"It's Too Late"

The dethroned King, in his worn-out linen pants, and equipped with a one-handed sword, was standing right in front of her. His abs were exposed as he was topless, and whip marks were displayed all over his body.

Tears in Ely's eyes formed. In front of her, finally, was the love of her life, and the man who she wanted to be with forever. Thinking that it might be her last day in his world, she clenched her fists, mustering up her courage.

She couldn't believe that she gave him up, and was disappointed in herself. Now, she made up her mind once again after seeing her beloved Maro's face.

"Ely?! Why are you here?! You should be inside! It's dangerous-"

But Ely only lunged towards him and embraced him tightly. It has been so long since she had held him close to her. "I missed you so much!" she cried, "It's you who I want to be with. I don't want to go back to my world anymore, so let's fight this awful fate together, and run away!"

Maro widened his eyes in shock. He wasn't ready for this, because he had set in his mind that Ely might have already opened up her heart to his twin brother, because he and her husband are one and the same.

"What are you saying, Ely? Weren't you looking for your husband for so long? That's the reason why you left-"

"No, my heart has changed. Now, it only beats for you. Only you, Maro."

"Ely… I-"

"Ely!!!" a worried look was displayed on King Seiro's face. His bride-to-be was embracing the man who was the reason why she couldn't love him anymore. He pleaded as he extended his arms to her at a distance, "Please don't leave me...!"

She pulled away from Maro and glanced at Seiro.

"Ely, I know you want to come with me, but I am no longer a king," Maro explained, "Therefore, I cannot give you a good life. Think about it carefully. If you choose to go with me, you will live as a traitor's accomplice, and you might run away and hide for the rest of your life."

Ely took a look at the two men momentarily. She knew that it wasn't King Seiro's fault that he fell in love with her again in his world, after all, their first meeting was interesting for him. He might have become curious about her, leading him to have feelings for her.

But as they say, you can't force yourself to love. It comes naturally within you.

She sighed, and faced King Seiro, "I'm sorry… You might be Adam in the flesh, but for me, you're not really him because you have forgotten all about me. Even if you tell me that I can treat you like my late husband, I can't do it, and I think that's the reason why I opened up my heart to Maro," she then took a closer step to the man he chose, "I want to be with Maro… through thick and thin, in sickness and in health… 'til death do us part!"

"No… Ely…" the King was brokenhearted, and he fell on his knees.

Maro grabbed Ely's hand and intertwined her fingers with his. He looked at her and gave a subtle smile, "I thought I'd lose you forever," he kissed her hand.

"I love you, Maro… I am willing to go anywhere with you!"

"I will make sure you won't part from me ever again."

Several men who had clothes like bandits and rebels charged forward and fought off with the king's mercenaries. Minister Holter came with Minister Anna, and they led Maro and Ely as they ran away to the back of the palace.

Prince Kaio had just gotten out of the palace after taking charge of the safety of the guests, and he was surprised to see the King kneeling. "Brother, what happened? And where's your bride?"

"Kaio… Ely, she… She ran away with Maro!"

"What?!" The prince looked around and noticed the decreasing number of rebels. "They're escaping… I won't let this happen! I will get her back-"

"Uggghhh!" The King suddenly felt his head ache so badly. 

Prince Kaio asked, "What's wrong?"

"My head… hurts a lot…" he replied, "I think I hit something hard a while ago, but I was in a panic to reach Ely, so I haven't- Uggghhh!"

"I'll get Physician Solomon. Please bear with it for a while!"

The prince asked mercenaries to watch over the King. 

King Seiro felt a ringing in his head, and after a few minutes, it suddenly subsided. He glanced at the peaceful sea amidst the chaos on the shore. He thought, finally, the headache was gone, but when he closed his eyes, something unexpected happened.

Flashbacks of Ely and his life as Adam played in his head like a fast-forwarded movie. All of a sudden, he remembered his life in the other world. 

The King was too shocked to move. He regained the precious memories with her beloved, but it was too late. He had already lost her, and had gone away with a man whom he had the same face with.

Moments later, the physician finally arrived with Prince Kaio. "Your Highness, may I know what you are feeling right now?" Solomon asked him as he looked into his grey eyes.

King Seiro cried, "I remember everything now…"

"What do you remember?" the prince patted his brother on his shoulder.

"I am… I am Adam, Ely's husband."

"Yes, we all know that fact. But-"

"Kaio, I now remember what I did in the other world. Everything," the pitiful king continued to weep. He felt alone even though his subjects were there with him, "But it's too late…"

King Seiro didn't expect such a thing to happen to him. It never occurred to him that he might recover his memories.

And now, just as he feared before, losing Ely hurt him so much. Twice as much.

"Shit. Destiny has toyed with me," he muttered, clenching his fists and cursing his own awful fate. He slowly stood up, then glanced at the surprised faces of the physician and his brother.