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.

IRIS LOU POV

"My grandchild! You're really wicked. Be cautious, you might tumble down, you're constantly running." Dad said to Elias that was being hugged by Dad.

"Grandpa mother won't let me go to Italy and see daddy Pards," he complained to dad. I just shook my head at his accusation; he was always like that.

"Don't worry grandson, I'll ready the private plane for you to see your papa Pards in Italy." Dad told Elias, who was sitting on his lap and had his hair messed up,

"The reason that one's head keeps growing is because you always give him anything he asks for. What if he is already an adult, dad? I have no idea from where he got that." I boredly said.

"Why would I be rich if I don't spend the money I earn? You're really always like that Lou." He said, turning to look at Elias who was playing the part of a cute monkey in front of him.

"Grandpa, do you suppose my stench don't bother you?"

He murmured, Elias said could understand because he wasn't yet accustomed to Tagalog.

Naturally not, grandson! even when you take a bath with perspiration, you still smell like you. Only you stand out among everyone as the most fragrant." Dad murmured sniffing and laughing at him, Elias was still laughing.

"I'll accompany him there and to Italy. He is utterly insistent on seeing cleopard and you give in. I am powerless right now. Dexter said that someone is attempting to bring my firm down in the Philippines, and I will go back there because I can't let the business I worked so hard to build fail. "I murmured here, and he turned to face me, while Elias slumped on his father's chest, appearing exhausted and possibly already asleep.

"Are you sure you're going back there?" I only nodded at him after he said.

"Then I can't stop you anymore because I know even you anything faith will still be the rule and let the two of you meet again." He remarked in a significant way so that Elias wouldn't hear because he is a smart child,

"I'm ready dad, If we meet, destiny will take care of it." I answered. I got to my feet before moving toward the door, but I looked at my father first.

"Dad, I'm just going somewhere for a little bit and I'll be right back, so please look at Elias first." I said to dad and he just nodded. I left the building directly and then went to the elevator, where I hit the number one to get to the first floor.

A few minutes the passerby opened the door and I came out everyone I passed bowed to me but there was no emotion in my eyes as much as possible I do not want to show a little smile to them. I know dad's enemy is just around.

I immediately left the company and went to the car that Elias and I had hit earlier. When the driver saw me, he immediately opened the door. So I entered and crossed my two legs. When the driver entered the driver's seat, I immediately spoke.

“Take me to Cape sounion.” I told him and closed my eyes.

“Okay princess.” He answered and the car started working. Until now, Greek language is still the word I use because they do not know how to speak Tagalog and in English they are weak, that they can easily understand everything I have to speak in the language they grew up with.

The entire journey to Cape Sounion, my favorite destination in Greece, has been peaceful. The cape sounion is known as the temple of Poseidon and features a blue sea, a pleasant atmosphere, and a pleasant breeze. I feel sleepy that's why i take a nap.

FAST FORWARD

"Princess, we've already arrived." I opened my eyes when the driver speak outside the car he opened the car door and i step outside. As soon as I stepped outside, I was greeted with both the temple and the stunningly blue sea, together with a very fresh wind.

I turned to the driver and said, "Return to the firm; if I need to go back there later, I'll just call you.

I had not stopped moving toward the white temple. and examined it. The only thing visible is the cement of the temple, which is the only thing left standing. I just made my way to the sea's edge by walking along the Rocks. I removed my heels in order to avoid tripping on the rocks. When I sit on a large rock that is slightly elevated, I can view the entire blue sea.

I scaled a small rock before sitting on the wide rock that had been raised. I then set my sling bag and the heels I had been wearing earlier next to me. Before noticing the breeze, I closed my eyes. Blowing my hair. I raised my head and observed the weak sea urchin waves.

The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "ace of the sea".Given the significance to Athens of exchange by ocean and the importance of its naval force in its creation and survival amid the fifth century, Poseidon was of a specific significance and esteem to the Athenians, that's why they called this temple of Poseidon and ace of sea.

I think of the man I used to love and adore my entire life while I gaze at the azure water. How is he doing, I often wonder? Does he currently have children? But the bitterness and rage that have left a scar on my heart still won't go away.

What I'll do when we meet is a mystery to me. I am not quite aware of the truth. I can look into anything, but I simply don't want to know everything. That is why I decided to do nothing.

I'm stumped as to why this is happening. It was even worse after we got married since he abandoned me in the church and even more strongly preferred that pregnant woman.

Just in case, I can assume that he is unknown to me and that he is simply a stranger to me based on the route we both took. Our previous vows to one another have all fallen through. Not only did he betray me, but it all burns to ashes.