"Your grace, are you alright?" Tara noticed that the duchess had a bothered expression.

"Yes. I'm just tired. I will retire in the room now. Please don't bother me except when my daughter calls for me."

"Yes, your grace." Tara paid respect to her master and didn't enter the guest room. She called Mia later that evening to inform the young miss about the encounter with Augustine.

"Got it." Mia replied shortly and ended the second call. She first received an anonymous call which she guessed was a special message from Boar. The recorded message mentioned a place where they could meet tomorrow. Then the second call came from Tara that made her mood change.

Neero was closing his laptop when he heard Mia's voice, which was a serious one. He didn't delve into her privacy and just quietly approached her.

As Neero stood behind his wife, he caged her in his arms and helped her choose a sleeping attire.

Earlier, he casually dragged Mia into his chambers to be with her for the night. He had no problem with it because the guards won't talk against him. They knew better than to get on his bad side.

"Really, this...?" Mia eyed her husband who was grinning from left to right. They were looking at one maroon nightwear. The clothing was given by Ziv for their honeymoon.

Her right eye twitched wondering how this who-the-heck-wears-this kind of lingerie was in Neero's wardrobe when she specifically left it at the Betiko Villa.

"Oh. You don't want to wear... anything?" Neero teased as he saw her frowning expression towards the little clothing. He then swiftly undressed Mia like it was a normal thing to do and carried her to the bed.

Mia, "..."

'Shameless!'

As the night deepens, two bodies are moving in a slow and sweet rhythm.

"I love you, Amelia." Neero uttered as he stared at those vibrant green eyes. He couldn't get enough of her. He wanted every inch of Mia.

"I love you too." Mia responded and reached out to kiss her gorgeous husband once again. She quivered as Neero released everything to her that night. She helplessly bit his shoulder to ease the frenzy feeling that was catching up to her.

Neero stiffened but allowed her to be. He endured and patiently waited for Mia to calm down.

After quenching the fire within them, the couple laid comfortably in the middle of the bed.

Mia stirred and lifted her head to see her husband sleeping soundly. She smiled at the vision and gently kissed his nose, lifting his huge arm that was swaddled above her hips. She needs to return to her room before daybreak to avoid unnecessary gossip.

When Neero opened his gray orbs, he instinctively looked beside him and frowned when his eyes didn't perceive the lovely figure of his wife. He sat up and did his usual routine with a dreadful mood.

He went straight to the dining hall, expecting to see Mia. His eyes searched the room and much to his dismay, she wasn't there.

"Morning, brother!" Judah greeted with enthusiasm. He noticed the off expression on Neero's face and could guess the reason for it.

"Where's my... betrothed?" Neero asked as he sat down to fill his stomach, looking slightly grumpy. He opened his phone earlier only to find a short message which only said, 'I'll be out for a while'.

The people on the long table couldn't help but flutter at the cold tone.

"Your highness, my daughter already ate her fill and went on her way to meet a friend." Duchess Dinah replied, smiling. She knows the worth of Mia in the First Prince's eyes and was touched by his care.

Neero slowly nodded and nonchalantly ate his meal. Aside from his mood, the breakfast went well between the families as both parties were excited for tomorrow's event.

"Zinnia, is she with you?" The First Prince directly asked after the woman answered the call on the third ring.

"We're shadowing Miss Eakins' service vehicle, your highness. Rest assured we will inform you once she reaches her destination."

"Good." The call ended as Neero was on his way to the parking area.

"Brother." Tamar called out when she saw Neero heading out of the palace.

The First Prince halted but didn't bother to take a glance at the princess.

"I... I apologize for my impulsiveness, brother. I mean no harm." Tamar uttered in a dejected tone. In one's ear, she sounded regretful of her past actions. She silently waited for the First Prince's response, hoping that he will face her this time.

Neero only gave her a side glance and just nodded. He went on his way and got on in his car.

Tamar clenched her fists on the sides as she watched the man's frame disappear from her sight.

"Tisha, proceed with the plan."

"Yes, your highness."

-------

"Mister Boar?" Mia called out as she saw a tall man standing alone by a certain street post. He was wearing a large brown coat and paired with a black beret hat.

The place was partly secluded but it's not far from the city proper.

"You must be 'M'. My niece is calling you by that nickname, right?" The man stated as the woman approached the spot.

"Yes, Sir." Mia replied and was shocked that Boar is not that old. Not that she judged him or something.

"Here's the two file reports that I've gathered based on your requests. Free of charge."

The files were handed to Mia. They're kinda thick so she embraced the two envelopes with her forearms.

"Really? Thank you very much, Sir."

"A word of advice. Read it after the event tomorrow. It will save you from being too emotional on an important day."

"I will try my best." Mia smiled at Boar, still looking at him in an amusing way.

"Is there anything else?" Boar asked.

"I thought that you will be older." Mia couldn't help but to say those words. Leah's uncle is a handsome guy and wasn't that old. She's guessing that he's a little over thirty years old.

Boar just shrugged his shoulders like he was used to hearing that kind of comment a lot.

"Are you acquainted with the First Prince?" The man inquired, staring at her ring finger. He didn't find any jewelry contrary to his expectation.

"Yes, I am." Mia shortly replied, dismissing any questions that can be uttered.

Boar just nodded and observed the woman as she climbed on the car. After a while, he shook his head, thinking of the things that could possibly happen. He got his phone and dialed a number.

-------

"How did it go?" Leah asked her friend, who just entered the hotel room.

"Your uncle is young!"

"Ah huh. He was the youngest among the siblings and my mother is the eldest." Leah explained, looking at the files on Mia's arms.

"Oh, that explains it. These are so heavy." Mia put the envelopes on the coffee table and started to open one.

"You're reading those, now?"

"Well, I can't help it. Boar told me to read it after tomorrow though."

"Then, read it by then. As I've said, my uncle is weirdly amazing. His inklings are almost right." Leah stated while giving her a cup of coffee.

"Alright. I think I can still wait." Mia agreed and returned a folder inside the envelope. She wasn't able to read its contents as Leah hurriedly pulled her outside the room.

"Where are you taking me?"

"At the penthouse."

"Okay. What's happening?" Mia was led up to the top floor and saw a nicely done setup with a lot of white flowers.

"Girl, it's your bridal shower. Surprise!"

Mia and a few close friends enjoyed the exclusive party. She shook her head but was moved by the effort. It's kinda late but she happily went along.

After the party, everyone settled down and left for their rooms.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Mia answered the door as Leah was very drunk, laying on the gray sofa.

"Why are you he-" Mia wasn't able to continue her words as she inhaled a heavily drugged cloth which caused her to faint instantly.

* * * * * * *

A/N: how are you my lovely readers?

Many things had happened so I can only complete one chapter.

I'm still drafting the next one. Hoping I can upload again this coming week.

Lovelots,
YM_1372