Chapter 3

Erine POV

"Come on Baxter! You're too spaced out!"

Ezekiel just laughed when he saw Baxter's attack on him became more aggressive, they are having a physical and close combat in his backyard.

"Damn you Ezekiel!"

He hurt his ego. He laughed again and lunged into him, they're both in the ground trying to put someone still on the dirty ground while attempting to stand, Baxter remained lying on the floor while Ezekiel prevented him from getting up.

"I won" he smiled triumphantly.

My brother. Tch.

"Enough with that." I said, and walk out of the rose garden where I've been watching them.

"You were there all along?"

He got his grin back, he's offering a hand to Baxter who's still on the ground. But he didn't accept it.

"That's probably why there's someone here who's spaced out" he chuckled and I just glare at him.

"Shut up. Father needs you in his chamber"

"Yeah be there, but wait. Oh sister, you should try dueling with Bax, he can teach you martial arts, you could be as cool as that girl in the tournament before, damn cool .."

I just stare at him

"Get off now Ezekiel, you've been repeatedly talking about that girl it so annoying."

I am very much aware Ezekiel even hire investigators to track down the girl. He's too curious like a cat. He said he's never seen a girl who could fight like that and so brave to face the tournament and even win.

"I'm going."

When he left I turned to Baxter who was watching me intently.

"What are you still doing here? You should be back in the Philippines now."

He smiled innocently

"Not until with you."

Ezekiel POV

I remember again that girl, tch that girl been haunting me for days now. My investigators having a hard time tracking her down, they told me it is as if her information were blocked or intentionally removed. That made her more mysterious than before.

I enter my father's chamber. He's feeding hawkey his silver Sharp beak falcon.

"Sit down, I have something to tell you."

I sat down the sofa near his working table, there's champagne in the coffee table so I put in a glass and drink. He sat in front of me and drank in his goblet.

"Princess Equija is back, She's already in his father's possession as of now."

My smiles couldn't falter now. I'm so happy with the news, Equija was out of the track for a month after the announcement of our engagement.

I only met her once. That was when she's 8 and I'm 12 in a royal engagement party of my half Brother Riyo and Alicia. She's crying then while playing the piano in our veranda.

"Hey princess why are you crying?"

She stopped playing and stare at me.

"I'll miss my sister." My younger self nod.

"Hmmm"

"Dad told me I'll marry a man too when I grow up."

She said, tearfully again ,until cried hysterically ,I don't know what to do. I hate seeing a beautiful princess like her crying so I went to her and hug her tight.

"Shhh, stop crying now princess"

"I don't want to marry other man , can you marry me then when we grow up"

I was shocked, I am staring at her beautiful eyes with tears smear unto her face, and I found myself, nodding, promising.

Now I'll be able to see my first love once again. And I'll be able to keep my promise.

"Shall we plan the wedding now dad?" I asked excitement all over me .

A week after

"Man, can you stop it?"

Says Baxter , we are in the castle's ceremony hall for the wedding, my wedding.

Its the talk of the town and maybe century. Two royal blood family will emerge as one after this wedding. I'll be able to see again Equija, the only woman I know I will spend my life with.

Important people are inside the ceremony hall, while all of Our people are outside waiting for the ceremony to end happily.

My dad in his throne so do mother and my sister

They are in the throne and I am standing at the middle waiting for my soon to be wife.

There's a long red carpet where Equija will walk through.

My heart pound crazily when the messenger trumpet break the silence.

"Princess Equija Ivanovich of Rome has arrived!"

Then all the men with the gold trumpet along the red carpet were making irritating sounds but my eyes were focused on opening the door.

There She is. All the people in the room stood up and applauded. Then as the trumpets silenced the beginning orchestra began to echo in the room. Beautiful in white. I saw Equija, my Equija in a white lace floral embroidery wedding gown, her face covered with a veil, she was standing in the doorway with her father, the great Maurico of Baubax.

she began to walk alone. Damn pleasant walk, as if punishing the ground she traverses with her fame and beauty.

I can’t clearly see her face yet

she stopped in the middle. She looked down at her invisible legs because of the long gown.

"Damn it”

sHe winced. I couldn’t understand her, I also wasn’t sure if she was saying something or just pushing her shoes.

There were noises from people when she lingered in the middle, that’s why I decided to meet and approach her there

This is how it should be, in all marriages the man should meet his woman in the middle, and they will walk together forever, right? I sound cheesy and not much of a man now. But, this marriage is probably the reason.

After I met her in the middle I offered my hand to her, she hesitated momentarily but accept it then, together we went through, a life awaiting us.

"Sorry" she said.

I stared at her, not knowing if I heard right.

"Forgive me. Forgive me"