"Corazon! Corazon!!!" Imang hollered as she rushed back into the house. Corazon, who was now all dolled up, hurriedly went downstairs to see what she was hollering about. "Corazon, he's here!"

And just as she was about to make sense of what was happening, Akihiro stepped in with red roses. "May I speak with you?" He asked. "Please?"

Corazon looked away, "Imang, please take the flowers. I'm not allowed to touch them." Imang took the flowers in her stead and left the two estranged lovers by the living room.

Akihiro, though confused, let Imang take the flowers. "I'm sorry... I didn't know that you were allergic to them." He said with an apologetic tone.

"Why are you here?" She asked with a cold tone in her voice.

"I came back for you." He replied.

She laughed sarcastically, "Oh cut the crap, Akihiro! Oh wait- Prince Akihiro." She turned to him and Akihiro could see the hurt and sadness in her eyes. "What now?! Are you here to invade my country once again, like what your father did?!"

"What?! No! I'm-" Corazon stepped forward, her heart beating fast, her hands shaking in anger as she punched his chest and pushed him away.

"The nerve of you to show up here after your kind killed my family!" She said, her voice rising with hysteria. "I should've killed you when I had the chance!"

"Corazon, please listen to me!" Akihiro pleaded but she got the knife that was perching beside her plate of apple slices.

"You get out of my house and my life!" She yelled while pointing the knife at him. Akihiro stood back, his hands up in the air.

"Corazon, please put the knife down. Let's talk. Please." He pleaded but it was to no avail as she kept her guard up towards him.

"Shut up! I don't wanna hear any more of your lies, you sick, sick bastard son of a bitch. Go back to your own fucking country, and die in misery!" Seeing that Akihiro had no plans of leaving, she threw the knife back to the table and grabbed her couch pillows and threw it at him numerous times which ultimately led him to step out of the foyer of her house.

"I hate you! I hate you and your bloodline!" She added. The commotion caught Kaito's attention, who happened to be leaning on Akihiro's auto. He rushed towards them to break off the commotion.

"BOTH OF YOU, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE BEFORE I CALL THE COPS ON YOU!!!" She yelled and that made Kaito pull Akihiro back into their car.

Corazon slammed the gate shut and angrily turned to Imang, unaware that Kaito and Akihiro were still watching her from their car. "For the love of God Imang, do not let that man and that friend of his step foot in my house ever again, do you hear me?!" Beads of sweat were forming on her forehead as the sharp abdominal pain continued to occur in her. Imang, who was still in a state of shock with everything that happened, only managed to respond with a nod.

Not long after that, her vision started spinning and she felt as if she was falling down to the ground, with Akihiro's voice calling her name as the last thing she remembers.

—

"How long has she had this illness?" Akihiro asked Imang.

"She's had it for quite a while now. I've been encouraging her to go to America to find a cure for her illness... but she always says that she does not have the time and funds to do so." Imang replied sadly.

"This won't do. I'll take her to America myself." Akihiro stated.

"Slow down, Akihiro. Stepping into another big and powerful country like the U.S. might spark a war once again. They might think that you're planning to attack them." Kaito advised him.

"Then what do you want me to do?! Sit here and watch silently as the woman I love die of her illness?!"

Just then, Corazon groaned in pain. "Imang..." She said, her eyes still closed. Imang rushed to her side and held her hand. "Please call Manuel..."

As soon as Akihiro heard her speak of another man's name, he couldn't help but to feel crushed deep inside. "I think we should leave." Kaito whispered as he gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"No... I want to stay." Akihiro stated in a firm manner. Not long after, Manuel finally arrived and he immediately rushed towards Corazon's side.

"I'm already here, Corazon." Manuel whispered as he looked at her. Corazon whispered something to him and then his gaze shifted towards Kaito and Akihiro, who were standing on the other side of the bed. He straightened up his stance and his face went from worried to dark and cold. "Can we talk outside?"

—

"What do you mean I should stop seeing her?!" Akihiro asked, his hands clenched into fists. Kaito was trying to calm him down.

"It was Corazon's wish." Manuel responded in a calm manner, and that eased up the tension between the two of them. "Your majesty, I know that you truly care for Corazon. You wouldn't be here if you have already forgotten about her but please... look at her..." He knelt down in front of Akihiro. "She's as weak as a kitten..." He sobbed. "... and having you around would only cause more stress on her. So please, I'm begging you... go back to your country; to your people."

"I'm sorry Manuel but I can't do that. I have waited so long for this moment to be standing in the same place as her. I will be back by tomorrow, surely her condition will be better by then. She's the woman that I love and always will be." Akihiro responded in a low-pitched voice. "I can't bear to lose her again." After that, he left with Kaito while Manuel remained worried for Corazon's condition.

The sun's golden rays seeped through the gaps in the curtains, painting the room with a warm, inviting glow. Corazon stirred in her bed, her slumber disturbed by the morning light. She had spent the night tossing and turning, her thoughts consumed by Akihiro and the tumultuous emotions and the pain that swirled within her. While she understood the reasons behind her anger and betrayal, the pain was still raw and unyielding.

With a heavy sigh, Corazon forced herself out of bed. Her body felt stiff and weary from the sleepless night. As she made her way to the bathroom, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her reflection startled her - dark circles rimmed her eyes, and her once radiant complexion was dull and lifeless. In that moment, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her.

A sense of profound sadness washed over Corazon as she turned away from the mirror and headed to the kitchen. As she brewed a cup of tea, her mind drifted back to Akihiro. Despite the pain he had caused her, she knew deep down that he loved her. Yet, the shadow of his father's actions loomed large, making it difficult for her to envision a future with him.

Just as she was lost in contemplation, there came an unexpected knock at the door. Corazon's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to answer it. She was astonished to find Akihiro standing on her doorstep, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation.

"Corazon," he began, his voice thick with emotion, "forgive me for not reaching out sooner. I know that you're angry with me, and rightfully so. But I had to come back. I love you, Corazon, and I can't bear the thought of living without you."

Corazon's gaze locked with Akihiro's, and she could see the sincerity in his eyes. She knew that he meant every word he spoke. Yet, the wounds of the past were still fresh, and she hesitated before responding.

"I don't know, Akihiro," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Your people killed my own kind..." Tears were finally streaming down her cheeks. "Y-You also killed my parents... and letting you back into my life would only remind me of all the horrible things that your Empire did to my humble country."

"Letting you back into my life would mean betraying my parents, my sister, and my people..." She added.

Akihiro nodded, understanding etched across his face as pain, guilt and regret gnawed his heart. "I completely understand, Corazon. I'm sorry."

With a heavy heart, Akihiro turned and walked away. Corazon watched him leave, a wave of sadness washing over her. She knew she wanted to be with him as much as he does with her, but the choice before her seemed impossible. For her, their love was an accursed one and should never be reopened ever again.

"So? What happened?" Kaito asked as they drove back to their mansion.

"We said our goodbyes with each other." Akihiro replied. "But you know, while she was telling me her farewell speech, her words were that befitting of an empress. So filial and loyal to her own kind." Silence filled both of them for the rest of the ride back to their temporary home.

After that day, Corazon never saw Akihiro ever again. As the days progressed, her condition worsened. There were days that she would sit by her window and think of him, and all the other things that could have happened if she ever chose to accept him back into her life that day; and there were also days that pain engulfed her physically and emotionally, wishing that Akihiro was there with her. She never married, and so did Manuel. Manuel remained by her side for as long as she could live, like what a good friend should do.

On the other hand, Akihiro went back to his country with Kaito. He spent his days as a great ruler and then the time came when he finally had to choose a bride so that his lineage could continue. He did choose a bride but his heart never forgot the only woman that he loves. His love for Corazon was overflowing that he even asked one of his men to paint a portrait of her, fearing that he would forget her facial features.

"You could've brought her back here and made her your empress, y'know." Kaito spoke up while Akihiro rolled up the portrait of Corazon and carefully placed it in his drawer.

"She was too good for this place. I would rather leave her back in the Philippines than let her suffer here in the palace." Akihiro replied, his eyes lifeless and dull as he counted the remaining days before he would marry the woman that his advisers approved of.

On the day of the wedding, the kingdom was abuzz with excitement and anticipation. Akihiro, the prince, stood at the altar, his heart pounding with a mix of nervousness and dread. He had made a difficult decision to marry another woman, a political alliance that would bring peace and prosperity to his kingdom. But deep down, he knew that his heart belonged to Corazon, the woman he truly loved.

"Are you sure you really wanted to marry this woman?" Kaito asked, referring to the bride that the advisers approved of for Akihiro.

"Even if I were to refuse her, this country would suffer in the long run." He replied and the other couldn't help but to feel sad for his master and friend.

"Just think about it, Akihiro. Maybe if you see Corazon again, your decision will change. Maybe, you'll have the clarity of mind to decide whether you want to spend eternity with her, and not some other woman who was used as a political pawn." Kaito suggested and confusion rippled through his friend's face. Before Akihiro could question him, he decided to head for the door. Before leaving, he said something that would haunt Akihiro for the rest of his life. "To be honest, Your Majesty, I expected a lot from you. I expected that even with your marriage you would still call the shots like you did back in the court. But I guess I was wrong."

As the ceremony began, Akihiro's eyes kept looking around for the woman that he loves. He could feel her presence but he just couldn't find her among the crowd of servants and guests that they had invited. As soon as he finally met with Michiko, his soon-to-be-empress, he caught a glimpse of Corazon, dressed as a noblewoman, who stood in the crowd, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her beauty took his breath away, and he longed to reach out to her and tell her that he had made a mistake. But he knew it was too late, and he couldn't break the vow he had made to his kingdom. He looked ahead, with his bride clinging onto his side as they both marched to the shrine where they would be wed.

The vows were exchanged, the rings placed on fingers, and Akihiro and Michiko were pronounced husband and wife. As they turned to face the crowd, Akihiro's eyes met Corazon's, and time seemed to stand still. In that moment, both their hearts shattered into a million pieces.

Corazon couldn't bear the pain of watching the man she loved marry another woman. She turned and fled the ceremony, tears streaming down her face like a river. Akihiro watched her take her leave, his heart heavy with guilt and regret. He knew that he had made a terrible mistake, but there was nothing he could do to change it. He was now bound to another woman, and Corazon was lost to him forever.

That night, a crashing sound could be heard in the Empress's chambers. It was Michiko and she smashed the ceramic teapot against the wall.

"What do you mean that the Emperor won't be visiting me tonight?!" Michiko angrily shouted at one of her servants. She was currently dressed in a long, silk dress, with a see-through robe over it, her straight, long, black hair flowing down to her sacrum.

"The Emperor said that he wishes to be alone for the night as he was tired from all the celebration a while ago." One of the female servants answered, her head still bowed down.

"That impudent, spoiled Emperor!" Michiko muttered under her breath and stormed out of her chambers. She ran towards Akihiro's chambers and barged into it, catching him looking at Corazon's portrait. Akihiro signaled the servants to close the door and leave. "S-So it was that woman from the ceremony, wasn't it?"

He did not answer and carefully placed Corazon's portrait back in his drawer. Michiko, who was still determined to win over his heart, took off her remaining clothes while in tears. "Take me, Akihiro... please." She said, her voice trembling.

"Michiko, have some self-respect!" He shouted as he covered her with his white silk robe. "You're my Empress now, what more do you want from me?!"

"I want you! I want every part of you, especially your heart, Akihiro." She responded while in tears as she clung onto him like he was her only lifeline. "Please... I would do anything to be a good wife and Empress for you, just promise me that you would forget about her..."

And due to the loneliness that was drowning His Majesty's heart, he finally gave in to his carnal desires for that night. He crashed his lips onto hers as he pushed her down onto his bed where he took her own virginity for himself. With each kiss and grunts that were filled with heat, his mind only thought of Corazon.

"I love you, Corazon." He groaned as he passed out on top of Michiko. The Empress, though successful in consummating her marriage with the Emperor, was still broken hearted because she already knew that she could never win against the woman that the Emperor loves. She closed her eyes as tears escaped from them and wrapped her arms around the man that she married that day.

From that day forward, Akihiro carried the weight of his decision on his shoulders. He tried to be a good husband to his Empress Michiko, but he could never forget Corazon. Her memory haunted him, and he could never truly be happy. He often retreated to his chambers, where he would spend countless hours gazing at a portrait of Corazon, longing for what could have been.

Years later, Akihiro received news that Corazon had left the Philippines and traveled to America, where she had found a cure for her illness. He was overjoyed to hear that she was well, but he knew that he would never be able to be with her. He had made his choice, and now he had to live with the consequences.

And so, Akihiro ruled his kingdom, always haunted by the memory of the woman he had loved and lost. He never forgot Corazon, and he continued to carry the weight of his decision until the end of his days.