The next morning the capital city is overfilled with citizen Vikans hurrying to and fro. The roads are crowded up in traffic and the subway stations are endlessly crammed by rushing commuters. The stores opened up and the civic establishments likewise operated. The food stalls lined up in the market and even the poorest vendors determinedly competed with their contenders. The newspapers were rashly published in publishing abodes and the latest news spread immediately to town.
"Hot news! Hot news! For only fifty bronze sequel! Hot news! The next Grand Archduke will be officially announced today! Hot news!" the newspaperkid endorsed a loud.
"Give me a newspaper, kid." The man in red fast food attire ordered.
"Here Sir!" the kid handed out the piece of newspaper.
The man received the newspaper and gave his one silver sequel, "keep the change," he uttered as he left while reading the news.
"Why Good Sir, thank you!" the kid replied back and carry on, "Hot news! Hot news! The next Grand Archduke will be officially announced today!"
The man waved his hand and continued walking through the crowd. He chased through an overloaded bus and hold unto the door exit. The ticket man punched his ticket and he pays three silver sequels for the ride. When he arrive his destination, he suddenly called to stop over and jumped to the sidewalk. The bus went forward and the man proceeds to the cafeteria.
"Hey Quiante, good thing your back." The man greeted as he entered the back door.
"Good morning, Manager." She replies back as she hurries back and forth in the kitchen.
"So, where you at yesterday?" her manager inquired.
"On a sick leave," She made up.
"I see so you feeling better now?" he further asked.
"More alive than ever Sir, um, may I?" She excused as she passed by him to serve the apparent order. "Next!" she called out to the counter.
"Working hard as ever, eh?"
"Of course, after all I signed up for this right?" she casually talks back to the manager.
"Yeah, you're right. Then I guess I'm out of here then. Bye?" he gawkily bid farewell to enter his post.
"Bye!" she instantly replied back without even considering the mood. "Next!" she called over the counter again.
--Phone rings—
The manager takes the phone and answered, "Good morning! This is the Macky Cafeteria at your service and how may we help you?"
"I need to speak to Quiante, please."
"I'm sorry, may I know who this is please."
"I'm her fiancé and I need to talk to her immediately."
"Ok, one moment please," he hangs the line and immediately called for Quiante, "Quiante, someone's looking for you!"
"Tell them I'm busy!"
"It's urgent, Quiante! You better talk to him, yourself!"
Quiante rushed to the telephone line and take over the call, "Hello?" she begins.
"Hey darling, you have a good time today?"
WILLIAM?! (Quiante recognized)
"Now, what is it again this time William?" she suddenly becomes serious.
"Nothing, just reminding you not to get late coming over to the marriage registration office later, you haven't forgotten about that, right?"
"Seriously, just what do you exactly suppose me to do huh? That I should just show up there and embarrassed my parents in front you!?"
"Not necessarily embarrassed them, I'm just asking you to stop the annulment and declare that you're bringing back the contract effective. See, it wasn't that hard right?"
"I'm sorry but that's too complicated for me, William."
"Oh, is that so. I thought I already made you clear yesterday, no?"
"You aren't going to do it, William." Quiante interrupted.
"Oh but I will, because the moment you fail me on this peaceful talk that I'm offering you Quiante, you already know what will happen to your family the moment I reveal you crime, right?" William threatened her.
"So you would rather destroy me than losing?"
"I will, and I would rather tear you down if I just can't have you."
"Are you that desperate, William? There are other girls out there waiting for you,"
"You're not telling me what I do, I tell you what to do, Quiante! You listen to me because the moment this ticking bomb blast off before you can even change your mind, I'll literally going to erase you from this goddamn world together with your family."
"Don't include my family on this, sh*t head."
"No, you shut up! Because first thing tomorrow they'll be the first ones to take the death trial before you do. And I swear I'll make you suffer first and feel the excruciating pain just by seeing them chopped off in the public. Now you'd like that?"
"Coward," Quiante further talked back.
"Ok, then you leave me no choice but to make the ruthless monster I am, Quiante. This is your fault." And on the phone he began to dial the capital justice department so furious to reveal her crimes now.
By and by the phone is answered, "Sir Ashburn, hello! It's been a long time since you called, monsieur."
"Aye, Judge Gomura you always are responsive to my call, aren't ya?"
"How am I to forget, I owe you a lot, Sir. Just tell me what you want and right away I'll give it you."
"Now, that's what I like about you Gomura. I have something very important to report, and it's a lethal crime. I'm sure you're name will be renounced the moment you won this trial." William began.
"Well that's exhilarating, now speak it up monsieur." Gomura was interested.
Quiante overheard this over the phone and before even William continues, in an instant, "Wait!" she suddenly called out.
William ignored her and continued, "You see, there was this woman named…"
"William, stop! I promise I'll do it!" Quiante loudly demanded.
"(Grins evilly) My, I forgot Gomura maybe next time. Bye!"
"What?"
--Call ends—
"Now, where were we, darling?" William turns back to her.
"I said I'll do it." She reiterated.
"Excellent! Finally you have made up your mind. I'll send my men there in about five minutes to take you, and be sure to get ready so that you are good to go the moment they arrived, ok?"
"Affirmative,"
"Roger that." William finished and the phone call ended.
Quiante almost cried by the heartlessness of William. She wiped her tears and immediately changed her clothes and took her belongings to wait for his men outside. Not long and the men are already at the back route ready to welcome her. They opened the door and Quiante peacefully join them. The car raced back to the highway and travel back to Ashburn residence to get William. Meanwhile, in the marriage registration office there were their parents face to face settling the annulment papers in the private chamber. The pen was handed out to Mr. and Mrs. Broeker likewise for Mr. and Mrs. Ashburn. Mrs. Broeker finally finished and the moment Mr. Broeker was about to sign suddenly an abrupt call disrupted the proceedings. He take his excuse and leave the room for a minute.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Is this Mr. Broeker speaking right?"
"Yeah, yeah, is there a problem?"
"Absolutely not a single problem sir, but the good news is we just received a vast amount of sequel in your bank account. And your debts are fully paid in an instant including your home expenses and the renewal of your company name." the bank employee informed him.
"Wow, that's a miracle. Can I know the name of this caring person please?"
"I'm sorry, but it was kept as unanimous Sir."
"Oh, thank you. Please send my regards if he or she was still there."
"Your regards are sent and have a good day, ciao!"
--Phone call ended—
Mr. Broeker went back to the private chamber to settle his signature over the annulment papers while still confused of what have just transpired. This halted him up a bit and finally decides to clear his mind for now to finish the matter of concern. However, the moment he was about to begin his business again, out of a sudden, the doors wide opened and a couple of men and black together with Quiante and William unexpectedly entered the room.
"Quiante!" her parents together were surprised.
Mrs. Broeker immediately went beside her and whispered, "Quainte, why are you here?"
"I… I" Quiante hesitantly murmured.
"Your daughter and I, have an important announcement today Mrs. Broeker." William announced. "Now, take the floor honey."
"Honey?!" Mr. Broeker gasped. "What's going on here, Quiante!?" her father angrily demanded.
"Let them be, Osano." Mr. Ashburn addressed Mr. Broeker as he defended his son's plans.
"Mom, dad, Mr. Ashburn and Mrs. Ashburn, I… I… I… I will pursue this engagement from this day hence forth until our marriage." Quiante finished when suddenly,
"I strongly object!" A loud objection abruptly came from the back.
Everyone looked towards the door and there they saw the man in fully dressed up royal tuxedo filled with honoring badges and a cape hanging over his shoulder like he have been from a grand recognition. His dusk purple hair tossed up, barbaric eye patch attached on his right eye, and face grinning towards Quiante with his trusted men and guards behind his back.
"Zeku?!" Quiante exclaimed.
"Hi Polar bear, didn't expect me barging on your grand announcement huh?" Zeku whispered at her.
"What are you doing in here?" she embarrassedly whispered back at Zeku.
"(Smiles) I'm awfully sorry but your engagement and wedding will not proceed."
"What?!" everyone gasped.
"And who do you think you are, Sir?" William interrupted.
"Ah you must be that trash, isn't he Quiante?" He turned to Quiante and continued, "Because today, I'll properly litter your engagement Sir Ashburn. Sorry for my late introductions, but I am Grand Archduke Zekuno Salamander Mag'ladroth, royal ambassador of the King, Son of the greatest Archduke Thamios Mag'ladroth, His majesty's royal advisor. And I'm taking my fiancée back."
Quiante and her parents froze as they heard once again their long lost enemy appeared in front of them after five years after. William was backed off a bit and countered attacked.
"I'm sorry, Grand Archduke Zekuno Mag'ladroth but Quiante and I had already talked about this and unfortunately for you, she only has the power and will to accept your proposal." William talked back.
"Oh really, ok let's hear her out." Zeku opens the challenge.
"Quiante, remember I promised you about that bracelet, right?" William threatened Quiante.
"I see, so were on the same catch Sir Ashburn. But you failed on that point because the moment you revealed her crimes, you'll never have the bliss of those little miracles you're hoping for anymore." He went close to William as he whispered his stern warning.
"So, you changed your name. I'm sorry, Grand Archduke Zekuno Mag'ladroth but I will still pursue my bond with Sir Ashburn and you have no longer the authority to reclaim it because our engagement has been null and void since five years ago." Quiante suddenly announced.
"Yes, null and void unless I have this, Miss Quiante Broeker or more like Miss Quiantessette Broeker Kings." Zeku handed over the evidence to the minister as he revealed Quiante's full name.
The video was played and therein a drunk woman and a man embracing each other on the mattress. And it is clearly Quiante and Zeku mounting on each other on the bed. To their surprise, the video was suddenly turned off to stop the scandal. Quiante's parents were so disappointed and she herself does not even know what to do. William drops a sweat and was shocked to see this fateful happening that was supposed to be his greatest evidence to close the deal. His parents were silent as well and the minister immediately asked his novices to take out the deed.
"So, would not this unruly sight revive the deed?" Zeku continued.
"Miss Quiantessette Kings and Grand Achduke Zekuno Mag'ladroth. Your engagement is now back and effective."
--Hammer slam—
FINALLY WERE BACK TO ONE, QUIANTE. (Zeku thought)