I knew that he was just some playboy who was trying his chance to be with a princess like me, so I ignored him. I've met many opportunistic men before and I learned how to avoid them. I thought, Maximus would eventually get tired, but he was so persistent.

Then one night, something happened. That short moment I spent with Maximus was a big mistake. Because of my drunkenness, I did something I shouldn't've...

"Just like that, guys! Let's get drunk until we drop!" Lindsay shouted before chugging her glass of alcohol down in one gulp.

"Yeah! It's finally summer vacation tomorrow so let's celebrate!" Jessica answered while dancing wildly. We were on the dance floor, dancing without a care in the world.

"You're right, guys! Let's have some more!" Liliana added. There were 10 of us and everyone was already drunk. I could already feel the effect of alcohol within me. Because of that, I decided to go back to our table.

But before I reached our table, two guys blocked my way. I gazed at them with squinted eyes. Just one look at them and I could already tell that they're among the paparazzies of Costavia.

"Buonasera, Principessa Athena. May we have a minute of your time?" They asked. Then, I noticed that one of them was already taking a video of me with his phone.

"You're mistaken. I'm not Princess Athena." I answered and then ran towards the exit. Cazzo! I already disguised myself, but they still recognized me. Damn these paparazzies! Now, I regret not taking any of my Royal guards with me. Well, I escaped without them noticing it.

"Wait, Princess Athena!" I heard them calling and my eyes widened when I saw them running after me.

"Cazzo!" I cussed when I felt like the world suddenly spin in a fast motion. I stopped running to prevent myself from falling to the ground. Damn! I'm really drunk, I told myself.

They were almost near when a car suddenly stopped in front of me.

"Get in." A familiar voice said from the inside. I've heard that voice before, I thought. I looked behind me again and they almost caught up to me. I didn't think twice. I opened the car door and got inside the car. The moment I closed the door, I heard the squeaking of the tires as the car drove off in a fast speed.

"Hey, slow down!" I hissed but then gasped when I realized who the driver was. Maximus. "Y-You?!"

He smirked. "Who else would it be, mi hermosa?"

"Don't call me that!" I glared at him, but he didn't even look affected.

"I'm sorry, mi hermosa, but no can do. I like calling you that." I gritted my teeth but decided to just let it slide. I didn't want to argue with him. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the headrest of the seat. Darn it. I felt tired not to mention drunk. Thankfully, Maximus remained quiet after that. I didn't know how long I was in that position until I felt the car stop. Maximus finally spoke again.

"Let's get out. I want to show you something, mi hermosa." I opened my eyes and looked around. He got out of the car and opened the door for me.

"Where are we?"

He chuckled. "Why don't you just get out of the car to see where?" I rolled my eyes and was about to get out of the car when I felt like my knees lose their strength. Because of that, I lost my balance. I squealed but thankfully, Maximus caught me by the waist.

My breath got trapped in my lungs as our bodies pressed together. We stared into each other for a couple of seconds. His hazel green eyes. They looked so tantalizing. I felt like I got enchanted by them just staring at it.

He was staring into my eyes as if he was trying to hypnotize me and surprisingly, it was working. It became harder to breath for an unknown reason. Maybe, because I am drunk, I told myself.

I heard him clear his throat. "L-Let's go?" He stuttered and I suddenly wanted to laugh. He looked weird all of a sudden. He reluctantly let go of me and then cleared his throat once again.

"To where? Why did you bring me here anyway?" I asked curiously, trying to fight the worsening effect of the alcohol that I consumed.

"Look behind you." He uttered and I did as I was told. I gasped in awe upon seeing the beautiful view of the city. We were in the other side of town and we could see the palace from afar which was proudly standing on the highest part of the city.

It was my first time seeing it from afar like this and I just realized now that it actually looked breath-taking. I've always felt like the palace was a prison cell and if it wasn't because of my family, I would've left it if I had the chance.

"Wow." That was all that came out of my mouth. There was a sole bench there for people who want to see the panoramic view while sitting.

"I'm glad, you like it." Maximus uttered and then sat beside me. My eyes stared at the palace once again. It looked small from we were at even though it was actually huge. The lights surrounding it make the whole palace visible even from a distance.

"The Costavia Royal Palace is such a beauty, especially at night." He complimented.

"Yeah, you can say that." I answered and he smiled.

"Yes, but nothing beats the beauty of 'mi hermosa'." My forehead crinkled.

"What are you talking about?"

"C'mon, hermosa. You know that you're the one I'm talking about." My lips parted.

"You're really full of yourself, are you?" The corner of his lips twitched.

"I don't think, I am. I am just being honest and vocal." He said while directly looking into my eyes. I was at lost for words for a couple of seconds. Even though he's annoying, he's the only one who could get away by not that addressing me properly. For whatever reason, that matter doesn't piss me off.

Suddenly, my heart started beating wildly. I tried to calm down, but it continued thumping like crazy. It was my first time feeling like this and I didn't know how to deal with it. Why am I suddenly feeling this way? Maybe because I'm drunk, I thought. Because of that, I stood up.

"I think, we better go."

"Already?" I glared at him.

"Yes! Just take me home!" I was about walk away from there and go back to the car, but I tripped over my own feet and accidentally fell on him. I squealed. Cazzo! Why did this happen again?!

I heard him chuckle. "This is the second time around, mi hermosa. Although, I'm not complaining. You can trip over for how many times and I assure you that I will always catch you everytime." His voice was husky as his eyes turned dark in obvious desire. I gulped inaudibly. I suddenly felt like my throat went dry as the beating of my heart became faster than before.

"L-Let go of me!" I tried to get away from him, but he wrapped his arms around my waist and then pulled me closer to him until I didn't have a choice but to sit on his lap.

"Maximus!" He chuckled as he raised his hand and caressed my cheek. His eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"That's the first time that you called me by my name, mi hermosa."

"You're crazy! Let go—" Before I could say what I wanted to say, he already closed that little remaining gap between us and then sealed my lips with his. I gasped in shock. This is my first kiss! This jerk!

I placed my palms against his chest, intending to push him away but he was quick to deepen the kiss, claiming my mouth fully.

My ability to think rationally faded away just like that. He expertly made me succumb onto him even though I was trying my best to resist him.

"You're so beautiful, Athena." He uttered huskily when he finally let go of my lips. Our eyes met.

"Maximus..." He smiled.

"Hearing you utter my name is music to my ears, mi hermosa."

"This is crazy. We shouldn't be doing this—" He captured my lips for another hot kiss instead of letting me speak which sent my senses reeling. I couldn't take it anymore. Before I could think clearly, my lips moved on their own and reciprocated his passionate kiss.

I couldn't believe that I could kiss a guy like this during my first. I always imagine my first kiss to be gentle, soft and delicate but it didn't happen.

The kiss we're sharing is sensually hot, rough and full of hunger. It's addicting to the point that I'm already losing myself.

We made out as if we were a couple who just reunited for after so long and even though there was a red light popping on my head, warning me, I threw all the cautions to the winds. I couldn't understand what's with his kisses that my ability to resist him disappears.

"Your lips are the sweetest. I can't get enough of it." He groaned and then playfully bit my lower lip. A moan escaped my lips. My arms were already wrapped around his neck while his arms were busy roaming around my back.

Then, my body jerked when I felt his naughty hand began caressed its way to my left breast. Finally, my rational thinking slowly came back as reality hit me.

"W-We shouldn't be doing this." I said with an almost inaudible voice.

"Why not?" I gulped inaudibly and unwrapped my arms from clinging around his neck.

"Because it's not right! We're not even a couple to do this!" His forehead knitted together.

"What's not right about this? We're both single. Are you committed to someone else?" His face darkened as his voice turned dangerous upon saying the last sentence.

"No, I'm not."

"Then, what's the problem? Is it because you're a princess and I'm just an ordinary man who came from another country?" There was a tinge of frustration in his voice. I couldn't find the right words to say.

"When I told you that I like you, I wasn't joking about it." My lips parted in shock. I thought, he was just making fun of me that time that was why I got mad at him. But how? We just met recently.

"Stop making fun of me!" I hissed sternly.

"Since when did I make fun of you? If you're still not convinced, then I'll say it again. I like you, so much that I can't explain why." My heart pounded hard and fast and it was crazy. I was at lost for words.

I've met men who confessed their feelings towards me, but I've never been affected nor bothered about it. But now, everything was rush with this man, but I couldn't do anything but to go on with the flow. It was easy for him to make me succumb onto him and that kind of effect that he has on me began to scare me.

I was about to answer when my phone rang. I groaned inwardly. It was my mother. It looked like they already discovered that I sneaked out of the palace again.

"Mamma..." I uttered upon answering her call.

"Where are you, vita mia? Why did you sneak out of the palace again? Your nonna would be furious if she learned that you're not in bed at this hour." She sounded worried. I heaved a sigh and closed my eyes for good three seconds before answering.

"Mi dispiace, mamma. Per favore, non essere arrabbiato con me." (I'm sorry, mamma. Please, don't get mad at me.)

She sighed. "I won't if you come home now. You're making me worry." I bit my lower lip and unintentionally looked at Maximus who was staring at me intently.

"Okay, mamma. Give me 30 minutes."

"Okay. I'll wait for you here." I ended the call and then stood up.

"I need to go home." I uttered. He remained silent for a couple of seconds before standing up. I thought, he would agree but to my surprise, he pulled me by the waist until our bodies pressed together.

"Maximus!" I hissed. I was kinda expecting for him to smirk like he usually does but he remained serious.

"Be mine, mi hermosa." His voice was husky. Our lips were almost touching, and it became harder to breath again. I felt like my heart was already in my throat.

"You're really pushy." His eyes sparkled with an unknown emotion.

"Because I don't want someone else to take you away from me. I want an assurance that you're mine."

"But I'm not yours—" He didn't wait for me to finish what I was about to say because he already sealed my lips for another kiss. His lips conquered mine and it sent my senses reeling once again. Just like a while ago, my ability to think rationally disappeared in an instant.

I didn't know how long we were kissing like there's no tomorrow. Our desire for each other was unfathomable and it was crazy.

We only stopped just to breath for air before kissing once again. This time, it was wilder and hotter. But then, we suddenly heard someone clear their throat.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Your Royal Highness, but you need to go back to the palace." Our lips pulled away slowly. Maximus looked pissed of the disturbance.

There were three Royal guards. Maybe, my mother sent them to look for me.

He cupped my face and then pecked my lips for a soft kiss. "I have something for you." He then took off his necklace and put it on my neck. My forehead knitted and touched its pendant. It was a small yet a little bit thick shield with a cross in the middle. Just one touch and I could tell that this golden necklace was not an ordinary one.

On the other face of the pendant, there was were embedded letters. 'MZSV'.

"I give you my heart, mi hermosa. Take care of it."

"What's this for?" I asked when I finally found my voice, unable to digest the things that he was talking about.

"You'll know when the right time comes. I already got yours, so this is already a pact between us."

"What are you saying?" I asked confusedly. He chuckled.

"Good night, mi hermosa. Sleep tight." I opened my mouth, intending to say something but he spoke again.

"Ensure the safety of the princess until you reach the palace." He commanded the Royal guards. My forehead knitted even more. He sounded so differently.

"I assure you that, sir." Maximus nodded his head. He was just standing there on his spot as he watches us drove away from that place.

When we arrived home, my mother gave me a piece of her mind but when I hugged her, her anger melted just like that.

"Seriously, vita mia. You're making me worry everytime you sneak out of the house like that."

"I'm sorry, mamma. Don't worry because I can take care of myself. Besides, I was with my friends. I even disguised myself." She heaved a sigh.

"Mamma is right, Ath. You shouldn't've done that. If nonna discovers about this, you'll be a dead meat." It was Aris. I hugged him.

"But you won't tell about this to her, right?" I asked my brother with puppy dog eyes. He rolled his eyes.

"I know what you're doing, baby sis."

"Please?" He sighed in defeat.

"Fine."

"Yes!" I was so happy. I knew that they wouldn't tell on me.

"Don't tell me, you're drunk?" He asked with squinted eyes. I bit my lower lip and then nodded my head.

"You're really hopeless, Athena! If you do this again, I will really tell nonna about it!" My mother was shaking her head while looking at me in disbelief.

Before going to bed that night, I went to the bathroom to shower. I stood naked in front of the mirror and was about to take off my necklace and the necklace that Maximus gave me when I realized that my Royal chastity necklace was missing.

My heart thumped. "Oh, gosh! Where is it?!" I panicked and put my bathrobe on before going out to search for it. But it was nowhere to be found. I wanted to cry because that was so important. Because of that, I couldn't sleep that night.

Then, the morning after that, I was on the front page of the newspaper. Looked like those paparazzi managed to take a picture of me while dancing and drinking at the club. Because of that, my nonna was so mad at me and gave me punishment. I was grounded for a month.

"Okay, I accept my punishment, nonna, but please let me go out for the last time before getting grounded. I just need to look for something."

"Athena Emilia!"

"Please, nonna. This is important. I really need to look for something."

Her face softened a little bit. "And what is it?" I wanted to tell her the truth that my necklace was missing but I was afraid.

"M-My phone."

"Okay. I'll give you 1 hour to look for it. Bring your PRB with you and Aris." She finally agreed.

"Why did I suddenly get involved?" Aris whined while scratching the back of his head. Nonna gave him a sharp look. He sighed in defeat.

"Fine. I didn't say anything." He conceded. That morning, we went to the place where Maximus and I went to last night. I was sure that I lost it there because before I went out of the club last night, I was sure that it was still hanging around my neck.

But it wasn't in that place too. I began to really get worried.

"What are you really looking for, Ath? You look so worried." Aris asked with a hint of worry. I wanted to burst into tears.

"Ath, you can tell me. I won't tell it to anyone." He said, assuring me. He ordered the four RG who were with us to give us some privacy.

"M-My Royal chastity necklace is missing." I confessed.

"What?! How come?! You know that you can't lose that!" I bit my lower lip and decided to tell him everything that happened last night.

"Whoever that guy was, I'm sure that he stole it from you." He said after that. I didn't name the guy I went with to this place because I knew that Aris would do something to him out of anger if he really was the one who stole the necklace.

Anger surged within me. If Maximus was indeed the one who stole it, I'm sure that he was aware of the meaning of it. I suddenly remembered what he said last night before we parted ways. 'I already got yours, so this is already a pact between us.'

I touched the pendant of his necklace that was on my neck. Damn you, Maximus! If you really stole my necklace, I won't forgive you!

Maybe, he has got something to do with those paparazzi and he really planned on taking my necklace from the beginning and the fool I was, I couldn't even notice his real intention. One side of my brain was contradicting but the other side was already convinced.

My brother did everything to find Maximus all over Costavia, but he suddenly disappeared. Daniella told me that he went back home to Spain because of an important matter...