Chaotic morning

All her life, Mary had experienced little to no problems. Why would she when she had two knights in shining armor ready to strike at the slightest sign of distress coming from their little damsel? Her father and brother were her biggest and only support. They were knights, and she was the princess they would die trying to protect. Even up until this moment, when she could be considered old enough and able to look after herself, the father-and-son duo still considered her their little princess whom they would shield from every evil that existed in the world and keep safe forever in their little fairytale cocoon.

So one can imagine how shaken one of the knights was when he found out that his little princess had gotten married. As much as he loved lazing around and enjoying the beauty of marriage with his newlywed wife on their honeymoon, all it took was one call from his sister, and Erickson Moore returned home at the speed of light, ditching the honeymoon anyone could have sworn wasn't going to end.

To be specific, he did not return home but made a beeline for Raymond's house, where he landed his helicopter on the rooftop, causing a violent vibration that shook Raymond out of bed that morning.

Raymond, who had thought he might finally get a good sleep after a long, stressful night, was woken up by the violent vibrations, the cause of which he could swear he knew because, honestly, he had been expecting it. He just didn't think this moment would come so early, especially since Erickson was busy enjoying his honeymoon.

He hastily threw on a shirt and ran outside of the vibrating building before it collapsed on him. Unfortunately for him, the first thing he received after the warm sunlight hit his skin was a hard blow on his jaw from the overprotective older brother, Erickson. Because he was caught off guard, he staggered a few steps back before his body met the ground with a dull thud.

"You had better give me an explanation before I kill you!" Erickson's angry voice growled as he took slow, menacing steps toward Raymond, who was still on the ground trying to regain his bearings. His red eyes, clenched fists, and heavy breath made it clear to Raymond that Erickson would kill him there and then if he did nothing to stop him.

Then again, what could he do? What would he say? He was the one foolish enough to marry Mary for a reason as stupid as protecting her when she had a father, brother, and an army of bodyguards ready to run to her rescue. It goes without saying that when Erickson was done with him, he would either be dead or at the brink of death.

"Eric, my love, what is going on? What has Ray done to upset you?" Erickson's wife spoke, her voice mild, gentle, smooth, and pleasing to listen to. And the same way her voice was pleasing to the ears, so was her presence to the eyes. Erickson's wife was a beauty, so beautiful that it would be difficult for anyone to catch a glimpse of her and not desire a second one. In fact, just simply standing there alone, her hair and dress moving in different directions thanks to the whirls of the helicopter blades, she could be compared to an angel.

The minute he heard his wife's voice, Erickson's attention immediately shifted, and he turned perfectly to look at his wife, who had so lovingly called his name. Raymond, who was still lying on the ground and waiting for the blow that would render him unconscious, was surprised when that blow did not come. As he heard Erickson's footsteps moving further and further away from him, he sat up, only to be met with what he would call a very unpleasant view.

Why? The guy who had just sworn to kill him was completely distracted by his wife's presence. From the bloodthirsty hound who had shaken him out of bed that morning to a loving and sickeningly sweet husband who was kissing his wife and showering her with affection.

Right in front of this single dog!

Such disrespect!

Raymond huffed and stood up from the ground, watching the newlyweds make out in front of him. Now that he thought about it, maybe it wasn't entirely unpleasant. After all, Erickson's wife's presence had just saved his ass. He might as well enjoy the little time he had on this earth before Erickson's focus returned to him.

Meanwhile, at Mary's house, things were not all that peaceful either. Not because some rude human had landed on the roof of her house but because Mary had just realized the gravity of what she had done and was now worried for Raymond's life.

"Eric would kill him, wouldn't he?" she asked the butler as she paced around the living room, her hands in her hair. She was worried, anxious, felt guilty, and suddenly responsible for whatever would happen to Raymond.

The butler couldn't even refute her; he couldn't assure her. Knowing Eric, Raymond should either be in the hospital or still busy getting tortured. When Mary told him what she had done, his heart had literally stopped beating. After all, he was the cause of this. If Raymond died, it would be the old butler's fault.

"Staying here and doing nothing wouldn't help Raymond. We should go over and help him!" Mary declared resolutely, nodding at the butler, who was now staring at her in confusion.

"What do you mean 'we'? He's your brother; you should go alone." Yes, he was worried for Raymond, but this butler loved his life too. If Eric found out what he had done, he might just be in the same condition as Raymond. He would rather stay out of Eric's sight for a while.