Here is the penultimate chapter in this short story. Thanks so much for all those who had add it to their favourites and/or left a review. Usually, I would reply to your reviews, but, since I'm writing these chapters in advance, I am unable to so. However, I still read them and I am more than grateful to hear from you and what you have to say whether they are positive or negative…although, I would prefer positives ones if you don't mind :D

I hope you'll enjoy it :)

Chapter 4

Alexander's and Bellatrix's Room

One Year Later

CLANG! CLANG!

SWISH! SWISH!

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

"Come on you can do better then that! You have to be swifter!" Bellatrix demanded as she swung her metal pipe at Alexander.

He deflected it with his own metal pipe before he spun around and slashed at her leg to which she parried it. She leapt back, raised the sword over her head swung it down. He raised his own pipe up and took the blow but he was then knocked back as she kicked him in the stomach. He tumbled to the floor: he tried to get up, but she held him down with her foot, keeping him pinned to the ground.

"Got ya," she sang with a victorious smile.

"Get off me," he muttered playfully as he pushed her foot off him, "It's not fair to use your legs. You're much taller than me."

She grinned and closed her eyes proudly, "Why yes. My legs are fabulous aren't they…"

"That's not what I said."

"…very fabulous," she said, ignoring him, "But you're the one who insisted we train to prepare for any possible danger…"

"I know, I know," he said as he got back onto his feet and raised his pipe like it was a sword, "Okay, Bella, I'm ready. Let's go again."

A year has passed since the two young teens had met and having Bellatrix in his life had made it all the more worthwhile for him and for her as well. They stayed in the basement of the Ptolemy Mansion and made it their own home away from the cruelty world of Marie Geoise; they shared their minuscule meals, they shared the bed (with Bellatrix having to curl up around him due to her haven grown to over eight feet tall) and they shared what little they had. They spent most of their days practising sword fighting, using two old pipes that were on the ceiling instead of real blades. Bellatrix was teaching him everything about sword fighting she had picked up as her years of being a pirate as well as other sailing and navigation skills that she remembered. Otherwise, they just enjoyed each other's company or read the books that some of the maids and servants, who are friendly to them, smuggle from the mansion's library. One thing had changed, however, and that was his escape attempts; he can't be as reckless anymore. The collar around Bellatrix neck would explode if she strays too far from the mansion, meaning getting out of Marie Geoise would not be possible. If they were to escape, he would had to get rid of it first. But, until then, they would have to bide their time and wait for an opportunity.

He went on the offensive again and swung his pipe at her torso but she backed away and parried it away. She was about to retaliate when suddenly there was a knock at the door. They instantly threw the pipes under the bed and got to their positions (Bellatrix pretending to cower in the corner while Alexander was reclining on the bed) just as the door was unlocked and the door was opened by Rob Lucci with Hattori on his shoulder.

"Lady Ptolemy has asked for your presence, young master," he informed sharply, "We must go there at once."

Alexander and Bellatrix shared an unsure look from across the room. What did she want with him?

Garden Patio

"You want me to represent you? Me?" Alexander uttered in disbelief while Olympias lounged on her deckchair with her feet propped onto the back of a poor slave.

"Of course, I don't want you to, you stupid boy," she said as she sipped her red win, "But I've got no choice. Cousin Mjosgard had invited this…fishman into his house and I can't stand to see the sight of the smelly disgusting creatures. Your father can't be bothered and you're brother is busy. So make yourself useful and go in my place."

Alexander blinked in surprise and wiped the sweat of his brow, caused by the hot sun beaming down on them, "Mjosgard has returned from the Ryugu Kingdom…with a fishman? And it's not his slave?"

"I find the whole damn thing ridiculous as well. Why on earth would he do something so stupid? He better be careful, if the other noble families hear he brought back Queen…Olo-whats-it, then they're not going to be pleased."

Alexander almost gasped, "Do you mean Queen Otohime?"

Olympias gave him a heated glare, "And how do you know that name?"

"Err…because she's the Queen of the Ryugu Kingdom and the wife of King Neptune…who hadn't heard of her," he quickly said, choosing wisely to avoid telling that Camie was the one who informed him.

Olympias rolled her eyes and sipped her wine, "Just get ready and get out of my sight. Don't stay for long or I'll have that weird man with the pigeon drag you back. Leave!"

Alexander wordlessly turned and walked indoors and closed the wooden doors behind him. Bellatrix, who had been waiting in the hall for all this time, turned to him with an inquiring look on her face.

"Alex, is everything okay? What did she say?"

However, Alexander just grinned and began to walk down the corridor with Bellatrix in toe, "We have to get ready," he asked in excitement, "We are meeting somebody very very special."

"Who?"

He stopped, looked over his shoulder and beamed at her, "Queen Otohime is here. I have been wanting to talk to her for almost two years now. I'm so excited."

Donquixote Family Mansion

Dressed in his Celestial Dragon robes and bubble helmet, Alexander and Bellatrix snuck down the dazzling marble hallways of the Donquixote Mansion, being sure to not be spotted by any of the guards or the servants that patrol them. They peaked around the corner and saw that the coast is clear before they crept down the hallway.

"Are you sure it's down here?" Bellatrix whispered.

"I think so. I've never been to this part before. But she should be in one of these room," he told her before they suddenly stopped at door near the end of the hallway, "I think it's this one."

"Good. Are you ready?"

Alexander cleared his throat before he took a deep breath, "Ready."

He knocked on the door three times before taking a step back. He had no idea what to expect the Queen of Fishman Island would look like, but, if he remembered what Camie told him, she should be kind and caring of others…he just didn't know how she would react to him. After a few seconds, the door opened and a tall, slim figure appeared at the doorway. She was probably the most beautiful woman Alexander had ever seen; she had short golden hair that was tied up into two large loops, fair skin, a round face and large round eyes the same colour as the deep blue ocean. She wore a white kimono that an orange scale (like that of a goldfish) long skirt that swept to the floor gracefully tied up with a long obi the was tied in an elegant knot. She towered over him, but she was just a little shorter than Bellatrix and she held herself in a graceful and dainty manner in a way only royalty can only achieve. He noticed that her right arm was bandaged up to the shoulder and he briefly wondered what had happened, but he immediately turned his attention back to her when she offered them a lovely smile.

"Why, hello there, children," she greeted in a smooth voice that caused him to blush, "Please excuse me, I was in the middle of unpacking," she kneeled down to Alexander's height, seeming not caring about having to lower herself, "Are you a relative of Lord Mjosgard? It's a pleasure to meet you. Who do I owe the pleasure to?"

Alexander's brain short circuited for a brief second, 'She's so nice!' he thought in his head. However, Bellatrix prodded him in the back and reminded him what he was doing whilst realising that he had been staring at her, "I'm a Alec- Ahem! Sorry -my name is Ptolemy Alexander and this is Bellatrix my best friend," he said in slight embarrassment before he stuck out his hand for her to shake, "What's your name?"

'Good grief,' Bellatrix sighed.

The queen giggled and shook his hand, "Why how polite of you. My name Otohime. How may I help you Lord Alexander?"

"Err…just call me Alex. Your highness…please," he gulped before he cleared his throat, "I…I heard about you…and your work…from Camie. Sorry, you probably don't know her personal-"

"Oh, you're Camie's friend!" Otohime said, much to his and Bellatrix's shock, "I remember her telling all the other mermaids about how she made a human friend…before realising she was supposed to keep it a secret. Poor thing, was grounded for an entire week when her mother found out," she told him before he face softened slightly, "However, she didn't say anything about you being a World Noble."

"Yes…and do you mind keeping that a secret from her. I don't want her to know."

Otohime raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Of course, but why, might I ask?"

"Because…because…" he hesitated slightly before he got onto his hand knees and bowed his head, "I'm sorry!" he declared as tears welled up in his eyes, "I'm sorry for the discrimination and enslavement of your people! I'm sorry for what the Celestial Dragons have done to your kingdom! If I had the power, I would free every slave in Marie Geoise and stop the World Nobles for what they are doing! I know that what I'm saying may mean nothing to you…but I want peace between the humans and the fishmen and for us to all coexist with each other! Words can not express how much I'm sorry for all the damage we have caused! Please forgive us!"

He took a deep breath as he finished his declaration and stared at the ground, prepared for her reply. However, he was surprised when a water drop…and then another…and then another splashed onto the floor before him. He looked up and paled in horror as she saw Otohime's eyes welling up in tears and her lips trembled.

Was she crying because of what he said!?

He looked back at Bellatrix for help, but, before he could do anything else, he was wrapped up in a tight embrace and lifted of his feet.

"Oh my sweet child!" Otohime cried as she twirled him around, "You have no idea how long I've been wanting to hear that!"

"Err, your highness!" Bellatrix cried out nervously as she looked up and down the hallway in case anybody saw, "I really wouldn't recommend doing that!"

Alexander, on the other hand, didn't really mind and embraced it. After a few more twirls, Otohime placed Alexander down on the ground, gave him a gentle smile... before she karate chopped his forehead hard.

"AH! Your highness! You really shouldn't do that!" Bellatrix gasped in horror.

He rubbed his sore head and glanced up at her, "What was that for?"

"Don't do that," she demanded, shooting him a serious look, "Don't you dare put all the wrongdoings of the World Nobles on your shoulders. You're not too blame for anything, young man," she told him before she covered her face with her hand and wept into it, "It pains my heart to hear someone so young apologising for crimes he hasn't committed. It makes me so sad!" she wept before she wiped her tears away and gave them both a warm smile, "But I'm so glad to hear you want peace between the humans and fishmen..."

'She's all over the place,' the children thought with a sweat drop.

"...my people are not totally without blame," she admitted with a saddened smile, "They resent humans, especially the World Nobles, for everything and I'm afraid that they will be swallowed up in their anger and their hatred to realise...that we can share the world with each other and live beneath the bright sun. That is my purpose here and the reason why I keep on pushing for our species coexistence. I would give up everything for the sake of bring everybody together, doesn't that sound wonderful?" she told them, "It's hard...but it will be worth it for all our futures. And now, you two little angels have come into my life and I have never felt more hopeful. Bellatrix," she said, making the longleg girl jolt in surprise, "What do you think of Alexander, hmm?"

She blinked in surprise before she narrowed her eyes and grinned in determination, "He's my best friend in the entire world," she answered honestly, making Alexander look at her in shock, "He's the best. I could have been a slave to another person, but I was lucky enough to be with him. He shares his food and drink with me, he's optimistic, bright and, above all else, kind. I don't feel like I'm a slave when I'm around him...I feel like I'm being cared for."

"And you, Alexander. What do you think of Bellatrix?"

He glanced up at her and smiled warmly, "There isn't a day that goes by where I don't appreciate her being in my life. She advisors me, looks after me and understands me. I only wish I could break her out of her enslavement... then we can escape together, go back to her family's island and I can live out my dream. I owe everything to her," he told her, causing Bellatrix to blush lightly.

Otohime giggled, "Well, it looks like you two get along so well," she kindly said before she gave them both a proud look, "Thank you you two. All it takes is one person to change the world. As long as you have hope in your heart and the desire to do good, then you can accomplish anything."

Alexander nodded, feeling more confident in himself, "Thank you, your highness."

"Thank you," Bellatrix said before she looked up and down the hallway, "We should go. I feel as if Rob Lucci is going to turn up at any moment."

Otohime frowned sadly, "Oh, you have to go now?"

"Yes," Alexander sighed, "Can we meet again, your highness?"

"Call me, Otohime," she told him as she ruffled his hair, "Of course, you can. You could even come down to the Ryugu Kingdom and meet my family. I'm sure they would love to meet you. You will love my little Shirahoshi," she squealed, "Oh, should we discuss wedding plans! I can be your mother-in-law!"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Alexander said with a sweat drop.

They didn't a chance to talk to Otohime again during her week long visit, but they knew that they had made a great friend with her who would happily invite them. She was, by far, the most wonderful and most unusual person they had ever met and were grateful to even talk to her for only a few minutes...

...they were devastated when they heard that she was assassinated a week after they had met.

They never really recovered from that.

Reverie Gardens

Two Years Later

"Lord Alexander, I mustn't not insist you visit us at daddy's castle in the Goa Kingdom. It hasn't not the most amazing garden and we haven't not the best pastry chefs in the whole of the East Blue."

"But not before you visit our palace, Lord Alexander. Our chefs do more than make pastries, but other fine delicacies. Oh and our country mansion's vineyards are so beautiful this time of year."

"Perhaps you would prefer to visit our chateau, hmm? I've had daddy build me an entire theatre and hire a troupe of talented actors for my entertainment. You're more than welcome to come and visit."

"Stay out of this, Ban. I asked first."

"No, you didn't not not. I asked him first."

"Who would want to some backwater country in the corner of the East Blue? My country is far superior than yours, Isntoinette."

"Backwater country!? You take that back, Moronron!"

"You two are so immature."

"Be quiet, Ban!"

Alexander and Bellatrix sighed miserably as they watched the three young teenage girls fight in front of them. They had been doing this for what felt like hours now and they were both getting tired of it. The first one was a princess called Sally Isntoinette; with long blond hair that was tied up in an elaborate beehive style, blue eyes, fair skin, a rather pointed nose and wore a poofy pink dress that swept the floor; who was the father of the current king of the Goa Kingdom. The second was another princess by the name of Moronron who had long blond hair, fair skin, blue eyes and wore a beautiful blue kaftan and a tiara; she was called Moronon and she's the daughter of the king of the Tajine Kingdom. The last princess was called had short silver-blue hair, fair skin and blue eyes that was concealed behind a pair of sunglasses. She wore a long blue dress and a headscarf over her head. Her name was Ban Dedessinée and she was the princess of the Frauce Kingdom.

They didn't sought out to talk to snobbish and entitled princess. Alexander had heard of a meeting that took his interest between the great kingdoms of the world that was taking place at the Pangaea Palace in the centre of Marie Geoise. He heard rumours from the guards of the household that they had gathered to talk about a mysterious man known as Dragon and some sort of army. Any person that had the leaders of the world feeling world is definitely something he would be interested in and so he needed to be there. However, it wasn't easy. He requested Olympias to let him out for just one day, but the only way he was allowed out was if he wore his Celestial Dragon robes and joined the royal party on the palace gardens where the elites worthy to come to Marie Geoise talked and mingled with each other. Not only that, but also…well…he had to go with her.

"What are you three doing! How dare you! Get away from my fiancée!"

Alexander and Bellatrix groaned in annoyance as they saw a young girl flanked by two guards marched her way through the garden party, the party attendants stepping aside in fear of being killed.

"She found us already," Bellatrix sighed.

"Damn it, I thought we shook her off," Alexander whispered to himself.

The one who they had been dreading was Sharlia; his cousin and, unfortunately, his fiancée. She was five years younger than him with light brown hair, dark eyes, fair skin and a pointed nose that was often turned up to whoever she sets eyes. She was the typical Celestial Dragon; a foul personality, an aura of superiority over others and cruel to her slaves and anyone she portrayed as beneath her. While Alexander wore his robes and bubble helmet as if it was a ball and chain; Sharlia wore it proudly as if this is what a god should look like. He couldn't stand her and her older brother, Charlos. But while he was repulsive and stupid, Sharlia was wicked and smart; two things that don't go well together.

The three princesses, seeing the younger girl march towards them, paled in fear and backed away from Alexander.

"We apologise, lady Sharlia. We didn't mean to-"

"Be quiet!" she snapped, cutting off Ban in an instant, "You three have no right to approach us! Guards execute them at-"

"Sharlia," Alexander firmly said, sending her a scathing glare, "You are not going to execute them. They were only trying to make conversation."

"Why not!? I can have their heads chopped off and displayed on spikes if I wanted to!" she yelled at him, making the princesses pale at the thought.

"Oh really now," he growled before he shot her dark glare that made gulp and back away, "Are you sure you want to start an international scandal right here and now."

"B-but I'm superior to them-"

"And I'm superior to you. And I say it's fine."

Sharlia face grew red as he towered over her before she snorted and stamped her foot, "It's not fair. Mommy says I'm betrothed to you, not those commoners. They can't talk to you like that," she complained before she shot a heated glare, "Fine! You should all be thankful that my fiancée is so merciful!"

"Thank you, Lord Alexander!" Moronron cried while the the two other girls nodded before they hastily retreated.

"Am I really that great?" Alexander sighed, "Why would they fight over me knowing the risks?"

Bellatrix leaned down to his ear, "I'm not saying you're not desirable or anything…but have you seen your competition?"

Alexander looked around the party and saw the princes and other males present. Most of them were fat, ugly or just plain disgusting; they picked their noses in public, stuffed their faces with food or smelled vaguely of dry urine. And those were the ones their ages, the rest were far too old, balding or had awful bent teeth.

"I see what you mean," Alexander replied before he shot her a smirk, "Does that mean you find me desirable?"

Bellatrix blushed a little before she pouted and leaned back up, "In your dreams," she muttered.

Sharlia glared at the longleg girl and walked over she was stood between her and Alexander, preventing her from getting any closer. Bellatrix wanted to give her a dirty look, but the guards were close by and didn't want to be caught.

"Alexander," she snarled, "When we get married, you're not allowed to own any female slaves, do you understand?"

He bit his tongue to prevent the remark he was about to make, 'As if I'm going to marry you. Bella and I will be long gone,' he thought before he said, "Yes…but that's a long way off. Anyway, the meeting should be starting soon should we-"

"The meeting! But that's so boring!" Sharlia cried, we are doing something else."

Alexander blinked at her in surprise, "But that's why we're here."

"What!?" she yelled as she stamped her foot, "You're here to spend time with me! And we're going to do what I want or I tell your parents on you!"

"But-"

"Charlos has got new slave who's a giant, let's see if we can make it fight all the other slaves," she ordered before turned around and kicking Ballatrix in the leg, "Get down on your hands and knees, you beast! We're going to ride on your back!"

Alexander gritted his teeth in anger, "Hey, don't talk to her-"

However, before he could finish his sentence, Bellatrix did what she said with a stern expression on her face. Sharlia grinned triumphantly and got onto her back with both legs dangling on either side. Alexander frowned slightly before he bent down to her head and whispered into her ear.

"Bella, you don't have to-"

"It's fine," she whispered back, keeping her eyes down to the ground, "You heard her, she's not going to let us go to the meeting. So, let's ditch her the first chance we get. Play along for now."

"What are you two whispering about!?" Sharlia shouted at him.

"Nothing," he replied to her before turning back to Bellatrix, "But I don't want to ride on your back."

"I know…I'll bare for it for now. But I promise, once we escape, if we come across her again…" he looked up and gave a devilish smile, "I'm going to kick her square in the face with my fabulous legs."

He stifled a laugh, "You have no idea how much I want to see that."

Streets Of Marie Geoise

Two Hours Later

Alexander irritably kicked a pebble down the street away from where the meeting was held while Bellatrix walked alongside him just as annoyed.

"Damn it," he spat, "Because of her, we ended up missing the entire meeting."

"It's nothing we could do Alex. She watched you like a hawk," she sighed wearily, "It's only luck that we managed to get out of her claws. I'm sorry. I should you advise you to protest her orders immediately."

"No, you were right about going along with it," he told her as he patted her hand, the highest part of her he could reach due to her height, "Maybe they would report it in the newspaper or something…but then how would we get a newspaper…"

"Igaram it hurts! It really hurts!"

"I know, princess. Let's see if we can find somebody who can treat you."

They looked up at the sound of two voices down the road and saw two figures behind a set of decorative pillars on the side. One was a tall, broad-shouldered man with an oblong shaped face, a red nose, small eyes and long white curled hair that resembled a powdered wig; he wore an Arabastan style attire consisting of a metal scaled shirt and a long purple robe underneath it that trailed along the ground. He was kneeling and embracing a young girl who looked to be ten or eleven. She long light blue hair that was tied up in a long ponytail, fair skin and soft brown eyes; she wore a pink and white trimmed summer dress. To their concern, the young girl was crying in the older man's arms while he tried his best to calm her down. They wondered what was going on when they suddenly noticed the red patch on her forehead; it looked as if she was slapped by somebody.

"The Dragons have better not be the one that did this," he muttered angrily as they jogged over, "Is everything alright?"

The older man looked up at him and his eyes widened in fear, "Ah! We apologise, my lord! We didn't mean to-"

"You're hurt," he said as he crouched next to the girl and looked over the red patch while she looked up at him in awe with tears in her eyes, "One moment. I'll fix this? Bella do you have a cloth or something?"

The longleg girl shook her head, "Sorry, no."

"Fine," he said before he reached down to the end of his robe and ripped out a section of it, making the elder man's jaw drop in astonishment. Alexander proceeded to run off and find the nearest fountain that actually flowed water and not the red wine fountain (something that was highly popular in Marie Geoise). He dipped the rag into the water and rushed back to place the damp rag on her injured forehead, "Sorry this couldn't be ice cold, but it should stop the swelling," he told her, "Make sure to keep it in place, okay?"

"O-okay," she uttered as she held it to her head, "Are you a Celestial Dragon?"

"Err…well…just call me Alex," he told her, "And this is my best friend, Bella. What's your name? You're a princess, aren't you?"

"My name's Vivi," she answered as she wiped the tears from her eyes, "Igaram and I are from Arabasta."

"Arabasta, huh? Bella and I have always wanted to visit…"

"That and Dressrosa," Bellatrix added.

"There as well. I heard the capital is beautiful."

Vivi brightened up at that as she started to feel a little bit better, "Yeah! That's my home, Alubarna. The people are really nice and you can buy all sorts of delicious food in the markets. It's the greatest!"

Alexander and Bellatrix giggled at her enthusiasm.

"Sounds like you really love your home," Bellatrix said before she frowned in concern, "How did you hurt yourself?"

Vivi frowned sadly at that while Igaram shook his head crossly.

"It's that King Wapol of Drum Island. He seemed displeased after coming from the meeting and took his anger out on the princess," Ingram explained.

Alexander's jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed in anger, "Did he now? Well-"

"Please Alex," Vivi said as he tugged at his tunic, "Don't get him in trouble. I don't want our countries fighting each other."

"But-" he began to protest before she looked up at him with her big, pleading eyes, "Okay, then. We won't do anything," he reassured her as he patted her head, "You're very brave and very mature for your age."

"Thanks," she chirped happily, "My father, Pell, Chaka and Igaram are teaching me how to be a good ruler."

"Well, it definitely seems like you're going to be a great one in the future," he told her before looking back at Bellatrix, "Makes a nice change, doesn't it?"

"It sure does," she replied.

'What on earth is going on?' Igaram thought, seeing the Celestial Dragon and the slave getting along like friends.

"So, you're here for the meeting, then," he said, "You didn't happen to have a chance to listen in, did you?"

The elder man coughed in his hand, "Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi! Unfortunately, we were unable to attend-"

"I know what it was about…" Vivi suddenly interrupted.

"Princess-"

"…it's about Dragon and the Revolutionary Army."

"Revolution Army?" they repeated in surprise.

"How do you know that, Princess!?"

"I listened to you and father talking about it last night."

"What? When you were supposed to be in bed?" he asked seriously with his hands on hips.

Vivi blinked blankly before she rubbed the back of her head and giggled innocently, "Whoops!"

'I like her,' Alexander and Bellatrix thought with amused smiles.

"Anyway," Vivi said as she turned back to them, "They were talking about the Revolution Army overthrowing kingdoms. They are also targeting World Noble ships carrying tribute to here as well as freeing slave markets around the world."

"Oh really," Alexander said in interest, casting a look at Bellatrix whose eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeah! Isn't that cool!"

"Princess," Igaram whispered urgently, "Don't say that. Lord Alexander is a Celestial Dragon."

"It's fine," he told him with a smile, "In fact, it's very, very cool."

"Young master."

They jumped in surprise when Rob Lucci suddenly appeared behind them out of nowhere. He stepped towards Alexander and placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him back on his feet.

"It is time to return to the mansion. Please come with me," he told him seriously as Hattori glared down at them.

Alexander sighed miserably. He would be only wasting his breath arguing with him and allowed him to be dragged away, followed closely by Bellatrix.

"I'm sorry Vivi. I have to go now. It's nice meeting you," he called over his shoulder while Bellatrix gave the two a friendly wave.

"Bye!" Vivi called out to them as she waved back, "Come to Arabasta and I'll show you around! Bye!" she told them before turning Igaram with a massive grin, "They were nice. I'm feeling better now."

"That's nice to hear, princess," he replied before giving Alexander another look, "How strange," he murmured.

They were both unaware of another Celestial Dragon glaring at them from afar. Sharlia snarled at the interaction between her fiancée and Vivi and stormed away. She would not let him insult her like this. She would have to punish him.

Meanwhile, as Lucci escorted the two teens back to the Ptolemy mansion, Alexander spotted two imperial guards march by and got an idea. He waved at them to get their attention and immediately they stopped and kneeled before them, bowing their heads in respect.

"My lord?"

"Where are the royal guests staying for the Revelry?" he asked him.

"That would be the Palace Hotel, my lord."

"Great. Please find where King Wapol of Drum Island is staying and kick him out of his room. Oh, and if there's like a garbage bin or anything near by, then throw him in. Thank you."

"Of course, my lord," one of the guards said before they stood up and marched towards the hotel, following his orders immediately.

Alexander smiled in satisfaction before he noticed Bellatrix giving him a strange look.

"He deserved it," he told her.

Bellatrix paused for a second before she shrugged in agreement.

Alexander and Bellatrix's Room

Later that night, when Lucci escorted them back to the basement, two two teens sat together on the floor with their backs against the cold stone wall and reminisce on what Vivi had told them a couple of hours ago.

"A revolution army, Bella. An actual army rebelling against Marie Geoise. I can't believe it."

"I know," she uttered as she leaned gently into his side, "All this time and we never knew. Do you think their strong?"

"If the royal families are worried then they must be. And there must be hundreds of them as well. I hope we meet Dragon. "

"But…"

"But what?"

"What does this mean for you?" Bellatrix asked with a small frown, "Don't you also want to do something similar."

Alexander grinned, "Doesn't mean we can't be allies. We'll build up a large fleet, gather as many strong fighters as possible and fight alongside them," he told her in determination, "It'll be great. We can take on the whole world!"

Bellatrix giggled, "Let's just focus on escaping shall we. I may have thought of something that we-"

SCREEECH! THUD!

She was interrupted by a loud scraping noise from above, making them look up at the stone ceiling. It sounded like something heavy being dragged across floorboards before being put down with a loud thud.

SCREEECH! THUD!

"What's that?" she asked.

SCREEECH! THUD!

"It's coming from the room above us. I think it's the ballroom."

SCREEECH! THUD! THUD!

"Are they renovating up there or something?"

"I haven't heard of anything. What could they…" he trailed off in realisation before he groaned, "Oh god!"

"What?"

"It's not the 15th, is it?"

"Yeah, it is-" she stopped when he realised what he was insinuating, "…wait, surely not. I thought that Bucephalus had his birthday week only a while ago. It sure feels like it."

"Nope, that was his half-birthday week. I can't believe I forgot all about it. How old is he now? Five? Six?"

"Eight, I think."

"Eight? Really? It's hard to tell these days. He's already starting to look like Philip. In appearance and in weight. I wonder what toy his parents got for him this time. Sounds really big."

"Maybe it's a crane to carry him around," Bellatrix suggested, earning a laugh from him.

"Nice one. Or maybe it's like a giant baby stroller or something."

Bellatrix laughed loudly at that, but their fun was cut short by an urgent knock on the door. They looked at each other in confusion before they both got up and approached the door.

"Hello?"

"Young master," a female voice whispered from the other side of the door, "I don't know if you remember me…but a few years ago I accidentally dropped a vase and you saved me from being punished. Because of you…I would have been killed and my mother and my sister would never have known that I was gone. That's why…I'm doing this. I know I shouldn't be doing this…but I have to inform you of what is going on before it's too late."

"Does it have something to do with Bucephalus's birthday," he whispered back, "Because-"

"Yes…no…sort of…" she stammered nervously before she paused for a few seconds, "I…overheard a call for Lady Olympias. She didn't sound too pleased when it ended and started cursing your name and…saying how Bellatrix had been a bad influence on you and made you disrespect your betrothed partner."

"Sharlia," Alexander muttered, "She complained to them like she said she would. What else did she say."

"I'm…I'm sorry. But as punishment…" she hesitated.

"What? What did they say."

"They're…they're going to execute Bellatrix," she blurted out.

Alexander felt his heart stop for a fraction of a second. It was as if he walking down the stairs in the dark and missing one step; you fall suddenly and unexpectedly downwards not knowing what is happening or whether something will catch you. You're stuck helplessly in its motion; you feel your stomach tie into knots, the air escapes from your lungs and your brain stops working like it should do. Alexander was lost for words as he felt his entire world come crushing down on him.

He looked over at Bellatrix and saw that she had gone deathly pale; her mouth fell slightly open and her legs trembled and shook beneath her until she couldn't stand anymore. She collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud and shivered in absolute fear.

"W-what?" she whispered.

"I'm sorry," the maid uttered through a sob, "I'm so sorry. I just had to tell you. They…they are building a catapult in the ballroom and they are going to launch Bellatrix across the mansion grounds. It was Master Bucephalus' idea. It's going to be the opening act of his birthday celebration. It's horrible! I'm so sorry."

Alexander clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in rage, 'This…this is sick,' he thought, 'They can't do this. Not to Bella,' he growled angrily, 'Who am I kidding? Of course, they can do this. That psychopath has been nothing but a murderous nightmare ever since he was born. I swear, I'm going to kill him someday,' he told himself before he glanced over at Bellatrix.

She was crying silently; a hand placed over her mouth as she trembled on the floor. The colour had drained from her face and her red hair had seem to have lost its lustre.

She was terrified. Absolutely terrified.

He calmed himself down and pushed his thoughts of murdering his brother to the side; Bellatrix was more important right now. He went up to her, sat down beside her and pulled her down so her head was on his lap; he gently brushed her hair and hummed softly to her which usually does the trick when comforting her. Bellatrix tucked her legs up to her chest and hugged his legs for added comfort.

"I'm…I'm…I'm going to die," she uttered through tears, I'm going to die."

"No, you're not…we'll…we'll think of something."

"There's nothing we can do," she sobbed, "the party is tomorrow morning…they're going to take me…"

"No, they're not."

"Of course they are!" she yelled, "They're going to take me away from you…I…I don't want to go…I want to stay with you…I want to sail the seas with you…I want to live the rest of my life with you…I don't want to leave you all on your own again."

Alexander brushed a tear away from his eye as he continued to stroke her hair; trying to come up with some idea to get out of this situation…but he couldn't…

…

…unless.

His eyes narrowed in determination and he took a deep breath. He knew what he had to now.

"You're not going anywhere," he told her in a confident voice, "And you're not dying either."

From the corner of her eye, Bellatrix looked up at him and saw the commitment etched onto his features.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Let's do it," he firmly said, "Let's escape. Tonight."

Ooh, bit of a cliffhanger. I couldn't help myself.

How will Alexander and Bellatrix (another OC of mine) escape? What will happen when they do? Will anybody stop them? Stay turned in for the final part.

Thanks for reading :)