"Your unnon and I are going to the USA next week for business matters. Not just that. We're going to tour in different states as well after our business meetings. We will stay there for a month or so, so I suggest for you to come with us so that you won't get bored here." My lips parted in surprise upon hearing what my annon said.

"A month?"

"Sì, cucciola. It has been so long since the last time your annon and I went for a vacation. We just thought that this would the right time for us to do it. We will go there for business anyway so why not stay for vacation as well, right? C'mon, cucciola. We would be happier if you'd come with us." I sighed and drank my glass of water.

We're currently eating dinner.

"Unnon, annon, I think this is not the right time for you to go away for vacation. Remember what happened to us at the airport almost two weeks ago? We almost got assassinated by unknown assailants. What if they're after you two as well? I can't allow them to get you." I said worriedly and they both smiled.

"Cucciola, we're just normal people. Yes, you five are our grandchildren but we're not part of the royal family. Besides, we will bring some bodyguards with us. These are not just some bodyguards. They're well experienced in their profession so you don't have to be afraid. We'll be safe. Besides, this is your opportunity to breath some fresh air. Since your mamma passed away, you never left Costavia. I think, this trip will be good for you." My annon said, trying to convince me.

I shook my head as I released a breath. "Sorry, annon, unnon. I can't come with you." Their foreheads crinkled.

"But why? Aren't you getting bored just staying here? I think, it will be better for you to go somewhere new. It has been so long since the last time I heard you laugh or smile and I miss that Athena so much. This might be your chance to be in a new environment outside Costavia. Who knows, you might find happiness there." It was my unnon.

"I want to go with you, annon, unnon, but I think I will only put you in danger if I did that. Someone out there is targeting the royal family and if they see you with me outside De Falco farm, you will get involved for sure. After mamma, I don't want to lose another loved one again because I wouldn't be able to take it for sure." I answered with a pained smile.

They looked at each other and I could see the loneliness on their faces upon hearing about mamma. It has been so long since the last time we talked about her and until now, I knew that they're still hurting too just like me.

"But—"

"—Don't worry about me, annon, unnon, I'll be fine here. Just enjoy your trip and be happy. I am safe here. Don't worry because when they catch those bad people, we could finally go together anywhere we want." My unnon sighed in defeat.

"Okay, if this is what you really want, I'll hire additional guards to guard the whole farm. We shouldn't give those bad guys the chance to get closer to you."

"Thank you, annon, unnon. You're the best." They stood up and then hugged me which made me feel better.

Days after that, they left for abroad and I stayed in the farm. True to his words, my unnon really employed additional guards and it made me feel safer than before.

As of Maximus, he'd been quiet the whole time. He no longer approaches me because of what happened between us last week.

After that delicious kiss that we shared, I pushed him away and told him that I wasn't ready for a new relationship yet. He looked so dejected that he walked out of my room. Seeing him like that, guilt ate my insides and unexplainable feelings surged within me.

After that, he'd been quiet and hasn't said anything to me. He'd been acting professionally and civilly in front of me and it made my heart ache. He seemed far away even though he was just nearby.

A day after my grandparents left, Serra Romano, my cousin, arrived from Italy. According to her, she went to the palace to visit me but my siblings, except Amelia, were the ones who were there. She wanted to see me so Antonius accompanied her to De Falco farm on a plane.

I was so happy seeing them, especially Serra, because I haven't seen her since the interment of my mother.

"How's the investigation? I hope that there's any development now." I asked my brother. Serra went to the washroom. Antonius sighed.

"We already have a lead. Don't worry about it, Athena. We will do everything we can to catch them and make them pay." Judging from his tone, he didn't want to elaborate what he said any further so I just nodded my head.

Knowing him, he would prefer to hide everything from Aria, Amelia and I because he didn't want us to get worried.

Even though he's the most formal and serious among us siblings but he's the most protestive as well. Being the eldest among us, he always choses to fix the problem without letting us know about it.

"Okay." After being with us for a couple of hours, Antonius left while Serra decided to stay for a couple of days. For some reason, she looked too cheerful than her usual self which gave me the idea that she has a problem.

"How have you been these past six months? Sorry if I couldn't visit you guys more often. I've been in the USA for quite some time." She said when we were already in my room, ready to sleep. She invited herself to sleep in my room because apparently, she missed me. Well, I missed her too so it's okay with me.

"Everything's fine, I guess. Well, at least, you came 7 months ago." I felt like there's a sudden lump in my throat after saying that. I couldn't help but to remember what happened during that time. She held my hand.

"Everything's going to be alright. I know, it's not that easy to move on but you can surely do it in time. You're a strong person after all." I saw a strange emotion that passed through her eyes after saying that. A small smile appeared on my face.

"Are you saying that to me or you're saying that to yourself?" She looked shock.

"W-What do you mean?" I rolled my eyes.

"I know you, my dear cousin. Even though, we don't see each other often, we're close enough for me to know that you have a problem of your own right now. What is it? You can always tell me if you want to. I'll listen." A sad smile broke across her face.

"I think, this is not the right time for me to tell you my problems because I know that what I'm feeling right now is nothing compared to what you're going through. You know what? I've always been admiring you. You're a tough person unlike me who's always been weak when it comes to problems." I could hint the sadness and pain in her voice.

"That's not true. You're a strong woman. Let me guess, it's about your father, right?" She looked surprised.

"How did you know?" I rolled my eyes.

"Ever since we were young, you've been obeying whatever you father wants for you to do. You never said no or do anything other than to say yes even though you don't like it." She bit her lower lip and my lips parted in surprise when tears brimmed her eyes.

I sighed. My heart ached for her. She's always been the obedient daughter. She never enjoyed her life that much because she's been always busy obeying her father's words.

"Come on, tell me. It might make you feel better if you voiced it out." I coaxed her gently. She nodded her head and finally confessed everything to me. According to her, she met a guy in the USA and got involved with him. But now, her father was insisting for her to marry someone else.

"That's why I've always been admiring you. You never get afraid to fight for what you think is right. Even though you know that it's difficult, you do something about it." My eyes turned somber.

"I don't know if I'm that the same person anymore. After what happened to mamma, I've been so lost and I don't know what to do." She wiped her tears.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you my problems. Look at you. You're sad again. We just reopened a slowly healing wound." I heaved a sigh.

"Don't mind me. I can manage." I forced a smile, letting her know that everything's okay. "Regarding your problem; all I can say is you should do something about it. If you really don't want to marry that guy, say it. You will suffer forever if you marry someone that you don't love. That's a hell here on earth and I don't want you to experience that. You're such a sweet and gentle person and you deserve happiness." I advised. She leaned the side of her head on my shoulder.

"You know how papà is when he's mad, Ath."

"Yes, I know, but you can't just let him control your life forever. This is your life that we're talking about, not just some business deal." I couldn't help but to get mad. "You should fight for what you think is right, Sese. You're the only one who could decide for your future, especially about marriage." I continued, calling her with her nickname.

"You're right, Ath, but I don't think I still have the reason to fight this engagement anymore. Me and the guy that I got involved with in the USA are over. I think, he's never been serious with me from the beginning." She whimpered and I gritted my teeth.

"Who's this guy anyway? If Antonius and Aris discovered about this, they will surely destroy this guy. They could help you with that forced marriage too." She shook her head vigorously.

"No! Don't tell them. I know those two. They will surely do something to stop papà even if it could destroy our families' relationship. Not just that, they will do anything to destroy my ex as well. Please, don't tell anyone about it."

"What do you want me to do?! Just stay quiet about it even though I know that your father and that guy are hurting you like this?!"

"Yes, Ath. Just keep quiet about it, please." She begged. I stared at her in disbelief.

"You still love this guy." It wasn't a question but a statement. She bit her lower lip and then slowly nodded her head. I was at a lost for words. Because of that, all I could do was to embrace her to comfort her and let her feel that she's not alone.

After that, I changed the topic and her spirit lifted up a little bit.

Then, the next day, everything seemed normal with Serra. She was even smiling now even though I knew that deep inside, she was still sad.

"Who's that handsome guy, Ath? I've been wanting to ask you that since I arrived yesterday." Serra asked while we were eating our breakfast. She was looking at Maximus. For some reason, an unknown emotion surged within me when Maximus smiled at her.

He's currently talking to one of the guards of the farm.

I cleared my throat. "He's my new PRB." She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, really?" She nodded her head as if she was thinking about something naughty. After we ate our breakfast, Rita brought me to the garden to paint while Serra told me that she has something to do in her room.

After two hours of painting at the garden, I heard some voices. My forehead crinkled as I turned my head to see who it was. Then, I gritted my teeth upon seeing Serra talking to Maximus. They looked like they were having fun while talking to each other.

For the first time, I felt annoyed at Serra and there was this sudden urge inside of me to pull her away from Maximus. Serra even gently smacked Maximus' arm while laughing as if the latter was telling her some funny stuff.

I gritted my teeth. Damn you, Maximus! I just rejected you the other day but here you are, already trying to flirt with my cousin?!

I couldn't understand what I was feeling. All I wanted to do was to slap him on the face right now. My breathing became heavy in anger and I didn't know how to deal with it. All I knew was I couldn't take watching them happily chatting like that.

I took my cellphone and called Sita.

"Sita, I want to go to my room now."

"Okay, Your Royal Highness. I'm coming." The call ended and after about a minute or two, she came. She was about to push my wheelchair out of there when Maximus and Serra approached us.

"Where are you going, Ath? I was just about to ask you to come for a walk with me." Serra said with a smile on her face while Maximus remained serious. He was quietly standing behind Serra.

"For a walk? Why would you need me to go with you? You're just going to have yourself a responsibility. I don't want to give you a hard time." I couldn't help but to sound sarcastic and that surprised me as well.

Her forehead knitted together. "What are you talking about, Ath? I will never think about you that way. I just want to be with you." I shook my head.

"I think, I'll pass. I want to be alone in my room. Besides, looks like you're having fun with him so I think you don't need me." I looked at my nanny. "Let's go, Sita." She nodded her head.

"Athena!" I heard Serra called for me but I didn't answer nor look back as Sita pushed my wheelchair out of there.

"Are you sure about this, Your Royal Highness?" Sita asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Miss Serra looked sad because of what you said, Your Royal Highness." I bit my lower lip. I suddenly felt guilty. Why did I even say that to Serra anyway? Why did I felt annoyed just by watching her talk happily with Maximus?

Then, it dawned on me. I groaned inwardly and couldn't accept that realization. Until now, I'm still scared to engage myself to such things because of what I've been through. I couldn't risk getting disappointed and hurt again. I thought, I was just protecting my heart that's why I kept on pushing Maximus away. But why do I keep on feeling this way? I thought, I was just confused and Maximus was an expert seducer. I couldn't understand myself but now, everything finally became clear.