(ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥❤(ˆ‿ˆԅ)

I was humming while fixing my suit in front of the mirror when I heard a knock at the door. Then, Onyx came in.

"You look happy." He commented as he sat on the nearby couch. He's my best man and looked like he's already finished prepping himself up.

"Of course, I am. It's my wedding today." I answered proudly and looked at myself in the mirror for one last time. He chuckled.

"Damn. To be honest, I really thought, you never had any intention of getting married, but now, you proved me wrong. Princess Athena is really one hell of a woman. Until now, I still can't believe that she managed to change you for the better."

I smiled fondly, thinking about my soon-to-be wife. "You're right. She's really one hell of woman and she's mine. I can't wait for her to be my wife." I then turned around and faced him. "Are you sure everything's okay? I don't want my wedding to get interrupted by those people." I continued with hardened face.

It has been more than two weeks but Giuseppe has been on the loose. The Royal Police has been doing their best to look for him but to no avail. My men have been working hard too in order to find him but that guy was as slippery as an eel.

"Don't worry, bud. Our men are already scattered everywhere not to mention that the Royal Police of Nuevo Imperio and Costavia are doing their best to apprehend him as soon as possible. His world is getting smaller now and I'm sure, he would do anything to have his revenge on you. When that time comes, we'll use that as an opportunity to finally catch him." I nodded my head.

"Good. We can't afford to put our guard down right now. Giuseppe is a cunning and vile man and he will surely do everything to get back at us."

"You're right. We should stay alert. Even though you already sent some of your men to look for him, we can't just be at ease. He gave you years of sufferings without getting caught so we should be careful." I was about to answer when Onyx's phone rang.

"Wait. I'll just get this." He walked away for a couple of feet away from me. I used that as an opportunity to call Athena. I looked at the time and chuckled. I could already picture her surprised face when she heard that today's our wedding day.

When I got recovered and finally got out of the hospital, there was only one thing on my mind and that was to be with Athena and marry her right away.

I realized that life was too short and I shouldn't waste any more time for her to be officially mine. I already almost died a couple of times and I wasn't sure if I could avoid death the next time.

When I came backto Costavia from Nuevo Imperio, I secretly prepared for our wedding day and planned to surprise her. It would be a simple garden wedding with our loved ones and friends. This would only the beginning because the moment I finally succeed the throne, we would be having a grand church wedding.

I was about to call her through my phone when Onyx spoke.

"Z, I'll be going on ahead. Looks like our men need me there."

My forehead knitted. "Why? Is there something wrong?"

"They're chasing a suspicious man that was lurking around the area. I need to make sure that he's not one of Giuseppe's minions." I gritted my teeth. They're really desperate now.

"If he was one of Giuseppe's men, how did they know about the wedding? Is there a traitor among us?"

"I don't think so, Z. Your men have been loyal to you since you joined the organization that even when you quit and built your own group, they didn't leave you."

"Then who the f*ck sent that guy?" I asked in frustration and he patted me by the shoulder.

"I'll make sure to get that information out of that person's mouth the moment we catch him. I'll go on ahead now. Just concentrate on your wedding today and don't let this get you." I released a breath and then nodded my head.

The wedding venue was just five minutes away by car so he would be there in no time. I just hope that they would catch that man.

When he left, I finished prepping myself up. I made sure that everything was perfect. While doing so, I tried to forget about that man because I didn't want to ruin my day. 15 minutes later and I was finally done.

I took my phone and turned it on, intending to call Athena. I smiled when I saw my wallpaper. It was her. She was smiling on that picture and she looked so enchanting like a goddess. I would never get tired of staring at her lovely face.

I chuckled. She was probably pissed off again because I purposely didn't reply to her texts and calls in order to surprise her about today.

I looked at the time and it was time for me to go. I exited my penthouse and then went to the elevator. When I reached the underground parking, I was even whistling happily because at last, today is the day that I would finally marry the love of my life.

I was about to get in my car when I felt a presence behind me.

"You look so happy, huh? Do you really think that I would allow you to have a happy ever after after what you did to us? Never. You ruined everything that I worked hard for and I will never forgive you!" He then cocked his gun but I took that as an opportunity to turn around swiftly and kick his hand before he could even have the chance to pull the trigger.

Because of that, the gun that he was holding flew away a couple of feet away.

"Argh! My hand!" He was in pain but he didn't allow that to stop him. He was about to pick up the gun from the ground but I gave him another kick on the stomach followed by punches in the face.

The overwhelming rage began eating my whole system. I remembered that time when he and Franco beat me up in the palace of Nuevo Imperio more than two weeks ago. All the kicks and punches that I received from them were still etched on my mind and because of that, I returned it all to him with all my might. I kept on beating him up until he fell on the ground.

"All the things that you had were rightfully mine! You didn't have anything when you stepped-foot in the palace! You were the one who stole it away from me because you're greedy, money-hungry and power-hungry b*stard! You killed my mother and you made my life a living hell! I will never forgive you of what you've done to us!" I was already consumed by rage that I lost myself.

I kept on hitting him even though his face was already bloody. I didn't care. All I wanted was to vent out the anger that has been residing inside of me for so long. I felt like a volcano, finally exploding after years of pent up rage within me.

When I finally stopped, I was breathing hard as my vision finally cleared up. I let go of him as if he was a dirt and then slowly stood up. I could smell the blood, making my stomach churn in disgust. But I wasn't done yet.

I picked up the gun from the floor and then pointed it at him without any pity. I was about to pull the trigger when I saw him smirking even though he looked like he was about to pass out.

"E-Even if you kill me now, you w-will never live happily. I came h-here to serve as a distraction to you. Do you r-really think that I would leave her a-alone? Y-You're wrong. You're still as c-careless as ever. You never learned anything." I felt like my whole body went frozen because of what he said.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He laughed.

"Just k-kill me now. I-I will never tell you anything. Oh, h-how much I want to see your face the m-moment you realized that s-she was already taken away from you. A-All of the things that you took away from me w-will be taken away from you a-again just like that. Y-You will be nothing but a pitiful prince a-again who doesn't have a c-crown on his head." I bended over and roughly grabbed the collar of his shirt.

"What have you done to Athena?! Where is she?!" I screamed in his face full of anger but he just laughed at me.

"Y-You'll see soon enough." To my surprise, he suddenly tried to snatch the gun that I was holding with my right hand. I tried to pull it back from his grip but he didn't let go. I let go of his collar and we fought over it, using all of our strength.

He was desperate to gain control of the gun. He was forcing its tip at my direction and was about to pull the trigger but I managed to overpower him. Just when he pulled the trigger, I succeeded on turning the gun at his direction and because of that, he was the one who got shot.

"Y-You, murderer." He uttered before he fell on the ground as bloody began oozing from his stomach. I looked at his lifeless body without any emotion on my face.

"You were the one who killed yourself, Giuseppe. And if there's a murderer here, that's you. You killed my mother and a lot of people because you wanted to gain power. Now, this is your karma." Then, my phone rang.

I answered it right away when I saw that it was Onyx.

"Z! One of our men just called and informed me that Princess Athena has been kidnapped!" I felt like my head doubled in size upon hearing that. Giuseppe was actually telling the truth that he was nothing but a distraction in order for them to really execute their plan.

"What?! What happened?! I thought, our men were guarding her?!" I answered with a loud voice.

"Looks like you're right after all. Giuseppe still has remaining spies near us. His new PRB is missing as well and the man we caught just now spilled the beans that he was the one who took her." My hands balled into fists.

I suddenly remembered what Giuseppe said a while ago about Athena.

"Interrogate that man about where did they take Athena and if he doesn't want to talk, torture him until he couldn't take it anymore. Athena is in danger and we can't afford to just wait here without anything."

"Copy that. What about Giuseppe? Looks like he's around here too." My face hardened as I threw a glance at Giuseppe. His pupils were already dilated.

"Don't worry about him. He's already dead. For now, make sure to get all the information that we need from that man as soon as possible. Athena is in danger and we need to save her."

"Roger." I ended the call before calling one of my men to tell them to come and take care of Giuseppe's body. After that, I tried calling Athena's number but she wasn't answering. Unexplainable fear crept within me. If something happened to her, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

"Wherever you are right now, I'll make sure to find and save you, mi hermosa. Even if I need to go to hell just to get you, I will. I promise you that." I then drove to Onyx's location.

Just when I arrived there, my watch suddenly vibrated. I answered it.

"Not, now. I need to—"

"—Shut up and listen to me." The firm voice of Red Fox. I gritted my teeth.

"I'm in an important—"

"—I said shut up and just listen to me." I huffed as I raked my fingers through my teeth.

"What is it?" She proceeded on telling me about it and when I heard everything, hope rose within me.

My heart clenched in pain. Why did I even press the button on my watch? Did I actually expect that he would come for me after all these years? I didn't know what came over me that I suddenly had the expectation within me that he would keep his promise. I could still remember when they gave me my watch...

"Mamma, where is papà? It's been a week since he left. I missed him already." I asked my mother while pouting and she chuckled as she squeezed my cheeks gently.

"Your papà is away because of work. Don't worry because he'll be home soon. I'm sure, he already misses you and your siblings as well." I've always been a papà's girl that's why whenever he's not home, I always look for him. It would be my 7th birthday tomorrow but he's not home yet.

My siblings weren't home because they went to De Falco farm the other day to visit our grandparents. I couldn't go because I fell ill. Thankfully, I finally felt better.

"But it's my birthday tomorrow, mamma. Did he forget about it?" I asked sulkily.

"No, vita mia. I'm sure that he didn't forget." I was about to answer when I heard a voice echoed throughout the whole palace.

"I'm home!" My face brightened up instantly.

"Is that papà, mamma?" She smiled.

"Why don't you go and check if it's him?" I nodded my head and then excitedly ran out of the room. When I reached the top landing of the grand staircase, I saw my father downstairs with a smile on his face while looking up at my direction.

"Papà!" I squealed happily and was about to begin descending the stairs when I heard my mother's voice.

"Vita mia, be careful! You might fall down!"

"Don't worry, mamma! I'm already a big girl." I excitedly ran down the stairs but when I reached the middle part, I tripped over. I screamed, thinking that I would fall but to my surprise, someone caught me. I opened my eyes and saw my father's worried face.

"My goodness. You shouldn't be running down the stairs like that. Thankfully, I managed to catch you."

I beamed. "I wasn't scared to run because I knew that you would catch me, papà." He shook his head in disbelief and then gently squeezed my nose.

"You're such one brave princess, Tesoro, but you should be careful always." He praised and then picked me up onto his arms which made my smile widen.

"Because I know that my hero is always by my side to save me."

"And who's that hero of yours, tesoro?"

"You, papà." I answered and then hugged him by the neck. He chuckled and then kissed my cheek.

"I'm glad you finally came home. Athena here has been looking for you. She said, she misses you already." I heard my mother say while descending the stairs. My father looked at her full of love.

"What about you, mia regina? Did you miss me?" Mamma sneered at him and papà laughed. He then approached her, still carrying me in his arms, and then kissed her on the lips. I giggled. As such young age, it makes me feel happy knowing that my parents love each other so much.

"I missed you." Papà whispered. Mamma finally smiled upon hearing that.

"I missed you too. C'mon, go freshen up before we eat dinner."

"What about the surprise that you were saying, papà? You told me that you would give it to me when you come home." I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Really? Did I say that?" His forehead crinkled as he put me down on my feet, feigning ignorance.

"Yes! You told me that on the phone yesterday." I even stomped my feet as I started feeling sullen. He chuckled.

"I was just kidding, tesoro. Come here." He then sat on the couch and then opened his bag. I excitedly waited for my surprise. Then, he gave me a small box with ribbon wrapped around it. I opened it right away and I was so happy when I saw two watches inside. One was smaller than the other.

"This is your mamma and I's gift for you on your birthday, tesoro. Take care of it, okay?" He then took the smaller one and then put it on me.

"Thank you, mamma, papà!" I hugged my mother first before I did the same to my father.

"You're welcome, vita mia."

"What about the bigger one, mamma, papà? Who's watch is this?" I asked curiously.

"It's yours, tesoro, but you will use it when you grow up. For now, you will use this smaller one." My father explained. "Remember, take care of it, okay? This is very important because whenever you're in danger, you can contact us through that watch. Just press this button and we will come for you. Use it for emergency purposes only, okay?"

"Okay, papà." They both hugged me...

Tears ran down my cheeks as I remembered about that. I only pressed that button on my watch twice. The first one was when my mother and I were in danger but my father failed me. He didn't come.

I don't know why I pressed it again knowing that he will never come for my rescue. Don't worry, Ath. Maximus will come for sure. He will be the one to save you.

My heart ached upon remembering him. I love him so much and I would never exchange him for anyone else. He's the love of my life and I made a promise to him. Just imagining that I wouldn't be able to keep that promise was already killing my heart.

"Athena, do you take, Warren, to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I blinked innumerably as the voice of the officiant echoed in my head. I cupped my forehead, feeling like I was about to pass out. I didn't know what happened but ever since we arrived here, I've been feeling nauseated. Maybe because of the situation not to mention that I only ate sandwich this morning.

"Athena, he's asking you." Warren said with a threatening stare.

"I repeat; Athena, do you take, Warren, to be your lawfully wedded husband?" My fists tightened as I gritted my teeth.

"No. Never." Uttered courageously as I met Warren's gaze. His breathing became heavy as his face contorted in anger.

"You're really testing my patience, huh?!" He looked at the officiant. "Where are the documents?" He asked him angrily and the latter gave it to him.

"I don't care about this ceremony anymore! Sign this now!" He snapped at me but I stood there, gazing at him fearlessly without any intention of doing what he was saying. If I was scared a while ago because of his threats, I finally found courage because of Maximus. I refuse to give in without fighting.

"No. I will never sign that." His eyes darkened in rage. He looked like he was about to burst so much anger but then, he smirked.

"Then, I will have to choose one of your sisters if you don't want to sign." I knew he would say that. I raised my chin defiantly even though I felt like my head was spinning. Why now? What's happening to me?

I was already sweating coldly and it felt awful. I felt like I was about to throw up too but I persevered.

"Go on. I won't stop you." He looked taken a back for a second or two because of my unexpected answer. Then, he laughed.

"The truth finally came out. You're still the old Athena I know. You only think of yourself and doesn't care about your family at all. We're really a match but it's pity that you need to go. Igave you a chance but since you don't want to do it, you're of no use to menow. I'll just get one of your sisters." He took his gun out and then pointed at me.

I closed my eyes as my dizziness worsened. Dolce metà, I'm sorry that I can't be there on our wedding day. Forgive me...

Then, a gunshot echoed in that room before my body finally gave in and fell on the floor.