{Please read on a laptop if possible}

"The love we give away is the only love we keep,"

~Elbert Hubbard

*Huff* *huff* 

The woods were exposed to the faint echoes of an exhausted man running around in their safety-providing arms. It was midnight and the fireflies gave him way into the light but he had to change his path because his tail was full of horsemen with swords and whips, his bruises covering some of his skin, and his energy deteriorating till the end of midnight. 

He hid in the dark behind the birch of one of the thickest trees, sinking his back while softly grunting because of the pain his bruises caused. He pushed his palm onto his lips as he heard gallops nearing his way. He closed his eyes and the memory of him fleeing from his burning home with his wife and two children, who took shelter and safety in the chalet on the way, where a kind boy allowed him to leave his family there and distract those Vasilians away. 

All he wanted was for them to lead themselves away from him so that he could return to the chalet and take his family away from this hell. He didn't know why but the Vasilians were suddenly after his life, trying to butcher his family as well. He needed to find so many answers in so little time. From a distance, the chalet was visible to him. He was to see two Vasilians go in and come out of it without any blood on their swords and armour. 

He stood up on his feet and ran with all his might until he came across the back of a palace and pounded on the door before passing out. The door flew open after a few moments, revealing Felicia in her nightgown. 

"Beck!" She called out before Becky came down to the door from the living quarters. 

"Who is this man?"  

When Felicia threw light on his face through the lamp she held, Becky widened her eyes and tried to tug onto Felicia's gown. 

"What?"  

"He is an Inkario!" Becky gulped, her voice conceived in fear. 

"What is that supposed to mean? And how in the exquisite heavens can you tell?"

Becky took hold of the man's wrist and brought it closer to the lamp. 

"Look, he's been marked," Becky said as she saw a burning cross mark engraved onto his skin. 

"No, he has been forcefully scarred, and it clearly means, scarred to die," Felicia replied. 

"We can't hide him here. If anyone finds out, we'll get killed," Becky said.

"We can't just let him die. What if he has a family out there waiting for him?"

Becky made a disappointed look at Felicia. 

"Alright, let's keep him hidden until the wedding is over. Then we'll let him go," Felicia proposed. 

"Ugh! How in the bloody hell do you manage to convince me?"

***

"Yes, it is true, Inkarios still get marked and killed by the Vasilians. They do not get to choose. I wonder what god had in mind whilst making such a verve for Inkarios on this orb," 

Felicia said as Becky closed the door to their quarter, Felicia seated in front of the man, treating his wounds. 

"No one knows why it still happens but I do know that it has something to do with their purpose," Felicia finished applying herbs to the scar on his arm before her hand applied wet compression on the man's sprained wrist. 

Becky frowned as she took a seat on Felicia's bed. 

"Purpose?" 

Felicia sighed and continued.

"It's a long story but every dynasty has a purpose to fulfil," Felicia said, trying to dodge the topic. 

"You know I won't stop pestering you until you tell me," Becky said, crushing all of Felicia's thoughts down. 

"It would be much better if you weren't aware. Trust me. If you know, you won't live to adore the likes of it,"

"I won't adore the likes of it the other way around either so might as well tell me now,"

"Ugh! Alright! I'll tell you," She grunted, throwing her head back and looking at Becky.

"Alright, you can rest now," 

Felicia beamed at him and withdrew from her seat before grabbing Becky and leading her out of the room, leaving the door closed shut.

"Don't tell anyone but I know since I belong to the Larcian dynasty," 

Becky gasped and was about to scream but Felicia shook her hand in pure panic and covered Becky's mouth with her palm. 

"Shush!" She whispered loudly, her breath angry and searing. 

"It all began when gods and demons were at war and the gods did win that protracted and agonizing war but the demons had other ideas and they created an incarnation of themselves, named him Helius, the demon that had a strong lot of psychic and evil power and that rolled over the power of the gods. As a result, the gods surrendered to that demon. The goddesses then created a symbol of their power, known as 'the Armor princess'. She slew Helius but what no one knew was that the demon's blood had an essence that could infiltrate one's subconscious slowly and gradually, and when it is done infiltrating enough mass of human minds, Helius shall rise, but so will the Armor princess since she is tied to the prophecy and by that prophecy, it is certain that Helius will return as well. The Vasilians are after the Inkarios because the Inkarios are hard to be infiltrated mentally as compared to the other dynasties," 

Becky widened her eyes, her mind consumed with horror and terror 

"Then that means-" She choked on her breath before saying, "The Vasillians are under the influence of that essence," 

Felicia looked down, pursing her lips, knowing she was looking for its source for a long time now.

"Yes, that is why Adonius is doing such atrocious things to everyone around him, not caring for their families or their lives," 

"What in the heavens?!" 

They both heard a voice yelling at them as the door to the quarters burst open. 

"Felipe? What are you doing here?"

Felicia and Becky looked at each other as Felicia's frown entrapped itself in sheer annoyance. 

I feel dizzier than the heavens and now this.

***

"Why in the heavens didn't you tell us?!" Felipe asked as calmly as he could but Felicia could hear the anger flowing in his tone. 

"Because I didn't know what would happen if I did," She replied in a low voice, as though some tragedy was stuck with it. 

Felipe frowned before gulping, his vocal cords surrounded by dizziness as well. 

"What do you mean?" 

Felicia looked down before looking back up while pursing her lips and crossing her arms.

"Because I had to lose my memories to continue living as a Larcian. I don't even know who my parents are or were, or if I even had a brother or sister and now, I can't lose the memory of who all of you are and you know very well why, Felipe," When she finished, tears began to flow down her eyes. She hadn't had any sleep for days to come since she had no enlightenment about how to tell them all about her dynastical roots. 

"Now it's your choice, whether you want to punish me for keeping this secret, or you can understand why I kept it and forgive me. I won't enunciate anything about it," 

With that, Felicia turned around to head for the quarter but stopped when Felipe's groggy and tired voice made its way towards her ears.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have behaved that way and to make up for it, I'll tell Cecilia that her bridesmaid has been chosen," 

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. I imply you do not hide anything more from at least me because a brother or not, I am like a brother to you so I shall never be angry at you for long,"

Felicia smiled at him and looked down before looking back at him and tilting her head towards the quarter.

With that, they both entered the room and Felipe widened his eyes as he looked at the man. 

"You?" He questioned while he trudged towards him and tossed his robe on the side of Becky's bed.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he bent down and took the man's hand in his. 

"Yes, I am alright. I only want to see my family, for now, kind young man," He replied. 

"You know him?" Felicia asked.

"Quick! Let them in! Please!"

Felipe saw the torches approaching from between the embrace of the leaves and bushes.

"Alright, get in,"

He let the woman and the two children in and looked at the man, waiting for him impatiently.

"What, come on! Get in!"

The man looked at him apologetically and took off.

"No wait!"

He looked back at the woman and her children and led them down the secret chamber under the chalet. 

"Stay here, I shall find your husband,"

He was just in time as he closed the wooden compartment shut and walked to the door before opening it. He gasped as two guards invaded his view. One of them devoid of his helmet, clutched his arm to the side.

"Boy, have you seen a man, a woman and two children passing by?" one of them asked.

"Oh, no,"

"Wait, how did you know we were outside? We didn't even knock,"

Felipe widened his eyes a little and looked around, his mouth a little agape.

"Oh, uh, I was about to go grab a chicken from the barn. You know how fortnight cravings work,"

The guard looked around inside, taking a peek and silently put his helmet on before leaving. 

"So I followed him here. His family has taken shelter in my chalet for now," 

"What are you trying to imply?", Becky asked, knowing what he meant and did not want to attract any attention to the quarter. 

"We need to bring his wife and children here right now,"

***

*8 months ago*

"4!" 

The public cheered as Felipe chugged his fourth drink and was about to pass out but then raised his hand, pointing his finger out. 

"One more?!", Philip asked as Felipe smirked and nodded at the bartender. 

"Felipe, stop!" Philip tried to snatch the glass about to reach Felipe's grip. But Felipe was fast enough to grab it before Philip did. 

"Too late!" 

Felipe exclaimed with a cheeky smile plastered on his face, causing his cheeks to swell and turn red because of the alcohol. Felipe chugged that glass up too as the public cheered for him. He then beamed cheekily at Philip as he wiped the liquor off from under his lower lip. 

He then got up from his seat and went to the small wooden stage and borrowed the accordion, singing to the crowd in front of him, cheering them up, as if they forgot about all their worries and the tormenting tasks of the day. Philip looked at him and giggled with his box smile on as Felipe made eye contact with him. After that, it all felt like time had stopped to slow motion to him, he couldn't help but think about one thing. 

Gosh! The girl he gets is going to be the luckiest one ever 

It was because even if Felipe was not of royal blood and had no riches like them, the only thing that he had more precious than wealth, was that smile and warmth that made everyone light up, let alone an individual. Even Philip would forget about the things that tormented him and his fear of expressing himself disappeared once he'd been in Felipe's company. For a few hours, he'd forget that he has to rule under a dominant throne, a life that wasn't controlled by him, to begin with. 

He sighed and continued gazing at Felipe with a small smile on his face. After evening fell and the sun was about to set, Felipe left the bar to walk back to his horse, making his way through the dark ally behind the bar.

https://youtu.be/pJH4HhG0mHI

"There! She must've gone that way!" Felipe heard someone call out to their men before they split up to find the young girl in light pink, who fled for her life, escaping her room in the palace. She entered the lonely ally and bumped into Felipe. 

"Miss, Are you alright?"

She was wearing a light-pink gown and a black robe over it, the cover over her head slipped down because of her movement. 

She looked into Felipe's eyes with a look begging for his help. Felipe looked behind her as a man in black, wearing a black robe, with a mask covering his lower face, rushed towards the girl. Felipe couldn't think of anything but he hugged her tightly and changed the sides, swivelling rapidly. He grunted hard into the girl's ear as he felt a dagger imprint a huge scar on his back. 

He pushed the girl away from his body and defended himself from the man, getting a grip of his hand and twisting it harshly, loosening his grip on the blood-stained dagger and taking it immediately, stabbing him in between his stomach and liver swiftly from behind. He huffed and looked back at the girl who was now leaning against the wall with tears streaming down her eyes. 

"Do not fret, I'm right here, miss,"

Before he could move forward to help her return, her gaze averted to his back. 

"Look out!" 

Felipe turned around and shifted to the side as the sharp end of another dagger swiped millimetres away from his eye. He glared at the man and tripped him to the ground. Felipe sat on the man's belly and gripped the knife hard from its sharp end. 

He grunted firmly.

I shouldn't have drunk so much.

He was feeling his vision blurring slowly.

He turned the knife around slowly and looked into his eyes. 

"Never mess with a drunk man," 

With that, he stabbed the man in the shoulder and got back up. In no time, two other men came up to him before he rushed to them and fought them both off, leaving them injured. He then took the girl's hand and led her to his horse.

"Thank you for what you did back there," She said as she stitched Felipe's scar from behind. 

"Of course," 

"Oh, how could I forget? I am Cecilia, princess of Crescentia," 

She finished stitching the scar up. Felipe widened his eyes and looked up before grunting all of a sudden again because of the shooting pain the scar caused. Cecilia giggled lightly.  

"It's alright, don't be surprised, I only need your horse to return home safely, but what is the name of my saviour again?" 

"Felipe, your Highness, the royal assassin, of Quiddenburg," 

She came to his front, taking his hand into her small one and looking at the long and deep cut. 

"I'll stitch this up," She began to work on the wound. 

Felipe looked at her face and somehow just got lost in it. Well, to be honest, he had come across many girls because of his handsome and ideal demeanour but didn't take much interest in them but somehow, he seemed to be lost in her face and thought it was so soft and comforting that he felt no pain at all. 

"You are quite one of a kind, your high-" He was interrupted by her finger on his plump lips. "

It's Cecilia for you," She said so before she finished treating his wound. 

While she treated the others, the shade of crimson flushed through his cheeks. Her touch just felt so flustering and soft on his scarred and designed skin. Felipe felt quite bad about his scars and tried to wear his upper garment back. 

But Cecilia clutched his wrist. 

"What do you think, you are doing?" She asked with her eyebrow curved upward. 

"Oh, uh, I just feel embarrassed of my scars," 

"What? No, you are not supposed to feel like that, let it be for some time, then you can wear it back after I leave," 

"And why must I not feel like that?"  

"It's because there is one thing I've come to learn in my entire life and that is, Your imperfections are a part of you and make you stand out in the common crowd,"  

Felipe nodded and looked down with a small smile. She took her stand and turned around to grab her robe. Felipe looked at her partly exposed back, a huge scar under her sleeve on the back of her shoulder.

"I now get why you feel that way,"

She looked downwards over her shoulder with a smile. 

"An assassin gave it to me when I was 13,"

Felipe nodded as he grabbed his garment.

"You should head back now,"

Before she could open the door, he grabbed her wrist, just for her to turn around and see him with his upper garment on. 

"I'll ride you home,"  

When she got off the horse, she smiled at him before walking to the palace doors. 

"I hope to see you again soon, Felipe,"

*Present day*

"And that is what left me baffled for life," Felipe said as he played with her small fingers while lying on the bed, bare beside her bare figure.

"I better go," He realized it was too late. He sat up to wear his clothes and just when he was about to wear his upper garments, he felt a hand trace the huge mark, the scar had left. 

"This is the most beautiful scar I've ever seen in my entire life," 

Felipe turned around. 

"And this woman, right in front of me, is the most beautiful woman I've ever taken that scar for," With that, he pecked her lips and left her room through the balcony.

***

"You what?!" Sapphirus choked on his tea as he heard the entire story from Felipe the next day. He coughed a few times as Felipe looked up before looking back at him and sighing sharply. Sapphirus cleared his throat and looked back at Felipe. 

"I am well aware you can't hide them here but they can't live in those quarters even if it is the safest place since Becky won't let them. I might need some help here," 

Sapphirus grunted in frustration. 

"Ugh! I can't keep them here because my lunatic father isn't going to let them live, the moment he sees them," 

Felipe then looked down with a look that was sceptically piercing through Sapphirus. 

"We can keep them at Phil's," 

"Not such a bad idea," 

"Oh, I would but I'll have to disguise them as workers," Philip said after Sapphirus went to his palace to convince him about it. 

"That way, they'll be able to live in the quarters and earn a living as well," 

"No, no, you don't understand, that man has been marked. We can't let him live here. He will have to stay in the quarters he is currently in, with Becky and Felicia. His family can stay here and his wife can work here as a baker or an assistant cook until we find a way for them to live in a safe environment," 

"Alright, let's do that till the wedding is over,"

***

"So you think I am in love with him? Cecilia asked Narnia, her handmaiden, looking at her through the mirror, as she dabbed the powder on her face while Narnia braided her hair into a beautiful set. Narnia smiled and bent down, her face floating beside Cecilia's as she looked at the princess. 

"Yes, because you do not smile like this when you lay your eyes on a boy, your highness," 

Cecilia smiled and scoffed again, looking down and shaking her head lightly. 

"See? Told you so," Narnia replied and was about to leave but stopped in her steps as she saw Decius, standing there within the doorframe. Cecilia jolted up and looked at Decius with a hint of worry in her eyes. 

"Father! You're here! Narnia, excuse us," She said while poking her elbow on Narnia's side. Narnia left the room nervously before lowering her head and closing the door behind her and plodding off to the hall. 

"What brings you here father?" 

"First of all, I am truly sorry for leaving you here, all by yourself. I should've left a few guards here," 

"Father, you do not need to apologize for that, a kind young boy saved me," Cecilia protested and continued, "He was so considerate to me and even rode me to the palace gates," 

Decius frowned.

"Who is he?" 

"Felipe, the royal assassin of Quiddenberg," 

"Tell me something. Are you in love with him?" 

"Yes, Father. It might be too early but he just, makes me feel so loved and like a queen, even if it is as a friend for now," 

But she knew that she couldn't marry him because Adonius dominated their kingdom. At this moment, she hated being a princess but that didn't stop her from loving Felipe and had no fear within her heart because all that was left in it was love and that was only for Felipe.

***

"Hey! Do not drop that!" Laira yelled at one of the caterers, who was carrying the tray of champagne glasses to one of the tables nearby. She had been organising the decorations for the wedding since morning. 

Hours later, she was almost done and didn't want anything to go wrong. She was exhausted at the moment but it was almost done. All of a sudden, she felt a bit dizzy and tripped but before she could fall, a manly pair of arms caught her and she looked up, just to smile at him. 

"Sapphirus, you are back again," She adjusted herself up and looked into his eyes. 

"You know, you are tiring yourself here, love," 

"No, this is where I make it all right and remove this 'evil princess' imprint from my image," 

She sounded a bit worried and scared and Sapphirus could see that. He gave off a small smile and hugged her. 

"Love, I know how others mock you but there are those who don't. To me, you are perfect just the way that you are and I would love to help you right now because that is what lovers do," 

Sapphirus withdrew from her embrace and pecked her forehead. She beamed in excitement.

"Alright, help me set the altar up,"

Sapphirus rolled his eyes back when Laira dragged him towards the base of the altar by grabbing his arm. Sapphirus removed his blue coat and hung it on one of the chairs. He picked up the white marble, the cuboidal piece with the help of one of the caterers.

Laira was about to walk to the tables but froze when she saw Sapphirus's perfectly chiselled and carved triceps when he began picking up all the marble cuboidal pillars. 

"Someone has eyes beaming with arousal," 

He picked up the pillar on his shoulder, giving her a devilish grin as his other arm hung down for her to continue gaping at it more.

Her cheeks flushed red when she began to imagine what those would do to her but shook her head and continued to organise everything in place. 

By evening everything was in place and Sapphirus decided to take a walk with Laira after clearing the dust off his body, his white thermal, almost covered in layers of dust. It was almost nighttime and it was a bit cold. Sapphirus sighed. 

"I had a great day, helping you out," Laira smiled at him. 

"Me too, love. But I'm just a little nervous for now because I don't want to mess up the day after tomorrow you see," 

Sapphirus grabbed her hand and rubbed her knuckles with the pad of his thumb. 

"Love, I am aware this is your first ever attempt at trying to prepare an event but you know what is going to make it more than you think?" 

He smiled while looking into her eyes and placing his other hand on her cheek. 

"The love you put into it," He kissed her forehead as those words washed over her ears with contentment and assurance. Laira smiled at his response and pecked his lips. 

"I love you, Sapph,"

"So you're saying I'm going to have how many, eventually 4 kids to the most?" Cecilia said while getting flustered and clearing her throat. 

"Well, most probably," Laira said as she smirked internally, cheering her up. Cecilia was nervous but was trying to keep calm. She looked into the mirror and Laira leaned down close to her ear. 

"Don't fret. You look beautiful. Felipe is going to melt when he sees you like this,"

Cecilia giggled shyly and nodded at her through the mirror. Her hair was tied into a neat bun, with flowers in them. She sighed one last time as she adjusted her dress and heard a knock on the door. She looked back and saw Decius, in tears. 

"Father," She said and hugged him. 

"My princess is all grown up now. She is getting married. I was so engrossed in the way I had to handle the empire that I didn't appraise how strong of a woman you have become, lass," He began to sob on her shoulder. 

"Shh, do not worry father. You are the best father anyone can ever ask for," She wiped his tears away. 

"Decius, it's time," Athelia, her mother said, standing a few feet away from Decius.

{Please play this song (I Get to love you - Ruelle) before reading further for a better experience} 

https://youtu.be/m1mkYWkoXyo

Cecilia took her bouquet of lilies and wrapped her arm around her father's elbow. She looked at him one last time with a smile and looked ahead. They went on and stepped into the evening sun. Her eyes sparkled as she saw Felipe standing at the altar, with Sapphirus as the officiant. His gaze averted to Cecilia's figure, ascending down the aisle with her father. His eyes widened and tears began to flow out of them. 

She is so beautiful! 

He thought to himself as he saw her glide gracefully towards him. He held the rest of the tears in and cleared his throat, trying to hold his excitement in. As she reached, Decius let her hand go before she took her place in front of Felipe. Sapphirus cleared his throat and went on to continue the lovely ceremony. 

"We are gathered here today, to witness the joining of these two love birds, in official matrimony. Felipe has found the woman of his dreams and he is going to share the rest of his life with her. But before we begin, if anyone has any objection against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace," 

A few minutes of silence occupied the environment.

"Alright then, let's begin the ceremony," 

"Do you, Felipe, take this lovely woman, to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Felipe smiles and replies,

"I do,"  

"Do you, Cecilia, take Felipe, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" 

Cecilia gleamed excitedly. 

"I do," 

"I believe the bride and groom have chosen to write their own vows," 

"Cecilia. We met in a very unforeseen situation. At first, I didn't know what to think of it but now, I realise that you were first the anchor to my conscience. You saw the best parts of me that I kept ignoring. I am grateful to have you in my life," Felipe showered a bright smile over her figurine, feeling proud and protective of her.

"Felipe, I didn't know if I was going to live that day when I was being chased by those monsters but fate led us to cross paths and you protected me. That was the moment I fell in love with you. I was scared, that you might not feel the same, during the day I told you but I did so anyway and I have been the happiest person alive since then," 

Felipe turned his head slightly towards Sapphirus. Sapphirus nodded and whispered, "Lads. Rings," 

Philip, Felipe's best man, passed the ring he was holding, to Felipe. 

"With this ring, I thee wed," He slid the ring around Cecilia's finger. 

"With this ring, I thee wed," Cecilia slid the ring passed to her by her bridesmaid, Felicia, around Felipe's finger. 

"With the power recently vested in me by the Res publica, Crescentia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, Felipe," 

Felipe slid his hand around Cecilia's waist and pulled her close as she let her hands get a grip on his shoulders until the distance between their lips was closed.

Memories flooded down their minds as they kissed each other with so much love and passion.

We are so fortunate that we get to love each other.

Without hiding.

Without the fear of getting caught.

Without fearing anyone's judgement.

Without any hindrance.

That was the moment they found themselves not only standing on the altar together but in all the other places their love had flourished within.

The alleyway.

The chalet.

The palace.

The library.

Her room.

The gardens. 

The streams.

The place they called, Everywhere.

 He withdrew and joined foreheads with her, their eyes closed, the memories increasing their flow. 

"I love you,"

***

"*sigh*, That was dreamy," Philip said as he continued to take a walk with Felicia. 

"Yes, they're so in love," 

Philip smiled and got a hold of her wrist, swivelling her and pulling her towards him slowly. 

"So are we," He kissed her cheek. 

"Philip, I do not know if I'll be able to face the certainty that we are strong but might not spend our entire life together," 

"Lass, I know that. But all we have right now, is now and let's make the most of it, alright?" Philip placed a kiss on the top of her hand.

Felicia hugged him tight.

"I love you, Phil," 

Philip left after spending more time with her. He rode back to the palace and locked himself in his room. He removed the buttons to his coat but stopped and looked up ahead, with a sigh, trying to calm down and turned around while withdrawing his sword out of his katana. 

"Becky?"

~To be continued