---ON A CALL---

Elena: Saw me?

Me: And it caused a commotion with the Romanos on my end. Elena, what got you back on the news?!

Elena: I managed to get some supporters from some of the people who sought to find me, telling me of the situation ever since we were sent away.

I looked around, reducing my pace since I was far away from the restaurant.

Me: What did you find out?

Elena: I found out that Katrina and dad had a deal together on this.

Me: So... dad was behind the whole thing alongside Katrina?

Elena: ... Yeah. But not only that, Katrina along with the entire court, plotted to kill mom.

Me: She was queen at that time, and that counts as treason, no?

Elena: Exactly! So using this evidence I have gathered, I am prepared to go to court for this.

Me: Guess there is really no way to stop you, I mean you are already in the North again.

Elena: Don't sound so sad, look. If I win this, you can always come back!

Me: I don't know Lena...

Elena: Okay. Maybe since you love Lee already, you can just come visit-

Me: First, Lee and I (looking around) it's not real. Second, on the topic of relationships, when did you start dating Ace Lombardi?

Elena: Let's just say, we Rodriguez sisters like getting into convenient relationships.

Me: So, you both need each other for different agendas? Ah. I'm forgetting you told me the other time.

Elena: I need him to pose as my boyfriend NOW, so he can protect me from Katrina-

Me: Right, they will try to kill you too.

Elena: But not with Ace around! And second he needs me to pose as his partner so he doesn't look suspicious when searching for 'someone'. Just an enemy whom he needs to solve.

Me: I sometimes wonder why I still worry about you.

Elena: Because we love each other. I promise, I will live. I will restore the Kingdom and prove to dad that he was wrong for not trusting in us.

Me: I trust you on that. 

Just then, I heard Lee's voice, calling my name.

Lee: Liana!

Elena: Ooh~ It seems your husband is calling. Well, I will keep you updated. 

Me: Please do.

Elena: And all the best on the dilemma I caused. Sorry.

Me: That's okay, I will deal with it in my own way. Keep me posted, chat soon.

Elena: Bye Lia.

Me: Bye Lena.

---END OF CALL---

I saw Lee walking up to me, his posture good as ever, sometimes I hated how good he looks and how good he is in general, despite his cold personality.

Lee: So the elections have begun in the North?

Me: The news must have answered that question, don't you think?

I was about to walk away when Lee grabbed my hand, but I broke free from his hold.

Lee: Elena does know what she is putting herself into, right? No one in the Kingdom can ever mention the bribe the Reynolds Family made to the high officials of the Kingdom.

Me: How do you know so much about this? Are you also the part of the Southern royal side?

Lee: I am not, except that my wealth qualifies me under that category.

Me: Title power? Interesting Lee, you never cease to amaze me.

Lee: With more updates to follow once we are married.

Me: ... I will get going. See you tomorrow morning.

Lee: Liana, wait-

Me: (walking away) Text me the time, I will do my best to be early.

Without wasting another second, I walked towards the cabs, and got into one.

Driver: Where to, miss?

Me: To the Cybric Tower Complex.

With the nod, the driver started the car, and I didn't want to look outside the window. Seeing Lee would just make it worse for me for now. I looked at the water that was nicely sealed in the cup holder.

Me: May I?

Driver: Help yourself.

Taking one of the bottles, I opened it and took a sip, which was cold water that went through all the right channels.

Driver: Thirsty?

Me: Something like that.

But it wasn't long when my consciousness began to fade away. I heard the driver chuckle.

Driver: The new bride of Lee Romano? Liana Rodriguez? The abandoned princess of the North? No wonder why the Reynolds want you dead.

And these were the last words I heard before everything went black.

Lee's POV

Liana walked away without looking back, into the cab and the driver took off. I walked out of the gate, and mentally took note of the number plate. That cab... something felt off about it.

Lewis: Lee.

My line of thoughts were disturbed by my brother, Lewis.

Lewis: Was that-

Me: Liana just left.

Lewis: I am sorry.

Me: About what?

Lewis: You are starting to feel the pressure that I felt.

Me: I don't think I am following-

Lewis: This is why Ariya and I never worked out. I was a coward and couldn't stand up.

Me: I still didn't stand up for her enough.

Lewis: But still, you did your part. I am sure Liana appreciated that too. You both are the same. Stubborn and unable to express your feelings.

I still couldn't shake the feeling around that cab.

Just then, everyone came out to see Lewis and I alone.

Liam: Where is Liana?

Me: She left.

And my grandma, Lina, was the last person I wanted to see.

Me: (To Lewis) Thanks Lewis.

Lewis: 

I didn't bother looking back as I walked to where the cabs were, tapping my foot. Lewis, once again, joined me, realizing my concern.

Lewis: Concerned about Liana?

Me: Yeah. The cab she got into... it felt weird.

Lewis: If you say so, then never doubt your gut. Do what you need to do.

Me: I don't want to end up looking like the obsessed husband. Liana hates it when she is treated like a child.

Lewis: Already knowing Liana's dislikes?

Me: As a husband should.

Lewis: Anyway. What was the number plate?

Before I could reply, my dad called me, wanting to talk to me.

I walked with dad to the cars, the rest of the family following from behind.

Dad: I want to apologize for the behavior of nana.

Me: You should tell Liana this. Not me.

Dad: I could tell how upset you were, you even followed her. I am giving you a personal apology. I will make sure to give Liana hers tomorrow morning.

Me: I get you being all sensitive about my wife but actually name calling her? That was uncalled for, I was disappointed actually.

Dad: Try to understand it from your nana's side. She is going to see you marry someone... with an almost infamous reputation! Do you see how it looks bad on the Romano's side? Let alone even the Lombardi family!

Me: If you are done talking about family public image, I will take my leave.

Dad: Lee-

I walked back to the car, stepping in, and not willing to greet the rest goodbye. Joining the main road of the restaurant, I then joined the national highway, listening to the news. Random topics from the elections taking place in North Cybric and Elena, my stories, and then public affairs. Just the usual. I still couldn't shake off the thoughts of Liana's cab. Is she alright?

Something about that cab though...

Just then, a phone call from Ace came through. I answered it immediately. Seems like we are in the middle of two near-forbidden marital affairs.

---ON A CALL---

Me: Ace. See you are trending on the news.

Ace: Not as I would have liked, but not complaining.

Me: I see you chose for yourself my wife's twin sister.

Ace: Coincidence, trust me. We got together to assist one another with our goals. It's not permanent as yours.

Me: Who said mine is? We are helping each other's love life news die down before going our separate ways.

Ace: But not without a heir though. Nana always speaks of wanting one to continue the legacy.

Me: Legacy my foot. Liam is here.

Ace: You are the special one. Marrying Liana must have been a punch in the gut.

Me: She will need to suck it up and live. It's not the end of the world. Anyway, how is your mission going? Getting any leads?

Ace: None at the moment, but with Elena's help, I shall get to the bottom of this mission.

Me: Good to know. Let me go get a horribly amount of sleep for tomorrow. Dad just invited Liana to get acquainted with the Romano Games.

Ace: Good luck with that.

Me: Just before you drop Ace.

Ace: Yes?

Me: Can you look up a number plate for me?

Ace: I can try, though there is not much I can get.

Me: Thanks. It's the cab Liana got into. I have a bad feeling about it.

Ace: Already playing caring husband?

Me: Don't push it.

Ace: Just saying.

Me: Anyway, it's DXW 001 SCYB.

Ace: Will get onto it.

Me: Thanks Ace.

---END OF CALL---

Liana's POV

I woke up, groaning, trying to register where I am, which is certainly nowhere near my house. I looked around to see that my legs and wrists were tied to a chair, and I was in a warehouse. A loud laughter filled the warehouse, and a man dressed in black emerged from the darkness. I recognized that voice from afar.

Lance Reynolds. The man who killed our parents. The man who destroyed our lives in an instant.

Lance: Liana! Look at you! You have grown up to marry the richest families of the South. Now, I wonder how that came to be.

Me: None of your business.

Angrily, he told the guards to pull out the taser. It's electrifying force heavy as I screamed.

Lance: You surely still have the sharp tongue to speak to me, hey?

Me: ...

Lance: Anyway, Elena is terribly interrupting my plans. I need something... or rather someone to set her back. Killing you would be the best option, right?

Me: ...

Lance: ANSWER ME!

Me: Who knows?

Lance: Excuse me?

Me: Even if you kill me, she will be even more determined.

Lance paused for a second, contemplating my words. He knew I was right.

Lance: Then, if not Elena, then of what value are you to the Romano family? They hate commoners, less abandoned princesses like you.

Me: (laughing) Pretty ironic, right?

Lance: Guess there is no foundation to wipe you out. Guess I will have you simply cease you to existence. 

Me: Whether you kill me or not, just know I have a huge support system.

Lance: Who? Your fake husband Lee?

Me: My husband Lee will come for you Reynolds. And when he does, I hope he does to you exactly as you are doing to me-

Lance: (To the guards) Continue with the taser. She's a nuisance.

* * *

THE NEXT MORNING - Lee's POV

I woke up late to realize it was already 8. I didn't tell Liana of the time, she would probably strike me this time. Getting ready, I got downstairs to overhear the family speaking ill of Liana once again.

Me: Guess you never learn your lesson.

Dad: She hasn't arrived. It's 8 o'clock now.

Me: You never told her of the time. If anyone, it was supposed to be me who's wondering. It's strange she is not here.

Nana: Shows she's unfit to be a Romano.

Ignoring nana's comment, I pulled out my phone to call Liana.

The number you have dialed is unavailable at the moment. Please-

Me: (muttering) She always answers. It never gets to voicemail.

I tried a second time.

The number you have dialed is unavailable at the moment. Please leave a voicemail after the tone-

Just then, thousands of pictures and messages from Ace got in. And a number of missed calls from him too. I called him, skipping the images and messages from him.

---ON A CALL---

Ace: Lee!

Me: What's going on? What did you find?

Ace: The number plate you sent me. It-

Just then, another phone call came through. This time, from an unknown caller.

Me: I need to take this call.

Ace: From an unknown caller, I presume?

Me: Yes. Do you know?

Ace: You need to take it.

---END OF CALL---

Ace dropping the call, I answered the other call.

---ON A CALL---

Caller: Lee Romano.

My blood grew cold. It was none other than Lance Reynolds. Our family enemy.

Caller: Do you happen to know where your wife went to?

Me: What did you do to my wife Lance?

Caller: Nothing. If you happen to take me on a duel. Or a power share. I might let her go.

Me: Don't you dare lift a finger on Liana!

Lance: We will see...

---END OF CALL---

Grabbing my car keys, I went out the door.

Linda: What's going on? Is Liana okay?

Glaring at them, I gripped the door handle.

Me: You better hope nothing happens to Liana, or else you are all dead to me.

I walked out the door, not wanting to hear their excuses any longer.

* * *

Arriving at the warehouse, I got out, rushing inside. Kicking the door open, I found Liana unconscious. Looking around, I saw Lance emerge from the darkness.

Lance: Lee. So Liana was right.

Me: Right about what?

Lance: She said her husband would come for her. Though... I don't how strong tasers can be in terms of consciousness.

Me: Of course you would go extremes. Tasing my wife? You really stooped so low to really do that? You have no backbone.

He clenched his fists together.

Me: I won't be afraid to say it again, though... (looking around) I wonder what happened to your other men?

Lance: (confused) What do you mean Romano? I sent them away.

Me: (smirks) Oh really? (Pointing at his phone) How about you consider checking your phone?