FROM THE large window, Treyson can't help but smile as he watch Raia lowered her defenses around his Mother. Treyson saw how Raia relaxed around his Mom like it's natural for her to do that. And as he was staring at the two that was now talking smoothly, he felt a presence beside him.

"She's always that relaxed when she's around Mom. Raia, I mean." Duke said, his eyes was also pinned on the two.

A smile crept on Treyson's lips. Remembering someone he knows who exactly has that very same character.

"Yeah. I observed." His eyes sparkling with longing. "She reminds me of someone."

"What?"

Treyson snapped at his brother, staring at him. "I said something?"

"Yeah. But didn't caught by my ears." Duke's looking at him perplexed.

"Maybe I was just thinking out loud?" Treyson was convincing himself more than his brother.

"Yeah?" Duke sounded unsure either. Then the two returned their attention to the two ladies at the gazebo, now laughing with each other.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Duke dropped the subject and asked instead. He knows too well that his brother won't tell him what he heard.

"I don't really know. You know Mom, she's unpredictable as fuck." And Treyson snickered. Duke gave him a light punch on the shoulder.

"Your mouth, asshole." Duke reprimanded chuckling.

"Oh, my bad. Sorry, you fucker." Treyson said in thick sarcasm. Duke laughed hard at him. He ended up shaking his head at his brother.

"Someone's having fun." Entering with a smile, Oceania stride towards her sons.

"Oh, if only you heard Treyson cursing, Mom." Duke teased him.

"Said the assho-"

"Treyson..." Oceania smiled sweetly at him.

"Lo siento, Mamá."

Raia snickered when she heard him say sorry.

"And what, pray tell, is funny?" Treyson's brows shoot up, but with amusement.

Raia composed herself and answered formally.

"It's you, my lord." Slightly bowing her head.

"My lord, huh?" And now, Duke's the one who's amused not minding the first things she said.

"Yeah. I've said it right." Raia said nonchalantly. "Is there something wrong with that, señorito?"

"Nothing." Duke said abruptly and looked at his brother knowing look. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"Hmm.. We'll be going to the grocery store. And I'll think of something along the way." Oceania looked at Raia, smiling. "Go, get ready."

"I am." Raia replied abruptly. "I'm fine with what I'm wearing." And shrugged nonchalantly.

"Okay. If you say so." Oceania looked at her sons. "Let's go?"

Treyson and Duke lead the way. But they let the women go before them, and opening the door for the two. Well, chivalry is not dead. Not for the Quintana princes, courtesy and legacy of the King.

UPON entering the supermarket, all eyes were on them. Especially on the two gentlemen whose with them. Women and men alike was mesmerized by the two Princes who're oblivious about their surroundings.

Raia rolled her eyes and scoffed silently. The scene isn't new. Wherever they go, all eyes were obliged to look at them. Well, what do you expect from Adonis personified looks? Not to mention, they are known for their roots.

"Why do I even care about it now. It's not new." Raia said care-less.

"Yes. It's not new that everyone should turn their attention towards a Quintana when he's around." The Queen seconded chuckling. Oceania gently pulled her and their shopping begun.

And after some time, they are pulling towards the cashier. And as usual, as expected, the cashier is giggling from time to time while stealing glances at the Quintana Princes. And it made the shopping a lot longer that expected.

"I really hate this." Raia said under her breath, but enough to reach the Queen's ears.

"You really hate crowded places up til now." The Queen said amused.

"Can you blame me?" Raia pouted.

"Don't pout now, mi hija." And the Queen caressed her hair affectionately.

"Sorry." And she was back to being poker-faced. Then quietly roamed her eyes around.

Oceania can only shake her head at the young lady. Truly, there are always some things that never change, as some old habits die hard.

"That's a near torture." Duke said with a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Near? That was torture." Treyson put emphasis to his every word. "I hate the stares."

Raia's brows shoot up. For a man who's been in the city for almost a decade, Treyson can only complain about the stares.

"Aren't you used to it? You've been in the city all your life. You should be used to it since women surely flock to your doorstep when you get out of your door." Raia said, not minding the three pairs of eyes boring on her. The two, amused. The other one baffled.

Treyson cleared his throat and fixed his eyeglasses. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"It is what it is. It means what it meant." Raia shrugged. Her face contorted with disgust without her knowing.

Treyson squinted his eyes on her.

"You can squint your eyes to your heart's content, my lord. It can't change what I just said." And shrugged.

"For your-"

"Kids..." Oceania butted in. "Let's get out of here. We have a long day ahead." And pulled Raia out. Duke and Treyson followed suit.

"Did I say something wrong?" Raia asked, more to herself.

"It's just that what you said, maybe, hit home. And that's what irritated your lord. Plus the disgust on your face is on full show. Maybe that's what send him on the edge."

"Disgust?" Raia was taken aback, causing her to stop on her tracks. "I am disgusted? By what?"

"By the fact that women flock on Treyson's trail? I don't know. You tell me, mi hija." The Queen smiled sweetly at her, and nudged her to move. Oceania has an idea in mind, but prefer to keep it to herself.

"What would I tell you? I don't even know that I'm disgusted." Raia said not really aware of what's on her face, not even what emotion she exude.

"Which fascinates and scares me all at once. You don't know what you're feeling towards something or someone. Not unless it would be pointed out for you. Why is that?"

Duke opened the car door for them and settled on in the backseat.

"I don't know, either." Raia said honestly. A frown was drawn on her forehead, as if questioning herself.

"At this age, you should now aware of what's going on with you and around you. You of all people should know what you feel. If you're disgusted or hurt or irritated or exasperated or whatever it is you're feeling. Not all the time someone will point it out for you. You should know yourself." Oceania's eyes never left the young lady beside her who's staring down at her fingers, resting on her lap.

"But I don't know how to do that." Sadness was heard on her tone. And her eyes was everywhere but her hands.

Oceania inched closer to her and gathered her in her arms.

"I know, mi hija." She said softly and planted a kiss on her hair. "But you have to learn this thing for yourself. The sooner the better. It is for you."

"I don't even understand myself sometimes, Queen. How much more to be aware with my emotions?" Raia's words are muffled. "I feel like I'm a hopeless case, Queen."

"Of course, not, mi hija." Oceania contradicted her abruptly. "Maybe you're just..." And she lost her words.

Raia pulled away from the hug and stared at the Queen. And seconds later the Queen was just and still staring at her.

"You lost your words, Queen." Raia pouted and went back to the Queen's arms. "That's okay. I know I'm really a hopeless case." And she slowly release a breath.

"No, mi hija. It's not that. It's just-" her words are cut mid-sentence when the two Princes entered the car.

"Where to, Mom?" Treyson asked uncertain.

"Greenhouse."

What Oceania said had made Raia look up to her. She looked down on her with a knowing glint in her eyes. She let go of Raia and pulled out something from beside her.

Raia's eyes glowed with happiness when she saw what the Queen was holding. A camera.

"Oh, thank you, Queen." And kissed the Queen's cheek, taking the latter by surprise.

The Queen chuckled at her and gently caressed her cheek. "I know you don't wantt to be cooped up inside the wall of the mansion so I made up my mind to bring you at the Greenhouse."

"You really know me, my Queen." Happiness was heard on her voice. The car moved and get on the way.

"Of course, mi hija." The Queen's short response. "I am your mother. Not biologically, but still, I am your mother. And I should know what makes you happy and what makes you not. I know what to say and when to say things that will soothe you, or calm you or-"

"You're my Mother, Queen." Raia cut her off, a gentle and genuine smile as she looked directly to the Queen's eyes. "Biological or not, you're my Mother. And I thank you and the King for being my parents."

"Oh, mi hija..." And the Queen hugged her tightly with unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "You know I love you, yes?"

"Yes, my Queen." She smiled, and looked at the Queen affectionately. "Te amo tambien."

Raia and Oceania remain in a hug until they reached the Greenhouse. The two Princes remained silent, and stealing glances at them from time to time.

And not just once that Treyson and Raia's eyes were met at the rear view mirror. And Treyson will give her a smile and continue to drive.

Minutes later, they are all entering an extraordinarily large greenhouse. And they were greeted by the greenhouse's caretaker.

"Good morning, Señora." The caretaker politely greeted the Queen.

Tala, the caretaker is in her mid-forties, a widower with two children. Thrace and Thalia, both was Raia's friend.

"Hi! How's everything going?" The Queen asked fondly.

"Everything is fine, Señora." The caretaker replied with a friendly smile.

"We'll just take a look around. Carry on, Tala." The fondness on the Queen's voice didn't falter.

Raia simply wave her hand towards the caretaker and mouthed 'later'. Tala just smiled ate her and excused herself.

And right there and then, Raia get to her favorite hobby.