He is not even sure if his girlfriend will agree to attend this event!

When he sacrificed everything to help his family, it is no surprise if Brina sacrificed their love to protect Will. Coming to this event means more and more exposure.

Eliina waited for her brother to talk something but he remained silent, all again back to his own thoughts of sorrow.

Soon, the Jet landed in the palace's private runway and royal guards immediately took their places to greet them.

However, their second prince who used to acknowledge them with a nod, is totally like a robot noe. He just walked towards the palace with no expression on his face.

"Edward, the court will start in one hour and by then we will prepare a press meet subsequent to the court meeting. Do you want to attend the press meet and address the people?" his step mother, Queen Elora asked.

"No. I will leave the press meet to you, mother. I am not in a mood to do this stuff now and if possible could you clear my schedule tomorrow as well." Louis asked, weekly.

He is exhausted, sad, broken and lifeless.

"I will ask your personal assistant to clear everything except the important ones. However, you can't leave the palace" she told him.

"Yeah. Thanks" he thanked his mother and parted his way. Soon he reached his cabin and he instructed no one to disturb him for one hour.

Soon, he was left alone and Louis crumbled on the ground, his tears rippling on the ground drop by drop.

With his shaky hands, he took out his mobile and tried to call Brina but like before, it was unreachable.

He knows that she is crying too.

She would have got more affected by this, compared to him.

Clutching his forehead, Louis couldn't help but curse his fate. If only he would have known that this might happen, he would have never confessed his feelings to Brina and hurt her like this.

He knew that by asking her to come here, he is risking her life as well as her nephew's life. Didn't he promise her that he would stand between her and her enemies? But now, he is opening the doors for her enemies, making her come into limelight.

But, he is selfish. Deep down he knows that he is doing wrong by asking her to come here, but, isn't it also a point that if she is queen of a country, she will become more powerful and would be able to defeat her enemies.

If she becomes Queen she will be protected in such a way no one can even reach a fifty meters radius from her.

All he has to do is protect her identity. If he will be able to protect Brina's identity till she becomes Queen, the rest of the things can be smoothly handled.

Thinking for a few seconds, Louis ordered his assistant to the cultural minister of the country. He is in charge of this bride selection competition.

And, within ten minutes, Mr. Martin, the cultural minister arrived at Louis's office.

"Your highness, have you asked for me?" he asked, giving a slight bow. To be precise, he is quite surprised why Edward called him as soon as he reached.

"Yes, Sir Martin, I called you here to ask about something." Louis said, his voice deep and powerful.

"It's my pleasure to help you, your highness. May I know what's bothering you?" Martin asked, maintaining the same politeness.

"Princes/ Kings are allowed to select the theme when their bride selection process happens right? I wanted to know about all the themes available" Louis said.

"Indeed, your high-"

Cutting him off, Louis said, "You can just address me as sir when we are talking among the four walls. I am not so particular about titles"

He felt weird to be addressed in such a way. Till now they used to call him sir or as second master.

Martin nodded his head, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"Yes, sir. Prince's and King's will have absolute freedom to select the theme of this competition depending upon which trait they mostly want in their future wife's. And, depending upon the theme they select, the events in the competition changes" Martin answered.

"Is there any theme which helps the contestants to hide their identity till the Queen is selected?" Louis asked.

"Except for the Royal family and Court members, no one has to find out the identities of contestants. Mainly, press, people and members of Noble families" Louis said.

Martin nodded his head and immediately answered. "Masquerade theme, sir. The Ladies of the competition will have to select a fixed face mask, based on their house symbol. And, as usual, their dresses will have the logo of their House's for the easy identification"

"However, the Court might not agree for this, sir. Last time, six decades back this theme was selected by one of our ancestral King. But, because of the mishaps that happened back then, no other King has selected this theme. Moreover, the events of this theme are counted as the toughest because this theme represents power and virtue" Martin said.

"And, they are restricted in showing their faces to press, people and other Noble families except for the Royal family, Court members and their fellow contestants"

Louis nodded his head.

With this theme applied, his Brina might agree. Though chances are low, with a little persuation and assurance she might give a thought.

"You can leave now, Sir Martin. Thanks for your help" Louis said.

Sir Martin gave a slight bow and exited the room.

Later, Louis got ready for the court meeting and went to attend it.

…..

Meanwhile…

It's been five hours since Brina reached the farmhouse. Still, she was soaking herself in the bathtub, her eyes staring at the plain black wall.

Her eyes were red and swollen but no tears were coming out of her eyes.

She just didn't have tears left to cry out.

It's like she is lifeless, her eyes not even bothering to blink. Her body is motionless like a statue and her mind is somewhere else, wandering in her past.

Her mobile charging is drained out and she is least bothered by it.

Soon the evening had passed and it's almost midnight but she just remained like that. Deep in thoughts, cursing her fate.

Her stomach growled and her body started shivering but Brina didn't remain in the tub, intentionally.

At least this physical torture might drift her wandering thoughts by a bit.

But, her hunger made her remember Louis's handmade food while her cold body made her remeber the warmth his body is to provide her.

Everything...every single thing made her remember Louis.