KNIGHT should have felt sad watching his beloved Sweet Monday leave, but instead, he felt relieved that she would be far from his father's reach. After seeing SM's father, he started to understand a few things. He knew that SM wouldn't be in danger with her father, so he lowered the gun he had aimed at his dad and smiled.

"She's safe," he whispered. Eli's safe too.

He looked at his father, whose eyes were burning with anger.

"How dare you point a gun at me!" Kelleon, his father, shouted in anger. "How dare you defy me! I am your father!" With each of his father's shouts came punches and kicks hitting his body, which he didn't try to block.

He had no plans to, even though he could.

It was good that his father's anger was solely focused on him. He didn't care if he beat him up until he would lie unconscious. What was more important to him was no one was hurt. That nobody he loved was harmed.

So, Knight accepted every punch and kick. Every curse and insult. He accepted them all. He didn't dodge a single blow until his father had let out all his anger.

Better me than the people I cherish. Better me than them.

"How dare you bite the hand that feeds you!" His father slapped him over and over, but he stood in his place. "How dare you go against me! How dare you keep secrets from me! You're an imbecile! Idiota!"

Knight could taste blood because of his busted lip and the cuts inside his mouth from his father's punches.

"There are a lot of women you can play with and fuck! Why did you have to fuck with Stevan's daughter?! Do you know the mess you made?! Do you even have any slightest idea about the problems that you caused me?!"

His father kept punching and slapping him, and he stayed silent, accepting it all. When Kelleon got tired of beating him up, he passed him to Orlando, who gladly took over.

Knight knew he could fight Orlando and win, but he had Midnight to worry about. He was afraid about what their father could do to him. He better act docile and be a good dog again until he knew he was gonna win.

So, Knight let Orlando beat him up until he was coughing blood and limping. Orlando hit all the vital parts of his body, weakening him and making his body fall to the floor.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Midnight about to approach him, probably to help, but he shook his head.

No... Please... Stay there... Stay safe...

Thankfully, before Midnight could do anything, Orlando dragged him outside by the collar.

Knight saw Cloud running after them, and Dimitri followed.

He couldn't see Midnight anymore. Good. This was the first time Midnight saw him get beaten up by their father. He must be shocked.

I hope he's okay.

His eyelids were getting heavier as he was slowly losing consciousness. Even though he couldn't move every part of his body that hurt, he still managed a smile.

At least everyone is safe. That's what matters the most.

Knight passed out and was sucked into oblivion. He didn't know how many hours he was out, but when he woke up, he was inside a plane. When his father saw that he was already awake, he sent Orlando to beat him up again.

Knight just grunted at every kick and punch until he passed out—again. When he woke up, his whole body was in pain.

The first thing that he noticed were the chains tied around his wrist, which connected to a nearby wall.

He knew very well where he was.

In Spain. In their palace. In the basement.

This is my punishment.

"Ah, you're awake..." Orlando said, who just walked in the basement.

Knight just hung his head down when he felt a strong whip hitting his back.

"Do you know why I'm doing this, Knight?" Orlando asked.

Knight grumbled, "B-because y-you're a p-p-piece o-o-f shit?"

The whip struck his back again, but he didn't flinch. His body was in so much pain that he couldn't feel more. His whole body had gone numb.

Orlando kept on lashing the whip at him until he got tired.

"Let's have a deal, Knight." When Knight did not respond, he continued talking. "I will stop beating you up and let you rest if you say in front of Lord Kelleon that that woman, Mufasa's daughter, is not important to you. That she's just someone to play around with and fuck—"

Knight laughed, halting Orlando's words. "Don't b-bother. That's not h-happening."

Orlando, once again, hit him on his back using the whip several times.

"If you want this to stop, your father wants to hear you say that that woman is not important—"

"I love her!" Knight hissed. "So, don't bother. You're just wasting—" The lashes struck him, but he kept talking "—your breath."

Lash after lash.

As Knight was slowly losing his consciousness, he could hear Orlando asking him to say that SM wasn't important, but he kept giving him the same answer: I love her.

Even in his weak estate, he would never fold. Never. Orlando and his father would never get what they want from him, not this time.

SM is one of the most important people in his life.

Loving Sweet Monday was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he was not going to deny that. He was not going to deny her.

WHEN THEY finally landed and she had stepped out of the plane, she paused in her tracks, unable to stop herself from parting her lips in shock at what lay before them.

They were surrounded by around ten black cars, with two black limousines at the center. A red carpet was rolled out from the limousine to the plane's staircase.

But that wasn't what surprised her. It was the men and women in expensive suits, standing on each side of the red carpet, bowing and greeting them with firm and strong voices.

"Welcome, Princesa! Welcome, Your Highness!"

Then she heard Jacques's voice close to her ear. "I told you, you're rich."

Seconds had passed, but her mouth remained open. "What... the... hell..."

She felt his father beside her, placing a hand on her back. "Hold your head high, sweetie, and walk."

"But, Dad—"

"Show them the strong and fearless Sweet Monday," he cut in. "You can be weak in my arms later, mi princesa. They need to see that the heir to my throne is reliable and strong."

She couldn't understand why that was his father's wish, but like what she said a few hours ago, she could do everything he would want her to do, except not love Knight.

So, SM did what she was told.

She held her head high and took strong and fearless steps on the red carpet. Her father was next to her as she did so, while Jacques and her uncles followed.

"Does Mommy know about this?" she asked, her voice soft. "Does she know who you really are?" Because even she had no idea.

Her father smiled. "She was a duke's daughter. Of course she knew. I don't keep secrets from my wife."

Her lips parted in shock. "She's a noble?"

Her father nodded. "Yes. She was very beautiful, smart, and kind. I had no idea why she accepted and married me, except for the reason that she loved me. I may be high and mighty to some, but I'm no royalty or nobility like your mom. In her world, I was just an ordinary guy."

Her lips thinned. "So, Mom married a commoner."

"Pretty much."

"A commoner who has these people bowing down on him?" She raised a brow at her father.

Mufasa chuckled. "It's a long story. I'll tell you some other time."

SM didn't ask any more questions. She knew that her father was avoiding discussing his true identity. It seemed that he wasn't ready to tell her the truth.

This was the reason she hated asking questions—because people would often lie or evade, especially when they were still not ready to open it up. This annoyed her.

There was no point in asking someone something if they were not yet ready to answer. Because if they were, she didn't have to ask. They would willingly open up to the people who deserved to know their truth.

SM was taken aback when Jacques walked ahead of her so he could open the door of the limousine for her.

"Milady," Jacques said, slightly bowing. She just shook her head, unable to take it all in, before riding the limousine at, followed by Jacques. "Your father and his men are riding in the other limousines."

But SM's attention was not with her butler but with the man inside the car with them. He was wearing a simple and slightly loose black T-shirt, faded blue jeans, and a pair of slippers. Her eyes were glued on the man's forearm tattoo—a long knife. On the blade was a quote—no, just some weird saying—that read, "If you wanna fuck with me, I want it rough, so do it hard."

It seemed that the guy noticed that she was staring at him, as he looked at her for a few seconds before slightly bowing.

"I'm Zaccheus Cáceres," he introduced himself before lifting his gaze to her. "I'm your personal lawyer."

Indeed, never judge a book by its cover. Zaccheus looked like a bum at first glance but was actually a lawyer.

"I'm Sweet Monday Canja Lopez," she replied.

"I know," Zaccheus said, nodding. "I'm here because your father sent me as your legal advisor from now on. Every legal transaction you have and you'll have will be handled by me, milady."

She frowned. "I-I don't have legal transactions aside from my café, and I'm sure that I don't need a lawyer for that—"

The lawyer opened the attaché case beside him and took out some documents. "Written here is your mother's last will," he said, grabbing her full attention. "I, Megaera Canja Lopez, give everything I own to my daughter, Sweet Monday Canja Lopez. This includes all my assets, stocks, bank accounts, mi Casa de Canja in Seville, Dulce Lunes—a chain of malls and supermarkets all over Spain—and La Canja, a property development company."

After reading, Zaccheus looked up at her. "Since your mother died and His Highness resurfaced, I'd been taking care of all your legal documents. And because you are now the owner of everything that your mother owned, that makes you one of the richest people in Spain right now."

In shock, she turned to look at Jacques.

"I like Dulce Lunes Prestige," Jacques remarked, nodding. "That mall has everything I want. Every luxury brand I can think of."

Zaccheus jumped in, "Dulce Lunes Prestige is a mall made for rich people only. You need a membership to enter and shop."

"A membership? Just to enter?"

Jacques nodded. "It's an exclusive mall for royalties and nobilities."

SM was stunned. She only snapped out of her disbelief when the limousine stopped. She immediately looked outside, thinking that they had arrived at her father's house, but she saw a different building instead.

They were now in front of Dulce Lunes Prestige.

Puzzled, SM followed Zaccheus when he gestured for her to get out of the car. Jacques was beside her, alert and protective. When Zaccheus noticed Jacques's demeanor, he said, "No worries, Marquess. This has been planned ahead. We're clear. I will not endanger my client."

Jacques was able to breathe easier, so he calmed down.

They're clear? she thought. She had been a police officer, so she knew what that meant. She casually scanned the surroundings. Even if her father wouldn't tell her, she knew he was still a powerful man. With that power came great enemies, just like Knight.

She whispered to Jacques, "Are we surrounded with snipers or guards?"

Jacques nodded. "Yes. If this was planned in advance, then we are clear for a hundred-meter radius."

"How did you know that?"

"Connections, milady," he said, smiling. The butler gestured with his hand ahead. "Ladies first."

As they walked toward the entrance, she looked around the mall and could not help but observe, "It seems empty. Where are the people?"

"None," replied Zaccheus, "The mall is closed." He turned to her when she fell silent. "It's closed for you, so you can shop undisturbed."

SM nearly dropped her jaw. "You closed a freaking mall so I can freaking shop?!"

"Yes," Zaccheus calmly replied, as if that were no big deal.

"But it's not possible..."

"Do I need to remind you that you own this mall?"

She stopped and stared at the entrance. I own this mall... Then she turned to Jacques. "Why do I feel like you're very happy about this?"

"Of course." Jacques grinned. "I enjoy shopping after all."

SM quietly followed Zaccheus into the mall. There were no other customers, but a few salesladies were there.

Zaccheus faced her and said, "You can have anything and put it in the cart."

She nodded without saying a word. Jacques, on the other hand, grabbed a cart for her. A saleslady was supposed to assist her, but Jacques insisted that it should be him because he was her butler.

"Let's shop," Jacques said with a wide smile. SM just nodded.

But instead of picking some clothes for herself, her feet led her to the men's section. She brushed her fingers over a statement shirt, which she knew Knight would surely like.

Maybe I should buy this for my Knight. They would see each other anyway. He would definitely be happy if she bought him something.

With that in mind, SM started shopping clothes for Knight and even picked some for Midnight. She completely forgot to choose and buy something for herself, as her mind focused on Knight.

She had a feeling he was being punished right now, and she could imagine his suffering and the wounds he had to endure. She couldn't enjoy today with what she learned.

So what if she was rich? That still didn't change the fact that she couldn't do anything to save Knight. Her money was no use if she couldn't use it to be with the person she loved.

"Why is she only picking male clothes?" Zaccheus asked Jacques.

"Just let her," Jacques replied. "At least she looks happy, unlike earlier. It's for her boyfriend, Count Knight Velasquez."

"That dangerous count?" Zaccheus sounded shocked. "Really?"

"Yep," Jacques answered. "Who would have thought that that motherfucker knows how to love?"

"Wow... So even a monster falls in love..."

Overhearing their conversation, SM clenched her fists. She turned to Zaccheus and shot him a fierce glare, causing the lawyer to freeze in place. "The next time you call my baby a monster, I'll beat you up, and I won't hold back." Then she turned back and continued to find clothes for Knight.

"Don't let her hear you say bad things about the count," Jacques told Zaccheus. "He's like the switch that can make milady explode in anger. Milady is very protective of the count."

SM tuned the two out as she continued picking clothes for Knight. Every now and then she would pause, worried about him. But there wasn't much she could do.

She took a deep breath and turned to her two companions. "Can we do this some other time? I don't feel like shopping."

Zaccheus nodded and glanced at the men's clothes in the cart. "And these?"

She smiled. "Please pack them for me. It's for Knight."

While Zaccheus instructed the salesladies to pack the clothes, Jacques approached her and looked at her sweetly. "You'll see each other again," he said. "I know you miss him, but you have to be strong, milady. If you really want to save the count, you have to be stronger than what you already are."

SM smiled at him and nodded. "I know... Thank you, Jacq."

Jacques smiled back. "How about we go back tomorrow to shop? I'm sure the count wouldn't like you naked since you don't have anything to wear."

SM chuckled. "Knight will go ballistic for sure. You know how he is. So possessive."

"Yeah..." Jacques drawled. "It's really annoying sometimes, but Cloud told me that he acted that way because he didn't want to lose you. That motherfucking count sees everyone as a threat—a threat that can take you away from him. That's why he's like that."

"I know." SM smiled. "Why do you think I'm tolerating his behavior? It's suffocating sometimes, but whenever I think about the struggles that he had been through, that feeling goes away. I want him happy. I want him to forget the pain he felt for the past years, and if being possessive of me can help make him happy, then I can deal with it."

Jacques shook his head with a smile. "Lucky motherfucker."

She just smiled as the three of them left the mall, followed by two more salesmen carrying the clothes she picked for Knight.

SM was silent the whole ride, thinking of her boyfriend. When the car stopped, Jacques opened the door for her. Stepping out, she was welcomed by a house—no, more like a huge black fortress. It looked scary and intimidating from the outside because of its dark color.

"Wh-whose house is this?" she asked.

"This is the king's home, your father," Zaccheus replied.

"This doesn't look like a home."

"It's not," Jacques added. "It's more like a headquarters. But for your father, this is home. So... Welcome home, milady."

Just as she was about to go inside, the double black doors opened, and her father stepped out. He looked at her and smiled. "Mi princesa... Welcome home."

Home. She already had a home—Knight's home.

But in the meantime—she looked at the black fortress in front of her—this is gonna be my home until Knight comes to take me back.