XII. July 8th, 1989

When the doctor saw the look on my face, he realized the good news was not good news at all.

The doctor cleared his throat before he showed me a pile of papers. "Please fill this out, and we will correct your information immediately. And again, we apologize for the mix-up. Someone will come by and pick it up; then you're free to go."

"Doctor-"

He stopped, "Yes?"

"Is there any chance you guys mixed up the results?" They mixed up the information, so it's possible the results aren't mine.

His lips thinned, "That could be a possibility," he said slowly, "If the other patient can get pregnant."

"So, I'm hearing you guys gave me the wrong result." Because there is no way I'm flying home with a surprised baby.

"The other patient is identified as a female."

We stared at each other very intensely for a few minutes before I caught on: "Oh, you mean-"

"Perhaps."

"Oh-" I nodded, "So, that's mean-"

"She cannot get pregnant as far as we know."

"Oh, so that means I'm actually-"

"Yes."

"But is there a possibility that you mixed up the result with another patient?"

"Well-" he cleared his throat again, "If you'd like after all the information is cleared, we can conduct a re-test."

"Okay."

"Any other question?"

I shook my head, "No."

After he leaves the room, I stare at the documents. "Oh, fuck this." I throw the documents aside. The hospital got basic information mixed up; what do they know?

I grabbed my jacket and peeked out the door. Hospital workers were coming and going down the hall, bustling to help the next patient. One less patient would decrease their anxiety—at least, that's what I'd like to think.

I walked down the hallway as if everything was normal, and soon, I was out the door. I've interned at the hospital before. People walk out all the time, and the staff doesn't care, especially the ER department.

When I got into the car, I asked the driver to drive me to the nearest store. After arriving, I told him to wait outside while I grabbed some things. I grabbed the pregnancy test and paid for it. Inside the store's bathroom, I peed on the stick and waited to get the result.

Longest three minutes of my life.

One line - no.

Two lines - yes.

I flipped over the result.

To my horror, there are two lines.

I threw the test results in the trashcan and bought another one. This time, it says pregnant and not pregnant, so I won't have the chance to misread it.

Pregnant.

Maybe the third time is a charm.

Pregnant.

Maybe these store tests are all broken, like I am.

I peed on seven sticks before I slightly accepted the reality that I was carrying an infant from a one-night stand whose father I couldn't remember the face of.

Twenty-one years old and knocked up right before medical school.

I might as well shove my head into the toilet because that's where my life is going.

When I returned, it was 5:38 am, and I found Emmett on the balcony smoking. He looked down and waved at me. Robotically, I waved back before going inside.

I tried to sleep, but despite feeling extremely exhausted, I couldn't.

During breakfast, Emmett didn't join us. It's great in my books since I can't spare the chance of him asking where I've been all night. Then again, maybe he doesn't care.

"Are you-"

I look up from the soup, "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"

Dawn's brows crunched together, "I asked if you're ready for dinner tonight?"

"Oh, yeah. Definitely."

"And our plan?"

"Plan?"

"Yes. What's our plan?"

Dawn is asking me for a plan to free Asena from the King of the country we're in.

"Talk to the King?" I recommended.

"Okay. What should we tell him?"

I love Dawn, but sometimes I wonder if she's acting stupid or is stupid.

Emmett had been trying to get Asena back but was still having a hard time as a fucking Duke.

We tried to talk to the Queen.

Nothing.

She hates us.

We went to the human embassy.

Nothing.

They said their hands are tied since Asena is King Dimitri's soulmate. Back when they signed the peace treaty, there was a clause that if the soulmate of a royal family member was to appear, they were entitled to that person.

When they accepted that clause, they were probably thinking something like: "Sacrifice the few to save the many."

Asena is part of the few.

"Please let go of our friend?"

Dawn exhaled, "I feel like you're not taking this seriously."

I'm not the one taking this seriously? This comes from the girl who thinks sitting down and talking to the King or Queen will change their mind.

"I'm sorry," I said, exhaling. "It's just...I haven't been sleeping."

Dawn frowned, "Me too." She picked on her breakfast, "Have you also been staying up thinking about Asena's situation?"

No. "Yeah."

The doors spread open, and Bennett came in, "Miss Dawn. The car is ready."

"Ready?" I question. "For what?"

"Emmett suggested that we get new dresses for dinner tonight."

"When was this decided?"

"Yesterday."

I guess it popped up during their romantic walk through the garden. "I'm kind of low on money," I said. And realistically, I'm pooped out from public interaction.

This whole vacation is draining my energy.

"Don't worry about it," Dawn says. "Emmett says he'll cover the expense."

It amazes me that Dawn can say that so casually. Emmett was kind enough to let us stay here even after Asena was kidnapped. Him covering the expenses for the ball is one thing, but now that Asena is gone, is it right for us to continue using his money?

I was too mentally and physically exhausted to fight against what Dawn said, so I went along.

While we were at the mall, Dawn tried on all different types of evening dresses. I snatched the first one that looked presentable and then snacked on donuts the whole time.

"That's your eighth one," Dawn said. "You sure you want to eat it?"

I look up, my face covered in sugar, "Don't worry about it." If I eat enough, it won't be strange when my stomach gets big.

Dawn spins around, "What do you think?"

"It looks fucking gorgeous."

Dawn looked at the large mirror, "I think this is the one." That's what she said for the last three dresses.

The saleslady came and introduced a much more expensive dress to her. I'm so over the saleslady's crazy recommendations.

When I took a bite of the donut, the sudden urge to throw up appeared.

"Dawn." She turned her attention to me, "I need to pee."

"Do you want-"

"No." I walk away backward, "You stay right there, and I'll be right back."

Out the store, I grabbed one guard and rushed to the nearest exit. I would've thrown up in the bathroom, but the mall's bathroom is disgusting. When I reached outside, the vomit was already inside my mouth. I found the nearest bush and threw up everything I ate.

I don't need to look up to see the looks of disgust on others' faces.

"Hey," I said to the guard. "Can you get me some water?"

"I apologize, but I was told to always stay with you."

"Look-" I glance at the vomit, "I really need water. I'll stay here."

Her brows pushed together before saying, "I'll be right back. Please stay put."

Times like this, while the guard is gone, some trouble will ignite.

It's not that type of story.

I sat across from my vomit with no trouble the whole time. Actually, there was some trouble. I vomited again behind the same bush.

Eight donuts are my limit.

After our eventful shopping spree, we got ready for dinner with royalties. I laid my head on the vanity table and stared at Dawn, who was surrounded by maids.

A maid walked up to me and said, "Miss Mira, what do you think about this blush? I believe it'll really suit your skin tone."

I glance over, "Me too."

She opened the container and spread it on my cheek. I turned my head, and she spread it on the other cheek. And now, I'm staring at a wall.

"You sure you don't want to do anything else?" Dawn asked.

I gave her a thumbs up.

"Are you feeling alright? Do you want to go to the hospital?"

The hospital is the last place I want to go to.

I turned to her and smiled, "Just thinking about how we should talk to the king."

She doesn't look like she trusts my answer, but that's the only one she'll get.

When we walked down the stairs, Emmett was already done. He was talking to Bennett about something. I glance over to see Dawn staring at Bennett with wide, in-love eyes.

Bennett bowed to Emmett, and he turned to us.

Why does everything feel like it's going in slow motion?

Dawn held the spiral handle as she made her way downstairs. I was two steps behind her.

Emmett grabbed her hand and kissed it, "You look absolutely beautiful."

Ah, first I'm pregnant and now, I'm forgotten in the background.

After some exchanges between them, Emmett looked at me. Three seconds of intense stare later, I held my gloved hand in the air, and he kissed it. "Beautiful, as always."

Yeah, whatever.

I smiled, "Thank you, Emmett."

Emmett steers his attention away from me and back to Dawn, "Shall we?"

I followed Emmett and Dawn to the car. Bennett opened the door, and the three of us crawled inside, with Emmett in the front and Dawn and me in the back.

I noticed a jar of chocolate in the back of the car. I secretly grabbed one—just in case.

When we got there, someone opened Emmett's door, and then he opened ours. He held a hand opened for Dawn and then me.

What a gentleman.

The restaurant was dimmed, so you could barely see where you were going. Candles and small decorations of flowers were at every table to spark some sort of romance in the air. When I stepped in, my senses somehow escalated.

I noticed the fork in someone's hand. It slowly swirls around the food and up towards its customer's mouth.

Dawn elbowed me and signaled me to go.

But was the sound of utensils always this loud?

When I reached the balcony, a gust of wind greeted me. Unlike the inside, the outside was deprived of customers. Every outdoor heater was on, and the flowers seemed to flourish more.

"Dawn! Mira!"

Asena rushed towards us with tight emplacement. When she held me, I could smell a disgusting scent on her. Instead of confronting her about the smell, I smiled and said: "Where have you been?" jokingly.

Asena returned my smile but didn't respond to my inappropriately timed joke. I know she doesn't hold it to heart; in a twisted way, it's my way of expressing my concern towards her. My inappropriate jokes are made primarily when I'm anxious about a situation, and I'm very anxious about this.

While Asena talked to Dawn, I analyzed her appearance. The layer of makeup doesn't do a good job of hiding her weight loss and heavy bags.

Someone who looked oddly familiar walked behind Asena and placed a hand on her shoulder. Asena flinched, but she didn't say a single word. Instead, she bit her lower lips to hold back the explosion.

"You must be Dawn." He grabbed her hand and kissed it.

The longer I stared at the man, the more familiar he became. He must be King Dimitri.

After he made a few friendly exchanges with Dawn, he looked towards me and smiled, "And you must be Mira."

I courtesy, "Pleasure, Your Majesty."

He chuckles, "No need for the formalities; we meet as friends tonight."

"I wouldn't dare," I replied.

Dimitri's laughter died down a bit, "A friend of Asena is a friend of mine."

I didn't respond to that statement, instead simply smiling. I had already stepped on the Queen's toes; there was no need to make an enemy out of the King, too.

The waiter escorted us to the table, and I noticed Dimitri glance at me. It felt unpleasant.

The table was filled with the most influential people in the country. One by one, they introduced themselves from the most powerful to the least. Despite everyone at the table, my eyes were set on one.

Archduke Lucianus Kairos Desdemona.

Why does his name ring an odd bell?

The chair arrangement kept us from talking to the King or Asena. They placed us near the end of the table, far away from everyone powerful—or at least less powerful than the one in the front.

Elbows off the table.

They place glasses in front of us.

Sit up straight.

They introduced the wine and poured it into the cup. It was some expensive wine I couldn't pronounce.

They serve us food without menus.

Chew with your mouth closed and have small conversations.

Each bite was divine to the taste bud.

Make pleasant conversation.

The woman beside me was Duchess Aurelia Kulemin Demorlu, the cousin once removed of the Queen. She is a mother with two kids and a widow.

Don't talk with your mouth full; finish all the bowls and plates.

It wasn't hard, considering how there wasn't much.

Unlike me, who tried her best to keep it down low, Dawn was unhappy.

Use your napkin, but not in an aggressive manner.

When I noticed how her fingers curled, I kicked her as a reminder to calm down.

Dawn excused herself from the table, and after a few minutes, I did too.

I spot Dawn in the hallway, "Where are you going?" I asked.

"Nowhere," she responded. "But, this-"

"Why are you frustrated?"

Dawn folded her arms, "Because it's clear they don't want us to talk to Asena."

I wonder when it will sink into her brain that the King doesn't think we're fit to be Asena's friend. Although she can't be his Queen, she'll become the Queen Consort, another name for the second wife.

I exhaled.

"Are you serious?" Dawn inched towards me, "Do you really not care?"

Did I say I didn't care?

"I didn't say that," I clarified.

"Really? Because this whole time, you were happily talking to the Duchess while our friend is suffering!"

What else was I supposed to do?! Sulk like you?!

I took a deep breath to calm myself down, "I was trying to get more information."

"Really?" She scoffed, "You two were talking about her children."

"Well, I can't exactly talk about Asena while the whole fucking royal family is there."

"You don't care."

"I do care!"

"Then, act like it!"

"Act like it?" I scoffed, "You mean, run out here and throw a bitch fit?"

Dawn glared at me like she never did before. I don't understand why she's acting like this. Asena is being imprisoned against her will, but it's not like she's being tortured. Emmett reassured us of it.

Immortals' soulmates are their reasons to breathe or some shit like that. They can't beat them into submission.

Is Asena suffering psychologically?

Probably.

But throwing a fit because no one will listen to you wouldn't solve anything. In fact, it can make things worse, like what she did at Lilith's tea party.

I don't want to play the blame game, but it's a headache to know that Dawn doesn't understand how powerful the people sitting on the balcony are.

They may look like they're happily eating dinner and chatting with family members or close friends, but realistically, they're playing a game.

King Demetrius is reminding everyone of his status and warning them not to step out of line, especially towards Asena.

Queen Meredith is reminding the King how he was raised into power above all his other siblings.

Archduke Silas, Queen Meredith's father, is expressing his displeasure towards Asena.

Dowager Queen Audrina, King Dimitrus's mother, reminds Archduke Silas that his daughter has not had a child after so many years of marriage.

It's a fucking battlefield out there, but instead of bullets, they fought with their wits.

All this seemed to fly right over Dawn's head.

Dawn's lips shake, "W-What?"

With the realization of my words, I was shocked. "Dawn, I didn't mean that. I-" Should I tell her? It's best to tell her the truth, right? "The truth is-"

"I should've known," Dawn said. "You never once cared about either of us."

"What are you...Don't...I don't care about you guys?"

"If you really did care about us, you would've fought harder." She stepped towards me. "But, instead, you decide to enjoy life—" she said in a silly voice, but it didn't sound silly, rather mean and sarcastic, "and sleep with every guy that even showed a little interest in you."

A second ago, I was worried about my screwed up, but immediately, those feelings diminished. "What did you say?"

"Come on, Mira. Stop pretending already. We all know."

My fingers curled inward, "Know what?"

"Ever since we started college, you've been partying and chugging alcohol like it's water," she said, "You disappeared for days and, sometimes, even weeks. Then you come back with hickeys all over your body. When we see you, you always say you blacked out and can't remember who you slept with. Really?"

"Are you saying...I'm lying?"

"I'm saying," she ground her molars, "I saw you ramping it with different guys every fucking time, and guess what? You weren't drunk or high."

"You...saw?"

"Yeah-" she chuckles, "and it's no different here." She crossed her arms, "I saw you leaving the estate, and I followed you."

Does she know about the pregnancy?

"You were shacking up with this man in front of the hotel."

I dug into my memories but couldn't recall shacking up with anyone at a hotel.

"What? No excuses?" Gwen shakes her head, "That's what I thought." She brushed against my shoulder before she went back to the balcony.

I grabbed her wrist and looked at her straight in the eyes, "I'm going to ask you one question," I said, trying my best to fight the tears, "Do you really think I don't care about you?"

Never mind my best friend from elementary school thinking I'm a complete slut, but does she really think I could care less?

"I think you've changed," she said. "And it's a lot more obvious here." She moves my hand.

When Gwen left, I spent about 20 minutes in the hallway corner, trying to wipe the tears from my eyes. When I thought they were all dried up, they came back inflows.

My best friend thinks I'm a slut who puts other men above our friendship.

If Gwen thinks that, I don't want to know what Asena thinks.

"Doesn't quite seem to be a fitting place to cry." I look up from my heels to see Lucianus. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes but stopped when Lucianus placed his palm on my face. He ran his thumb across my cheek, "Was there a...dispute between you and your friend?"

"Oh, no." I clenched my dress and turned my head away, signaling for him to move his hand. "I'm just not feeling well, so I'm taking a break."

There was a frown on Lucianus's face. He doesn't seem to like my answer. "They're serving dessert soon," he drops the topic, "It's Chocolat au Crumble de Fraises."

"That sounds good."

He smiles slightly, "It's absolutely divine."

"What are you doing out here, sire?" I asked.

"Same as you. I'm taking a break." He leans down. "These social events also drain me a bit."

When I smelled sweet coffee on his breath, my legs grew weak. I looked away from his beautiful eyes and said, "Shall we return?"

"Of course," he responded, "But perhaps you should go first."

It's common etiquette in the upper class that an engaged man and an unrelated unmarried woman should not re-enter a room together.

It doesn't mean they had an affair, but it doesn't necessarily look good for Lucianus, either.

About ten minutes after I re-entered, where Dawn completely ignored me, Lucianus returned.

The servers came out with dessert, and I hope Dawn and I will be in a better mood after eating it. That way, we can talk about what happened outside.

When the waiter presented the dessert, I was in awe for a single second until the scent hit me.

Oh, no.

Not now.

I can feel the food traveling back up.

"You must try this, Mira," Aurelia says. " It's my favorite dessert." I watched as she grabbed the fork and ran it through the dessert.

My stomach churns.

"Pardon me," I quickly made my escape. Out the balcony and back into the restaurant. I grabbed the waiter's arm and asked for the bathroom, which he gestured towards. Quickly, I ran inside and spilled all the food inside the sink.

I didn't make it to the toilet.

Someone is going to have a bad night because of me.

The lady beside me made a nasty face and quickly left the bathroom.

When I felt another round coming, I reached for the trashcan and threw up again.

After five rounds, it was over.

Now, I'm on the couch, crying my heart out.