After a checkup and counseling, the doctor prescribed medications for Kaye and advised her to rest, avoiding stress. Walking out of the hospital, Kurtis held her hand and asked, "Hungry? Shall we stop at a nearby restaurant?"
"No, it's alright. I want to go home and rest," she replied, realizing she also needed to call her parents and friends.
"By the way, when I went missing, did you inform my parents?" she asked.
"Your parents called numerous times, but we couldn't answer. We messaged them using your phone, explaining you were busy and couldn't take calls. Mikhail did his best to prevent news about you from spreading," Kurtis explained.
"How about my work?" she inquired.
"I met your friends, Tin and Rubie, and told them what happened. I asked them to make an excuse for you at work, and your PD kindly approved you to work from home. While you were missing, Troy continued drawing the webcomic; your art styles were nearly identical, though some readers noticed subtle differences, they didn't pay much attention to them," Kurtis detailed.
"Troy did that?" she was surprised.
These people were so clever that even when she went missing, no one would have known because they kept it well.
"We're glad you're back. If you had remained missing for an extended period, we might have had to inform your parents and workplace. We can't hide it forever," Kurtis added.
"I'm sorry I caused so much trouble. It seems like problems follow me wherever I go," she apologized.
Even back in Serolf Empire, she always found herself in trouble.
Kurtis tousled her hair. "Don't say that. It's not your fault that there are bad people in both worlds."
Finally reaching the car park, Kurtis opened the door for her, and as they all got in, they drove away.
.....
At home...
"I have to return to work now. If you want something to eat, just give me a call, and I'll get it for you. Have a good rest, love," Kurtis said, kissing her hand.
Kaye smiled and nodded, watching the car depart before she went inside the gate. Everyone was at work now, although they wanted to take time off, she refused, assuring them she'd be fine alone in the house.
She paused when she noticed Benjamin sitting outside the door. He stood up when he saw her.
"How are you?" he asked.
They went to the garden to talk.
"I'm sorry I didn't guard you that day. If only I had watched and accompanied you when you went out, you wouldn't have been kidnapped by Timothy," Benjamin admitted. "I failed again. I'm starting to doubt if I really deserve to be your knight."
"Benj, we're no longer in Serolf Empire. You're not a knight anymore; you don't have to protect me 24/7. You have a new life here; you need to enjoy it," she reassured him.
"But how can I enjoy it knowing that you're always in trouble? Kaye, your safety is my top priority," he insisted.
"Benj... Why are you giving your whole life to me? I don't deserve it," she expressed.
Benjamin sighed. "Because I love you," he said, looking at the sky.
Kaye lowered her head.
"What happened between us inside the car, I don't regret it. To me, it's the most beautiful thing that has happened in my life," Benjamin confessed, holding both of her hands. "Kaye, I love you. From the past until today, my feelings for you have never faded. I don't care if you keep rejecting me multiple times. I will love you for the rest of my life."
Kaye stared into his eyes, tears falling. Her heart raced, and she couldn't understand why. Was she falling in love with him? No, she can't... If she fell for him, others would get mad.
"Benj... You know I've already married seven husbands," she admitted. She couldn't include Timothy.
"I know." Benjamin placed her hand on his chest. "But we can't stop my heart from beating for you."
Kaye didn't know what to say.
"Please let me love you, Kaye, even in this modern world," he pleaded, then kissed her on her lips.
Kaye closed her eyes and responded to the kiss. Suddenly, someone forcefully grabbed Benjamin and punched him hard, making him fall to the ground. Kaye was startled, covering her mouth in shock. The one who punched Benjamin was Mikhail, boiling with anger.
"Fuck you!" he shouted, grabbing Benjamin's collar and delivering another punch. "I trusted you as her bodyguard, believing you wouldn't do anything to her. But this is what I will witness?" he continued, delivering more punches.
Kaye was terrified, witnessing a side of Mikhail she had never seen before – covered in a dark aura with a murderous intent in his eyes.
"I love her too!" Benjamin shouted.
"Shut the fuck up!" Mikhail kicked him.
Finally finding courage, Kaye intervened, holding Mikhail in his arm. "P-Please stop!" she pleaded.
"You are nothing in this world without me! I accepted you into the family because I pitied you and thought about Kaye, as you are her knight. Is this how you repay me?" Mikhail shouted at Benjamin.
Wiping blood from his mouth, Benjamin retorted, "It's not only you who loves Kaye. I also have the right to love her! Before she met you, she met me first. I was the one who was always by her side during her darkest times! When you hurt her and ignored her, I was the one who was there for her!"
Mikhail gritted his teeth. "So... You're rebelling now? You really think you have rights to her? You're just a knight!"
"Yes, I am only a knight, but when she's hurt, where do you think she goes? She always comes to me and cries in my arms!" Benjamin asserted.
Mikhail responded with another punch.
"P-Please stop it!" Kaye begged.
Tristan and Shin suddenly arrived, witnessing the turmoil in the garden.
"What's going on here?" Tristan asked, seeing Kaye in tears. "What happened?"
But Kaye couldn't answer.
"Tsk. Starting today, you are no longer part of Fuentebella. Never show your face to me again!" Mikhail declared, grabbing Kaye's hand as they retreated into the house.
Tristan and Shin, confused, approached Benjamin and helped him stand.
"Bro, what happened?" Shin asked.
"I'm sorry," Benjamin said and left the house.
Tristan and Shin exchanged bewildered glances.
When they headed inside, they saw Mikhail and Kaye arguing as well.
"Why, Kaye? Why do you have to do this? We've been married for years; we even have children. So why?" Mikhail asked.
Mikhail couldn't accept that Kaye was forced to marry Timothy and had already planned for Timothy and Kaye's divorce. Now, with Benjamin also involved, it added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Kaye sobbed, unable to look him in the eyes. "I-I'm sorry... I.. I didn't mean to. I tried to ignore it and stop myself... But.." she kneeled. "I'm truly sorry!"
"Sweetie, what are you doing?" Tristan quickly made her stand, glaring at Mikhail. "What do you think you're doing?"
Mikhail clenched his fists. "Don't you know? That knight also has feelings for her?"
Tristan looked in another direction. He was fully aware of it, having observed it even back in Serolf Empire. William had feelings for her, but he couldn't confront him. Kaye also needed him to protect her, as he wasn't as strong as William.
Judging by Tristan's reaction, Mikhail couldn't help but show a sarcastic expression. "Haa... So you knew?"
"But it's not Kaye's fault. We can't stop William from having feelings for her!" Tristan said.
"So, you're willing to have her get a new husband?" Mikhail retorted.
Tristan halted, then lowered his head, showing a downcast visage.
"See? You can't also accept it. Don't be such a hypocrite," Mikhail said.
Kaye managed to gather courage to speak. "I'm sorry... It's all my fault. If you want to blame someone, just blame me. I will accept all your words and anger. I will accept any punishments."
Mikhail sighed. If he spoke again, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself and might say hurtful words to her. Without saying a word, he left the house.
Kaye glanced at Tristan. He showed a sad face, sighed, and went upstairs.
Kaye sat down in frustration.
"Kaye, you can't stress yourself," Shin said, watching everything and feeling worried for her. He knew Kaye was having a hard time too. She had rejected him when he confessed to her numerous times. In a very difficult situation, rejecting someone important, she was worried about the impact on their friendship and future. She wasn't selfish; she just didn't want to affect their relationships.
Shin rubbed her back, comforting her. "Shin, tell me. Am I really a bad woman?" she asked while her face was covered with her hand due to frustration.
"No... We can't control our feelings," Shin said.
"B-But..." Kaye looked into his eyes, crying. "W-What if I'm also falling in love with Benjamin now?"
Shin was surprised and hurt at the same time. "The more you resist, the more you'll feel the pain. Don't restrain yourself, Kaye."
"But if I follow my heart, I'll hurt everyone," she said. "I don't want them to leave me. I love them so much." She cried. "I'm selfish!"
Shin embraced her, making her lean on his arms and letting her cry. "Sshh.. You're not, you're just in love."
Kaye said nothing and continued to cry.
.
.
When Mikhail arrived at the headquarters, he quickly snatched his henchman's gun and fired it. Everyone was startled, and they began to hide. Their underboss was mad again, and this time, he seemed even scarier.
"Sir, what happened?" Kira asked worriedly.
Mikhail threw the gun and sat on the sofa, sighing heavily.
"Something happened, sir?" Kira asked again.
"Bring me alcohol, then leave me alone," Mikhail ordered.
Confused, Kira had no choice but to follow his order. It seemed like something had happened again with him and Miss Kaye. The only reason he could think of why his underboss was like this was Miss Kaye.
.
.
"What? Are you out of your mind?" Warren asked while watching Benjamin packing his things.
"I love her, and I will never deny it. I don't see any problem in loving someone," Benjamin paused and looked at him. "You also love her, right?"
Warren averted his gaze.
"Even if you deny it, I already knew about it. We came into this world for Kaye, so why do we have to deny it? When I first came here, I already vowed to myself that whatever happens, I will fight for my feelings for her. I don't care if Mikhail will kill me; Kaye is the only one I care about," Benjamin said.
Warren sighed. "Of course, I love her too. But I already know she will never accept me. I've killed numerous people, my hands are covered with blood. I'm a sinner... She will never love me back."
"I can't believe you're a coward," Benjamin said.
"What did you say?" Warren asked.
"You're so skilled at fighting and killing, but when it comes to your feelings, you're so weak. If you won't be honest with yourself and to Kaye, you will end up hurting. At least confess; getting rejected might hurt you, but at least you'll be honest with your feelings." After saying it, Benjamin grabbed his bag and left the room.
Warren sighed once again. If he confesses, it will only add to Kaye's stress.
.
.
....
After playing his violin, Ivan's grandpa and cousins clapped their hands.
"You can now finally play your music. That song was so beautiful, did you compose it?" his grandpa asked.
Ivan smiled. "Yes, it was dedicated to someone," he said.
His grandpa chuckled. "It seems like my grandson is already in love."
"I already found my muse; I have a reason to play the violin again," he said while staring at his violin.
"I'm glad to hear that from you. Your mom was so stressed when you stopped playing," his grandpa said. "Hmm... Now I'm confused; I want to see your muse. Is she pretty?"
Ivan smiled. "I will introduce you to her in the future."
His muse...
Kaye was his muse.
His phone beeped, a text message from Shin. He furrowed his brows while reading it.