Having followed both the Second Prince and the Princess for quite some time now, Band One felt the connection they both seemed to have and did not doubt it at all.

And with this stream of information going through his head, Band One was silent through being in awe at such a happy occasion.

His Master was finally going to be a father!

Even though the Second Prince had not talked much of having children in the past, Band One was sure that he was going to be happy about this event, instead of sad. It was such a fortunate event that Band One felt his need to protect them rise even further, even though he was in such a predicament…

Taking another sip of water, Band One then looked up weakly…To find his Master!

“M…Master!”

Matthew nodded lightly at Band One, then went back to looking at his Princess.

Why is it that I feel like I should have known that she would have been here?

Matthew felt a strange, funny sensation go through him, like that he had known unconsciously all along, that they would meet here. He felt happiness at her safety go through him, as well as guilt…Guilt of how she had been treated by the people who had brought him up.

To an extent, he didn’t want to apologize for them and wanted to see punishment for having been badly behaved to his beloved…Yet…At the same time, he was conflicted about how he was treated in the past by those very same people. It was like…A completely different Empress and Empress Dowager, to the ones that he had known previously.

Since Sahara was meditating, she didn’t see the conflict on his face, and how it changed from that of happiness, to guilt, and then confusion. How he was speechless to his own ‘families’ behavior…

“Mas…”

Matthew interrupted Band One, by putting a finger to his lips and looking in another direction, where people would come from.

Nodding to the darkness, Band Two came and unlocked the door for Matthew.

Matthew walked in and then quietly said, “Lock it again and stand guard.”

Band Two nodded and quickly looked at Band One, showing a pained look…Locking the cell, he then quickly disappeared.

Band One had given a very small smile, noticing Band Two come out to do as he was asked, but he was still quite weak…He wondered if Band Two didn’t think of him as number ‘One’ anymore…Perhaps that interesting ‘look’ he used to always see upon Band Two’s face, would disappear now…

Matthew sat down next to Sahara and quietly whispered to Band One about what was going on.

Band One smiled faintly a few times, trying hard not show how incredibly exhausted he was and how little energy he had.

When Matthew had just finished talking about the Empress, he finally took in Band One’s full look and narrowed his eyes. “You are not being treated right again!”

Band One lowered his head, “Master…This…”

Matthew sighed, “I will ask for your release.”

Looking up, then back down again, Band One only slightly shook his head, “Please don’t…Ruin your name for me, Master…Don’t let this servant…Be a burden to you.”

“You aren’t.” Was all Matthew stated in reply.

Band One slowly lifted his head and saw Matthew take Sahara’s hand in his and then say, “You will be released because I want you by my side. With what the Empress and Empress Dowager are trying to do, I will feel more assured knowing that you will be able to watch over not only that of my Princess, but…That of my son too.”

Band One’s eyes became watery again…His Master had always wanted to release him, had always stated that he belonged by his side. Every time the Second Prince had come to see him, it was the same every time...

This time though, what was he to say?

Normally, after his Master would state that he would save him, Band One had always stated to not worry for his life, so that he would not become a burden.

…But, with the Princess right there, and his Master even more determined than ever before, how could Band One respond?

“Will you work with me again? Or would you prefer to have your complete freedom? Do you despise me for taking so long to get you out of here, in which you don’t belong?”

Secretly and selfishly, Matthew was more wanting to know if Band One hated him. But…He was also generally wanting to know how he could make it up to Band One for having taken so long to get him free once again.

Seeing movement, Matthew looked up and saw Band One’s shaky hands go together and make a respectful gesture to one’s Master. “This one…Will always like to be by master’s side and help protect…What is his.”

Matthew let out a small smile, then nodded, “Mmm, then I will count on you!”

Watching Band One’s shaky hands slowly go back to his sides once again, Matthew looked down at Sahara’s hand and wondered if it would be too much to ask if she could heal his good friend.

Letting out a quick sigh, Matthew was sure of his beloved’s character and that she would heal him, even if he didn’t ask…But, he couldn’t help feeling guilty at his family’s behavior towards her, which in turn was giving her enough reason that she didn’t have to help.

Again, he asked himself, how did he deserve such a beautiful person by his side?

As Matthew continued to want to speak with Band One, it became obvious to him that he simply couldn’t. Band One tried very hard to pay attention, but he was unable to do so, due to having no energy.

Having his head go limp, like that of the rest of his body, Matthew put his head up to the roof and sighed.

The longest time he went without his friend, was when he had been in prison, nearly a year ago. It had been lonely, but Matthew had been busy making plans and had been able to think of Sahara as well, so the time did pass by without too much worry.

Now…It was different. Band One was quite unwell and was being held captive, even though he was innocent. Much different to that of being free and healthy!

Matthew feels that he had not done what he could to get the innocent out of prison earlier and that it was slightly his fault that Band One had got into trouble in the first place.

Band One had been sent to the emperor because of his haste in wanting to marry Sahara…Perhaps, if he had not done that…Would another Band had taken his place in becoming mind controlled?

Even though all his Bands were mostly loyal and didn’t deserve this type of forced guilt put onto them, Matthew couldn’t help but wish it had been someone else instead. If it were a normal Band, he would also do his best to save them, but the chance of completely losing a close friendship, felt terrible…

Knowing that he was being harsh, Matthew didn’t know that he was unconsciously clenching Sahara’s hand, making her yelp!

“Dammit!”

Matthew scooted closer to her and took her into his embrace, “I’m sorry, my dear.”

Matthew? Uh…What an awesome surprise!

After a short, shocked silence, Sahara relaxed and felt like everything seemed fine once again.

“Mmm.” Sahara cuddled into him, feeling great to knowing that they were together once again and was glad that she didn’t have to look for him in this big place! She did feel conflicted though…Should she ask on what he’s been up to? Where he’s been?

Did he…Touch…Ah! Just don’t go there Sahara, don’t even think about it! He’s my Prince, there’s no need to doubt him! He’s shown me plenty that he loves me…Mmm…That’s right! Don’t be greedy! I’ll just…Dam, I want to be greedy!

“Why did you come here?” Matthew asked, snuggling into her hair.

Sahara shrugged, then remembered about the Empress and Empress Dowager, “I don’t know! There’s no reason, it looked like a cool place to hang out, while I get my spiritual essence back!”

Matthew stiffened to her strange sarcasm. Normally she said things with ease, with no worry for consequence…This time…She was holding something in…She was upset…Angry.

Yes, the shock of seeing Matthew once again seemed forgotten already, just like that of being relaxed. Now that she was with Matthew, other certain matters were being remembered and it seemed to be showing…As her words hadn’t been lazy, they had been harsh and forced!

“I heard what the Empress and Imperial Grandmother had said, and Sahara…” Matthew took Sahara’s face into his hands and looked directly into her eyes, “No one will take our son away from us!”

Sahara stopped…Literally, even breathing…But after a few seconds, everything started back up again.

She felt like she had just been rebooted, like that of a computer…It was weird.

The idea of losing yet another child was scary, the feelings had been so strong that his words seemed to dampen them and ease her, making her think that this was the solution she needed for this problem. If he had wanted to abide to what the Empress and Empress Dowager wanted, what was she to do!?

Having not wanting to think of it, she knew a rock had been wedged, but…These words nearly made her want to cry in happiness! Of course, he wouldn’t let them take their child! Wasn’t that why she hadn’t let herself think of it in the first place!?

The trust she had for Matthew grew and she couldn’t believe how lucky she was that he was even going against his own family for her and their child!

It was the biggest release of a burden that she had ever felt!

Nodding, Sahara smiled, “Thank you, I think I needed to hear that…”

Words can’t tell you how happy I am! Fuck…I’m so happy!

Caressing her cheeks, Matthew smiled back and got lost in those slightly watery, red eyes of hers.

So completely transfixed, that even the stomach rumbling noises from Band One didn’t really interrupt them.

With Sahara’s cute little bite to her lip and lowered eyes, Matthew sighed in his heart. She was so completely adorable!

Leaning over, he kissed her lightly and then pulled back, “Mmm, my family. We will stay together!”

Sahara let out a little happy laugh and she put her hands to his head and pulled on his ears slightly, “Even when the kid pulls your ears like this?”

Matthew frowned.

Sahara then put a finger on both sides of his forehead, above the eyebrows, and said, “And what if they do this?”

Seeing his eyebrows move slightly up and down, she let out another small, happy laugh and then went to remove her hands, but Matthew caught them.

Using her pointing finger, he put it into one of her nostrils and said, “Or how about this?”

“Ah!” Pulling her finger out, Sahara then took a moment and then laughed, “Haha, you’re right. It’s like they can’t help but fill a hole or press a button!”

Looking down at the concealed little man, she put her hands around her womb and said, “You be good mister! No pulling daddy’s ears!”

Matthew smiled, he had heard this ‘daddy’ word a few times and now knew it was meant as another word for father. It was nice…He liked it!

“Daddy’s ears are better than your mother’s, so you can pull on mine!”

Honestly, he would rather the child pull on his ears if he were to pull on somebodies. But how could he say that out loud, that his Princess ears were more precious than his!?

“Ah, you don’t like my ears?” Sahara asked innocently, putting her hands up to her ears.

Matthew chuckled and touched one of her ears, not holding back from touching her at all. It had been days now that he touched her whenever he felt like it and she had not flinched away from him at all.

Softly patting his beloved’s earlobe, Matthew lost himself once again to her captivating look. She was smiling at him like he was the only thing in the world, that he was the only thing that held her attention and nothing else mattered…Or was that how she made him feel?

Whatever it was, it was great!

Normally, when he felt this way, he would end up teasing her and touching her…Yet…It didn’t seem like the time or place at the moment!

Not only were their guards looking for the ‘Thirteenth Young Miss’…Whom wouldn’t find her, because she is already locked into prison…But they were…In prison…How could he possibly become romantic with her in a place like this!

Suddenly, Matthew wondered how he could get so carried away with his beloved, to even forget where they were and about their predicament!

Sighing and kissing her forehead, Matthew loved this about her. How she seemed to be able to make nothing else matter and that happiness was within one’s grasp!