"Someone's been playing a very bad game." Hotaru said as she paces along the hospital hall. "Someone's been playing with fire…"

"We need to know who it is." Ruka said, thinking deeply.

"He/she uses the Princess as the primary target because he/she knows she's an easy catch." Stern added.

"That person has been interacting with her a long time ago. That's why the Princess is so afraid." The purple fairy stated.

"Natsume, I think he uses you against her." The blonde said. "And I think he's really close to us. Someone who knows a lot… someone just inside this palace."

"Only the three of us will have to know about this," He stated thinking in wonder, "We will continue this as it is. That's the only way to unveil this person. But I'm asking you all to help me protect my wife."

"Yes, your majesty." The three said in unison as they all bowed. "You can count on us."

"But I think you should stay away from her for these times, my lord. If that person sees you with her often, you'd be putting her in a lot more trouble." Ruka said, contemplating.

The Prince thought in wonder at the suggestion. "Agreed. But we have to unveil whoever is this, as quickly as we can. My wife needs me."

"The Princess needs us." Stern corrected. "And she can count on us."

"We must do our rotations around the clock to make sure she's safe. Your majesty, you can take turns during night time. Stern or Ruka can be with her in the afternoon, I can be with her in the mornings." Hotaru said.

"Yes, let's do that starting tonight."

"Your majesty," The witch came out of the Emergency Room and curtsied.

"She suffers from malnutrition, dehydration and iron overload. The twins are alright for now but if this does not end, they might come out prematurely. She's stable at the moment and we need to pump up lots of fluid for at least five days for her to regain her strength. She's immunocompromised at the moment too, that's why she's experiencing some fever."

"Can I do something to make her feel better?" He asked.

The witch blushes as she can see how romantic he is with his wife. She nodded.

"Less stress would help her and lots of rest. And of course, many many foods for her to regain her strength. That can really do good to her, your majesty."

"Alright. Thank you for everything." The prince said as he dismissed her. "You can now leave too. I'll be with my wife." He said referring to Hotaru, Ruka and Stern. They bowed and left.

It's been 3 days since the Princess was taken to the hospital.

It's about 2 am in the morning when she suddenly awoke. Being confined in a hospital just really means having loads and loads of sleep, and sometimes, it's tiring.

The hospital room was dark and huge, covered in gold and white furnishings. It is a royalty's hospital room. She gets up and pushes the wheeled steel pole which contains multiple IV bags which is inserted to her, then she proceeds to the toilet and washes her face.

She looks at herself in the mirror, she really has gotten thin, her skin flushed in red because of fever, her cheekbones showing. She turned the lights off and stared momentarily in the dark. She raises her arm and eyed the gold bangle hugging it and touched it against the gleaming moonlight.

Even with this power can't prevent me from going to hospital one? I'm so weak.

Little did she know that a certain crimson orbs was following her every move.

After a while of contemplating, she proceeded to get out of her room, still in a hospital gown while still pushing with her the medication fluids.

She proceeded to the hospital porch and seated at one of the benches. It's been a while since she was allowed to go out of the palace and this kind of city view is breathtaking, she watches the city below her and smiles. The honking of the cars, the creatures walking, talking and laughing together on the streets, these are the ones that make a city alive right? The people in it.

She took a deep breath as she gazed at the thousand stars above her and smiled more.

Now, this is living.

After staying there for a while, she stood up and walked slowly through the dark hallways as she spotted a glowing box of treats, a vendo machine!

She slumped in front of it and stared dreamily at the food, her stomach grumbling at the sight. This time it contains donuts, cakes and teas.

"Anything you want?" A voice spoke behind her.

Her heart tripled in beat as she thought she was just alone. Still seated on the cold, hard floor, she turned to face the sound of the voice.

It's him!

She instantly felt alarmed, remembering their last encounter during the same instance.

"Your Majesty," she said as she proceeded to get down on both knees but he stopped her.

"No need to." He cuts in and stares at her while she looks at the floor. "What would you like?" He asks again as he gets closer to stare at the content of the machine.

"Nothing. I'm just really roaming around. I kind of get tired, resting…" She said nervously. She tried her best to get up from the floor but her belly is so heavy.

On her second attempt, she was pulled up by strong hands.

"Thank you, my lord." She said, not looking at him straight in the eye.

He stared at her now huge womb.

"Ummm... would you like to touch it?" She asked, seeing his curiosity.

He did not answer as she took his hand and placed it on top of her womb.

And then he felt it. Something... pushing. Kicking.

I was delighted to meet him.

So this is what it feels like to be a father.

I promise to protect you with my life.

Mikan smiled at him. He did not move for a while but he felt joy when he touched them. Two more months and they're going to personally meet.

"By the way. I've signed the papers. I'll leave as soon as the twins are out... I got that. " She was talking about the divorce papers.

"You'll get your gold by then." He stated, the mood shifted from happy to angry in a split second.

There was dead silence in the air for a while.

"I'll just go back to my room now, your Majesty. I'm so sorry for disturbing you." Mikan curtsied and turned around but he stopped her.

"I did not dismiss you yet." He said as he got closer to her as her whole body froze in fear. She remembered the tone of his voice when she informed him that she didn't love him anymore and wanted gold in exchange for his sons.

She suddenly feels very dizzy, her whole world spinning. He noticed this as she suddenly gets paler every passing second. Maybe due to drugs?

"You should rest." He was about to pick her up as Mikan backed away from him.

"T-thank you but no need to, my lord. I can really manage. Thank you for your concern." She said urgently, turning around for the second time. He did not say a word as he ignored her and picked her up then proceeded to her hospital room.

As soon as her head hits his masculine arms, she automatically drifts back to sleep but not after hearing him say, "I love you," in a soft whisper and a peck on her forehead as he places her gently on her bed.

Wish I could say it too.

Morning comes and as she opens her auburn eyes, she sees a gleaming large thing in front of her bed. It's a vendo machine with a variety of foods.

"Uhm, Hotaru, why is that in here?" She asks the purple fairy who's sitting next to her while reading the newspaper.

"The Prince ordered that for you. You'll eat porridge no more." She replied, sipping her coffee.

But she's penniless. Her face sunk. How can she ever get one?

"Don't worry idiot, you can request all the food you want without a cost. It just dispenses the food once you've clicked your request. It's very healthy too since top chefs made it fresh and cooked it. It's made especially for you."

Oh. But why would he do this? Hasn't she done enough damage?

"What would you like? Let's try it." Hotaru said as she joyfully got up from her bed.

She clicked pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. In a minute, she's got it in her hands.

Oh joy.

She's going to have loads of fun.

Thank you, Natsume.

A month passed.

She woke up feeling tired. She's been feeling uneasy these past few days and Natsume kept flashing on her mind.

"Ne, Hotaru? What's Natsume's schedule today?" She asks, hoping he'd stay at home.

"He's got a media conference at 10:00 am today,your majesty. May I ask why you're curious?"

She checked her watch, it's 9:45 am now. She's got a bad feeling about this.

"Do you trust me, Hotaru?" Mikan asked seriously.

"Of course." She nodded.

"Please go with me to where Natsume is." Mikan asked uneasily. Hotaru paused to think but seeing her persistence, she just nodded.

After 10 minutes of full speed driving, they arrived at the conference hall wherein the Prince was conducting a speech. She did not listen to what he's saying but instead looked for clues. Hotaru was behind her.

There was one suspicious man wearing glasses. Instantly, Mikan knew he's up to no good. The man noticed her and instantly aimed his gun on the prince, who was still busy and didn't have a clue of what was happening. Mikan approached the stage and to where Natsume was as fast as she could, she covered him with her body as she heard a rifle shot and instantly felt the gush of blood running from her body.

"NATSUME!" She exclaimed as she embraced him tightly. The prince stood there, holding her and trying to register the current situation. The palace's security condottiero fired at the man non-stop as he collapsed right then and there. He was dead on the spot.

"Save our sons. Don't let them out of your sight. He's coming." Mikan said as she collapsed on him.

He's coming?

"Let the anesthesia take effect..." She can hear someone.

"Her sons would not survive if we do..." Another voice.

"Wait for medicine to do its work..." she heard his voice.

Natsume.

He's inside the operating room with her.

"Get them out!" She shouted that sounded like a whimper. "NOW!"she ordered.

"Your majesty?" The doctor turned to the Prince as sweat dripped from his face.

"Natsume... you promised!" She exclaimed.

"Take the twins out!" He finally ordered as Mikan shouted in pain when she felt a knife slicing through her body.

"Natsume, let the doctors do their job. You're blocking their way. Let's wait outside…" Ruka said as he grabbed him out.

She lost consciousness.

"Congratulations, your majesty!" Said a witch as she entered the royal hospital wing and handed him two bundles of joy. "The princess is still on-going exploratory laparotomy. They are currently repairing vessels that have been shot, but I think she'll survive, given that the best doctors are in attending to her, your highness."

He sighed in relief as he held his newborns. "Thank you. Please do everything you can." The witch smiled and bowed eventually exited the hall.

The first one looks exactly like him, with crimson hair and beautiful eyes while the other one looks like a boy version of Mikan, with chocolate orbs and auburn hair. Little wings fluttered on their back. Little baby wings. The elder raises his arm where a little fire was produced, the younger seemed annoyed as the little fire was directed at him and eventually produced an enemy fire on which Natsume carefully extinguishes with his finger.

They've inherited his gift.

They both look so cute and so perfect.

He stared at them for what seems like forever and he smiled.

He embraced them and kissed their tiny noises. "Welcome to your world, my Princes." He felt joy at the moment. And his world was perfect.

"Your majesty!" Ruka exclaimed. "The Princess was kidnapped. Her doctors were shot dead. Our security system has been compromised..."

"Seems like the head of security of the royal palace planned this along with others…"

"I'll take care of them, with my life." Hotaru said as he handed her the twins.

"She's being televised now in the whole realm. I can't find the location…" Ruka said as he frantically and angrily searched on his gadget.

"Locate the bags of money. Mikan asked me for trackers a week ago. I think it's attached there and is part of the plan." Imai stated.

Natsume cannot believe what he's seeing on the television. "Ruka, we need to act NOW!" he shouted.

After a few more clicking and Natsume shouting, they've located her.

"Send troops to protect my sons. They'll be with Imai at the heart of the Palace." He commanded Stern as he flew away.

She opened her eyes. There was a lot of pain overall her body.

She doesn't know where she is but it looks like an abandoned building and her arms were tied up with chains. There was blood all over her hospital gown. The gun shot on her chest was patched up but is still bleeding. She's feeling very dizzy.

"Are my sons alright?" She wondered. "Is Natsume alright?"

She looked at her surroundings and spotted a camera. She was being filmed.

"Finally, you're awake bitch!"Exclaimed Reo as he approached her.

"You can't destroy Natsume. He's tough and nothing gets on his way. Especially you... you're just a garbage." Mikan exclaimed.

He slapped her hard on the face as her cheeks reddened at the impact. "You got a lot of nerve bitch."

"Why are you doing this?!" She asked angrily as he laughed evilly.

"This is for the creatures whom the royal family ignored and left helpless. This is a revenge to Natsume Hyuuga for all of us whom he abandoned."

"He will never abandon his people. He's not a God for pete's sake! He's not perfect. This realm is standing strong partly because of him and the creatures. If you think he abandons you and if you feel ignored, I'm apologizing on behalf of him. But I'm sure if you approach him and tell him your concerns, I know he'd listen and he'll make a fair judgement for the common good. You can never be like him!"

Another slap as blood gushes out of her mouth. She's very dizzy now. Lots of blood was coming out of her.

"SHUT UP!" Reo exclaimed. "If he's that good, where is he now huh?!" He grabs her hair and shakes it, making her feel more dizzy.

"He'd be here anytime now. Better fucking prepare." She gave him an evil smile as he punched her abdomen.

"In case you didn't know, you are being televised on the whole realm. So why don't you say your sentiments before I finally give you rest." He said as he grabbed a chainsaw behind him.

Mikan looked at the camera bravely and stated, "I have loved this land for my entire stay here. I'm speaking to you now as your Princess. You are my people and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for accepting me for your Prince. He's a true leader and never will he abandon you. He will stand strong for you and with you. As a mother, I'll be entrusting your hands to my twins. Please take good care of them as you take care of Natsume. My heart all goes out to you. To this day, I finally accept my fate of defeat. I love you, Natsume. I will always love you lifetime after lifetime and if I will be given the chance to go back in time,I'd still choose you every second of every day. 'Til death do us part. God be with us and our people."

He held the chainsaw to her neck as Mikan kneeled in defeat. She doesn't regret any decision she's made.

She's ready to die.

And then a bolt of fire exploded.

"Give the 3rd dose of epinephrine, now."

"Hook 5 units of blood."

"Insert a line now."

"Continue CPR."

"There's no pulse."

"Blood pressure undetected."

"Stop the bleeding."

"There's no breathing... prepare for intubation..."

"Hook to mechanical ventilator."

"Still no pulse, no breathing!"

Nurses and doctors swarmed around Mikan's body as they tried to revive her. Witches from all over the realm were encircling her casting a spell.

"Mikan, please." Natsume pleaded as he pumped through her chest, giving her CPR. Tears trickled down his face.

He looks at her, now pale and not moving an inch. Blood sprawled all over her clothes, her hair disheveled, her face bore patches of black and red, her body wounded.

"Natsume... let the doctors do their job..." Ruka whispered to him in a soft voice. "We should go and wait outside..." He placed his hand on his shoulder and patted him. His thrust became intense as he continued to pump her.

"I was too late..." He said, tears falling towards her body. "I failed to protect her, Ruka... What's the use of being a prince if I can't protect my princess? I should be the one in there." He sobbed now failing to hide his emotions.

"It's not your fault, Natsume. For now, please let the doctors handle this." Ruka said in a comforting manner. Natsume didn't budge in his place.

"I left her once and I'm not doing it again. Especially this time." He pumped and pumped as Ruka watched him in despair.

Another round of buzz enveloped the area as they became busy trying their best to revive her.

"10th dose of epinephrine given... still no pulse, no breathing..." Announced the witch as she sighed in defeat, a moment passed and they heard the sound of the flat line coming from the cardiac monitor.

"I'm very sorry your majesty..." The witch bowed in front of him with great sadness while he still continued pumping her. "Time of death of her majesty, Princess Mikan Sakura-Hyuuga of Hyuuga Realm, 23:13H, source of death cardiac arrest secondary to hypovolemia, multiple injuries secondary to physical assault. I'm sorry, your majesty. We did what we could."

"You can't do this to me! Wake up please!" Natsume shouted as he pumped her harder and faster this time. Tears streaming down his face. "Please wake up. I can't do this without you..."

"Stop it, Natsume!" Ruka's tears slipped as he wrestled the Prince away from the lifeless body. They both slumped through the floor.

Hotaru was carrying the twins in her arms as she watched the situation, tears rolled down her face as she tried to calm the crying babies.

"She's gone." Ruka stated, "She's gone, brother."

And Natsume's world turned off.