Lt. Gen. Haric becomes more and more impatient as each second passed. He scowled, looking at the young Colonel standing still before him. "Arias, I told you to ask me what you want to know."

He tried his best to remain patient but lose his cool when Arias didn't utter a word. "What are you thinking, Colonel Arias McLean?" He snapped.

​​

With his rank being called before his name, Arias was snapped out of his stupor. He understood right away that it was a command.

"I asked you what is this about!" Lt. Gen. Haric asked again in a commanding voice.

Maintaining his composure and standing in attention like a well-trained soldier he was, he responded, "I apologize, sir. I cannot say for now."

If this was not his favourite subordinate who he always treated like a son, what awaited Arias will be punishment. But the Lt. General had a soft spot for his future son-in-law, so he tried his best not to let disappointment took the best of him.

Taking a deep breath, he sat down on his chair. "You're leaving the country today, right? Let's talk after you return." Raising his head to look at the young Colonel, he added, "Arias, be well prepared for that time. I won't tolerate it if you back out like today. I don't want to be doubted and confronted by you again." His voice was stern unlike before.

Arias wished to say something but forced himself not to. He decided to wait for the next time. "I understand." He responded, saluted the Lt. General and left the office right away.

Staring at the disappearing form of his daughter's boyfriend, Lt. Gen. Haric shook his head. What made him behave that way? As far as he could remember, Arias never treat him like that.

* * *

Captain Yelena was alone in her office. She couldn't stop thinking about the King's sudden visit.

King Lawrence had left a while ago but he left her with so many questions. After she answered his questions, the King sat still without saying anything. Then he suddenly bid her goodbye and left, saying that they would meet again soon. He didn't say any other thing to her which she finds it really strange.

In fact, when she suddenly saw him at her door, she thought that he was there to declare his disapproval of her! Given the fact that it was the first time she experienced such a thing, she was nervous and anxious at the same time.

When her phone went off, she startled at the sound of it. She swiped the green button and answered the call.

"Felix, are you done?" She asked him right away.

"I heard that my father came to see you. What did he say?" Felix grunted from the other line.

Why didn't he thought of the possibility? Well, to think that his father, the King would fly all the way here just to see his son's lover; it seemed like an impossible! That's why he didn't even think much about it after chatting with his father that morning.

"You just knew?" She almost chuckled. "Your father is truly unique, just like you." She remarked.

"Will it hurt just to tell me what I ask you? I'm curious to death here!" He exclaimed.

Just minutes ago, he received a text from his father that says 'Son, I meet your woman just now.' That's all! He didn't even tell him the details. At first, he doubted it but he called his mother just to make it sure. Learning the truth, he called his father many times but he won't even pick up! He was left with no choice but to ask her.

"Nothing much happened. We can talk about it over dinner." She calmly said, only adding to his curiosity.

"Will you just tell me? I don't think I can hold out that long." His face brightened up when a good solution crossed his mind. "I might even come to your office, arousing the suspicion of everyone."

"Don't you dare do that!" She snapped which made him laugh.

Now that he had given her an option, he thought that it was time to ask her once more but... Fabian came to him and interrupted the call.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Aswald has reached the hospital," Fabian told him.

The information made him growled. What a bad timing! Making his way to the elevator to go down to the ground floor, he glanced at his watch. "I need to go, my dear. It won't be long, please wait for me. I will call you back." He ended the call and stepped inside the elevator.

"Where is Lord Philip?" He instantly asked Fabian who was standing next to him.

"He is already on the ground floor to greet the Duke," Fabian responded.

"That's good. Let's get it done as fast as possible." He couldn't wait for this to end to that he could hear the whole story from his fiancee.

In the lobby of the Moray Hospital, Philip had quite a hard time dealing with his late aunt's husband, his uncle. The temper of the Duke was no joke!

"Please listen to me, uncle. I only did that -"

"Gina is my only daughter, Philip! She is already hospitalized for weeks yet I was only informed last night!" The Duke of Aswald growled. He tried to go up to see his daughter but his nephew stopped him and made him stay there in the lobby and his patience becomes thinner as each second passed!

"Uncle, Gina condition is not... don't go now!" Philip struggled when the Duke rose from his seat. He was in a dilemma as the Duke was still his uncle and he couldn't force him!

Just as he was about to walk away, the Duke heard a familiar voice from a few feet before him.

"It's been a while, Duke of Aswald," Felix said as he makes his way to the Duke with Fabian behind him.

The legs of the Duke that were about to walk towards the elevator, stopped at the voice. He darted his eyes to the front and saw the Crown Prince walking in his direction.

"Your Highness? You're here?" Derin Larson, the Duke of Aswald stared at the Prince with a dumbfounded face. When he suddenly realized that he still had not shown his respect, he immediately bowed and his assistant standing next to him did the same.

The Prince simply nodded. "I heard that you are coming, so I came down to greet you." He said. His demeanor was that of a royal one which he was taught ever since he was a child - calm, magnanimous yet majestic at the same time.

"Your Highness is too kind. Are you here for my daughter?" The Duke asked. Though his only daughter was in a bad condition, the thought of the Prince being there for his daughter made the eyes of the middle-aged Duke twinkle with mirth. Will his dream of letting his daughter marry the future King finally come true?

Sawing the reaction of the Duke, the Prince's lips curved into a smile but it was out of contempt. However, the Duke was so busy with his fantasy to notice it.

"I came here from time to time. My cousin and your nephew are the ones who take care of her." He replied while maintaining a calm demeanor for the whole time despite the disgust that this too fake of a father made him felt.

"Marquess of Giron is also here?" It was quite unexpected of the aloof Brigadier but just having the Crown Prince here, that was enough to make the Duke forget about everything else. He had no clue of the Marquess love for his daughter.

"Yes. He was the one who brought her here." Felix replied. He wondered how a father cared so little of his only daughter. Maybe Lexus was right. This man would only put his daughter in a more serious condition!

Hearing out the Crown Prince, the Duke of Aswald had a feeling that his daughter's hospitalization was not that bad at all! Considering the fact that two of the most eligible bachelors of Edeladon were the ones taking care of her!

He didn't know that his daughter was trying to commit suicide. He was told that she was in an accident. Will his heart changed if he knew it?

"I hope my troublesome daughter won't bother you so much, Your Highness." The Duke said as he slightly bowed.

Troublesome? The Prince barely resisted the urge to scoff at this heartless father! He should complete his task first, so he faked a smile. "It's fine, Duke. No need to be so courteous. How about having a cup of tea together? We can talk during that." He suggested though the sight of the man disgusts him.

"It would be an honour, Your Highness." The Duke agreed right away, not even thinking about meeting his daughter first. Did he forget that he still didn't see his sick daughter?

"Then let's go." The Prince said as he secretly nodded to Philip and Fabian.

"After you, Your Highness." The Duke of Aswald humbly said as he gestured to the exit by the walking stick he used to support his body.....