I didn't know what was I thinking. Instead of going back to the club to pick up my cousin like my original plan, I instructed Onyx to go there on my stead to take her home.

Instead of taking Athena to the palace, I drove towards a certain place where I spent so much time just staring at that place, the palace of Costavia, while formulating my plans.

I looked at the enchanting woman in my passenger seat. She was obviously drunk and tired and looked like she's going to fall asleep anytime soon. For some reason, I didn't want to disturb her and just kept on staring at her lovely face but we already arrived at our destination.

"Let's get out. I want to show you something, mi hermosa." I said and got out of the car to open the door for her.

"Where are we?" I chuckled because she really looked drunk and tired at the same time.

"Why don't you just get out of the car to see where?" She opened her eyes and looked around. She was about to get out of the car when she lost her balance. My fast reflexes kicked in and I caught her by the waist on time. I groaned inwardly when our bodies pressed together as our eyes locked.

Mierda! Her body feels so soft!

"L-Let's go?" I was surprised myself because I even stuttered. My body's temperature went high. Fùck! What's happening to me? You should just ignore it, Z. Concentrate on your plan!

I reluctantly let go of her before I lose my control and then cleared my throat, trying to calm myself down.

"To where? Why did you bring me here anyway?"

"Look behind you." I uttered. She turned around and I heard her gasp softly upon seeing the beautiful view of the city. It looked like this was her first time coming here.

"Wow." She looked amazed. She then sat on the bench there as her gaze fixated on the panoramic view.

"I'm glad, you like it." I uttered and then sat beside her. "The Costavia palace is such a beauty, especially at night." I complimented, engaging her into a conversation.

"Yeah, you can say that." I smiled of her answer.

"Yes, but nothing beats the beauty of 'mi hermosa'."

Her forehead crinkled and looked at me. "What are you talking about?"

I gave her a lopsided grin. "C'mon, mi hermosa. You know that you're the one I'm talking about." Her lips parted.

"You're really full of yourself, are you?" The corner of my lips twitched.

"I don't think, I am. I am just being honest and vocal." I continued saying things that I knew could penetrate her defenses. From the moment I met her, I could tell that she's very reserved that's why I've been having a hard time getting her to warm up to me. I knew I was being a jerk for doing this but I would do everything to achieve my goals, by hook or by crook.

Even after what the Queen said, I wasn't convinced at all. Until they show me any evidence that Antonio Romano wasn't the one I've been looking for, then I would never stop.

I used my charm, sweet tongue and gestures to lure her to fall into my trap and I could tell that I was beginning to get the result that I've been expecting. It wasn't easy because I knew that she wasn't an easy woman but I did everything I could until I finally got this chance that I've been waiting for.

After a couple of minutes, she stubbornly wanted to go home because I could tell that she was beginning to fall under my charm but I didn't let her. She turned her back and was about to go back to the car when she tripped over and I caught her. She squealed and I couldn't help but to chuckle.

"This is the second time around, mi hermosa. Although, I'm not complaining. You can trip over for how many times and I assure you that I will always catch you everytime." I suavely said with a husky voice. My gaze involuntarily went to her seductive lips and the desire to kiss her was so strong.

Damn. I've never met a woman who could affect me just by being her near her like this and smelling her heavenly scent. The unfathomable desire was undeniable between us but I could tell that she was scared and reluctant.

"L-Let go of me!" She tried to get away from me but I didn't let her by wrapping my arms around her waist and pulled her towards me until she didn't have a choice but to sit on my lap.

"Maximus!" I chuckled and caressed her soft cheek.

"That's the first time that you called me by my name, mi hermosa." I uttered as my gaze went to her luscious lips. I swallowed hard. Damn. Those lips looked so soft and sweet.

"You're crazy! Let go—" Before I could stop myself, I sealed her lips with mine and I almost groaned upon feeling hers. Mierda! I was right. Her lips were as sweet as honey and it was addicting.

I heard her gasp as she placed her palms against my chest, trying to push me away but I didn't let go. Instead, I claimed her lips fully, making sure to make her succumb onto me this time.

Fùck! The taste of her lips was so addicting. It was livening up every nerve ending of my body and I was beginning to lose my control.

"You're so beautiful, Athena." I couldn't help but utter when our lips pulled away a little bit.

"Maximus..." I smiled. Damn. Her angelic voice was just music to my ears.

"Hearing you utter my name is music to my ears, mi hermosa."

"This is crazy. We shouldn't be doing this—" I didn't let her finish because I captured her lips for another kiss again. I didn't expect this kiss to be this delicious, addicting and mind-boggling and I couldn't get enough of it. I made sure to enchant her to reciprocate to me and I groaned triumphantly when she finally did.

We kissed so passionately until we almost ran out of breath.

"Your lips are the sweetest. I can't get enough of it." I whispered huskily and then gently bit her lower lip playfully. She moaned and that added to the fire within me. She sounded so sexy and seductive to my ears.

I couldn't stop myself anymore. My hand caressed its way to her left breast, deliberately making her feel my desire for her. I didn't plan to go this far but my body was betraying me. It was as if, I lost control over it.

"W-We shouldn't be doing this." She uttered with an almost inaudible voice.

"Why not?" She unwrapped her arms from my neck.

"Because it's not right! We're not even a couple to do this!" My forehead crinkled.

"What's not right about this? We're both single. Are you committed to someone else?" I didn't know why but just thinking the possibility that she's already committed gave me this weird feeling inside. It was a sense of possessiveness and the urge to claim her no matter what it takes was unfathomable.

"No, I'm not." I almost sighed in relief.

"Then, what's the problem? Is it because you're a princess and I'm just an ordinary man who came from another country?" I couldn't hide the frustration in my voice. Somehow, I felt frustrated that she only regards me as nothing but an ordinary man.

But then, I tried to get that out of my head and concentrate with my plan. I shouldn't let her get away from me just like that. Now that I finally managed to get her like this in my arms, I would never let her go.

I should make sure to get her in order to make Romano come out of his hiding place. He's been in hiding ever since my mother died that's why if his daughter was the only way for me to know his location, I would use her in every way possible.

"When I told you that I like you, I wasn't joking about it." It was the only line I knew for her to change her mind and just surrender onto me. Her lips parted in shock upon hearing what I've said.

"Stop making fun of me!" Damn. She's really stubborn and not easy to tame.

"Since when did I make fun of you? If you're still not convinced, then I'll say it again. I like you, so much that I can't explain why." She was a loss for words. I was about to continue sweet-talking her when her phone rang. She answered.

"Mamma..." She sounded nervous and guilty. I was just watching her talking to her mother on the phone while still sitting on my lap when I noticed something on her neck. It was the necklace that was written on the pact. I touched my necklace and an idea suddenly occurred on my mind.

"Mi dispiace, mamma. Per favore, non essere arrabbiato con me." (I'm sorry, mamma. Please, don't get mad at me.) I heard her say after a couple of seconds. I patiently waited. After their conversation, she suddenly stood up from sitting on my lap.

"I need to go home." I remained silent for a couple of seconds, thinking of a way to claim her without her knowing it. The pact said that it doesn't matter who among the three Romano sisters but I already made my choice. It has to be Athena.

I pulled her by the waist until our bodies pressed together, making sure that she would feel my desire for her.

"Maximus!" She hissed but I remained serious.

"Be mine, mi hermosa." I huskily voiced out as I drew my face closer to hers until our lips were almost touching.

"You're really pushy." Hearing that made me feel guilty a little bit. I knew it wasn't fair for me to do this to her but I had to. Just like I've said, If using her could make me achieve my goals, then so be it. If the situation was only different, I would surely do this the right way.

Besides, I knew that my enemies would take this as an opportunity to achieve more power because of this pact so saving her from them would be a sufficient payment of what I would do next.

"Because I don't want someone to take you away from me. I want an assurance that you're mine."

"But I'm not yours—" I didn't wait for her to voice that out and just kissed her one more time. I wanted for her to surrender herself onto me without a second thought. But for some reason, as that kiss lasts, I began to lose myself again too. The kiss was so sensual and hot that it made me temporarily forget everything just like a while ago.

The way she reciprocated to my kiss was so hot that my urge to take her felt so strong. But then, that magic moment between us broke when we heard someone speak.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Your Royal Highness, but you need to go back to the palace." We didn't have a choice but to pull away and I couldn't help but to get pissed off. There were three Royal Guards in front of us. Damn these disturbances!

Thankfully, I know one of them. I gave him a signal by just by looking at him and he slightly nodded his head. He faced his comrades and signaled for them to back off. They stepped away from us and looked at the other way. Because of that, I was free to execute my plan.

I cupped Athena's face. "I have something for you." I took my necklace off me and put it on her. Athena touched the pendant and then looked at it in awe.

"I give you my heart, mi hermosa. Take care of it." That automatically came out of my mouth and I couldn't understand why. Was it because of my plan?

"What's this for?"

"You'll know when the right time comes. I already got yours, so this is already a pact between us."

"What are you saying?" She asked confusedly.

"Goodnight, mi hermosa. Sleep tight." I intentionally didn't answer her and then looked at the Royal Guards. "Ensure the safety of the princess until you reach the palace." I commanded them.

"I assure you that, sir." I nodded my head. I just remained standing on my spot as I watch them drove away from that place. Then, I lifted my hand and stared at the necklace that I was holding.

"Lo siento por hacer esto, pero tengo que hacer lo que tengo que hacer." I uttered while staring at the necklace. (I'm sorry for doing this but I have to do what I need to do.)

That was the plan but I received a message from the Knight's Code that night. It was the organization who helped me when I was young. If it wasn't because of them, I wouldn't make it for sure.

They're a secret group who helps people like me who's fell victim to situation similar to mine. Even though I was grateful that they helped me, half of me was regretting of joining them too because I got to discover what it's like living in the underworld as they call it.

The Knight's Code is not that evil but they're not saint either. But on the other side, I was thankful because they trained me to become tough so that I could get to fight my enemies on par one day.

Those tough trainings that almost killed me multiple times were worth it because I am the man that I am today because of it.

Because of the message that I received from them, I had to leave for the time being. I couldn't just ignore it and pretend that I didn't read it. They probably discovered that I was planning to leave the organization that's why they needed to see me.

Onyx told me that the higher ups wasn't in favor of me leaving but I didn't care. I had to concentrate on dealing with my enemies in my own terms. Thankfully, Xerus agreed.

Xerus is the founder of Knight's Code but I've never seen him before. Whenever he had to tell me something, he would just send me a message or someone would pass the message to me.

Even though it was pity that I had to leave Athena in Santino for the moment, I had to.

After seven months of fixing everything, I decided to go back to Santino to continue my mission. I've been staying at Anquilla for the past one year which was located at the northern most part of Costavia. This place was where Knight's Code's secret base was located but I only stayed in the base for three months and then left to do everything that I needed to do.

But during those times, Athena never left my mind. For some reason, she always haunted my dreams and when I wake up, my whole body was filled with unfathomable desire. The moment that I spent with her before I left Santino kept on repeating inside my head like a broken record.

I couldn't forget those sweet, soft and addicting lips of hers while kissing me back passionately. I tried ignoring those feelings but it was harder that I expected.

When I finally came back to Santino, I met with Queen Isabella.

"I see that you're finally back. Did you have a change of heart?" The corner of my lips twitched.

"I haven't had any change of anything. I still don't trust any member of your family even a bit but I realized that you're right. My enemies will surely take advantage of this pact sooner or later so I had to dive into the game and claim what's mine.

"I can't do that without your help though. If your son is really innocent, then you don't have anything to worry about. I will not harm your grandchildren because they didn't do anything to me. For now, I want to concentrate on doing my part of the pact but like I said, I need your help too."

"Is this about Athena?" I was surprised that she knew about it.

"How did you know that I chose Athena?" She shrugged her shoulders.

"I just happen to know." I clenched my teeth. She's really an enigma and I know that I have to be careful in dealing with her.

"Don't worry, Prince Maximus. I will help you with my granddaughter."

"Really? But I heard, she already has a boyfriend." I didn't know why but I almost tasted something bitter upon uttering the last word. I couldn't believe that

"Yes, she has." She answered casually as if that wasn't a big deal. "But don't worry about that. It's nothing. That guy will never get Athena whatever happens."

"Good. Don't worry, Your Majesty, because after I succeeded on taking my throne back, I will make sure that the debt of Costavia from Nuevo Imperio will be as good as paid." The Queen's eyebrows arched.

"So, you knew about that?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. I came here with a loaded deck." She smiled and nodded her head.

"Very good. You're not here to just agree to my terms. I like that." I raised my chin proudly.

"Of course." I knew that I would probably swim in dangerous waters but this wasn't the time to be a coward. If my plan succeeds, I would hit two birds with one stone...

The silence was deafening and it only added to the turmoil inside of me. I could tell that Athena was trying to digest everything. I swallowed hard.

"Contrary to what I told you, I didn't leave Costavia during that one year that you didn't see me. When I came back after seven months and learned that you already have a boyfriend, a part of me got hurt. I thought, I got hurt because of my pride but I was wrong. Now that I think about it, I got hurt because I was already in love with you. I just didn't want to acknowledge it back then."

"Why didn't you show yourself to me when you returned here after seven months?" I could tell that she was trying to be strong and not break down.

A pained smile appeared on my face. "I did, mi hermosa, but you didn't literally see me."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Remember that night when the whole palace became dark because of the power shut down?" Her eyebrows creased.

"I was there, mi hermosa. With you." She looked confused for a couple of seconds. Then, it hit her.

"Y-You mean...You were the one I..."

"Yes, mi hermosa. It was me."

"But Warren told me—"

"—He's nothing but a liar, mi hermosa. Before that magic moment between us, I already defeated him into a fight butunfortunately escaped. I did that in order to prevent him from claiming you that night."

Pain attacked my chest seeing the pain on Athena's face. Even though relief was written all over her face after confirming that I was the one she was with that night, I could tell that everything I just confessed to her hurt her so much. I haven't told her everything yet but it was too much for her to take already.

My whole body was slightly shaking, afraid that after confessing everything to her, she would leave me.

"E-Everything that happened during those times were just a part of your p-plan? You came to my room that night and pretended to be Warren because you just wanted to f-fulfil what was written on the pact and achieve your g-goals?" Even her voice was slightly trembling. Tears were already threatening to fall from her eyes but I knew that I had to tell her everything even if it would hurt her. It was the right thing to do.

"I'm sorry, mi hermosa. I—" Before I could finish what I wanted to say, the palm of her hand already landed on my cheek. Tears were already falling from her eyes like water falls while staring at me full of resentment. My heart broke into pieces.