SM'S HEART pounded loudly, she could even hear her heartbeat. It was as if it were about to explode when she heard Knight say Mi reina. She couldn't stop the tears that fell down her cheeks.

SM covered her mouth as she sobbed silently. My Knight is okay. Thank God!

"I... I m-miss you..." were the words that came out of her mouth, along with the sobs she had been holding back.

"Me too, mi reina, me too." He sounded happy, relieved. There was longing in his voice. "Don't cry, okay? I'll hurry back to you, I promise."

SM could tell that Knight missed her by the tone in his voice. And she could also tell that he was enduring a lot of pain.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worried. Her voice was shaking as she remembered the video. "How's your back?"

Seconds passed before Knight answered, "I want a hug."

More tears streamed down her cheeks. She knew it was impossible to give him what he wanted. "I want to hug you too..."

"I know..." he said. "I want your kiss too, mi reina."

She firmly closed her eyes. "Then come and get me. I can't leave this house. Dad won't let me step outside. Like I promised, I'm waiting, and I will wait until you come and get me."

SM could sense Knight smiling from the other end of the line by the tone of his voice. "I know you'll keep your promise. I'm your baby after all."

Even when her heart was aching, she still managed to smile at his words. "I love you."

"I love you too, mi reina..." he said with so much tenderness in his voice. "And I miss you, and I wanna see you—fuck! I'm going insane already. Where are you? Shun can't track the ring I gave you."

"I'm in Spain." When they were on their way to his father's home, she kept asking Jacques the landmarks they passed by, not to go sightseeing but to inform Knight about her whereabouts when this time would come. "I don't know where exactly—"

"Baby, I have to go," Knight cut her off.

Her heart dropped. "No—"

"I only have a minute to talk to you."

She shook her head, as if pleading could extend the time they had. "No, Knight—"

"I miss you so much. I wanna see you badly, and I love you so, so much, mi reina! I'll see you soon! Te amo... te amo—"

Then the line died.

SM tightened her grip on her phone as her jaw clenched. She knew that Knight was already looking for ways to see her, so she couldn't just sit around in her room.

Now that she had finally talked with him, she needed to move. If he couldn't track the ring he gave her while she was inside the house, maybe she had to go out.

Holding her phone, she went out of her room but was surprised to see Jacques by the door, leaning against the wall and carrying a backpack.

"You texted me that weird message, so I came," Jacq said. "Then I heard you talking to the count, so I stayed here and guarded the door for you."

It made her heart melt. "Thank you."

Jacques smiled before asking, "What are you going to do now?"

The smile on her lips faded. "I let Dad do what he wanted for a month. Now I will do what I want, and no one can stop me."

Jacques bowed to her. "I'm always at your service, milady."

"Thank you, Jacques."

SM started walking with Jacques following behind her. When they reached a living room—one of the many in the mansion—she saw her uncle Rafael talking to someone on the phone.

Rafael excused himself when he spotted her. He slightly bowed to her, ended the call, and said, "Milady, it's nice to see you roaming around the mansion."

She smiled. "Were you talking with Dad?"

"Yes, milady."

"I want to speak with him."

"He's busy at the moment," Rafael replied.

"I wasn't asking, Uncle Rafael. It's an order," she demanded, wiping all emotions from her face. When she spoke again, her voice and demeanor became colder than ice. "I didn't rebel, I didn't ask questions, I didn't force him to tell me anything, and I gave him one month to gather his thoughts before telling me what I needed to know. But he's still avoiding me. And if he doesn't want to talk to me, please pass my message to him."

Rafael tensed up, bracing himself to hear her message.

"Tell Dad that—"

Kee suddenly appeared behind Rafael and gestured to her, mouthing, Calm down.

"—I love him," she continued, even though that wasn't what she was supposed to say. "And that I miss him and I want to talk to him, please. I am angry because he's not communicating with me. I know he loves me, but I wish he would just talk to me."

Kee mouthed, Oscar awards, when their eyes met again.

Rafael, sad for her, bowed. "I shall pass your message to His Highness."

Kee joined in the conversation. "Where's that high and mighty by the way? He just left. I don't want to track him down. It's a waste of time."

Rafael turned to Kee. "In Portugal, with Ambrose, doing some business that you declined to do."

"Because it was no fun. Serious talk is not my thing." Kee acted as if he were sulking before wrapping one arm around Rafael's neck. "When is the high and mighty going home? It's boring without him."

"Tonight, at eight p.m."

Uncle Kee pouted. "That's four more hours! You're no fun to argue with, and Queen always uses the law against me. Ambrose is fun to tease, but motherfucker number-two went with motherfucker number-one to Portugal." Kee tsked. "Just my fucking luck."

Rafael just sighed. He was used to Kee being like this. "Just go back to your house—"

"I'm bored!" Kee was throwing a tantrum like a child. "Play with me, Rafael."

"I'm busy. I'm not gonna play with you."

"Fine." Kee then looked at SM and grinned excitedly. "Mi bella sobrina, play with me instead. Let's go out and shop. It's gonna be fun!"

"You can't take her outside," Rafael cut him in. "His Highness's order."

Kee frowned. "Tell Your Highness he can kiss my ass. Fuck it, Rafael, don't you pity Sweet Monday? She already lost her beloved, now you wanna cage her? And you consider yourself her uncle? Tsk!"

"No, that's not it—"

"Then don't stop us. We'll just visit the market, and I'll tour SM around the Triana neighborhood."

Rafael sighed in defeat. "Fine, but before you leave, inform His Highness first. I don't want to be the center of his wrath later when it's really your doing."

Kee snorted but agreed anyway. "I'll send him a message."

SM observed her uncle Kee. She knew he just wanted to make her feel less lonely by entertaining her and inviting her to go out. She had been cooped up in her room for the whole month, after all. Besides, this was her chance to go out.

"I would really like some fresh air, Uncle Rafael, if that's okay."

Rafael's face softened. "Of course, milady. Enjoy touring the Triana neighborhood." Then he went back to work.

Meanwhile, Kee walked toward her. He was busy typing a message to her father, which he made her read: Hola, motherfucker. Buy me some pastéis de natas.

"How's that?" Kee asked with a wide grin on his face.

She shook her head. "Uncle Rafael told you to ask permission from him."

Kee just snorted and redirected his attention to his phone screen. "Maybe I should add an emoji to show my feelings right now." He then turned to Jacques. "Young man, how do you say 'I'm hungry' in emoji language?"

Jacques thought hard about it before answering, "I think that's the emoji with a drool."

"Oh." Kee grinned before typing and then showed it again. "How's this?"

The message read, Hola, motherfucker. Buy me some pastéis de natas. 🤤 For your slow brain, this emoji means I'm hungry. I'm explaining this to you because you're dumb.

She frowned. "I think Dad won't buy you one if he reads that."

Kee started typing on his phone again and showed another message: I'm hungry, love. 💖

SM couldn't help but laugh. "That's—I don't even know what to say, Uncle."

"Too weird?" Kee scratched his nape.

She shook her head. "It's okay. But add a kissing emoji before sending it."

Kee laughed. "You are really my niece." He then wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the mansion. Later on, he whispered, "So how's Team Swight?"

SM smiled. "We talked. Thanks to you, Uncle Kee."

"Don't mention it." He tapped her head affectionately. "Just be happy, okay, Princesa? You can do anything you want. I'll back you up as long as it makes you happy."

She looked up at her uncle. "You're spoiling me, Uncle."

"Well, I didn't get to spoil you growing up, so think of this as me making up for the lost times."

SM smiled tenderly. "Muchísimas gracias, Tío."

Uncle Kee laughed. "Ah, you're learning Spanish."

"I'm trying. By the way, Uncle Kee, don't I have no cousins on your side? When will I meet your wife?"

Kee only replied with a smile before they stopped at the gate when four guards blocked their way. "I already spoke to the king. My car is outside, waiting."

But the guards didn't move. "Lo siento, milord. No podemos dejarte pasar."

"They won't let us pass," translated Kee.

Her face darkened. She was getting sick of being caged inside the mansion. Her patience was wearing thin.

SM glanced at Jacques. "Can you handle them?"

Jacques smiled and said, "For milady, hell fucking yeah," before attacking. Kee and SM watched him as Jacques fought against the guards to help them get out.

"Hmm... Looks like the marquess has more than just looks after all," Kee commented, pleased that her butler knew how to fight. "How did he become your butler?"

"He was persistent, and then he grew on me. And I found it amusing that he was the only one who could curse Knight besides his friends."

"Well, he's a marquess. By rank, he's higher than the count."

"I know, but when Knight gets mad, he falls silent."

"Mi sobrina, you may not see it like other people do, but your boyfriend is really a dangerous guy. Even the marquess knows that."

I know that. "But he's a softy to me, and he loves me."

"That's the reason why I'm Team Swight. He reminds me of someone I know. He, too, fought for her like a madman. He was supposed to marry another woman, arranged by the Orgánosi, but he fought for my sister, and I never, even once, saw him waver."

It's Dad...

"That's why I'm Team Swight all the way." Kee smiled at her. "In that footage we saw, your man didn't waver. He held his ground and didn't fold, and that kind of man is hard to come by, so keep him, love him with all you got, mi sobrina."

With teary eyes, she nodded. "Yes, Uncle Kee."

When Jacques was done, SM gave him a sweet smile.

"It's done, milady," her butler said with a proud smile then opened the gate for her and her uncle Kee. "Milady's first."

As soon as they passed through the gate, a car was already waiting outside for them. Kee turned to Jacques. "Can you drive Fast and Furious style?"

The corner of Jacques's lips tugged up. "Lord Kee, I was in drag racing before the Lopez family sent out the letter of order to be milady's butler."

"Good." Kee gave him a key. "Show me what you got, kid."

Jacques nodded and opened the door for her first. SM laughed. "You're learning. You don't go ahead of me anymore when we walk," she joked.

Jacques chuckled. "I was relearning the past few weeks."

SM smiled at Jacques before hopping in the car, while Kee sat on the passenger seat.

While Jacques was driving, Kee gave her the backpack that Jacques had been holding since earlier. It was a Louis Vuitton backpack. Very Jacques.

"Hold it for a while, mi sobrina," Uncle Kee said. "It's making Jacques uncomfortable in the driver's seat.

"I won't even ask what's inside. A lot of signature clothes, I guess. Why did you even bring a backpack, Jacq? Did Dad allow you to stay in the house?"

Glancing at her uncle, Jacques replied, "Nah, someone just told me to pack up some necessary things."

Later on, Kee handed her a pouch. "Can you put it in the pocket? I'll get it later."

She took the pouch and put it in the pocket of the backpack before quietly looking outside the window of the car while traveling. Unconsciously, her other hand started playing with her ring— the promise ring Knight gave her.

Now that they were out of the mansion, would Knight be able to find their exact location? She hoped so.

That was why she wanted to go out and try after discussing it with her father, but since Kee invited her out anyway, she wasn't going to pass up the opportunity.

Her thoughts were disrupted upon hearing her uncle Kee speak.

"Let's walk from here," Kee suggested, telling Jacques to stop the car. "Walking is the best way to enjoy Triana."

Jacques quickly got out of the driver's seat and opened the door for SM. He took her backpack and carried it for her.

Somehow, SM found a way to escape her worries by strolling in the Triana neighborhood led by her uncle Kee, who didn't get tired of being their tourist guide.

They visited the Market of Triana. Almost everything was there—dining areas, flowers, beer, and others. Kee also brought them to Castillo de San Jorge, Centro de Cerámica, and Iglesia de Santa Ana.

After visiting those beautiful places, they took a stroll along Calle Betis and had a meal in a restaurant by the river. They walked tirelessly until the sun started to disappear from the sky.

One thing SM could say about Triana was it was a beautiful place. She wanted to try kayaking, but she decided not to since it was already getting dark. Besides, they had been strolling around the area for many hours already. She was starting to feel tired.

"This is a must-eat here in Triana," Kee said as he served them food. "This is Pescaito, one of the delicacies here. Try it. It's delicious."

"Especially with fresh caña," Jacques added before drinking beer.

She happily tasted it before smiling at her uncle. "Thank you for bringing me here, Uncle Kee. The truth is, I've been waiting for Dad to invite me, but it looks like it's impossible."

Kee smiled at her. "Even when it seems like your father lacks affection toward you, keep in mind that he loves you very much, mi sobrina. He's just, you know, pressured to be a good dad to you."

"Pressured..." she whispered. "He didn't need to. I love him just the way he is—with all his secrets and lies. I still love him because he's my dad. No one in this world can replace him. I know he's going through a lot too, but how will I understand him if he won't tell me? I feel that he doesn't trust me that I can handle the truth."

"Mi sobrina..."

SM looked down. "I still don't understand what's happening until now. I'm pretending to be okay, but I'm having a hard time, Uncle. I'm having a hard time understanding him because he won't tell me anything."

Kee brushed her hair and smiled at her gently. "Give him more time. He's having a hard time, mi sobrina. He's a good dad, always remember that, okay?"

She nodded. "I know, and I'll never forget that."

Kee smiled at her before drinking beer. While laughing and shaking his head, he showed SM and Jacques his phone, which displayed a map with a red dot.

"See that dot? That's Mufasa, I've been tracking him since we left the mansion, and he's on the plane home." Uncle Kee looked excited. "He better not mess this up. Mufasa is closing in."

Her forehead creased. He who? Dad?

Jacques replied, "I believe in that motherfucker."

Nope. That's not Dad.

Uncle Kee chuckled. "Me too. He got my blessings."

SM was confused. The way the two talked was as if they were talking about someone else. Was it Knight? Jacques would always call Knight a motherfucker. Even her uncle Kee said that he got his blessings.

Does that mean...

As if the answer to her questions, her phone on the table rang.

When she checked who was calling, it was the same number that Knight used when he called her. She quickly answered, "Hello, Knight?"

There was only silence from the other line. All she could hear were his huffs, as if Knight were running.

Maybe he can't talk.

"I'm outside. Can you try and track my ring now? I want to see you."

Her uncle and Jacques were looking at her as she spoke. Sadness was evident on her face.

"I miss you so, so much. Where are you? Are you okay? How's your back? I'm worried about you, Knight. Is your father still with you? Is that why you can't talk?" She bit her lip. "I miss you so much. I wanna hug you so tight right now."

"Then hug me." At last, Knight spoke.

"I can't," she replied with a hint of sadness.

"Why not?"

The gasps she heard from the other end of the line suddenly stopped at the same time she felt a presence behind her.

"I'm just behind you, mi reina."

Her eyes widened in shock. She even almost dropped the phone. But before she could even move to make sure he wasn't joking with her, someone wrapped their arms around her neck from behind and buried their face into her neck.

Then Knight's deep baritone voice filled her ear. Not through the phone but personally.

"I miss you, mi reina," he whispered.

And that was the only time it all sank in.

Knight was behind her.

SM froze. She could hear the loud beating of her heart, the quickening of her pulse, and the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She could smell Knight's familiar scent.

SM didn't know, but her tears just fell on her cheeks. "I've been waiting."

"I know," he whispered over her neck. "Sorry it took me one month. I swear, I won't let you slip away again. You're mine to keep. From now on, wherever you are, I will be there. I won't let us be apart again, or else I'll go crazy."

Her cold, trembling hands gently held Knight's arms, which were wrapped around her. She was quietly crying as she pressed her lips against his arm.

"I miss you..."

"Te amo, mi reina" was Knight's reply before holding her chin and turning her head to the side to face him. Then his lips claimed hers.

As their lips locked, she heard her uncle Kee saying, "Team Swight!"

At that moment, she somehow realized that Uncle Kee had planned this.

He was, after all, Team Swight.