IRIS LOU P.O.V.

Without knocking, I opened the door right away, and as I had anticipated, another dagger flew in my direction. I easily caught it and gave it back to him, but he managed to catch it.

He said in Greek, "It's great that you thought about coming back," and he sat down. He then looked at me coldly, and I did the same before I walked over to him and sat down in front of his table.

"Since you've already come back, do you accept the responsibility here that you abandoned before?" He declared.

Yes, I am, I retorted icily when I saw him smile. I will be the one to represent his constituency because this is what he has long desired.

My brother, who abruptly fled and is now missing, must be in this situation. When my brother decides he doesn't want to, no one can make him change the way his world works. More demonic than I am is he. Since my brother is a psychopath, I am unaware of every mental pattern he exhibits.

"Okay, be ready tomorrow because you're marrying Cleopard Devinson, and they'll be here tomorrow, and you can't just decline." He abruptly stated, causing me to turn to face him,

"I can't..." I responded, shaking my voice because I knew that if he found out I was pregnant, he would become furious, and his evil side would once more show itself.

"And why shouldn't you? Did you do stupid things again, just like you used to run away from your obligations before?" He made a strong point to me,

I spoke weakly and hunched over, but I knew he heard me say, "I'm pregnant."

"WHAT!!! Lou, say it once more!" He shouted loudly, echoing his voice. He got up and slapped his two palms on his desk as his voice reverberated throughout his office. I also leaped from where I was sitting.

I met his two eyes, which revealed disbelief and an indescribable expression as I turned to face him.

I told him directly, "I'm pregnant," and he reluctantly returned and sat in her swivel chair. I simply crossed my two feet while glancing at them. I can't look at him. We both paused, and I could tell he was still thinking about the revelation I had just made.

"I can't accept that the princess that I chose to ensure and my as it were treasure is presently getting to be a mother." He gently said, I looked at him, but he turned his swivel chair and looked at our family picture hanging on the wall, now I couldn't see him, and he just turned his back on me.

"D-dad ..." I said softly, but I didn't get an answer from him.

"I utilized to be fiendish in front of you since that's the thing I can do to secure you and let you despise me since I need you to be courageous and see you ended up courageous, but you know what harms? You've gotten to be fiendish than me." He said to me as he turned his swivel chair away from me.

"You don't know how stressed I am once you run absent from here. Even your brother vanished a bit like a bubble at that point. I ended up alone battling for those individuals who need to require me down in my position of authority." My tears flowed when I heard that right in his mouth. I just listened to what he was saying.

"I deliver you an opportunity and your brother; subsequently, you'll at least appreciate every single time in this world. On the off chance that you think I'm controlling your life and your brother, at that point, you are off-base. I'm fair giving my best to secure the two of you. I do not need to change your life fair how your mother got slaughtered by my adversary."

"I held up here for a year, and at final, you come back. And presently, I'm fair holding up for your brother's comeback, and we are able at last be completed." He lastly said before facing me, and I saw the redness of his eyes was a sign that he cried so even more the tears in my two eyes were even more painful; it turned out to be more than I felt at the wedding of the person I loved for five years and just cheated on me.

"D-dad, I'm S-sor-ry for being persistent and didn't indeed feel that your hurting as well. I'm too bad in case I cleared out you alone here battling for our foe" I burst into tears while my lips trembling as I say that.

"You don't have to be sorry my princess, it's my fault that I let you despise me for your whole existence, it's my fault. It's all my fault. I just haven't been strict with you and your brother. I hope this doesn't happen." He gently told me.

"I need to know who's the father of that child that you were carrying in your womb hence I can cancel the organized marriage that Mr. Devinson and I planned with his son leopard." He said. I cried even more because I wished I could personally introduce Eliot to my father, but it was impossible. I was sobbing loudly in tears. That's why he approached me worriedly and touched my back.

"Stop crying, princess. It's not good with you if you're always stressed," He said and hugged me. I hugged him, too, and rubbed my face on his stomach because he was standing while I was sitting.

"Tell me everything, princess. I'm listening," He said and made me stand up and mimicked his black sofa here in his office. When we sat down, he himself wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"D-dad he c-cheated on me," I said weakly and kept from choking because of what I was thinking now.

"Tell me what his name is, and I'll hunt him," He insisted to me.

"Father, it's already done, he chose another lady who's carrying his child, and around the child that I'm carrying in my womb, he has no idea about this, and he additionally has no idea that I came from the EPHRAIM family I used a fake moment title so you can't track where I've been for the previous five years" When I explained he took a deep breath.

"Then I won't send you to the Philippines again, and I will not force you to marry Cleopard. But you know him. He is ready to accept you because since he was a child, he has wanted you, Cleopard is a nice man and I know he won't hurt you. The decision is still early and it's still up to you, they will come here tomorrow" He said.

"I'll think about it, dad," I said just because my brain was a mess.

"Then go to your room and rest," He said. I nodded to him and kissed him on the cheek before leaving his office so that I could now properly breathe.

While walking down the longest hallway, I observed the artworks that were hanging there. I was too busy admiring the hanging artwork to notice that I had already arrived at my room. I open my room's door.

When I entered, nothing had changed. It was still really tidy. I hurried to my bed and gave my pillow a quick embrace. I miss being here. It appears like I shall begin a new life here and forget everything that happened to me in the Philippines.

IRIS LOU P.O.V.

As I wait for the Devison family to arrive, the time has passed, and I am now in the palace's grandest Hall.

The Devinson family arrived from Italy, where they reside, and are well-respected for having ties to our family, the Ephraim family, which is also one of their neighbors.

Since I'm not used to wearing a white dress and a small crown on my head, I'm just sitting here. However, I am helpless because I was born blue blood, which comes from the largest Family in Greece, so I have no choice but to accept my fate.

And throughout our relationship, neither the Hamilton family nor Eliot was aware that I was from Greece. In fact, when we first met, I pretended to be poor and to have grown up in the province.

"The Devinson family has arrived." One of the slaves announced they did not speak Tagalog. Because they were raised in Greece, In order to welcome them, Dad and I both got up and moved toward the palace door at the same time. As we waited for them to assess our location, we stood by the door.

“(Benvenuto) Welcome.” They could understand us, so Dad and I said hello to them in Italian. Like his aunt, Carmine Beniamino Devison, Uncle Federico Nicholas Davison does not speak Filipino, but unlike the Cleopard, who is fluent in both English and Filipino, he is also proficient in other languages, including Greek.

Dad was greeted by uncle Federico, who shook his hand and said, "Long time no see, my friend." The length of their friendship indicates how close they are. Cleopard was staring at me, but I chose to ignore him and focus on Aunt Carmine's conversation instead.

She instantly approached me and grabbed me, saying, "Hija, it's been a year since you vanished, and finally, your here." I let go of her grip and grinned at her, thinking, "It's not really new to the aunt. She's still as happy as before."

"Let's sit on the sofa, aunt, before we talk." We walked to the big sofa and sat down. Dad then joined us, so we were all seated there. She nodded because she could understand English, which made it easier for me to speak Italian.

"So, how have things been going for you while you've been in the Philippines?" Auntie asked me with a smile; Dad, uncle Federico, and Cleopard all turned to look at us.

"What do you mean, carmine? You have known for years that my daughter is in the Philippines, but you haven't bothered to let me know." My dad asked in disbelief to aunt carmine. I restrained myself from smiling and said, Yes, Aunt Carmine is aware that I have been living in the Philippines for the past few years.

In response to dad's question, Aunt Carmine stated, "You didn't even ask me, which is why I didn't tell you because I felt you already knew."

"Federico, are you aware of this as well?" Dad asked Uncle Federico, and I noticed that Cleopard was silently gazing at me earlier, and I caught that.

"Don't accuse me; I just found out right now that my wife knows iris has been in the Philippines for a long time." Uncle Federico said in response to my father's query.

I remained silent as Dad continued, "Fine, let's forget about that and speak about how they're setting up marriages."

Dad continued, and after I exhaled, I looked at Cleopard and noticed that he was also looking at me. I then turned my head away and looked at dad and uncle Federico.

"Can I speak with Cleopard before making a decision?" I signaled for the Cleopard to join me as I rose up after they nodded in response to my question.

I sensed his presence as I made my way to the Garden's back entrance, so I knew he had followed me.

When we arrived in the Garden, I was seated in Bermuda itself, where the Sun was unable to view me due to a large tree that had turned us in half. He remained by my side.

I told him to sit down. He then took a seat next to me.

"Say something," I told him as I watched the Roses around.

"How are you? It's been a year since I last saw you," He asked, and I knew he was smiling even though I was not looking at him.

"I'm okay," I replied to him.

"Why did you suddenly come back, Iris? Did something happen?" he asked, and I stopped there.

"Would you still going to marry me after you find out I'm carrying a child," I answered him while continuing to observe the flowers around us, He kept quiet for a while, so I just laughed.

"I know you don't want to accept what others have touched," I said, almost crying from my naivety,

"Who says that I won't accept you?" He abruptly asked. I turned to face him, and I noticed that he was smiling and looking at me.

“P-pards-s .....” I addressed him by the name I had been using since that time. Because of what he said, tears started to fall down my cheeks.

"Stop crying, my hope. I've never rejected you. I hope you've always known I've always been at your side. You've never heard me make you feel awful. I really loved you, and I didn't push you to love me back." He said and brushed away my tears using his thumb.

"I- I'm S-sorry ..." I said softly and bowed before sniffing, but he suddenly grabbed my chin and lifted it so I could see him.

"You don't have to be sorry. No one is at fault, nor is it your fault to teach the heart to Love the person you don't want. I don't want to force you to do anything, so I'm giving you a chance to leave the marriage while there is still time." He said.

I gave what he said some thought. He was hurt, and I knew it. He didn't just smile at me, so I assumed we could just carry on with the wedding. I'd like to devote my time to him.

"I'm not backing down from the wedding." I was direct and stated, and he was shocked when he heard what I had just said, which is why he gave me an immediate embrace.

"Are you really not joking ?!" he said in shock and let go. Let me go in his hug before touching My two shoulders.

"Yes, I'm not joking, and don't touch me, okay? "I said. So he let me go before he stood up. So I was surprised.

"YES, FINALLY, THE GIRL THAT I LOVE IS NOW BECOMING MY WIFE !!!!" He shouted with all his might in the Garden, so I pulled him back to where he was sitting before.

"Stop being embarrassed, and maybe someone heard," I told him, blushing.

"No one can hear us. It's just the two of us here in the Garden," He said and came up to me and touched my tummy, and caressed it.

"Hi baby, I'm your daddy Pardss," He said happily, and I looked at him and remembered Eliot, The person I loved so much but who had just cheated on me.

FLASHBACK

"Honey, how many children do you want us to have," I asked him while we were lying on his bed, and my head was on his chest.

"I want a dozen children so I can hear a lot of noise when I'm done building our own house," He said and stroked my hair, so I just laughed and beat him with his chest.

"Honey, I'm not a pig," I told him.

"I'm just kidding honey, it's still up to you, and it's okay with me As long as we can just have a family," He said to me. So I looked up at him.

"Really?" I said to him while looking up at him.

"Yes." He said before he kissed my Forehead.

END OF FLASHBACK

I came back to reality because of a hand waving in front of me, and I saw it was just a cleopard.

"Hey, earth to Iris!?" he said to me, but I just shook my head and smiled at him.

IRIS LOU P.O.V.

4 YEARS LATER

"ELIAS DUKE EPHRAIM !! STOP RUNNING, WOULD YOU !!" I shouted at my naughty four years old son.

"But mother, you're going to squeeze me in case you capture me, which is why I'm not aiming to stop running." He continued to let me chase him here in the palace, and I stopped since I was also exhausted.

"Okay! Run until you're exhausted because I'm sick of following you; you're so mischievous; I don't know where you got your insidiousness," I yelled in irritation.

When he realized I couldn't pursue him, he stopped moving. He had his snout on the ground a few kilometers from me.

"Mom, let's go to Daddy Pard's house," He said, and as he slowly drew nearer to me, I lifted him up.

"You truly tortured me, you naughty child, the hardness of your head is so annoying. Look at how sweaty you are," I murmured, wiping his sweat off my palm, and then I walked back to the palace's living room.

"Stop. We're not going to your Daddy Pards; it's too far from Italy to Greece." I told him, but he just pouted instead. This is how he really is when his wishes are not granted; he constantly begs to make his face live like a pitiful child, but he can't fool me.

"I'll report you to grandpa," He said.

"Ayyss, fine! later tell your Grandpa if he allows you." I said to him, and I let him sit on the sofa. Suddenly a maid came with a telephone.

"(prinkípissa kápoios eínai sti grammí) Princess, someone is on the line," she said. I picked up the phone.

"Hello, whos this?" I asked on the other line while watching my son playing with his toy truck that had been placed earlier on the sofa table.

"It's Dexter," He replied.

"What do you need," I asked.

"It's time for you to come back to the Philippines. You would like to be here to handle your Commerce here. I know that you'll still not be prepared, but I can't do anything. Somebody is attempting to take down your company, and I know you are the one who can handle this." He said on the other line, I'm thinking. I think it's time to come back.

I only said, "Okay," before cutting the line and handing the maid, who was standing on the side of the phone, back. This appears to be the right moment. I am aware that it is hard for us to reconnect because the Philippines is so large. I am aware that he may have a family because of how he expressed compassion for that woman years ago.

Elias reminded me of a younger version of his father due to the way he adopted his father's appearance in everything.

I can't keep him a secret from Eliot because they both resemble each other. He was the one who pulled out of the marriage between the two of us and the cleopards; he didn't want to rush things but was willing to wait.

Sometimes I wonder why Cleopard just is the man I loved and the father of my son and not Eliot.

I haven't heard from Eliot since I left the Philippines because a year has gone. Elias Duke was all I could think about, and I assisted Dad. We also decided that despite all the issues in the palace, I would not usurp his reign out of disinterest.

He concurred, but my son will take his position. Dad promised to hand over the reign to Elias Duke when he turned eighteen. Elias is his grandchild. Thus I am powerless to take any action.

"Mom, let's go to grandpa," He said to me, and then he left his toy on the ground before approaching me and hugging me. I reciprocated by hugging him.

"Fine! We are visiting him. Come on, don't get dressed; your Grandpa will still kiss you even if you're perspiring" because of what I said, he simply rolled his eyes at me, acting like a queer.

I'm amazed by this child, a four years old, but the brain is like an adult. Yeah, he also intervenes in others' conversations. I just shook my head and walked to the main door. I knew he was following me when we came out of the palace. There were still many guards. We went to a black car and took a drive. So there was no problem.

“(tópos vasiliás Erríkos) king Henry place.” I said sparingly, and I know he heard that. He is already operating the car at dad's company. Yes, dad has company here, So his work is double as well as the palace.

When we arrived in front of dad's company here in Greece, I didn't bother to stop Elias because he immediately opened the car door and ran inside the company.

He was a very small child but very fast. When running, my head hurts because of his stubbornness. I won't be surprised if he stumbles.

I also went down and walked in. I saw my son being greeted. The cubicles of the employees here were there. So they were also happy with the child's enthusiasm. When they noticed me, they also greeted me.

"(Kaliméra prinkípissa) good day, princess." at the same time they said at the same time as they stood up and bowed to me as a sign that they were giving respect.

I didn't greet them back and just approached my son before I held his hand, and we walked to the elevator and entered there. I pressed The 59th floor because dad's office is very big in this company, and I know my older brother will be its archer. Until now, that one still doesn't appear, but I know that when the time comes, that one will also appear.

"Mom, who's my real father" I suddenly looked at my son when he suddenly asked that question. He also looked up to me. I don't know what I will answer him because of his question. It's true that he's four years old, but he knows how to observe what's around him. The elevator suddenly opened, which made me take a deep breath.

"Let's go to your Grandpa," I told him to get away. The question we got out of the elevator and walked closer to the door of dad's office. When dad's secretary saw us, he immediately stood up and bowed at the same time as he greeted us. I just nodded and opened the door of dad's office. I wondered if I could escape my son's question because I knew he'd ask that again any time. Elias let go of me and ran towards Dad, who was sitting in his swivel chair.

"Grandpa!" He ran and shouted loudly at dad and gave him a hug. His Grandfather was fine, and that was a truss. I Just shake my head and sit on the sofa.