforming casual meeting into a more formal meeting.

"I was hired by Her Highness, the Princess Ayesa? I think Your Highness knows after she sold almost all of her father's antiquities in..." Priscilla Hawthorne was about to continue.

"Excuse me. You said my wife did sell her father's antiquities? But..."

It was then when he felt worst. It never made any sense to him, why would Ayesa sell her father's valuable things. She wanted to save her family house and that's why she married him to keep her family's inheritance. Then why did she sell them? Without saying a word to the accountant, he headed back to his room.

He sat on the bed, his hands covering his ears while thoughts whirled in his mind.

"Roger..." his voice echoed again through the emptiness of the rooms. It took a few seconds to hear a hurry steps coming in to the room. But it wasn't a single pair of feet that came. He looked up to the newcomers and saw Roger stood along with his cousin, Phoebe.

"Duke, are you alright, what is it?" Phoebe's voice was concerned. He hasn't heard such a tone in her voice ever since Ayesa left the castle.

"Why was she allowed to sell her father's belongings, Roger?" Dominique looked at his most trusted assistant. He was ordering an answer and he wanted to hear one that would make him feel easy.

"Because she loved you...you, fool!" were the words from Phoebe instead. "Don't look at Roger! Look at me, Duke. I want to tell you the truth and it would hurt you because you need to have a dose of your own medicine. Ayesa never needed a dime out of your money. You want to know why? Because when you were following her to convince her that she was suitable to be your wife, you did a mistake. You didn't expect her to actually fall in love with you. You were ready to believe that she would play an act on you, to make a fake story about her falling into you, so when you give her the money, you wouldn't feel guilty for treating her like someone you hired..."

"Phoebe...." Dominique's voice rose up.

"No, my dear cousin. I am going to say everything I have to say and you are going to hear me well. When you proposed to her, I don't know why she said yes or whether she did it for your money or fame, but I did the same thing you have done. I looked into her history, financial, privet, and everything about her. Did you know the first thing she did after you both got married? I found out, in the same legal office, she signed a paper allowing her best friend to sell the antiquities by an auction house. Every dime you have paid her, she kept in an account here in Kreizig. She didn't even spend a thing, not even for her own clothes. She wanted to prove to you that her love was true, was from her heart, that she loved you."

"Phoebe! That is enough!" Dominique shouted. What he heard didn't make him feel any better, it was only getting worst.

Phoebe only looked at him in shock at first and then left the room. His guilt ate him more. He never raised his voice towards Phoebe. Now, his cousin hates him more. Helplessly, he glanced around the room and felt emptiness. Damn, what has Ayesa done to make him feel this way?

He turned when Roger cleared his throat.

"Your Highness, I have been with you ever since you were born. Allow me to talk to you the way I have always felt." He paused for a while and when the prince didn't budge, he continued. "My son, Dominique, I know the pain you felt when your parents got divorced but they both loved you in a way that they wanted you to know what love was. Their marriage was over before you were even born that was why both of them agreed to ask the Bordeauxs to be your guardians. They knew, with the love they keep within them, you would always believe in love. No one could have prevented you from seeing your mother with her lover at the Azur. No one would have guessed it would make you this cold-hearted. I know your heart is ready to fall in love. Let this ice melt, my son. She deserves it. You deserve it, too."

Dominique realized, after hearing those simple words of concern that he already found someone who can make him face anything without fear, knowing that she is near. But Ayesa left him. And is he willing to let go of the ghosts in the past to start anew with his wife?



~~~



Dominique yawned for the nth time. He didn't sleep since last night. He keeps on thinking about the events for these past months. He never thought that his decisions changed his life. More importantly, he found someone he's been waiting for in a long time.

"Follow what your heart desires. Listen to what it tells you. Bear the consequences it may bring you. Learn to live with any decision you make."

He recalled those words from his father. He will follow what his heart desires and it pulls him back to the place where all things started. He's going to Arkadia to face his greatest decision. After this, there's no turning back.



>> 32

32

"Kev..."

Kevin glanced at Ayesa and Howie who are with him in his office. His twin sister is currently confiding to them about the finances she gained from selling off her family treasures to be able to clear off her debts from the bank and to prevent them from taking the estate from her. They were in the middle of the conversation where she is telling them about her financial assets that are now deposited in a bank in Kreizig when Kevin received a call. It is from Dominique.

He returned his attention to his friend on the other line. "Why did you call, Dominique?"

Ayesa glanced to her brother when she heard her husband's name.

"Yes, there'll be no problem. You can still occupy the room you've been using whenever you're here." Kevin said as he walked towards the TV and turned it on.

"He's coming?" Ayesa's heart beats faster. She felt excitement knowing she will see Dominique again. Her twin nodded in reply as his conversation with Dominique on the other line continued. Ayesa stared down on her palm, trying to control the feeling of longing and emptiness since she left Kreizig. Howie eyed her curiously.

"Are you ready to face your husband?"

"I, uh," Ayesa looked up, "I miss him. I love him, you know that, but I'm afraid that I might lose myself if I'm all too consumed with that love. Besides, he might not just feel the same way." She saw Howie's jaw clenched.

"I'll wring his neck." Howie muttered.

"But you love me," Ayesa tried to give her brother a cheerful smile, "Now, about this finances that I had, is it possible if I build a foundation to support orphaned children to go to school?"

Howie chuckled. "Ayesa, what are you saying? You're Dominique's wife now and soon will be the future queen of Kreizig. You can do anything you want now. You should know now what you're capable of." He shakes his head. "I can't believe you. And I even wondered about those antiquities you sold in the auction house. I was awed by the facts and figures here." He tapped the folder on his lap.

"It's just that I still don't know where I stand in his life, Howie. I'm may be his wife but there wasn't any real relationship between us..."

"They knew it now..." Kevin said, interrupting their conversation. The two turned to him as he walked towards the TV and turned up the volume. "Duke, turn your TV to CNN."

They all saw Benedique walking down the front steps of the city hall, behind him is his trusted assistant, John Lyndon. The bodyguards surround him. Kevin, and the rest of the family knew, that the legalization for the documents pertaining to Ayesa being his legal and eldest child, has been finalized today. The media will know about it and the whole world as well.

Ayesa saw their father stopped walking and the media bombarded him with questions. Benedique had this proud smile on his face as he patiently answered each questions about politics and other stuff. When he raised his hands for their attention, Ayesa caught her breath. They knew what was coming.

"Everyone, I'd like you to be the first to know that after so many years of agony, I'm proud to announce to you that I finally found my missing daughter, Kevin's twin sister." Benedique announced. When the media started to get aggressive in asking him questions, the bodyguards stood around the former king.

"Who is she?"

"Are you saying that there were supposed to be twin heirs to the throne before, Mr. Bordeaux?"

"Her name is Anna Isabella Pierre, or you mostly know her as Ayesa Pierre." Benedique replied.

"The theater actress?"

"The crowned princess of Kreizig?"

"How did that happen?"

"When you said twins, sir, which one is older?"

Benedique turned to the reporter who threw that question. "Ayesa is older from Kevin by three minutes." He answered.

"Has she been kidnapped?"

"Is that the reason why she is here despite the fact that her church wedding is already this weekend?"

"How did your sons take this, especially Kevin?"

The series of questions overwhelmed Benedique and John and the bodyguards quickly ushered them towards the waiting limo. Ayesa watched everything in awe. She's instantly famous now and it worries her. She turned to Kevin. "Is my husband coming here to get me?" she asked him in a quiet voice.

Kevin looked at his twin. "Yes, Ayesa. He's coming and he wants to see everyone, most especially you."



~~~



Louisse looked up when he heard his bedroom door opened. He just got through with a conference call with his legal team, arranging some important documents pertaining to the weekend wedding of his son, Dominique. He wanted everything to be permanent and in order by next month. He knew that he couldn't function being a king anymore when his ailment fails him to perform most of his duties as the ruling sovereign.

"I'm going to get her back, father."

"Aaah, finally." Louisse smiled. "I've heard from Roger about what he and Phoebe has done to knock the sense out of you."

"I love her."

"Aaah, finally," The king said again. "I hope it's permanent."

"This is real, father. I love her and I'm miserable without her. It's been a mistake that I took her for granted, for everything she's done for me. I realized that I can't live without her. I need her in my life. She's very important to me and I love her so much." Dominique closed the gap between him and his father. He kissed his father on the forehead. "And I love you, too, Papa. Thank you for everything. I know that you have some input on what's going on and I appreciate it."

"What input?" his father innocently asks him.

Dominique shakes his head. "Papa, I found out that you're only faking that you're dying."

"Excuse me, Dominique, but I'm actually in a desperate condition right now..."

"Yes, you are desperate." Dominique smirked. "Like father, like son. I never thought that you'd actually pull this trick on me to coerce me into committing myself to someone. I never realized that you're only faking your illness all this time until Roger told the truth to me yesterday. And you know what?" His father's silence affirmed everything he said. He kissed his father on the head again. "I love you."

"Duke, will you stop doing that?"

"What? I'm just showing my gratitude. Anyway, I need to go. I'm going to Arkadia today and I'll fight all the odds just to have her back in my life."

"Everyone already knows that she's the daughter of the former king of Arkadia. It will be hard for you to get through that."

But pure determination is shown on Dominique's face. "I will do everything to present myself properly to Ayesa. I won't be this country's spoiled brat for nothing, Papa."

"Duke, don't tell me that you're giving up the throne for her." Louisse said as Dominique makes his way towards the door.

"That's most likely to happen, Papa."

"Don't do it, Duke. You'll give me a heart attack."

Dominique stopped by the door. "You're bluffing again, father. You're healthy as a cow." He even laughed before going out of the room. Louisse was left shaking his head. A smile is on his face. His son is going after the love of his life now. But his smile faded when he remembered that with that love, Dominique might even give up the throne just to be with Ayesa. He immediately made a sign of the cross to himself, praying that he won't and Ayesa will still accept his son.



>> 33

33

"I can't believe it. They already had a biography special about you." Nick tells his sister, Ayesa, as he turned the channel on to the Lifestyle Channel. "Did you know about this?"

"Yes. Actually, I didn't consent much about it." Ayesa sighed. "So, that's unofficial. They only gathered the facts from news and some people who somehow knew me." They watched a series of photographs of her through the years. "Oh, it's embarrassing. Where did they get that?" Alex and Nick chuckled. "And stop it."

"I didn't remember that you had high bangs before and had shoulder paddings on your clothes." Nick snickered.

"I think they did this to humiliate me." Ayesa groaned. "Turn it to another channel, Nick!" But when her brothers didn't make a move to do anything she asks them to, she stood up and walked towards the window. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of a royal convoy entering the Bordeaux Castle. She recognized the familiar emblem and her heart beats faster.

"Dominique..."

Alex and Nick turned to her when they heard her. They went towards the window and saw the convoy of cars that arrived in Bordeaux. They saw a group of media outside the gates that were immediately secured by the castle's efficient guards. The royal convoy stopped in front of the castle's main entrance. They can see it clearly from the Blue Room where they are currently in. The valet opened the door for Dominique who is now greeted by Kevin. Ayesa saw her twin briefly shook hands with his friend and they went inside.

"Why is he here?" Alex asked.

"He called Kevin yesterday. He wants to see me."

Nick frowned. "Well, he'll get through us first." He nodded at Alex and together, the two went out of the Blue Room.

"Wait..." Ayesa followed them down the hall. When she called her brothers, they stopped to turn back to her. "Just please, leave him alone."

Alex walked back to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Don't worry, Ayesa. We're not going to kick him out of here or threaten him or anything bad. We only like to know more about him as our brother-in-law."

"Besides," Nick said who now stood behind his brother, "if he's really here for you, I know that he had gathered so much courage to face us first before you. If he really cares about you, he's going to do anything just to clear all his intentions to you. And we're going to make sure of that."

"Oh, this is embarrassing. He just doesn't feel the same way. You don't have to do this." When her brothers didn't say anything, she sighed. "He's maybe doing this just to pursue the wedding this weekend so that he becomes legitimately king of Kreizig. There's no hope for us, guys. Tell Kevin or Papa to stop this."

"I think it is better that we hear him out as well, Ayesa, instead of just hearing about your side." Alex tells his sister. "He won't be here just for that. Isn't it right, Nick?"

Nick nodded. "We'll just fry him, sis. Don't worry." He chuckled as he and Alex left their sister. Ayesa shakes her head. Nick turned back to her as he walked backwards. "And don't try to go inside the Sitting Room, sis. We just need a man-to-man talk with your husband."



~~~



The men of Bordeaux came in full force to face Dominique. He never felt so nervous like this in his life. But he had to face them, get through them before he will be able to see Ayesa. Now that she belonged in their family, he knew that they will stand by her for whatever she's going through right now. They know that they will give him a hard time first.

"How dare you come here?" Alex asked him.

Dominique cleared his throat. "I came to see and talk with my wife."

"What do you want?" It was Nick. The three elder men: Benedique, Kevin and Howie are only giving him a silent treatment that's tormenting him. He couldn't even comprehend the expression on his former guardian's face. Former King Benedique is simply just looking at him. Dominique wanted them to say something too. But they have a different approach on him and it would probably kill him if he makes a wrong move now.

"I came to settle things with Ayesa." He replied. He didn't realize his sweat until he felt it trickle down his face.

"Listen, Dominique." Benedique started. He faced Ayesa's father. "We didn't want any trouble between us. We are here to make things clear with you before we let you see my daughter."

Dominique nodded. He met the looks from Kevin, Howie, Alex and Nick. "I'll listen, sir."

Benedique told everyone to take a seat. His sons hesitated at first but followed their father anyway. "First, I'd like to say that I can't trust you to be my daughter's husband considering the pressure that you had in your succession. We're all aware of that. Second, I want to know the truth about your feelings towards her."

"Be careful with your words, Duke." Kevin glared at him.

"The truth is," Dominique's deep voice started, "that I love Ayesa." He saw the frown among the men. They don't believe him but they still let him talk. He is thoughtfully grateful for that.

Everyone is silent. The reaction from Ayesa's father and brothers will drive Dominique crazy if this will go longer. He met their looks. This is hard for him but there's no point in turning back now.

Kevin watched his friend's face in frustration. Dominique seems to be having a hard time with them. He knows how hard it is for the prince to say this kind of things to them. He wasn't the serious kind when it comes to relationships. Kevin knows him well. But Ayesa must be a miracle worker in their lives. She mended the old wound of the past and brought total happiness to the family most especially to their parents. And she may have worked wonders with Dominique, too. She must have thawed the ice surrounding Dominique's heart for years.

"I-I admit that my intentions were only like as a businessman offering a generous proposal to Ayesa but my plans came out of hand. When she declined my business deal, I was challenged to pursue her more. I know she is the woman I've been looking for who will help me with succession. I know that there may be a possibility she'll give in and accept it considering her personal necessities. I also know that she can also decline, considering the values and principles that she honestly laid out to me. But I never knew that she is the best thing that has happened in my life. She made me realize things that are more important. I respected and valued her in so many ways but then, I'm a fool to treat her in an undeserving way. I took her for granted. I-I've said things that are truly hurtful and I'm here to ask forgiveness." Dominique clasped his hands together as if in prayer, looking like he's pleading them. "Please, let me see her. I want to make things right and try to make it up everything with her."

"You are going to apologize?" It was Howie.

"Yes, everything. I'll do everything."

"Have you ever touched her?" That question came from Nick. Everyone turned to him with a frown, except Dominique. "Hey! I got to ask!"

"No." But there are times he wished he would have, Dominique thought silently. Ayesa is an attractive woman and he's not immune to her sexy charisma. But he felt that it wasn't right to perform their marital duty if the marriage is only under a business deal. "I respect your sister."

"Okay, let's say that you respect her," Kevin never wavered his look from his friend, "but have you ever considered her feelings when you proposed this deal with her? How could you do that to someone who's not used to this? I saw her face when we went to her debut party in St. Karl. I saw Karla there," he took a glance to Nick on that. "I could imagine what she's going through. Your wife loves you to agree on this craziness but you only took her for granted. I know something's not right when she suddenly came home here without you after I told her that she's my twin."

"We have a misunderstanding, that's all. You know that we still don't know each other when we got married. We're still adjusting." Dominique replied, unable to say the truth that Ayesa caught him in the act of kissing his ex-girlfriend. "I came here to make things right now for her. I don't want to lose her." He sighed in frustration. These guys enjoy giving him a hard time. He looked at each one of them. "You, of all people, should know that, should understand what I'm going through right now. I love her and I have so many complications in my life. It's maybe a mistake to include her in my dilemma but I need her. When I get to know her, I realized that she's the only woman I want, the one I trust to help me and I could imagine spending my married life with. All right, I'm sorry for all the things I've said and done to hurt her. I am afraid." He extended his arms to emphasize what he's trying to convey to them. "I am afraid because I don't trust myself of being capable to make her happy even though God knows how much I wanted to. I saw my parents ruined themselves in a marriage because they weren't happy being with each other. I am happy having Ayesa around but I don't know if she feels the same way. I felt so insecure..." He never showed or admitted his emotions to anyone. He didn't know what these people have in them to make him do it. He bowed down and closed his eyes. His heart ached for Ayesa and he really wanted to see her and explain what she had witnessed in his office. When she left, he thought he could never live the same way again. Being married to her made him need her in other ways than just being an instrument to his succession to the throne. Her presence gave new meaning at the way he looked at life and love and he's desperate on thinking that he might never see her again.

"I don't know what and how love is but I think that this is it." He added as he looked back to them.

Howie shakes his head. "We haven't spent much time with our sister yet, Duke. She just came home to us."

"How far would you go, Dominique?" Alex asked him.

Quietly, Dominique replied. "I'll call out that the church wedding will be cancelled. I will wait until everyone is ready. I will wait until I won your sister's heart and will have me back. That's all I think I can do now."

"I thought you're a fighter." Benedique shakes his head, as if in disappointment. Dominique saddened at the thought of his godfather being disappointed in him. "I thought you love my daughter." The eldest man in the room stands up. The prince followed.

"Sir, I don't want to fight if I'll only force her to something she may not want to. In my own way, I'll show her how I will love her and take care of her for as long as I live. I will endure the long wait if that's what it takes. I think that it will be my own way to fight for my love for her. It doesn't matter if I don't become king. She's all that matters to me now."

Benedique gave him a straight face. "That's foolishness, Dominique. The kingdom is important and many people expected so much of you. You just can't give up." He saw his son-in-law's frustrated expression. "You just can't risk the lives of so many people. Your monarchy is so powerful and no one can abolish it, unlike ours. Your excellent leadership will make you a great ruler in your country. You will give up all those things just to wait for Ayesa? Or are you only saying this just to lure us to believe you?"

"Amor est vitae essentia." Dominique replied to his godfather.

"Pardon?" Benedique hide his smile. Of course, he knew that phrase. It's the one inscribed in the sword he's given Alex years ago.

"Love is the essence of life. Kevin told me once about that simple principle in this family. I think that I can never be the ruler you thought I'd be if I don't have the only person of whom I can love and get the chance to show it. What is life as a king if I'm still half the man that I wanted to be? I may be king someday but it will never make me complete. Ayesa is all that matters for me now, Sir. She is the essence of my life now."



>> 34

34

"Are you sure about your decision?"

Ayesa wiped the tears. "Do you think it's stupid, Mama?" They watched through the window as Dominique sits at the gazebo with Kevin and Howie. His confrontation with her father and brothers ended half an hour ago and just like what she told her family, Dominique can wait until she's ready to see her. And he didn't leave. He stayed and planned to stay longer if it's necessary, as what her father told her. Benedique and her brothers didn't exactly tell her what happened inside the Sitting Room. They said that she should hear everything from Dominique himself.

Isabella takes her daughter's hand. "If you love him, why do you still torment yourself by looking at him from afar? Why don't you take the chance to fight your feelings for him and if doesn't turn out well, at least you tried to do something. It's his loss."

"I'm scared."

"Scared of what?"

Ayesa sighed. "I'm scared: to be away from you now that I found my true family, to be the subject of attention now that all of this are happening, to become a princess in a country that was still very alien to me, and to be with that man I barely knew and yet I've fallen so deeply in love with." She turned to her mother. "What should I do, Mama?"

"When I was young, I fell in love with a man that I never thought would reciprocate my feelings more than I do for him. I was so scared because he wasn't just any other man. Your father was heir to the throne at that time, too, and I was scared of how my life will change if I'd go on in a relationship with him. There was a circumstance that I had to leave for both our sake. It has been torture to me that I wouldn't able to see him, or to hug him and to kiss him. And that made me decide that I shouldn't go on punishing myself when I know that he's been miserable without me too. I went back here in Arkadia and I fought for my love. I never realized how far he'd be willing to go for me. I could still remember how much I cried on that day when he told me that he loves me and that he would like to spend his lifetime with me." Isabella still felt the mistiness in her eyes every time she remembers Benedique's romantic proposal. "At that time, I looked up to the stars and thanked God for the blessings. And because I knew that I deserved to be happy with the only person who loves me for everything that is in me."

Isabella drew a deep breath. "Now, the bottom line of this is that go for the one you love. It's all about taking risks and not regretting about anything because you've tried to get the very best from it. Part of loving is hurting but most of it brings out joy to people. It's a normal part of our lives."

Ayesa looked at Dominique through the glass windows of the second floor's hall. She saw that he was left alone by his brothers. He watched as the children played with the dogs. One of the kids, Ava, went to Dominique and began talking to him. Ayesa and Isabella only watched as he laughed about something that the little girl is talking about and then took her to sit on his lap. The two started talking and there is a look of interest in Howie's daughter's eyes.

"He's most likely to become a good father someday, if he had that charisma over Ava." Ayesa heard her mother said. "Of all my grandchildren, Ava is the hardest to please."

"W-we never..." Ayesa bit her lower lip. She looked at her mother. "We never shared the bed, Mama."

Isabella smiled. "I remembered Benedique told me that Nick particularly asked about that."

"He did?" Ayesa blushed as she shakes her head. "Oh, Nick. He can be really naughty." Isabella agreed on that with a chuckle. Ayesa faced her mother. "My husband doesn't desire me."

"Or maybe, he respected you too much to even touch you, Ayesa. He may have felt that he has no right to do that since your marriage is unconventional."

Ayesa looked to where her husband again. "I want him to be the father of my children."

"I don't see any reason why you're still here and he's out there waiting for you, Ayesa. Why don't you try to go out and see your husband? I'm pretty sure that Benedique and your brothers had a nice talk with your husband. He'll never stay here if he wasn't really true to his feelings and commitment to you." Isabella felt the hesitation from Ayesa to initiate any action. "Go, Ayesa. Don't let this chance pass you by."

Ayesa turned to hug her mother. And with that, she went off to see her husband.



~~~



Dominique wearily walked on the cobbled path towards the summerhouse, a few meters away at the back of the Bordeaux Castle. He wants to spend some time alone. He asked Kevin where he can stay to ponder about things, while waiting for Ayesa to decide to see him.

He remembered what happened to him earlier. When Ayesa's father and brothers talked with her, they said that they will let Ayesa decide on what she really wanted to do, if she still wanted to see him. They made it clear that they tried to advise the new member of the family about the situation but still, Ayesa decided to stay in Arkadia. No one among them can really tell what's going on in the woman's mind. Everyone still awaits her own decision on what will happen in the marriage. Dominique decided to wait for her.

About an hour later, the butler came to inform him to go home, as requested by Ayesa. At first, he couldn't believe about the message that was relayed to him. He wanted to stay and see her. He wanted to talk with her but the butler clearly affirmed what Ayesa had requested. He waited for another thirty minutes then, in hopes that it was just a bluff. But later, it was Nick who bluntly told him that Ayesa already left the castle. Dominique had no choice but decided to leave. When he was about to, Kevin saw him at the grand lobby and advised him to wait a little longer.

"There may still be hope, you know." He remembered Kevin telling him that. His friend offered him the summerhouse so that he can rest. After their brief conversation, Kevin left the palace with his wife and kids - said something about spending family time with them. He shakes his head at the thought about his friend. Since Kevin got married, he changed his ways. He's become the man that his father wanted him to be. He's no longer the man who doesn't care about anyone but himself. Kristin made him change. Love made him become a better person.

He realized he wanted to be the kind of man that Kevin is right now. A happy family man with a loving wife and kids. If only Ayesa will accept him, he will make everything right and he will do everything to make her happy. He really wished that those things would come true.

He turned when he heard voices in the nearby garage. It's rather a small building that housed the family-owned cars. He saw Ayesa talking with one of the chauffeurs. He gave her a key and she went inside a Rolls Royce. Where is she going? He thought. She didn't saw him as she passed by the road and Dominique is just standing by a large tree. He ran towards the garage and went inside. Since he almost spent his childhood days in Bordeaux, he knew that the keys were just hanging by the wall corresponding to the vehicle that is parked in front of it. It was something he didn't approve because the vehicles can be easily stolen. But this time, he's thankful that Kevin and his family had this way of organizing their vehicles in the garage.

"Where did Ayesa go?" He asked in a hurry. He grabbed the key to Alex's stylish Ducati. One of the men there panicked when he saw what he's done. He picked up the intercom to the castle security immediately.

"D'azur, Your Royal Highness," the man of whom Ayesa spoke with earlier replied.

Dominique started the motorcycle's engine. D'azur! She thought he went there and she's going to follow him. Hope surged within that maybe, she loves him too. His heart ached with happiness at that simple thought. My God, he hopes so. He hoped that she loves him too.

"Prince Dominique, the bike is still..." one of the men tried to say but he wasn't heard because Dominique already sped out from the garage. "Oh my God!" The Ducati is still under maintenance. "Follow the prince. He might get into an accident!"

"I think he's following his wife," one of them said as they ran out of the garage. They saw the prince's security also ran to follow him while the others were already at the two Range Rovers to escort him. But in just a few meters away, they saw what they feared to happen. The bike swayed and it crashed on the side of the road and the man on it was thrown to the ground.



~~~



Alex looked up when he heard his bike's sound. Someone's using it. He's ultimately particular about that bike because he bought it years ago through his hard-earned money when he's in the university and worked as a teacher assistant for a year. Part of the salary he had saved was added to the monthly trust fund he received from the will of his grandfather. The media didn't know that. Benedique required them to experience work for a year during college before getting a position in the family business. And Alex was proud for the achievements that he had then. His father was proud of him.

"I thought it's on repair," Olivia said.

"I thought so, too." Alex went to the window and his eyes widened when he saw Dominique get overthrown by his bike, like a horse who didn't want his rider. "Oh my God!" The exclamation came from Olivia. They saw the security followed where the prince lies on the ground and unconscious. They quickly went out of the room to check on what happened.



>> 35

35

Nick chuckled as he quietly pulled his wife inside the Winston Room. Yvonne's eyes were wide and playfully slapped his shoulder. "Nick! You're naughty. What if we get caught?"

"So?" He chuckled again as he made her lean against the wall and kiss her. "I've been fantasizing about this moment," they quietly laughed. "This house is so big..."

"This is a castle, not a house," Yvonne said in between kisses.

"Yeah, and I want memories for each room that we have here." Nick's lips slowly went to her neck.

"Including the grand dining area?" Yvonne sighed lovingly as she pushed her husband's lips further. They chuckled. They stopped when they heard an alarm in the castle grounds. "Nick, stop. What's that?"

Nick groaned as he placed one last nip to Yvonne's lips. He went to the window and saw the commotion going on. Dominique is unconscious on the ground as the castle's and the prince's security were everywhere. His brothers, except Kevin, were there too. "What happened?" He felt his wife beside him.

"He seemed hurt," Yvonne replied while she's on the phone. "Hi, Ayesa. Where are you? Your husband's hurt. What?"

Nick stared at her. "What?"

"Go back here or rather, we'll tell you what hospital they took Dominique. He's unconscious in the ground when we saw him. I don't know what happened. Okay, bye." Yvonne ended the call. She turned to Nick. He arranged her hair and brushed his thumb on her lips. They'll continue later what they've been planning earlier. Some things were more important right now. "She's on her way to D'azur, thinking that her husband is already there."

"Because he's supposed to be there a long time ago. Ayesa asked me to tell him to go," Nick replied. "Dominique might have seen her go and tried to follow her." They walked out of the room. "That's AJ's Ducati. It's on repair just like my car."

"What's up with those two? They really have to talk, you know."

Nick chuckled, "there goes your American expression again."

"What?"

"You know..."

"What do I know?"

Nick scratched his head. Sometimes, he and his wife could not understand each other. "That thing about you saying 'you know'. It just seemed weird for me. I mean, I know the point you're getting at but still, you have to add that part 'you know.' It's ridiculous."

Yvonne pursed her lips together and pushed him away. "Talk to yourself," she quicken her pace. Her husband ran after her. She secretly smiled. Nick could never take the thought of her being mad at him and the feeling is mutual. But she'll play the game right now. He would sometimes laugh at her American expression like as if his native language isn't funny enough. She learned to understand Arkeish, the native language of Arkadia, even in just a short time but it's still hard for her to speak it well. It's a good thing that they will be living in the US soon although she also loves being in Arkadia. The small country is beautiful and she would choose to retire here when she and Nick gets old.

"Yvonne, darling," Nick called her.

She didn't say anything. She reached the grand staircase. When she stepped at the bottom of the large stairs, she heard her husband called her. She turned and saw him stopped in the middle of the staircase. "There's a very important thing that I've been planning to tell you." He says.

She watched him go down the stairs. He took something from his pocket. "I know it's delayed but I want to give you something that you truly deserve," He continued. He is now in front of her and he showed her a glittery diamond ring. "Will you marry me, in church, Yvonne?"

She slowly smiled as tears fell from her eyes. Nothing could be sweeter than having a husband who thinks so much of her. "We're already married, Nick."

"I know but I also want to marry you in the US, with all our friends there." Nick wiped her tears. Yvonne didn't reply as she only kissed him as an answer.

"Alright, I got the answer. Now, let's see what happened to Dominique."



~~~



Ayesa stepped out of the car as soon as it stopped. She didn't wait for any one to open the door for her. She looked around looking for Kevin but she only saw Alex and Nick at the top of the stairs. She rushed up and looked at Alex.

"What happened to my husband, AJ?"

"The men in the garage told us that he was in a rush when he took my bike." Alex replied as he was escorting her inside the castle.

"Your bike? He rode a bike? You had a bike?" Her voice raised in panic.

She was tensed so Alex grabbed her by the shoulders and looked at her. "Yes, I do have a bike and you should know that the bike was still not in proper condition. Dominique asked about where you're going and he must have the intentions of following you. However, he took the wrong vehicle and it swerved uncontrollably towards the sidewalk and he was thrown off."

"Oh, my God! How is he?"

Alex turned to the others.

"He's unconscious. The doctor said he's okay. We thought he had a concussion but there's none. He got bruises on his arms and knees though." Howie said. "He must have used it to shield his head from getting hit."

"But why he's unconscious?" Ayesa asked. "I want to see him."

"Okay," Alex and Nick said almost at once, in a jolly mood even. Ayesa glared at her brothers. How could they act like that? That's her husband, their brother-in law!

"How could you act like that when that's my husband and your brother-in-law?" She cried now. Olivia shushed her. "It's embarrassing... this thing... me, crying ... what I'm doing right now but it's just that I'm so worried about him. I love him but I don't know if he feels the same way. When he wakes up, do you think I'll go for it? I mean, it will only be embarrassing if I pour out my feelings when he doesn't feel the same way. He might just laugh at me or take advantage of it. I don't want it."

"Think about it, Ayesa. He wouldn't be here and faced us bravely enough to just make fun or take advantage of your feelings. You should have seen what happened earlier. I guess, the bottom line there was that he earned Papa's respect. You should be proud of him." Nick tells his sister. Ayesa glanced at their father.

Benedique nodded. "Aye, I agree."

She wipes her tears. "What did he say?"

"Why don't you ask him?" Nick countered.

"I want to see my husband."

Without further ado, she was ushered out towards the opposite one which is actually a suite. She saw Dominique lying awake when she got inside. Her family immediately left her alone with him.



>> 36

36

Dominique opened and closed his eyes again. He stared at the ceiling before him. His heart ached at the thought that Ayesa hated him so much now that she doesn't want to see him. He never felt such pain like this before. What is he going to do to win her back? He knows that Ayesa is not the type who'd easily be enamored with flowers and chocolates. He should do better than that. He racked his brains for anything until he decided that he'll just present himself, as he is. He will be the only thing he can offer to his wife and not any other material things in the world, not even the luxurious life of being a royalty.

He sighed. He is in love with his wife and yet, he doesn't know how to show it to her. It's a new experience for him. And it excites him. He imagined starting a family with her. He imagined being a husband and a father on her side, supporting her in her theatre plays or watching her play football with the national team. He actually found the idea of her, all dirty and sweaty, as cute. She's a real person. He can sense the vibrancy of life in her with everything she say or do. Her concern for the welfare of others is transparent and she reached out to those who are in need. She inspired him to be just like that with his job as the prince. She's an admirable woman.

It's sad that he took advantage of her while they're in Kreizig. He didn't realize her worth as a person and as a wife until she's gone. He wished that he can make it up with her and give him another chance. He wished that she feels the same way about him, too.

"Are you alright?"

Dominique stiffened upon hearing her voice. He opened his eyes. He tried to sit up. There's only a bump in the head anyway. "Ayesa..."

"I told you to go home. I was on my way to D'azur." she continued.

"Go home, to D'azur?"

Ayesa shook her head. She remained her distance from the bed, her arms across her chest as she looked back to him. Dominique stood up. He wanted to go to her and hugged her but he's afraid that she'd turn him away. He never felt so insecure of himself, that a woman can make him doubt himself.

"Kreizig is a few hours away so I think D'azur will do for the meantime." He heard Ayesa telling him.

"Why didn't you tell your bodyguards that you're still here? What made you think when you took AJ's bike? You should have asked your security to follow me instead. Everybody's worried."

Did he just hear it right? His wife meant Kreizig as her home, or D'azur, the closest one for that matter.

"Kevin told me to stay in the Summerhouse because my room in the castle is still under cleaning. I came under short notice." He can only answer. "I was on my way there when I saw you at the garage and went away. I thought of following you. The plan humiliatingly backfired when I took the Ducati."

"Kevin's not in the castle," Ayesa said, more to herself. She turned when she saw him slowly walking towards her. "You should have at least, told your security. You know who you are. You just can't go off like that."

"Have you been worried about me?" He asked while walking closer.

"That's natural instinct. You're in our country and we can't let you be harmed like that." She looked up when he's standing right before her, so close that she can feel his breathing.

"Were you worried, Ayesa?"

"Why do you have to ask that? What do you want to hear?" she replied as tears began to form in her eyes. "Of course, I'm worried. Damn it, Duke. You never know how much I cared about you!"

"I-I'm sorry, Ayesa." His eyes bore into hers.

He stood there in front of her for seconds before hearing her asking him.

"I still can't understand it, why? Why did you come here and... " before she even completes her question, he looked into her eyes, thought he saw confusion and pain, and he had to stop it.

"I love you, Ayesa." He said. "I love you."

They grew silent for a while. Dominique wanted to succumb in the arms of his wife but he's afraid that she would only turn him away. He saw her turn her back on him. His heart ached when she did that. Isn't she happy to hear that he loves her? His eyes grew misty with tears. He reached out his hand to touch her shoulder. "My love..."

Instead of looking at him, she stepped far from his touch. Dominique's heart ached.

"I was wondering what did you, my father and my brothers talked about. They never told me anything except that you will wait for me here until I decide to see you. Is that why? Is it truly why you are willing to wait for me? Is it the way you convinced my father and brothers, telling them how much you needed and loved me, Duke?"

"I love you, Ayesa." He repeated, and went closer to her, "and I mean it this time. I don't want to hurt you anymore or feel hurt. I would repeat it again and again until you know that I mean it. I do love you Anna Isabella de Bordeaux."

"Oh, my God!" Ayesa turned around and hugged Dominique.

Dominique silently made a prayer of thanks to the One above. He felt his wife embraced him closer, her head buried beneath the crook of his neck.

"I love you, Ayesa. I love you so much that it would drive me insane not to get here and show to you how much I cared so much for you." He kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry for everything. I've said things that are truly hurtful and I'm here to ask forgiveness."

"Dominique..."

"Ssshh. Let me speak first. I owed you a lot and I want to make up for everything wrong that I've done." Dominique's voice is above a whisper. He traced Ayesa's back with his fingers. "I am afraid. I am afraid because I don't trust myself of being capable to make you happy even though how much I wanted to. I saw my parents ruined themselves in a marriage because they weren't happy being with each other. I am happy having you around but I don't know if you feel the same way. I felt so insecure..."

Ayesa looked up to him. "You? Afraid?"

"I never thought about finding a woman of whom I'll spend my lifetime with. I loved being a bachelor. I loved the freedom of being able to do things that I want and earn the privileges that I had as a son of the sovereign. I'm having the time of my life until I was reminded about the strict law of succession. I dealt the problem as if just some business that I've had all the time but this turned out to be different than I expected it to be. I don't have back-up plans. I fell in love and it caught me off guard. It's far from the comfort zone that I thought I've already had with me. I fell in love and I was... afraid." Dominique stared at her. Ayesa saw the tears forming in the corner of his eyes.



>> 37

37

"God, how much I want to make sure that this is for real?" Ayesa asked her husband as she traced his face with her soft fingers and wiped the tears away.

"Don't you believe me?" Dominique caught her fingers and gently kissed it.

"It's too good to be true. This is not exactly a Cinderella story but it's overwhelming. How could someone like you love someone like me?"

"I'm also a person, Ayesa, just like anyone. I only happened to be born royal but nonetheless, I'm now capable of opening up myself and love. Thanks to you." He kissed her.

"What about Heidi? I saw you both and..." she asked him.

He felt that it is coming; he had to justify that moment she saw.

"She has been trying to get my attention for over a year, Ayesa. I never loved her and she doesn't love me. For her, I am just a block with fortune and power and she was ready to do anything to get that. My hunch was that she even plotted the death of her sister just to get the throne to herself."

Silent fell between them for a moment before she looked at him.

"I think I shouldn't have asked you about that when you have seen your cousin kissing me..." She felt the need to justify herself too.

"That was one stupid mistake of mine, Ayesa."

She looked at him, feeling a little astounded, yet he continued.

"I could have given you the benefit of the doubt and at least take a look at the surveillance video back then, but I chose to prejudge instead of listening to you."

"You mean..." she asked.

"Roger showed me the videos. I saw how he forced himself and how you pushed him away, and I can never forgive myself for what I have done to you."

She looked at him. He was sincere and she could see in his eyes that look of love and caring that she saw when they were visiting his father.

She held his hands and led him to the nearest seat and after they both sat, she looked at him.

"Duke, just forget about that part now. I won't let it haunt me but you have to be ready to give it all too. We can start this and work it out. You can't expect to fall in love without having to sacrifice certain things. Your parents loved each other and they loved you, and when they realized that their love wasn't there any more, they had to sacrifice it. They didn't want you to face an unhealthy environment that was full of deception and hypocrisy. They even kept you under the guardianship of my father, because they knew how much love meant in our world. I thought that I was loved by my mother Helena a lot, and I thought that sacrifice meant to do everything to make her happy even if I wasn't happy. But while trying to convince myself whether to do it for money or love, you did the most stupid things that you never expected. You made me really fall for you. You knew deep inside of you how to love, and that was what I saw and felt, but you never realized that it's love."

He looked at her and wondered what did she mean.

"I know you are wondering about it, Duke, but let me ask you why you were trying to catch my attention, even though you had many women to pick from. Who spent time arranging and managing new ways to convince me to be with you? Who tried his best to get mama to the hospital when she had her heart attack? Who waited over an hour under the rain for me at her funeral?"

He looked at her and wiped a tear that was about to fall on her cheek.

"Duke, that was not out of obligation. That was because in your heart, there was a place for love. You have learned to care for me. You learned to appreciate everything about me and you were willing to stay with me through the good and the bad times."

Outside the room, Nick and Alex were standing, as always, trying to know what was happening. Others decided to leave since it seemed as if the two now found the time to talk about their marriage and everything between them. The two backed off when Kevin showed up.

"What happened? How is Dominique? Where is Ayesa?" He asked his brothers. "And are you eavesdropping on the two?" He frowned.

Nick looked at him and smiled. "He is alive, just tried to follow Ayesa with AJ's Ducati."

"Isn't that bike in repair?" Kevin looked at Alex.

"It is but he was the one who chose to pick it," Alex defended himself. They chuckled when Kevin took a peek on the slightly ajar door. The two are quietly talking inside and it seems like things are already fine between them. Dominique is gripping his wife's hand while Ayesa is smiling widely at him.

"Dominique seems fine." Kevin said. "Oh, ew. They're kissing." He shuddered and turned away but only to stand face to face with their father, "Hi, Papa."

"You looked ridiculous, Kevin." Benedique shakes his head. Nick and Alex snickered. They stopped when their father turned to them. "And stupid. She's your sister but that doesn't mean you'll play out your naughty tricks on her."

"We actually didn't have the time when we were young. We didn't have a sister to bully," Kevin smiled.

"We're making up for the time lost of not having a sister around," Alex added.

"I taught you well, huh?" Benedique can only shakes his head with the mischievousness among his sons. He smiled in amusement. Anyway, they don't mean any harm. They are happy for having Ayesa as their sister and they will protect her from any one, even from her husband. Speaking of which, "How are they doing inside?" He had this urge to peek at the door too. Yes, it's tempting but he wouldn't show that to his sons.

Kevin sighed. "Don't try to peek, Papa. I can read your mind. They're kissing."



>> 38

38

Anthony is furious over the fact that Dominique took all the effort to go to Arkadia to follow his wife. It seems like the marriage is going to be fine. Earlier, he saw Dominique at the news arriving in the neighboring country. No one from the media got the chance to interview him. He went straight to the Bordeaux Castle where his wife is staying and never came out since. He doesn't have any official meeting anyway since he went to Arkadia for personal reasons.

Now that things are going right the way Dominique wanted it to be, Anthony is running out of time to get the right to the throne away from his cousin. He had to find a way to stop everything and prevent Dominique from inheriting the throne.

He picked up his mobile phone and dialed some numbers. In a matter of minutes, he finally managed to get the person he wanted.



~~~



Unlike any other long tables that can be found in big houses, the one in Bordeaux Castle was almost full most of the time. The brothers love getting together during weekend to relieve the stress out from their work at the family's company. At the same time, the children would often go there just to be with their cousins and play. Benedique and Isabella, being retired and all, would come over to spend their now-longer free time with their children and their family.

The dinner tonight could have been just like any other weekend dinner of the family. But right now, it's different and special. Ayesa, the former king and queen's long-lost daughter, has come to join them. It even gets better now that her husband joined the family gathering.

Benedique felt so blessed. He stood up and he immediately took everyone's attention. "Before we start savouring the bountiful feast that our excellent kitchen staff has prepared for us," there were positive nods that come his way, "I'd like to request everyone to bow their heads and thank God for His blessings and never ending graces in our family."

Everyone followed upon Benedique's initiative.

"We thank You, Lord, for the love and respect of everyone with each other. We thank You for the continued graces and blessings we continue to receive. We thank you for being together as one family most especially that you've brought back our beloved Ayesa in our lives. Together with her husband, may they have the love and happiness that you continuously gracing us. Bless us, oh Lord, for these thy gifts in which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, our Lord. Amen."

"Amen." Ayesa silently said. She opened her eyes when her father proposed a toast.

"Tonight is Ayesa and Dominique's night. We toast for their union, may they will be happy, have full of love and respect with each other and their marriage to last forever."

"Cheers!"

"Forever," Dominique said. Ayesa turned to him. He smiled to her as he stood up. Everyone's attention is on him. "I'd like to thank everyone in this family for the hospitality you have bestowed upon me despite the complexity I had with Ayesa before. Thank you for giving me the chance and for your acceptance for me to be part of this wonderful family."

Ayesa reached out to hold his hand. He gripped it tightly as he continued. "Thank you for your kindness and for your love. I am very glad that my wife found her true family in you. She's lucky to have you and so am I. This is a great honor for me as I have always wanted to be part of your family. God must have heard my wish." He turned to Ayesa. "And speaking of wishes come true, God really worked wonders in my life because I met you, Ayesa. I felt so blessed. And I promise you, in my good faith and in front of your family, that I will love you until forever has another day; I will take care of you and share to you everything that I have; I will remain faithful and loyal to you. I still have so much things to say but I think I need pen and paper to do that as I will recite it on our wedding day." There were chuckles around. Isabella wiped the tears from her eyes. Their wedding was moved on the next weekend due to conflicting schedules from the couple. They decided to stay a few more days in Arkadia before going home. Dominique wanted his wife to experience and enjoy a life with her family before she get married.

He looked at everyone as he drew a deep breath. Ayesa thought he's nervous about something. She felt him trembling. He cleared his throat. "Tonight, I'd like to take this opportunity to ask everyone, to Sir Benedique and Madam Isabella, from Kevin to Nick and their families, if I may formally take Ayesa's hand for marriage. I'd like to ask Sir Benedique if he can walk his only daughter down the aisle, together with Madam Isabella..."

Ayesa's jaw dropped when she heard him say that. So that's why he's trembling. He formally asked for her hand in marriage in front of the whole family. It's a risk considering that he was not given the clear approval on what he's done to her. They have given the final say to her and it's really up to her if he will fully be accepted in the family. Though the answer is already obvious, considering the family's treatment to him and Ayesa's profession of love... But he only wanted to make things clear and formal. And it was something out of respect to her family.

There was a moment of silence in the dining hall, except for the younger members who doesn't care as long as they're eating.

Dominique's heart beat seemed to stop when he saw Benedique opened his mouth to speak.

"Yes, I will gladly take the chance, together with Isabella, to present our daughter at the church for the holy matrimony. But to say that the final decision is ours, no. The decision still lies at Ayesa whether she will take you back or not." There were affirmative nods following it.

Dominique turned to his wife. Ayesa can see the difficulty in his eyes as she knows that this wasn't easy for him. He's doing this for her and she knows how he respected every person in this room to do such formalities.

Ayesa stood up to face her husband and takes his hand. "We've already settled everything between us so you don't have to doubt that I'll turn against you. You love me and I love you, too."

John Lyndon entered the dining hall as everyone anticipated the exchange between Dominique and Ayesa. He excused himself from Benedique who gave him a smile.

"Yes, I love you so much, Ayesa." Dominique said. "Will you marry me?"

Roger Brown quietly and discreetly entered the room, too. He saw John who gave him a knowing look and an acknowledging nod. Benedique's face grew concerned as he turned to Ayesa just in time to hear her answer.

"Yes, of course, Duke." She closed her eyes as her husband kissed her on the cheeks.

Everyone turned when they heard Benedique cleared his throat. They wondered what are John and Robert doing there, standing on the side. Dominique read the urgency in his secretary's eyes.



>> 39

39

What's going on? Dominique felt his heart beats fast as Benedique stood up. He's about to say something.

"I've been informed that there is a big news going on in Kreizig as this concerned mainly my son-in-law and my daughter. There have been reports that your cousin," he nods at Dominique, "is claiming that you only married your wife because of the succession and that you're paying her for that. You are now needed to go back to your country to explain, Dominique. But, tell me. Is that true? Is this the business deal that you have mentioned when we were in the Sitting Room? You are paying my daughter?"

Ayesa held his hand tight, assuring him that she's in support for him. Dominique glanced at her first before facing her family again. He learned his lesson now, that he should never plan and do something out of selfishness and never mess up with Arkadia's former royal family. It wasn't easy for him now to confess something in front of the whole family, except for the children who seemed too hungry now that they wouldn't wait for any more delay as their mothers took them to the smaller dining room.

Dominique cleared his throat. "Yes."

"What?" Kevin and Howie exclaimed at the same time. They were aware that he planned for a temporary wife before but they didn't expect that he'd go far into paying Ayesa to be one. Dominique didn't tell them that particular detail. They thought it was only a plan that didn't came to fruition.

"It all started with a search for a wife..." He began to tell the whole story to everyone, as embarassing as it may be. Sometimes, he would glance at Ayesa and he would have more strength to continue telling the truth. When she would about to add something in the story, he'd gently squeeze her hand to silently tell her to let him do it. He wanted to save her from any disappointment that her family might give him.

"Ayesa married me in the most usual way like any other couples do. It is binding and legal." He added.

"Still, there's the intention of fooling everyone." Kevin said.

Dominique didn't reply. His friend is right about that. There was silence and he endured the looks coming from Ayesa's family. It was Alex who spoke first.

"What's the big deal now? What's important that in the end, they fell in love with each other. Is that true? You're no longer playing with us?" He turned to the couple.

"Is that true?" Isabella asked.

"Yes," the two answered at the same time. Ayesa stood up.

"Dominique told you everything without leaving out anything. It's the truth. But it doesn't matter now. We love each other and that's more important, regardless about his succession to the throne. The part of compensating me has been aborted. We already agreed not to continue with it. We've cleared our problems, talked about everything and we're starting all over again."

Dominique nodded. "I've told my father before I left Kreizig that the throne doesn't matter to me. I can give it up if that's what it takes just to be with Ayesa."

"He certainly would not have approved of that." Benedique remarked.

"He thought that I was jesting," Dominique said, "but I'm not. I can give up everything, call me a fool that I already am but I couldn't imagine my life without my wife." He looked at Ayesa and gripped her hand again. "I love her and I'm not acting or anything just to make anyone believe me. It's the truth."

Everyone in the dining hall understood, especially the men. If they were in his place, they would probably give it all up, too, just to be with the love of their lives. They couldn't imagine a life being incomplete. It wouldn't be the same without their other half. And they can see how much these two love each other especially the change in Dominique. He's far from the person they've last seen.

Nick drew a deep breath. "So I think the best thing we can do now is to finish the dinner and plan our trip to Kreizig. Don't you think?"

"Gosh, Nick," Alex shakes his head. "You're always hungry."

"Nick's right. Let's all eat and discuss more of this later." Benedique agreed. He turned to the two secretaries and invited them to join the dinner. They have to do something immediately so that these two will be able to have a good start of a whole chapter of their lives. He met Dominique's look. "I would like to talk with you first when we're done with dinner, Dominique." He said it with full conviction.

The prince felt the impending anger in his father-in-law's voice. Ayesa's brothers knew that tone from their father. And they knew better and stay away for now as soon as possible.



~~~



"Close the door," Benedique commanded when he and Dominique entered his study. The young man followed him. When he turned back to Benedique, he didn't expect a fist and it smacked right in to his face. He fell down on the floor.

"That's for my daughter, Dominique!"

Dominique felt the pain in his jaw. The last time he felt this was when he was in military school and during his martial arts training. He did not expect his godfather will give the next one.

When he looked at Benedique, he did not expect the look of calm in the older man's face. He took the hand that was offered to him and he stood up.

"Take care of my daughter. I believe that you've settled everything now. I've already given my blessings to your marriage. You have to take care of her and make her happy. She deserves it. If I hear anything otherwise, you will regret what you did and you will never see her again."

"Yes, sir." Dominique replied, meeting his father-in-law's look. The jaw still hurts like hell. He cleared his throat and tried not to wince. Ayesa's father is still strong, despite the age.

"Call me Papa, for Pete's sake! You're already part of the family."



~~~



It is a beautiful day for the capital of Kreizig and as the royal wedding is scheduled to happen two days from now, the controversy surrounding the throne and its heirs continue to heat up. Tourists were doubled to witness the anticipated nuptials of the country's most eligible bachelor to the daughter of the former king of Arkadia. It is a union that many have been looking forward as it will benefit several aspects but most of it were poltically.

Everyone turned when a large convoy of secured cars paraded in the avenue and towards the Seton Palace, the main seat of Kreizig monarchy. The cars were heavily-tinted but the people knew who came. It was the bride's entourage, the former King Benedique and his entire family. They arrived just in time to be at Ayesa's church wedding. Their unannounced arrival caused panic among the media and the paparazzi who wanted to take a glimpse of them.

The royal staff at the Seton Palace were in busy preparations since early morning when Dominique called his father at a very late hour and that he will be coming home, bringing with him his wife and her whole family. King Louisse wanted his in-laws to stay in the palace since it was big enough for everyone in Benedique's family thus, the chief housekeeper ordered her staff to make everything in order.

When the convoy stopped in front of the southern side of the palace, they were welcomed by King Louisse himself. Benedique smiled when he saw his friend again, after so many years. They greeted each other with a warm hug as Dominique and Ayesa approached them.

"Let's go inside so we can talk more. I am very happy to see your family, Benedique. And I'm looking forward into having grandchildren of my own." Louisse tells his friend as they walked in to the grand hall. The children were running around and their nannies, even their mothers, try to stop them.

"It will be a wonderful feeling, Louisse. I'm telling you." Benedique replied and glanced at his wife. Isabella smiled at them.

"When you do," Isabella added, "you'll be looking forward to your retirement."

Benedique nodded. "By the way," he started as the butler opened the Sitting Room for them. The three came in, followed by Dominique and Ayesa and Benedique's sons. Their personal secretaries were told to follow them inside, too. "I'd like to know more about the issue that's going on about Dominique's marriage to my daughter."

"We have the legal document from the municipality in Arkadia where we got married," Dominique added.

"It's been duly authenticated and legal," Kevin informed the king. "Anthony can see to that."

Louisse frowned when he heard his nephew's name. "Anthony's accusations were irrelevant now. The two are already married and he can't do anything to inherit the throne from me. As for the parliament, they wanted to hear an official statement from Dominique and the wedding to happen as scheduled. You came right on time. And everyone can see that this is not just a marriage of convenience. For weeks, you've been photographed a lot and you wouldn't call that a fake relationship." His secretary presented them a hardbound collection of various publications in Kreizig and in abroad.

Dominique and the others chuckled as they browsed. "Wow, you are a fan."

Louisse rolled his eyes, a smile upon his face. "If only I can make a website out of it," he shakes his head in amusement.

"So basically, all you have to do is make an official public statement, Dominique," Kevin looked at his sister. Ayesa's face turned to her husband. There is a look of love in her eyes.

"Yes," Louisse nodded. "So, let's proceed to my next agenda, your wedding." He tells his son.

"Ayesa and I have already coordinated with our wedding planner and things are in order now. The flowers will arrive tomorrow. Her wedding gown will arrive this evening." Dominique squeezed his wife's hand. "I'm excited."

"With or without the gown?" Nick asked. He received a smack at the back of his head from Alex. Benedique frowned at his youngest son while Isabella chuckled.

The couple was laughing. "It doesn't matter." Dominique replied. "I know you're frustrated, Nick. Don't worry. You'll see Yvonne soon." There was another laughter. Nick blushed. As the conversation continued, they turned when the door opened unceremoniously and Anthony came in before his presence was even announced by the butler, who seemed disapproving at the situation he's brought in. Ayesa gripped Dominique's hand tight as she recalled the night when Anthony forced her in a kiss.



>> 40

40

"What's the meaning of this impolite intrusion, Anthony?" Louisse demanded, who now stood up. Benedique and the others followed, too.

"Your son is making you a fool, uncle!" Anthony said.

"I know he did and that's because of the strict succession to the throne," Louisse admitted. Anthony sneered. "But do not rejoice on that, my dear nephew. Their marriage, in accordance to the Arkadian law, is valid. It is legal and binding and we cannot do anything about that, most especially when they want to make it more solid by getting married here in Kreizig two days from now."

"But ... "

It was Dominique's turn to smile when he saw the look on his cousin's face. He even wanted to laugh when he heard a sound of a camera phone and saw Alex took a picture of that unforgettable moment. He'd ask him for a copy of that later. But now... "Anthony, I know that there's been a good rivalry between us but you can never take the fact that I'm the first in line to the throne and I will surely succeed my father someday."

Anthony's face is now red with pure humiliation. He drew a deep breath.

"It may be true that it's been a convenience from the start but there's been a misunderstanding, too." Dominique continued. "Me and my wife weren't talking about it but it happened that we're already in love with each other right from the start. There's no reason for us to end this marriage at all because we want to spend our lifetime together. The issue now is not just about the succession but our happiness. We love each other and no one will break us apart."

Anthony, to everyone's surprise, came down on his knees and begged for his uncle's forgiveness. "Uncle, forgive me. I only intend to lead the country because I have many hopes and plans for us." He went on as Dominique and Ayesa looked at each other. They were surprised when he turned to them and mainly asked forgiveness from Ayesa. He is crying and became out of control that Louisse ordered that he'll be taken out of the Sitting Room.

When he's gone, the room fell silent for a moment. Louisse looked around. "Apologies for the show. I'll make sure that he'll make up for the damage he's done."

"I should start drafting my statement now so that I can do a press conference by this afternoon." Dominique said. "We can do this, darling." He kissed Ayesa on the tip of her nose. She hugged him as the others only watched.



~~~



Dominique consciously brushed his hands together as he waits for his cue on the press conference. He looked around. Ayesa is still not there. He saw Roger holding the leather folder of his speech in his hand. It wasn't long for him to make one, with the diligent help of the efficient secretary. "Where's Ayesa?" He asks him.

"I do not know, Your Royal Highness. I thought you're with her." Roger smiled.

"She went out of the room with Phoebe, said something about helping her prepare to dress up for the conference..." He almost muttered to himself. He missed her already. When things become settled between them, he always likes her to be near, never out of his sight.

"Hey..."

Dominique turned and saw Kevin, Howie, Alex and Nick. The other people in the Sitting Room are starting to leave the room. "Oh, this is serious." He says.

The brothers nodded. Kevin started to speak. "We didn't have time to tell you this while we're in Arkadia so we took this opportunity. You know that we just reunited with our sister and we stil haven't spend more time with her to know more about her. And we love her. She's our precious one."

Dominique looked at each of them. "Kevin and I have been in search for our sister in a very long time and we were looking forward to see her and get to know the sibling we lost." Howie continued. "We thought we will be able to spend more time with her once we found her and get her back but when we found her, she happened to be Ayesa and is now married to you."

"We want you to take care of Ayesa." Alex, who's standing beside him, pats him on the shoulders. "We are hoping that you will make her happy and provide the best for her. She deserves it, after all she's been through."

"Because if you didn't, we are here and just one mistake, make her cry, I swear you'll never see her again." Nick added. "So we wish you well with your marriage. Love her and take care of her, the way we want to and more."

Dominique nodded. "I received the same threat from your father."

"We know," the brothers said almost all at once.

"Ayesa is lucky to have brothers who cared so much for her. Don't worry. I love your sister so much and I will take care of her and will love her as much as you do." Dominique glanced at Nick. "Trust me on that."

Kevin glanced at his brothers with a smile. "We will. Welcome to the family, Dominique."

Dominique felt warmtth at Kevin's statement and when the brothers started to give him a hug.

"I'm touched."

They turned and saw Ayesa, standing by the doorway. She looked beautiful as her hair was simply put up in a French twist, her face in light make-up and she's wearing a pair of cream long-sleeved blouse and skirt with small embroideries to accentuate it. The five men looked at her with light in their eyes as she started towards them. She started hugging her brothers until she ended up in front of Dominique who held her hand. She turned to her brothers.

"Thank you for your kind gesture, for your care and for your love. I love you, too." Ayesa tells them. She looked up to her husband.

Kevin and Howie looked at each other. Their mission is complete. They found their mission and it's more than they wished for. She is happy now for having them but most especially, for being with a man who loves her more than anything else in the world.



>> Epilogue

Epilogue

"Come on, hurry!" Mark tells his cousin, Scott, who is coming out of the bushes. David just came back, after peeing somewhere that Mark doesn't want to know. The important thing is they have to go back inside the church before anyone will realize that they are gone.

"I'm hurrying," Scott rolled his eyes. He stood up and remove a couple of leaves on his hair and dirt on his face.

David jumped around when he saw his nanny. "They're looking for us."

"Have you found the ball?" Mark asked Scott. His cousin smiled and showed him the toy. "Alright, come on!" They ran towards the side entrance. A simple ceremony is happening inside and most of the immediate family and close friends came to witness a special event.

Dominique smiled when he saw the kids came. He intends to fill his home with as many as he and Ayesa can. He turned back to the priest and listened to what he is saying. This is a special event in his life. His family and close friends came. He turned to Ayesa and he had this urge to kiss her but the priest is there.

He looked at Kevin who gave him a thumbs-up. His friend is standing beside his parents and his father, King Louisse. In two months' time, the king will be stepping down to pass on his duty to his son. He's healthy but the reason for his abdication is he wanted to see his son becomes the king. He wanted to guide Dominique especially when he's still alive. He wants to see his son rule the kingdom with him by his side.

"Duke..." Ayesa quietly called for him. He gave a look at their friends who came and they stepped closer to them. The priest gave his blessings to him and his family and to the people that surround them.

The priest gestured for his assistant to bring in what he needs. And then he faced the couple and his friends. "Your Royal Highness, what are we going to call her?"

Dominique met Ayesa's look and they both smiled. They already talked about the name, a name that reflects the strength of her mother and the courage of her father. In Ayesa's arms, there lies their little wonderful gift from God, sleeping and oblivious on what's going on around her. His darling baby daughter sleeps peacefully as the christening is going on. She was born two months ago and Dominique would never forget the happiest moment in his life when the doctor presented him his daughter. She stopped crying in an instant. He felt tears in his eyes as he stared down to his child.

He felt a lump in his throat as he turns back to the priest. "Catherine, Father. She will be known as Catherine Maxine Isabella Victoria, the crown princess, the first future queen of Kreizig."



THE END