Guns fired on both sides. I was running through the palace halls, following Caden and Alira. 

When Jayden was almost strangling Alejandro, he gave Kyle and Luke a signal to attack. But another spy who was hiding behind our backs suddenly appeared, ready to attack Jayden.

Jayden noticed someone from behind so his attention was turned to that person. Alejandro grabbed that chance to struggle away from him. Next thing I knew they were on the floor, wrestling against each other.

I was a bit frozen when I saw Jayden was trying to pin down Alejandro. Then I saw Caden run outside of the throne room, dragging Alira. I looked at Jayden and I knew he also saw Caden.

“Go!” He shouted.

I curled my lips, glanced at the exit then back to Jayden before running outside.

When I opened the door, the royal guards, Luke and Jayden’s men and Alejandro’s men were fighting. I hesitated at first and felt that my heart was pounding so loud from fear.

Then I saw my son and Alira crawling on the side of the hallway. My feet moved on their own to follow them. I was walking at first but when I saw the kids stood up and started running, I ran.

‘BANG’

I was stunned hearing a gunshot from the throne room. I wanted to run back inside to check on Jayden but I know my priority.

I remember every word my father told me the other day. ‘If anything goes wrong, run and take Caden. Save yourself and your kids.’

I know Jayden wouldn’t want me to go after him first without making sure that Caden is safe. I bit my lips, closed my eyes then took a deep breath and started to walk away, not looking back.

After a single gunshot, I heard shots continuously from left to right. I didn’t know what happened to my friends, to Kyle and Emily. I needed to get Caden and Alira into safety first then I would go back and look for Jayden.

I continued to follow the kids and saw them run into the library. I couldn’t run as fast as them because of my pregnancy. I was also having cramps on my left leg and I could feel the pain in every step I made.

As I was getting nearer to the library, two men of the Rossi’s saw me. One was holding a Station Six-9 handgun while the other had a combat commander trench knife which had a seven and half inch blade.

Now that I think of it, I could use the things I learned from those self defense trainings that Benjamin had me enrolled in when I was young. I didn’t expect that a day would come that I would be thanking my foster father for forcing me on those trainings.

“Hello Princess! Where are you going?” One of them asked.

I was afraid but I have to be strong for my family. I cannot be a damsel in distress waiting for my love to come to my rescue.

“This is where I live, where else should I be? I should be the one asking you. Where are you going?” I asked in a serious tone.

The other man who was holding a knife chuckled. My heart was beating so loud and fast when I saw their eyes. There was no sign of fear or mercy through them. I could sense that they won’t hesitate to kill a woman and two kids.

I was a few steps away from the entrance of the library, praying and hoping that Caden and Alira would not come out of that door. 

I felt the sudden pain from my left leg again. I couldn’t remember if I tripped from running or if it was really just cramps. I took a deep breath and walked to the other side.

The men started walking towards me. I was breathing heavily as my heart beat faster. I know if they catch me, everything will end. If I fall into Alejandro’s hands, the things that we have done so far will definitely go to waste.

I walked backwards when they were getting closer until they passed to the library. Then suddenly the door from the library opened. My eyes widened when I saw Caden come out. The two men heard it and turned around to see who it was.

It was an opening I was waiting for. When they turned their eyes away from me, I lifted my dress and pulled out the gun that was holstered on my leg. I didn’t waste a second and just pulled the trigger, shot the gun twice and killed the two men.

Caden saw the blood flow from the men’s heads. He was staring at them. Once again, I felt scared. He saw things that a three year old shouldn’t. I was afraid that he would see me differently and that he would fear me.

“Sweetie?” I called, staring into his eyes.

He looked at me and I saw fear into his silver eyes. Tears started to fall from my eyes. I holstered the gun back to my leg and rushed into my son’s side.

“Caden. It’s me. Mommy.” I said while I crouched down in front of him.

I looked at him from head to toe, checking any bruises in his body. Aside from looking so tired, I think he was okay.

“Mommy, I run with Alira to hide. I don’t want to be a burden from you and daddy. Why are you here?” He said.

I thought he was going to cry but I guess he was trying his best to be brave. For me and his father, but most of all for Alira.

“Yes baby. You did the right thing. I was just worried about you so I came to find you and take you to a safer place.” I said, trying to calm myself.

He nodded then suddenly hugged me tight.

“I’m happy you’re here mommy. I was scared.” He whispered.

“Oh my baby. I’m sorry.” I said while crying.

I wanted to explain everything to him but we had to hurry. I needed to hide them somewhere and make sure that they were safe.

“Caden, where’s Alira?” I asked.

He pointed at the library so I stood up while he dragged me inside. He guided me to the third floor and that’s where we saw Alira sitting in the corner with her face buried on her knees.

“Alira!” Caden called while running towards her.

When Alira saw Caden, she also stood up and rushed into him. I somehow felt happy seeing two little angels embracing each other. I realized that they already have strong connections and that they truly trust each other.

“Caden, Alira, let’s go. Hurry!” I called.

I held Caden’s hand while Alira was holding his. I felt proud that Caden was able to protect her.

We used the secret passages of the palace. There’s one in the library so we really didn’t need to go outside. 

One of the shelves was a sliding door that would lead you to a basement. The basement was like an underground tunnel with different routes towards the rooms in the palace.

At the end of the tunnel, there were three routes. One on the left, then in the middle and on the right. The route on the left will lead you to the garden of our private residence. If you go with the one on the right, you’ll be going to a shelter, a safe place for the royal family to hide. In the middle, was directed to the throne room.

We turned right and walked towards the shelter. The door can be opened by the locket mom gave me and Kyle. I took out the locket and pushed it on the carving of the door.

“Alira!” It was Lucas who called his twin sister.

I was so relieved to see that almost everyone was there. Alora, Nina, Emily, Sophie, some members of the royal family and the kids.

Alira ran towards her mom and jumped into her arms. Alora looked at me and whispered ‘thank you’. I nodded and slightly smiled at her.

“Your Majesty!” I called Emily.

She walked fast towards me and pulled me into her arms.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.” He murmured.

“Me too. But can you take care of Caden for me?” I asked.

She frowned and was looking at me intently.

“Peggy, what are you planning to do?” She asked.

The rest of our friends heard and the next thing I knew they were already around us.

“I need to go there. To Jayden. I can’t just sit here while he was risking his life for me, for us.” I exclaimed while biting my lips.

“This is the plan Peggy. We stay here and wait. If you go out there and something happens to you, everything will go to waste. Don’t be selfish! You are not the only one who’s waiting for the man they love.” Nina almost yelled.

“I’m sorry Nina. I didn’t mean to offend someone. But I really need to go. My brother and my husband, the royal family, our servants and men, they were fighting for Flousia. I have to do this.” I said in a serious tone.

Then I turned around and walked away. Before I opened the door, I looked back and saw Caden staring at me. I smiled at him and continued to walk out of the door.

“Mommy! I love you! Promise me you’ll come back okay?”

I heard Caden shouting. I stopped but didn’t turn to look back at him.

“I love you, son..” I whispered before the door of the shelter closed.