Rio woke up early to prepare breakfast for Victoria although she was suffering from fatigue and usually slept in. Victoria slept in pretty late that morning, which was probably because of Rio's night terrors. It seems like the drug in Rio's body hasn't left yet. She felt guilty that she would still have night terrors for the next few days, depriving Victoria of her sleep. She had a lot of gory nightmares about Lars and Arthur. She was frightened to the extent that the nightmare turned into a night terror and woke up and started to scream and hurt herself. Victoria, although only a fifteen-year-old, could easily solve such problems better than adults. She would sing Rio to sleep. She told Rio that when she was young, her older brother would often sing her to sleep as well. Rio didn't know that such a strategy worked so well. While Rio used the vegetables in Victoria's house to make the meal, she forgot the main course: fish. She used to catch fish using her arrows but now all she had were spears. The spears looked like arrows just that they were longer and heavier. She grabbed two spears and went off to catch fish.

As Rio walked closer to the shore, she found it harder to catch fish. She didn't think about the difference between catching fish in the sea and catching fish in a river. She tried her best but to no avail. There was no fish, not even those tiny ones on the shallow part of the sea. She couldn't go all the way to deep part, knowing it the salt in the water would damage the dress that Victoria lent her. She was exhausted and decided to give up and go back to the house where she found Victoria awake and digging into the fruits.

"How do you survive just eating fruits?" Rio asked as she sat down in front of Victoria.

"Well, an excessive amount of it gives me as much energy as a small portion of meat. Also, I never eat seafood."

"Why?"

"First, it's a bit unhealthy since it came from the sea. Second, after living here for all my life, the fish are kind of like my friends. They were the only ones I could interact or play with when Big Brother Francis wasn't here but now I've got you."

"I'm not really that…social."

"It's okay, neither am I. By the way, do you like seafood?" Rio shook her head. She didn't want to offend Victoria by eating her friends after all she's done.

"Victoria, would you like to try living in a palace?" Rio hoped to make Victoria her benefactor once she got off the island. A separate palace was built for heroes and benefactors of the royal family and the personifications of the country. The palace was a bit deserted because there were no heroes in the modern times due to the security. Victoria could live all alone in a huge palace with maids and servants serving her everyday all because she saved Rio's life. Sadly, Victoria shook her head. Rio was bewildered. Who would reject an offer like that? Some conmen in Portugal pretend to be heroes or benefactors just so they could live a life of luxury in the palace.

"Well…Big brother Francis has asked me a question like that before but I always say no."

"Why? Do you know the number of people who have better lives than you are dying to live in a palace?"

"It's because this is my home. The fish are my friends so I'm never alone. I have a roof over my head and sufficient food. I've lived here all my life, why should I move?"

"I see…so you're used to the living conditions here?"

"Living conditions!" Victoria hollered. She threw her makeshift fork on the table angrily and stomped away. Rio regretted saying that and hoped that Victoria won't kick her out or anything. She sighed as she picked up the plate of fruits that Victoria was eating and prepared to throw the fruits away. Suddenly, Victoria stepped into the kitchen.

"Don't throw it away. I wasn't finished."

"Oh. Sorry."

"Sorry for yelling at you just now. I just really hate it when people insult my home. Sometimes when Big Brother Francis talks about that, I throw fragile things at him."

X

Arthur's eyes fluttered open and found himself lying on sand. He struggled to sit up. His limbs were so sore that moving them was painful. All his body parts were causing him pain. His limbs were sore, his head was aching, his stomach couldn't shut up and his eyes were dry and red from the sand. He looked around and realized he was on a tropical island. He was not used to the tropical climate. He felt the extreme heat burning his skin and flesh. He remembered being knocked out by Niall's pirate and letting Rio deal with it. His eyes started to tear at the thought of Rio. He tried to recall what she said to him before he got knocked out but he couldn't remember. He knew well that he had to quickly build a new ship and find Rio and the rest of his crew but fatigue and pain took over him. He lay back down on the sand, the hot grains burning his back as he quickly dozed off.

X

Daphne was lying in a bathtub filled with warm bubble water. Her hair, now cut shoulder-length, was tied into a high bun. Her blue eyes were covered with green contacts and she stared sadly at the dress next to her. The dress was pale blue and it reminded her of Bel. She held back her tears. She couldn't let Antonio see them. Why did she have to succumb to this? Tears of hatred began to fill her eyes as she remembered what Lars did. He forced her to change herself to look like Bel for Antonio's benefit. She remembered that fateful day. She was knocked out and she had no idea what happened to Lars. This time, she really believed he died. If he were alive, he would not let her impose as Bel for Antonio's sake. But he died, letting her suffer all this. She knew she was alone and once she disobeyed Antonio, he wouldn't give a hoot about Bel and teach Daphne a lesson on his own.

Daphne reached for the towel to dry herself and also making sure the door to the bathroom was locked. She didn't want Antonio or any annoying maids to come in and bother her. She reached for the dress and slipped into it. After that, she wore a green hair band and wore new contact lenses. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw Bel. The reflection frowned at her, probably angry for stealing its look. Daphne looked away. She didn't want to see the disappointed face of her sister. She felt like her heart was being crushed by a huge block of guilt. There were many things she shouldn't have done. She shouldn't have sent that letter to Lars and she shouldn't have agreed to impose as Bel. She could have kept Lars and herself alive if she just stayed in that house and listened to whatever Antonio told her. She loathed everyone. She loathed Antonio for killing all her loved ones, she loathed Rio for letting Bel keep a useless fetus, she loathed Bel for making her guilty and she loathed Lars for dying and abandoning her. If she could turn back time, she would want to die on the streets of Amsterdam instead of pretending to be Antonio's woman. She'd rather live a life of poverty and one-meal-a-week than let her brother work for a monster. It was bottled up in her chest for more than a decade, but she never said a word.

Just when Daphne was about to sit down and have her afternoon tea that was laid out on the coffee table for her, a maid walked in. Daphne rolled her eyes at the annoying maid. The maid apologized for interrupting her tea and told her that Antonio was going out to sea and wanted Daphne to go with him. Daphne had a straightforward 'no' lingering at her throat but she agreed. The maid thanked her and left the room. Daphne loved to travel but not with Antonio. She would pretend to be seasick so that Antonio could let her go home. She lazily got out her suitcase and randomly threw in her sister's dresses. They were all bright-colored and tailored. She could touch, or even look at such dresses all thanks to Antonio. But Daphne knew such gifts were out of lust, not love. She felt her eyes tearing again when she thought about Bel. She folded the dresses and put them in her suitcase. She wasn't allowed to keep Antonio waiting for too long. But where were they going? Why did he want her to come with her? These questions were in her head but she never dared to ask them.

X

Rio looked at herself in the mirror. She lifted her shirt a bit and was shocked to see the size of her tummy. It was growing drastically which was what she feared. She didn't want to give birth to the child on the island as she thought it would not survive. She also didn't want Victoria to go all around looking for food that is suitable for the baby. Normal babies wait nine months till they could finally be delivered but this one seemed impatient. Despite how much Rio loved the baby, she got annoyed with the morning sickness and her moodiness affecting Victoria. There was no milk on the island which would cause the baby in her to fidget and whine. For the past few days, Victoria had stuffed her with fruits, herbs and even bird meat.

Rio never really thought about it, but what was she going to do after the baby was born? Even if Victoria did manage to build a ship for her, she couldn't possibly go back to Portugal and tell her bosses she had a one-night stand with some random guy. Her bosses would believe Arthur raped her and go hunting for him. Apart from Victoria, she had no friends. She had no idea what happened to Lars and his sisters and she didn't want to think about them because it would just make her sad. All her loved ones were gone but she didn't know where. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice Victoria come in.

"You're pretty big now. Are you sure you don't want to deliver it here? The boat's barely an eighth done."

"No offense or anything…but will it be able to survive here?"

"Of course! It doesn't need much anyway. Just your breast milk will do the trick."

"I really don't know what to do after I deliver it. I actually kind of regret having it."

"Don't say that! Every baby is a gift from God!"

"I guess you're right…"

"Anyway, I came here to ask you if you want to go hunting with me. I know your bump is giving you a lot of pain but we need to stuff you with more meat. I know you're skilled in archery, so I spent last night making this."

Rio's eyes widened at the sight of arrows. It's been so long since she's seen them. They were made out of wood with sharp rock as blades. Real feathers were attached to the end of the arrow. There was also a wooden bow and strong string. There were fifteen arrows in total and Rio couldn't thank Victoria more for making them. It was not long before Rio noticed Victoria putting her hands behind her back. Rio grabbed Victoria's hands and was saddened at the sight of cuts and scars on Victoria's beautiful hands.

"Victoria, you're making me feel guilty."

"These are nothing, really. I get them everyday whenever I go out to pick fruit."

"But your hands-"

"-will heal." Victoria gave Rio a very gleeful smile and handed her the arrows and bow. Rio couldn't help feeling useless but at least she has arrows now and she can finally hunt and kill as much prey as she wants. She found it much easier than using a sword or gun. She left the house with Victoria and they both went separate ways to look for food after Victoria briefed Rio on what birds she should hunt. Though Rio's bump was causing her legs to ache, she was determined to get as much meat as possible so that Victoria would have a supply after she leaves. The arrows were heavier than normal because of the blades but she managed to get what she wanted anyway.

The day ended quickly with Rio having six birds in her hands. She was already exhausted although she had several rests in between her hunts. She was just about to call it a day when a human arm suddenly popped out of the bushes. She almost shrieked at the sight of it. It had a several bruises and gashes. Could it be a dead body? Or was it Victoria? She pressed her fingers against the wrist of the human arm and found out that the owner of the arm was still alive. She took out a small knife and cut the bushes. She shrieked at the sight of a blonde man, lying motionless on the ground wounded. He looked like Arthur, but Rio wasn't so sure herself. She convinced herself it was Arthur after seeing the thick eyebrows above his eyes. What was Rio going to do? Take him back to Victoria's house? Would it even be pleasant for Victoria to have another mouth to feed? She rested her hand on Arthur's forehead, but shuddered due to the heat of it. He had a high fever. That must be the reason why he was unconscious. Sighing, Rio tried to lift Arthur up but his weight was too much for her. It was getting dark and Rio had to go back to the house before she lost her way. She tried dragging Arthur but the shrubs and other small plants would pierce his skin.

An hour had passed as Rio tried to move Arthur. She wondered if Victoria was waiting for her or had gone looking for her. Every part of the forest looked the same in the dark. Rio groaned at her uselessness. How could she lose her way that easily? Tired, she sat down. For the next two hours, she constantly tried to lower Arthur's temperature. She assumed it was unsuccessful since he was still unconscious. However, she didn't give up. She just wanted him to wake up. She ripped a piece of cloth from Victoria's dress, hoping she won't mind. She soaked the blue fabric in cold water and put it on Arthur's forehead. She used another piece of fabric to clean his face which was covered in sand and blood. Suddenly, a horrible smell stung Rio's nostrils. It was the smell of rotting flesh. Instinctively, she ripped open's Arthur shirt to find a huge gash covering his upper abdomen. It must have been untreated for days. She got some salt water and rubbed it on the gash. The pain of the salt coming in contact with his naked flesh caused Arthur to wake up. Rio didn't say anything, she just focused on treating the wound. She knew her ointment would be useful now but she had no idea where to find the herbs in the island, or whether the island even had the correct herbs.

"R-Rio?"

She didn't reply.

"Is it really you? Oh, it's a miracle!" Rio still kept quiet. Arthur stared at her and noticed the difference in the size of her tummy. "Rio, that's-"

"There you are!" Victoria jumped out of the bushes. "I've been looking all over for you!"

"Victoria!" Rio finally spoke.

"Who's this?" Victoria and Arthur asked in unison.

"I'm Rio's benefactor."

"I'm Rio's husband."

"So you must be the bastard that got her pregnant and landed her here!"

"Pregnant?" Arthur looked at Rio with an ecstatic grin. He looked as if he no longer felt the pain of his wounds or that rotting gash on his abdomen. "I'm going to become a father?"

"Oh cut the act, you scumbag!" Victoria yelled. "I'm not taking you in."

"Victoria," Rio said. "He needs it."

"What? Rio, you-"

"He's got a high fever and a festering wound on his upper abdomen."

"Well, fine. I guess I should keep him alive so I beat him up after he recovers."

Victoria and Rio brought Arthur back to the house where Rio was able to make the ointment after Victoria got her the herbs. Rio feared the ointment might be pointless since the wound had rotted to that extent. Arthur was gritting his teeth, trying to endure the pain of the ointment on his wound. While Rio was working on the gash, Victoria was trying to lower Arthur's temperature. Because Arthur already had a bad first impression on Victoria, he refused to cooperate with her and made trouble for her.

"Damn it, bastard! Keep still!" Victoria yelled.

"Let Rio do it. She'd be gentler."

"Why you little immature piece of-"

"Sorry, Victoria. Let me take over."

"Okay. Good night!" Victoria said to Rio before going to her room to turn in. Now that Arthur was alone with Rio, he took the chance to talk about her pregnancy.

"Rio, about the fetus-"

"It's a baby, a child. A human being, not just a cluster of cells."

"I know. So, what are you planning to do with it?"

Rio glared at Arthur for his wrong words. "I'm going to keep it, what else?" Her voice was bitter.

"Then I'll leave Elizabeth."

"As if it's that easy, Arthur. She'll never agree."

"She's not exactly my wife, she's just my queen. I have the freedom to love whoever I love."

"Yes, Arthur, she's a queen! The current ruler of England. Once she finds out what we've done, we're both in for hell. It's not like she won't probe you for the reason you're leaving her."

"But it's a matter of my feelings! I really love you, Rio. I love this baby too. Even if I stay with the queen, there's no doubt that I'll go looking for you again." Arthur kissed Rio passionately. He kissed her like he hasn't seen her in years, although it had only been a week or so. He grabbed the back of her thigh and sat her on his lap as he deepened the kiss. He began to slip the sleeve of Rio's dress off when she immediately broke the kiss. She stood up and adjusted her sleeve.

"Not here, Arthur. And definitely not now."

Arthur shrugged. He just wanted them to be alone. Although he knew he was in Victoria's house, he didn't give much of a damn. He yearned for the same night he spent with Rio when she became his. Rio yearned for it as well, but she was too embarrassed to do it in Victoria's house. It could also affect the baby. She removes Arthur's clothes, all wet and blood-stained. She blushed when she came to his boxers. She has seen him naked of course, but what would Victoria say? Arthur chuckled at Rio's embarrassed face.

"You are so adorable." He said as he slipped his boxers down.

"No, don't!"

"What? It's just the two of us. And that brat has already gone to bed."

"Fine, but use this to cover yourself." Rio took some covers from her bed and made Arthur cover himself. She took his clothes and brought them outside to wash. Before she washed his trousers, she found a piece of crumbled and wet paper in his back pocket. The ink was smudged and Rio's could really read what it was saying but it seemed like a letter from the queen. She was already starting to threaten Arthur, about how she was going to send ships around to look for him. The rest of the letter mentioned things about execution. Rio made an annoyed face at the letter. She knew the queen wanted Arthur to go back urgently, but was there a need to send more than a thousand knights around looking for him? Her annoyed look soon disappeared when she saw Antonio's name in the letter.

X

"Two can play at that game." Antonio mumbled as he raised his sword in the air in front of a trembling British. His sword cut through the man's weak skull, and cut the brain into the half. It was as if the pandemonium in Lisbon repeated itself but this time in London. "Bel will be proud of me." Antonio stared back the ship where Daphne was being locked in the cabin. She had found out about Antonio's plan and was locked in the cabin when she tried to stop him. Daphne cried as she put her hands on her ears, keeping the whimpers and cries of innocent people out. Sounds of bombs exploding, whimpers of people and blood splattering polluted the air. Antonio was going to finish this attack. Who was the cruelest pirate now? He didn't stop for anyone, not even Daphne. He didn't care if the British declared war on the Spanish, he just wanted to attract Arthur Kirkland's attention. Wouldn't the little coward come out and save his queen?

That thought, the thought of hurting the queen made Antonio smirk.