Yushkova Mansion

Devon and Ariel were sharing a heated moment inside the bedroom. Unknown to the woman, the man was thinking about Natalia.

'Why can't I make you mine? You're my wife and yet I couldn't normally see you or touch you.'

Devon lifted his head and closed his eyes tightly. He punished Ariel for a different reason. His muscles were tensed in using great force.

"Devon...it hurts!" The woman pleaded but to no avail the man continued on riding her. Ariel cannot do anything as she is weaker in strength. She endured the whole time and was on the verge of passing out. Her body was like ripping apart in a bad way.

After releasing his boiling emotion, Devon wore his robe and left the room while the woman who was laying on the bed became unconscious.

He entered the study room and found Euro. He absent-mindedly poured out wine on one of the glasses and stood near the window.

"Son, what happened?"

"Father, I failed. That priest showed up and gave his testimony. I've sent some men to make him retract his statement but the church property was being watched by dozens of security. It's seems that he has a big backing who knows his every move." He involuntarily gripped the glass of wine with brute force.

"Don't worry about that anymore. Let's just focus on the Zimmer Company for now. The review findings are out. It coincided with what Jude Genome reported at the shareholders' meeting. Now, we are waiting what would be the action of the higher management." Euro told his son.

Devon just nodded his head and continued drinking his wine still thinking about his wife.

#######

"Hold that thought. I'm no royalty. The Gates family is a distant relative to them. It just so happened that the Queen wanted the whole 'line' thing to celebrate with her centennial year at the palace. The Duchess has no companion that time thus my parents insisted that I should escort my distant cousin at the ball." Alexander explained.

"Okay." Natalia simply said in return. The man took a quick glance of the woman who's still looking at the window.

"If a bizarre thing happened, would it be okay if this friend of yours become a real prince?" Alexander calculatively asked the woman.

Natalia looked at the man. 'Why is he asking me like he needed my approval?'

She didn't reply and just shrugged her shoulders. Both of them hold the thought.

After several minutes, they arrived at the church vicinity. Hannah was already awake when they reached their destination.

"Princess...?" The kid murmured while rubbing her eyes.

"I'm here little one." Natalia smiled at the girl and unbuckled Hannah's seat belt. She carried the girl while they walked to the church. She noticed a bunch of men in black surrounding the outer limits of the buildings. Natalia then looked at Alexander, who was walking beside her, in confusion.

"For protection." The handsome man simply stated. The so-called security people gazed at them. One of the men, who seemed to be the leader, approached Alexander and paid respect to the three people who just arrived. Then the man whispered something to Alexander which made the latter clenched his jaws.

"What's the matter?" Natalia asked looking at the cold demeanor of her companion.

"Let's go inside first."

The three of them entered one of the buildings at the back of the church. An old lady welcomed and led them to a small meeting room. The reverend was already waiting for their arrival.

"Reverend!" Hannah greeted and hugged the old man.

"Seems like you enjoyed your adventure." The priest said smiling thoughtfully at the girl. Hannah just giggled. Then the old lady brought the little girl to the playroom so that the three adults can talk freely.

"Reverend, thank you so much. I wasn't able to express my gratitude when you're still at the city." Natalia sincerely told the old man and hugged him.

"Yes...about that. Let me tell you the side of my story." The three of them sat down on the available chairs inside the room.

Natalia attentively listened while Alexander was observing her during the whole confession.

The woman became quiet for awhile after hearing the priest's account.

According to the story, Devon found Reverend Joseph three years ago. It was the time when the orphanage was in a great predicament. Few of the children were sick. Hannah is one of those kids. At a very young age, she had acquired a chronic disease - juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. Those times, Reverend Joseph needs a lot of help. Though the sponsors and donors provided finances for the church, it wasn't enough to meet ends. The treatments along with medication and maintenance for various sickness of the children were very costly. Treating infants were crucial and one of the most sensitive cases. So, he needed to decide for the betterment of the whole situation. Devon at that time, offered a great help to treat Hannah covering all expenses until full recovery. Reverend Joseph with a feeling of indebtedness found himself aiding Devon on the day of his wedding even though his registration to solemnize marriage were not yet processed at that time.

"I'm very sorry. I know I was the one who brought you in this situation. I hope it's not too late to ask for forgiveness Ms. Zimmer. And I'm ready to face any lawful action that will be filed against me." The priest sighed then looked at the big family picture which hanged on the wall.

Natalia was weighing her emotions. She thought that Devon threatened the priest into commiting the offense but he didn't. She thought that the priest was greedy for money but he wasn't. She concluded that their were just victims of their own decisions.

"Reverend I really appreciate that you came forward. Don't worry, I won't held you liable." Natalia reassured the old man. The reverend expressed his gratitude towards her mercy.

Thinking to herself, she didn't noticed that the priest stood up and leave the room. She wasn't aware how long she was staring blankly.

Natalia was pondering the other side of the story. What if she's the real antagonist here? She's the one who requested for the marriage. She's the one who was infatuated with Devon. She's the one who chose to be with him for the past years.

Then she looked at the man beside her. Does she deserve to love and be loved? Won't she repeat the same mistakes again if the time comes?

Alexander saw how the emotions ran through the woman's eyes. Hurt, confusion, fear and sadness. He stood up and kneel in front of Natalia.

"Hey..."

"Hmmm?"

"Tell me."

"It's nothing. I'm just processing what I've heard." Natalia smiled at the man. Her smile contrasted her dull eyes. Alexander didn't push anymore.

Both of them exited the room and quietly walked around the building.

"Princess!" A voice called out. The little girl came running towards Natalia and held her hand. Hannah was dragging Natalia to a room full of children. The kids stopped what they're doing and looked at the two persons standing by the door.

"Oh! There she is! The princess!" One of the little children pointed at Natalia. The woman gave them a lovely smile. The boys were swooned by it and the girls were amazed by her beauty and grace. The pretty woman was wearing a knee-length white dress with puff sleeves making her princessy in a casual attire.

(Picture reference of Natalia's attire)

"Are you..are you really a princess?" A young lady asked Natalia.

"Yes! I saw their palace! It's huge!" Hannah answered the question instead. She signaled Natalia to sit down at one of the chairs. After doing so, the kids surrounded her. The woman just smiled helplessly at their adorable stares.

"Huh! If she's a real princess. Why is she not wearing a tiara? And where is her prince?" A little boy challenged the words of Hannah. Natalia figured out that this was the little bully.

Suddenly a very handsome looking man entered the room. He was wearing a white Mandarin collared shirt with long sleeves and grey trousers. His presence brought everyone in awe.

(Picture reference of Alexander's attire)

"I'm here." Alexander's baritone voice echoed to the whole room. The place became quiet. All of the kids even the adult assistants gaped at him.

Hannah raised the magazine containing the picture of Alexander. She smirked at the little boy. "See?"

The children was in uproar. They throw questions upon questions at the two guests. Alexander was the one who answered them based on his experience on the palace. Natalia was amazed on how the man handled the situation and the curiosity of the children. She just went along with everything he says.

"Now, can I have my time with the princess?" Alexander asked while standing up.

He reached his hand to the beautiful woman and in his relief, Natalia placed her hand on his. The kids were captivated by the scenery. It's like witnessing a live disney movie. The girls shrieked at excitement while the boys apparently took note of Alexander's gestures.

The two walked gracefully out of the room hand in hand. To top it all, Natalia waved her hands to them before disappearing behind the door.

Hannah giggled at the action but her playmates were simply enchanted. Even the little bully couldn't say anything.

Exiting the room, Alexander held the woman's hand tightly not wanting to let her go. They said their farewell to the people at the orphanage and at the church. They promised to visit them in the future.

As they drove back to the city proper, both of them sat down at the stillness inside the car.

"Would you.." Alexander broke the silence.

"Would I what?"

"Would you be the princess in my reality?"

Natalia gave him a pleasing smile. Her heart is swelling up but at the same time the fear is catching up to the wonderful feeling that she has. She didn't answer the man but stared at him debating the answer.

She thought.

--------------

Alexander simply bid his goodbye to Natalia when they arrived at Zion Suites. Sensing that she's preoccupied with something, he didn't bother to accompany her to the unit.

Jake was sitting down on the couch when Natalia opened the door.

"Yes, brother? Do you need anything?" She inquired.

"The executives were pressuring me to discharge the people in Genome's list. They're pointing out that the company will soon bleed if we don't deal with the root. To think that it's still the weekend." Jake told her with a defeated voice.

"Oh. We will. We will uproot those people. Don't worry brother." Natalia smirked at the thought.

After discussing about how will they negate Mr. Genome's true motives, Jake took his leave and went back to the estate.

#######

Few days later, the State Court send their decision to both parties.

The Belle Shop - Head Office

Natalia was currently at a meeting talking about the expansion with Trish when the assistant knocked and came inside the CEO's office.

"Ms. Zimmer, it's the mail from the State Court." The assistant informed her while holding up a sealed document.

Natalia reached for the document. She slowly pulled out the paper. Her eyes read the title..

Trish looked at her expectantly and snatched the paper from her friend.

"Oh my gosh. Congratulations Nat! I'm so happy for you." The red-haired CEO declared as she hugged her shocked yet brimming with happiness friend. The two of them squealed in happiness.

"What are your plans now?" Trish asked Natalia.

--------------

Yushkova Tradings Inc.

"Sir, a mail from the State Court just arrived." Devon's assistant gave him the document then leave the office. After awhile, the shattering of glasses can be heard inside the office. No one knows that as the shards of translucent material scattered all over, the same thing happened inside Devon's heart.

Later that day, he regained his composure. He then dialed a number.

"Proceed with the plan."