Prologue

Scott stared down at his palm pilot while listening to his father and uncles' conversation nearby. He's sitting in a chair while the rest of their family is in the gazebo for a Sunday affair. Their grandparents, Benedique and Isabella, are absent at that time as they were still in Florida to visit Nick and his family. His mother taught him to never eavesdrop in other people's conversation but he couldn't help it if the topic is his subject of interest.

"How did it go with your meeting with some government officials last week?" Howie asked Kevin.

"You can never guess what the meeting is all about," Kevin answered his brother. They are oblivious from the presence of his son nearby. He sighed heavily. He received an invitation from the majority members of the government. Without any idea what it is all about, he accepted it and attended. His brothers weren't available at that time. Howie and Brian were in France while Alex and his family went to visit Nick and his family in Florida. Former King Benedique and wife Isabella came along, too. "I don't know how it transpired."

"What is it about?" Brian asked.

"They presented me a draft for the return of the monarchy."

There was silence after Kevin's statement. Scott quietly listened while browsing the calendar of his palm pilot, checking for some particular schedule. He saw his childhood friend, Layla, daughter of one of the castle's housekeepers. She's walking on the trail leading towards the northern part of the estate where the employees' cottages are situated. He remembered he borrowed a book from her. He will return it later, after listening to his father's conversation.

"Oh, my God. That's big trouble, man." Brian quietly exclaimed.

"How did it go?" Howie asked. He saw Scott nearby and gestured Kevin about it. They didn't want anyone to know about it yet and the young man might have heard something.

Kevin glanced to his son. "Scott. Go and ask your mom if she brought the cookies." Scott looked at his father then to his uncles. He hesitated to leave but he knew that look from his father. His dad knows he's listening. He excused himself and left. Kevin turned back to his brother and cousin. "They laid out some plans and the reasons. The bottom line is that it will greatly help the economy if the monarchy will be back in this country."

"Papa is too old to become king again," Howie stated. "He's now incapable to do the duties. That means..."

Kevin nodded. "I might rule once it's back."

"Do you want to?" Brian remembered the old days. They were treated so special and his son, Baylee, never experienced that. How will this affect his family if they will become royalties again? He knew his wife, Leighanne. She's a simple woman who was never used to the life he leads, even now after they're married for a long time. She's still the same woman he met years ago. He doesn't know how she will take it if she learns she will be a princess.

"Yes, for the sake of the country but I also have doubts. I'm concerned for my family's safety. I know you are too. Our family, most especially our children, got used to being private citizens and we don't know if this will be a good or bad thing for them. We don't know how they will take this change once we get our titles back." Kevin told him.

"I can't help but think that the country was some sort of like defective goods that they don't want anymore and wanted to return to us." Howie shakes his head. He had three children: David, Ava and Erienne. He and his wife, Adrienne carefully instilled to them the values of humility and simplicity despite the wealth and abundance they have as part of the former royal family. They tried but kids nowadays seemed to be difficult to discipline, especially their children. They have so many influences and it affects their way of life. He hoped that something good would change if they become royalties again. "We need to consult Papa on this matter. When you refused, Kevin, what did they say?"

"They were disappointed," Kevin replied, "condemning us that we're turning our backs from the country's historical legacy. It was hard at that point. I need to defend our family. I was on a debate in an instant. In the end, they said that if our family doesn't want it, they will make Braggart the next king."

"No!" Both Howie and Brian exclaimed at once. Their uncle, the former Count Braggart, can never lead the country. He's a selfish man who would do things for his own sake first before his concerns for the country.

"I know." Kevin looked around. Here's another dilemma in their lives, a very big opportunity for them to make another change in their lives. "We need to make things final. We'll have a family meeting as soon as possible." He said in a final tone.



~~~



Mike carefully read the email he received in his inbox. He frowned and tried to understand it again. A few minutes later, he is dialing his cousin, Kevin's, extension line at the other office. Kevin immediately answered on the other line.

"Cousin, I have forwarded an email to you. Kindly check it please." Mike said while shaking his head. He's the second cousin to the famous former princes. His grandmother is the sister of the late Queen Mother Marguerite.

"Mike, what's this?" Kevin asks. "We're not putting the shares on sale."

"I know. But apparently, this businessman knows that I'm the person to contact with in regards to the interest with the company's shares." Mike is the executive legal manager of the family business' multi-national corporation. He is a successful lawyer who dedicated his work serving the family business. And he will also train Scott, Kevin's son, in becoming a part of the legal team. Scott will be graduating in law school this month. "Kevin, we're not selling your father's 40 percent shares on sale. You know that. But this man clearly, and bravely, expresses his intent to buy us out. What does he want?"

"Reply to him that Papa's share is not for sale." Kevin replied on the other line.

"I will definitely do that. I just want you to take a look on this. I mean, this is absurd. It's not as if we're going bankrupt or anything."

"I know. Thanks, man." Kevin said and hung up. He stared at the signature of the email sender that Mike is talking about. Conrad Altman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cass Corporate Holdings. He shakes his head. What a practical joker.



>> 1

1
Clutching two books in hand, Scott walked down the path leading towards the Venice Hall of the university. He stopped and looked around when he heard somebody is calling him. He saw Layla waving at him. He smiled and watched her come near. She's also going to the same university as he is, studying as a medicine student. Her education finances are supported by Scott's grandparents, just like the other children of the employees in Bordeaux Castle. "I still owe you the books I borrowed last month." He said when she got near.

"It's okay. Just drop it by our house, no problem." Layla replied. "I saw you passing by so I thought of greeting you. How are you?" she looked up to him. "Getting excited for the graduation?"

"Yeah," Scott brushed his eyebrows with his thumb. It's a habit he usually had whenever he's fumbling for words. He wondered why there's a threat for him to stutter when Layla is around. It wasn't as if he likes her. She's only a daughter of one of the Bordeaux Castle's employees while he is the grandson of the former king of Arkadia. He's more inclined to be with women of his same level. This woman obviously likes him but she will only be a friend for him. "By the way, Mark is coming. He'll be staying here indefinitely after he finished his graduate studies in America. I think he'll get a management trainee position in the company."

"Really? Wow. I missed him, such a nice guy." Layla said with a big smile on her face. Scott wanted to frown at that. Layla always gets excited whenever Mark is around. His cousin is also a good friend to Layla since the four of them, including his cousin David, used to play together whenever they are in the Bordeaux Castle.

"Yeah, I missed him too. Listen, I need to go to Venice Hall for some last minute work. Do you still have classes?"

"Yes. I'll be having some practical exam at the lab later. Okay, bye." Layla waved him goodbye and walked off. Scott watched the way her hips sway as she went towards the nearby building. Maybe he can make some exceptions. Layla is obviously trying to get close with him. She's also maybe open to some suggestions from him if she wants to be that 'close'. He smirked. He bit his lower lip as thoughts began to play in his mind, dirty thoughts.

Scott started towards Venice Hall. He settled for another set of thoughts. He couldn't get the conversation he heard from his father and uncles out from his mind. This is the moment that he's been waiting for, that the government wants their family back to rule the country. He wants his father to be the king and someday, he will, too. He wanted to serve his country that way. On the other hand, he deeply supports the preservation of the tradition and culture and if only the return of the monarchy can make it happen, he will be on it all the way.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Scott looked up and saw his friend, Jared, smiling at him. Jared is his classmate in law school, a struggling student who works as a waiter at a nearby pub in town. He had limitations on choosing his friends - that they should be living within the circle of society he's into - but Jared was an exception. His friend is someone he can trust and be loyal to him. Jared is a genuine friend who will always be there for him. He considered Jared as his best friend. Scott submitted his profile to his father four years ago to support his studies and although he was granted the scholarship, Jared still works to pay for other school expenses. Scott, on the other hand, had money of his own that he received as part of the trust fund left by his late great grandmother, former Queen Mother Marguerite, to all of her great-grandchildren including those who weren't born yet before. "Jared, it's you." They walked together.

"What's your problem? Layla? I saw you and her talking outside."

Scott grinned. "Yes, she really quite had a pretty smile, don't you think?" he sighed again. "But no, I don't have any problem. I'm just tired. I had Sunday lunch with the family yesterday."

"Mark is already here?"

Scott shakes his head. He introduced Mark to Jared a few years back. His cousin had this warm and charming personality towards other people. "He'll be coming but I don't know when. Uncle Nick will be coming with him for a vacation."

Jared held his arm and they stopped. "Alright, best friend. Tell me what's wrong."

Scott smiled. "Nothing, Jared. Just family stuff. Mom is sick when I left their house earlier." He wasn't ready to tell anyone about what he learned this weekend. It's still a secret that the elders are not even telling them yet. He wondered how Mark will take this.

"Oh, I'm sorry for being nosy." Jared quietly said. "I just remembered. Scott," the other man looked at him. "The society will be having a meeting next week. The president will be coming, you know who he is." He looked around before he continues. "I think the agenda is of national concern."

Scott thinks he knows what it is. Still, he asked, feigning innocence. "Do you know what it is?"

"Monarchy."

As soon as Jared said that, Scott felt sweats on his face. The issue is pushing through and is not waiting for any delay. He wondered what is his father doing and thinking right now? And what will he think once he learned that his son is a member of the underground political society who is going to be a strong supporter of returning the monarchy. He couldn't even imagine the future that lies ahead of them. It's not exciting but it would surely be a tough ride for all of them. "They wanted to bring our family back to reign?"

"It's the talk of the underworld. I spoke with Romeo yesterday. There were several groups who still support the monarchy. Everything is being worked on right now, reorganizing to make the plan come true. I even heard something about drafting the constitution back to its original form when your grandpa still ruled the country." They were only speaking in quiet voices so as not to be heard by anyone. "You'll never know, maybe tomorrow when you wake up, you're a prince again."

Scott sighed. "I don't know, Jade. I was only three years old when they abolished it. I can't even remember being a prince. And I think it will still take longer than we thought if the monarchy will really be back."

"Do you want it back?"

"You know my sentiments, Jared. It's not personal. I only want to serve this country."



~~~



Kevin and his youngest son, Christopher or Chris, saw Catherine came out of the arrival area of Ortho International Airport. He frowned when he saw no one except her two bodyguards walking behind her. Truly, this kid ran away from her parents and it's the reason for the emergency phone call he received from his twin sister earlier that her daughter is bound to Arkadia today.

Ayesa's only child kissed both of them in greetings. "Why did you travel alone? Your parents permitted you to do this?" Kevin asks his niece.

"They didn't know, maybe at first. I asked Aunt Phoebe to make this travel possible." Catherine replied to her uncle. Kevin saw the stubbornness in her face. They immediately went inside the waiting car and it sped off, with a police convoy following behind. Kevin made sure that his niece, Ayesa and Dominique's only child and heir to the throne, is safe.

"You should have told me so that I made the flight from here to Kreizig to pick you up. I don't want you traveling alone, more so when you're not in your father's jet." Kevin continued. When Catherine frowned, he wondered why. "What's wrong, honey?"

Chris looked at his cousin, who is at the same age as he is at fifteen, with only a few months older. "Still the same dilemma?"

Catherine bit her lower lip. "It's hard to live up to everyone's expectations when I'm the only child, uncle. That's aside from the fact that I'm female and many couldn't accept that someday, I will be the first queen of Kreizig."

Kevin glanced to his son then hugged Catherine. "Hush, honey. Did your parents know about your sentiments over the matter?" His niece shakes her head. "Did they know that you're here?" Another shake makes the reply. Kevin sighed and dialed a number on his mobile phone. Catherine ran away from the pressure. It wasn't easy for the young lady and he understands that. He knows what is it like to be the heir to the throne but he knew that Catherine's situation is much heavier since she's a woman. Kreizig has a very conservative law when it comes to their monarchy. That's what compelled Dominique to resort into marrying his wife, Ayesa, for convenience but in the end turned into a marriage of love for both of them. And now, their daughter is facing the succession dilemma. It's a pity that Catherine doesn't enjoy much of being a young person whose only worry is going to school and finishing her homework.

"Duke, your daughter is here." Kevin said as soon as his friend picked up the phone on the other line. He heard a sigh of relief from Dominique and relayed the message to his wife.

"Thank you so much, Kev." He noticed the quivering in Dominique's voice. "We were so worried of Catherine. May I speak with her?"

"Of course. And Duke," Kevin glanced at his niece whose attention is on Chris, intently listening on some stories he's telling her. "You need to talk with her, seriously. Can you come over here?"

"Today, as soon as possible. I miss my girl." Dominique replied. Kevin gave the phone to Catherine.

"It's your Dad."

Catherine's eyes grew misty with tears. She takes the phone from him. "Daddy? I'm sorry, Daddy..."

Kevin smiled at Chris. His children are lucky to experience a normal life in the way he imagined it to be. They experienced growing up without the pressure of the family legacy or the media that's been with them from the beginning. But in the coming days, he can never tell if their life is still the way it will be. Tomorrow, his parents, Alex's and Nick's family will arrive from the US and he will gather everyone for an emergency meeting. The majority members of the government will not wait any longer and they need their decision immediately if the return of the monarchy will pursue. Otherwise, there might be a civil revolution for this another change in the government. It seems like there are a lot of people who wanted to bring their family back to rule the country. If it happens, his sons' life will be like his when he was young. It will be like Catherine who is now under the scrutiny of the people and the government of Kreizig as she is the only heir to the throne. Their lives will be graced as royalties of Arkadia again.

And if his father truly retires, he might be proclaimed as king of Arkadia.



>> 2

2

"Hey!" Mark chuckled when something hits him on the forehead. He closed his eyes and count one to five. The teens that are with him inside the car are so noisy that he couldn't hear the person he's speaking with on the other line. "I'll call you back, Haydee. Bye."

Yves rolled her eyes. "Haydee? Is she your girlfriend?" She asks while her eyes are on the sceneries they are passing by.

"Of course, not anymore. We're just friends now," Mark shakes his head. He doesn't have to explain to his sister that Haydee has been more than a girlfriend to him once. They lived together for a year when he's still in college then. They chose to remain to be just friends because they know that their relationship won't go further than being fucking buddies. He smirked at that thought. His father would throw a fit if he learns what his eldest son does in his spare time.

Mark's musings were interrupted when he heard the twins quarreling again. And then there's another thing that hit him on the head. "Hey, Neil, Nate! Cut it out!" he groaned. It's fun being in a big family but sometimes, when his siblings get crazy like this, he wished that the ground would swallow him whole and he would never resurface back to earth again.

"Nate started it!" Thirteen-year-old Neil tells their eldest brother. "He said that my girlfriend wasn't taking her bath."

Mark turned to Nate, chuckling. "How did you know that his girlfriend is not taking a bath? Uh, what?" he turned back to Neil. "You already had a girlfriend? You're too young!" He exclaimed and ran his fingers through his hair in tension. Their parents would kill him if they learn about this! He's maybe away most of the time but he still feels responsible over what his siblings do.

His siblings and cousins started laughing at his shocked expression. Are they playing a prank on him?

"Chill, Mark. They're just playing with you." Yssa tells her cousin. Her name's Ysabelle, Alex's fourteen-year-old youngest daughter. "Neil doesn't have a girlfriend."

"You're too serious." Jamie, Yssa's elder sister, adds. They laughed at the eldest guy inside the car.

Mark sighed in relief when he saw the familiar tower of the Bordeaux Castle. He needs to be away from these kids as soon as possible. They are starting to gang up on him again. Here he is, all grown up at twenty-four but still getting beaten by five teenagers who considered him as their favorite past time. He wants to see Scott, David and Baylee now. He missed his cousins and he's really looking forward on spending time with them than with these spoiled brats. And if he's lucky, he might see Layla too. He likes that woman but more as a sister. He has known her since they were kids.

"Look! It's Scott!"

Mark looked out in the window when he heard Nate yelled. The car has already entered the estate and one of the twins happened to see Kevin's eldest son. Mark immediately rolled down the car window. "Scott!" His siblings and cousins followed him and called for Scott too. Their twenty-two-year-old cousin saw them and smiled widely. From the grassy trail where he's been walking to, he started running towards the main road to greet them.

"Step on the gas!" Jamie laughed as she ordered the driver. The teens yelled with excitement as Scott makes a dash towards their car. Mark chuckled as the driver played along with them. Scott still continued to run after them until the driver stopped the car.

"That's it, guys." Mark shrugged to the people in the car. Scott opened the door and went inside the car.

"Wow! It's been a long time. Hello!" Scott shared high-fives with the twins and a playful tug on the young ladies' hair. "I didn't know that you're coming today."

"Surprise!" Neil exclaimed as they all laughed.

"How are you, Scott? Where have you been?" Mark nodded to him.

"I've been to Layla's and returned some book to him."

"You like Layla, don't you?" That was Jamie.

"She's a friend." Scott replied. "By the way, Catherine is here. She arrived yesterday and staying with us." He said, diverting the topic towards their Aunt Ayesa's daughter, Catherine.

Mark nodded. "I heard Dad talking with your dad last night over the phone, said it was something like she came here without her escort? Uncle Duke let her go like that?"

"It's more like she ran away and asked her aunt Phoebe to get her here." Scott shakes his head and turned to the young ladies. "I think Catherine got serious issues again about that heir-to-the-throne thing. You're the one who are close with her. Try talking with her."

"She called last night," Jamie admitted. "She said she wants to be a boy instead. There's too much pressure going on with her lately. Let's see what we can do." Her cousins nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," Scott smiled to them. He turned back to Mark. "Did you receive the message I sent you last night?"

"Sounds urgent." Mark nodded.

"Buddy, you can never guess."



~~~



The first two cars already reached the Bordeaux Castle when Mark and his companions arrived. Ayesa and Dominique already greeted the newcomers. When their daughter, Catherine, saw her cousins, she immediately ran to greet them.

"Cats, hi." Mark playfully ruffled his cousin's hair as he and Scott passed by their younger cousins. They went to where the elders are.

"I'm glad that everyone is here in Arkadia right now because I would like to call for a family meeting." Kevin announced to them. Mark and Scott looked at Kevin.

"Is there anything important that we need to discuss, son?" Benedique asks his son.

Everyone's attention is on Kevin. "Well, you already know about this businessman who wants to buy us out. It's very important that we talked about it, as well as some other very important matter."

"Like?" Alex asks.

Kevin only smiled. "You'll know later after lunch."

Mark and Scott watched in silence as their grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts went inside the castle. Their cousins and siblings followed too. Mark turned to Scott. "Have you had any idea what your father is talking about?"

When his cousin only shakes his head, Mark looked at him suspiciously. His cousin looked away and he knows that something's going on. He turned when he sensed someone behind them and he almost jumped in surprise to see David, Howie's eldest child. "Dude, if you keep on doing that, I might get a heart attack."

"Nah, you're still too young for that." David, who has the quiet demeanor like his father, chuckled. "I love doing it, just coming out of nowhere."

"What are you doing here?" Mark asks.

"Don't you want to see me? I'm hurt." David smiled. "Uncle Kevin invited everyone today. Papa and Mama are already inside."

"Yeah, right, David." Mark chuckled. "Anyway, is it true that you're dating that actor's daughter, Denise Birch?"

Both David and Scott chuckled. "Man, since when did you believe in gossips?" Scott reacts. "They're not dating. It's more like Denise is stalking David. She follows him around and our cousin, here, is so nice and gentleman enough to never tried warding her off that's why others assume that they're together."

"It's becoming irritating though," David tells them quietly. "I already made it clear that I only see her as a friend but she won't stop. I'm trying to avoid her as much as I could." As if on cue, his phone rang. David reads who is in the caller ID. "See? She even knows my very personal number."

Mark takes the phone from David which surprised the younger one. "Hello? This is Denise?" he answered. He glanced at David. "This is Mark, his cousin." He chuckled. "Thank you. I didn't see myself as cute but I'm flattered. It was more like along the area of being drop-dead gorgeous," his cousins rolled their eyes at his statement. Mark is laughing. "Wow, really?" he paused. The two only watched. "David is unavailable tonight, sweetheart, because I just came from Florida and we're planning on a guys' night out later." He paused again. "Sure, I'd like to meet you sometime. David is talking a lot of great things about you."

'What?' David frowned as he mouthed the words. Scott smirked.

"Bye, toodles." Mark smiled and ended the call. He gives the phone back to his cousin.

Scott is laughing. "Toodles? Man, that's the gayest thing I've ever heard from you." Mark smirked, so does David.

"What did she say?" David is curious.

"She said that she wants me to meet sometime and she'll introduce someone to me. I think I'm going to enjoy staying here in Arkadia for good." They turned when a Range Rover arrived and out came Brian, Leighanne and Baylee. He is close with his cousins since he grew up being the only child. The family saw the three young men and greeted them. The three each gave Leighanne a kiss on the cheeks and greeted Brian and Baylee with a hug.

"Wow, you're taller than me now." Leighanne smiled. "I really feel old."

"Don't worry, Aunt Leigh. You're still lovely," Mark replied with a wink.

"Ready to work?" Brian asked his eldest nephew. Mark surely looks like Nick and yes, the kid is tall, emphasizing on the word 'very'. He got the height from his father. "Your dad said you just got your master's degree."

Mark's cousins looked at him as he nodded in affirmation. He's finished with a business course and a master's degree in a university in Florida in preparation to assume the duties left by his father when Nick decided to migrate with his family in America. "Yes, uncle. But I was told that I still have to get this training program in Atheneum University so I still have to go to school."

"Scott, on the other hand, will take the bar exams," Baylee added.

Scott only smiled. He will definitely pursue his plans to become a lawyer and after the things are settled with his family, he will enter a preliminary training in the army, a common rite of passage for the future ruling sovereign of the monarchy. He knows that his father and uncles, except Nick, have undergone that. He will do his very best to bring back the monarchy. He is firm when he thinks that the legacy should not be removed in their family, ever.



>> 3

3

"What is this meeting all about?" Benedique asks his eldest son. They are all now gathered inside the Winston Hall. The younger generation is sitting at the back of the big room, quietly listening to the elders. Others were confused since this is the first time that they are invited in a serious family meeting.

Kevin drew a deep breath. "This is hard but I have to tell you this immediately." He glanced at his wife first before Cristin gave him a reassuring smile. "You all knew that I was called for a confidential meeting weeks ago by the majority members of the government, including the president. The agenda was particularly about us. They are bringing back the monarchy and they're doing it overtime." He said without any further ado. There was silence inside the large room as they all stared at him; disbelief can be found from some of the members of the family. "They've given me at least a month to talk about this with you. It will be a tough decision because if we turned back from our legacy forever, Uncle Braggart will assume the throne."

"What?" The loudest exclamation came from Monique. "For Pete's sake! Don't let Braggart come near your throne, Benedique. That gold-digging cousin of ours doesn't have the right to be king. He will put our country in its downfall and I won't let that happen."

Howie turned to Benedique. He's only standing a few feet away from Kevin. "Papa, we need your opinion about this, as well as yours," he tells his father's siblings.

"I'm thinking about the kids," Philippe nodded to the younger members of their family at the back of the room, quietly listening to them. "They are not used to that life and they will be under scrutiny forever once we decided to pursue on this. I'm concerned with their safety."

"But Braggart is another matter, Philippe," Monique says. "I understand your sentiments. They're my grandchildren, too, but we know Braggart. He never had straight and commendable records that may be enough to be a candidate as king."

"Clearly, they will only use Braggart to blackmail us and convince us to rule back a kingdom." Alex said.

Scott frowned at that. Why can't the elders see that it will be better if they are royalty again? Why does this family wanted to turn their back to the legacy that has been nurtured and protected by their ancestors for many years?

"Alright, we got the point. But Papa can't rule. He's too old. Kevin?" Nick turns to his brother.

Kevin nodded. "They want me to be the king." There were excited murmurs behind Scott as his female cousins seemed excited about the idea. He, along with Mark, David and Baylee, are just quiet. Their other cousins didn't realize how complicated their life would be once the royal titles will be regained.

"I automatically relinquish my right to the throne as I am now the queen in my husband's country." Ayesa speak up. "I'm already the queen in Kreizig and I won't definitely be effective in sharing the throne with my twin. I will tell my lawyers to prepare the documents in giving up my right as an heiress, if ever this monarchy issue will pursue." She lovingly glanced at her husband. Dominique gave her a supportive smile and a nod.

"I think you should start to work on that later, Ayesa, because they're not giving us much time to think about this." Howie said.

Ayesa glanced at her husband. "We'll talk with our lawyers later." Dominique nodded.

"You can't rule, Kevin," Benedique said for the first time since Kevin's announcement. Everyone turned to the former king.

"I can't? Why?"

"You have a twin sibling, Kevin. That simple fact invalidates your right to the throne, even on your sons. The next in line will take over thus, Howard will rule. Unless there's a loophole in the royal constitution about the succession, Kevin may still inherit the throne. This is the only time that there are twin firstborns in the family so I don't know what to do either." Benedique said. "Ayesa can talk with her lawyers for relinquishing her right but we can't still tell if it is in the rule of succession. So for now, we'll stay for the possible fact that Howard may become king once it is back."

Scott's heart beats faster upon hearing that. He silently raged. This shouldn't be happening! He tried not to show emotions when he glanced at his uncle Howie and turned to his cousin, David.

Howie felt sweats come down his face when their father said that. He will become king? Wait a minute right there! "I will rule?" His voice almost came out in a whisper. There goes his dilemma on being the adopted child again. He knew that not everyone in Arkadia was elated about his membership in the family. The royal bloodline will go down to someone like him who wasn't even blood-related to the Bordeaux because actually, he's the nephew of Isabella through her cousin, Aurora Vasquez, who is Howie's real mother. Of course, the family agreed never to reveal that truth to everyone to protect Aurora, who's now ailing with sickness. Upon remembering that, Howie had the urge to fly to Puerto Rico to be with his mother.

They all now turned to Benedique. "Honestly, I oppose to this decision." He tells everyone. "We already gave it up and gave the independence for this nation to live in a government they chose to be. Besides, it will take a long time before this will be finalized."

Michaela turned to the younger generation behind her. "What do you think?"

There was awkwardness as the focus is on the young men and women at the back. Mark met the look from his father. "I don't think that returning the legacy to rule Arkadia in our family is the only solution if the people in this country are having problems with the government. It wasn't like a marriage that you'd file for divorce once you can't fight for it anymore. Grandpa gave them the opportunity to live in an independent country where they have the rights just like any other countries that doesn't have monarchy. I think the suggestion is ridiculous."

"I don't agree with this, too." David seconded his cousin. He nodded at Mark. "Mainly because Mark is right and besides, I know how Dad was scrutinized and discriminated before because he's adopted. I don't want my father dealing with another dilemma because of his birthright. I don't want my sisters to experience the same way although we won't really care what other people think of us. I don't want other people looking through our family tree and found Dad's true roots. I don't want to expose Grandma Aurora into the spotlight. I don't want the attention on us."

"David..." Howie whispered and silently agreed. His son is trying to protect their family as much as he wanted to do the same thing.

"Thinking that my Dad may become the king is overwhelming but if only I have something to do with this, we'd rather be just the princes. Protection and privacy is my main concern." David added.

"I would gladly have the monarchy back in the family. It's a legacy that we can't turn our backs into." Baylee tells them. Brian was surprised to see and hear the voice of confidence from his son. "Our forefathers fought for it centuries ago. We just can't disregard that fact that they preserved this monarchy for the future generations, and that's us."

Scott tried not to show how glad he is that someone voiced out his opinion. "I agree with Baylee. I want the monarchy back. It will be better if we rule back a kingdom. Have you noticed how the economy and foreign ties changed through these years? No one does it better than when grandpa still ruled the country. Everything was fine, then."

"You want to rule then, Scott?" His father asks him.

"Someday, but for now, I feel that it's my mission to bring back what is rightfully ours." Scott firmly replied. He saw the disbelief from his father's eyes. Kevin didn't see it coming. His son will openly express his interest to become royalty again. "No hurt feelings, Dad, Grandpa, if you're opposed to what I'm saying. I will do whatever I can to bring it back."

Benedique drew a deep breath. He saw a hint of Kevin's stubborn behavior in his grandson. And Scott has the determination to rule the country someday. He didn't realize how Scott desired to make it come true until now. He can also see the silent disagreement when he said that Howard may be the next king. His grandson wanted to be in the succession line. A thought occurred to him but never voiced it out. He silently figured out that his grandson is cooking up something and it helps that he chose to go to law school. Benedique never thought of that. Scott has truly set his mind in bringing back the family legacy.



~~~



There was silence inside the room after each family member voiced out their opinion on the matter. The teenagers got bored with the meeting that they went out, except for the older boys: Mark, Scott, David, Baylee and Chris; as well as Ava, Jamie, Yves and Catherine. The rest would rather stay out and play with their cousins of whom they haven't seen in a long time.

"Alright, we weighed out the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a royalty again." Michaela broke the silence. "I don't see any problem with the kids. I believe that you all brought them up well. This will surely change their lives but I think that the valued you instilled in them will be always there."

Howie didn't say anything. The children are actually taking the best of time of their lives as the wealthy kids that they were often the topic of society pages. They tried to teach them the value of having almost everything and yet, they still do things that often embarasses the family. Howie shakes his head at that.

"There are lots of anti-monarchists around and they will stop at nothing to prevent us from ruling back in this small island kingdom of Arkadia," Philip added, "and this will surely create a civil revolution. People will be divided again." He glanced at his grandsons, Baylee and Scott. "Our family surely is now."

"So what are we going to decide on this?" Kevin asked them. "President Higgins and Senator McPherson showed me the full outline of their plans. Everything will be back as it was before. If I say yes to royalty tomorrow morning, they all got it covered already; even the turnover ceremony has already been planned." He shakes his head. "I can't believe it," he muttered.

You should be. I'm part of the people behind it, Scott thought.

"Are we going to decide on this by election?" Nick asked.

"We should decide on this not only for the welfare of our family but mainly also for the betterment of the Arkadians." Alex tells Nick. The latter leaned back on his chair, closer to his wife. Yvonne brushed his arm consolingly. It's taken them a long time now inside the Winston Hall and it's frustrating that they only have a short time to decide on the issue because otherwise, Braggart will be proclaimed king.

"What is your decision, Benedique?" Monique asked her brother.

Benedique drew a deep breath. "I will leave the decision to Kevin and Howard."

Kevin was about to reply when his mobile phone rang. When he saw who is on the caller ID, he excused himself to answer it.

"There will be a revolution if you agree on this," David whispered to Scott and Baylee.

"Hear us, David. You just want to protect your family. We understand that," Baylee said. "But we also need to bring back this legacy that our forefathers have preserved for us."

"What?" Kevin exclaimed. Everyone turned to him in question. He nodded and muttered a few words before ending the call. He turned to them. "The president was assassinated earlier. A civil unrest is already out in the streets and many were demanding for our return."



>> 4

4

Layla stopped on her tracks when she saw some young boys and girls playing around the grounds of the estate. She recognized them and smiled in memory that these teens, who were once kids, are now all grown-up. And they weren't exactly kids now. Lately, their names graced the society pages of the daily paper for their acts. It wondered Layla since she knew that they have kind parents that she believe can bring out the goodness from this kids. She's about to turn away when one of them, Yssa, recognized her and went to her.

"Hi, Layla. I haven't seen you in a long time." Alex's youngest daughter greeted.

"Because you've been busy with school." Layla smiled. "Have you seen your cousin, Scott? He told me to meet here today because of some stuff he needed."

Yssa nodded. "Actually, he's in Winston Hall with the rest of the folks. They're having a sort of a family meeting. We were just there a while ago but it's boring and it's serious. We were advised that we can go out here instead."

"Oh." Layla glanced towards the large castle and to the large windows where the Winston Hall is. She can hear faint voices of people talking. She heard from one of the employees in the castle that everyone in the family arrived earlier, including the families of Sir Benedique's brother and sisters. Something serious must have really been going on. Does it have to do with the assassination of President Higgins just a while ago? Knowing that Scott is in the castle and being aware of his political interest, she immediately sought for him to tell what happened. They must have been talking about it now. She turned to Yssa. "Did you know that President Higgins is already dead?"

Yssa's eyes widened. "Oh, no." she glanced back to where her cousins are. She bit her lower lip. "We were just talking about the government plans on returning our family back to ruling this country. Layla, do you think the president's death will affect a change on us?"

Layla was surprised at the information she heard from the young lady. "Really? Oh, I don't know. Maybe."

They both looked up when they heard the voices upstairs. "They probably knew it by now." Yssa muttered. They saw Scott glanced at the window and saw them. Without any expression on his face, he turned away.



~~~



"Man, this is serious," Mark muttered as he walked out of the Winston Hall. His thoughts drifted back to the last words of his uncle Kevin. We're going back to royalty, sooner than we can probably imagine, were Kevin's words. He never thought that he will be facing a situation such as this in their family. He doesn't want to be a royalty. He admits that it scares him. Since he was a kid, his only plan is on how to prove his worth in this family. Being Nick's son outside marriage, Mark wanted to show his father and his stepmother, Yvonne, that they can be proud of him. That's why he immediately accepted his father's offer of taking over Nick's position in the family business in Arkadia. And the reason for not being in favor of bringing back their family to royalty because like David, he also feared being scrutinized. He doesn't want other people looking over his family story most especially about his mother, Kayla Murdock, and how he was conceived. He's aware of what was in the past and he may have been the fruit of that irresponsible circumstances, he wanted to lay everything to rest.

"Mark..."

He turned around when he heard his name. He saw his father, Uncle Kevin, Uncle Howie and his grandfather standing in the middle of the long hallway. "Yes?"

"We've got this little problem in the business about some tycoon wanting to buy us out." Benedique started. "I learned about your business studies and heard from your trainings in America and we trust that a young mind like yours can help us out to convince this man that my shares aren't for sale."

Mark nodded. "You mean, after clearing it out that it wasn't really open to the market, this man still insists to buy out the company?"

The three men nodded. Mark saw the pride on his father's face. "I recommend your expertise, Mark, on this. You have convincing power to overcome this. We've tried to tell him that we'll expose him out but he remained firm. He still wants to own a part of this company."

"Have you already tried it with the legal team to clear it out?"

"Yes. Scott is already part of that team." Kevin replied. "I've already invited this man for a meeting tomorrow but I'm not sure if I'm going to come since there's this another dilemma we have about the monarchy. Howie will gladly take over and take you with him. You will be part of the process to deal with this man and stop pestering us about his high financial offer to buy the company. It's not for sale and we're not even close to bankruptcy."

"We'll show him who we are, kid." Howie tells his nephew with a smile and a wink.

Mark nodded. "I will come tomorrow at the meeting."

"Tomorrow at nine in the morning." Kevin patted his nephew on the shoulders.



~~~



Scott walked out of the castle, deep in his thoughts. To say that he's shock to learn that the president is dead is a statement, wait until his father will learn that he is part of the underground society that is campaigning for the return of the monarchy where the assassinated president was the head officer.

When he got out, he went towards where he saw Layla earlier. But he was stopped when David called him.

"Drop the interest, cousin." David said.

Scott frowned. "No. I will do everything to bring back the monarchy. Stop being a scared muffin that you are, David."

"I'm not scared. I'm only concerned." There's the quiet danger in David's eyes as he met the icy glare from Scott's.

"Leave me, David. I know what I'm doing." With that, Scott walked off.

Baylee saw everything and shakes his head. David turned to him but without any word, his cousin went towards his car and left the castle. He hates to see their family fall apart just because of the divided opinion about their return to sovereignty. His intentions were only for the preservation of the culture and tradition. The monarchy has been part of the country's history and as he is a member of this family therefore, he is a part of that history, he has the opportunity to help bring the monarchy back to the country.

"I didn't know you feel that you want us to be royals again."

Baylee turned and met his father's look. Leighanne is standing beside Brian as they looked at their son. "It's not that, Dad. All I want is to preserve this country's history, culture and tradition. Our family has been part of it for ages. We just can't destroy it just because of our fear from other people who want us down." He replied. "And I'm fully supporting my cousin, Scott, on this endeavor."

"Do you realize what will come out of this?"

Baylee nodded. "I've thought about it and whatever the change in our lives may be, I'm willing to take my chances, Dad. This is our legacy. We should not turn our backs from it." He saw his parents exchanged glances. He quietly excused himself and went back inside the castle.



~~~



Benedique quietly watched his young grandchildren play in the castle grounds. They were so young and carefree, as if nothing matter in this world as long as they have each other and they are enjoying one another's company. He watched as Catherine laughed together with her cousins, Ava, Jamie, Yssa and Yves. The young boys were playing with the castle's dogs. He caught sight of Scott walking with Layla. They are seemed to be in a deep conversation. He can see that something's going on between the two but they seemed oblivious about themselves. Oh, anyway, they're still young. But he quickly noted about a tradition in the family for the eldest heirs once the monarchy will be back. He may try to suggest something to his son, Kevin, about Scott's future. Or maybe when Howie becomes king, he'll also try to help on his son's decision over David.

"I'm afraid, Pa," Isabella tells her husband.

Benedique turned to his wife who is standing beside him. "We'll get through this."

"I know. It's just that, I saw the tension between our grandchildren earlier. I can't believe how diverse and independent they are. They know what they are doing already and they are sure where their decisions lie."

"I sensed the brewing conflict." Benedique nodded. "Kevin may not know it yet but I was informed by a friend that Scott is a member of CORE, the underground society who's working hard to bring back the monarchy. He wanted to be king and he's probably not happy when I said that his uncle is more eligible to rule than his father who has a twin."

"CORE?"

"Coalition to Return. Higgins was the head officer of this society. Who would have wanted him dead?"

"Why would they want him dead?"

Benedique embraced his wife. "We don't know, my love. I'm thinking about the kids. They grew up not accustomed to that kind of life. I can't imagine what will happen to them once we're back to reign. Have you seen them? Those kids were so free-minded. You can't just expect anything from them to do what you want. They have a mind of their own, even at a young age. Catherine, for example," they chuckled as they remembered her sudden arrival unannounced in Arkadia. They were amused but concerned as well.

"Who would've thought she'll do that?" Isabella said.

"Well, if we've only seen how Ayesa was as a child, we'd know." Benedique whispered. They watched the kids. "I'm glad that I've lived to see our grandchildren. It's been a great life and I'm glad that I've shared it with you," he turned to his wife. He kissed her.

"Stop saying words as if you're leaving," Isabella said. "We'll get through this. We may go back to being royals but we'll still be together as a family. Gaining back the title won't change anyone of us to the worst, not even Scott will change into something that we will fear. I'm sure that his father guided him well. He only has the heart towards the legacy and we understand that. Let's guide him towards what will be the best for him."

"Aye, I believe that." Benedique kissed his wife and then hugged her. Things will be fine soon. He'll make sure of that. They have been through so many things. This one is only among them. As a family, they will overcome this together.



>> 5

5

Layla looked at Scott and saw the quiet danger in his eyes. It feared her. It seemed like whatever the agreement has come out in the meeting, it doesn't conform to what Scott wanted. She bit her lower lip when he turned to her. There's a regal presence in him that he acquired from his father and scared her sometimes, although they practically grew up together. "I said, yes." He said.

Yes, Scott confirmed that he's a member of CORE, a known society in the university wherein she heard the members were promoters of revolution. Rebel is not the proper word to describe CORE. She couldn't fathom the real mission of the organization before until today when Scott affirmed his affiliation and how it aimed to make his family take over the government. "What will happen now that the President is dead?" she asks him.

"I don't know. Right now, my main concern is uncle Howie. Since Dad and aunt Ayesa are twins, he lost the eligibility to succeed on the throne thus, making uncle Howie as the next in line. Can you believe that?" Scott jaws clenched. His manly features always adored Layla even now when he's looking mad. It's crazy but she can't help it. She loves this man.

"It's in the law, Scott." She replied.

"You're just like grandpa," Scott's frown deepened. "Aunt Ayesa relinquished his right over the throne and that makes Dad as the sole first heir to it. But grandpa said that until there's a loophole in the succession law, uncle Howie will remain to be the probable king when the monarchy returns."

"So what's the purpose of our conversation today?" She knew that Scott will be asking a favor from her.

They stopped walking when Scott faced her. "I'd like you to help me find the loophole. I want my Dad to rule so that I can rule someday."

"Oh..." Layla stepped back as her look were stuck in his. She realized it now. Scott wanted to rule the monarchy and he will do everything just to get that dream.

~

Scott stared at Layla. "What's the problem?" Did he scare her? He only wanted to be a king someday. Is there anything wrong with that? And besides, she shouldn't worry about her chance with him. She will never have a chance. He's only meant with someone who's in the same level of the society like him. Layla will just always be the daughter of a servant.

"None, it's just that I didn't expect that you have that ambition. I'll see what I can do. My friend, Henry, can help me on the research," Layla winked at him.

"Henry? Who's Henry?" Scott's brows furrowed. Who's that guy? Layla never mentioned it before. Where did she meet him?

"Oh, he's the person working in the university library. I met him last week when I spent the whole day there trying to look for something for my paper and then he's been very gracious to help me. He's just very good in this research thing and -"

"Okay, I understand," Scott cut in. God, can't any man leave this woman alone? Layla is so dedicated with her studies to become a doctor and that man named Henry seemed to be taking advantage of her need. "Thank you, Layla." She replied with that beautiful smile of hers. He smiled back.

"By the way, where's Mark?"

"Mark?"

"Your cousin, Mark. Sir Nick's son," Layla replied as Scott nods.

"Oh, he's in the castle. You can go and see him. Tomorrow, he's going to Athenaeum to apply for a training program in business." He saw the enthusiasm in Layla's face and it infuriated him. "Why do you want to see him?"

"He's been away for too long. I just missed an old friend. By the way, I have to go. I'll go see Mark first before I go back to the university." Layla waved good bye to him and walked off towards the castle. He watched her greeted the kids that are playing with the dogs. She laughed and ran when Yves teased and ran after her. He shakes his head and then turned around to walk on the opposite way.



~~~



Kevin and his brothers and Brian walked towards the lobby of the hospital where they were immediately admitted by the staff. Kevin and Howie went to talk with the investigators who handled the case and checked what really happened with the president. Nick saw Amelia Higgins, the First Lady, and quickly extended the family's condolences. Other members of the government were already there and waiting to get the president's body for an honorary memorial.

Amelia cried once again. Her daughter, Janelle, stood beside her and comforted her. "We don't know if Dad has enemies, Nick." Janelle told her old friend. "This was a surprise from us."

"Did you know that your Dad is also the head of CORE?" Nick quietly asked her.

"Just now," she replied. "But still, there's no reason for this to happen."

"Where's your fiancé?"

"Hugh left for Spain last night. I still haven't called him about this." Janelle replied. "But maybe, he should have already heard about what happened. I don't have time," She gestured for her mother who's now quietly talking with the doctor. "It's hard for Mom. They just celebrated their wedding anniversary two days ago. We have this quiet dinner at home, just the three of us." She started crying again. Nick reached out to hug his friend. "This is unfair, Nick."

"Ssshh, I know." He said. He saw the looks from the gentlemen in the lobby and from the First Lady. Amelia nodded at him and mouthed a word of thanks to him. Alex stood beside Nick. The assassinated president was his godparent. The late president was their longtime family friend.

"Janelle..." Alex said and placed a hand on her shoulders. They're almost family now. She's like a sister to them.

Everyone turned when the door of the morgue opened for them. Medical personnel called for Amelia and Janelle. The two women walked ahead of the group towards where the dead body of the president lies inside. Alex turned to Nick. "This is serious, Nick, like a time bomb ticking before blast off. I can see myself bearing that title again." He quietly said to his brother. "It's not a problem for me actually, but the kids...it's a different story. They're not used to that."

Nick nodded. "It's a good thing that mine's living in the US but things are really going to be different. I just hoped that they wouldn't find a hard time adjusting to this."



~~~



"Don't you like her? I think that she's a great woman," Brad tells David. They walked towards where the festivities are. They went to a quiet province, just an hour drive from the city, to attend an annual festival. After the family meeting at home and everyone seemed to be caught up with the monarchy thing and the assassination of the president, David called his best friend to go with him to the province. From the meeting earlier, it's impossible now to pursue that boys' night out that Mark has planned about so he thought about going to a festival. He and Brad liked to travel around. When they reached the place some few minutes ago, he's thankful that media wasn't around to watch out on him.

"Yes, I think she's okay. But you know, there's no more challenge to pursuit her. She followed me around and I know that once I show interest, Denise will be more than happy to be with me. There's no excitement in that. She'll only be just a friend to me," David tells Brad.

"The media has already thought you were a couple. Are you just going to let it slide? You said that you don't like her but still, you're..."

"I know," he cut in. "Brad, let's not talk about her. We're here to enjoy." His friend only shrugged.

"I'm here!"

David's eyes widened. Denise Birch is here! Is she really stalking him? Does she have some kind of a radar that would detect him wherever he goes? "Denise, what are you doing here?" He can only accept her cheerful greeting and her friendly kiss on the cheeks but that's just it.

"My cousin is the mayor of this small town. Oh, there she is!" Denise waved at a woman. She turned to them and winked before walking towards her cousin. The festive mood surrounded the two men but for David, his mood died down. Why did the mayor have to be Denise's cousin?

"Can you believe that? She winked! Only my father winks," he shakes his head.

Brad laughed. "Come on, David. Don't be too hard on her. If I only knew, you like her and you're just scared to admit it. Come on. It's just me." He teased.

"Knock it off," David said. Denise is now coming back. "Here she comes." He watched as she comes near. She's not as beautiful as the women he's dated before. In fact, he doesn't like the freckles that scattered across her face and the braces on her teeth. She used to have a wonderful straight and silky hair but she had it curly for some unknown reason and he doesn't like it now.

"Are you ready?" Denise told them.

"Ready for what?" he chuckled when he heard her snort. Brad had to nudge him on the side to stop.

"For the festivities, duh," Denise rolled her eyes. David and Brad laughed in amusement at her actions. She thought that she's being funny that she laughed, too. "Okay, I'll introduce you to my cousin and then we can walk around to check on the programs that they are having today. And then later in the afternoon, there's a whisky expo at the local park. We can go there. Trust me, they have the best tasting whiskies in the world."

"You're drinking? I didn't know that, babe." David snaked his arm on her waist as they started to walk.

"Oh, just on occasions like this." Denise looked at him with a big smile on her face. He realized how much she really likes him. She really doesn't have to waste her time on him. It's not worth it. He wouldn't feel the same way. Maybe he can tell her about it later. He will find a time to talk to her alone.



>> 6

6

Mark consciously looked at the rearview mirror of his father's car when they reached the parking area of the building where their family's offices were. He arranged his blonde hair. "How do I look?" He asked his cousin, Jamie, who went with him to see her father.

"Gorgeous. Look, can we get out of the car now?" Jamie sounds bored. "I still have a school project that I have to do and you're taking my precious time. You act as if you're going on a date when you're just going to be in a meeting."

"It's my first day in this job. Cut the shit, okay?" Mark replied as he double-checked his suit. "I want to look good when I tell the person that the company is not for sale and I will lay down my proposals. I got it all planned last night, you know," he sighed. He felt his cousin's hand on his shoulder.

"Okay, cousin. Do whatever you need to do in the board room. I believe in what you are capable of. But please, stop proving yourself too much in this family. We love you. It doesn't matter on how you came to the world. For us, you're our most gorgeous cousin, the eldest cousin, our ringleader and so on and so forth. Okay?"

"Huh? I, uh..."

"We saw how you tried to prove your worth here because you still think about the circumstances of your birth before. We think it's bullshit. Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Nick loves you so much, to distraction, so don't think about being an outsider in this family. If someone should be cherished in this family, that would be you. You're a good man. You're smart. You're responsible. The elders were proud of you. Did you realize that? Have you ever thought about that when they approached you yesterday to help with this problem? They trusted you so much." Jamie smiled. "Okay, enough of the melodrama. I'm not used to it. But remember what I've said. It's true. I'm not saying it just to make you feel better." She winked. "You should know how much this family is proud of you, especially your Dad."

Mark smiled and nodded. He followed her when they got out of the car and towards the elevator. There's a woman waiting there. She turned to them, particularly to Mark in which she gave a quiet perusal. "You must be Mark. You looked like Sir Nicolas."

Mark turned to study the woman beside him. She's probably about the same age as his but by the way she acted, she seemed to think she's greater than anyone else. He noticed the air of confidence - or was it arrogance - in her. "And you are?"

The elevator opened and they all went inside. The woman only pressed one button and that will lead to the corporate offices of their family's company. Mark shakes his head. "So, you're going on the same floor too, huh? What are you going to do there?" he asks with the charming smile he inherited from his father. Nick said that it does some effective benefits from women. It usually worked but not for this one. Jamie was quiet as she studied the woman. Who does this woman thinks she is, acting as if she knows a lot and Mark is nobody but a stupid person? The woman met her look and she gave her a raised eyebrow. There was silence between them in a long while. Jamie noticed Mark is still looking at the woman with curiosity.

When the elevator reached the corporate offices at the fortieth floor, the woman turned to them. "My name is Nadia Altman and I'm here to talk about the future of your company."

The three stepped out of the elevator. Mark smirked while he looked down to the woman with such spirit. "Oh, so the president sent his daughter to fight his battle?"

"What are you smirking at?"

"Got a problem with that? Paranoid?" Mark's smirk was gone and was replaced by a glare. Jamie only watched her cousin and Nadia's quiet bickering. She didn't care if the two would bite each other's head off. They actually looked amusing.

"I don't care-"

"Listen to me, Nadia Altman," Mark cut her off. "You're just wasting your time. The family will never put this company on sale or on anyone else's share. Period. Now that I know that you will still insist, you have to get through me first."

Nadia laughed. "You? Come on. What could a foreigner like you do, huh?"

Mark folded his arms across his chest as he looked down on her. "I'm not exactly a foreigner, Nadia Altman. I have dual citizenship, being an Arkadian and an American. And if that's not enough in a resume for you, I will be one of the new managers of this company along with Scott Bordeaux. You know him, don't you? Now excuse me. I got some work to do." With that, he walked off, leaving the two women in the lobby.



~~~



David slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw is a white ceiling, a clean white ceiling. He blinked a few times and drew a deep breath. He realized that he's in a bed and covered only with sheets. Where? He doesn't know. What happened? He tried to move but he was stopped by a throbbing headache.

He turned when there's a movement beside him. He looked at his wristwatch. It's nine am and - wait. A ring in his finger? A hand went to his chest and his eyes widened when the identical ring is in that hand, too. He looked at the woman.

They both screamed.

"What are you doing here? What did you do to me?" Denise demanded. She pulled the sheets to her to cover herself. David grabbed a pillow to quickly cover the lower portion of his body. Damn, he can't remember what happened. For a brief moment, he caught a glimpse of her body. The woman had lovely curves.

"Up here, David!"

David looked at her. She's frowning furiously. "What? I don't know. I can't remember anything, actually. You should know. You tricked me."

"Tricked you?" She pushed him. "Do you think I'd trick you and will look stupid like this? Oh my God!" she exclaimed loudly when she saw her finger with the ring and the one in David's too. "We're married?"

"Yes! I think so!" David replied through gritted teeth.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no." She stood from the bed and picked up her clothes on the floor. "No, no, no, no, no."

"No? I thought you like me," His remark made Denise gave him a glare before going to the bathroom. He noticed that her hair is actually wavy, not curly. And it looked good on her as it cascades freely down her back. Wait. He should be worried about what happened and not pondering on his wife's body and looks.

Wife! He groaned. His father might kill him. He hasn't finished college yet and he's married. How did this happen anyway? He saw Denise emerged from the bath room and already dressed. Still, he didn't make a move to dress up.

She threw the sheets on the bed. "I may like you but I never thought about marrying you. Please, spare me from that."

"Let's talk about this."

"Of course," she glared at him.

"I don't know how this happened. I think we're too drunk. It must be the whiskies. We're not in our right minds when we exchanged vows. I think that we can inquire the law about that."

"The law..." Denise shakes her head. "Dad will know. I don't want him to know. This is insane."

"Excuse me?" David felt insulted. Isn't he the marrying type? He's an eligible bachelor. He's rich. He came from a prominent family that has a legacy that can be traced back for more than a hundred years. He's an heir to his father's multi-million business and to his great-grandmother's trust fund. And he's good looking, there's no question to that. Who wouldn't want him? He listened as Denise continued to rant about their marriage.

"Dad is a respectable actor and he always had a good reputation. I don't want to ruin it by acknowledging the fact to the media that I married in such a young age. No," she bit her lower lip. "Don't tell this to anyone, David."

"Of course. I'm not a fool. My Dad will be surprised, too."

"What are we going to do?"

David took the ring from his finger. "We'll keep this a secret. No one will know. I'll pay anyone who knows to keep mum about this."

Denise took off her ring, too. "Whatever. Where's Brad?" She saw him already on the phone and probably talking with his best friend. She picked up his clothes and threw it at him. "Good thing you wear boxers," she muttered. She couldn't imagine herself picking up a little underwear of her husband. She inwardly sighed at that thought. She actually loves this man but she will never let him know that, at least for now. This event is humiliating and she has to know what happened that they ended up being married. What she said earlier was only a bluff. She actually doesn't care what her father will think. Her dad was actually plotting to pair her up with someone else and she doesn't like that. David is the only one she wants. She's happy to be married to him but he doesn't have to know that. She scared David enough. And of course, she wouldn't tell anyone that she married one of the most eligible bachelors of the well-known former royal family. She felt that this is her chance to show David how deeply she cares for him and that the marriage is a good step, after all. But right now, she needs answers pertaining to what happened.

She picked up the phone from the side table. She realized that they're in a hotel. She wondered if anyone from the media has seen them the previous night. She called her cousin, the mayor from the city they've been to yesterday. "Lisa, where are you?"

"Good morning, too. How's my newlywed cousin?" There's cheerfulness in her cousin's voice.

"Are you the one who wed us? What happened? Why did you do that? Dad's gonna kill me!" She saw David still talking on his phone. He's speaking in their native language.

"Slow down. One question at a time." Lisa said. "As a mayor, I have the power to wed a couple upon their request and you're actually on your legal age to do that. Besides, you insisted it to me last night. I thought you were just drunk but you're sane enough for that. You're so sweet, cuddling each other, kissing each other and all that lovey-dovey things that lovers do. You're a couple anyway, right?"

Denise turned when David is already beside her. "Lisa, your cousin?" She only nodded and didn't do anything when David takes the phone from her. He spoke with Lisa. "Lisa, this is David. It's alright."

"Is there a problem?" Lisa asked him. "The marriage certificate has already been sent to the National Civil Registrar earlier when I came to the office. It's probably there by now, judging by the time now."

"It's alright. We'll call you later. Bye." David returned the receiver back to its handle and faced Denise. "We can't let your cousin know that this is a mistake. She might tell your Dad and my Dad."

"Let's divorce, David." Denise almost choked on the words. Of course, she doesn't want that but by the way David is acting now, that's what he wanted. She only wanted him to be happy.

"You're right but can we, at least, do it after a week or two? I don't want the record of my first marriage to be this short." He grinned.

Denise walked towards the bed and grabbed a pillow. "That's ridiculous, David. And please, dress up. Cover yourself." She threw the pillow at him.

"I lost count on how many times you threw a pillow at me, Denise." He totally revealed his body that his wife had to close her eyes. "Oh, come on. After waking up naked, are you telling me that you're still a virgin?"

"David!"

"Open your eyes."

"No! Dress up first."

"Open your eyes," there's a hint of amusement in his voice, "or else, I'll kiss you."

Denise quickly opened her eyes and saw him smiling. "You're still naked!" she looked away.

"I think that's good," and to her surprise, David held her close and kissed her.



>> 7

7

Scott frowned when he turned the page of the book he took from the shelf. It's written in old English but it's better than the other book that is written in Latin. He couldn't decipher that. And then Layla said that Henry knows Latin. "Layla, I think this is better..." He turned but she wasn't beside him. He walked out from the shelves and saw her talking with Henry. She's holding the Latin book as Henry peered on it.

Why would she ask the help from someone when he's here anyway? He walked towards them. Layla's smiling face turned to him.

"Henry said that this is only a biography book. We wouldn't find what we're looking for here." She tells him. "By the way, Henry, this is Scott. Scott, this is Henry."

The men shook hands. Scott turned to Layla. "I found a couple of references. Let's take a look on it," he tells her, eager to get her away from Henry. He noticed the look of attraction in the man and he doesn't seemed to understand that Layla couldn't afford to have a relationship now, especially that she intend to be a doctor with all the chances she got as a scholar.

"Alright," she turned to bid goodbye to her friend before going after him. They found a table near the shelves where the books were taken and Scott opened the books.

"This book is written in old English and it's about monarchy." Scott browsed until he stops on one page. "Here!" They both leaned down to read what is written.

"It says that in terms of the legitimacy of the succession to the firstborn heir, it should be the direct and true offspring of the ruling sovereign." Scott read silently and turned to her. "It doesn't say anything about multiple offsprings." He realized that they were so close that he could almost feel her lips.

Layla moved away. "So I guess we have to look for more." She stood up and left him to go towards the shelves. She heard Scott beside her returning the book. "I think there's more on the other side of the shelf." She tells him.

"I'll check on it some other time. I have to go and see Baylee."

"Wait. You'll go?" She turned to him and before she knows it, he suddenly kissed her on the lips. He seemed to savor the taste of her lips that it lasts longer than she expected. When he ended it, he's gone in an instant. Layla was left surprised.



~~~



Nick and Yvonne are walking hand in hand at the castle grounds when they saw their aunts, the twins Michaela and Monique. The two elder women were talking at the gazebo and it seemed serious.

"Nick, are we going back to Florida or will stay here until the turnover?" Yvonne asks her husband. She felt his tight grip and she knew that he's deeply thinking about it.

"What do you think?" Nick looked at her.

"I think we should support your family but if you're worried about the kids as I do, we can always go home."

Nick drew a deep breath. "I want to stay but yeah, I'm thinking about the kids, too."

"Maybe we should talk to them. I want to hear what Mark thinks, too." Yvonne said as her husband pulled her gently in a hug.

"That's why Mark loves you, baby. You valued him so much and he appreciates it."

"He's my eldest child, Nick. I trust and respected him so much. He grew up to be a good man, just like his father." She tells him. He smiled and bent down to kiss her. They turned when they heard Monique calling them. "She's really cool, you know."

"Aunt Monique?" Nick chuckled. There goes Yvonne's expression again. "Yes, I think she's cool." They walked towards Michaela and Monique. "Hello, ladies."

Monique had her arms akimbo. "I have to ask you something."

"Okay." Nick let go of his wife's hand as he leaned on the post, his arms across his chest.

"Someone's offering me to be the chief of the Department of Tourism. What do you think?" Monique asked them without preamble. The two looked at her in surprise. It wasn't expected. Michaela, on the other hand, shakes her head.

"Dickinson." Nick said the name of the Vice President of Arkadia "He decided on this. Why did he choose you?" When his aunt raised an eyebrow, he sighed. "I mean, why did he decide on this in the middle of the issue?"

"Exactly," Yvonne added.

"I agree," the twins said almost at once.

"I don't know why he just suddenly wanted to make some changes. What do you think, Nickolas?" Monique asks again.

"No." Nick said simply. "I know you can handle the job and you deserved it but with things happening now, we can't do anything that might be taken against us politically. Maybe if you're back being a princess again, Aunt Monique, and then you're safe. But for now, it's something that we should be cautious of."

"I agree, exactly my sentiments, darling," Michaela said. She turned to her sister. "I'd rather see you pursue that business we're planning than you assume that position, Monica. But I can feel that you want to." She smiled.

Monique smiled, too. "Yes, I want to. It's my chance to redeem myself from the things I've done from a very long time ago. But you're right. This isn't the right time for that. I'll have my chance later, when I'm back being a princess."

"If the monarchy will be back." Michaela said. "Personally, I am more concerned on Trace's welfare and of course, of Ana and Giselle's safety." She says about her ten-year-old grandchild, Trace, and her daughters.

"Yes, I'm thinking about them, too. It's a good thing that they're now living in Sweden. It's more peaceful there." Monique turned to the young couple. "By the way, I congratulate you about Mark. He's done a very good job at the board room yesterday. To say that Cass Holdings left empty-handed is an understatement, then so be it." Her laughter rang across the green lawn.

The other three chuckled. "Yes, we're proud of him." Yvonne said. "I heard about his aggressiveness in the board room. And Jamie told me about this woman who attempted to look down on him before the start of the meeting."

"Nadia Altman is a lovely young woman," Michaela remarked with a smile. "Watch out for that, my dears. Your son has been eyeing her closely yesterday."

Nick and Yvonne looked at each other, wondering what to do. This is something new for them. Mark really has grown up.



>> 8

8

Baylee glanced at his watch. He's just in time to check why David called for him. It was around noon when he received a call from his cousin asking him to meet him in Bordeaux Castle for some important matters. It seemed urgent that he decided to drop his last class and went to the castle. He spotted another cousin walking down the hallway, David's sister Ava. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" They're of the same age and freshmen in Athenaeum University.

"Well, you're supposed to be in school, too." Ava said as she ran her fingers through her hair. Baylee only looked at his cousin. Ava and Jamie, their Uncle Alex's eldest daughter, are considered to be the youngest socialites who love to party despite the fact that they're still young and studying and their fathers don't approve of their behavior.

His eyes narrowed. "I'm serious, cousin. And I'm here because David and I have something important to talk about. Are you looking for Jamie?"

"No, I don't know where she is. How's your girlfriend, by the way?"

"Ssshh!" Baylee closed the gap between them to cover his cousin's mouth. "Someone might hear you. Dad doesn't know that I'm going out with the enemy."

Ava raised an eyebrow. He removed his hand. "It's funny how you care for your girlfriend and then call her enemy." She shakes her head. "Your dad surely doesn't know a lot about you, Baylee. I saw his surprise when you vote in favor of bringing back the monarchy and then this," her cousin frowned more. "Okay, don't get mad at me. I won't tell. It seems like our parents doesn't know a lot about us. I'm here because I live here for a while. My dad cut my credit cards -"

"- And you run away," Baylee finished. "That's immature, Ava. I'm not surprised that you reached the end of your father's patience. He's the nicest guy among them. And I know you're not exactly the good girl." He walked away. He didn't turn when Ava called him back. He just noticed that she's already walking beside him.

"Why are you meeting my brother?"

Baylee shrugged. They entered the Grand Ante Room where they spotted David sitting in front of the grand piano. They were surprised to see that Denise Birch is also there. She is sitting on the couch. When she saw them enter, she stood up and glanced at David. The man in front of the piano stopped playing and faced them. "Is there something important that you need to tell me immediately, cousin?" Baylee asks.

"What are you doing here, Ava?" David asked his sister.

"I'll be staying here for a while." Ava replied. She glanced at Denise. "So, what's up? What are you doing here?"

David stood up and went beside Denise. "Her name is Denise Birch, Ava. Remember that because she happens to be my wife now."

The other two stared at them in stunned silence. It was Baylee who easily recovered. "W-whoa! What happened?"

Denise drew a deep breath. Baylee watched as the two gave each other a supportive look and it surprised him to see David acted that way. Where's the playboy act? This one must have grown up overtime.

"We got drunk and impulsively decided to get married." Denise replied.

Baylee noticed the difference in Denise's appearance. Where's her frizzy hair? "And you're telling this to us because?"

"We need to tell someone before this will leak out to the media. We want to keep this a secret for a while until we get divorce." David answered.

Ouch, Ava thought. They just got married and they're already thinking about getting a divorce. Actually, she likes Denise. Whatever really happened, she thinks that Denise deserves better than this. "Can't you even tell this to Dad?"

"No."

"That's ridiculous, David," she tells her brother. "With the things going on right now, you should also tell Dad about this."

"With the things going on right now, I shouldn't let this be revealed yet, Ava." He glanced at Baylee, "especially that the family is going to be royalty again."

Ava gave them a questioning look. Denise, on the other hand, doesn't know much about the transition plans of the government. Baylee cleared his throat. "There will be a meeting this afternoon for the immediate turnover ceremony of the government in bringing back the Bordeaux House to monarchy." He met David's look. "That means anytime this week or next week, there will be HRH in front of our names. Right now, we still don't know the result of the legal inquiry on who will rule as the king, Uncle Kevin or Uncle Howie."

"That fast?" Ava asked in disbelief. She's going to be a princess and somehow, it scares her. What does a princess do anyway? She saw the look of surprise as well as apprehension on Denise's face. She understands her sister-in-law. Nice thought by the way, she tells herself. She understands her surprise. And nothing's greater for a wedding gift than to know that you'll be a princess of this small country. But still, Denise didn't expect it and the surprise really came unexpected.

"Majority of the government are in favor of the transition. It actually doesn't matter now if there are protests on the streets. Most likely, there will be a new government effective anytime. Monarchy will be back." Baylee added.

"That fast?" Ava asked again. She felt she's in a whirlwind.

"That's what you want, right?" David asked coldly. He takes his wife's hand. "Come on, Denise."

"You know my mission, David. It's nothing personal." Baylee tries to say.

"Yeah, I know. Mine is personal and selfish," David sarcastically remarked. "You know my sentiments. I don't want to be royalty again."

"What if Dad turns out to be the king?" Ava asked nervously. David didn't reply and went towards the door. Dragging his wife behind him, they went out of the Grand Ante Room. She turned to Baylee. "Aren't you nervous about this, Baylee?"

"Of course, I am, Ava. That only means that we're going to be royals again and there will be more threat on us. We will have more responsibility on our shoulders as model citizens of this country and I seriously doubt if some of our cousins would realize that. We're not exactly the Brady Bunch," Baylee muttered the last one.

"Why do you think that David chose to tell you about his marriage when he doesn't even agree to your political opinions for the family?"

Baylee ran his fingers through his curly blonde hair. "Mark is in the office and busy saving the company from the people who wanted to buy us out while Scott is clearly in favor of the monarchy. But I'm the neutral one, in a way. I agree with some of his terms but at the same time, I'd like to preserve the legacy of our ancestors. Scott, on the other hand, has personal reasons. He wants to be king and he's even a member of CORE."

"CORE..." Ava said in almost a whisper. "I know that. Oh my God. They're revolutionists."

"He told that to me yesterday. Uncle Kevin doesn't know it yet but he's a smart man. He may have knows it already." And Baylee wondered what will happen later for whatever the result of the legal inquiry on who will be the new king of Arkadia. He's sure that if it doesn't come out in favor of Scott, trouble is brewing.



~~~



Baylee entered the common room and saw Scott and Layla peering over a book. He doesn't intend to tell Scott that David is somewhere in the castle as it might only start an argument between the two. That's the least he wanted right now. The clock is ticking so fast.

"Is that the one?" He wanted to know too, if there's a loophole in the law of succession pertaining to who might be proclaimed king: his uncle Kevin or his uncle Howie. When Scott inquired about the issue and asked for his help, he's more than willing to know. It's just out of curiosity. For him, it doesn't matter who will become the king as long as the monarchy is back.

Layla looked up and smiled at him, and then turned back to the book.

"We found it, Baylee. Thanks to you." Scott said. He looked at him and moved aside towards Layla to make room for his cousin. The three are now bent over to read the contents of the back.

"Read this: In accordance to the law of succession of 1788, the firstborn of the ruling sovereign will be the first in line heir to the throne." Scott pointed to the next page. "The law of joint succession, Article 16B, states that an heir cannot rule if the person is married to a ruling monarch of another country thus, making the heir also a ruler of the other country."

On the occasion when the succession will fall on multiple heirs, the eligibility to inherit the throne disqualifies the concerned heirs. The eligibility to inherit the throne may only be effective if any one of the twins or triplets etcetera will disclaim the right to succeed with full knowledge and consent, legally, wholeheartedly, confidently and consequentially. Eligibility also applies when members of the multiple-birth scenario faced death in a natural way or in a fortuitous event or when psychologically incapacitated to assume the duties of the monarchy to rule Arkadia. Otherwise, succession will transfer to the next in line to the throne in the royal family. "

There's a wide smile on Scott's face. "Did you know what this means?"



>> 9

9

Howie glanced through the windows and saw his son's car, Ava's and Baylee's parked in front of the castle. On the other side, he saw Scott's car, too. They are here. He won't wonder about Ava for he knows that his daughter is surely mad about what he did to her credit cards. Well, he had enough of her inconsiderate attitude. She should be thought a lesson. He wondered what does David, Scott and Baylee are doing here. The three young men knows about the event this tomorrow at the parliament. Despite the revolutionary efforts of some citizens, the event will pursue to bring back the monarchy to reign Arkadia. But right now, they have to get through the legal inquiry about who will succeed on the throne.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

He turned to see Kevin, who is smiling at him despite the worried look on its face. His brother is concerned about the family. Both of them would gladly take the succession at any time of the day but right now, their concerns were focused on their children. It seems like something's going to happen when their family is back to royalty.

"Your son, David and Baylee are here." He replied. He glanced back to the window again and now saw his son, walking with Denise Birch. They are in deep conversation and it seems to be very serious. Kevin watched the scene beside him.

"He looked so much like you. More so, when he looked so serious like that," he heard Kevin says. David opened the door of his car for Denise and motioned her to get inside. The woman seemed to be protesting about something. Now, the two seemed to be quarrelling. "She's your son's girlfriend, right?"

"He hasn't told us that although I heard it in the news. I wonder what's going on."

"So, if you become king and you have to do that tradition that I had years ago, are you going to choose Denise?"

Howie looked at Kevin. He smiled. They've been trying to lighten the impending situation about the succession since this morning. Everybody's waiting for the legal team to arrive and report the inquiry they requested. "Denise Birch may be a nice girl, Kevin. I may ask someone to know facts about her. How about you? What if you become the king and there's Scott?"

"I always have Layla." Kevin winked.

Howie couldn't help but chuckle at his brother imitating his mannerism. "Layla's been around with the family since they were kids. And she's a good girl," they both nodded.

"The only problem is, Scott thinks highly of himself," Kevin sighed. "I don't know why he came to that frame of mind. Kristin and I have done we could so that the boys will remain firm on the ground but Scott is different. He's very ambitious. And I'm sure that Layla was nothing to him but only a friend. He'd rather go for any airhead socialites than be seen with a daughter of the castle employees."

"That's mean, Kevin."

"That's Scott, Howie." Kevin shakes his head. They turned when the door opened and Benedique and Philippe came in, together with their legal team. Nick, who's on the phone with his wife, ended the call and stood up. Alex and Brian stopped playing chess. Only the men in the family will be having a meeting. Anyway, whoever becomes the king today, the formal coronation and succession ceremony will still have to be scheduled within the week. The important thing right now is to immediately know who will rule the country after the assassination of the president.

The brothers and Brian watched as the majority members of the government started coming inside the large Winston Hall. This is really serious. Even the Chief Justice of the Department of Law and Order is present, wearing his famous toga. Benedique's secretary, John Lyndon, began distributing dozens of folders for everyone. It must be some sort of a copy.

Howie opened his folder and found out the contents. The first page shows a copy of Ayesa's lawyer legalizing her disclaim on the throne once monarchy is back. Next are the legal documents pertaining to the right order of succession and the article of law that goes with it. It was dated at the time after Giselle was born. The next papers indicate a reference to the royal article of succession that dates back to the 18th century pertaining on the event when the ruling sovereign sired - that's exactly the word - multiple heirs such as twins, triplets and so on and so forth. He held his breath as he scanned what is written. It clearly states that on the occasion when the succession will fall on multiple heirs, the eligibility to inherit the throne disqualifies the concerned heirs. The eligibility to inherit the throne may only be effective if any one of the twins or triplets etcetera will disclaim the right to succeed with full knowledge and consent, legally, wholeheartedly, confidently and consequentially. Eligibility also applies when members of the multiple-birth scenario faced death in a natural way or in a fortuitous event or when psychologically incapacitated to assume the duties of the monarchy to rule Arkadia.

Otherwise, succession will transfer to the next in line to the throne in the royal family.

There it goes, Howie thought. He glanced at his father who stood beside the lawyer who is explaining the contents of the folders. Benedique acknowledged him with a warm smile. Kevin, who is wearing eyeglasses beside him, was silent as he listened.

The lawyer cleared his throat before finalizing his speech. "Therefore, we can officially announce tomorrow our new king, Scott the Fifth of the House of Bordeaux."

There was a round of applause that echoes throughout the large Winston Room. Kevin briefly nodded as he received handshakes, pats on the shoulder and brief hugs. When he turned to Howie, he smiled and hugged his brother. Amidst the noise in the room, Howie heard his brother's whisper to him.

"I'm actually scared, Howie. Guide me."



~~~



Scott saw his cousins arrived with their own vehicles outside the Parliament House. Bodyguards surround them as they walked towards the government building. There were lots of media around. Protesters were there too and barricaded against the steel gates of the Parliament. On the other side were monarchists who show support to their family.

He saw his mother walking on the steps with his father and brother Christopher. His parents are wearing something immaculately formal and so did Chris. He greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheeks and a brief handshake from his father and nodded at Chris.

"You got what you want," Kevin tells him.

Scott felt his heart race at the news. "Y-you mean...?" His father nodded.

"We'll talk more about this later in Bordeaux Castle, Scott. You have to learn a lot of things in being the next heir to the throne." His father tells him and then went ahead with his mother who gave him an assuring smile and a soft touch on his face.

"Isn't it great, Scott?" Chris asks him. "We're going to be princes."

"You just like the idea but it's hard work too, Chris." Scott tells his brother.

"I know and it's scary. But I still think it's great," Chris smiled at him.

"Your Highnesses," one of the bodyguards say.

Scott was surprised to be called that way. It seemed early and yet, it seemed right. But it feels uncomfortable. No one regarded them so highly in that way. It seems so grand, so royal. He slowly smiled as they turn around.

"Please follow us this way," the bodyguard continued. He realized that they are actually surrounded now with men in black. They were heavily protected considering that they are now going to be the first family of Arkadia.

The legacy will finally continue.



>> 10

10

"I think it's cute, Princess Yvonne." Nick whispered to his wife after Yvonne ended the call from her Uncle Bam who's in Florida right now. They are in a heavily-tinted Range Rover going to the Parliament. The turnover ceremony is unexpected to almost everyone. It came as a surprise when the news broke in the late afternoon that the Senate and the House of the Representatives organized a special joint session at the Parliament House and invited the House of Bordeaux, the former royal family of Arkadia. It was so unexpected that Ayesa and Dominique have to cancel for the last minute their flight back home to Kreizig. They weren't at the Winston Hall when the legal inquiry was revealed.

"I think it's weird, Nick. It used to happen only in fairy tales for me," Yvonne replied. "After this, can we still go back to Florida?"

"Of course. We live there, sweetheart." Nick kissed his wife's forehead. "Don't worry. I'm here. I'm used to this and I'm used to protecting myself from those people. I will protect you." Yvonne leaned closer to her husband's body. They turned to their children behind them. Yves is their fifteen-year-old daughter while the twins, Neil and Nate, are thirteen years old.

"Don't get all mushy in front of us, please," Neil muttered. Nick and Yvonne laughed.

"Remember this, my darling," Yvonne started, "no matter what is the title that will be given to you in this ceremony, you will still be my good girl and boys, okay? You won't let your position go over your head and do something bad towards others. We didn't teach you that." Their children acknowledged that.

"Is it true that we're going to be prince and princesses, Mom?" Yves asked her.

"Yes, that's true. As you already know, Daddy's family was formerly the first family of Arkadia, like the US President in the White House. Now, they're going back to rule again. Your Daddy's family ruled Arkadia from generation to generation, and now starting off with your Uncle Kevin as the new King. And along with that, we need to add bodyguards for your protection. We don't want any one of you in harm. We hope you will understand that. Okay?"

"It seems scary to have lots of bodyguards, Mom," Nate tells her. "Juancho is enough for the three of us. He's a good guy although he's scary at first. I don't think we can have more bodyguards. It's even inconvenient sometimes that we have this series of cars wherever we go."

"It seems like we're that important," Neil agreed to his twin.

Nick glanced at his children in the backseat. "We can't do anything about this, guys. The monarchy is back in the family to have the power to rule this country again. Along with that are the consequences of threat and danger. I'm not scaring you but it's the truth, baby. We will try to avoid that even if that means I'll get legions of bodyguards for you."

The three looked at each other.

"Where's Mark?" Yves asked.

"He said he's on his way." Yvonne replied. She glanced at Nick who gave her a reassuring smile and a tight grip in her hand. She's scared of this new life and responsibility, too, most especially for the safety of her children. But knowing that Nick is around, she is confident that things will be alright.



~~~



Benedique looked around and saw that the family is almost complete. His children and their families are here; his brother and sisters and their cousins are here too. It's another historical event in the family and in the country as the monarchy will be restored back to the House of Bordeaux after fifteen years of living as private citizens. He felt the tight grip in his hand. He turned and Isabella is smiling beside him.

"Everything's going to be alright, Bennie. I love you."

"I love you, too." He replied as the media surrounded them and heard their exchange. There were consecutive shots of them and were only left alone when they entered the main session hall of the building. They continued towards the area intended for their family. Ayesa and her family are already there and greeted them. Sooner, Kevin and his family came up to the exclusive area. The rest has arrived too.

The assembly quieted down when the heads of the Senate and the Congress announced for the start of the special joint session. An introduction was made first about the history of the government and the laws pertaining to it. The introduction took about fifteen minutes and then the background speech about the turnover was made until the podium was finally given to the Chief Justice of the government.

"In accordance to the law of succession of 1788, the firstborn of the ruling sovereign will be the first in line heir to the throne." The leader of the justice system started. "The law strictly applies to the royal family through generations even to the House of Bordeaux, the ruling family before the government was changed fifteen years ago. Now that the government will be back to its old legacy, the family will be back to its reign. However, complications have been encountered before we proceed on the succession. First, former King Benedique had firstborn twins, former Prince Kevin Scott and Queen Anna Isabella of Kreizig. The consequences of their birth immediately lost their eligibility to inherit the throne unless one of them disclaims their birthright. Second, Queen Anna Isabella of Kreizig is a ruling monarch in our neighbor country, the Kingdom of Kreizig. The law of joint succession, Article 16B, clearly states that an heir cannot rule if the person is married to a ruling monarch of another country thus, making the heir also a ruler of the other country." The Chief Justice looked at everyone. And then he continued.

"Yesterday, Her Majesty Queen Anna Isabella had submitted a legalized document of relinquishing her right to the Arkadian throne to her twin brother. Her Majesty disclaimed the right to succeed with full knowledge and consent, legally, wholeheartedly, confidently and consequentially. The justice department had carefully studied the law of succession for days and now, we are gathered here today for the official transition of the government from being a republic to monarchy. I can proudly introduce to you the new monarchy of the revitalized kingdom of Arkadia."

Benedique held his breath when the Chief Justice turned to the area where their whole family had sat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Kevin Scott Bordeaux and his family," he says. There was a loud round of applause and everyone in the session hall stood up.

Kevin offered his hand to his wife as Cristin took it. They were followed by their two children, Scott and Christopher. Benedique and Isabella greeted their son with a warm hug as well as the rest of the family. When Kevin and his family, who stood behind him, reached the wide platform that served as the stage, the heads of the Senate and the Congress gave him the large book of the Royal Constitution. They shook hands. He passed the book to his wife who held it carefully. And then she was told to transfer the book to their children. When they turned to the Chief Justice, the couple was asked to place down a hand on the Bible that Kevin is holding and to raise the other hand for the royal promise of duty. They repeated what has the Chief Justice been said. Everyone in the hall was quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to introduce to you our new sovereign of Arkadia, His Majesty King Scott the Fifth of Bordeaux and Her Majesty Queen Cristin."

The deafening applause lasted for some time. There were flashes of light from the chosen media who are strictly situated in the balcony of the hall. Kevin and his family were heavily greeted by the officials on stage. The noise died down when Kevin stepped on the podium and quietly looked at everyone. His family stood behind him. Kevin paused for a moment to look at everyone in the hall. There goes the authoritative look that he had when the Lawrence Fire happened years ago.

Benedique watched his son with utmost pride that he felt tears stinging from his eyes.

"God's blessings for everyone in Arkadia," Kevin started. "I would only like to make this short and sweet. Our country is facing a greater challenge now that the government has returned into being the monarchy. I, as your new king, will do the best that I can to provide the important needs of our fellowmen mostly for the development of life, good health, proper education, various programs for economic development and stronger ties with other countries. And I know that there are more things to consider than the ones I have mentioned. We will work together to become the new kingdom of Arkadia."

The applause came back and it lasted again for quite some time. Kevin looked around. This is the time he's been waiting for when he was young. It's happening now. He turned to his wife, who's actually trembling beside him despite the smile on her face. She's nervous about her new responsibility but he promised to guide her. When he look at Scott, his son only stood there with a smile on his face. He needs to talk with him later. He will need to set some things straight with his son.



>> 11

11

Mark drew a deep breath as he looked around the castle grounds where a small celebration is being held for the return of the monarchy. He never knew that his life will change this way when he decided to settle a new life in his father's birthplace. Earlier, after the proclamation of his uncle Kevin as the new king, they were invited in a private meeting where they were briefed about the whole thing and they were given their own titles. For almost four hours now, he is already Prince Mark of Bordeaux. That's what they will call him now and it seems weird. They even dropped his last name. And he lost count on the people who called him 'Your Royal Highness'. He bet his friends in the US were making fun out of it. He shakes his head.

"Do you think it's okay that I went with you?"

Mark turned beside him. Layla seemed nervous. He considered her his best friend that's why when he heard about the celebration and he's shy to go, he thought of her. She can be his partner for the night and they can keep up with each other's lives at the same time.

"Of course. Why do you think it's not? Uncle Kevin was actually glad you're coming when I told him about it. He considered you a family already. Did you see the other castle employees? They are here, too, and they looked happy. This is our private gathering. There's nothing to be nervous about." When he saw her hesitant look, he frowned. "Oh, come on, Layla. Don't look at me like a prince."

"Because you are..."

"For you, I'm a friend. Be comfortable, okay? Nothing's changed. And I'm not going to cut your head off if ever you do a mistake. Come with me." He ushered her towards the buffet table. "How are you, by the way? Are you going to be a doctor soon?"

Layla smiled. "I hope so. I still have a long way to go and I'm thankful that Sir Benedique is very generous. I owed him a lot. I'm doing this not only for my family but also for him."

Mark stared at her. "That's great. You're like Scott. He has a long way to go, too."

"To be king? Of course," Layla shakes her head. "He planned this in a very long time, Mark."

"What do you mean?"

"He studied law to gain access on various political parties and obtain several agenda pertaining to the government. But most of all, he joined CORE to help on the return of the monarchy. He wanted to be king someday, Mark. He told me so." Layla looked up to him.

Mark drew a deep breath. He didn't say anything as they went to get food at the buffet table. When they are done, they went to an empty table at the back and sat down. "I don't have any choice to be like this. I guess, I have to accept the way things are now. All I have to do is to live my life at my best."

"Yes." Layla said. For a while, they ate their food in silence. "I heard you'll be staying here for good. Is that true?"

"Yes. I'll assume the position that was intended for my Dad. He really won't be back here until he's old and retired. That's what he and Mom have planned a long time ago. They're happy with the business they have back in Florida. It's just a small gift shop by the beach. You should go there some time. It's better than the beaches in Theo. I, on the other hand, decided to enter the family business here." Mark replied.

"Do you like it?"

"The what?"

"Your decision to stay here?"

Mark smiled as he remembered something. He saw his cousins, Scott and Baylee, arrived. He turned back to Layla. "Of course. Plus, I met this beautiful woman..." When Layla rolled her eyes in amusement, he laughed. "Come on. Believe me. There's this beautiful woman. She's actually the daughter of the person who's trying to buy out the company. I'd like to know her but it's impossible."

"Why?"

"She doesn't like me, especially when I entered the picture and closed the issue about their ridiculous proposal. My father, my uncles and grandpa loved me for that but I'd rather, you know," Mark grinned. "I'd like to impress her too."

"What's her name?"

"Nadia Altman."

Layla's eyes widened. "I know her. She's Scott's ex-girlfriend."

Mark bit his lower lip at that. "Really?" The least he wanted is to get in trouble with his cousins. He needs to know if Scott wouldn't mind if he makes a move on Nadia. She intrigues him and he wanted to know her more. "Did they separate ways in a good way? Isn't he too young for her?"

"Scott would date anyone as long as it has lovely curves, a beautiful face and a familiar name."

Mark thought, for a moment, that there's a hint of sarcasm there. He noticed it before that Layla looks at Scott in a different way. Does she still have those feelings for him now? It's been a long time. She's so patient and faithful. Scott would be lucky if only he realized it. The right one is just in front of him and he's blind to see it.

"Good evening." Scott greeted, suddenly coming out of nowhere and sits beside Layla. "I didn't know that you took her here." He tells Mark.

"She's my friend. Nothing's wrong with that."

Scott gave his cousin a look before he turned to Layla. "Thank you for the help. I appreciate it very much."

Layla blushed. Mark looked at her and then to Scott. "I was telling her about her studies. There still seemed to be a long way to go just like you."

Scott only nodded. Layla felt uncomfortable about the two's sudden indifference against each other. She can feel it. She's expecting the cousins will bite each other's head off by the next minute. She didn't know what's going on between the two but she didn't miss the exchanged glare that they just had. She stood up and the two turned to her. "Excuse me. I'll just go over to Baylee. I saw him arrived."

When Layla's gone, Scott turned to Mark. "Did you ask her out?"

"Yeah, so? Does it matter to you?"

"I'm just asking. She's a nice woman but I don't think any one should take her out. The least she needed is a distraction to her studies. You know, she really wanted to be a doctor." Scott tells him.

"I see," Mark smiled but that's because he realized it now, Scott had his eyes for their childhood friend. "Don't worry. I understand."

"Are you going to kiss her after the date?" Scott shyly asked, almost hesitant.

That's when Mark laughed. "No! Come on, Scott. Don't be jealous. I lied. We're not on a date. I simply asked her to come with me because I still don't know anyone here, and you know how I treat her as my best friend." They stared at each other for a while. "How does it feel now to be the crown prince of Arkadia? A wish granted?"

"I'm nervous, actually."

"Welcome to the club."

There was silence for a moment until Scott spoke again. "I heard that you went across Nadia Altman on the last conference meeting with the board. They said that you did so well that you might be given an additional incentive for that."

Mark shakes his head. "Yeah, whatever. Layla told me that Nadia's your former girlfriend."

Scott smiled. "Lovely, isn't she?"

"Yes. Is it okay if I ask her out?" Mark asked straightforwardly.

"Of course. It doesn't matter to me now, you know. I hate her. Goodluck to you. She's a big headache. She's a crazy woman." Scott chuckled. "And by the way, I'm not jealous about Layla. She's my best friend, too. I'm just concerned because I know her struggles to become a doctor."

"Whatever you say, man."



~~~



Baylee waited as the phone rings on the other line. Finally, it was answered. "Hi, baby. How are you tonight?" He asked quietly. He pressed his hand on the other ear so that he can hear his girlfriend, Grethel's, reply.

"I'm fine. I wish I can be there with you." There was sadness in Grethel's voice when she answered. Baylee closed his eyes.

"I'd rather be with you, Grethel. Can I go there?"

"Dad sent his bodyguards for me tonight, Baylee." Grethel replied.

"Are you safe with them? They're a bunch of guys." He said. "I won't be at peace knowing that you're surrounded by guys you don't even know."

"Aunt Janine and her baby are staying with me. Don't worry." He heard her said. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Baylee said with full of conviction. His heart ached. It's hard to be in a relationship like this. He's in love with the daughter of his father's business rival. His father is very vocal about his competitor and how the indifferences started even way back in their college days. He didn't expect to fall for Grethel too. When he first met her, he didn't know anything about her and so was she. They went out discreetly, as Baylee wanted his life to be in private and away from the prying eyes of the media. They were still young but they already have plans for their future. "I'm looking for the right time, baby. I want everyone to know about us. I don't want to go on like this, hiding as if we're doing something wrong."

"I'm scared of Dad, Baylee. I don't know if I can do this."

Baylee nodded. "I understand. I have to go now. Sleep tight, baby. Goodnight. I love you." A few more words were exchanged and the call ended. Baylee turned around and he saw Layla coming towards him. He smiled. "Hi. I'm glad you're here, Layla. Scott did the right thing."

"Huh? I came with Mark."

"Oh..." Baylee saw his cousins from the nearby table, talking and glancing at them. He wondered why did that happen? As far as he knew, Scott likes Layla but he's a fool to admit it. Mark, on the other hand, is only a close friend.

"How is it going, prince?" Layla winked.

Baylee chuckled. "Watch out when David see you doing that. He'll say..."

"'Only my father winks!' Yes, I know." They laughed. Baylee saw Scott looking at him. There's jealousy in his eyes. No one can blame Layla if she knows how to adapt to the people around her. Even their parents and their grandparents love the woman. "I've seen David with Denise Birch. So it's true then? That the two are together?"

They're married actually, Baylee thought. He remembered it again. When he saw his uncle Howie earlier, he tensed. His cousin will be in deep trouble, getting married in such a young age. "Yes, it's true. How about you? Are you seeing someone aside from Mark?"

Layla smiled. That's one of the reasons that he and his cousins like about her. She doesn't feel uncomfortable with them just because they are rich and famous and she's only a daughter of the castle employee. She doesn't take advantage of that privilege as their friend too. She gets along with them and the elders trust her. "No one. As Scott said, studies first before anything else."

"Don't listen to Scott. He's a schemer. I know you know that."

Layla drew a deep breath. "I know. It was scary at first when he admitted to me that he's a member of CORE. I didn't realize how he deeply wanted to be a king someday. I hope that he knows that power isn't everything."

"Uncle Kevin will see to it, Layla." Baylee nodded at Scott and Mark who are looking at them. He researched enough about their family to know that there's something in store for his cousin. He wished that his uncle Kevin will make the right decision for his son.



~~~



Cristin felt the hand of her mother-in-law holding hers. She turned to Isabella and smiled. "I wished my mother is here, Mama. Maybe some time this month, I'll visit her at the Deveraux Estate."

Isabella placed another hand on her. "You're going to be a great queen, Cristin. We are here to guide you and help you when you're in need."

Cristin watched as the people in front of them mingled around. She prepared herself for this years ago but when the monarchy was abolished, she also left the thought of becoming a queen behind. She devoted herself as a loving wife and mother to her family. It's the life she felt so happy to have. And now, she becomes the queen of Arkadia. She's not only the mother of her household but also of her country. And like Kevin, she had to be strong. This is their destiny.

"Thank you, Mama. I am confident knowing that I can go on and every one of you are behind me." She smiled. They looked at the group of the young people on the side. Her son is one of them. Scott is laughing about something that Baylee said. "I wonder if aside from Scott's knowledge on how to return the power to our family, does he also know what's in store for him now that he's the crowned heir to the throne?"

Isabella knows what Cristin is talking about. "Well, he should research enough to know that fact and that's how you and Kevin's lives have crossed paths. Are you planning now to see who among the elgible bachelorettes here are meant for Scott?"

"There are several of them but it's hard to choose. She needs to have the personality and the strength to be the future queen. But most of all, it's important that she is a good woman who can love and take care of my son not just for the person that he is but for being the one who also needs a better half of his heart and can complete his soul. A woman of whom he can trade ten years of his life for a single kiss... Or all his wealth for a single touch..." Cristin smiled to Isabella. "Or just anything special that I and Kevin have felt for each other."

"You're speaking of a true love, my dear. We hope to be successful on this quest."

Cristin looked at Scott who is now talking with his cousins, Jamie and Yves. And then Ava came, bringing Layla with her, the daughter of the castle's main housekeeper. "What do you think of Layla, Mama?"

"What about Layla?" Kevin suddenly asked from behind them. He encircled his arms on his wife's waist and kissed her on the cheeks. "She's going to be a doctor someday. It will be great."

"She's studying medicine?" Isabella asked. She knows that the young woman is their scholar but she forgot about what she's taking in college.

"Specializing in Cardiology," Kevin nodded. "She still have a few more years to spend in school and I think that will be an enough time for a long engagement."

The two women stared at Kevin. Isabella never looked at the position of a person in the society and so does Cristin. It wouldn't matter to them if any one of the children will have friends or get into a relationship with someone who was discreetly called 'financially-challenged', as long as no one's getting hurt or being used. But it's always hard to trust just anyone that's why they are careful, even now that they are the royal family again. That's why Kevin decided to continue with the tradition for the firstborn. He wanted someone they can trust but most of all, someone he thinks who can respect and love his son. If Kevin chose the daughter of one of the castle's employees, then so be it. After all, Kevin has a good judgment of character. "Are you nominating Layla to be your son's betrothed?" Cristin asked him.

Kevin didn't answer that immediately. And when he does, he said it with full conviction. "She is the only person who can truly understand Scott."



>> 12

12

"Are you and Scott talking right now? Because I don't see any reason that you don't. The monarchy is back. We don't have any thing to do about it now." Mark asks David. He is walking beside his cousin towards the other wing of the castle. They left the celebration as David said that he wants Mark to meet someone. Denise is with them, too. David introduced her as his wife in which had caught Mark by surprise. He promised to keep it a secret from everyone but he told his cousin to tell it soon to his father.

"Yes, we seriously talked about it earlier." David quietly replied. He's holding his wife's hand. "Let's just say that it's been peaceful and we've dealt with it."

"Everything is peaceful when it comes to you," Mark said. He went beside Denise. "So, what do you think? Do I look cute now? Is your friend going to like me?"

Denise chuckled. "Yes, you are. I think my friend's going to enjoy her blind date tonight."

"May I, at least, know her name?"

David switched to his silent mode again as he listened to the two. He's thankful that his cousin is trying to liven things up by talking with Denise. "You will meet her. Be patient." He heard her say. They reached the north wing of the Bordeaux Castle. This is going to be Scott and Chris' official residence now since they are the sons of the present sovereign. Things happened so fast and it was as if just a blink of his father's eye. He smiled at that thought.

"The person that we'll introduce to you is Scott's ex-girlfriend. She's a nice person and we thought about her when you mentioned about meeting new people here in Arkadia." David tells Mark.

"Scott's ex? How many does he have?" Mark frowned for he knows one. His heart beats faster. Could it be her?

David and Denise looked at each other. "Well, I admit that I lost count on the number of Scott's exes." David said.

"What? Our cousin is a notorious playboy?" Mark blinked many times. He had a string of girlfriends, thanks to the beautiful genes of his father and mother. But he made sure to keep it private. Scott is a good-looking young man, too, just like the rest of his cousins.

The couple are laughing now. "David's just joking." Denise said. "If I can remember it correctly, he only had two: Freya and Nadia. You're going to meet one of them."

"Nadia Altman?"

"How did you know her?" David asked him.

"She's the daughter of the one who's trying to buy out the company. I met her on my first day at the office."

"What do you think? Isn't she pretty?" Denise winked.

"Hey!" Mark joked about the wink, pointing his forefinger at her in amusement. "Only David's father winks," he added with a laugh. He poked his cousin in the ribs.

"You're diverting the topic, Mark," David shakes his head.

"Alright. Nadia is pretty. And so?"

"Really?"

The three stopped walking as Nadia stood in front of them. Mark tried to hide his awe at her beauty. She's tall and beautiful. Her long brown wavy hair cascades freely on her back. She's wearing skinny jeans and black tank top. He tried not to let his mouth hanging open. "Yeah, you are. And so what?" He decided to hide his fascination from her. There are still some corporate matters against them that he needs to take care of.

Nadia smiled. "Thank you." She said. She turned to Denise. "Is he the one you'd want me to date?"

"We thought you looked good together." Denise replied.

Nadia rolled her eyes. "Please. Scott was a disaster. This one might be a tragedy."

Mark frowned. This woman really thinks she's above anyone else, and it's annoying. "I'm disappointed, David, Denise. I thought you'll be introducing me to a wonderful woman. This one's far from what I expected." He met Nadia's look. "I hope you'd realize that your words aren't funny as you may want it to be. It's a big turn-off that a woman as educated and sophisticated like you would think negative of others even before you know them. I think it's disgusting." He finished. When Nadia opened her mouth to answer, he stopped her. "Unless it's something good, you better shut up." He gave her a glare. He excused himself from his cousin and his wife and walked away.

Denise shakes her head. "I agree. He's not a bad person. And it's sad that I'll be telling this, Nadia. I'm disappointed," And then she walked to follow her cousin-in-law.

Nadia bit her lower lip. David was about to say something when his wife came back for him to pull him away, and come with her.



~~~



Howie walked down the hall from Alex's office after a meeting with their lawyers earlier. He's holding a manila envelope in hand. His jaws clenching and his knuckles turning white. He briefly nodded and smiled to the people who greeted him. He is now the new CEO of the family's company ever since Kevin resigned to perform his duties as Arkadia's new king.

It was two days since the turnover event at the parliament. The people were in mixed emotions and it was something that anyone cannot prevent. Still, the people who favored for the return of the monarchy were still in their celebratory mood. It may even last for a week. Kevin, on the other hand, is now busy as the new sovereign. He even had scheduled state visits now to re-strengthen ties with the other countries and to introduce himself as the new king. It will be hard, Howie can see it but he's in full support for his brother. He promised that to him on the day it was revealed how the succession law still recognized Kevin's letigimacy as the throne's heir.

And while his brother is busy running the country, he will be busy running the multinational company of the family. He was impressed by Mark's performance at the board room and he's glad that Nick's son has the willingness and the drive to be part of the team. He saw how intellectually competent Mark is and he hoped that David will be the same thing when he graduates from the university. He will make sure that he will finish his studies.

He immediately locked the door when he reached his office, prompting the secretary beforehand that he should not be disturbed. He tossed the envelope on top of his desk as he sat on the chair. He drew a deep breath.

Earlier, he and Alex had a briefing regarding an estate that will be handed to them as part of the family's legacy as royals. There were discussions on the ownership as well as on its maintenance and possible revenues. Howie thought that things were going smoothly until before the lawyer finished his meeting, he carefully brought up a topic about what he found on the public records in the city hall when he went there. It was far from the brothers' surprise, mostly Howie's.

It was something so unexpected because he never realized that he underestimated a serious relationship between two parties. He never thought that such would result to a binding commitment and he has not been aware or informed about this.

He drew a deep breath as he looked back to the envelope on the desk. He reached out to take out the documents and read what was indicated. He was still in shock as he stared at the big words at the heading of the document, MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. And there were concerning parties signed below but what struck him the most are the main participants. They are Laura Denise Birch and David Adrian Arthur Bordeaux, his son.

"Oh, my God. My son got married."



>> 13

13

Kevin closed the folder after signing it and turned to the other one for his study. It wasn't easy to be a king but he's going to perform this job as great as his father did. He looked up when there was a knock on the door. It opened to reveal his security and then followed by his wife.

He stood up to greet Cristin. "What brings you here, darling?" He kissed her. He noticed her tremble. "What's wrong?"

"I've been to Papa's office and didn't find him there. His secretary gave me a note addressed to Papa and it wasn't good."

"What does it says?"

"It's a death threat for them. My, God. I'm scared." Cristin said. Kevin pulled her into a hug. He takes the note that she showed him and read it.

"I'll have this investigated and we'll have additional security for Papa and Mama." He kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry. I'll be here." He picked up his phone and called somebody.

Cristin sat on the sofa, thinking and fearing for her sons. She already called them and their security. Christopher is in school and will be going home directly afterwards. Scott is in the university and will be in his dorm after classes. She looked up when her husband sat beside her.

"It will be alright, darling."

She nodded. "I arranged a project to raise some funds for housing and poverty. Kevin, I told you. I really like to do that and solve the problem."

"That will be great, darling. I'll support you. That will be your mother project, huh?"

Cristin nodded. "I'd like to be remembered for that, someday. Right now, I'll do everything I can to help the people." She leaned on him. "I've already read the military procedures sent to you yesterday. So after Scott's graduation, he will enter the training rather than take up the law exams?"

"He can have either of the two, darling. Christopher, on the other hand, told me that he wanted to take up Tourism Management at the Atheneum after high school."

"What about Layla?"

Kevin looked down to his wife. "Do you like her?"

"Kevin, I like her so much." Cristin smiled. "She will be a good candidate. But how are we going to tell this to them?"

"Just like my parents did, we'll start off by asking for Layla's hand from her parents."



~~~



"We're glad that you found time to join us tonight," Alex tells his brother, Kevin, when the latter joined them on a poker game in the Blue Room of the Bordeaux Castle. Since they got married and had families, they lost the time of spending it with each other. Apart from the Sunday lunch with their parents, they have thought of getting together every Thursday night.

"This is the only time I had to share with you some things." Kevin took a swig of his glass of whisky.

"I have something to share, too," Howie shakes his head.

"I think all of us got something to share tonight." Dominique said, who will be leaving to go back to Kreizig with his family tomorrow.

"Who should go first?" Nick asks as he placed his bet.

Brian raised his hand. "I found out that my son already has a girlfriend. Baylee can be really careless sometimes. I read his email drafts on his laptop when he asked me to check it once."

"So?" Alex shakes his head. He placed down his glass of wine after drinking it.

"It's Grethel Robinson, Karl's daughter." Everyone knows about his business rivalry with Karl Robinson. They looked at each other. Brian drew a deep breath. "Man, I don't interfere with my son's affairs but I can't take this."

"Well, Mark seemed to have a liking with the 'enemy' too," Nick quoted the last one with his fingers.

"Nadia Altman," Howie and Alex said at once and nodded. "Wow, to say that she's gorgeous is an understatement. Your son has a good taste." Alex added.

"I know. Well, it seemed that Mark's interest with her is a common knowledge to everyone," Nick frowned. "You should've seen his ex-girlfriend he lived with when he's in college. He thought that I didn't know that. They're living together as if they're a married couple. I even caught the girl once when I dropped by to see Mark but instead found an almost-naked woman in his pad." His brothers were laughing. "I'm just grateful that he didn't get her pregnant."

"Really?" Howie threw a card. "Here's mine. What if you learned that your son got married and knowing about it two weeks later?"

Everyone turned to him in surprise. "David?" Brian asked.

"He married Denise Birch two weeks ago. And he never even thought of telling it to us." Howie's jaw clenched.

"You don't like Denise?" Kevin asked him.

"Well, I think she's okay. She's actually the one going after my son," Howie replied.

"And you think that's okay?" Nick chuckled. "What if he got her pregnant and that's the reason he married her in the first place?"

Howie frowned at his youngest brother. "Oh, come on. I can't be a grandfather. I'm too young to be a grandpa." He shakes his head. He turned to Dominique. "And you, since we're talking about our kids here, care to share something about Cathy?"

Dominique smiled. "Apart from the pressure she's having as my heir, Catherine is actually a good kid. I haven't had reports of anything misdemeanor about her." He said. "I'm lucky."

"Misdemeanor, my ass," Alex muttered as he placed his card. "Wait 'til she grows up. They're quite a handful, my daughters, I mean. Jamie is a young socialite while Yssa is a young activist in school. Both were smart and nice girls but sometimes, I just couldn't understand them. I wished Olivia is here." His wife flew back to Spain to finish her masteral course in Ancient History. She's only home for two days for the turnover and then went back. Her husband and daughters supported her desire to learn more by going back to school. Why, she even mastered a training for swordfighting in Scotland as well.

"I can wait for that," Dominique replied. "If we get lucky, Ayesa and I are hoping for another child but we're not young anymore. It might be hard for Ayesa to get pregnant again. And even if our second one becomes a boy, Catherine will still be my heir. I won't deprive her that right just because she's female." Silence fell in the room. The poker game continued with some idle conversation.

Brian turned to Kevin. "Would you like to share with us about the update on the tradition?"

"What tradition?" Dominique asks. He looked at the other men in the room.

Kevin turned at his friend. "It's the tradition for the firstborn heirs to the throne that they will be promised to a person in a marital agreement."

"It still exists in this family?" Dominique's eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean? You and Cristin..."

Kevin nodded. "It's actually a tricky tradition, Duke. Here's the secret. Even though an heir is betrothed to someone chosen by the king and queen, he is still free to choose whoever he likes. This is one of the test to decision-making especially that the chosen betrothed is someone who has the qualities and capabilities to become a ruler standing side by side with her husband. It was more like either doing something for the country or following the heart's desires. It depends on how does the heir weighs the situation in order to come up with a decision."

"You mean, Sir Bennie and Madam Isabella were betrothed?" Dominique asks again.

Kevin shakes his head. "Papa was promised to another but he loves Mama so much that he fought for his love for her. It's a decision he made as a person who'd chosen to be with the person he loves. It's something that's very important to Papa and it's a trait he carried when he became king."

"Have you already chosen someone for Scott?" Nick asks.

Kevin smiled. "Layla."

"Layla?" They exclaimed almost all at once.

Kevin nodded. "What do you think?"

"I think she will be great." Brian said. "I've known her since they were kids. Baylee likes her a lot like a sister. And she gets along well with everyone else in the family. It's rare to know a person like that who sees us in an 'unroyalty' way, you know what I mean."

"Yvonne actually likes her a lot, too." Nick recalls. "And they had this similar interest on science. I just learned that she's specializing Cardiology in Med school. Bright kid, huh?"

Kevin nodded. "She's Papa's scholar." He shifted on his seat. "Cristin and I have set a meeting with her parents tomorrow. We'll talk about it."

"Do you think you're taking it too fast? The kids might be so surprised they might go against it. Instead of following the tradition, they won't follow it." Dominique said.

"As I've told you, things like that are part of the tradition." Kevin told him. "And I should act on this now. They are already twenty-two and this one had to last for ten years. They have time to know more about each other and if they didn't decide on their own fate, they would have to marry the other when the period lapsed."

"Ten years!" Dominique exclaimed. "I couldn't believe that such arranged marriage still existed in the twenty-first century. And you're tolerating this?" He looked at his friends.

"Actually," Howie filled in, "Kevin and Cristin found it as a blessing. And they only spent eight of those years and realized that they love each other. So it actually depends on the person involved."

Nick clapped. "I knew it! Let's bet."

"Grow up, Nick." Alex rolled his eyes.

"This is serious," Brian added.

"Fine." Nick leaned back on his chair.

Kevin cleared his throat. "So, here's the plan..."



>> 14

14

Layla was done walking the castle's dogs and was on her way home towards the employees' mini-village when she passed beside the castle. It's weekend and she's home with her family. And while at home, her chores include helping out in the kitchen at the castle, being assigned to clean the Winston Hall and walking the dogs at night. She enjoyed doing those things and those were the least she can do to show gratitude for the opportunity that was given to her to finish her studies.

And since it's weekend, most of the cousins are in Bordeaux Castle too. And because of the government's transition, security were tightened for them. She knew how those cousins don't like much on having bodyguards around them. So instead of going to the club to party, they brought the party in the castle - with the strict permission from the king, of course.

Layla saw luxury cars parked at the castle's garage. Those young people knows what to drive. She heard faint sounds of laughter in a hall somewhere in the castle. She continued to walk but her attention was caught at the sight of a silhouette among the shadows. She stopped walking.

"Layla!"

She turned and saw David and his girlfriend, Denise. She smiled to them, silently grateful that somebody turned up. She went to them and postponed her trip back home. "Hi, good evening. Why are you here outside? It seems like the party is in full swing and you're not there."

"We followed Scott and Mark. We saw them go here." David replied.

"Besides, we couldn't take the wild things that are going on inside," Denise added. "Ava and Jamie are at each other's throats again. They're fighting over a man."

Layla turned to David. "Aren't you supposed to be there to stop your sister?"

"Oh, I did. Believe me." David rolled his eyes. "But you can't stop them. Baylee decided to control the situation since it's Grethel's brother who's involved."

Layla didn't ask anymore about why Baylee had to be involved just because Grethel's brother is the man in the middle of the catfight. She knew that Baylee had something going on with Grethel. She saw the woman dropping by the castle many times and kissing him all the time. They were lucky that the media didn't know about them yet. Anything about them is always a topic of interest for the media. She only nodded in reply. "By the way, I have to go home."

"The night's still young. By the way, this is Denise, my wi... my girlfriend," David cleared his throat and glanced at his wife. He almost said it aloud. The two women shook hands.

"I thought he's not going to introduce me," Denise said with her usual enthusiasm.

Layla only smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Denise. Have you already had dinner? Because I haven't and since David seems like he doesn't want me to go yet, we can all talk in the kitchen while I prepare..." She screamed in surprise when someone unexpectedly tickled her on the waist. She turned and saw Mark and Scott smirking. "Oh, you!" She pushed the two. "We're no longer kids! Don't do that again." She touched her face and it felt warm. If only it's a little brighter in that place, they may have already seen her deep blush. Scott is looking directly at her and she remembered the kiss they shared at the university library.

"What are you going to prepare?" Scott asks her.

"I'm thinking about sandwich and pasta," she replied.

"Hey, let me help you. I'm hungry," Mark said. He puts his arm on her shoulders.

"I'll go get some wine," Scott only said. He walked away after that.

Mark turned to them. "What happened to him?" He saw Layla shrugged and walked off with Denise. He turned to David. "Is there something wrong with Scott? He seemed fine earlier. Was it because of Layla?"

David looked around first and then to his cousin. They followed the two ladies before them. "Actually, it's not her. But in a way, she reminded him of something that he learned recently about being an heir to the throne."

"Oh, seriously?" Mark raised an eyebrow.

David nodded. He toned his voice down. "If it happened that my Dad is the king and I'm his heir, I would have to undergo an arranged marriage. Luckily, I'm married."

Mark stopped walking. "What?" His exclamation made the two women in front of them to look at them. He knew about David's marriage. He's rather surprised about the term he heard, arranged marriage.



~~~



Layla placed down a bucketful of soapy water and went to get a rag. She had to clean the sink at the back of the house before she takes the clean clothes off the line and arrange the things she'll bring to the university. She looked up when she heard a commotion coming at the front of the house. There were people. She knew it. She could hear the excited voices of her father and mother.

She washed her hands before going to the front. Her mouth dropped open when she saw who are the visitors. It's no other than her new sponsors, King Kevin and Queen Cristin. Are they going to personally see and interview her as part of the educational program they had? She consciously tucked a hair strand behind her ear. She's glad that she was able to clean the house. The arrival of the king and queen is really unexpected.

"Here she is," Von, her father, said when she appeared from the back.

She smiled. "Good day, Your Majesties." She curtsied just like what her parents might have already done.

"We came here to talk about your future," Kevin said.

"Please come inside, Your Majesties." Her mother, Karla, said. Layla ushered the four inside the house. When she offered them refreshments, the king and queen politely refused.

"We've been here two days ago to talk with your father and mother. Now, we are here to talk to you on a very important matter." Cristin started. "We would like you to be prepared as we have chosen you." She glanced at her husband. Layla saw the love in the queen's eyes just like the ones she saw in her mother's. It envied her. She'd like to experience the same thing, someday.

"Listen to us, my dear," Kevin said warmly.

Layla nodded, "I'm all ears, Your Majesty."

Kevin glanced at her parents first and then to her. "The family has a tradition that can be traced back to hundreds of years before us. We call it 'maoadeux' in our native language."

"Commitment?" Layla translated the Arkadian word.

"Yes. In our family's tradition, the ruling monarch will set a commitment for his heir and it is something that will influence the heir's future responsibility to the crown." Kevin continued. Layla wondered what does that had to do with her, but she didn't voice it out.

"You're going to be a part of that commitment," the king continued.

Layla stared at them for a moment. She's going to be part of a tradition that involves the heir to the throne. Scott. "What will I do?"

"We couldn't think of any other way to say it." Kevin said. "To make it short, we're offering you, we chose you to be our son's future wife. I am talking about not only a commitment to our country but also to my son, Scott."

Layla's jaw dropped after the king's last statement. They chose her in an arranged marriage with Scott? It wasn't the Victorian area but she didn't know that such tradition still exists in the modern time. And they chose her among the elites, the rich and the famous. She wondered why. She's expecting that if Scott already knows about this, he might throw a fit. She knew him a lot to know that he only sees her as an impoverished woman, a scholar of his grandparents and a nobody compared to his socialite friends. They may have been friends but she always felt that barrier he set between them. Her heart beats faster at the challenge she's facing. Regardless on how much she loves the man, she doesn't want to marry him with that set of mind that he has. She turned to her parents. "Did you know this?"

Von nodded. "We've told Their Majesties that we value your insights and we will support you in any way you wanted to, in whatever your decision may be. We thought we had a choice but realized that it's something that we cannot refuse. It's an opportunity and a privilege to our family. Thus, we accepted this."

"We didn't know what to tell and how to say it. You're not prepared for this, at least not yet, Layla." Karla tells her daughter. "But whatever the case may be, Their Majesties have promised to help you prepare for this."

Layla bit her lower lip. Did they choose her for political reasons, that once the public learns that Scott has chosen a wife that is not within his society circle - a poor woman who can relate to the greater public, the poor - they will be able to influence Arkadians? She wanted to scream in frustration that she didn't have the option but she couldn't. This must be her fate.

"You're may be wondering the reason for choosing you. The basis are only simple yet profound," Cristin said. "We chose you because we already know you. We've known how good your heart is, your personality that inspires a lot of people here and your dedicated aspirations in life. We are here to give you more opportunity to be the best that you wanted to be because most of all, with the blessings coming from Kevin's father and mother, we believe that you will be a great queen someday."

Layla was thankful that she still heard what the queen is telling her for her heart is pounding wildly in her chest, she could hear it. She doesn't have a choice. She knew that arranged marriages will push through regardless of what the couple-to-be-wed feels about it. If she decides on this, there will be no turning back. They will hold on to her word. Her family's honor will be at stake. She had to think about this. This is a serious matter and the decision is vital.

Kevin nodded to his wife's statement. "We hope that you'd find this a great opportunity for yourself and your family. It's a big responsibility and strongly, we believe in you. And if you're thinking that you will marry Scott immediately, it will not be that easy. This commitment will not fully bind you with Scott. In this tradition, there is a ten-year period of getting to know each other. The public will never know about your betrothal. And you also have time to continue with your studies and training to become a doctor. We will continue to support you on that." He smiled at her.

Then, he continued, "In addition to this, your family will be awarded a nobility status. The royal family does not hold anything against you except your word of honor and our trust that someday, may it be after ten years or less, you will marry Scott."

Layla nodded. She drew a deep breath and nervously looked around. "This is really a surprise and unexpected." They smiled back to her. "Did Prince Scott already know?"

"Not yet." Kevin replied and glanced at his wife. "We will tell him tonight before he gets back to the university."

Layla thinks Scott will be mad once his parents told him about this. "This is a wonderful and a great opportunity for me and my family, Your Majesties. Thank you for your trust and confidence. I only wished that this would be kept private as I am aware of the media around Scott. This is new for me. I am not fit for this." She said. She hoped she had the time to think about this because in the process, it will surely make an impact and a major change in her life. But the king and queen offered it to her parents and they accepted. It's something that there's no way of turning back.



>> 15

15

Scott saw his father standing and facing the window. His hands on his back. His mother is sitting on the executive chair behind the large office desk. She looked up from the magazine she is reading and smiled to him. His father turned and smiled to him as well. He's been called for an important meeting and he wondered what is it all about. He walked towards them. He gave his mother a kiss on the cheeks and an affectionate pat on his father's shoulder. He stood before them.

"You said you wanted to tell me something?"

"Please take a seat," Kevin said. Scott feels that it's something very important. He took the visitor's chair while his parents were behind the large desk. "How are your studies? Are we expecting to see your march on the graduation day?"

"Yes, Dad." Scott smiled. "And then I'm planning to take the exams for the military course."

Kevin nodded. They already talked about his involvement with bringing back the monarchy. And they learned that Scott wanted to rule and he wanted to bring the legacy back to the family. He succeeded. He had many plans to help Arkadians now that he's in position as the heir to the throne. Kevin thought that his son only wanted to do things in his own way to improve the lives of the people. But Scott wanted it on a level that he has a great influence and what can be better than to be a royalty again? He shakes his head at that. His son is a schemer. Well, he's succeeding. He had his way. The family is now back to ruling the country. But Scott still had to face a lot of challenges before he becomes the man that he wanted to be.

"I should remind you again that having this title comes along some big responsibilities and that's what we wanted to talk with you about." Kevin crossed his arms across his chest. His mother is only silent. Scott knew that this is serious considering that she lets his father do the talking.

"First, as agreed, you will be going to the military school as an initiation to your duties as the heir. Your cousins: Mark, David, Baylee as well as Jamie and Ava will follow through but you're in high priority. It's important that you are well-versed on the army and defense system when you're destined to become king." Kevin gave him a folder. "That's an information manual for the course. Then, next..." His father glanced at his mother.

Cristin met her son's look. "Do you have a girlfriend, or do you like someone that you would like to go out or hang out with?"

"Why are you asking that, Mom?" When his mother raised an eyebrow in reply, he realized that her question is important and he should take it seriously. "Okay, sorry. No, I don't have a girlfriend. I'm not seeing anyone now. My mind is more focused on this responsibilty that I had especially that I'll be off from school soon." His thoughts suddenly went to a particular woman but he quickly brushed it off. He should focus on the agenda at hand. There's no room for any one right now. He wondered why did his mother ask him that?

Cristin and Kevin looked at each other when they saw their son paused as if he remembered something. "Scott, the question is relevant to the next agenda of this meeting." Kevin said as his wife nodded. Their son looked at them. Scott definitely looked like him when he was young that it was weird sometimes, like he's looking in front of a mirror. The only differences that they had from each other are his gray hairs and more matured face. He cleared his throat to continue. "Son, I will introduce you to an old family tradition. It's something that me and your Mom, as well as your grandparents have encountered. The family tradition can be traced back to hundreds of years before us. We call it 'maoadeux' in our native language."

"Commitment?" Scott translated the Arkadian word, just like what Layla did. "What do you mean by that?" His heart beats fast as he begins to realize that his father is pointing at the tradition he learned just recently.

"In a more understandable terms and to make it short, we call it as an arranged marriage."

"Huh? Dad? Is that true?" Scott's jaws dropped open. "Do I know the woman you've arranged for me?" His heart beats faster with anticipation.

Kevin and Cristin looked at each other and then, at him. "We have chosen Layla Sinclair." Kevin said.

Layla? He chuckled. "Come on, Dad. Layla, the gardener's daughter? I expect more than that."

"Scott!" Cristin exclaimed and would say more but her husband shushed him.

"What did she say?" Scott added.

Kevin smiled. "She said no. She doesn't want you, Scott. She rejected the offer of luxury and comfort, of power and influence."

"Typical of her..." Scott muttered. His chest tightened at the thought of being rejected. No one does that to him until now. Who does Layla thinks she is? "Well, since she didn't take the offer, you can look for another, much better."

Kevin shakes his head. "We can't find someone like her, son. If you can only see it the way we do, she's a gem. Politically, she will be a great asset. Personally, she's a wonderful woman. Our rejection didn't tamper what we thought and admired about her. She will be your betrothed, no matter what." When he saw his son frowned, he continued. "You didn't research about this fact, son. Me and your mother were betrothed actually but you should know that I've loved her even before I found out about it. It took us eight years before we get married," he glanced momentarily to his wife. "We didn't reach the ten-year period that we'd have to force ourselves to marry each other."

"There's a ten-year period? An allowance?" Scott shakes his head. The tradition is ridiculous from the start and it's getting worst. He only learned it this week as an hearsay and it bothered him. Now, his father and mother have finally laid it out before him. "At the least, the good thing here is that I won't have to marry her as soon as possible."

"There's no way for you to get away with this tradition, son. Otherwise, Chris will be my heir." Kevin said. He watched the various expression on his son's face. It really shocked Scott to learn about the tradition. His test has began. Scott would have to be careful with his decision. If he marries Layla, he will have the assurance to the throne but he may not be happy to spend it with someone he didn't love. But if he chose to go for the love of his life and rather give up the throne than to live without love, it will be the most noble sacrifice he will have in his life. Kevin and Cristin hope he will choose well.



~~~



Howie stared back at his wife, Adrienne. They have been talking about David's marriage and it upsets his wife. She drew a deep breath. "It's alright for me that they got married but I'm upset that they didn't bother telling it to us."

Howie nodded as he holds her hand and gives her a glass of water. "Then we will hear their reason now. They're coming anytime now."

Adrienne nodded. She drinks her water. "Everything that has been going on lately seemed like a dream." She stared at him. "I never thought about being a princess again. Things happened so fast." She leaned closer when Howie brushed her cheeks with the back of his hand. "I was thinking about the kids. What have we done wrong in raising them? I never spoiled the kids or gave them so much money. In fact, we've tried to teach them the importance of things. But sometimes, they tend to do something wrong..."

"I guess we'll have to wait for the right time for them to realize about the things they do. They will learn things in their own way. We've done enough that we could but we'll always be here to guide them."

Adrienne bit her lower lip. "Hold me close, Howie, my darling. I want to feel that things are going to be alright."

Howie did. He embraced his wife. "We will make things alright, sweetheart. I love you so much."

"I love you, too." And their lips met for a sweet kiss. After some time, they sat on the couch of the room, just holding each other's hand. Howie glanced at his watch. A knock came on the door. They stood up as David and Denise entered the room.

Howie congenially greeted his son and his secret wife. "How are you?" Denise greeted them with a firm handshake and a nervous smile in return. Adrienne gave her a kiss on both cheeks.

"Your Mom and I are planning for a party for the both of you. Tomorrow," Howie walked towards the center table to get the envelope and gave it to David. "I'll speak with our lawyer to legalize Denise's title as a princess. We can't just let her go around as a plain Denise. I think she deserved more recognition than that because I believe that she's your wife now, David."

David, who's looking at his marriage certificate found in the envelope, looked up to his father in surprise.

"Surprised?" Adrienne asked them. She saw Denise quickly glanced at her husband. The two were speechless. She and Howie knew that David wasn't used to hiding secrets from them. He's the nicest son among their children. Erienne is neutral while Ava is the worst.

Howie shakes his head, showing his disappointment. "Even though you're married already, I will see to it that you will finish your schooling. You, David, are required to enter the military school like your cousins. You, Denise, will be supported with your studies. My wife and I have talked about giving you the house in Jordin, as a place to start, but only when you graduate college. For now, you will still stay in Jade." He added, pertaining to the mansion where they live right now.

"I'm sorry, Dad, Mom, that I wasn't able to tell you this." David started to speak.

"But do you intend to?" Howie asked.

"Yes..."

"When?" Howie asked again.

"When I find the right time..."

"When the media finds out, that's when we'll know." Howie interrupted him again. "Who else knows about this?"

David met his father's look. "Dad, don't be mad at them. I told them to keep quiet for a while although they deeply advised me to tell you."

"Who?"

"Ava knows, as well as Mark and Baylee. Brad knows, too. He's the witness..." His voice trailed down when he realized that his best friend's name was in the signatory of the marriage certificate. He cleared his throat. He gripped his wife's hand tight. "Don't worry, Dad, Mom. We're going to finish our studies. We promise you that. And we will announce that we're married, but that's after Denise and I have talked to her family."

"Your family still doesn't know about this, too?" Adrienne asked and glanced at his son's wife.

"We will do it now, Madam," Denise said for the first time. "I have to tell my parents. It's about time."

"Call me Mom from now on." Adrienne told her. "We'll go with you and we will tell your parents. We will formally ask for your hand in marriage so that you can have a church wedding."

"Church wedding..." Denise looked at David. "Do you want that? What about...?"

"We will have a church wedding, Denise." David tells her.

"What's going on?" Howie asked. Something has happened that compelled them to marry each other. He needs to know what really happened and if they are in love with each other or if their relationship is only physical. He needs to clarify it before they proceed with the plans of a church wedding.



>> 16

16

Baylee wore his shirt and went to kiss Grethel. They spent the night in one of the rooms in Bordeaux Castle. But they only slept, as in rested and only lying together in one bed. No sex. He'll be missing his girlfriend since he needs to go back to the university and get ready for the final exams. "You looked great, as always."

"Thank you," Grethel kissed him again. "I miss you already." They chuckled.

"Are you ready to tell everyone tonight?"

"I don't care about anything anymore. I just want to be with you. How about you?"

"I don't care about anything anymore, too. I just want to be with you, too." Baylee ushered her towards the door. When he opened it, they were surprised to see his father, Brian, standing by the doorway.

Brian looked at them for a moment and then asked, "What's going on?"

Baylee is nervous. How did his father learn that he's here and spent the night with Grethel? He puts his girlfriend behind him. "Dad, I can explain."

"Please do," Brian calmly replied. He gestured them back in the room where they settled down on the couches. He faced the couple. "Baylee?"

"We love each other, Dad. And no one's going to keep us apart from each other." Baylee protectively gripped Grethel's hand tighter.

"Who says about keeping you apart? I only wanted to ask why are you here? You spent the night together? Did you have sex?"

"No!" The two said almost at once. Baylee cleared his throat. "We never did it since we started this relationship, Dad. It's something special we both wanted to share someday." He glanced at his girlfriend.

"I'm planning to tell this to Dad today, sir," Grethel tells Brian. "It's hard to go on like this, hiding as if we did something wrong. We happened to love each other and I don't see anything wrong with that."

"What if I told you to leave Baylee alone? Don't show yourself ever."

"Dad!"

Grethel took a deep breath. "I don't want to come across you, sir. It's something that's hard for me to do and I hope you won't tell me to do that. But then, I don't care. I will stick with Baylee, unless he doesn't want me anymore."

"Of course, not!" Baylee turned to her. "That will never happen."

Brian saw the fear in their eyes. Their love and their relationship is too young but he can see the conviction on the relationship they are trying to keep. "If your father will not accept your relationship and kicks you out of the house, this castle has quite a number of rooms for you to choose from and stay for a while. But, I want you to promise me something."

Baylee and Grethel looked at each other. Their eyes do the talking. They turned to him almost at the same time. "What is it, Papa?"

"As you've told me earlier, no sex. Kiss but no sex. I'm too young to be a grandfather. You must have known about David and Denise already and my cousin, Howie, is fearing he'll be the first grandfather among us," Brian chuckled. "And the most important thing is I want you to finish your studies. Two or three years are not long enough and I know you can wait to be older and mature enough to jump in to a more serious level of your relationship."

"Yes, Dad," Baylee smiled. Grethel smiled and nodded too. "Thank you for understanding."

Brian only nodded as he stood up. "Don't lose my trust, children. Now, let's go for breakfast. Your mother is waiting, as well as your cousins. I think David and Denise will be announcing their marriage to everyone..." He walked ahead of them but stopped when he heard his son called him.

"How did you know about us?" Baylee asked him.

Brian smiled knowingly. "You can't keep a secret for a long time, Baylee, especially to us. Some time, when we're free, I'll introduce you to Toby, he's our man." He turned and continued on his way.



~~~



Scott saw himself in a mirror when he passed by a corridor. He looked immaculately royal with his three-piece suit as he got himself ready for his engagements before he goes back to the university in the evening. But before he proceeds to his waiting secretary, he went to his office first. It's a private office that was given to him at the Pearl Palace as an heir to the throne. When he's not in school, that will be the place he will hold his office work.

He went inside and as expected, Layla is already waiting for him. She stood up when he entered. He stopped in the middle of his office, a few distance from her. They stared at each other for a while. "How does it feel?" He asks her.

"Excuse me?"

"You will get what you desired, Layla. You will be a princess. You will marry me and someday, you will be queen. That's very strategic of you. I've known that the likes of you will have an agenda like this. You will never stop until you get it. How does it feel?"

"I didn't come here to be insulted, Prince Scott," she emphasized his title with sarcasm. There's hurt in her eyes. "I rejected the offer because I know that the likes of you regarded themselves as high and mighty and I never wanted to be with people like that. Sadly, I don't have the choice." She looked at him straight in the eye. "There's no point of staying here longer. I have to go. I have ten years to endure this pretense and probably a lifetime in hell with you."

"You don't speak like that to the prince of Arkadia." Scott tells her.

"You don't speak like that to the person who gave you confidence to where you are right now." Layla gave him a glare as he was caught off guard with her retort. She seized the moment and quickly walked out of the office.

As Layla walks down the hall, she tried not to cry. It hurts so much to see Scott see her as nothing but a commoner and trying to make her way into the circle of the aristocrats, the rich and the famous. It wasn't her intention nor her desire to be part of that world. She only came to love Scott and she doesn't even know why and how it transpired. She cared for him a lot and she wondered how is she going to face the future, with him as a constant reminder of what's going to happen in her life.

She saw a door opened on her right and out came Mark and his father, Nick. She hides her sadness with a smile. "Good morning, Your Highnesses." She greeted as she stopped walking to let them go ahead. But the two tall men looked at her with amusement in their eyes.

"Come on, Layla." Mark takes her hand. He's really a very likeable person among the cousins. "Are we going to get through this again?"

"Mark is still not used to the title, Layla," Nick said, "although I suggest you may call him by his name, too, but that's only when we're alone and in private." He winked at her. "Where have you been?"

Layla glanced to where she came from and saw Scott walking towards them. "Uh, I just came from the library, Your Royal Highness." She wasn't ready to face Scott's relatives yet on the terms that she is betrothed to him.

Scott heard her reply. She's not only a schemer but also a liar. He saw Mark holding her hand. His cousin saw him and smiled. Mark lets go of Layla's hand and waved at him. "You looked perpetually suited in your title," he tells Scott with a chuckle.

"I have a speaking engagement in the next hour." Scott replied. "What time is your flight, Uncle Nick?"

"Three in the afternoon. Me and Mark still have an engagement at the children's hospital before lunch." Nick said. "After that, your father will be at the airport in time for our flight. How about you? When will you be back to the university?" The men looked at Layla.

"I'll be back today, Your Royal Highness. I have to attend a medical convention at the auditorium by 1PM." Layla answered. She glanced at Scott.

"I'll be back tonight. I have several duties to attend to before I go back to school." Scott said. "And then Layla and I will be having dinner tonight at the Merc's." He added. Layla didn't say anything.

Mark nodded. "That's nice to hear. You're getting to know each other, huh? That's great."

Nick didn't comment on that. "We have to go. Bye, Layla." He gave her a kiss on the cheeks. "We'll be welcoming you to the family soon, huh? Bye, Scott." Mark did the same as he kissed Layla.

"I'll go ahead, too, Your Highnesses." Layla smiled and when the men made a way for her, she walked ahead of them. Scott watched her go. He didn't know why he suddenly decided to take her out for dinner tonight. And it irritated him when he saw her hand being held by Mark's.



~~~



Mark stood by the bookshelf of his new office at the Pearl Palace and researching for a certain topic for the business. He is preparing for the follow-up exam he had to take in the Graduate School of Atheneum University. He just started his five-week business training program. He wanted to do it well.

His mobile phone rang. He saw his grandfather's name on the caller ID. "Hi, grandpa. Good day!"

"Mark, I called to tell you that I'm inviting you for dinner here in Eastwood tonight." Benedique said on the other line.

"Sure, grandpa. What's up with tonight? Is there anyone else aside from me?" Mark placed the book he's holding on the desk and sat at the visitor's chair.

"Well, your whole family will be here tonight. I'm giving a farewell dinner before they leave for the States."

"Count me in, grandpa."

"Alright, that's just about it. I have to go. Bye, Mark."

"Bye, grandpa. Thanks," Mark hung up. He sat in silence for a while. He almost forgot that his dad and the rest of the family will be going home to Florida. He had to buy something for his siblings later. He'll ask his bodyguard to go with him at the mall otherwise, he will not be able to go out. The royal family has been receiving threats lately and his uncle Kevin strictly imposed tight security for everyone. He never felt normal again since the takeover. More so, when the traditional turnover ceremony will take place next month.

He heard a knock on the door before it opened and revealed Gary, his bodyguard. "Yes, Lt. Gary?" He smiled.

His bodyguard returned it. "Your Royal Highness, Miss Nadia Altman is here."

His heart raced upon hearing that announcement. He stood up as he nodded, motioning Gary to let his guest enter the office. He quickly arranged his suit. He watched as Nadia entered the office. Gary courteously closed the door behind her and stayed outside. "Nadia Altman, what graced your presence here?"

"You're flattering." Nadia said.

It surprised Mark. "What do you mean?"

Her reply is a magazine thrown to him. He caught it with his hands. It's a society magazine that featured the royal cousins: him, Scott, David, Baylee and Jamie, the only woman among the group. "It clearly stated there that you are attracted to me. We know that's bullshit." Nadia said. "We hate each other. But if you want to use my name to get you somewhere in this country, foreigner, be my guest."

Mark smiled. He shakes his head. "This is the reason you're here? How pathetic."

"Excuse me?"

Mark went towards the door, not to open it but rather to lock it. He turned back to her. "I said it's pathetic. You just don't go here and wasting your time and telling me about this. Why are you really here?"

"Are you going to do something with me that's why you locked the door?" Nadia asked him instead.

"I don't need interruptions during confrontations. Spill it, Nadia. What do you want?"

"The company. I want your family business."

"Why don't you just give up, Nadia? I thought I've cleared it in the board room on the first time we met." Mark frowned. He walked towards her.

"I don't want just the 10 percent share. I'd like to be the majority shareholder and I want yours." Nadia boldly replied. He watched her moved closer, meeting him halfway. "I'm going to take the opportunity that you're attracted to me. I'm planning to make you mine."

"That's very honest of you, Nadia."

"Well, would you rather have someone with a hidden agenda or me, knowing what I really want from you?" Nadia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

"I never thought you'd stoop down to this level of using yourself, or your body for that matter, just to get what you want. Scott is right. You're a crazy woman." They stared at each other for a while.

"Yes, I maybe am," Nadia closed the gap between them as she reached to kiss him full on the mouth. Mark grinned to himself. A plan came to mind but he will tell it in time.



>> 17

17

There were a convoy of police escorts and black Range Rovers with the royal security inside. The people at the airport looked in anticipation as they know that this is the day that the youngest brother of the king will be going back to the US with his family. Kevin decided to see his brother and his family off to the States. Nick would not be back unless he's needed. He will settle back in Florida until he and Yvonne retire. So, it will take time before Nick will set foot to Arkadia again.

Two black limousines arrived. Two men from the security went out of the cars followed by Nick. He took Yvonne's hand and held it tight. Their luggages were already being taken for check-in. Another limousine arrived after a set of the police convoy. Kevin and his father, Benedique, came out from it.

Mark held his twin brothers' hands as they walked towards the lounge of the airport. He shakes his head. His family seemed so important. Well, they are. They're the royal family now. He saw his father and his uncle and grandfather talking. His mother is taking Yves with her. "Remember what I told you," he turned to the twins, Neil and Nate. "Study well and take care of Mom and Yves."

"You promised you'll visit in summer, Mark," Neil says. Mark is close with the twins. And they looked up to him as a big brother and as a role model.

"I will, promise." Mark smiled down to them. The airport staff ushered them towards the lounge where they will wait for the boarding call from the authorities who are in charge of the royal plane. Kevin made sure they will safely be back to the States by using the royal plane.

When they got inside the lounge, Yvonne quickly followed. The other men weren't there yet. "Where's Dad and the others?" Mark asks.

"They were still talking to the security and some palace staff outside." Yvonne said. She turned to him. "Take care, my darling." She hugged him. "God, you're very much grown up now. If only your mother can see you, she would be very proud of you." She traced Mark's face with her fingers. "I love you, son."

Mark smiled and embraced her. "I love you, too, Mom. Thank you for everything. Don't worry as I will take care of myself here." The door opened as a staff came in with food. Nate got the chance to sneak out with his twin to go to their father. The bodyguards were quick to follow them.

"Take a watchful eye on your uncle and grandpa, too," Yvonne tells him. They went out of the lounge, with Yves following behind. They saw the twins standing beside Nick. "There have been death threats on them. I'm so worried that I wanted to stay but your father thought it best that we should go home. He'll be back here once a month to perform his duties as a royal."

"I'll take note of everything you said, Mom," Mark said. They saw Benedique laughing with Kevin, Nick and some airport official. The former king saw them and waved. "Grandpa is such a nice guy."

"I'm going to miss him," Yves agreed. She walked ahead and went to hug their grandfather.

"Mark will be in good hands," Kevin said, winking at his eldest nephew. Mark will be living with his cousins at the Bordeaux Castle. Kevin is comfortable with that. He knew that his nephew is mature and responsible and he will be able to influence his cousins to do the right thing with their lives.

"He can do it. I believe in him." Benedique said. He's holding Yves' hand. "That performance in the board room blew the Cass Holdings away." He chuckled. "But I bet he'd rather impress the woman than us, don't you think?"

Mark's face flushed red as they began to tease him. He remembered Nadia's visit in his office. He is aware that the elders will know about it. Nothing is a secret in the family now but things never came out of the palace walls. He's confident of that. David's marriage is a hard proof on that. He smiled shyly for his grandfather is telling the truth. He really wanted to impress Nadia. They are still laughing when he opened his mouth to speak. He turned to his father. "Do you think that it's time for you to have your passports be presented to the immigrations?"

"He's changing the topic," Yves laughed. She received a glare from her brother in return. Mark followed his father when Nick went inside the lounge. Their family was left outside and having a chat with the airport and airline staff.

"Dad, may I talk to you in private?"

Nick smiled. "Of course," he gestured the lone sofa at the corner of the exclusive room. "What about?"

Mark cleared his throat. "I know you learned about Nadia's visit in my office yesterday..." he started. "She still wanted the company and she wanted to use me to get the majority of the shares."

"Mark, those shares were mine. I have given it to you because you're my son. You can do whatever you want with it but you have to take care of it. How dare is she? She's very bold to tell her plans to you."

Mark nodded. "She is. And I have a plan."

Nick looked at his son. "I don't know if I will like that plan, Mark. Sometimes, it backfires."

Mark smiled sheepishly. "Well, it's a crazy plan but I will take my chances. I'm planning to bet my heart and my shares on it."

Nick's face looked alarmed when he heard the key words. "Wait a minute. What do you mean by that, Mark Nicholas?"

"I will let her use me and try to seduce me for a month. If she fell in love with me, she can have my shares. If she didn't, I will have hers."

"How would you know that she fell for you?"

Mark grinned. "Dad, how did you know that you love Mom?"

"I knew it by heart. She's the only one for me."

"Then I share the same thing with you, Dad. Nadia is the one."

Nick shakes his head. "I can't believe this. No, Mark. You can't risk your shares with the company. Knock the sense out of this. It's bullshit. Don't do this. It's for your sake. Don't waste it to an opportunist such as her."

"It will be my regret, Dad, but you know me. I don't risk a situation unless I am confident that I will win it. I know my chances here."

"You're a fool, Mark. Stop this. Don't do this." Nick still insisted. He watched as Mark shakes his head. "Mark... I will be very disappointed."

"Then tell me what should I do? It's the only thing that she wants from me, but I want her. I want to show her that I want to know more about her. I like her so much, Dad." Mark sighed in frustration. "Is there any other thing that I can offer her but the shares?"

Nick took a deep breath. "Mark, you're the only one who's giving the problem to the situation. Just ignore her and what she wants. But as you've said, you want her and if you want her so bad and she wanted the majority of the shares, there's only one thing I can think of without the risk of losing the shares you hold in the company. At the same time, you can have her anytime you want." He rolled his eyes. "Damn, I can't believe I'm saying this. I can't believe that I'm telling you this." He sighed.

"What is it, Dad?"

"Offer her a royal title. Ask her to marry you."



~~~



Isabella arrived at the airport which surprised everyone. It is unexpected. Her armed security ushered her inside. When Benedique saw her, he immediately went to her side. "My God, Isabella. Why came here so unexpected? It's dangerous."

"You forgot me. I came to see Nick and Yvonne off to Florida." Isabella replied.

"But you were in a charity engagement so I thought..." Benedique chuckled when his wife playfully poked him on the ribs. "Alright, I'm sorry. By the way, they are still here. Nick is having a one-on-one talk with Mark at the lounge."

"I don't like Nadia Altman," Isabella frowned as they went towards the lounge, "if that's what they are talking about. She's Conrad's granddaughter. I don't want anything to do with him or his family. I knew that reason he wanted to gain access in your company is because of revenge. If I know better, he had something to do with the death threats."

"Anyone can threaten us, dear, but I'm not ignoring that possibility. Come on," Benedique ushered her inside the lounge. Mark is standing in the corner while Nick and Kevin are talking with Yvonne. "Your mother is here." He announced. Their grandchildren went to kiss Isabella on the cheeks. Benedique is expecting to hear something playful from Mark but his grandson is only silent. He wondered what's going on in him. He may had to ask later when Nick is gone.

They turned when the royal travel staff came in the lounge, announcing that the plane is ready. Nick is holding Yvonne's hand and they embraced Isabella.

"Bye, Mama..." Yvonne said, as well as Nick. "I told you. Take care and don't forget the medicines."

Isabella wiped her tears. "I know, darling. Take care of your family, too. I love you," she turned to her grandchildren.

Benedique hugged his son and daughter-in-law. "Take care. We'll visit you when our schedule becomes free." He kissed Yvonne on the cheeks. "Your husband needs a little loving, I guess. Look at him," he joked at Yvonne. Nick looked at them in question as his face looked blank. Yvonne laughed.

"Don't worry, Papa. The kids will be back in school. There'll be plenty of time." Yvonne returned.

Kevin laughed at the exchange. "Okay, time to go. Take care." He kissed Yvonne on the cheeks and hugged his brother.

"Geez, Kev. I never thought I'll be going back as a royal. I wonder how the kids will be treated in school. I'm glad they're going to a private school. I could handle the security for them." Nick sighed. "We have to go. Bye, brother. Watch over Mark for me." They hugged for the last time.

Mark waited for his parents to turn to him. His mother gave him a hug. "I'll miss you, son. Take care. Don't give your uncle Kevin a hard time, okay? And be careful with Nadia Altman. I know you..." Yvonne raised an eyebrow on him.

Mark met his father's look as he only nodded to his mother as a reply. "Thanks, Dad. I'll think about it."

Nick hugged his eldest child. "You better be. It's a very complicated matter."

After a few exchange, Nick's family was finally ushered towards the boarding area and to the royal plane that is waiting for them. It's a Boeing 747 that has been specially designed for the Arkadian royalty. The interiors were accentuated with gold. There were three bedrooms, two executive offices, a board room, a dining room and kitchen, three large bathroom and a jacuzzi. It was donated by the Sultan of Brunei, for the return of the monarchy, after the latter has its new royal plane, a specially-designed Boeing Dreamliner, the largest airplane in the world today.

Mark watched as his father, mother, sister and brothers disappeared in view. He couldn't get the conversation with his father out of his mind. He needs time to think about it. It is something that is really complicated and he doesn't want to jump into sudden decisions.



~~~



Kevin saw from the window of his office the media crowding around a newly-arrived gray Mercedes. He knew to whom it was. The car was a gift from Nick to his son, Mark, as he starts his new life in Arkadia. He felt Howie stood beside him. "Look at him. Nick said he's given Mark his blessings to go out with Nadia Altman." He tells Howie. They saw the security trying to ward off the media as Mark gets out of the car and opened the passenger side to reveal Nadia. They walked hand in hand towards the palace.

"Do you think she's serious with Mark?" Howie asked. "Mama is so mad at him because she couldn't accept that he's going out with her. She obviously doesn't like Nadia, something about her family."

"The animosity puzzled me, Howie. I've never seen Mama hated someone so much. That wasn't like her. My curiosity led me to ask our royal historian about this and I found out something." Kevin shakes his head. "I didn't expect that it could have happened."

"What?"

Kevin looked at his brother. "Conrad Altman was their schoolmate in the university. He's also one of Mama's admirers and his frustration that she chose Papa over him led him to do something that never came out to the press, but a knowledge kept within Mama and Papa's circle of close friends. He attempted to rape Mama."

Howie gasped. His knuckles turned white. "Fortunately, it didn't happen."

"Yes," Kevin's jaw clenched. "King Louisse, Dominique's father who happened to be one of Papa's best friends, came and was able to stop Conrad. If I'd see that man, I wouldn't know what to do. I hope Mark is not serious with this Nadia Altman. We don't want someone from Conrad's family be part of ours."

"But how are you going to stop Mark? You're not his father, in the first place, Kevin. You can't dictate him to do the things your way."

"I told Nick everything and he'll be here this weekend to talk to his son." Kevin shakes his head.

"What if they truly love each other? How can you stop that? We knew firsthand how it'd drove us crazy with just the thought of being separated with our wives. We understand how hard it would be. What if Mark and Nadia felt the same way? Are we still trying to keep them apart?"

"Yes. I don't care, Howie. I will make sure that Nadia will never be a part of this family."



>> 18

18

"You're doing great, just as I wanted."

Nadia closed the door of her apartment. She turned and saw her grandfather, Conrad Altman, sitting on a couch.

"Leave, grandpa. Mark will be coming in an hour."

Conrad stood up. "Well, I only came to congratulate you. As we've talked about weeks ago, I want you to have that majority shares from their company. And when you do that, you will be able to get your Dad."

"I can assure you that, grandpa." Nadia said. Her jaws clenched. "How's my father?"

"Okay, I guess. He's out of the asylum. That's what you want, right?"

"He doesn't belong there. He's not crazy." Nadia said. Her grandfather only replied with a laugh as Conrad makes her way out of the apartment. When he's gone, that's when Nadia gives in to her emotions. She sat down on the couch and cried. Her life's never great since her mother died when she was twelve. Her dad couldn't take it. He had a severe nervous breakdown and hasn't been the same since. He couldn't even recognize her anymore. Her grandfather thought it will be best to put him in a medical facility for the mentally ill but Nadia had faith that her father will be fine and he needs to be around his family to help him get well. Her grandfather didn't see it that way. Conrad is more than glad to get rid of his son and to groom Nadia as the heiress of his wealth. But after what has happened in her family, Nadia would rather want to take care of her father. Conrad knew her weakness and he took it in his advantage to use her and her business acumen to get what he wants and gain more wealth. He took her father away and the only thing she needs to do to get him back is to follow his orders. But she couldn't understand his obsession for the family business of the Bordeaux royal clan. She knew that there's a story behind this and she intends to know about it. Mark will be her key to everything, including her freedom. She could feel his intense attraction towards her. Just like her grandfather, she will take advantage of it. She will do anything just to be with her father and be free from her grandfather.

Her musings were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. She wiped the tears first and checked herself on the mirror. She took more minutes to conceal her eyes. When she's done, she went to the door. She opened it and revealed Mark. He held out a bouquet of flowers for her. Since they went public with their 'relationship', Mark became sweeter that she's starting to appreciate every thing he does. There was never a man who would take an extra effort to do special things for her, to make her feel loved. But although he seemed to be giving out his heart to her, she still didn't have the very thing that she wanted from him: his shares in his family's company.

"Are you ready?" Mark asked her.

"For?"

Mark stared at her. "We're having dinner at Eastwood. My grandparents wanted to meet you."

"Oh..." Nadia can only say. She heard a lot of things about the former Queen Isabella, mostly were positive. She seemed to be a very nice person. Nadia hoped the evening would turn out better. "Wait. I still have to change." She moved away before Mark could stop her.

"You just arrived from work?" She heard him asked.

"Yes. What should I wear, something formal or casual?"

"Smart casual." Mark smiled. She left him sitting on the couch and went in her room. He looked around the small living room area of the apartment. Nadia said she personally designed everything according to her taste. The living room was smaller than the sitting room of his bedroom at the castle but this one has that homey feeling. He likes it. But he wondered how could someone like her, a granddaughter of a rich man, would live in such a small place? Without exaggeration, the combined area of his bedroom and his office is already the total area of her apartment.

He stood up and walked towards a small table filled with photo frames of Nadia, of herself, with her friends, her grandfather and a couple of whom he recognized as her parents. He researched about it before and found out that her mother died when she was twelve. Her father disappeared after that. The tragedy in her family must have contributed to the person she has become. He wanted to be part of her life. Everyday, his feelings become deeper and he cared for her happiness more than his. He only wished that his family would see that but they knew her as the enemy. He will try to change that impression.

"Let's go."

He turned and saw her. She's now wearing a red sleeveless turtleneck top and black free-flowing pants. Her hair cascaded loosely down her back. She only applied a simple makeup on her face that doesn't seem to be there at all, but she still looked fresh. He wanted to kiss her but stopped himself.

He waited as she gets her purse and then walked towards him. She placed her hand on his arm and they went out of the apartment. Just a few walk towards the small gate and they were already greeted by the bodyguards who were waiting with the paparazzi. They ignored them as they get inside the car and it sped off.

"Is there anyone else aside from your grandparents?" Nadia asked him.

He shakes his head. "Eastwood is where my grandparents considered to be their home. We were invited tonight to join them for dinner. I have to come and I'm bringing you along."

"You can't refuse?"

Mark turned to her. "My grandparents are old, Nadia, plus I haven't spent a lot of my growing up years with them since we migrated to the States. You have a grandfather. At least, you should understand that."

"If I only have a choice..." he heard her muttered. He wondered what does she mean by that. "I can feel that your family doesn't like me."

"You're sensitive at that point." He remarked.

Nadia sighed. She looked out through the glass windows of the Bentley, Benedique's personal vehicle that picked up Mark from his workplace. She wondered when will she have a peaceful life without thinking or feeling the anymosity of the people around her. She doesn't even know if Mark feels the same way. Sometimes he can be sweet and sometimes, he can be so cold that it felt awkward for her to get along with him. She doesn't know him that well and although she gave in and decided to know him more, he has already built a wall between them.

She looked at him. If only circumstances were different, she will enjoy the moments she's with him. It's not hard to fall for him. Just like the elder gentlemen in his family, he is a nice person with a big heart. He's a very likeable person. But now, she needs to prioritize on getting her father first before getting herself seriously involved with him...if only she will be given the chance.



~~~



Isabella heard the faint voices of people talking downstairs. Her grandson and his girlfriend are already here. She raised an eyebrow. She turned down the hall and towards the mezzanine area where she can clearly see the happenings downstairs. True enough, Mark and Nadia are there with her husband. She saw Mark hugged Benedique and then Nadia shook hands with her boyfriend's grandfather. Well, she is beautiful. There's no doubt about that. But there's something in her that Isabella feels is wrong, or she cannot trust. When she heard them looking for her, she made her presence known.

"I see that you finally arrived." She said.

The three looked up and saw her. Mark smiled widely and joked something about her and her idleness to walk further because of rheumatism. She couldn't help but chuckle. She's still mad at him for going out with Nadia Altman but her grandson is a very charming young man. "You're such a silly boy, Mark. You're really your father's son," she rolled her eyes. She left the balcony and went down. Her husband greeted her at the foot of the stairs.

"Good evening, grandma," Mark kissed her on both cheeks and briefly hugged her. "How are you? You looked great in yellow!"

"If you don't have a girlfriend, I'd think you're gay," Isabella chuckled. She turned to Nadia.

"Here's my lovely girlfriend, grandma. I'm sure you already heard the gossip from aunt Monique. Let me formally introduce you." Mark said. "Nadia, this is the nicest woman on earth, next to my Mom, Grand Duchess Isabella. And this is my lovely beau, Nadia Altman."

Just like what she did earlier, Nadia smiled, "It's my greatest honor to meet you, Your Majesty," and extended her hand.

Isabella shook her hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Altman. Or may I call you by your name?"

"Nadia is fine, Madam."

Isabella nodded. She turned to Benedique who gave her a knowing look. She knew it. He knows about her adversity to meet Nadia but they have to do it. They learned from Nick that Mark might be planning to ask her to marry him and although it's something they would be happy to hear, for Isabella, it will be far from good news if Mark will marry Nadia. She doesn't want Mark to have anything to do with Conrad Altman. Oh, how she loathed the name and the person! She promised herself not to cross paths with him. But how is she going to prevent Mark from doing the wrong thing?

The butler cleared his throat to get their attention. "Excuse me, Your Majesties, ladies and gentlemen... The dinner is ready at the main dining hall."

"Thank you." Isabella went to hold Benedique's hand. Mark offered his arm in which Nadia took.

Throughout dinner, Nadia can feel that Mark's grandparents are only civil in front of their grandson but she can feel their dislike towards her. The issue about trying to buy out the company is slowly dying and she's hoping that they would forget it. But it seems like aside from that issue, there seemed to be something else that triggers their indifference towards her.

She has no problems with Mark's grandfather. Grand Duke Benedique is trying to make a conversation in a civil manner but Duchess Isabella would rarely look at her and talk to her. Her eyes were always averted towards Mark or her husband. Her chin raised high and her eyes looked strict. Nadia felt intimidated and insecure.

"What? Why?" She heard Mark asked.

"He wants to talk to you about something," Isabella replied. Her eyes turned to Nadia.

Mark didn't say anything. Benedique continued. "Nick will be arriving this weekend, at the least. He wanted to come as soon as possible."

So Mark's father is coming back after only a few days since he left. Nadia wondered the reason for the urgency. She's getting paranoid when she thinks that it must be concerning her. She met Mark's look. "I'm looking forward to meet your Dad," she tells him. Mark smiled.

"You will like him, that's for sure."

"By the way," Benedique said, "just like Scott, you will have to enter the military school for a short course. But unlike your cousin, you only had to attend a three-month training to familiarize it."

"Is it because he's a prince?" Nadia asked Benedique.

"Yes, as a prince, he needs to be well-versed on the armed forces of the country in case of war." The Bordeaux patriarch replied.

"I heard that my dad was the only one who didn't went to the military," Mark said with a chuckle.

"He's the youngest and still studying in the university when monarchy was abolished then. Normally, everyone should pursue a short familiarization course as part of a royal initiation after their days in the university, except for the throne's heir in which is required to complete the full course. Nick didn't experience that. He's a very special child," Benedique smiled. Among his sons, Nick is the one dearest to his heart. "I suppose you already know how did he and Yvonne meet."

"Well, I was only told that Dad was doing a bartending job in Florida and saw Mom on her drunken state and asked him for another shot of some cocktail drink. He refused to give her until they came down to taking drinking bets. Dad won when Mom was down to sleep after a drink. He volunteered to take her home but Dad wasn't used to drinking much so uncle Luke drove instead."

"Your father came to America anonymously," Isabella added. "He only left a letter telling us that he wanted to experiment his life being invisible. You should understand the media's great interest in you and your family because Nick is their favorite subject among the royalty. He's the most photographed and most scrutinized and that's why he chose to bring his family in the US for less exposure and to protect you at the same time."

"I see. I've been wondering about the attention on me. Now I know where it is coming from." Mark glanced at Nadia and smiled.

"Their interest probably grew when you found yourself a girlfriend here," Nadia said as she drinks her water. "I admit it's scary and I don't think that I would even get used to that."

"You should be..." Mark tells her. They turned when something dropped on the floor.

Isabella didn't say anything as she only sat there and a dining staff immediately changed the utensil she had dropped in to a new one. "I don't feel well," she announced. She stood up as the three watched her. Benedique went to her. "Excuse me," she added and went ahead of her husband.

"Your grandmother doesn't like me," Nadia said when the door closed behind the elder couple.

"I know. She's mad at me." Mark said. He looked as if he doesn't care. He drinks his red wine. "Come on. Let's go." He stood up.

"We can't go on like this if they don't approve of our relationship." Nadia whispered.

"I don't care. This is all about our agreement anyway. You'll get what you want and I'll get what I want. And I'm planning to take this on the next level." Mark replied. He walked a little then stopped and faced her.

"What are you planning?" Nadia stopped quickly when she saw him. She almost bumped in to him.

Mark stared at her for a while, as if pondering the words he's about to say. He takes her hand. He looked at it then back to her. "Nadia..."

"Yes, Mark..."

"Will you marry me?"



>> 19

19

Baylee glanced at his girlfriend, who sits alone on their garden's gazebo. He wanted to come near but Grethel said that she wanted to be alone. They just came from her family and when they told them about their relationship, Grethel's father threw a fit. He is very mad that he and Brian had exchanged a few words. When Grethel tried to stop her father, Karl threw her out of the house. As Brian promised to the young couple before they went to Grethel's place, he took her in his house to live for a while.

"Go to her," Leighanne tells her son.

"She said she wanted to be alone, Mom," Baylee replied. His face clearly hinted how painful it was to see his girlfriend on her down state.

"Trust me. She needs you more than anyone else right now." Leighanne ran her hand on his back. She pulled her son in a hug. "I love you, Baylee."

"I love you, too, Mom. Thank you."

Leighanne smiled. "I'm going to prepare something for you in the kitchen before I go back to the restaurant. Don't starve yourselves." Even though they're back to their royal positions, Leighanne continued being a chef in a restaurant they owned.

Baylee quietly walked towards Grethel. He sits beside her. She stared at him. He gently wiped her tears away and took her in his embrace. Grethel cried once again as she succumbed into the arms of her lover.

Leighanne looked at them for the last time before going back inside the house. When she turned, she saw Brian standing in the hall, also watching the couple that is out in the garden. She opened her mouth to speak but he turned away and left. She knew that he hates what is going on right now. She's the one who convinced him to control his feelings and be a father despite the situation. Baylee is trying to be happy in the relationship he has chosen and that's more important. But Brian couldn't accept that his son chose Grethel among the women who are vying for his attention.

She glanced back at the young couple for the last time. She didn't want her family to fall apart just because Baylee chose to love the 'wrong' person, as Brian clearly put it that way.

She had to make things work. They will get through this.



~~~



Baylee quietly walked on the grass lawn of the university while his bodyguards discreetly walked within the distance. A day after their parents learned everything about them, Grethel only stayed overnight at the house then told his parents the next day that she will live at her aunt's place. It will be for the best interest of everyone, particularly on Baylee's family.

"Baylee..."

He turned and saw his cousin Ava coming his way. "Hi. How are you?" They walked together.

"Great. So, how's everything at home?" Ava asks. She knew that they were found in his intended room at the Bordeaux Castle. She's one of his cousins who stayed over the night at the castle, which is now Scott's, as part of his legacy as the heir to the throne.

Baylee drew a deep breath. "Regardless of whatever Dad said about our relationship, I will continue to fight for Grethel. He may not admit it but I know Dad's still not in favor of us. Thank God for my Mom. I know her influence affects Dad."

"Well, the media already know about your relationship and they have their colorful version of the story." Ava said.

"Huh?"

Ava nodded. "You can take a look at today's papers and you'll know what I mean. I only dropped by to say hi." She gave him a light squeeze in the arm. "I have to go. By the way, I'm still staying in Bordeaux. And I still don't have money."

"Are you going to be alright? I can lend you some."

Ava smiled. Baylee realized how strong-willed she is. "David and Denise are getting married in church. My brother offered me a part-time job to assist with the preparations. Bye."

Baylee watched her go. David must have tried to give his sister some money too. Their father totally cut off her financial resources and she's learning to see the value of money and hardwork in their position. It's something that they have to work hard for despite the high-profiled status that they have. With the consequences bestowed on her, Ava still has her pride not to ask for it although she needs it. David knows that so he rather offered a job for her so he can help her and provide money for her in another way.

He stopped by a convenience shop in one of the university dormitory buildings to buy the daily paper. Truly, he saw his family's name on the headlines. 'What's with the Bordeaux young royals?', it says. He folded it and walked out of the shop. His two bodyguards followed behind. He went towards where his dorm is. On his way, he saw a couple of guys walking towards him.

"Baylee."

"John," he recognized the dark-haired one as the football player that also stays in the dorm building where he's in.

"Leave my cousin alone," John said.

Baylee looked at him for a moment. "You're Grethel's cousin?" He shakes his head. "John, you can't do anything about it. Grethel and me are going to stick together."

"Her father kicked her out of the house because she chose you-"

"I know that." Baylee cut his words. "I'd support her more. I know it's sad that it happened between them but we love each other and we're going to fight for it."

"You're not going to get away with this, Baylee."

Baylee glanced both ways to his bodyguards. "My friends here heard what you said. If something happens to Grethel, or to me, there are a few people to suspect and that includes you. And it will be their word against you. Remember that I'm a royal." He smirked.

"Don't use that shit on me," John said. Baylee only replied with a grin. No one can touch him now that he's a prince and he's going to use all his influence to protect Grethel. John would never intimidate him. He rather walked past him to go to the building. "Don't turn your back on me." John said behind him.

"I don't want trouble, John. Leave me alone." Baylee said as he stopped and turned around. He was surprised when a fist greeted his face. He fell to the ground and even before he could retaliate, his bodyguards were quick to hold John from him. "I don't want to fight you, John. I love Grethel and I don't want to fight any one of the people she loves."

"Come on, Baylee. Fight like a man."

"I won't fight you, John. I don't care if that wasn't man enough for you." With that, Baylee turned and walked away.



>> 20

20

Brian tossed the newspaper on the table as Leighanne looked on. "I'm going to file charges, physical assault and a whole lot more. They're asking for it." They just read the headlines about Baylee. Some paparazzi happened to be stalking their son and they caught on camera what John Gaultier has done to Baylee. Their son is still in the university and never told them about it, that's why it surprised them to learn what happened when they saw it on the dailies.

Leighanne only looked at her husband as her son's phone is ringing on the other line. She's calling Baylee. "Honey, how are you?" She asks when her son picked up.

"I assume you already saw me on front page." Baylee said. "Hi, Mom. I miss you already," there's a chuckle.

"I miss you, too, baby. How are you? Did it still hurt? I can go there and look after you."

"Mom, I'm no longer a kid. Don't worry. I'm fine. I'd like to file a restraining order against John and the rest of their family. That's for me and Grethel."

"Let me talk to our lawyers..." Leighanne said.

Brian frowned. "What are you talking about? Our lawyers?" Leighanne gave him a glare.

"I'll take care of it, honey. You don't have to worry. Focus on your studies and nothing else. You promised," she tells her son.

"Yes, I know, Mom. Thanks."

"Let me talk to him," Brian drew a deep breath.

"Dad wants to talk to you. I'll be going. Bye, honey. I love you." Leighanne said and then gave the phone to her husband.

"Baylee..." Brian started. Leighanne gave him a warning look. He sighed. "How are you, son?"

"I'm fine, Dad. I'm actually getting ready for a softball game with some friends. How are you and Mom?"

"We're fine. We're very worried about you." Brian walked away from his wife and towards the glass windows. "You knew that I don't approve of her but I don't have a choice. Just take care. Avoid the paparazzi. Just study and have fun in school." He shakes his head. He looked at the front gardens of the mansion where they live. Security were around and it doubled since the family rose back to monarchy.

"I will remember that, Dad. Thanks. Is there anything more you want to say?"

"No more, Baylee."

"Alright. Bye, Dad," then his son hang up. Brian looked at his wife.

"He has grown up, Lee. I just can't stop him from growing up."

Leighanne smiled and walked towards him. She hugged her husband. "But we're still having a great time, aren't we?"

Brian smiled and looked at the woman he loves with all his heart and soul. "Oh, yes. It's been really great. And it still is," he leaned closer to kiss her on the lips.



~~~



Kevin's secretary quietly went inside the king's room where his boss is having a lunch meeting with his father and two of his brothers, Howie and Alex, and his cousins, Brian and Mike. Kevin turned when he saw his trusted staff.

"Your Majesty, your aunt, Princess Michaela and your cousin, Princess Anastasia, are here."

The men heard that and smiled appreciatively. "Let them in, Robert. Thank you." Kevin said. The secretary bowed and left. After a few minutes, the two women went inside. Two table settings were immediately prepared for them while they were greeted and hugged by the gentlemen inside the king's office.

"Thank you for coming, Stace." Kevin said. "And thank you for your husband's understanding."

Anastasia smiled as everyone looked at her. Motherhood and marriage suits her well and she's been living a private life in Sweden with her husband, Luke Twain, Nick's best friend. She has a fifteen-year-old son, Trace, who's in Sweden and studying. "Luke is very supportive when we heard about your offer that I become a part of your diplomatic staff. He wanted me to put my studies in good use once in a while." She recently accepted the position to be the head of the diplomatic affairs that will take care of Kevin's overseas job. "Mom is supportive, too."

"I'm proud," Michaela tells about her daughter.

"Well, let's all continue our lunch as we have lots of things to talk about," Benedique tells them.

"And I have an engagement in the next two hours." Kevin added.

"Oh, engagements. I remember having those when I was young." Anastasia said. They started eating.

"You can say that." Alex agreed. "And I think that's why my wife is still not here. She's trying to relieve herself from the duties." He chuckled. "Olivia is still reluctant. She didn't know if she can handle this," he said.

"I think everyone of us have our own sentiments on this," Mike said. "My wife and my daughter were ecstatic at the idea then but they also know how it will be excruciating for all of us."

"Agree. Leighanne already hired a personal assistant to help her with the restaurant and her royal duties." Brian looked at them. "Plus there's this thing about Baylee so we're trying to juggle everything with our two hands to control it."

"How is it going, by the way?" Anastasia asked her cousin.

"There's already a temporary restraining order for Grethel's family against us. The two are still together and Grethel is still standing against her father." Brian drew a deep breath. "Oh, let's not talk about it for now. I felt myself getting old for just the thought of it. Somehow, it's under control."

Michaela turned at her other nephew, Howie. "And you, Howard. What's this I heard from Monique that David is married..." Anastasia turned to her cousin with curiosity. She didn't know that.

"He is, Auntie. We'll be preparing for the church wedding. Kyle Birch already knows about this and he was mad for a moment. It's just a normal reaction for a father and I understand that," Howie replied. "If only Denise wasn't there at the time when I confronted David, I could've hit that boy. Kyle and I already talked and settled some things between them."

"He's a very respectable actor," Anastasia said.

"Yes. We've talked about the situation. He actually doesn't care what the people may think. His concern is for the welfare of his daughter. We agreed on supporting their studies. They have to finish their schooling otherwise, we'll may be the ones to separate them." Howie drinks his water before he continued. "There were speculations already on their status and the press secretary will be releasing David and Denise's statement tomorrow about their marriage. We're ready to face everyone now."

"Goodluck." Kevin said. "I'm done with my statement about it, too. I know they will be asking me for it. I'm supporting my nephew although like Howie, we wouldn't tolerate it if given the chance then. But it's done now. We'd just have to move forward and support the kids rather blame them when they're wrong. The reprimand has been done. They need all the trust and support with their situation starting tomorrow."

"What about Scott? How is it now?" Benedique asks his son.

"Well, they're back to school. I was informed that he and Layla went out for a dinner twice but that's it. She was displeased and he was challenged." Kevin shakes his head.

"There are still ten years ahead of them to get to know each other. Surely, that photo we've seen came from something deep within Scott's heart." Alex said with a smile. "There's still hope."

"What photograph?" Benedique asks, so did Michaela and Anastasia.

The younger men were chuckling while Kevin looked very amused as he shakes his head. "Toby gave me his gift." He is pertaining to the family's most trusted private investigator, Toby Dionne. "While one of his men was sent to look out for my son, he took a picture of my son kissing Layla Sinclair at the university library a few days before the turnover. That was when they were looking out for a loophole on the constitution about the rule of succession. Papa, your grandson was very much interested to be the king someday."

But Benedique knew that already so he asked him the other side that aroused his curiosity. "Why did he kiss Layla?"

Kevin shrugged. "I don't know. The PI told me that it just came out of nowhere. He doesn't know, too. On what happened, Layla went to put back the book on the shelf, and my son followed her. And then he kissed her, just like that."

"Whoa!" Anastasia chuckled. "Oh, I miss childhood days!"

Howie and Brian looked at each other as they rolled their eyes. "Yes, we know that, particularly your childhood days with Luke." They teased her. Everyone turned when the door opened unceremoniously. Nick came in, with a big smile on his face, while Robert came behind him.

Kevin half-frowned at his youngest brother's intrusion. Nick really doesn't follow royal security protocols sometimes, even when they were young then. "It's alright, Robert. Thank you." He tells his secretary. The door was closed again after a few moments. "You're early, Nick. You're supposed to arrive tomorrow."

"I can't wait to see Mark." Nick greeted everyone as he walked towards his father and briefly hugged him.

"He's in Atheneaum." Howie replied.

Nick nodded. He turned to the other side of the table. "Hi, you're here too!" He went to kiss and hug Anastasia and his aunt Michaela. "Where's Luke?"

"Work kept him in Sweden. He changed his haircut. Have you seen him?" Anastasia said.

"He sent me an email. What about Elle? How's she, still singing?" Nick chuckled. Their cousin, Giselle, is now a famous international pop icon. Many of her popular songs and multi-platinum albums made her become the most successful artist in the international music scene. Her popularity must have been doubled when the monarchy is back and her status comes back to being a princess. It wasn't everyday that a popular singer is also an actual princess of her country.

"Her sold-out concert two days ago was a success. But it's been hard for us. We have to triple the security because she's not just famous, she's a princess." Michaela said. She turned to Kevin.

"That's one of the concerns I actually liked to talk about," Kevin said. "I don't like to do this but as a king and now the primary head of this family, I'd have to release an order for her to lessen her public appearances like concert tours or guestings to various events or programs. It will be for her safety. I don't want to compromise that. I don't care if her management or recording company would disapprove. They've earned enough from her and furthermore, Giselle doesn't need to work to earn money. She's an heiress of this family."

"We should talk about this with our lawyers and then I'll set a meeting with Giselle's management and recording label. She's concerned of her safety too. I'm sure she'll be glad that you've taken consideration on her situation. Thank you, Kevin." Michaela said.

Kevin was about to reply when once again, there was an interruption on the door. Robert peeked inside. His secretary knows that he can only be interrupted when it is an important family matter. And it always is. When he saw the look of fear in Robert's eyes, he is curious. And nervous. "Yes, Robert?"

"I'll show Mr. Toby Dionne inside, sir, for a very important matter."

The men wondered what compelled Toby to personally show up. It is unusual for the head of the security and the director of the private investigations team to see them in person. Something important came up.

The people in the king's office watched as Toby was admitted and bowed down in respect upon seeing the members of the royal family. Benedique and Kevin stood up and met their old friend. "Good day." Benedique said, as well as Kevin. They shook hands.

"Good day, Your Majesties." Toby acknowledged everyone in the room.

"I received your gift, Toby." Kevin said.

Toby nodded. "Well, I hope you like it. By the way, I came here for a very important matter and I don't want to delay it any further. This is of national concern." As the rest stayed quiet and looked at him, Toby cleared his throat to continue. "I've received several death threats for two hours today plus warnings of different sorts. I deliberately alerted the entire security team for all the members of the family and even added my men for surveillance." He opened the folder he brought. "I couldn't ignore these even if these may just be a prank. I've assigned men to secure the royal transportation for possible bombs. I'd also like to double check on your public engagements with your secretaries so that we can plan the safe route. The residences were already in tight security too."

"Thank you, Toby. What's the investigation on this matter?" Kevin asks. He is suddenly worried over the entire family but he won't show fear. That is what those terrorists wanted, his sign of weakness.

"My team has started on the investigation and we're still going through with it. One thing's for sure on what we found out about this. Most of the threats were directed to the Grand Duke."

Everyone turned to Benedique. "What's with me for them to be threatened?"

"Your Majesty, we need to know if you know anyone who has a grudge on you." Toby said to Benedique.

"No, I don't know. If someone does, I don't even know why. I haven't done anything unpleasant towards other people, Toby." Benedique said.

"We have to know any cause for this overwhelming death threats we've received today."

"Please do," Kevin couldn't think of anyone who's possibly mad at his father. "Before they can further damage any one of us."

"I'd have to excuse myself now, Your Majesties, Your Highnesses. I'm expecting reports within the hour and I'll be requesting a meeting with Your Majesty for further procedures." Toby said.

Kevin nodded. "Thank you, Toby." Their trusted security bowed to them and went out of the office. Kevin faced his family. "Here we go again..."

Nick shakes his head. He needs to see Mark soon so that he can go back to Yvonne and the kids in the States. Things are getting dangerous in Arkadia and he wanted to secure his family back home.



>> 21

21

Jamie smiled to everyone when she reached the country club for a royal gathering. She immediately went inside the venue to avoid the press gathered outside. It's her grandparents' wedding anniversary and almost everyone, from family to friends, were there except her uncle Nick's family who are in Florida.

Her smile faded when she saw Ava. Her cousin took her boyfriend and she's still not over it. Ava tried telling her that she didn't and was only trying to protect her from the guy. She didn't believe that. Ever since, they are already competing on who's better than the other.

Jamie saw her father, standing alone. She walked towards him. "Dad, let me be your muse tonight." She winked.

Alex smiled and kissed his eldest daughter on the cheeks. "How are you, baby?"

"I'm fine, Dad. When's Mom coming home?"

"She'll be home next week. I missed her already so I decided to find a home schooling program so that she stays here and then, studying at the same time." Alex replied. A waiter passed by and offered them glasses of fruit juices. Since it's a family affair and there are quite a number of minor among the family members, the royal chef prepared a menu suited for everyone's approval. That means no alcoholic drinks.

"I missed Mom, too. Where's Yssa?"

"Your sister is somewhere in the castle with your other cousins. Did you make amends with Ava already?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Dad."

"You won't resolve the problem if you don't talk about it. Besides, you're still young. There will be far greater guys that will come your way. Don't let one guy come between you and your cousin." Alex puts his arm on her shoulders. "Think about it. I won't push you to talk about it now. I'll be ready to listen when you're ready." He kissed her on the forehead. "I love you, baby."

Jamie watched her father walked away and joined his brother Nick who seemed distracted. She saw another cousin, Christopher, talking with his father and brother. On the other side, she saw Denise and Grethel in a conversation. Their boyfriend and husband weren't around with them. She found Yssa talking with their cousin, her uncle Howie's youngest child, Erienne. And then she saw Ava who just left the side of their grandparents. It's now her turn to greet them for their anniversary.



~~~



Ava saw Jamie approaching their grandparents after she did. She ignored her and decided to go to the buffet table to check on the food. She saw her father there.

"Ava." Her father greeted her. "How are you, honey?"

"I'm fine." Ava replied. It's the first time he spoke to her since she moved out of home. She's not really mad at him. She learned her lesson and she knew that he wanted it that way.

"Is that all you've got to say?" There is tenderness in his voice. She looked at her father. "I miss you, Ava."

"I'm fine, Dad." Ava said and walked away. She's shy to admit her faults and that she learned a hard lesson on his punishments. Maybe in the right time, but not now.



~~~



Nick drew a deep breath. "I still haven't seen Mark and Nadia. Are they coming?"

"Didn't you ask them?" Alex returned his reply with a question.

"That's why I'm asking you," Nick drew another deep breath. Then his voice turned quiet. "What if he already asked her to marry him? This is insane."

"In the first place, you're the one who suggested it." Alex pointed out.

Nick frowned. "It's the only way to protect his shares. I can't just let him give it to anyone. I didn't know it will be this serious that Mama is dead set against Nadia Altman."

"I didn't know that, too." Alex admitted. He drinks his wine. Nick looked at him.

"Can I also have that?"

"This is just a wine, Nick."

"Well, the waiter gave me a mango juice. It's too sweet."

Alex grinned as a thought came to mind. He gestured for his wine in hand to pour it on Nick's glass. "Let's try it," he chuckled. When he poured the contents into Nick's glass, his younger brother slightly shook it from side to side to mix it.

"Wonder what this tastes like..." Nick drinks it. "Ew!" Alex took it and drank a bit. He had the same reaction as Nick's. They laughed.

"That sucks!" Alex exclaimed.

"What are you doing?" Kevin asks from behind them. Nick and Alex instantly pointed at each other, as if they were caught red-handed stealing from a cookie jar.

"Try this." Nick offered their brother the drink.

Kevin stared at the brown-colored mango juice mixed with some sort of wine from Alex's. "No, thanks. The country still needs me." He grinned. "By the way, where's Mark?"

"He hasn't arrived yet." Nick takes out his mobile phone.

Kevin turned when a palace staff approached him and discreetly tells something. He nodded and turned to Nick.

"What?" Nick's face paled. He turned to his brothers. "It's Mark."

"I know. He and Nadia had an accident. There were police in front of the palace who came to tell us." Kevin said. He nodded to the palace staff and the other one bowed and left.

Nick didn't wait for anything else. He needs to be at his son's side. His mind began to work overtime. How is he going to tell this to Yvonne? His wife will be very worried of their eldest child. What happened to Mark? Why did the accident happen? He walked out of the ballroom in long strides. The others were left in curiosity.

Benedique approached Kevin and Alex. "What happened?"

"I'm sorry that this will ruin the celebration, Papa. Mark had an accident. He's in the hospital." Kevin replied.

"Nonsense. We will all go there. That's my eldest grandson."

Kevin nodded. He dialled a number in his phone. His chief security answered the call. "The family is going to the hospital. Prepare your team. We're quite a load on the way there."



>> 22

22

Nick didn't wait for his bodyguards to open the door for him. He immediately went out as soon as the car stopped in front of the emergency area. He walked in, was greeted by some people and ushered by a couple of nurses towards where his son is.

"What happened?" He asks.

Nobody answered until he reached the place where his son is currently under the extreme attention of the doctors. One of them saw him and went to him. "How is he?" He asks. Deep worry crossed his face.

"Not good, Your Highness. He had a concussion plus a large wound at his back. It came from the shattered glass of the car windows. If they weren't pulled out in time by the bodyguards on the other car, they would have been included in the explosion of the car..."

Nick felt his chest tightened at the sight of his son's almost lifeless body. There were tubes everywhere. He couldn't understand the rest of what the doctor is saying as his worry grew more. And he is torn between hiding this for now or telling it to Yvonne before she sees it on the television. "Please do anything to save my son. Please..." He felt helpless. He wished Yvonne is around.

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

Nick turned and saw a couple of policemen. "What happened?"

"I'm Sgt. Delacroix and the head of the investigation, Your Highness." They shook hands. "It was an attempted ambush. The witnesses said they heard gunshots and the black Rover, where your son and his girlfriend were, skidded down the avenue. The driver-bodyguard was hit right on the chest and died immediately. The car went out of control and troppled once it went to the sidewalk."

"That won't happen if the car wasn't in full speed." Nick weakly remarked.

"True, Your Highness. The witnesses recognized that a royal member was inside because of your exclusive plate numbers so they immediately called the police while the bodyguards following behind your son's vehicle pulled out the passengers inside. They found Prince Mark's body on top of Miss Nadia Altman. We assumed that he tried to protect her as Miss Altman was shot on the shoulder and had bruises all over her body."

"Please investigate the matter thoroughly, Sgt. Delacroix. Thank you for the information." Nick says. They turned when a group of royal security added his in the emergency area. The king and the family are on their way. "My family is coming. Please tell them what you told me because I can't." And with that, Nick went back to his son.

He watched as the doctors were almost done dealing with Mark's wound. He's still unconscious. A couple of doctors and a nurse were studying his data. "His vitals are unstable. We need to wait for the x-ray. This patient will be leading to coma if he didn't improve." He heard one of the doctors said. It surged a pain in his heart upon hearing that. He always hated the hospital. He's been here many times since he was a kid. He was traumatized since most of the reasons were failed death threats against him. He didn't know why and now, his son is dealing with the same thing. His mobile phone rang.

"I know you were still wondering if you will call me or not so I did what I could," Yvonne said on the other line when he answered.

"How did you...?"

"Kevin called me. How is my son?"

Nick drew a deep breath. "Not good. And you can't come here on the next available flight or even ask Dean to borrow his jet. There was an attempted ambush on Mark and we're having several death threats right now. I want you to stay there to watch over the twins and Yves. Did they know already?"

"No. They're still in school but I bet they'll know anytime now. I just can't break the news to them now." Yvonne is crying on the other line. "Oh, Nick. Please do anything to make him fine. I can't bear the thought of Mark being in a hospital. Please. I don't know what will I do if something happens to my son."

"So do I, baby." Nick wiped the tears that fell on his face. Hearing his wife's cry was a cue for him from holding back his emotions. He had to be strong for his family. "I'll call you back. I promise. I'm with Mark now and I'll do anything to keep him alive. Yvonne, the doctors said he's leading to coma."

"No. Nick, I want to go there. I want to see my son!"

"Yvonne, hear me out. It's dangerous to be here. We don't know the people who wanted us dead. I don't want to compromise your safety." Nick said. Yvonne kept on crying on the other line. He turned when he heard the beeping sound that he never wanted to hear. The doctors went around Mark as they were trying to revive him. Someone performed a CPR.

"Mark! Mark! Don't give up." Nick is crying now. "Oh, God." He watched as the doctors tried to keep him alive. One of the doctors slammed down a cardiac punch.

"Nick, I can hear that. What's going on? What's happening to Mark?" Yvonne said on the other line.

And then, there was a flatline.

As if what happened was not horrifying enough, one of the doctors relayed the matter to him.

Nick was shocked. He felt numb. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't move from where he stood. Mark, his eldest son, is dead. He noticed and heard his wife is still on the line. "Yvonne, he's gone. Mark is gone."



>> 23

23

Nick couldn't stop his tears from falling. His eldest son was gone. And he wasn't able to do anything to save him. "Yvonne, honey... I'm sorry. I wasn't able to do anything."

"Nick, I will go there. You will not stop me. I need to be by my son's side. I want to see my baby." Yvonne said with conviction.

Nick felt a heavy lump on the throat. He couldn't speak. "Yes." He turned when he heard the commotion behind him. The royal family has arrived. When they saw him and his tear-stricken face, they expected the worst. "He's gone." He quietly tells them.

Isabella cried on her husband's chest. The others did cry, too. The family were in instant mourning. But they turned when the beeping sounds came back. "He got a heartbeat," one of the doctors exclaimed.

Nick turned to his wife on the phone. "Mark is back, honey."

Nick tried to go towards his son but one of the nurses held him back. The rest of the family were advised to remain in the hall.

"Mark, daddy's here. Go back, Mark. Please." Nick called out. He couldn't stop crying now. "Mark!" The nurse tried to hold him back. "Mark, don't give up. Please. I love you."

Isabella took her son from the nurse. "Darling..."

It was as if Nick recognized his mother just now when she reached out to him. "Mama..." He hugged her. "It's Mark. I couldn't take it. I don't know..." Benedique ran his hand across his son's back, trying to console him. They went out of the emergency room. They almost dragged Nick out. The others watched them.

It's been agonizing to wait, not knowing what is going on in the emergency room. Nick was on the door, trying to peek what is going on through the round glass window. He kept on muttering his son's name while he's on the phone with his wife.

Scott felt his chest tightened as he watched the situation. It's crazy to think that Mark is fighting for his life. He's not a loser. He will get through this. Scott knows his cousin can.

Everyone is waiting. Everyone is waiting to know if Mark survived his fight for life. Everyone in the family wished it for the man who's been dearest to them, the man who always provided joy and laughter whenever they gather together.

Jamie is crying. She looked up a lot to her cousin and she wished he will be fine soon. She turned when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Ava stood behind her, also crying. And instinctively, they met each other in a hug.

"I'm sorry," Jamie said.

"I'm sorry, too." Ava said. They stood together, hugging and crying as the others watched and waited for Mark.

They turned when the door opened. A doctor came to them.

"Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, it was a miracle." The doctor who introduced himself as Dr. Dionne gave them a smile. "Prince Mark is back to life but he's still under observation. He will be taken to the ICU. We're still trying to do all the best that we can to bring him back to safety and recovery. Right now, he needs our prayers and support."

Nick faced the doctor. He puts his hands on his shoulders. "Let me see my son, doc. Please."

"It should only take a while, Your Highness."

Nick muttered his thanks and followed the doctor towards Marc. The quiet beeps beside Mark that is monitoring his condition serves as a background to Nick's silent weeping. His son. He took very good care of him and he would never let anyone hurt him. Whoever did this must pay for what he's done.

But right now, he's thankful that Mark is alive. "Yvonne, I have Mark here. Talk to him. He might hear you." He tells his wife who's been on the phone for a very long time now. Never mind the phone bill. The connection is very important for them. He placed the phone on his son's ear as his other hand held Mark's. "Mark, Mom's on the line for you. She wants to say hi."

Nick looked at his son. He would like to think that things will be alright soon. He looks forward into seeing his son walking around with his usual charming smile. He's going to pray for a lot of things to see that happen.



~~~



Isabella thanked the nurse and glanced at the woman lying unconscious on the bed. The nurse told her that nobody came to visit Nadia Altman. Somehow, she pitied the woman. While the entire royal family were here for Mark, Nadia has no one.

"How is she?" She asks the nurse who remained beside her.

"She only had bruises all over and her gunshot wound on the shoulders were already treated, Your Majesty. The doctors advised for her to stay for full recovery."

Isabella nodded as she looked at Nadia. Her grandson protected this woman. She's going to recover herself easily from the accident while Mark is still fighting for his life. "Leave me. Thank you."

When the nurse left, Isabella remained standing within the distance from Nadia's bed. She looked at her from head to feet. Then she gasped.

"Why?" Benedique asked behind her. She didn't answer her husband as she walked towards Nadia. She took her hand and looked at her finger. She looked at her husband.

"Is this what I think it is?"



~~~



Layla looked up at the tall security who is asking for her identifications when she said she came to visit Mark. The security was tight since most of the royal family were inside to visit the prince. She heard from the news that it was a failed ambush that caused an almost-tragedy to the king's eldest nephew. His car was a total wreck when it troppled many times in the main avenue of the city before it hit a tree. Further news said he flatlined after doctors tried to revive him but a miracle brought him back to life. It was as if his body shut down for a moment, like a computer, and restarted again.

She is very worried of her longtime friend and she skipped school only to take her chance to visit him. "My name is Layla Sinclair. I'm a daughter of the royal family's housekeeper," she was never ashamed to tell everyone that, "and I'm a friend of Prince Mark." She showed all her identifications. She is expecting this and she prepared herself for this.

"You are not in the list of their visitors, Miss Sinclair."

If only she can tell this man that she's the fiancee of the heir to the throne but she couldn't. And of course, they will never believe her. They might even laugh at her face and tell her to 'dream on.'

"I'm not?" Her face saddened. She bit her lower lip. "How is he?" She can only ask instead.

"Prince Mark is still in the ICU."

She heard that already. She can't do anything to be able to go inside. She doesn't have the power. After all, she's a nobody. Who is she kidding? She shouldn't be here in the first place but for Mark, she will try to come and visit him. "Thanks." She turned and began to walk away. She saw the media in the entrance of the hospital. She continued walking.

"Layla!"

She turned and saw Baylee calling her. At the end of the hall, she saw Scott standing. She met his look until he turned away.

"Your Highness," Layla bowed down in greeting.

"She's a visitor," Baylee tells the security. He took her hand and led her towards where the rest of the family is. Layla immediately noticed the look of worry in Mark's father's face. He gave her a nod as an acknowledgment when he saw her. He towered over when he got near.

"My prayers are with you and the rest of your family for Mark's recovery, Your Royal Highness," Layla said to Nick. The prince didn't reply but hugged her instead. She saw the looks coming from the family, most especially from Scott. He's the only one frowning so deeply. She chose not to mind about him.

"Thank you, Layla. Can you take a look on Mark? He's in the ICU." Nick tells her.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness." She followed him towards the said room. After donning a protective gown and mask, they went inside. Her heart ached upon seeing Mark's vulnerable condition. She couldn't help but cry. He's her childhood friend and the nicest among the new generation of royals. He didn't deserve to be here. She sniffed and discreetly wiped her tears.

"I know. It gets depressing to be here," Nick said. She heard the croak in his voice. He introduced her to the doctor inside the ICU then walked towards his son. "Mark? Son, your friend Layla is here."

Layla took a quick look at the records being held by the doctor. "This is not good." She quietly tells the doctor.

"Are you a doctor?" Dr. Dionne asked her.

She smiled weakly. "I'm a med student, doc, hoping to be like you someday. Excuse me." Dr. Dionne nodded at her and to Nick and then, he went out of the ICU.

Layla walked towards Mark's bed. She thanked Nick for the chance and then turned to her friend. "Hi, Mark. It's Layla. You have to be fine." She bit her lower lip as she looked at her friend's condition.

"Your vitals are far from improvement. That's a big disappointment. I thought you always wanted to be the best. You always tell us that." She quietly tells the sleeping prince. Her tears fell. "Mark, please wake up soon. And then I will tell you the secret you've been urging me to tell you for such a long time." She reached out and touched his hand. She looked down on it. And then looked at Mark's father. "He's married, sir?"

Nick saw the ring on his son's finger. He took it away and turned to Layla. "No, he's not."

Layla stared at the prince for a very long time. She couldn't understand why Prince Nick would do that. But one thing is for sure. He doesn't approve of Nadia Altman, if she's the one Mark was married to. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself when they heard a groan.



>> 24

24

Layla stood against the wall as she watched the joyous moments of the royal family when Mark finally woke up. She couldn't get her mind off from what happened in the ICU. When Prince Nick saw the wedding band, he hid it and told her not to tell anyone. There was no threat involved but she saw the conviction from Mark's father in hiding the truth. And then they heard Mark groaned. He woke up.

And he asked who are they.

Mark has an amnesia. He didn't know his father. He didn't know her. And he will never know that he has a wife, still lying unconscious and alone in the other room.

Layla took a peek a few moments ago in her room. Nadia has no ring in her finger. They must have taken it too. Realizing the situation she's into, being involved in the royal family's secret, is difficult.

"You will go home with me."

She looked up and saw Scott. "I can get out of here unnoticed, Your Royal Highness."

"So do I," Scott takes her hand. He didn't wait for her reply. Two bodyguards ushered them to an elevator that led them to the basement parking. Layla didn't say anything. The media has camped outside the hospital. They didn't notice the black Rover who left the building. It wasn't a long ride and there's no traffic. In no time at all, they are already at the Bordeaux Castle.

"Are you in love with my cousin?" Scott asked when they are about to go out of the car.

Layla stared at him. "Cousin? Who?" The door was opened on her side. She went out without answering his question. Scott followed her.

"I'm talking about Mark."

They already reached the main hall of the castle. She faced him. "No, Your Royal Highness." They stared at each other for a while and then, Scott carefully takes her arm and takes her to a nearby function room. He closed the door behind him.

"What are we doing here..." She was stopped short when his lips were suddenly on hers. It took her a moment to recover from her surprise and responded to the kiss. Scott pulled her closer to him. But when she heard him moaned deeply, she pushed him away to stop the contact. "No!"

Scott stared at her, unable to say something.

"You just need to clear your mind, Scott. I know there are lots of things you need to think about, including this. The task of being the heir is overwhelming. And I know you never wanted me so don't kiss me. You hate the thought that I'm maybe interested to someone when in the first place, you don't own me." She glared at him.

"Come on, Layla. Don't you want me?"

Layla did the unexpected and slapped him on the face. "You think so low of me. Good news, Scott. You will never have me. And piece of advice, take a shower." Then she quickly went out of the room. As she walked down the corridor, she promised to herself to forget about Scott and move on. She doesn't belong here; she never even dreamt about it. She will stand by her word. Scott will never have her.



~~~



Nick's jaw clenched and tried not to meet everyone's look as he listened to Toby's detailed investigation on Mark's accident. The retired military officer worked overtime upon hearing about the accident and now, he's reporting to the king's brothers on the evidences he found and the history of the accident.

And while Nick, his brothers except Kevin, and some of his cousins were gathered in a conference room of the Bordeaux Castle, Yvonne and Adrienne were looking after Mark in the hospital. Nick's wife flew in the day after the accident, ignoring Nick's order for her to stay. She even brought along the rest of their children with her. That was a good thing because it will be crazy to think that no one was there with Yves and the twins when the situation is dangerous. He wants his family here. After Mark's accident, he wants his family within his reach as they never know what will happen next.

Before Mark had the accident, Toby confirmed that he and Nadia got married. His bodyguards tell them that they stood as witnesses before a judge to wed them in haste. After that, they have to hurry because Mark said about being late to his grandparents' anniversary party. Nadia didn't want to go but Mark insisted.

Then as they traveled towards the venue, the bodyguards trailing behind Mark's car noticed that it was moving in an unusual and incredible speed. They tried to call the driver on the radio but there was no reply. When it turned towards the main avenue, they heard shots a few minutes later and were horrified to see Mark's car skidded on the wrong lane, tumbled down and hit a tree on the side. They quickly came to rescue to pull the passengers out, realizing then that the person behind the wheel wasn't Mark's driver. After Mark and Nadia were pulled out of the vehicle, the car exploded. An ambulance came soon and the two were immediately brought to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Mark's driver was found unconscious in the men's room at the courthouse. He can only remember that someone hit him at the back of his head before he got unconscious. The man behind the wheel has been identified as Garrett Fisher, a construction worker who worked, surprisingly, for Cass Engineering Corp. He left a wife and a daughter behind when he died.

After learning the relation of the driver to one of Cass Holdings' companies, Nick speculated that this has something to do with the business ordeal they are going through right now. If Conrad Altman knew that his granddaughter is already married to Mark, who held Nick's shares in the company, he had the motivation to do something in order for Nadia to gain the majority part in the company and getting Mark killed was part of the plan. Especially if the young couple did not even bother to make a pre-nup. Whatever the one owned is now shared to the other. Nadia can have the corporate shares if Mark died. Nick would not be surprised if that was the plan. After hearing about his mother, he knew that Conrad Altman would be capable to do such thing.

"At the courthouse, did they finalize Mark's wedding papers?" He asks.

"I deliberately ordered to hold it until Prince Mark will be fully recovered and the investigation has found out the people behind the failed ambush." Toby replied.

Nick sighed with relief.

"You didn't know your son was about to marry Nadia Altman?" The investigator asks.

Howie cleared his throat. "Actually, Nick was expecting it. We didn't want it to happen." And he started to tell Toby about their battle on the company's shares.

"We'll take a look if the grandfather had something to do with this. Is there any reason that caused the desire for those shares?" Toby asks the princes.

Howie hesitated at first, glancing to his brothers and cousins. Is he going to tell Toby? His look at them were of asking permission. Alex and Mike gave him a nod. Well, it would help to speed the investigation anyway. He turned to Toby. "Well, it originated to what he did to Mama..."



~~~



Neil stared at his sleeping brother. His twin, Nate, stood beside him. "I don't want to see him like this," Neil tells him. "I missed him."

"If he only stayed in Florida, he wouldn't have the accident." Nate replied. He turned to their sister, Yves. "Does he already remembered us?"

"I don't think so. When he woke up earlier, he was grumpy. He doesn't know me. And he complained a lot." Yves said. "That's not the Mark we knew. That's not our brother."

"Mark is always smiling, especially to us." Neil said. When their brother moved, indicating that he's waking up, the three moved back to the couch and watched him. Their mother and aunt just went out to talk with the security. Two bodyguards were left behind for them.

"He's waking up, Juancho." Yves told the bodyguard who has been with them since they were born.

Juancho smiled and put a finger in his lips to silence them down. "Don't be afraid. He's your brother." He tells them quietly. They watched as Mark opened his eyes.

Mark saw his siblings. "Did the doctors say something about me going out here soon?" He asks them.

"We don't know, Mark." Yves replied and glanced at Juancho.

"Where's Mom?"

Yves gave him a glare and then went out of the room. She saw her mother and aunt were about to go back to the suite.

"Sweetheart, where are you going? What's wrong?" Yvonne asks her daughter when she saw her crying.

"Mom?" Yves wiped her tears. "When is he going back? I want my brother back. I don't like that one in the room. I missed Mark."

Yvonne hugged her as Adrienne soothed her niece's back. "He has amnesia. We have to understand that it's more difficult for him as much as it was for us." Yvonne tells her teenage daughter.

"He doesn't have to rude and grumpy."

Yvonne and Adrienne looked at each other. They turned when the door opened and Juancho came out. "He's awake, Your Royal Highnesses."

Yvonne drew a deep breath. She looked at Juancho.

"Yes, he's still rude, even to the twins." Juancho tells her.

Yvonne walked in and saw Mark opened his eyes when he heard the newcomers. "When am I allowed to go out?" He asks her.

"Hello to you, too, son." Yvonne said as Juancho takes the twins out of the room. "How do you feel now?"

"About what? About being confined and restrained here?"

"About having a good rest." Yvonne replied. Adrienne shakes her head as she sits on the sofa and watched the exchange. Mark has changed since he woke up and she knew that if there is one person who can be patient enough to take his new attitude, that will be his mother.

Mark sighed heavily. "I'm fine. When am I going to be released?"

"Your father wanted you to be home but I insisted that you stay for at least a day or two."

"Why?"

"I want the doctors to take a look at your brain because ever since you woke up, you've been a different person. I think that I'd have to do something to bring back the Mark that we knew."

"I have amnesia. What do you expect me to do?" Mark snapped.

It was Adrienne who couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and surprised the two when she slapped her nephew. "You don't talk like that to your mother." She's infuriated by Mark's show of disrespect. "Apologize to your Mom, Mark."

Mark looked at Yvonne. She didn't say anything. She saw him opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he suddenly grabbed his head. He groaned in pain.

Yvonne was immediately on his side. "Honey, what's wrong?" She turned to Adrienne but the other was already on the door, telling them that she will call a doctor.



>> 25

25

Nadia tried to break free from her bodyguard's hold when she was caught running towards the gates of her grandfather's estate. "Let me go. I want to see Mark." She said. She heard on the news that he's still in the hospital and will stay longer after he had a severe headache, another effect from the accident.

"Ms. Altman, we can't let you go." The bodyguard firmly said.

Nadia stopped fighting. She wiped her tears. She felt guilty that Mark is fighting for his life because of her. If it wasn't for her and her ridiculous proposals for a merging, the accident would not happen. If she didn't take advantage of Mark's attraction on her, they would not get married. If she did not fall for him, she would have not insisted on pursuing the wedding and be in an accident.

"Don't waste your energy."

She looked up and saw her grandfather.

"This is all your fault, grandpa."

"Mine?" Conrad chuckled. "You're the one who went to the company. You're the one who made the proposal. You're the one he married. What did I do? You have consented everything. It's just too bad that you were in an accident."

"You're the one who ordered the ambush."

"I'm just the grandfather of the bride. What can an old man do?" Conrad gave her a devilish grin. He turned to walk away. "Congratulations, by the way. You're married to the prince. And more power to you if he dies and you inherit everything he has."

Nadia wiped her face from tears. She and Mark actually forgot to draft a pre-nuptial agreement. They were in a hurry to get married that they forgot that particular detail.

She suddenly missed her husband. Mark, her husband. She wanted to see him to check if he's alright. She had to be beside her husband. But first, she needs to plan on how to escape from the estate.



~~~



Kevin smiled when he saw Layla Sinclair entered his office. She bowed before him before taking the seat he offered. "How may I help you, Miss Sinclair?" He gently asks his future daughter-in-law.

"Thank you for your time to see me, Your Majesty. I know you're busy. I came to personally thank you for the extended support you gave to me and to my family, especially to my studies. I would also like to inform you that by the end of the classes next week, I will also be leaving Arkadia to pursue other interests in another country." Layla tells him.

Kevin nodded quietly. "As I understand, you've decided to stop your studies to become a doctor and leave the country to work elsewhere?"

The king is smart, Layla thought. She thought about this overnight and decided to leave to avoid Scott and to start anew, all by herself. She didn't tell her parents yet and they are may be against it, she has already decided on this. Slowly, she nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. I," she drew a deep breath, "would like to inform you that I'm going to give up my scholarship, too, since I will no longer study."

Kevin stood in an instant before Layla could continue with her speech. "No, don't do it, Layla. For your sake, don't give up on this. Is it because of Scott? Let me talk to him."

"No, Your Majesty. It isn't about him," she lied. Of course, it's about him. She wanted to be away from him.

"So if it's not about him, why are you giving up the opportunity to study through our guidance?"

Layla looked at Kevin. "My parents need me, Your Majesty. They are getting older and I'll ask them to retire soon. I decided to look for work so that I can support them in the way I could."

Kevin won't still give up. "Your parents have been with the family for a very long time and you know that there are special benefits for the castle employees who retire."

Layla knew that it will be hard for her to convince the king to let her go. Kevin is the most stubborn among the brothers and cousins, according to her parents. He will get his way to get the things he wanted. "I have to go, Your Majesty." She simply stated.

"Let me tell you my proposal first," he tells her. When the king had her attention, he continued. "You have the freedom to do whatever you want but I don't want you not to have the clear future. I am hoping you'd become the best doctor that you're capable of. I will not permit you to give up the scholarship. Wherever you will go, you have the support of the kingdom for your studies."

Layla wanted to hesitate but it's a good proposal. The king is a very kind man.

"Please accept my gift, Layla."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

"I know that the betrothment is part of the reason. I understand. I've been through that. Back then, I was worst than my son. I was in denial with the tradition, too." Kevin smiled with the memory. "I was lucky that Cristin loved me and patiently waited for me. Anyway, it's a long story. I won't hold you much longer. Can I have one last request?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

"Can I have a hug?"

Layla hesitated at first but then, she walked towards the king and gave him a hug. She realized, a few minutes later when she's already walking out of the palace, that the queen had a miscarriage five years ago to a supposed to be their third child, a girl. His Majesty must have been very frustrated for not having a daughter.

She decided to take the passageway leading out of the palace that is intended only for the employees. The security there are very strict too that she had to present her ID from the Bordeaux Castle to be admitted. When she's finally walking down the street, she was surprised when a couple of paparazzi started taking her pictures. And then a couple more came and they followed her turn down the street. She started to get conscious as others gave her curious glances.

She decided to stop and confront them. "What's going on?"

"You are Layla Sinclair, right?"

She nodded.

"And Prince Scott said you're his new girlfriend. So smile," the paparazzo said and took her a shot.



~~~



Denise heaved a sigh of relief after she was done with the final exams. Ava called earlier and told her about the details for her wedding. David's sister is more excited than her.

She didn't want the church wedding in the first place.

She frowned at that thought. David is confusing her. He's acting so sweet and caring but for all she knows, theirs is just a temporary marriage. He should not be acting as if he's very in love with her.

But then she forgot that he's just doing it for a show.

She turned down the hall and paused when she felt a twinge of pain on her head. She hasn't been well for the past days and she thinks she is coming down to flu or something. David's appointed bodyguards gave her a concerned look. "Are you alright, Your Royal Highness?"

She shakes her head truthfully. "I'm sick."

"We'll take you to the hospital."

She didn't say anything. Her phone rang again. It's her Dad. "Yes, Dad? Hi." She smiled. She felt lucky that her father understood what happened.

"Hello, my princess." There was a chuckle on the other line. Ever since she got married to royalty, her father's usual endearment brought new meaning to the word princess because she's actually one now. "What's on your plate today?"

"I'm going to make some pasta, Dad." She's in culinary arts, specializing in European cooking. And that's one of David's weaknesses, her gourmet meals.

"I don't mean about your cooking. What's on your schedule today?" The respectable actor asked his daughter.

"Well," Denise paused, "Ava called and asking me if I could come over to Bordeaux and meet the caterer and for the souvenirs. I said no because I still have to pack my things to go home."

"What about free invites to your uncle Danielle's movie tonight, with me and your Mom?"

"Sure. I missed hanging out with you." Denise smiled wider. The bodyguard beside her gave her a concerned glance. She knew it. A few words were exchanged and then she hung up. She went inside the waiting car and turned to the bodyguard beside her. "Aldrin, hospital please."



~~~



Grethel leaned beside her boyfriend, Baylee, as they sit quietly in the gazebo found on the castle grounds of Bordeaux. They were there for almost twenty minutes now, sitting and saying nothing to each other. They usually spend their time together like that. They enjoyed their time for each other with just sitting quietly together, feeling each other's presence and clearing away the thoughts from everything that surrounds them.

Silent breeze blew and Baylee felt the woman beside him shivered. He took off his jacket and put it on her. Holding her hand, he kissed the top of her head. "I love you."

Grethel looked up. "I love you, too." She smiled. "How's Mark?"

Baylee sighed at the thought of his cousin. "He had to undergo lab tests because of some major headache yesterday."

"He's such a nice guy. He didn't deserve this. Where's Nadia?"

"She was taken home by her grandfather. Nobody had seen her since." Baylee gripped her hand. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. By the end of this month, after this school year, I will work in my cousin's company as an assistant." Grethel quietly replied.

"Why are you going to work?" Baylee never thought about working as he thinks that he didn't have to. His family is very wealthy and he also had a trust fund from his great-grandmother Marguerite that his resources seemed unlimited. He even couldn't understand why his cousins are thinking about working for the family business.

"My Dad cut off my financial resources," Grethel replied. "I need to work to support myself."

"I can give you money, Grethel," Baylee said.

She stared at him. "You don't understand it, Baylee. I know how your life has been ever since you were born. You're always used to this luxury. But not everyone are just like you."

"I know but-"

"Yes, you know but you don't grasp the situation of other people. Like mine, for example." Grethel takes his hand. "I want to work. It's something that is very important to me. I will do it regardless if you understand it or not. I want to show Dad that I can do it on my own."

"Is that going to be a hard work?"

"Any work is hard but it will be less hard as long as I enjoy doing it. Don't worry, Baylee. It's going to be fine."

But Baylee won't stop, "But at least let me help you."

Grethel stared at him. She smiled. "You don't really give up, do you?"

"I'm a Bordeaux. We only gave up once, when grandpa dropped the legacy years ago, and I'll never give up again."



>> 26

26

Mark stared at the three strangers standing by his bed. One of them looked like the king, there's the blonde one who has an angelic face and there's the dark one who has exotic looks of a Latin man. They said they were his cousins.

"We're hoping you'd be fine by now," The one who called himself Scott said to him. He's looking at the white cloth carefully wrapped around Mark's head.

"Obviously, I'm not."

The three looked at each other. "So it's true then," David said. "We have Mr. Grouch here." He folded his arms across his chest. "Who are you and what did you do to our cousin?"

"Huh?" Mark gave them a confused look as they laughed. "My condition is not funny." He frowned.

Baylee shakes his head as he looked at them. "He's really sick. He suddenly became boring. Don't you agree?"

"Tell that to my face, blondie." Mark said.

"Well, you can hear it anyway." Baylee retorted.

"Oh, by the way, did you marry Nadia?" David asks.

"Who's she?"

"She's your girlfriend." Scott replied. "You should get your memory back, Mark. You wouldn't want to miss out Nadia."

Mark slowly smiled. "Why? Is she hot?"

"Whoa!" The boys exclaimed and exchanged high-fives.

"He's recovering, man!" David laughed. He turned to Mark. "You shouldn't miss her, I think. Ask Scott. He's the ex-boyfriend."

Scott chuckled and shook his head. "Nah, an ex-boyfriend never tells anything except that she's a crazy woman."

Mark suddenly had the urge to see this Nadia they are talking about. "I want to see her. Can you call her and tell her to visit me?"

A newspaper headline appeared in front of him, courtesy of David. He pointed Nadia's picture to him. "That's her."

"Wow, you're ready." Baylee nodded to his cousin.

Mark felt that David really intended to show the headline to him. It is written in Ark, the local dialect of Arkadia. 'A Tragic Affair', it said on the headline. His cousins let him read the news. He looked at them when he's done.

"Our family don't approve of your relationship with her, Mark." Scott tells him.

"Is that the reason why she's not visiting me?"

"I think the reason was that her grandfather locked her in their estate and prevented her from going here." David said.

Mark's jaw clenched. "I want to see her."

"That's asking for the moon." Baylee remarked. He received a glare from his cousin. "Literally, Mark, you and Nadia are the modern-day Romeo and Juliet. I just don't want the ending of the tragic play happens to you one day." He looked at his other cousins. Actually, they are advised not to mention anything about Nadia but they don't want to do that. Mark deserves the right to know about Nadia.

"Remember, if someone asked you where you get that, don't tell it's from us," David gestured at the newspaper clipping.

"We're not allowed to do that, actually," Scott admitted.

"We want you back, Mark," Baylee said.

Mark looked at his cousins. He wished he will be fine soon but it's frustrating that he couldn't remember anything much.



~~~



Layla felt awkward having paparazzi tailing behind her and capturing her every move. She's going back to the university and they followed her. The interest began when Scott decided to announce that she is his girlfriend. Not wanting to shame him in front of the public, she didn't say anything or confirm about it.

"Layla! Are you going to marry the prince?"

She smiled and shook her head to that question. She received interested glances on her way. She sighed in relief when she saw her building. Her classmates who knew her smiled and some tried to block the paparazzi from her.

"Is it true? It's just a weekend and so much has happened." Her friend, Jane, appeared beside her. They went straight to the laboratory and changed into their lab gowns. Their other classmates were already inside. School days are almost done. They were only attending the lab class as their professor will be giving out assignments for their summer internship.

"It's not true. I don't know what has come into the prince," Layla whispered.

"Why did he do that?"

Layla looked around and smiled to a few people and thanked those who blocked the paparazzi earlier. "I haven't talked to him yet." She answers Jane. Her friend knew her acquaintance to the royal family. It's something that wasn't a big deal especially since she only happened to be the daughter of the castle employees. But ever since Scott told everyone that they have a relationship, they have probably known about her background already. She wondered what are the socialites and the elites were thinking right now. The crown prince has chosen a poor man's daughter as the fairest of them all. She nearly laughed at that thought.

"Are you okay?" Jane asked her.

Layla shakes her head. "Yes, I'm fine. It's just weird that they are taking so much interest in me."

"Do you know what I think? I think that's because your involvement with the prince has a political effect, especially when you're a commoner."

"But it wasn't as if it never happened before," Layla said. "There's Princess Diana of Great Britain, Princess Letizia of Spain, Princess Mary of Denmark and the list goes on. And don't forget our very own Grand Duchess Isabella is married to Grand Duke Benedique. She's a commoner too. And some of Prince Scott's aunts were used to be commoners too."

"Well, this is the new generation. The monarchy just came back and everything about that family is more than interesting, especially that Prince Scott and his cousins were never used to this kind of life. So your entrance to the picture is causing a stir to everyone."

Layla chuckled. "Jane, based on your analysis, I'm beginning to think that you're more competent as a royal analyst than a doctor."

"Well, I can probably do both and earn big bucks with the business." Jane winked at her as the professor entered the laboratory.

Layla sighed. She wished she could get out of Arkadia soon. Her plans to live in London will pursue. By then, she's going to start a new life, away from the prying eyes of the media, the royal family and most especially, from Scott.



~~~



David saw his father-in-law and swallowed hard. "Is she alright, Sir?" He asks after his greeting. Keith Birch called him to tell that his wife went to the hospital.

"Denise said she's having a hard headache. She never took things like those for granted and went here. When I got here, she's in that room and hasn't been out yet."

David muttered his thanks and went to the room. For the past weeks, he couldn't understand himself if he's either in love with the idea of love or he's just plainly falling in love with the woman he married. He cared for her before but now, there seemed to be much more than that. He always longed to see her. And he's looking forward to their church wedding. It seemed to validate their marriage more than the civil wedding they have had.

He doesn't care about the rules. He needs to see his wife inside. He's about to reach for the doorknob when it opened and out came Denise and the doctor. He reached out for his wife. "What happened, Denise?"

Denise looked at him.

It was the doctor who spoke. "She needs to undergo some tests so we can determine what is wrong. We tried the pregnancy test. She's not pregnant. For the meantime, I gave her pain relievers and full instruction on it. She had to take it after every meals."

"It isn't a minor headache?"

"It could be but I've been having these headaches for the past week now." Denise replied.

David tried again. "Maybe it's your eyes. You may need some glasses."

"That's why I'm taking the tests to know what's wrong." Denise tells him.

"Alright, we can talk about this at home." Keith said and led them out of the hospital.

David takes Denise's hand and gently pulled her close. When she's close enough, he put his arms on her waist. "You gave me quite a scare when I heard that you're here." He quietly tells her.

"Really?" Denise asks, "I mean, I'm sorry if I bothered you with anything." She is in love with this man and a hope flickered that he might feel the same way too.

"Don't say that. I'm your husband," he placed a kiss on her forehead. They went to the basement parking where the royal convoy is already waiting for them.

Keith turned to them before he proceeds to his car. "Take care of yourself, darling." He smiled and kissed Denise on the forehead. "I love you."

"Love you, too, Dad." She hugged him. "I'll be fine. You always know that I exaggerate on things like this. Please tell Mom I'm fine."

When the two are already in the car, David gripped his wife's hand tight. "We'll go back to the hospital first thing in the morning. You need to rest early tonight. Dad's not home. Mom's in the hotel for a meeting. Erienne's the only one at home. We'll have dinner as soon as we get home so that you can take your medicine."

Denise closed her eyes. "I'm tired, David."

He let her rest on his chest. He's still worried about her. She really seemed so tired and he noticed that she lost weight. He suddenly remembered his grandmother Francine, his mother's mother. She's a doctor. He picked up his phone and called her.



~~~



"Thanks," David tells the househelp who served coffee to him and his grandmother. Denise is already sleeping, after she's done with her dinner and medicines and a quick check-up from Francine.

Francine sets aside her notepad and looked at her grandson, who looks like Howie when he's young. She remembered how Adrienne was so smitten with him, she seemed to be floating her way to the altar during their wedding. "There are so many things that can possibly be the findings on Denise's case. I've talked with the doctor you spoke with earlier, Dr. Bruno already told you some scenarios." She started.

"And?"

"I'm afraid that I'd have to tell the rest of the possible findings. It's something I fear to happen to my family."

David held his breath.

"You know, it could be brain tumor."

"But it can be cured, right?" David's heart raced.

"If we immediately perform the necessary procedures to remove the tumor, it can be. Otherwise, the outcome will be fatal." Francine reached out for his hand as David started to cry. "Be strong for your wife, David." He's too young to get married and he's too young to experience such situation of losing the woman he loves.

"I realized that in just a short time of married to her, I already love her. Grandma, I'm so worried about her. I hope that this is just a minor headache."

Francine embraced her eldest grandchild. That is where Adrienne found them when she arrived home.



>> 27

27

Nick heard the soft voice of his wife talking to their children in the room as he makes his way towards Mark's room. They brought him home earlier this morning as soon as the doctor released his order that Mark is fine and can be relieved from the hospital already.

"Please understand your brother. He's going to be fine soon. We'd just have to take one step at a time." He heard Yvonne said.

"I miss Mark." Nate says. Nick stood in the hallway and listened.

"Mommy, do you know where Nadia is right now?" Yves asked.

There is silence for a moment. Nick closed his eyes. Where is Nadia, by the way? Her grandfather must have locked her in the estate. He pitied the woman, in a way, but he thinks that's better. They agreed to hide the occurrence of the wedding from Mark and to prevent Nadia from seeing him. They are not meant to be together.

"I don't know, Yves, but I hope she's fine." Yvonne replied.

"Isn't she Mark's girlfriend? Why wasn't she around?" Yves asked again.

"Yves, I don't know."

Nick walked away with a grin. Leave Yvonne to handle the crazy question-and-answer game with their children. He continued towards Mark's room. He walked inside, passing through the sitting room and in the big bedroom. This is actually his former room in Bordeaux Castle. Since Mark is permanently residing in Arkadia, he now owned the room.

He found Mark sitting on a leather couch and flipping channels on the flat screen TV mounted on the wall a few distance away. His son only gave him a glance then turned back to watching the TV.

"Good evening." Nick greeted his son.

Mark turned off the TV and stood up facing his father.

"How are you? Can you remember anything now?" Nick gently asked.

"I still can't." Mark drew a deep breath. "It's frustrating. I don't know you or the rest of the family. I can't imagine myself being a prince either. And then there's this thing about Nadia Altman that I saw on TV," he looked away. He promised his cousins not to tell where he got the first information about Nadia. "Please tell me something about her." Nick taught his children his native language, the Ark. Mark may have lost his memory but it's a progress that he's able to understand Ark especially on whatever he has watched on the TV.

"Actually, son, you haven't introduced her to me yet. I still haven't met her. I was expecting to be introduced to her at the night of your accident," Nick replied in all honesty. But if Mark asked something about their marriage, he will try to say a lie. However, Mark and the others did not know about the secret ceremony so it would be impossible that he will tell about it. The media would not know about it either. The judge's office where the ceremony was held was already advised to keep mum. He even doubt if Layla would tell her discovery too. He trusts that the young lady will be silent about it. "Why do you want to see her?"

Mark shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she'd help to trigger something to bring back my memories."

Nick nodded. "I'll try to find a way for that. Currently, I heard she's in her grandfather's estate. She doesn't want to go out and see you. Aside from the media that is waiting for her, I was told that she doesn't want anything to do with you because she almost died of the accident."

Mark frowned. "How could she think of that? I'm the one who's almost get killed and now couldn't remember anything."

Nick drew a deep breath. "I'll try to make a way to get to her and ask her to see you, Mark. You need to talk. I'm also hoping she could help you get back your memory."

"I want her to see my condition and tell her how could she leave me like this. I'm the one who almost died."

Nick felt guilty for instilling anger in his son's mind. But he will make up for it later. He's going to find Nadia and try to get her out of her grandfather's estate and clear everything between their families once and for all. Right now, he doesn't want Mark pressing for answers.



~~~



Nadia took one last glance to the head cook who gave her a nod. Wearing a disguise of a house maid, she went to the waiting car that will go to the market. She talked and pleaded the head cook when she learned about its schedule of going out of the estate through the back gates. She was told by her personal assistant that the security weren't strict there. They would just let the vehicle of the kitchen go through.

She studied so many ways how to escape her grandfather's estate. And once she's out, she also had plans. She will secure her finances in the bank because she's sure that her grandfather will control it once he learned that she's gone. And she also needs the money to get her father out of the mental facility. She learned that Conrad didn't take her father out but kept it hidden in another mental facility. She will get him out of there immediately.

Next, she will go to see Mark. She needs to see her husband. She needs his help. She needs to talk to him. And then, she will convince him to start a new life together.

She saw the back gates as the vehicle approached.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of you." She heard the driver said. They have been wanting to help her because they witnessed how Conrad Altman badly treated his family, especially Nadia.

The guard only gave a salute when the vehicle passed by. As soon as it reached the main road, Nadia finally released the breath she's been holding back. She wiped her tears as she began to laugh. She cried and laughed at the same time.

"You deserved it, mistress." The driver said with a smile. "So before I go to the market, let me do the honor to take you wherever you want."

"I'll just drop by to the bank and then to the Uope Mental Hospital. Then after that, I want to make an appearance at the Bordeaux Castle." Nadia said.

The driver stepped on the breaks. "Bordeaux? Are you serious?"

"Yes!" Nadia laughed at his reaction. It wasn't of fear but of excitement. "I'm serious. Now, please get back to driving and I'll introduce you to any one from the royal family we'll see there."



~~~



Alex chuckled when he saw his daughter Jamie running towards her sister Yssa. He's in the car and went to pick them up in school. He's planning to prepare a special dinner for them and his two girls were excited about it when he called them earlier.

Jamie shared his and Olivia's look while Yssa had her mother's features alone. The two are adorable. They are nice kids and they surely grow up so fast.

He amusingly watched as their bodyguards kept up with the sisters as they ran towards the waiting car.

"Daddy!"

"Oh!" Alex was bombarded with kisses. They fell down on him as the car drove away. "Aw, my life's in danger!"

Jamie and Yssa chuckled. "What are we going to have for dinner, Daddy?" The eldest one asked. They sat beside their father.

"It's a surprise." Alex placed his arms on both of them. "How's school?" His daughters started telling him about school, their crushes and even some arguments they have had when some of their schoolmates mocked them as part of the royal family. That's how it goes until they reached home. The butler greeted them with a smile. An old nineties music is playing in the background around the first level of the mansion.

Alex smiled wider. There's only one person who loves to play the music simultaneously all over the place.

"Surprise!"

"Mommy!"

Olivia greeted her daughters with a hug. Alex wanted to feel jealous that they get to hug her first. He chuckled at that silly thought. "I was expecting you'll arrive next week." He said as Olivia rushed to him and kissed him. It felt like a homecoming. He missed her so much and he's sure he's not getting any sleep tonight.

"I want to go home as soon as possible." Olivia's chinky eyes stared up to him.

"How did it become possible?"

Olivia blushed. "I said that my country and my family needs me."

"Good girl. You're learning the ways of the royalty." Alex laughed and wrapped her in a tight embrace.



~~~



Kevin quietly lists down the happenings in his family since they stepped back into the monarchy. He needs to clear his head and analyze each.


1. Baylee is having a relationship with Grethel Robinson, Karl's daughter and Brian's longtime rival. Grethel has been kicked out of the house when she fought for her relationship and is now living with her aunt. Karl also cut off her financial resources and she will start working for a cousin when the classes end
2. Jamie and Ava had a fight over a man, who happened to be Grethel's brother. But the two reconciled and they are trying to patch things up and build back their relationship as cousins
3. Ava left home and is now living in Bordeaux Castle after her father cut her credit cards and decided to teach her a lesson. She's still in Bordeaux and working part-time for her brother to earn something for her personal expenses
4. David is his first nephew to get married, at the tender age of twenty-one, to actor Keith Birch's daughter Denise. They announced the marriage before the media get ahold of the information. Kevin and Howie were criticized with the young prince's sudden decision but they stood by their words to support David and Denise and assured that their young marriage won't affect their studies
5. Catherine is having problems for being the first heiress to the throne of Kreizig, a conservative country with strict rules of succession. She made Ayesa and Dominique worried when she flew to Arkadia without her parents' knowledge
6. Mark was just about to defend the company from a businessman but he met its daughter and has fallen for her. It wasn't easy as an attempted crime resurfaced involving Mama. We would not let anyone from Conrad's family have anything to do with us
7. Mark had an amnesia, a temporary relief after we found out that he and Nadia Altman got married before the accident. We are trying to make their marriage void by using the force of our legal team
8. Scott is betrothed to a nice woman, a daughter of one of the castle employees. I know he likes her very much and they are still young. I wish to see their innocent attraction to blossom deeper as I have high hopes for them


Kevin sets down his pen. He drew a deep breath. To say that becoming a king is a challenge is an understatement. He's only been king for a few months and a lot has already happened in the family. But he's not going to back down. He is optimistic that things are going to be fine soon.

His phone rang a few times before he answered it. Cristin is on the other line.

"Honey, did you know what your son has done?" His wife asks.

"He's your son too," he chuckled in reply.

Cristin ignored his amusement. "He announced to the world that Layla is his girlfriend, that she's the one." She continued. "The media is going crazy over her now. Poor girl. Nobody's planning on leaving her alone."

"She's leaving, Cris."

"Huh?"

"I talked to her and she said she's leaving school and will go to London to work."

"You should have said no."

"I did but she made up her mind already. So I offered her that I will continue her educational support. I want her to become what she dreamed of someday. I don't want this tradition to interfere on what she wanted to be."

"It did, already," Cristin sighed.

"But we can still do something about it," Kevin replied. "Anyway, she accepted. Her flight is tomorrow. I haven't told Scott yet. He's going to panic." He chuckled.

"And you find that funny," his wife sarcastically remarked. "I'm worried of that girl. Is she going to be alright in London?"

"My concerns are with her too but that is what she wanted to do. Let her be." Kevin sat on his chair. "Why did you call?"

"It's Christopher's birthday tomorrow. Tell me you've saved a slot in your schedule for our youngest boy."

Kevin paused for a moment, teasing his wife. Of course, he did.

"Kevin..."

"Yes, of course. I'm just joking. By the way..." Suddenly, he was interrupted by something that exploded. The palace shook that Kevin had to lean on the table beside him. "What the..."

"What's that?"

"Bomb?" Kevin turned when there was a knock and his security came in. And there was another explosion.



>> 28

28

"How is it possible that someone managed to plant a bomb in the palace?" Kevin's voice boomed down the hall as he walked towards the back door. His security strictly told him to vacate the building as soon as possible. As the king, he's torn between protecting himself and resisting his security's orders and go to the exploded area. But he will not risk his safety for now.

"It is still under investigation, Your Majesty." One of his bodyguards replied as he was shown the way.

"I need to know the result by tomorrow." His phone rang and immediately answered it. "I'm good, Pa. I'm going to move to Bordeaux. Cristin is trying to check everyone now to know their whereabouts. Where's Mama?"

"She's beside me. We are going to Bordeaux, as well. See you there. Take care, son." Benedique said.

"Take care, too, Papa." Kevin hung up. He saw his car waiting outside. He went straight inside. The door was closed for him and it quickly sped away. He received several calls from his family, some statesmen and acquaintances as he traveled towards Bordeaux.

He saw his sons and nephews standing at the entrance of the castle when he arrived. No words were exchanged. Kevin only nodded to them and they followed him as he walked ahead, with the security team, inside the castle. They followed him in his office in Bordeaux. Even the young Christopher is inside and watched as his father gave orders to someone on the phone. When done, the king turned to them.

"How's everyone?" He asks. The lads answered at the same time.

"Fine, sir."

"We're just here when we heard what happened."

"Chillin'."

The last remark came from Mark. He's still in amnesia but he's doing good.

"How are you, Dad?" Christopher asks. He's standing beside his brother Scott.

"Fine." Kevin gave them a reassuring smile. He nodded to his sons. "I'm going to be busy in the next few days with your fathers," he tells the rest. The door opened and revealed Nick and Alex. "I'm going to ask my secretary to disseminate some of my duties with you, royal visits, speeches on my behalf. You will represent me as I and my brothers and cousins will investigate this incident."

"That's timely. Classes just ended. They have lots of time during vacation," Alex said. "How are you? I heard five were dead."

Kevin's jaw clenched. "This is serious. Someone broke past the security and was able to plant the bomb. We need to be more cautious. First, there was Mark's attempted ambush. Now, this. I won't anything to happen again, to anyone of you." He looked at the younger generation.

"The ladies, sir. What will be their roles?"

"Same as yours, continue to perform the royal duties. The terrorists aimed to scare us and we won't give them the pleasure. We'll continue with what we do, heighten the security, and solve the puzzle, all at the same time. We will show them that we're not affected from what happened." Kevin answered. His phone rang and he immediately answered it.

"You should go now," Nick tells the younger men. They started towards the door. It opened and revealed one of the bodyguards.

"Yes?" It was Alex.

"Your Royal Highness," the bodyguard courteously greeted. "Miss Nadia Altman is here and looking for Prince Mark."

Mark was surprised to hear that. Nick's jaw dropped open. Why now? Kevin, who heard it, paused in surprise. Mark's cousins were speechless. Alex cleared his throat. "Kindly bring her to the red Sitting Room."

The bodyguard bowed and immediately left.

"That's Nadia Altman..." Mark said. He didn't know what to feel. She's here and looking for him. He looked at his father.

Kevin turned to his secretary, standing discreetly beside his desk.

"Take my phone calls and call for the Prime Minister and the flag officers of the Army and the Navy. I will meet them in two hours." He turned to Mark. "You will stay here and wait while we go and talk to her."

Mark did not say anything. His uncle's commanding tone stopped him from saying anything. He met his father's look and then Nick walked ahead of his brothers. The cousins were left behind in the office as the three elder men went to see Nadia.

"Man, everything's in blur. I don't know where to start." Baylee sighed.

Mark did not know what to do either. He wanted to see Nadia but he has to wait for his father and uncles to do so. They are controlling the situation. Perhaps, this has something to do with the family feud and they only want to protect him, most especially when he cannot remember everything.



~~~



Nadia continuously fidgeted as she waited for Mark. The security led her to a sitting room but she could not sit and wait. She stood up and watched the door. Talking with Mark may probably take a short while. Perhaps, her father and Jack the driver are safe. She left them waiting in the car parked at the castle grounds. When they came earlier, the guards immediately recognized her and let them pass.

She needed to see Mark and find out if he's doing fine. She's guilty that it had to happen and his life was put in danger because of her grandfather. She would not be able to forgive herself if something happened to Mark.

She turned to the door when she heard it opened. She was surprised to see the king and his brothers, Princes Nick and Alex, instead. Where's Mark?

Nadia curtsied in greeting.

"What are you doing here?" Nick asks.

"I came to see my husband, sir. I need to see Mark."

"You don't have a husband here, Miss Altman. If you're talking about Mark," Nick says, "he's not your husband. Your marriage is void. It wasn't legalized."

"Huh?" Nadia realized how powerful the Bordeauxs are. They are truly the most influential family in the country and one of the most revered in Europe. What is she going to do now? She has nothing. And if her grandfather finds them, she doesn't know what will happen to them.

"There's no reason for you to be here." Nick continued. His brothers were only silent beside him. "It's not your fault. It's an old family feud. We don't want you as part of the family because of Conrad Altman."

"I'd only like to speak with Mark. Please, let me speak with him." She's desperate now.

"He doesn't even know you." Kevin said.

"He lost his memory in the accident." Alex added.

Nadia tried not to cry when she heard that. "Oh..." She bit her lower lip. So, there's really no point of coming here. She looked at each of them. "I guess I really don't have to be here." She shakes her head. Her eyes welled up with tears. She glanced at the large windows. Although she couldn't see her father, she will be back to where she left him.

"A lot of things happened between our families and we can't permit you to be part of our lives for now. You're part of the reason why Mark almost died." Nick said.

Nadia thinks it's unfair that they would put the blame on her. She turned back to them.

Alex saw the vulnerable side of this person he only saw in the board room, the career woman who seemed to know everything and could seemed to fight for anything. But the Nadia before them now is different.

Kevin watched the display of emotions on Nadia's face. She was disappointed and saddened when she heard that her marriage with Mark was void at all. And then, he saw the resistance when Nick blamed her for putting Mark's life in danger.

Nick sensed that this young woman knows something by the expressions on her face. She opened her mouth to speak but held back and remained silent.

"Yes, Nadia? Are you going to tell us something?" Alex asks her.

Nadia looked at them one by one. She admits that she needed their help. She doesn't care about herself if her grandfather decided to find her. She's more concerned about her father's welfare. Her father is not crazy but being detained in a mental asylum has caused some traumatic conditions in his brain. He needs treatment to help him go well. She couldn't say if she will be able to support her father's illness. She only have enough for both of them. Her grandfather might be rich but she wasn't given enough to support herself, most especially now that Conrad is out to look for them. She doesn't want to go back to him.

She needs to tell these people what she knows.

"I think it's unfair that you'd blame me for Mark's accident."

Nick raised an eyebrow. He didn't expect her to say that. "Excuse me?"

"While I was held like a prisoner in his estate, I tried to escape because I wanted to see Mark and to know if he's fine. I want to seek his help too. My grandpa admitted that he's behind the attempted ambush. He learned that we got married and the better way to gain access to an increased shares in the company was to kill the spouse. If Mark dies, I'll have the chance to inherit his shares."

Nick's jaw clenched. "How are we going to believe you?"

"Right now, my father is waiting outside for me. I came here to see Mark. To seek help if possible because he believed me. I escaped my grandfather's estate, took my Dad out of the mental facility where they only made his condition worst instead of treating him and I came here to seek my husband who believed in me but only to find out that our marriage is void and he doesn't even remember me. Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but do you think this is the time for me to lie? I'm going through a lot right now." Tears finally gave in with her emotions.

Kevin was surprised to hear that. He thought her father was gone because he never heard about Edward Altman since but now he learned that he was forced to be in a mental asylum.

"Where is your father?" Alex asks.

Nadia drew a deep breath as she only stared at him.

"Answer him, Miss Altman." Kevin said. Nick did not budge.

"There is a mini white van at the castle grounds. The driver from the kitchen helped me escape by disguising as a maid. Dad is with him, waiting for me." She saw Alex walked out of the room.

"He knows what to do." Nick tells her.

She gathered her bag, the one that contained the money she withdrawed from the bank.

Kevin stopped her from going out. "AJ is not taking your father away. He knows what to do. We will help you."

"I suppose you'll no longer be going back to your grandfather," Nick said.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness. He brought enough suffering to me and my family, blackmailing me to do what he wants as he held my father like a hostage. He ordered me for the buy-out in your company so that I can see my father. He ordered me to take advantage of Mark so that I can have the additional shares percentage."

"So you admitted that."

"Mark knew that from the start. He wanted me, I needed him." Nadia answered Nick. "And then grandpa admitted his involvement with the death threats you've been receiving, Mark's ambush and then I heard that he's planning to kill someone in your family." She was surprised when Nick suddenly was beside her and grabbed her arm.

Kevin was surprised as well. "Nick!"

"Who?"

"I don't know, sir." Nadia flinched in pain. But she couldn't blame the prince for his reaction.

Kevin pulled his brother away and turned to her. "Did you know that the Pearl Palace had bomb explosions almost an hour ago? Do you think your grandfather had something to do with it?"

"I think so, Your Majesty." She was surprised to hear that. "Did anyone die?" She asked weakly.

"Fortunately in our family, none." Kevin replied. "I'm the only one in the palace when it happened. But there are others dead."

Nadia weakly sat on the sofa behind her. "I should have come sooner, to give some sort of a warning. I never knew about his plans until he told me when I was detained after the accident. I couldn't even access the phones."

Kevin's personal mobile phone rang and he answered it. It was Alex.

Nick drew a deep breath, finally admitting to himself that he was wrong about his impression to this woman after all. "It's not your fault, Nadia." He quietly said. "Your father kept you in his estate."

Nadia found hope when Mark's father said that. So does that mean he believes her? Is he going to let her see Mark now regardless if he remembered her or not? She bit her lower lip. "But I'm still sorry for any pain it caused your family and for any conflict you've had with your son, Your Royal Highness."

Kevin ended the call. He turned to them. "Your father will be transferred in another facility through my recommendation. I will give you protection including a number of bodyguards who will guard you against your grandfather and his men." He nodded at Nick, excused himself and went out of the sitting room.

Nadia stared at the king's retreating form.

"Wait here. Mark will see you shortly." Nick said and went out, too.

Nadia felt excited upon hearing that. She's going to see Mark. "Thank you, Your Royal Highness," she tried to say but the prince was instantly gone.



>> 29

29

The cousins turned when someone entered the king's office. They did not leave and waited. They turned to watching TV to be updated on the current events. It was Nick who came. Kevin came a while ago but immediately went to the conference room to meet some leaders regarding the explosion.

Mark stood up when he saw him. "Dad?"

"She's waiting for you in the red sitting room," Nick tells him. His cousins looked at each other, wondering their uncle's change of heart.

Mark immediately left the office. Nick nodded at Kevin's secretary who discreetly walked out. And then, he turned to his nephews. Arms across his chest, he asks. "Alright, who told Mark about Nadia?"



~~~



Mark drew a deep breath first before turning the knob of the door. When he walked inside, he saw a woman garbed in a simple jeans and shirt and her hair tied up in a ponytail. She quickly stood up when she saw him.

Mark closed the door behind him. He only stood and looked at her. She's beautiful. It must be his heart. He may have lost his memory but his heart may have still knew that this is the person he loved and cared deeply for. His cousins told him a lot about Nadia.

"My father said that you were in your grandfather's estate, never wanted to see me and doesn't want anything to do with me because you almost died in the accident." Mark started.

Nadia thought it must be the princes' way to separate him from her. But that was before they knew the real story, before they're willing to help her. "No, they must have gotten it wrong. My grandfather never let me go out and see you. So I escaped. I came here to see you, to know how you are. I'm so worried." She watched as Mark struggled to understand. He's not the same. Before, he will greet her with an embrace and a smile on his face. There wasn't the usual gleam in his eye. He cannot recognize her.

"I see. I'm sorry that I don't remember you."

Nadia tried to keep herself from crying. She smiled instead. "I understand. I wish you well, Mark. I hope you will get your memory back soon. And I know your family will help you get through this."

"And you?"

She nodded. "I will try too." She holds on to her bag. "I have to go."

"So soon?"

"My father also needs me too. I'm taking him to the hospital but I'll be back." She walked past him. Her heart is breaking to realize that things are not the same now. Maybe, for the last time...

Mark watched as she turned around and went back to him. She pulled him closer and kissed his lips. As her arms wrapped around his neck and her body inched next to his, a shot of memory ran through. He stood in front of a door and presented her flowers. His hand entwined hers as he led her towards his grandparents. He and Nadia making love. Are those true? Did it really happen?

He finished the kiss and stared down to her. "Nadia..."

There's still no recognition in his eyes, Nadia thought. She smiled as she touched his face. "Bye, Mark." She embraced him for the last time and started towards the door.

"Bye." Mark can only watch her go. He might have remembered something but he cannot understand it. It's very frustrating that he did not know when this will end. He wanted to get back to his old life.



~~~



David hung up the phone after his call with Scott. His cousins are in Bordeaux while he is in the hospital with his wife. He rushed her when she felt the nagging pain when they were having breakfast. While waiting for Denise, he received a call from Scott. He learned from one of the security that something happened in Pearl Palace. A bomb exploded in the public lobby of the palace. There were a few injured and dead, unfortunately. The king is safe however.

"What happened?" Keith Birch asked him. David's mother-in-law stood beside them.

David told them the red-alert situation in their family. Keith advised him that he can leave to check on his family. He only shakes his head. "My wife needs me, sir. I'd rather be here. The security can take care of my family."

Denise's parents stared at him.

"Regardless of what happened to our wedding, or how young are we, I love your daughter and I will never leave her. We are going to spend our lives longer, together. We are going to graduate college, have jobs, do the royal duties and get old together." David couldn't help himself but let his tears fall. Keith and his wife, Laura, hugged him.

"Nothing's going to happen to her." Laura assured her son-in-law.

David hoped nothing's wrong. Denise mentioned a number of times that she had headaches and it must have been only because of the final exams and late night cramming with the projects. He kept on calling her and checking her condition but she said she's fine.

They turned when the doctor came out of the emergency room. The look in his eyes feared David. No... something happened.

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Birch, Your Royal Highness. She's gone." The doctor said.

David's heart felt like it stopped.

"What do you mean?" Keith asked. His wife cried.

"Princess Denise must have been hemorrhaging since she felt that headache. She had brain aneurysm."

David did not know what it is. The doctor mildly explained that an abnormal bulging outward of one of the arteries in the brain caused Denise's early death. "If she lived, it could be either hemorrhagic stroke or brain damage. If we'd have known earlier, we could have taken her for surgical treatment." The doctor continued.

David is crying. He slowly slid himself down the floor. He couldn't explain how heavy his heart is from what's happening. His bodyguards learned what happened and immediately called Prince Howie and Princess Adrienne.



>> 30

30

Adrienne glanced at her husband as their son David wept. They are on a private funeral for Denise in her family's estate where she will be buried in the family private cemetery. Almost everyone on both sides of the Birch and the Bordeaux family were there to extend their condolences.

They were on the major headlines of every newspaper in the country for the bomb as well as for the death of Denise Birch, the young wife of Prince David. It came as a shock to everyone that Denise died. Brain aneurysm came unexpected and it hurt the family for losing her.

David knelt down on the grass as Denise's casket is being lowered down. Adrienne's tears fell as sadness overwhelmed her in seeing her son's pain. She stepped forward but her husband held her arm. Despite being a private funeral, the number of family members who attended were more than a hundred. A lot of people were watching them.

Adrienne moved forward and knelt beside her son who threw a white rose on the casket. She silently prayed and then offered a flower too. She placed her hand on David's back, silently telling him that she's there. David turned to her and hugged her.

Others watched, tears were evident on their faces. Denise was a great person. She always brought a smile to anyone's face. She could easily charm anyone. She could be ecstatic even with the simplest of things.

It's been sad that she died young. The people who loved her will deeply mourn for the loss. In such an early period of her life as a royalty, Arkadia lost a princess who would have held a promise of hope and compassion for everyone in the kingdom.



~~~



David stared in silence at the mound of fresh grass that covered his wife. At the thought of it, his tears came again. Denise is gone. How is he going to live his life now when the very person he depended for the air he breathe has gone and will never come back? How will the sun going to shine in his life now when gray clouds would seem to stay permanent?

"Denise..."

He remembered the last moments he had with her. He tucked her to sleep the night before and spoke with his grandmother. When he went to retire for the evening, he found her still awake. She held him close and they made love. He told her how much he loves her. And she felt the same way too. Few hours later, sated and cuddled to each other's arms, they began to dream of their lives together.


"David, I wanted three children."

"I want five." David chuckled.

Denise only sighed and cuddled closer to him. "Let's try," she smiled.

"We're going to get our own house. It may not be a castle or a mansion but it will be something we acquired on our own, where we can fully start our family." David said.

"Something with a garden," Denise looked up to him. "And where I can plant some herbs. I will cook for you, David."

David kissed her forehead and hugged her tighter. "I love you. It's been a blessing in disguise that we married unexpectedly. I realized that I've been attracted and in love with you for a long time now."

Denise had tears in her eyes. She wiped it away. There's no reason to cry when this man gave her so much to thank for. "I've been loving you since the day I met you."


David didn't want to leave. He didn't even know if there's still life after this. He felt that a part of him died and went with Denise. He didn't know how to live without his wife.

"Why did He had to take you away from me, Denise?" David asks. He couldn't stop crying.

Howie and Adrienne, Keith and Laura silently watched the young man from afar. Others already left. They gave him the privacy to mourn for his wife. They knew he needed that quality time to say goodbye to Denise.

It hurt them to see David's agony. It hurt them to witness the things that happened.

"Let's see to it that our son will move on from this, with love and hope still in his heart," Keith said quietly. With his duaghter now gone, he considered David the only child left behind and for them to take care of.

"He will graduate in college and will do great things in life," Howie added. He turned to the actor. They exchanged knowing looks and nodded. A silent agreement was made. Henceforth, they will help David mend his broken heart as they will too, from the loss of the very important person in their lives. And they will be there to guide him to move forward to the next chapter in his life. He had to go on and keep on living. For sure, Denise would have wanted that way.



~~~



A woman quietly arranged her cleaning materials after wiping off the spilled water on the floor. It's already ten in the evening and at times like these, the bulding was supposed to be empty already. But she's there and she has a mission.

She took sideway glance and quietly walked towards the fire exit. She carried her things with her. She placed it down the floor near the door. Her gloved hand carefully closed the door and waited.

Her estimation should be accurate. In less than two minutes, someone would be coming on the floor to go to the office at the end of the corridor.

It did not took long to wait. She heard voices in the corridor through the bugs she set up everywhere on the floor. Her hi-tech wristwatch can do anything except read time. She also bugged the building's security system and manipulated the monitors on that floor. It will record data on her satellite computer situated on the nearby building.

With a smile, she walked up the stairs, as quiet as a cat. She could hear the voices talking about the only thing that mattered to her, the reason for her mission.

"We should execute the plan. This is the moment we've been waiting for. The royal family were mourning and their defenses were down. We should take advantage of the situation." A man said.

"Have you alerted the men?" Another man asked. The timbre of his voice hinted that he's older than the other.

"They are only waiting for your go signal, Sir."

"I can't wait to see it happen."

"What about your granddaughter?"

The woman raised an eyebrow. What does the granddaughter had to do with this?

"I'll deal with her later. I'd see her dead, including that blonde boyfriend of hers. I'll make sure of that." The older man replied.

The woman felt the urge to leave immediately and inform her boss about what she heard.

"Right now, my plan is to see someone dead. I don't mean the king. He will look good on our postage stamps," the older man continued and laughed. "I will give you instructions. I would like everyone to think that it will be an accident, just like what happened to the President and Prince Mark."

"It was clear to everyone that the president was assasinated. Who got their turn now?"

There was a long pause and the woman thought she lost the bug. But she heard the reply, loud and clear. "That would be Benedique and Isabella."



>> 31

31

Olivia and Leighanne noticed the uneasiness on their husbands' mood when they came back after a conference call with Kevin, who is in the neighboring Kreizig for a state visit to King Dominique. Ever since the bomb explosion and the death of Denise a week ago, the palace is on red alert and the royal family is under maximum security. It's a good thing that the children were on their school break and it's easy for everyone to be monitored.

"How are Ayesa and Cathy?" Olivia asks them.

"They're fine," Alex replied. "Cathy will be coming over for vacation next month with her mother. Duke won't let them go especially his wife because Ayesa is getting sick lately."

"Well, I advise her not to go if she's not feeling well. But she's as stubborn as her twin brother," Brian said. He shakes his head. The two did not touch their food when they sat with their wives.

"What's going on with you two?" Leighanne asks Brian and Alex.

"Another death threat," Brian quietly replied. "We have to go to meet in the palace."

Alex kissed his wife. "I love you." He whispered. Ever since they came back to their royal positions, he never stopped telling his wife his love. So that just in case something happened to him, Olivia knows that she and their children were loved.

"I love you, too." Olivia said. "Take care." She nodded to Brian.

Brian smiled and gave his wife one last grip. "This will take long. I might not be there for dinner. Where's Baylee?"

"He's with Jamie and Ava at a Car Convention. They were invited as guests, as Kevin's representatives. Hugo's with them." That's their trusted bodyguard. Leighanne looked at her husband. "Don't worry. I'll look after them."

Brian and Alex left their wives. The younger one turned to his cousin. "Do you think Rhonda had the answers now?"

"I hope so." Brian drew a deep breath. Half an hour later, they finally reached the palace and met the rest of the men in the family, except the elders. The men include Howie, Nick, Marc and their other cousins.

"How's David?" Alex asks his brother.

Howie drew a deep breath. "He seemed to have lost his will to live. It's scary. Adrienne and his sisters were there, looking after him."

"Man, that's hard." Nick remarked. "I can't imagine things will go this way."

"Anyway, where's our informer?" Howie diverted the topic. It's painful to talk about the tragedy about his son. He's letting David bide his time to heal himself from the loss and sorrow.

They turned when the door opened and the security admitted a woman with long black hair. She smiled with her pouted lips at them. And even though the men are already married, they couldn't help but admired the woman and her oozing sexuality.

"Good day to everyone."

"I wondered why Papa hired her. It must be her looks." Nick whispered to Alex beside him.

"Oh, do not underestimate me, Prince Nickolas," the woman said.

Brian smiled. "So what's in it for us today, Rhonda?"

Rhonda placed her laptop on the table of the conference room. "We're going to have a film showing and an audio session today, Your Royal Highnesses. But let me brief you first with what I do." She stood up in the center. All the men were focused on her. "I was hired by His Grace Grand Duke to investigate about Conrad Altman and all his actions. I was informed about the failed buy-out as well as the act he did in the past with the Grand Duchess and for the period of time, I can therefore conclude that Conrad Altman can be the person behind the things going around in your family."

"And that will be justified by the materials you brought today?" Howie asked.

"Yes, Your Royal Highness." Rhonda connected her laptop to the screen projector. "Conrad Altman is the person behind the assasination of the president and the attempted ambush on Prince Mark. There is a connection for everything that happened, including the return of the monarchy in the country."

"That's too much for a person like him," Nick remarked. "How could he possibly be involved with those things?"

"He planned everything." Toby said, who also entered the room. He is Rhonda's boss. He acknowledged everyone. He was the one who ordered Rhonda on her mission to investigate.

"How could it be all connected?" Marc asked her.

Toby nodded at Rhonda then turned to the princes. "Basically, his plans were for revenge against the former King Benedique and Queen Isabella. He's the brains behind the assasination of the last president, as well as the attempted ambush on Prince Mark."

"And now, he had more plans to ruin your family," Rhonda added; she turned to the laptop in front of her and pressed a key. They heard in the speakers the recorded conversation between Conrad Altman and an unidentified person. At the same time, a video is being played in the screen projector. Two silhouettes of men were seen standing in the corridor.

"What?" Nick exclaimed when he heard the part about intending to see Nadia and Mark dead. Brian turned to him, a deep frown across his face.

"That old man is crazy!" Alex shakes his head.

They held their breath when the man asked who will be the next in their plans. There was a long pause. Howie glanced at Rhonda whose attention is on the video. The men on the video only stood facing each other. The men in the conference room were waiting.

Then they heard it loud and clear. "That would be Benedique and Isabella."

A series of expletives were exchanged. Toby stood up as Rhonda looked on to the angry princes. "Before this meeting, we already alerted the security and I have men who were watching over Altman and his people. They are under surveillance now."

"Can Kevin just order for his arrest?" Mike, one of the cousins, asked.

Howie took out a document from his envelope. "Actually, he arranged for that before he left for Kreizig. Here is a copy of his royal order, duly noted by our lawyers, for Conrad Altman's arrest. His granddaughter, Nadia, stood as a witness. Her signatory is enclosed here. He is charged for murder, attempted homicide, kidnapping, among others. Toby knows this, too."

"So we're expecting an arrest anytime now?" Marc asked his cousin.

Howie nodded. "I didn't expect that, after having seen and heard what Rhonda has presented, Altman's involvement could be this big. He really should be in jail."

Nick stood up. "I'll just call home to check on Yvonne, Mark and the kids. Where's Nadia?"

"She's in D'azur. Dominique offered his home so that no one would suspect where she is." Brian spoke for the first time. Nick nodded and went out of the conference room.

"What are we going to do next?" Alex asks Toby.

"Well, you may go home to your families and stay safe. We can handle this. We will keep you safe." Toby replied. Rhonda agreed. The princes looked at each other. Everyone wished that this major problem will be over soon.

Howie stood up. "I have to go. David is expecting me at home." He quietly said.

Brian sighed. For all that is happening, it came to this point where everyone in the family needed each other. He wanted to go home and check on his family, too. Slowly, the princes followed Toby's advice and went out of the conference room.



~~~



"Scott, make everyone safe. Look over Mom, Christopher and Layla," He heard his father say on the other line. Scott was surprised to receive the call from his father. He would call at times to check on him but this is the first time that his father instructed him about taking over the family.

"Is there something going on, Dad?"

"Your grandparents are under major death threat, son. We've done everything we could now. Please look after mom and Chris. And Layla, too," Kevin repeated. "I'm on my way home in three hours. Don't worry. We have enough security."

"Okay. Have a safe flight. By the way, I don't know where Layla is. I've been looking for her. Did she say something to you, Dad?"

Kevin paused for a moment. "Well, she went to my office before my state visit here. She said she's leaving for London. I'm sorry that I forgot to tell you. Everything happened so quickly, it slipped my mind."

Scott didn't know if he will be happy or mad from what he heard. "I wished she could have told me." He says.

"Oh, sorry, son..."

"It's okay, Dad."

"Are you going to follow her in London?"

"No," Scott stopped walking down the hall when he saw Mark and Nadia sitting on one of the couches at the open terrace that he passed by. "She'll be back. I got so much to think of to even bother about her. Anyway, I still have time. Ten years is a very long engagement period, Dad."

"I was thinking that you might have to talk with your fiancée."

"I don't know, Dad. Maybe when I have time. I've got to go, by the way. Bye, Dad. See you later."

"Bye, Scott."

Scott hung up the phone and quietly went to see his cousin. He saw Mark puts a consoling arm on Nadia's shoulders. He appeared in the terrace. The two turned to him.

"I thought you're in D'azur..." Scott tells Nadia.

"I went to visit Mark."

"And then we saw in the news that her grandpa was arrested for the threats in our family." Mark added. Scott saw their entwined hands.

"Are you okay now? Did you already remember her?" Scott scratched his head. Sometimes, it was silly to even bother about his cousins. All of them were so diverse, so different, sometimes weird and crazy. Each had something going on in them.

"No." Mark replied. "But I like her. I think that's a good start."

Nadia looked at the man beside him. "You like me even though my grandpa wants your grandparents dead?"

"I don't like him. I like you. It's different. My dislike with him won't change anything that I have with you."

"Did you know, before, you used to say how much you like me and always wanted to be with me?" Nadia said. "I took it for granted until such a time when I woke up in the morning and all I think about is you."

Scott rolled his eyes. He doesn't need to hear this conversation between Mark and Nadia but still, he stayed. He watched as Mark tried to remember. He thought it might be possible that the brain could not remember but the heart could recognize. It could happen in Mark's case. And his cousin is trying so hard to remember because in his heart, he knew that this woman is a very special person to her. He could feel it.

"I remembered a memory of me in front of your place, holding out a bouquet of flowers for you." Mark tells her.

"Stargazer Lilies," Nadia smiled at the memory.

"Huh?" The men looked at her.

"It was a bouquet of stargazer lilies, my favorite. It was of different colors." Nadia replied. "Mark said he researched what is my favorite flower." Mark is staring at her.

"I don't even know what does it looks like," Scott shakes his head.

"Scott!"

He turned when he heard his brother Chris calling him. "What? Why?"



>> 32

32

Yvonne saw her husband inside their room when she went out of the shower. Nick is setting up the laptop. When he saw her, he closed the gap between them and kissed her. She always loved his kisses. "I missed this."

Nick smiled and kissed her again. "I love doing this. Hmmm..."

Yvonne chuckled. But she knew better that Nick had something in mind. If it is not sex, there is something else. "What's on your mind?"

Nick stared down to her.

"I love you."

"I know. And I love you too..." Yvonne smiled. "So what's on your mind?"

Nick stared down to her.

Yvonne slapped his arm. "Stop doing that!"

Nick smiled. "Let's go home. And we'll take Mark and Nadia too. What do you think?"

Yvonne's mouth dropped open. "Are you sure?" Her husband nodded. "Uh, will taking those two help solve the situation?"

Nick let go of her. "He's my son. I will take him there."

Yvonne frowned. There is really a time that she and Nick would clash with their differences. Nick could be immature and narrow-minded especially when he had lots of things to think about. Sometimes, she would wonder how they ended up complimenting each other's likes and dislikes and she always ended up with the conclusion. She is deeply in love with this man. Now, she wondered what has gotten into his mind to think that she's trying to separate Mark because he is not her biological son. Nick knows how she loves Mark so much, to distraction that she immediately flew in to Arkadia when he had the accident. "What do you mean by that? He's my son too, even if not biologically. I'm just worried about him and then about Nadia. There's still this thing about her grandfather. You're being unfair. I'm only worried about the two."

Nick closed his eyes then opened it and looked at her. "I'm sorry, baby. I got out of line. I know how much you love Mark."

"I'm only worried. He's still in amnesia."

Nick gripped her hand tighter. "I need to hear your thoughts."

"I don't want to be separated from my son but I don't want him to travel for now. I want to stay here a little longer for him."

Nick felt the same way too. "What about Yves and the twins?"

"They are going in the international school anyway. Both ways can adjust. We can hire someone for home study and then they continue their schooling when we get back to the States." Yvonne replied.

"I want them to have a normal school life," Nick sighed.

"They are far from living a normal life since the day they were conceived," Yvonne winked at him, "you know that. We can't deny how special they are because you are their father."

"And you are their mother. Don't forget that." Nick kissed her again.

"Hmmm... Yes," Yvonne kissed him back. "We don't have a choice. I can't be separated from either one of them. I don't want to compromise their safety if I will send them home."

"Maybe a solution is to tell Mark about the plans. Let us hear what he thinks," Nick tells his wife.

"And that's the only time you can decide on booking a jet back home."

Nick's phone rang. "Yes, I figured that out. By the way," he takes out his phone from his pockets. "the commanding officer at the Royal Army Training center told me that he postponed Mark's training because of what happened. He's supposed to start by next month."

"Thank God, he postponed." Yvonne watched her husband answered the phone.

"What?" He glanced at her. "Oh, god. Kevin is due to arrive any minute now. This would really anger him."

Yvonne wondered what's going on. Nick looked very upset. She held his arm. She met his look. Something happened to someone.

"I'll round up my family. Thanks, AJ ..." Nick weakly ended the call with his brother. He turned to her. "Cristin was kidnapped."



~~~



Alex turned when he heard the pulling out of a sword from its sheath. He saw Olivia touching the sword that was on display in his office. "What are you going to do with that?" He asked his wife.

"If only I could, I would go to where Cristin is," Olivia replied. They already learned that she was kidnapped and it bothered everyone that Kevin still did not know about it. He's already on board in the royal jet when they received the news. But Howie and Toby must have contacted him now and was informed about it.

Olivia stared down at her husband's sword. She considered Cristin as one of her best friends because she was a very nice person and she helped her a lot in being a mother and a wife. She looked up to Cristin as an older sister too. How could anyone would think about kidnapping her?

"I'm sure the whole security team and the police force were doing their best to find and save her." She heard her husband said. "Where's Jamie and Yssa?"

"At home. I told them not to go out for now," Olivia laid down the sword. She can't do anything with the situation but wait. "Do you think somebody already called for ranson or anything?"

Alex went to her and takes her hand. "I don't know. Come, let's go to the Blue Room and find out what's the latest update."

Olivia gripped her husband's hand tight. "I love you, AJ. I always do."

Alex smiled down to her and kissed her lips. "I love you too."



~~~



Isabella saw her daughter-in-law, Adrienne, standing in the hall. She seemed to be in deep thoughts that she did not notice Isabella now reached her side.

"How are you, darling?"

Adrienne looked as if she woke up from a trance. "Mama..." She hugged her. "I was thinking about Cristin. I'm so worried."

"Where's Howard?"

"He's at the airport, with Brian and Mike. Kevin already knows. He ordered for the search."

When Isabella held her hand, she realized how shaky Adrienne is. "Oh, darling."

"I'm so scared, Mama."

Isabella could not understand why Adrienne felt so scared.

"Cristin and I were together before she was kidnapped. We came from a doctor." Adrienne continued when she saw her mother-in-law's confusion. Well, she haven't told anyone the whole story yet. "We just got inside the car when it stopped and the door opened. Men with masks pointed their guns on us. They were speaking a southern Ark accent. And they were only taking Cristin with them, not me."

Isabella shushed her when she took several deep breaths. Adrienne took a tight grip on her hand. "Mama, they have to find Cristin soon. She's pregnant."



~~~



Kevin closed his eyes as the jet landed smoothly on the runway of Ortho International Airport. He discreetly wiped the tear that fell down his cheeks. He hoped that they are not hurting his wife. He is very worried about her and at the same time, furious to the mastermind behind the kidnapping.

"Cristin..."

"Your Majesty," his security called.

Kevin opened his eyes. "Any news?"

"We still have not received anything, Your Majesty."

Kevin stood up. His secretary is already behind him. He went towards the front of the plane. The staff greeted him with a bow. The door is now open too. "Thank you, Albert." He said to the chief pilot who is also his friend. He smiled with acknowledgment to the rest of the staff.

"We're praying for your wife's safety, Your Majesty." Albert tells him.

Kevin only nodded. A lump formed in his throat after hearing that. He could not say his gratitude out loud but he tried. Afterwards, he continued towards the exit. He saw the almost empty side of the tarmac, except for his security and the number of bulletproof cars. He needs to see his family soon. Scott and Christopher must have been worried of their mother. He had to reassure his sons that he is doing everything in his power to return their mother. Then he suddenly remembered that Albert had friends in the underground intelligence. He turned to go back inside the plane.

And then he felt a sudden twinge of pain on his shoulder.

"Your Majesty!"



>> 33

33

Scott's jaw clenched as he saw his father with an arm sling. He was informed that a bullet slipped on the king's shoulder and luckily, his father was able to move to go back in the plane. The plan to assasinate him backfired when he had the change of mind. Looking at him now, his father still looked strong despite the injury.

"Don't worry. All has been taken care of," Kevin told his son when Scott got near. It seemed as if he's looking at the image of him almost thirty years ago.

"We have received a call and they were not asking for a ransom." Scott said.

"What do they want?"

"Grandpa and Grandma," Chris replied.

Kevin looked at his youngest son. "What?"

"What are we going to do?" Scott asked.

Kevin looked at his brothers, cousins and the security. "I can't give them what they want." But what about his wife?

"But what about Mom?" Scott looked very frustrated, much like he is right now.

"My team is still trying to trace the number," Toby said. They followed Kevin towards his office.

Kevin racked his brains, trying to find a way to save his wife. The police and the investigator were already out to look for Cristin. But he could not just sit and wait for things to happen. He also wanted to go out there to find his wife. "I will go out there to look for my wife," he announced. His brothers and cousins were quick to disagree on that.

"Your life will be in danger." Marc tells him.

"We cannot risk you doing that, Kevin," Nick said.

Howie went to put an arm on his brother's shoulder. "Kev, it will not only be dangerous for you but also for Cristin and your baby."

Kevin immediately turned to him. "Cristin and our baby?"

Howie saw the looks from the others. "She and Adrienne came from the doctor when she was kidnapped. The two recently found out that she's pregnant, despite the age. Miracle baby, I'd say."

Scott and Christopher looked at each other. Their mother is not yet old. She's only fifty. Can't she become pregnant at that age?

"Tell them to be extra careful. Tell everyone that my wife is pregnant." Kevin turned to Toby. "Do whatever it takes, Toby." He turned to their lawyer. "Make sure that after this, those people will rot in jail."

"They will receive more than that, Your Majesty." Atty. Guevenche replied. "They took the queen. The punishment is severe. It will be death penalty."

"What about Conrad Altman?" Kevin suddenly thought of the man. "He's the only person we could suspect of doing this. Did anyone interrogate him already about this?"

"He is scheduled for that," Toby looked at his watch, "in fifteen minutes. By the way, I have to be there. Excuse me, Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses."

"I'd like to go with you, Toby," Nick followed the chief security.

"Dad," Scott said to his father. "I think you should stay here. We can't risk you going out and getting harmed as well. We'll look for Mom out there instead."

"I don't want to just stay around," Kevin said in frustration. "If I have to..."

"You will stay." Howie firmly said. More than being the brother of the king, he also had a special position in the king's cabinet and Kevin must follow Howie's suggestions when he had to, especially for a safety cause.

"Alright, I will stay. I want some things be done. Howie, call your friend Ivan. Marc, our comrade in the army. Remember Dane?" Kevin began shooting out orders to everyone. Meanwhile, Scott and Christopher were permitted to leave.

"What are we going to do, brother?" Christopher asks Scott when they were out in the hall. They avoided the crowding employees of the palace and went to the private area and restricted from the non-royals.

"We'll follow Toby. We need to know something from Conrad Altman."



~~~



Nadia quietly curtsied when Nick passed by her. Toby was ahead of the prince and she knew they were there to witness the interrogation of her grandfather, who was just arrested this morning. She came for the same reason. She wanted to know if he had anything to do with the kidnapping of the queen. She wanted to be there in case they will need her for anything pertaining to her grandfather.

She realized how the family were in full force during this difficult time. They were united and supportive to solve the problem. She always longed to belong in this kind of family who loves and cares and looks out to each other.

"Nadia..."

She turned and saw Mark's father walking towards her. "Your Highness..."

"How is your father?"

"I dropped by earlier. He's doing well, Your Highness."

Nick nodded. "You will not show yourself to your grandfather. We will not show ourselves there." He told her.

"Why? I can ask him questions."

"From the way he was detained here, I'm sure that he never wanted to see you. He no longer trusts you. But I know you wanted to be here to hear what he will say. We will be in the other room. There's a one-way mirror there." Nick replied.

"Since I know him well, I will tell you things that might say that he's bluffing."

Nick nodded. There was a moment of silence between them. "By the way, we will take Mark back to the US. We'll go home as soon as this is over."

"Oh..." Nadia bit her lower lip.

"You will come with us. Can you do that?"

"I cannot leave my father, Your Highness." Can she ask if Mark would rather stay in Arkadia? But Mark's father did not say anything after that. One of the investigators called for them to go inside a room. Nick ushered her before him. Inside, they saw a one-way mirror where they can see the other room. There is a long table, a chair and two men in black suits.

Nadia was offered a seat but she declined. She held her breath and tried not to show any reaction when she saw her grandfather comes inside the other room. He was told to sit on a chair.

They turned when the door opened and the security ushered the king's sons, Scott and Christopher. Nick only acknowledged his nephews with a nod and turned back to what's happening inside the room.

Conrad Altman was read a royal decree of pre-trial investigation for his crimes against the crown. The decree was made years ago, during the time of the king's great grandfather where the threat against the crown and the royal family was severe. It came to good use again this time. As the accused, he is entitled to have one lawyer present for the proceedings. A lawyer of the royal family will be present as well to observe the interrogation to be headed by the chief of the investigation.

And then, the interrogation begins.



~~~



"Kevin..."

Kevin opened his eyes and looked around. He thought he heard Cristin's voice. He was imagining things. He was very worried of his wife, especially with her delicate condition. He hoped the kidnappers would somehow take care of her. It seemed ridiculous but he hoped they would not hurt her.

He felt so helpless. He's only in his office, receiving and making phone calls. Ordering people around. He wanted to go out and look for Cristin. Where did they take her? Is she alright? How many months is she pregnant?



~~~



"Kevin..."

Cristin tried not to show emotions as she thinks about her husband and her sons. They must be worried of her. She knew Kevin will be on the verge of murder because of her. She knew how he was very protective of them. Then her sons; she did not know yet the capacity of what they can do now that this happened. Especially if they found out that she is pregnant.

Adrienne must have told them already about her condition. It was surprising for someone her age. It was a miracle. She never thought it could happen. She and Kevin were still doing what married couples do intimately. It was a wondeful gift that she got pregnant. The doctor said it could be possible for someone like her with a healthy and active lifestyle. She was excited and happy to hear about it. After her miscarriage years ago, she was devastated and she lost hope of having another child. She was supposed to have a girl. It was something she and Kevin have been wishing for a very long time. Now, she had to take care of herself and the baby. She will not let these kidnappers harm them. Luckily, they never did as much as hurt her. They only dragged her by her arm but that's it. Somehow, being the queen still made them careful with their actions. The penalty for them was severe if they get caught for kidnapping the sovereign: death penalty.

She sat still, her eyes blindfolded as she quietly listened to the conversation nearby. She heard a TV opened somewhere and she knew that she's already in the news. But the kidnappers were angry, not for her being kidnapped but for the arrest of Conrad Altman that morning. She suspect that he had something to do with her kidnapping.

"If we only knew that he will be arrested today, we should not have pursued with kidnapping the queen. What are we going to do now?" She heard one of them asked. They seemed worried. They should be. Foolish men. Maybe these people do not have a regular job and needed money enough to do this. Maybe she can negotiate with them for her freedom. She could actually help them.

"Kill her?"

"Stupid! We already have a reward money on our heads and a death penalty if we get caught."

"She's pregnant too."

There was silence. Cristin waited for the next reply, but none came.

"Why are we doing this again?" There came the question.

"Because he told us to and he's going to pay us a lot."

"And we didn't care if it's the queen because?"

"Don't give me that, Quinn! We're in trouble enough. It is the queen! I have wife and kids." The voice of that man seemed troubled. Cristin realized the weakness with these kidnappers. She will take advantage of that.



>> 34

34

"He's lying!" Nadia exclaimed when she heard her grandfather's reply. Conrad was asked if he had an accomplice for the incidents that happened in the royal family. He smiled first before he replied that his granddaughter, Nadia Altman, knew very well of his plans. And she was the head of executing it until she decided to leave him and had him arrested by the authorities.

That was when Nadia started with her outbursts.

She turned to the people in the room. "He is lying," she repeated, shaking her head.

"How are we going to believe you?" Scott asked. His arms across his chest.

Nadia turned to him. "I know you're not exactly the first person who will trust me but I am telling the truth and he's lying. I'm not involved in whatever crimes that he had. The employees in the estate can attest to that."

Christopher did not say anything as he only watched them on the side. Nick walked up beside them. "Alright, stop it. Nadia may or may not be involved but I'm sure they will invite her inside that room." He turned to her. "I trust you. Just tell them the truth and remember that you're doing this for your father, not for us or for Mark but for your Dad. He needs you now more than anyone else."

The mere mention of her father brought a tear to her eyes that she immediately wiped away. "I'm ready for that, Sir."

"Very good." Nick tapped her shoulder. He turned to his nephews. "You may investigate on this, if you want, Scott. After all, you have a law degree." He raised an eyebrow. He turned to Christopher. "Chris, did you notice something weird or your mother may have been feeling lately?"

"Before I knew that Mom's pregnant, she was lazy lately. For this week, she's always at home, feeling sick in the morning. Then she will eat breakfast at ten, lunch at twelve, snacks at two and four, and then dinner at six in the evening. I heard the maids saying that. They may have noticed the change in her first."

"Yvonne was like that, especially with the twins." Nick said. "We need to find your mother soon. It may not be easy for her to be in that kind of danger when she's pregnant, especially at her age," he drew a deep breath. He answered his phone call. "What is it, Kev?"

Scott drew a deep breath. He's only half-listening to his uncle as Conrad Altman is still being interrogated in the other room. They do not know where his mother is. Surely, Conrad will not admit that he has anything to do with the kidnapping. He will try to get away with it as much as he can.

And he will never permit that.



~~~



"May I have something to eat?" Cristin asked. She is hungry and she's craving for any kind of food. Even before she realized that she's pregnant, she was having a hard time waking up in the morning. She became lazy. Then she ate more than three times a day and she would never forget having a pack of gummy worms in her pocket. She thought it was only a phase. Kevin did not realize it too. When she thought that she had too much migraines, she went to see the doctor and learned about her real condition.

"The food is on the way. Right now, we can only give you a glass of water," she heard one of the kidnappers said.

"Are you asking for a ransom?" She tried to ask. She needs to talk to them.

"Are we going to get some when we did?"

Cristin tried not to smile. She's still blindfolded. She wished she could see them. "I heard that Conrad Altman was arrested earlier. Who's going to negotiate with them?"

"We're not related to the person you're talking about."

They were protecting Conrad Altman. What for? "I heard you were referring to him. You can't deny that." Cristin said.

"We can lie about that," came a reply. There were laughter.

"I'm going to recite a number. That is my husband's number. You will ask him for ransom money. Then you will admit that Conrad has something to do with this. I know he did. I heard you." Cristin said.

"We're not fools, Your Majesty. We will not call the king. For all we know, you're setting us a trap."

"How can I when that number is only known to me? It would be a wonder how could you know about that number. Ask ten million dollars from him. Tell him that I'm asking for it. You will get it in the easiest way you could imagine but in one condition." Cristin paused.

There was silence. She is sure that these men were thinking and possibly considering her suggestion. She's very nervous but she had to pretend that she was not a bit afraid of her ordeal.

"What condition?"

"You may not admit it but I heard that Conrad Altman had something to do with this kidnapping. The plan would have been better if his granddaughter didn't have him arrested but since things were busted, you have to decide your fate. I know you don't want to end up like him especially when you kidnapped me." She said instead of replying.

"So? What is your condition?"

"If you produce a concrete evidence against Conrad Altman for his crimes, you will be paid a sizable amount of ransom. Then everyone will be free." There, she said the magic word.

"Everyone will be free? Are you kidding?"

Cristin frowned, trying to impose authority over them. She hoped they would buy her suggestion. She wanted to go home. "I'm pregnant. I have a delicate condition. Frankly, I want to be free. I'm not fooling around. Besides," she said, "I'm true to my word. I always do whatever I said."

"You will not take us to the police?"

"I'm a mother. I'm a woman. I'm sure your family would want the same if I will be put in their position. You will go out of this country and live anew. Forget that this happened." Cristin told them. "You will actually get more from this. We're giving away millions in which we often use to help charity foundations but we're giving it to you. All we only ask in return is my freedom, evidences against Conrad Altman and you will go out of this country. That's all. Is that too hard for you? I'm not kidding, especially at times like this."

There was a long silence. Cristin wondered what they are thinking. She wanted to go home. She wished they would accept her offer otherwise, she didn't know what to do.

After seemingly a while, she heard them replied. "We'll think about this, Your Majesty."

She didn't say anything in return.



~~~



Scott watched as the interrogation with Conrad Altman was finalized. He was told to return to his cell while Nadia was already called to face the investigators. Since she needed a lawyer and no one could represent her immediately, Scott decided to volunteer. He knew the law. As a law student, he can assume the duties of a lawyer through the supervision of a senior lawyer in which only Nadia's grandfather's was the only one present. He couldn't represent Nadia but he is willing to supervise Scott.

"You should accompany Nadia in there now," Nick tells him.

Scott took the pencil and notepad he requested that he will be needing. When he reached for the door, it suddenly burst open and revealed Mark.

"Nadia! Where is she?"

The people inside the room looked in surprise. Nick walked near his son. "Mark, what are you doing here?"

"Where is Nadia, Dad? My memory's back. I can remember now. Where is my wife?"

The men gasped in surprise except Nick. "Your marriage wasn't finalized, son. They were voided by our lawyers."

Mark stopped in his panic and looked at his father. "What?"

Nick nodded.

Mark looked away. He looked at the one-way mirror through the other room. Nadia is being taken inside. "She doesn't have anything to do with aunt Cristin's kidnapping. It was her grandfather. Nadia is innocent. She doesn't have to be there."

"How did you know?" Scott asked.

"Because I met Conrad before," Mark cringed, "the accident." He felt his head. "He tried to scare me when he said that he will do something about my grandparents. When I learned from David that aunt Cristin was kidnapped, I knew immediately that he had something to do with this."

"When the kidnappers called, they asked for Papa and Mama in exchange." Nick tells his son.

Scott cleared his throat. "I have to go." He went out of the room.

"Where is he going?" Mark asked. He saw his cousin entered the other room. "Why is he there?" His father told him about Scott's representation as Nadia's lawyer. He watched as Scott talked with the officers and another man. And then to Nadia. They were briefing Scott and Nadia about the proceedings of the interrogation.

"Good day, Miss Altman." A police officer started. "How are you related to Conrad Altman?"

"I'm his granddaughter through his only son, Edward, in which he has sent to a mental facility with no accurate findings that my father is crazy." Nadia replied.

The officers looked at each other. "Where is your father?"

"He's in D'azur. The king of Kreizig offered it to us while we're hiding from my grandfather. I took him out of the facility because he is not crazy. And then I went to ask help from my boyfriend's family."

Mark turned to Nick. "Her father is in uncle Duke's house?" His father nodded.

"Did you know something about the kidnapping of Her Majesty Queen Cristin?" The questions continued.

"No, I do not know anything." Nadia replied. "But my grandfather once told me that he will stop at nothing to ruin the royal family, especially the Grand Duke and Duchess. I don't know why he said that. I told that to Mark, too."

"Where were you when the queen was kidnapped?"

"She's with me." Mark said.

"I went to the Bordeaux Castle to visit my boyfriend, Mark. It was also there where I learned that my grandfather was arrested. I had him arrested. I told His Majesty about the threats in their family, as well as about the threats imposed in me and my father's life. I wasn't expecting that he had plans of kidnapping one from the royal family." Nadia replied.

Mark sat in one of the seats as he felt a headache. His cousin, Christopher, saw him. "Are you alright, Mark?" Nick turned to his son.

"My head hurts," Mark replied. He leaned against the chair and watched Nadia on the other side. He could not see any hint of fear in her. He felt proud. She is really one strong woman.

"By the way," he heard his father started. Nick sat beside him. "Me and your mom, we agreed to go back to the US after everything. We wanted to talk about this to you but that would be later. I just want you to know."

"She can't leave her father," he said.

"I heard that from Nadia too." Mark hinted a smile in his father's remark. When he looked at him, his father is smiling.

"You like her now?"

"How could you find such a wonderful and strong woman like your mother and Yvonne in such a young age?" Nick chuckled. "When I was your age, I'm obsessed with a childhood friend while dating a dumb socialite. But you..."

"It just happened." Mark glanced at the other room. The interrogation is being finished. "I'd love her to be my wife."

"Well, you have to do it properly, son."

Mark is contented. He will do the things he wanted to do later but now, he had to finish this ordeal with his family first.



>> 35

35

"You don't really have to come with us," Howie muttered to his brother as he and Kevin went inside a black van. Toby and his team found the hideout of the kidnappers. They didn't know how but Howie knew how competent and intelligent Toby and his team are. Now, they are going to have a rescue operation to save Cristin.

"I want and I will come with you. Blast, Howie! That's my wife. She's pregnant. I assume you will do the same thing if Adrienne is in her place."

Howie did not say anything. Kevin is right. It would drive him crazy knowing if Adrienne is in danger and pregnant.

"You're active?" Howie tried to liven up the situation. The van is already on the road. They didn't use the police convoy so as not to attract the media's attention or the kidnappers'.

"What?" Kevin growled. He's pissed since his he learned about his wife. His brother stared at him, so did Brian. "Oh, that." Howie is talking about sex. "Of course. Why not? Don't tell me you're not."

"Why can't we?" Alex asked.

"My sentiments exactly." Kevin turned to the road. Two black Range Rovers drove past them. The vehicles were so fast it was already out of their sight. Kevin recognized it. Toby's team have several back-ups.

"Okay, enough of that sex talk." Howie said. He began explaining to them the planned tactics relayed to him by Toby's team. Among them, he and Kevin are the experts in the military rules of engagement. "Nick, you're the sharp shooter. You will only use this when the targets go out of hand. You are going to stay here." He pointed at a spot in the map he showed them. He gave him a gun.

"Thanks." Nick took the gun. "I think that there's also a subtle way to deal with them. I brought my archies." He is referring to the bow and arrows he's been using for archery. He may not have been to the military but he had the most immense skills on several weapons. He even underwent a specialization training on bombs.

"Great. Use that. I'll take this," Kevin said. He took the gun.

"The rest of us had to deal with guns. Nick can play with his archies," Howie rolled his eyes. "Outdated." He chuckled. "Anyway, we can only back up on Toby's team. They will still have to do the lead operations. We all have to pray that we'll be able to rescue Cristin."

"We will." Kevin said with conviction. Howie finalized his briefing.

"Okay, any questions, comments, violent reactions?"

"I wish I could use my sword," Alex retorted.

There was laughter inside the van. At least for a while, they still tried to lighten up the situation. At the back of their minds, they wanted this to end. They have to save Cristin and take her home.



~~~



Cristin did not know what is going on but it seemed quiet. She tried to hear any hint of noise, a tv or radio perhaps, but there is none. Her heart is beating fast. Where could they be?

She wondered if someone would suddenly shoot her. Or stab her. Or kick her. She never felt so nervous in her life. She didn't want to die yet.

Suddenly, she longed for the warmth of Kevin's embrace, the joyous company of her son, Scott, and the intelligent conversations she had from Christopher. She still wanted to do a lot of things, improve the lives of lots of people in Arkadia.

She also wanted to see her child born in this world. If it will be a boy, she will teach him the things she thought Scott or Chris. If it's a girl, she will surely be spoiled a lot. She will hand down her clothes, her shoes, her bags, her passion with history and architecture, among other things.

Tears suddenly fell from her eyes. She prayed silently for her safety. She wished this will be over soon.



~~~



"Retards," Alex heard Nick muttered beside him. They were at the back of a rundown four-storey building. They saw Toby's team quietly sneaking up everywhere. They were all in black, to camouflage in the darkness.

"Only fifteen people? You think that's few?" Nick asked him quietly.

"They're professionals. What can you say?" He answered. They heard from their earpiece the conversations that their security team were having. It was figured that fifteen people were guarding Cristin from several floors of the building.

"Fucking shit," Nick muttered. He aimed his bow and arrow and released. One kidnapper in the second floor balcony went out for a smoke. He was aimed straight to the heart. "Fourteen more. I got one man down." He intercepted the conversation. "Second floor, east side."

"Actually, five left," came the reply.

Alex and Nick looked at each other. "I should have brought my sword. It's much quieter than this gun." Alex said. Then, they heard the conversation returned. Toby's men were gearing up for the rescue.

"The eagle found the queen."

"Define the location. Back up! Back up!"

"Third floor, north side. The hawk is with the eagle. Chief is on the back-up."

Kevin and Howie found Cristin. Toby was also with them, backing them up.

They suddenly heard multiple gun shots. Alex and Nick ducked down on the ground. They saw Brian on the second floor, ducking down as well. One of Toby's men was with him. There were gun shots again. And then they heard Cristin's scream.



~~~



Cristin screamed at the top of her lungs. Please, don't let her die yet. "Kevin!" Tears continuously flowed down her face. There were gunshots again. And then silence. Her heart is beating fast.

She was surprised when suddenly, her blindfolded was removed. Everything was in blur to make her see things immediately.

"Ssshhh, I'm here, love." She heard Kevin said. She felt the rope tied in her wrist was taken off. She grabbed her husband and hugged him tight.

"Don't let me get out of your sight, ever." All her fears flowed out like a dam. Kevin hugged her tight. She continued to cry. He soothed her back.

"I promise, Cristin," there was a croak in Kevin's voice. He's on the verge of crying too. She felt him carried her. She hid herself beneath the crook of his neck, her arms on him. He lifted her up with his strong arms. "I love you, Cristin."

"I love you, too." She embraced him tighter.

Kevin felt her tremble. She was really scared. He wished he could wash away all her fears and trauma. He walked out of the room. He saw the kidnappers being arrested. "Close your eyes, Cristin. Let me take you home." She only nodded. She is still crying.

He was walking her down the stairs when she spoke. "I'm pregnant, Kev."

"That's very wonderful, love." He said. Security surrounded them as they go down.

"I wished it would be girl this time." Cristin spoke again. He knew she's trying to forget what happened.

"I wished so, too. So that we can name her after your mother and sister."

"That's a good idea, Kev." Cristin replied after a moment of silence. "If it's a boy, I will name him after you."

"How many months?"

"Three months."

Kevin stopped. They looked at each other. "And we didn't know immediately?"

"I thought I'm menopausal."

Kevin kissed her forehead. They reached the ground floor. His brothers and cousin saw them. They were all quiet as they watched him take his wife straight to the black Rover. When she was settled beside him, the vehicle sped off.



>> 36

36

David is holding his mother's hand when a servant announced that the king's party has arrived. Isabella, who was also waiting with them and Benedique inside the sitting room, immediately stood up and rushed out.

Kevin came in with Cristin. She's wearing her husband's jacket. When she saw her in-laws, she rushed to meet them. Monique hugged her for a while too.

"Welcome home," Monique said. "Did they hurt you?"

Cristin shakes her head. "Nothing harsh. They only pulled me hard, it hurt my arm for a while. Other than that, they gave me food and water when I asked for it. They tried as much as to take care of me, probably because they learned that I'm pregnant."

She turned to Adrienne and David.

"I'm glad you're safe now," Adrienne said.

"Thank you." Cristin kissed her on the cheeks. She turned when she heard the voices of her sons. She started crying again when she hugged Scott and Christopher. "I love you, boys." She kissed each one of them.

"We love you, Mommy." Christopher said.

Scott looked at his mother, then to his father. "How are you, Mom?"

"Tired, weak."

"You should take your rest now," Kevin announced. The family let him take his wife upstairs to retire in their room. When Kevin finally had his wife alone, he kissed her so passionately. "Cristin..."

"I'm still scared, Kev."

"I will never let anything happen to you again." He kissed her again. "I miss you so much." And kissed her. "I love you so much." And he kissed her more.



~~~



Mark saw Nadia's arrival the next morning. He is about to have breakfast with the family when the butler told him about her presence in the palace. He left immediately at the police station because his father told him to get any news on his aunt Cristin. He was not able to talk with Nadia then.

"Hi, Mark. How are you?" Nadia stood before him, looking up to him.

"I'm fine." Mark smiled at her.

Nadia stared at him. "There's something different in you."

It was amazing how she knew him so well. He surprised her when he stepped closer and kissed her. When they pulled apart, he looked at her. "My memory is back, lovely."

Nadia's eyes widened. She reached out to embrace him. "Thank you, God." She silently cried. "I thought I will go here forever, trying to make you feel how much we love each other. I miss you so much." They kissed again.

"You will do that everyday? I should have pretended. Ow!" He received a smack in the arm.

"Lots of things happened after the accident. I finally got my father back. I resigned from the company. I started looking for a new job this week." Nadia puts her arms around his neck. "I love you, Mark. I'm sorry about what my grandfather did to your family."

Mark kissed her. "I love you, too. And you shouldn't be the one asking for forgiveness. Now, let's have breakfast so that we can go back to D'azur for your father."

"What are you going to do?"

"I spoke with Uncle Duke last night. He will give the villa to me as a wedding gift, that is, if there will be a wedding." He kissed her again.

"You also knew that our marriage was void?"

"I believe when my father and uncles told me that I should do it in the most proper way." He smiled down to her. "Will you marry me, Nadia? I love you."

Nadia wiped the tears in her eyes. "Yes, of course. I love you so much." She reached out and kissed him fully on the lips.

Mark nipped her lips before pulling away again. "You shouldn't be looking for a job."

"I need my career. We already talked about that."

Mark stared at her. Nadia always have a mind of her own, fully set to the things she wants to do. He can never stop her from doing what she wants and what she enjoys. He will support her. "Okay. But you have to do me a favor. After we get married here, I will marry you again in the US. I will introduce you to all my friends there."

"That was never a problem, Mark. I love you," they kissed. "I will marry you anywhere, anytime, many times." They laughed. They kissed again. The butler, who was watching them, shakes his head and walked away.

"I think you'll be needing a room but I rather suggest you will join us now for breakfast," Baylee said. He is standing from a distance with their other cousins.

"Breakfast in bed is optional." Mark chuckled. Nadia blushed and punched his arm again.

"Mark..." The call came from their grandmother inside the dining hall.

"There goes your cue," Jamie stuck out her tongue to Mark as the rest of their cousins went in. The couple followed them as breakfast is about to begin.



~~~



The main dining hall in the Pearl Palace was used for breakfast that morning. Everyone in the royal family stayed together overnight after the rescue with Cristin. Isabella particularly told the kitchen staff to prepare breakfast for everyone and had it served in the big room. She is happy to have them altogether in one roof.

"I normally don't eat breakfast but I'd never let this moment pass," Monique said. The table was full of food. There was quiet noise everywhere as those who were already awake have conversations with someone in the table. Ava and Jamie are seated together and talking excitedly about going shopping later. Yves will be coming with her cousins.

Olivia reunited with her sisters-in-law, Adrienne and Yvonne. Leighanne was with them and they were talking about going to Cristin later, who is still in the room. Kevin said earlier, who just came to get breakfast for his wife, that Cristin was still traumatized and wanted to stay in the bedroom. He would appreciate their company after breakfast.

Meanwhile, the younger kids were done with breakfast. They just ran out of the dining hall, probably playing outside with the dogs again.

Mark formally introduced Nadia to the family as his fiancee. No plans for wedding dates yet but Isabella and Benedique were very excited to see their first grandchild getting married.

"At your age, you should start having breakfast in the morning. You will need a lot of energy, Aunt Monique." Nick said. He sipped his coffee.

"And you should start taking exercises, too." Alex added.

Michaela laughed. She's sitting beside her daughter, Giselle, who arrived last night and told everyone that she's getting married, too. Her fiance happened to be a family friend, a prince in Sweden, who proposed to her in front of her fans in her most recent concert.

"You know, you can always say that I'm old. I don't really mind." Monique rolled her eyes.

"Don't mind them, aunt Monique." Giselle told her.

"Elle, when are we going to scrutinize Frederik?" Howie asks their cousin.

"Later. He's coming," Giselle smiled.

Baylee, David and Scott watched their fathers joked and laughed with their Aunt Elle. They were finished with their breakfast. "How can Mark and Nadia get married when now that he's fine, we all have to undergo training in the military?" Scott asks. They turned to Mark who is talking with their grandparents.

Ava, who sat opposite of them, heard Scott. "What's the problem with that?"

"No honeymoon." David replied quietly.

Jamie raised an eyebrow. "Guys. They can't live without sex."

"Where's Layla?" Ava asks Scott.

Scott shrugged. "Why are you asking me?"

"You said to the media that she's your girlfriend. I haven't seen her since. Usually, she's here. She's always a very kind person. I always appreciate her looking out for us." Ava tells him. "Did you break up?"

Scott did not say anything but glared at her.

"You can't scare me with that." Ava shakes her head.

"Leave her alone. Anyway, she's right. I was wondering about Layla too. Don't worry, Ava. All I know was that she's Scott's betrothed." David said. "He can't break up with her."

Scott felt the curious looks from his cousins. "Leave me alone, okay? I'll figure it out myself on how to find her." He looked at Mark and saw how happy he is with Nadia. He wondered why there is a feeling of emptiness just by the mere thought of Layla. But he was not ready yet. He still have to do a lot of things as a crown prince. He had to set aside thinking about his engagement.



Epilogue

Epilogue

For the years to come, my father, King Scott or most commonly known as Kevin to the family, outstandingly fulfilled his duties as the king of Arkadia. With my uncles beside him, guiding and supporting him, he was able to manage the kingdom with ease and led the country to prosperity. There may be problems that come their way but the royal family and the parliamentary helped together to make a way to solve it.

Conrad Altman was found guilty of many of his crimes. The kidnappers who survived the rescue operations pointed him as the mastermind. He was sentenced to death penalty, weighing the kidnapping as the most grieved case. When he died, Nadia inherited everything. She revitalized the company that was given to her. It grew close ties with the company of the royal family.

My mother gave birth to a healthy baby girl. It was an answer they were praying hard for from God. They named her after her late mother, Grandma Alice, her loving sister, my Auntie Margaret, and my paternal great-great-grandmother Victoria Amelie. My mother was able to continue with her project to stop poverty. Through charity efforts from friends and multinational corporations, she was able to provide housing, jobs and food program for our fellowmen. She was deeply revered for her mission. It will be a legacy that she will hand down to the future generation.

Three years after little Alice was born, Grandma Isabella peacefully died in her sleep. The family, especially her husband, deeply mourned for the loss of such a great woman. Two months after that, her husband, Grandpa Benedique joined the Creator too. He had a heart attack and never survived. It was told that the former king never recovered from the death of her beloved wife and it caused the severe heart attack. They were survived by their four children and their wives, and twelve grandchildren.

Uncle Howie remained the chief executive officer of the family business, aside from being the royal adviser. His wife, Aunt Adrienne, started writing each member of the family's autobiography. Her first book about the late former King Benedique and Queen Isabella was a bestseller. The profit all went to charity. Aunt Adrienne, with her daughter Ava, became the royal historian and were writing books together. The youngest one, Erienne, is now studying in the university and taking up financial engineering. She has the keen interest to the family business and always wanted to work with her father.

Their eldest son, David, has finished school and continued with his military duty, after the training he had with us years ago. He found his interest in serving the country as a member of the royal army. He is now one of the youngest officers. He had his time for grief over Denise's death. Lately, he was seen going out with a mysterious woman in uniform. Everyone thought it was only his way of passing the time, especially that he's a very eligible bachelor in the society. He is the heir to his father's duchy and to several millions; it was no wonder that some women would try to get his attention. But it was told that it was different with the mystery woman. Then, things seemed serious when he introduced Alaina to the family. I knew my cousin better than anyone else when he decided to do that. And he chose a good woman too. Alaina Musgrave is a pilot officer of the royal air force. She came from a family of the normal working class. It was quite a big margin of level in the society especially that David is a royal. But it does not matter to David, and to the royal family. Only time can tell if wedding bells will be ringing for Uncle Howie's eldest son soon. The only important thing for now is that David found another chance to love after Denise's death. We are very happy for him. I am very happy for him.

Uncle Alex and Aunt Olivia retired from the royal duties and went to settle in the late queen mother Marguerite's hometown outside Ortho. Their daughters, Jamie and Yssa, were finishing school and still undecided what to do in the future. That's what they always are. Like their father and mother, they have a liberated way of thinking about life and they would always do just whatever that makes them happy. And the king commended their tireless efforts to perform their royal duties. Papa can always trust Uncle Alex's daughters to come around when at times, he was so busy to go out of his office.

Yssa is also a part of the equestrian team. She recently won gold medal in the recent Olympics and from there, opportunities and business ideas were opened for her. She tried to balance her time from working with her the king, surviving school and playing with the national team. I'm so proud of her.

Jamie finished her schooling. She decided to wander off to different places in the world, mostly to serve as a UN ambassador. She was honored for the title, the same thing that happened years ago with Aunt Anastasia. She found her interest in traveling, discovering cultures and doing humanitarian work at the same time. Sometimes I envy her because she gets to do what came to mind without feeling about what others would think or what the future may bring. As the crown's heir, I can travel everywhere but it would be about business and politics most of the time.

Uncle Brian and Aunt Leighanne expanded their restaurant business. Their empire even reached out to their neighbor countries, France and Kreizig. Baylee is helping his parents with the business. For years of being together, he and Grethel broke up. He was often seen with different kinds of women. Among the cousins, he and I were known as the socialites in the family which is pretty bull actually. I socialize more because of my royal position and I only seldom gets the time to socialize for pleasure. Baylee, on the other hand, only does it to relax because he became busy after he finished his business course in the university and aside from office work, he found his love in cooking, just like his mother. He took up another period of study in culinary. When he was finished, he went back to help with the restaurant business.

Uncle Nick and Aunt Yvonne went back to the US with their family. They still maintained a small beach gift shop. It was widely popular because despite the age, Uncle Nick could still attract women. The couple only shrugged off the attention that he is getting from those women. Aunt Yvonne is the one and only woman in his life. It was amazing sometimes because whenever I look at my uncle, he never really seemed to look older. He still had the boyish charm that my father told me he was popular for when he was young. And then when Mark will come to visit, the women in the beach would try to get a glimpse of Uncle Nick's younger version. It never ceased even when he got married to Nadia. They also opened a swimming and diving school where they can teach. They lived a simple life and people regarded them as ordinary people, something that my uncle wanted when he settled there.

Their daughter, Yves, was finishing school and was a great deal of a traveler, like Jamie. She's a wanderer and her parents could only support her. The amazing twins, Nathan and Neil, were still in school. They may often give their father a hard time but they made him more proud for their athletic and scholastic performances in school. Nathan is playing basketball while Neil is a member of the student council.

Mark married his love, Nadia Altman, after his six-month training in the military with his cousins. He remained in Arkadia but he would often visit his family in the States twice or thrice a year. They already had a one-year-old son they named Benedique, after our grandfather. Uncle Nick was always the subject of joke during annual family reunions. He was the youngest among the brood but he has the eldest son and now, the first grandfather in the family. I think it's cool.

Meanwhile, Grannie Monique felt alone and lonely so she decided to migrate to Sweden to live with her twin sister Grandma Michaela. She also acquired a passion to take care of animals. It started with a pair of shih tzu dogs, then St. Bernard and Doberman. She also bought a pair of horses and pigs. Then came the ducks and birds. She never had enough when she took in three stray cats after her visit in Kreizig. People say that when a person had a special care for the animals, he or she has a big love in its heart and a very good person. It was a big contrast to what she was before, as I was told. Grannie Monique used to be the black sheep in the family but she changed and her willingness to do it for her family made her become a better person, not only for the royal family but also in the society. I'm proud of her. Sometimes when she's at home in Arkadia, I would go to the Bordeaux Castle to check on her and provide her whatever she needs. She grew old alone so I always make a point to take care of her whenever I have time or even take her anywhere just to make her happy. Me and my cousins were always there for her.

She was later saddened, and the whole family as well, when her twin, Grandma Michaela died of liver cancer. She returned to Arkadia and lived with us in Bordeaux Castle where she continued her passion to take care of the animals she had. It was chaos at first but we cannot resist the old lady. Me and my cousins were planning to provide her a mini-zoo to help her overcome the sadness over losing her twin.

Aunt Anastasia and Uncle Luke recently became proud grandparents after their only child, Trace, and his wife had a daughter. Trace is a practicing surgeon in Sweden where he met his wife, Lucia, a nurse from Portugal. I only met her once and I was hospitalized that time. She's very nice and I'm happy for Trace.

Auntie Giselle took the backseat from her singing career when she married her prince Frederik. They were living peacefully in the countryside now with their twin sons, Harry and Garrett. If the amazing twins Nathan and Neil were chaos, Harry and Garrett were like disaster. They almost burned a room in Bordeaux Castle once because they decided to go camping inside the castle and they started a bonfire. It was hilarious and scary at the same time and I think Auntie Giselle grounded them for three months.

Papa's twin sister, Aunt Ayesa and her husband Uncle Dominique continued to live on as the reigning monarchs of Kreizig. Like my mother, Aunt Ayesa was able to get pregnant again and had a son they named Viktor Hugh. And although the rules of succession were very sensitive about having their eldest child, Catherine, as the future first queen, Uncle Dominique stood firm that he will never take the birthright from his firstborn just because he also had a son. He had my utmost respect for that. Catherine was able to become a strong woman like her mother. She stopped running away from the pressures in her position. Aside from performing her royal duties, she was also an advocate of the environment and she would often organize fundraising programs to extend help in saving nature. She would sometimes ask for my help and I will gladly extend any resources that I could give her. I would like to see her sit on the Kreizig throne someday and if there is anything I could do to help my cousin prove to her fellowmen how worthy she is, I will do it without a blink of an eye.

While my father and mother were busy with their duties as the ruling sovereign and being very fond of their precious little daughter, my sister Alice, my brother Christopher went to the university to study political science in Atheneaum. Chris has a serious girlfriend. They were mostly photographed especially when Chris was playing polo. Jade was always there and cheering him on. He hates it whenever I teased him to it. He's so young and I know that there is still a lot in store for him in the future. I'm looking forward to the years that we will work together as a team in leading the monarchy.



~~~



Scott's reminiscing about his family through the years since his mother was kidnapped was interrupted when he saw a familiar figure. He is now ready to take his chance on Layla. The media who dubbed him as a playboy was never true. He was only guilty of partying hard like Baylee and some of his cousins but never had girlfriends. When he thought he could have one, Layla kept on entering his mind. At first he wondered why. Later on he realized that he missed her. But he could not go to where she is. His royal duties kept him busy. But he knew that he had to set a period of time to go to her and ask her forgiveness and try to court her.

With his father's permission, he went to London to see Layla. He was informed that she recently became a doctor. She fulfilled her dream. He watched her walked out of the hospital to go home. She looked very beautiful and his heart ached knowing that he only had slim chances to call Layla his. She was very different among any other women he knew. And with that, he felt intimidated.

The walk only took a few minutes from the hospital to the pad she is staying. With bodyguards around, Scott went on foot to follow Layla. When he reached the building and was admitted inside by the landlady, who conspired with him, he went straight to Layla's pad. He is now standing in front of the door, contemplating if he would knock. He suddenly felt nervous. What will happen if he knocked and she went to open it? What is he going to tell her?

"Scott?"

Scott blinked and saw Layla now standing in front of him. He felt overwhelmed with emotions. She's here. She's now in front of him. She looked so beautiful and wonderful. His heart swelled. "I love you, Layla." He said. The lines he practiced were gone. All he cared about is to be able to tell her how he feels. "I'm sorry for the things I've done you in the past. I miss you so much, Layla."

Layla stared at him. He wished he could tell what is on her mind. He will not let her out of his sight again. When he thought he could find a woman he wanted and to defy the royal tradition, he realized that the only woman he wanted was the one who has been there for him from the start, the one who got away.

"What took you so long?" Layla finally said. A tear fell down her face.

Scott wiped her tear away as he bents down to kiss her. Layla kissed back.

He stared down to her. "Sorry, Layla. Royal duties got in the way. We still have two years left. Do you think you could accept me to be your husband now?"

Layla smiled. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Darling, I've been waiting for you all my life. I love you, too."

Scott smiled. He is looking forward to a new life with her. He embraced her. He could not stop his tears from falling. "I love you very much."

And then they kissed.



THE END



As much as I want to write more about the Monarchy Series, there is the term 'over-rated' that I feel could fit the description if I continue. I love writing about the royal stuff but this is the end of the series. The Monarchy Series III is entirely different from these first two books so it's okay.

Thank you for all those who read and learned to love this series. I really appreciate your feedback/comments and it help me become a better writer. Thank you for my friends who continued to support and visit my site. Thank you for those people who wrote and said they enjoyed the stories, others even felt so touchy that they cried. I never realized how much of an impact these stories could bring. I will let you in on a secret. I never had a boyfriend but I've been in love once and got hurt in return. Now, I don't know where my ideas come from and it still gives me a wonder how was I able to produce stories that could touch the hearts of lots of people. It may not be as deep as those who received the mark as New York's Bestseller but this guarantees a pleasurable reading moment. So thank you. May God bless you always.



Watch out for a new series, soon.

-- Scarlett



THE END

>> Proceed to MONARCHY SERIES III