ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ-ᴇɪɢʜᴛʜ.

She forced a smile while letting her lover nuzzle his palm against her cheeks. She reached for his hands and slowly put it down. She can't pretend anymore. She lifted her chin to look at him. She knows she should not lie to him and to herself anymore. Tears fell from her eyes while gathering her courage to confess everything to him. The Knight of the Hayashi family stared deep in her eyes but he didn't bother to wipe her tears. He already knew what she wanted to tell. He was just waiting for it to come from her lips. 

"I'm sorry, Kazuki. I love him. I love Kazuma." She whispered and his jaw tightened. The jealousy he had during that time was the first evidence that he longer owned her. 

"Since when?" He asked and she shut her eyes before taking a deep breath. She trembled, thinking when she started falling in love with the Grand Duke of the Kawamura family. 

"Before we went on the trip." She answered as fell back on her seat. He sheathed his sword and pressed the sharp edge against her neck. Even though she doesn't want to die yet, she knows that it is her fault that she betrayed him. 

"As much as I wanted to kill you for loving another man aside from me despite our little promises to each other, I don't want to be the reason why someone will feel lonely because you're gone. I wish you happiness with him." He put the sword away from her neck and she whispered how thankful she was for sparing her life. 

"I loved you truthfully. Was it never enough for you?" He asked and she shook her head. She held on his arms and more tears fell. She didn't mean that. She never meant that. 

"No, it was enough. I'm sorry, Kazuki. My heart chose him. I'm really sorry. I will beg for your forgiveness. Just let me go, please.." She cried hard while kneeling in front of him. He asked himself why it turned out like that. If he wasn't a Knight, would he be able to keep her in love with him? 

They heard footsteps fast approaching, so he immediately stood her up before they can hear a knock from outside. The Duchess of the Cheikh family wiped her tears and turned away when the servant walked in to tell the news. Their eyes widened. The younger Archduke and the new Archduchess' wedding just ended yesterday and now, they are facing another problem. The Knight of the Hayashi family rushed out to report back to the Prince. 

"What happened? Where is Fuyu?" She asked when they arrived at the castle. The Prince's fists clenched, feeling betrayed with what his future spouse did. 

"Fuyu.. disappeared. Also, Makoto.. Even their servants, they all disappeared." The Prince said in a low voice. They couldn't believe that they did that but the two women knew that she had reasons. 

"Do you want to go for a search?" The General asked and the Prince shook his head. The Archduchess grabbed his clothes and glared at him. 

"If you don't want her back, I will search for her. But once I found her, you have no more rights on her already. I didn't expect that your love for her was too shallow." Her voice was filled with disappointment and she pushed him away before leaving the castle. 

"Be careful." The Duchess said to the General and the older one nodded. The newlywed couple left the castle completely and she looked at the Prince. 

"I know you're feeling betrayed, Sho. But all I can say is she has reasons why she did this. If they will be successful in bringing them back here, listen to her." She said and then, they saw the Grand Duke arriving. 

It's been just a few days since his surgery and yet, he forced himself to get up and leave his place to see them. He wasn't even able to attend the wedding. His personal servant was behind him just in case he needed help. He was still pale when he approached them. The Duchess did a curtsy and he smiled faintly at her. Seeing him getting better after that incident is making her happy. 

"Take care of her." The Knight of the Hayashi family said and she almost cried when finally let her go. He quickly left after that and the Grand Duke looked at the Prince. 

"I heard everything from Gia. I've been with you since we were younger and you're not this idiot. Get out of here and search for her." The younger one said and he pushed him weakly. 

"She will be back to me, right?" The Prince asked and they all nodded. They witnessed their love despite the struggles because of their societal rankings. 

Most of the nobles, especially the Royal family love the Lord and Lady of the Hasegawa family but when it was announced that the Prince is courting Lady Fuyu, a few of them started to show hate towards the family. They know it is jealousy but they make sure not to entertain such a thing or else, it will be in vain. The Prince prepared everything he needed for the search and he brought the first battalion with him for faster results. 

"Are you feeling fine now, Fuyu?" The Lord of the Hasegawa family asked the Lady and she shook her head. She suddenly felt dizzy while on their way to the castle that the Knight of the Yoshino family owns. 

"I think I'm pregnant, Brother." She whispered as she opened her eyes to look at him. He already expected that because she has been with the Prince for more than a month. 

"Do you want to go back?" He asked once more and she shook her head again. He carefully carried her in his arms and she almost threw up. This just made her more dizzy but they have no choice or else someone might find them. 

"Don't mind me, Brother. I'll try to get some sleep." She mumbled and he nodded, giving a signal to the coachman to continue their travel. 

Riding a horse will be faster for them but since they brought most of their valuable things, they got a carriage and a wagon. Their most trusted servants are taking care of the wagon and they are just behind them. Her personal servant joined them inside the carriage and got an herb scent to ease her dizziness and to help her sleep. When she was finally asleep, he ordered the coachman to get faster. 

"You know what to do when someone asks for us." He reminded her personal servant and the younger one nodded. She started praying for them to arrive soon to the castle.