Nichole POV

I try to move but I can't, my wrists are restrained to a chair. My head hurts. I open my eyes but my vision is blurry. I see a blurred figure in front of me

"Bout time you woke up." The figure said.

What's going on?

Earlier that day...

"Do you take Nichole to be your lawfully wedded wife and to cherish and respect her? To honor her royal blood and name in the terms of the late Great Michel? To keep her at your side as your other royal half and treat her just as such for the sake and peace of DresVan in which you both will vow to protect, guide, and rule over until the next generation that you both shall bless DresVan with and as shall they as the legacy continues for generations to come?" The priest said. We're at the last wedding rehearsal before the actual wedding later on today. We've gone through this bit so many times this week that I've tuned it out. With my mind gone blank, I don't hear Joshusa calling me.

"Nichole?"

"Huh?" I look up to see Joshua, the priest, king, and Jan staring at me. "You were supposed to say I do, miss." The priest said. I slightly blush from my embarrassment. "I-Im sorry." I said bowing to the priest. "No need to apologize miss." The preist said. "Do you need a break Nichole?" Joshua said with concern in his eyes. "Y-yea I think I do, I'm sorry." I said. "No need to apologoze, Everyone! That's enough rehearsing for today. My fiancé needs a break." Joshua announced to everyone. I cringe at the word "fiancé" I recall how I was tricked into this engagement, but I can't figure out who it is.

I go to my room to take a breather from all this wedding stuff when I hear a knock at the door.

*knock knock*

"Come in!" I said. The door peers open and I see Joshua. "I came to check on you." He said. "Oh you didn't need to do that." I said. Joshua came and stood over me with his hand placed on my shoulder. "But I wanted to." He says looking down at me. I fidget a little to get his hand off me and stand up. Ever since he proposed to me, Joshaua has been trying to touch or kiss me. But I would always find an excuse to get out of it. It just didn't feel right to me because in my mind, even though he's gone, I still felt like Eisuke's. I quickly move from Joshua's hand and stand up. He jumps a little and a sad expression comes over his face. Oh no, I made him sad. "I'm okay." I said trying to smile. "I'm just a little nervous that's all." Joshua takes me in his arms and looks me in the eye. "I am too." He said. "You are?" I said in disbelief. "Yes, but I forget all about when I remember that I'm going to be marrying the woman I love and I know that she loves me as well." He said with a smile. "Right." I said. Joshua pulls me close to him and I lay my head on his chest while face is in my hair. "It's finally happening, and I couldn't be more happy." He mumbled in my hair. I looked up at the clock on the wall, 10:35am In 24 hours I'll be getting married to a prince, but not my prince...

Eisuke POV

Since leaving DresVan, I haven't seen or spoken to Nichole. Everytime she crosses my mind, so many emotions run through me. Anger, hurt, frustration, sadness, regret! No, not regret, but hurt most of all.. I've packed away all her stuff in the penthouse and put it in a closet. She sent me her pager and keycard last week through mail and her resignation letter from the hotel. I never thought she would leave me for someone else, not even that prince! I'm a fool for falling in love with someone like her...

As soon as I enter the penthouse lounge, I'm bombarded with questions about Nichole. "You're just gonna let him steal her away boss?!" Baba said. "How could you let him get away with this?" Ota said. "Whatever, the kid made her choice." Mamoru said. "I've never seen you as the type to give up so easily, or at all Eisuke." Even Soryu had something to say. "Everybody quiet! That selfish woman made her choice. So if you want to blame anybody, blame her." I said completely fed up with their nonsense. What did they know? They weren't there, they didn't see what I saw. "But boss, it just doesn't add up, why would miss Nichole cheat on you, and who would send you pictures?" He had a point. "It does seem a bit odd that she would agree to come home with you and then you get pictures and word of a wedding after you leave. It sounds like you were set up." Soryu said. He was right it didn't make sense, but that still doesn't explain that kiss. "I'm not discussing this any futher." I said not wanting to hear another word about Nichole, those pictures, that prince, or that stupid wedding. I left the lounge before they could say anything else. But I couldn't help but think about what the guys had told me.

The next day: 8:00am 4 hours until the wedding

Nichole POV

I awake from the sound of my alarm. The bright red numbers on the clock read 9:00am. 4 hours until I marry Joshua and become the queen of DresVan. I can't believe I'm doing this. I always imagined I'd share this day with Eisuke. It's all my fault, i let this happen and now I'm dealing with the consequences. I feel my eyes start to burn with tears. What am I doing, getting all worked up like this first thing in the morning. I curse myself and climb out of bed. I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and dry my eyes. I throw water on my face and dry with it with a towel. I look at my reflection in the mirror. "This is it Nichole." I said to myself. Because after today, I'll be married and the queen of DresVan.

I'm in the dressing room getting my hair and makeup done for the wedding. I haven't seen Joshua yet, he's probably getting ready as well. After all, they say it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Even though I feel unlucky already. "You look so beautiful miss Nichole." Yuusake said. "Thank you." I said with a smile. "It's time for the dress!" Yuusake said with a huge smile. I tried to return it but sadness quickly took over me again.

Joshua POV

I'm in my room with Jan as he helps me prepare for the wedding. There's still some time, but I want to marry Nichole as soon as possible. But I can't help but feel a bit of distance from Nichole. Almost like she's regretting this. I really hope she's not. "Are you alright sir?" Jan asked as he fixes my tie. "Yeah I was just thinking of Nichole and that maybe I'm sort of rushing her." I said honestly. "I have an idea sir, why don't you invite some of Nichole's friends?" Jan suggested. "Perhaps it would make her feel a bit more comfortable." He did have a point, maybe it would put her at ease a little. "That's a great idea Jan! Send one of my jets to pick them up." I said. "Right away sir" Jans left the room to make the arrangements. I hope this makes the woman I love happy.

Anonymous POV

"Is everything set up?"

"Yes, just about just please keep your promise." I pleaded

"Don't worry everything will be perfectly fine."

How did all this happen?....

10:00am: 2 hours before the wedding

Eisuke POV

After leaving the penthouse for a while to clear my head, I return and enter the lounge. I see all the guys are here. When they see me, they have a worried expression on their faces. What's going on? "Boss I have something to show you." Baba said. "What now?" Baba handed me an envelope with golden writing on the front, it's already been opened. I take the card out and read it.

You and a guest have been invited

to witness the royal engagement

of Prince Joshua Lieben and

Nichole Kitawa in the kingdom of

DresVan💐

The nerve of that spoiled royal brat! How dare you take what's mine then have the balls to invite me to watch him marry my woman! "He looks angry." Ota said. I was beyond angry I was pissed! I've had enough of this. "Let's go." I said. "Wait where are we going?" Baba asked. "To a wedding." I said. I refuse to let him take what't mine. Nobody steals from Eisuke Ichinomiya.