Maria's POV:

"Are you sure that's him?"

"Yeah."

"But why does he look so… different?"

What are these guys doing?

"Well duh he looks different." My friend smacks his head. "With him being royalty, rumors will spread like wildfire."

"Exactly! And what do you think will happen if he gets spotted with Katherine at the movies of all places?"

"Ohhhhh…"

They hide behind a pillar spying on the two of them as I shake my head. Do they seriously have no trust in him? As if she can catch his eye.

"Brandon, is the coast clear?"

He looks side to side with a thumbs up. "Let's head out."

"Hold it."

"A ghost!"

"Relax, it's just me."

The three guys in front of me stiffen turning their heads to meet my gaze.

"So… you're not a ghost?"

"I'm going to turn you into a ghost." I ball my fists at him as he flinches holding my friend's arm.

"Maria, what brings you here?"

Really?

"I could ask you the same question, Zach." My eyes drift towards the pair as they enter the cinema. "Why would you spy on them?"

"How can we not? I mean, he's going to the movies with another woman!"

"So? I don't get what the problem is."

All three jaws part a bit hanging open. "Are you kidding? That's the definition of problem!"

"We got to get into that movie!"

"Derek, try searching the web. There has got to be more tickets!"

"Brandon," He points in the direction of the cinema. "In case he doesn't manage to find anymore tickets, you look for another way in."

"Way ahead of you."

My eyes widen as he pulls out a large map of the building. On it has every known entrance and little red time stamps. Wow… they sure are prepared for this.

A hand pats his back with a smile. "That's the determination I like to see."

"Zach, what are you going to do?" My friend pauses searching g on his phone for a bit.

"Me?" His eyes narrow with a determined look. "Why the most important thing of course. Getting snacks and refreshments for the movie!"

Something tells me they just wanted to see a movie. Also, how on earth is that the most important thing?

"You guys," I let out a breath. "Let's not do this."

They look at me as if I have three heads. "Do you not know what happens at movies?"

"Just imagine the two of them in a dark theater watch a movie. Not just any movie but a romantic movie!"

"That will make some sparks fly." A look of horror flashes on their faces. "He might get so swept up that he'll kiss her. One thing will lead to another then,"

A gasp rings through the air. "They'll maybe…"

"We need to stop them!"

"Right!"

What is wrong with them?!

Star's POV:

"How'd it…"

I blink as the guys walk towards me holding their bruised cheek with a look of defeat. What the?

"Go…" I finish my sentence as my friend raises a brow.

"Did you three get robbed or something?"

"What does it look like?" His hands flail into the air as his shouts echos across the walls.

I grimace at the sight of his cheek. Oh wow… that must've stung a lot.

A sigh escapes next to me as the queen summons up a first aid kit. "Boys, sit down."

They comply obediently as she shakes her head. "Maria, must you slap them so hard?"

"What?!"

"You're the one who did this?!"

And here I thought Lily was the only one who slaps people.

Her eyes roll crossing her arms over her chest. "I could've done worse."

The queen shakes her head as the guys hiss in pain. "Ow, ow, ow!"

"Just bear it for a bit or else it will leave a mark."

"Maria, I ow!"

"Your Majesty, can I sue her for domestic violence?" My friend whines pointing a finger at her as she sticks out her tongue.

"There's nothing said that you couldn't." She starts dabbing the ointment gently onto his cheek. "But I would advise against it."

"Why's that?"

"I doubt you three want to do tons of paperwork, right?"

Their eyes widen at the same time with a disgusted expression. "No thank you."

"I thought so and along with paperwork, there's also a lot of…" Her gold eyes widen as she tilts the tube upside down. "It ran out again?"

"My god, this is the second tube." A mutter escapes her lips as she sighs. "Sorry boys. Looks like I'd ran out."

"Don't worry about it." They all hop on their toes. "We're fine."

"But mom, didn't we get that a few days ago? How does it get used up so quickly?"

She blinks looking at the tube then back at us. "Well, your brother."

Astral?

"What about him?"

"I used the majority of this on his cheek yesterday night."

Does that mean…

"He also got slapped?!"

"By who?"

"Who would have the guts to slap the Prince?"

The queen points us to the left as our eyes all turn. Footsteps echo through my ears as a woman with long dark hair comes into view carrying a bouquet of assorted flowers. Again with the flowers.

(Flash):

"Lily, over here." A masculine voice rings throughout the crowd as my eyes drift towards a brown haired man with stunning ocean blue eyes carrying a bouquet of pink roses.

(Flash)

Is it him? Was he the one who gave her this? My eyes widen as she walks to us with a smile. "Hey,"

Liliana's POV:

"Where did you get the flowers?"

"Oh," A giggle escapes my lips. "A person I know have them to me."

My friends all give me questionable stares. "Right…"

"What being would give you bouquet and bouquets of flowers like that?"

"Don't you think that's a bit off somehow?"

I mean…

(Flash):

His lips curve into a slight smile. The sunlight reflects in his dark brown hair, making it shine effortlessly. His beautiful crystal blue eyes locks with mine. "It suits you."

(Flash)

Well… I can feel my cheeks heating up as I remembered as words. "I don't see anything wrong with it." Why is my face getting warm?

"Are you…" My sister-in-law's eyes narrow suspiciously as I gulp.

I clear my throat letting out a cough. "So what if I received flowers? You have a problem with that?"

"Of course not but this is the third time you received flowers and-"

"These," I hold the bouquet in my arms tightly. "Are from someone who admires me."

"Admire?" My sister-in-law waves a hand dismissively. "More like they have a motive."

A motive?

"You know Astrana, you're sounding an awful lot like your brother right now."

Her gold eyes blink at me with a shocked expression. "That's because…" I can see the gears turning in her brain. "What will he think if his wife comes home with a bouquet of flowers everyday huh?"

"Yeah, that's not a bad point."

What are they trying to say?

"Do you all have something against flowers or something?" I raise a brow as they sigh shaking their heads.

"No."

"Or are you trying to accuse me of something I did not do?"

Their eyes widen as mine narrows. Gotcha.

"I can't believe you. How could you think I would-"

"No, no, no," My sister-in-law flails her hands in front of her face. "I'm not saying that. I'm just wondering why this person keeps giving you flowers."

"Yeah, please don't misunderstand."

Oh really. I find that hard to believe. From the moment I walked in, they interrogated me as if I'm a suspect. My eyes drift towards the bundle in my arms. Is it really bad to receive flowers from a guy if you're married?

"Your Royal Highness, Lady Katherine." A butler bows as two beings enter into the room.

What…?

On her frame lays my husband's jacket as her hands grip onto his arm. Personal space anyone? Has personal space disappeared?!

"Well, well, well," My eyes lands on his gold and silver's. "Looks like you two had an amazing time at the movies."

What was I thinking not stopping him? How did they get so close after a movie?

They look at each other as their faces grow bright red. She automatically looks away as he rubs his eyes muttering underneath his breath. Blushing huh?

"See?" My friend whispers. "This is why I insisted on infiltrating the movies!"

"Yeah, Maria. This wouldn't have happened if you-"

"Shut it."

"Brother," My sister-in-law speaks up after she gives the guys a death glare. "How was the movie? Good?"

He awkwardly coughs as the woman beside him giggles quietly. "Um… it was…" His tone becomes more low in volume as he puts his hand over his face. "Interesting."

Interesting? I raise a brow at his behavior. Why is he reacting like that?

Everyone glances at each other then back at them. Huh…

"How was it interesting?" I tilt my head to the side batting my eyelashes as his face grows even more red looking away from me.

"Uh," His eyes dart to the clock. "It's getting quite late… goodnight!"

As he was about to make an escape a being grips his hand to make him stop. "Wait, don't you want your jacket back?"

He blinks as she starts to unbutton his jacket. A hand immediately stops her from doing so as they lock eyes with each other.

My eyes narrow as their hands touch. Why is he- "I've been meaning to ask. Why is she wearing your jacket, my husband?"

"Oh, my dress accidentally ripped."

"How?"

"Well," She looks at him as a thought clicks in my brain.

"Don't tell me that you-"

"I can guarantee what you're thinking did not happen." He interrupts me with a neutral expression.

"Where did it get ripped?" My friend ask curious.

"Someone recognized me with my disguise and we were trying to escape the area but during it, my hand accidentally tore the buttons on her dress."

"Accidentally?" My blood boils as he casts a warning glance in my direction. I know he's supposed to get close to her but how on earth does he accidentally rip her dress?

"And… I'm assuming she injured her leg as well?"

"Mhm." The purpled haired woman pauses a moment gripping my husband's hand tighter. Why the nerve of her! "I-I apologize. I had no idea it was t-that k-kind of movie…"

A squeak rings throughout the room as her face grows more crimson. Hm… if I remember correctly, it's a romantic movie…

"No need to apologize." He coughs awkwardly in his fist. "You didn't know and it was somewhat misleading with it being in the romantic genre."

Wait what?

5 minutes later:

My husband lets out a sigh as he enters our room. "What a day."

I trail in behind him folding my arms in front of my chest.

"What?" He blinks blankly as I stare at him. L What's with that clueless look? Does he really not get it?!

"Ah, are you still mad about…" A sigh escapes his lips as he gets off the bed. "No worries. I'm getting a few things then I'll leave."

His fingers grabs a file inside the drawer. "Well then, have a nice rest."

Is this man for real?!

I stare at his figure as he steps closer and closer to the hallway. "Is that all you have to say to me?"

The guy in front of me stops at my sentence and glances at me with a confused expression. "Am I supposed to say something else?"

My jaw parts a bit as he places a hand under his chin. "Nothing comes to mind…"

Did he seriously forget what he promised me? Who am I kidding? Of course he did. Considering how close Katherine got to him… I clench my fingers into a fist. And wait… I'm supposed to be mad at him. Why am I keeping him here?

His eyes suddenly lights up. "Oh, how can I forget to say I love you?" His hand smacks his forehead with a groan. "Wow, I can't believe I forgot about that."

He actually forgot…

A heart sinks to my stomach as I bite the inside of my cheek. I knew this was the outcome yet why do I want to burst into tears? The fact that he admitted he forgot it so casually…

"I-"

"Don't bother." I hold up a hand gritting my teeth. "If you forgot, don't even bother saying it."

His eyes widen as I push him out of the room. "Goodnight."

(Slam)

My stomach lurches as I cover my mouth running straight to the restroom. Not this again! My fingers grip the edge of the porcelain bowl. When will this end? I'm so sick and tired of this!

But… the fact that he forgot… how can a being forget about such a thing?! My vision starts to blur as moisture runs down my cheeks. What the… why am I crying? I'm supposed to be angry but why am I… Why am I so sensitive nowadays? Darn it. These hormones are nuts!

Astral's POV:

Sorry.

I clench my teeth as I come face to face with a door. I'm sorry, my love but I don't want you to be in danger.

(Pulse)

"I'm just going to say this. If you keep pushing her away, eventually she'll learn to stay away for her own good."

"I know."

…

His eyes widen at my statement. "If you know then why…" A gasp escapes his lips. "You-"

"Don't bother to convince me otherwise. My mind is set."

"This is foolish! You know how much she loves you yet why-"

"You know the reason."

"But you must know the more she loves, the more hate she will bear. Is it worth it?"

"I don't know." I respond after a moment. "I don't know if this move is correct or not but…"

(Flash):

"D-Don't l-leave me!" Her arms wrap around my chest tighter. "I-I don't c-care if you d-don't love me. I-I don't c-care b-but p-please, don't l-leave or I-Ignore me!"

(Flash)

"I failed once. This time," My fist clench tightly. "I won't fail again."

"What?! No you idiot! Why would you ever consider-"

"Wasn't it you who proposed the idea?"

"Ok. That was just a way to get you to-"

"And I'll admit. It's a pretty decent plan."

"Are you insane?!" He shouts. "You must be losing your mind if you think I'll let you destroy your relationship."

"Why are you even helping me anyway?" My eye brow raises. "There's no reason for you to help me let alone interfere with this."

He gulps. "W-Well I… uh…" A throat clears. "You're me."

"You have your own conscience."

"But even my cold heart can't seem to ignore you pushing your wife away. I mean seriously, this is going too far!"

Huh…

"Am I?"

"Yes!"

My lips curve into a smile. "That's nice to know."

"What part of that is nice?! I'm not letting you go through with this. You hear me?"

(Pulse)

How annoying. I rub my temples yet again shutting my eyes. Not to mention we got disconnected again. Is this going to be a daily occurrence?

"Astral?"

Who is it now? Can't they see I'm having a headache?

"Hm?"

"There's something I like to speak with you about."

Can't it wait? I flinch at the bright lights in the halls as a pair of purple eyes stare at me in concern. What is she up to now?

"Sure. What about?" I ask after a moment as a truck rams into the side of my head. Gosh darn it! What on earth is happening?

"In private?"

A breath escapes my lips. Great.

In her room:

I plop myself on the couch as a woman walks out from the restroom sitting across from me. What… the…

Across from me is a woman. Purple hair cascade down her exposed shoulders creating an alluring figure. Her purple lace nightgown barely extends to her upper thigh with a low cut cleavage making me purse my lips.

This… isn't what I think it is… right?

An awkward silence flows between us as I pick up the cup of tea on the table. "So, what is it that you wish to speak about?"

"Oh right." She sits up straight clearing her throat. "Call me wrong but did you and your wife get into an argument?"

Call me wrong? Haha. How humorous.

"Is it that obvious?"

She shakes her head with a sigh. "Yes. Yes it was." Her eyes meet mine. "Care to share what it was about?"

Hm…

"I'm going to just say this." Just in case she wasn't listening when we argued, might as well say it directly. "It was all her fault."

The woman across from me raises a brow. "What happened?"

"She had the nerve to kick me out of my own room." I scoff sipping a bit of water. "Tell me, wouldn't you get mad if someone did that to you as well?"

"Of course I would."

Hm… time to add in some filler.

"You know," A sigh escapes my lips. "It's incredible how a being can change so immensely. I mean she wasn't like this before. Now all of a sudden," My head shakes slowly as her lips purse into a thin line. "I don't get it. Just when you think you know a person, it turns out, you don't know them at all."

"Yeah. Someone once said that change is inevitable." Her body shifts until she sits next to me. "Beings are forever changing and we just have to accept it."

"I guess you're right." I said after a moment as she leans closer till our noses touch.

"What matters is the way you handle it." Purple eyes lock with mine, staring at me with a shine that I'm all to familiar with. Ah great… how am I supposed to carry out my plan when she's looking at me so… lovingly?

"Can you… back away a bit?"

"Why?" A hand pushes me down on the couch as purple hair falls towards my face. Already huh?

"What are you doing?" I ask as she leans closer to my face with a seductive little smile.

"Astral," Her gaze softens running a hand down my shirt to its hem. "Don't you know what this position is?"

"But why are you-"

A finger lands on my lips softly. All of a sudden, my body begins to heat up and cool down rapidly. What on earth…? Why is my core temperature fluctuating so abnormally?

My heart races as her nose rub against mine in a teasing manner. The lightness of her body weight makes my toes curl as her sweet, plump lips are centimeters away from mine. Oh. This is…

"Back away from me."

"Aw, but why?" She bats her long eyelashes with a head tilt. The heat of her body intermingles with mine making me gulp and clench my fist.

Did she drug me? Impossible. If it was a drug, I would've sensed it from the start. No. Not the time to be thinking of this. A jolt of electricity shoots down my spine as the woman on top of me slowly unbuckles my belt. I got to focus on stopping her.

"Katherine," A clangs rings throughout the room as a hand lays on my thigh. It would be so easy to just kiss her right no! No! No! No! No! No! Bad Astral! You have a wife!

"Get off me."

"Why?" Her beautiful lavender eyes shine with a cute blink. Cute? Argh come on!

"You shouldn't be doing this."

"Doing what?" Her hot breath hits my lips making me clench my fist harder. Control yourself! Flashes of hot and cold jolts my body causing my breathing to labor and grow ragged. I can't give in… "Seducing you?"

"I'm serious." The scent of citrus assaults my nostrils. She leans down as my body stiffens. "Get off me."

Self control… self control… The softness of her lips on my neck makes my heart race. I… no one would know if I- no! Stop it! I have a wife!

"Stop."

"Hm," Her purple eyes look at me with a frown. "Why? Aren't you enjoying this?"

"I have a wife."

She smiles pecking my forehead as I stiffen. I cannot touch her… can't touch… no touchy… if I touch her, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself.

"A wife huh?" The woman on top of me scoffs. "You mean the being who can't stop being suspicious and accusing you of an affair? The woman who gets angry over the littlest of things? Who doesn't trust you?"

My breathing goes ragged as her hot breath lands on my lips. "You call her your wife?"

Hm… why is it when she describes her in such a manner it makes me feel so… horrible about my decision?

"Yes. My wife like all beings, have flaws as well. No one is perfect." I respond after a moment as her eyes widen.

"Yes," A hand slips under my shirt. "Beings are not all perfect but," My body tenses as heat pulses through it. Don't you dare, Astral. No bad thoughts. Keep your thoughts clean. "You're the closest to perfection."

Her soft, soft lips brushes against mine as I bite my tongue. Her… lips… I… "Astral,"

"Katherine… I…" No… I… can't… give… in… Her lips are millimeters apart from mine as I shut my eyes tightly turning my head sideways. "I have a wife." Calm down. Calm down, Astral. Just calm down. My breathing becomes shallow as I try to suppress the heat bubbling inside me. "Get off of me and I'll act like this never ever happened."

Why do I feel so weak? Is this a side effect of the drug?

"Why?" Her eyes drifts downwards with tears shining in the corners of her eyes. "It's just not fair."

Not… fair…?

"I met you first. I was engaged to you yet why?" Her lips purse into a thin line as a sniffle escapes. "I… it's just not fair…"

"What are you talking about?" A chuckle escapes me as the woman on top of me gulps clenching her fists together tightly.

"I… love you, Astral."

A whisper rings through the room. "Ever since I was little, the first time I laid eyes on you, I liked you." Tears fall from her eyes to my cheeks. "People told us we were the perfect pair. I worked so hard to get where am I today. To be on par with you and your status yet why?"

"Why did you go and marry someone else?" A sob mixes with a whisper fills the air as my eyes widen. "Do you know I looked up to you so much over the years? You were my role model. You were the one who kept me company when I was lonely."

"I used to think if I matched your level in skill and power, you would finally notice, love me." Her eyes shut a bit taking a breath. "But why? Why are you already married? And why her of all beings?!"

Katherine…

The woman on top of me shouts with tears streaming down her cheeks. "The day you came up to me. Do you know how happy I was? I thought all of my hard work paid off and you finally acknowledged me. I was over the moon but you weren't the Astral I knew anymore."

A sting radiates in my chest as a hand hits it forcefully. "What happened to you these years? Why did you change so much? Whatever happened to that arrogant, cautious, cold, and calculating guy I looked up to, huh? What happened?"

"Do you know how I felt when you said you loved her?" A hand covers her mouth staring at me. "In the past, you never would've said that. You weren't the type to do anything without being a benefit involved yet why? Why when it comes to her, all of your logic and rationale goes flying out the window?! What's the use in marrying her anyway? She's not that powerful. True, her father is a general but other than that, I don't see anything valuable with her."

"So why?" A pair of hands grip my shoulders aggressively narrowing her eyes into mine. "I could offer so much more but why did you choose her to be your wife? Tell me why?!"

…

…

…

"I love her."

"But she won't benefit you in any way!"

"I don't care."

Her eyes shine in disbelief as my lips curve into a smile. "I get what you're saying. I understand all of it." My eyes drift to the Lily vase on the table. "But it doesn't change the fact that I love her and want to be with her."

"Gosh darn it!" Her eyes narrow with fury. "Listen to yourself right now. Just listen to yourself, Astral! What can love do huh? Love is just an illusion! You're just caught up in your feelings for a being that will fade with time. Isn't that what you taught me when we were kids?"

Oh yeah… I guess I did teach her that.

"As you said, people change. I am no exception to that rule."

"You saw the photos, didn't you? She's cheating on you with another guy! Don't say that you're not a little bit enraged by her betrayal?"

Well…to say I'm not mad is lying.

"Alright. I'll admit I was a bit… disappointed… when I saw those photos." Disappointment… is that the feeling? Heartbreak? No… not heartbreak. Those are just photos. They can easily be altered. I know I was furious but… thinking back, what was that feeling when seeing the picture?

"Disappointed?" Her face morphs into confusion. "As in her not staying loyal to you?"

I guess…

"Or did you not feel anything when you saw the photo?"

Anger and… something else that I can't put into words… was it jealousy? No… that doesn't seem right. Sadness? Anguish? Hm…

"Of course I felt something but," A slight curve overtakes my lips. "As long as she's happy with that guy, I'm happy for her."

Plus, it will make my departure more tolerable if she can place her heart elsewhere.

The woman above me opens her jaw a bit staring into my eyes. Purple eyes meet mine with shock and disbelief. "Were you not sad and heartbroken when you saw that?"

"A bit, yes but," I let out a breath through my nose. "If you truly love something, let it go."

"B-But-"

"That saying goes with love as well. If two sides aren't willing in a relationship, why hold onto it? Why put yourself and your significant other in a never ending torture? Why not just let go and find happiness according to our own terms?"

"But she's your wife…" A voice utters slowly.

"It's because I care and love her so dearly, if she decided to go with another guy, I'll let her."

"You're so foolish. Why on earth would you want to see her live happily with another guy while you suffer in heartbreak?"

A chuckle escapes my lips. "Love changes people. The more you love a being, the more you lose yourself. Their worries become your own. Their happiness becomes your own. Of course, when you see them liking another being, it hurts like your heart is getting dipped over and over in a vat of acid but," Her eyes zero on mine as she holds her breath. "No matter how much it hurts you, the thought of them being unhappy. The thought of them being trapped in a marriage or relationship with no escape," I shake my head closing my eyes a bit. "Hurts a billion times worse than not having them by your side."

Hopefully she gets what I'm saying.

…

…

…

The woman on top of me closes her eyes for a moment muttering something under her breath with a head shake. "Looks like I under estimated your feelings for her."

She sits on the couch letting out a sigh picking up her cup. "I apologize for coming on to you like that."

Thank goodness she stopped in time.

"Don't worry about it. Let's act like this never happened, got it?"

Shimmering lavender eyes meet mine as her lips curve upwards. Her… smile… "You wish. Although now I know the extent of your feelings for your wife," A smile turns into a full on giggle. "I just need to try harder!"

Katie… My eyes widen as a thought clicks in my brain. Was I… wrong about her after all?