Yelena was alone in her hotel room, studying the files for tomorrow's event. She spent more than an hour and when she received a call from Morris, it was already 10 in the night.

The task that she left him troubled her a lot. She wondered if anything happened while she was away. Besides, it's very hard to reach Ella these days. Her phone was always off!

​​

"Morris, is everything alright?" She promptly asked the moment she picked up the call.

"Everything is fine for now, Captain. But I called to inform you one thing." Morris said from the other line.

Yelena became very curious at once. "What is it?"

"Lt. Gen. Haric's just talked with someone on a phone. He talked about some meeting which will be held at his house tomorrow night. I find that quite strange. Besides, it seemed like the person on the other line is also a soldier."

Yelena knew that Morris had a point. If the meeting was work-related, it should be in the base or Headquarters, not the Lt. General's house! "You're right, Morris. Something is off." She gave a quick thought and said, "When the meeting takes place, try to know who are the ones who attend it. Record what they discuss just in case."

"Alright, Captain. I won't take up your time anymore. Take care."

"You too, Morris. Inform me right away if you find out any information." Yelena said and ended the call.

When she puts down her phone, she felt so puzzled. "A meeting among soldiers in the residence of a Lt. General?" She muttered to herself. It's too abnormal! Just what was his plan?!

* * *

The Next Day

The business conference held in the hall of the Serano Hotel was as lively as yesterday. Because the event will be wrapped up today, everything was even grander than the day before.

Just like yesterday, influential people from the business circle gathered and chat with each other when the conference was finished. However, Yelena felt like she received more attention than yesterday! Was it because many articles published in the last 24 hours were about her? Maybe. No matter what, the curious stares were quite bothering. Besides, there were many people who came to her and strike up a conversation. She had to patiently deal with all of them!

After spending more than half an hour with not very comfortable feelings, she finally decided to leave. The event ended almost an hour ago. So, it won't be rude even if she left now.

She puts down the glass of champagne which she was already holding for quite a while. She was ready to take a step towards the door before people came to her again, until...

The flashing of the cameras was suddenly increased but... the flashed focus more on the entrance! Then she heard some reporters shouting, "It's the Crown Prince! His Highness is here!"

Yelena's eyes grew wide when she heard the declaration! Felix was here?! She ended up darting her eyes to the door where he was supposed to enter and in no time, she saw him on the huge door with a dashing black suit.

The Prince's eyes swept around the conference hall until... his observing eyes landed on the one he was searching for. Many reporters were behind him but the security guards and some of his guards managed to stop them from entering the hall.

When he saw Yelena, he flashed a little smile and made his way to her, standing in front of her.

"What are you doing?" Yelena whispered, eyeing the people present there. She already received much attention but now, all attention was on them with an endless flashing of the cameras.

Felix simply smiled, feigning innocence. Then he said, "A little surprise."

"A little?" She slightly frowned. "That's an understatement."

Felix chuckled and finally glanced around their surroundings. Curious stares weren't unexpected for him. With a voice loud enough for everyone to hear including the reporters, he said, "I'm here to pick up my fiancee. It's not a big deal."

Then he leaned a bit towards her, his lips next to her ear. "Now, I gave them what they want. Let's hope that they will calm down a bit in days to come." He whispered.

Where the couple stood was not far from the door, so the reporters still managed to take photos without many efforts. Yelena briefly glanced at them and thought that Felix might be right. It's their first time appearing together in public. Maybe this might make the situation a bit better.

Yelena finally smiled. "Then where do you plan to take me?"

"To my parents." He promptly said. "They can't wait anymore and they ordered me to get you right now. They said to have dinner with them at the palace." Felix said with an appealing smile. "Then, shall we go?" He added, offering his hand to her.

"No problem," Yelena muttered and hold the Prince's hand. Then they walked towards the door together.

"Your Highness, are you pushing through the marriage?"

"Do you know that there are many negative reactions due to your fiancee's identity? How do you plan to handle this?"

"Do you have anything to say to the people who always support you?"

The Prince who remained unfazed by the tremendous attention, instantly halted when he heard the last question thrown to him by a reporter. Yelena stood beside him and he tightened his grip on her hand.

Looking at the reporters, he said, "Soldier or businesswoman; my fiancee is just an ordinary person. She is someone who has a great sense of responsibility and the most loyal person I have ever known. But she suffered a lot ever since she met me, a royal with a complicated life."

"So, I truly hope that the citizens could show her the same love and support that you have always shown to me. I know that the people always placed their trust in me, so I wish that everyone could trust her too as I did."

He turned to Yelena and slightly smiled. Then the couple started walking again, leaving the hotel. They get inside the car that awaited them and leave for the palace.

"You came too sudden. If you tell me beforehand, I will be able to prepare some gifts for your family." Yelena said, turning to Felix who sat beside her.

"They don't need that. Your presence is enough." Felix simply said which made her slightly frowned.

"If we exchange our role right now, will you still be okay?" Her displeasure was quite evident in her voice and it was impossible for him to not notice it.

The Prince gave a quick thought and turned to her. "You're right. I won't want to go empty-handed either, especially when your scary father is there." He playfully said and glanced out of the windows, briefly staring at the streets. Then he turned to his driver and said, "Let's stop by in the Royal Shopping Mall."

When he turned back to Yelena, he noticed her flustered face and simply said, "It's a mall owned by the royal family. It's a part of the Royal Group. It's quite popular but don't worry. We can go to the section where it is not too crowded."

Yelena thought about it for a while and then finally nodded. It won't be a problem even if they exposed themselves to the public for another hour or two. What's more, she realized that they had never went shopping together! In the past, it was mainly because of his special status.

"So, what are you planning to buy?" Felix asked her. His gaze focused on his tablet.

"It's your job to help me with that. I have no idea." Yelena said and narrowed her eyes at his tablet. Working hours were not still over but he was sitting here, with her. He might be quite busy.

"My mother loves a necklace and my father loves to collect watches. This information might help you but... they both have quite a collection." He briefly glanced at her and noticed how she was more than concentrated on thinking about what he said. He slightly smiled and turned his attention back to work.

"Then I will come up with something different. I only brought some flowers and fruits when I visited last time, so I want something unique this time." She paused when something crossed her mind. "What about your aunt?"

Felix who was scrolling down the document on his tablet, paused when he heard her question. He slightly lowered his head before he turned to her. "Don't bother with that. After what Alonzo did, it's unfair for you."

"There's nothing unfair here. It's convenient and... I also want to give her something."

"She's my aunt, so I will - "

"After I marry you, she will also be my aunt." She sighed and holds his hand. "Don't think too much, Felix. She's Alonzo's mother but... she's not the one at fault. I'm not a fool to blame her." Yelena firmly said yet her eyes were cautiously observing his expression.

Felix fell silent for a while until he finally smiled again. "Alright. I'm glad you think that way. I know her the best, so I will help you pick a gift for her."