"I still couldn't believe this, Captain." Lt. Morris was standing in Captain Yelena's office when he voiced his thoughts. "I never thought Colonel Maverick to be this kind of person."

Last night, the Captain called Lt. Morris and tell him what happened in Silvervale which made the latter lose his sleep. Even today, he rushed to the Captain's office as soon as he reached the base.

​​

"I know, Morris. But it's the truth that never crossed my mind. I always thought that he was an honourable soldier." Yelena stated her disappointment in the Colonel's nature.

"I think something is wrong with him, Captain. Colonel Maverick is willing to risk his life for his subordinates even during Operation Peace Day. I don't think he would be that heartless. Maybe there's some truth hidden in this." A hint of determination and rage could be seen in the Lieutenant's eyes.

Just like Captain Yelena, he also respected and looked up to the Colonel. That's why it was so hurt for him to the point where he even felt betrayed! This cannot be the truth! There must be something else! "

I know. He is not the main culprit. Morris, let's give him time. He asked for one week. We will have our answers after that." Placing her hand on the man's shoulder, she continued, "We have waited for 6 years, so a single week is nothing. But let's be more careful from now on."

Careless. It was this single word that's repeatedly played in her head ever since she talked to the Colonel. Maybe he was right. She was quite reckless but she won't repeat the same mistake.

"I understand, Captain." Still, with a confused and troubled mind, the Lieutenant left the Captain's office.

Yelena sat down on the chair and stared at the key which she took from her pocket. It was the key that the Colonel gave to her. Her uneasy mind gave her the pressure and she tightened her grip on the key. Everything must be alright.

"What are you thinking?" She darted her eyes to the door when she heard a familiar voice and Ella was there, making her way to her.

"You look scary," Ella added which made her slightly smiled.

"It's nothing but when will you learn how to knock? You keep on appearing suddenly, not even caring for my heart." Yelena dryly said.

Sitting on one of the chairs which surrounded the long table, Ella sighed. "It's only 10 a.m. but I already have the most tiring and tense day." She whined to her friend.

"What happened?" Feeling worried, Yelena rose from her seat and sat opposite to her friend.

Just when Ella opened her mouth to say something, her phone went off which made both the Captains frowned. What a bad timing!

Ella looked at her phone and realized that it was from Arias. Damn! Did he already hear about it?

Thinking about how she didn't talk with him before making a decision to change her career, Ella nervously gulped. What if he was angry with her?! Meanwhile, Yelena stared at her with a flustered face. She never knew that her friend could be this nervous! Suddenly, she became very curious.

Swiping the green button, Ella put the phone next to her ear. "Hello."

"Tell me what happened." Arias's unusual blunt voice echoed in her ear. What she feared happened. He was mad!

All at once, the usually confident and carefree Ella became tight-lipped. She didn't say anything about her decision to him because she thought that he would blame himself. He might think that she did this all because of him and the Arias she knew would never tolerate it.

"Ella, I want to hear what happened, from you, personally," Arias demanded from the other line, enunciating each word. He just finished participating in one meeting session when his mother called him and asked him about it. Mrs. McLean had no idea that her son was completely ignorant of this matter!

"Arias... " Ella mumbled. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. But can we talk when you return?" She asked. "My mind went blank and I want to explain to you while seeing your expression." She added. She always read his expression whenever they discussed something important and maybe she had gotten used to it.

Arias sighed at her words. Of all time, why did she do this while he was not around? If he was not bound by his duties, he will surely board a plane and return right away!

"I will return tomorrow. Be prepared for that." He paused when he realized that he was so harsh on her. "Ella." He calmed his voice. "Please think it clear. You know me well."

Ella understood what he said. She indeed knew him well. He didn't want her to sacrifice herself for him and most importantly, he was very scary if he got angry. He was always calm but once provoke, it was like waking up a sleeping lion! To be the one who makes him lose his cool was the last thing Ella wanted.

"Okay. Take care." She uttered and hang up the call, only to face Yelena who was staring at her with eyes filled with curiosity.

Then she started telling her about her decision, her conversation with the McLean's and her father and finally, the recent phone call with Arias.

"I'm so happy for you, Ella. You just took one step closer to your dream." Yelena congratulated her friend who seemed to be a bit downhearted, all thanks to the phone call. "Don't worry. He is like that only because he doesn't know your dream. Once you explain to him, I bet that he will be your number one supporter." She calmly reassured Ella.

"Do you mean that?" Ella asked, still feeling worried. She knows that she loved Arias but she never knew that it was this deep and powerful. Just the thought of him being angry with her could make her this scared! No men could never make her feel this way, until Arias.

"Of course, yes." Yelena could barely suppress her desire to laughed at her friend's reaction. How could she still be the same Ella who used to thought being in love was a weakness?!

"He loves you, Ella. His eyes, the way he looks at you proves how sincere he is. He will want you to be happy. Once he returns, tell him how much you are serious in this matter. Tell him you don't do it only because of him. He will understand." Yelena advised her friend. She never knew that there would come a day when Ella need love advice from her! How funny!

* * *

In a huge villa in the outskirts of the capital of Edeladon, Prince Felix was sitting in a huge room, all alone. The villa was owned by a royal family and in terms of size, it was even bigger than the Arista family villa where the couple spend more than a month.

The Prince didn't have a single sleep last night. He was tired from looking after his mother and managing all the paperwork at the same time. It was already 2 in the afternoon and he went to this villa as soon as his father arrived. However, he was not there to rest. He was there for an important task that needs to be kept a secret, without his family knowing.

He was not even sure if he was prepared for the thing he was about to do. But no matter how much he thought about it, the answer was still the same. He must do it. It will be hard but it's necessary.

Then the door opened and Cayden made his way to him. "Your Highness, do you ask for me?" The guard bowed and asked respectfully.

"I talked with Lexus last night." Felix started. "He told me about some suspicious connection of timing that happened yesterday." He deadpanned.

"I do some thinking for the whole night, regarding the man with a scorpion tattoo and... " Felix made a deliberate paused and looked up at Cayden who was standing. His expression remained unreadable. "I could only think of one suspicious connection." He continued.

"What is it?" Cayden asked. He stood still, crossing his hands on his back, standing at ease like he was trained.

Felix rose from his seat and walked in front of the desk which was just a few feet away from his right-hand man. He then sat on the edge of the table. "Everything was connected to you, Cayden." He whispered in a low voice and his face remained emotionless.

Panicked due to what he heard, Cayden looked at the Prince with a flustered yet nervous face. "What do you mean, Your Highness? I don't understand."

Slowly making his way to the guard, Felix responded, "You are the one who collects information about the man with a scorpion tattoo. Because I insisted that the other guards must stay here in Edeladon, you are the one who hired some men in Silveren to do the search, under my order." He paused when he stood in front of his most trusted guard.

"Among all the guards who worked for me, you are the only one who knows about this matter. From Lexus side, it's only Fabian. None of our hired men knows the story concerning this scorpion tattooed man and we already confirmed that it is not Fabian who leaked the information. Then it comes down to one person - you." Felix said, meeting Cayden's gaze.

"Why did you betray me, Cayden?" He asked. His nonchalant face was gone and there was a hint of pain in the Prince's eyes, the pain of a betrayal from his most trusted man who was also his childhood friend.

Feeling anxious, Cayden took a step backwards, distancing himself from the Prince. This was followed by another step backwards. Then suddenly, he turned around, trying to run towards the door, trying to escape.

He could only took one step as the door was opened and four other guards barged inside. They stood behind him, ready to apprehend him. They only need the Crown Prince's order to do that.

"You must answer me, Cayden." The Prince commanded. "Can't you see that I'm trying my best not to act recklessly? I'm giving you time to explain yourself. This is your last and only chance to prevent the darkness inside me from resurfacing." He said, staring at the anxious Cayden. His voice firm and intimidating at the same time.....