<on hiatus> 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝟒𝟎

[hours later]

"Hey, Nick," Cadence said as they sat next to each other in the car.

The three of them caught a flight on a private jet Duke Bruce owned from the capital city to Gotham and drove from the airport to the Wayne Estate enemy agents from suspecting their movements. Unlike Nicholas who had changed out his ceremonial outfit into a formal suit before the princess's wedding, she hadn't changed out of her wedding dress, but had taken off her veil and had her hair down.

"Yes, Cadence?"

"... never mind."

"Come on. You know you can tell me whatever. What is it?"

"It's fine. I heard about what happened in Knighton."

"It happened on mutual grounds," Nicholas folded his arms. "The princess is making use of this time to take a short break from running the kingdom. It's especially understandable given her current situation."

"... I'm sorry..." Cadence sighed sadly, sitting back in her seat. "... is Princess Macy feeling alright?"

"... you know how it goes..." he mumbled.

"... I feel sorry for her child..."

"I feel the same way. Every being deserves nothing more than to live; to breathe, to learn and to love. Her child's life was, is and always will be precious," Nicholas exhaled.

"No words can describe the amount of sadness she must've felt," the princess mumbled, putting her hands together. "God bless her and her child..."

"She cared a lot for it," Nicholas told her. "There were times when she refused to move out of fear of losing it. She only began walking around when I told her what would happen after pregnancy if she refused to move."

"... don't tell you brought up weight gain first," Cadence looked at him in disbelief.

"This is why we're friends, Cadenza," Nicholas smiled in such a charming manner.

"My goodness," the princess pinched the bridge of her nose. She understood well the insecurities of women, especially in the gaining weight department. "I can't believe you..."

"But I still got her to stand and move about, didn't I?" Nicholas pointed out.

"Whatever," she heaved a sigh. "... I still can't believe that happened to her..."

"The child will be in our memory and hearts forever," he nodded.

"Yeah..." she sighed again.

"... are you alright?"

"After all that's happened today, I'm not so sure myself," she folded her arms. "I almost got married... and I'm not sure if I should be glad about that or not..."

"I thought you didn't have any feelings for him."

"No, I don't. The last time I saw him was when I was four, I think. I completely forgot about him up until a few months ago when he asked for my hand in marriage."

"That's a relief..." he unconsciously mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing," Nicholas said quickly.

"You should be glad, no, your highness?" Vanessa spoke up from the driver's seat, eyes on the road. "You narrowly escaped from a tragic fate with that man."

"I would be glad if my people's safety and religion weren't at stake," Cadence said worriedly and blinked tiredly.

"Stay calm," Nicholas told her. "I'm sure you'll figure out a way to save everyone. I'm here ready to help you, and so are the other agents."