Iria didn't expect the beautiful place which Crown Prince Arin mentioned to be a small house surrounded by farms. With many flowers and trees, it was indeed beautiful but... what was this place?

Arin offered his hand to her and she gets off her horse. They brought a few guards and though Rion came along, Prince Orius didn't.

Iria glanced around their surroundings and observed it. This didn't go unnoticed by the Crown Prince's keen eyes. "Come. I'll give you an answer," he said and pulled her inside the small gate.

They stood in front of the door and Arin briefly glanced at her before he knocked on the door. This really surprised Iria. However, before she could say anything, the door was opened.

A young girl with blonde hair which was similar to the Crown Prince was standing before them. She was quite beautiful with fair skin and even the way her ocean blue eyes widened when surprised was the same as Arin Helev!

"Arin!" The young girl exclaimed and quickly turned to Iria. "You finally brought your wife?" Her expression a mixture of surprise and happiness.

Arin Helev nodded and looked at Iria. "This is my cousin, Sophie. She is the only daughter of my late uncle who was my mother's younger brother."

A cousin from his mother's side? Iria looked at the young girl who was standing before her. Her similarity with the Crown Prince was no joke! However, this girl seemed to be much more lively and carefree than her cousin. Then she finally smiled.

"It's nice to meet you," she said. Her voice gentle and her smile was friendly.

Sophie Lamiya smiled back at her. "I always wish to meet you and I'm truly glad that you came, Your Highness."

"You can call me Iria. You're Arin's cousin, so that means you're a family," Iria Alewine promptly said. They walked inside the house and took a seat.

"You're beautiful just like the rumours said," Sophie said to Iria in an exciting voice. Sitting opposite Iria, she never took her eyes off her. Then she added, "My brother is really lucky."

"I'm offended, Sophie. Didn't you always say that anyone who marries me will be the luckiest woman in the world? Why did I become the lucky one?" Arin playfully said to his cousin.

His words made Iria's lips curved into an amusing smile. It seemed like Arin Helev was always good at dealing with his younger sibling or cousin despite his seemingly cold nature!

Sophie looked at her cousin with an appealing smile. "What I said is that you're lucky to have a wife as beautiful as her. About what you mentioned, I'm sure that Iria will already understand why I said that." Then she turned to Iria with an exciting smile on her face. "My brother treat you well, right?"

Iria was caught off guard by the sudden question. After staring at the cousin with a slightly raised brow, she finally nodded when she realized that Sophie was waiting for her response with a hopeful smile.

"My brother might be aloof but he is very far from cold. You will know that he is a great man once you get to know him. He -"

Sophie paused when she heard the Crown Prince deliberately clearing his throat. Arin looked at Iria's flustered face and awkwardly smiled. "I think that talk should be enough," he muttered and quickly turned away from the two women. His words and actions really surprised his young cousin! What's wrong with him today?!

Iria barely resisted the urge to chuckle and glanced at Sophie. "You look very young, Sophie. How old are you?" she asked.

The young girl's face brightened up again right away. "I'm 18," she replied.

"That means I'm 2 years older but you look way younger. I'm impressed," Iria said and chuckled. She was not even aware of how Arin stared at her the whole time.

"People often said that but I don't think you look that old than me. Besides, you're really beautiful. I think you're more beautiful than Lady Vienna who is known as the most beautiful woman in our kingdom," Sophie said. Her eyes twinkled with mirth when she talked.

Iria was amazed by the purity and simple heart of this girl. She recalled herself at her age but... all she could remember were wars and blood. That's why such a purity she saw in Sophie was precious to her. However, she didn't think that she deserved to be compared with Vienna Mareyi.

"I become friends with Lady Vienna. She is a beautiful soul and I don't think I can be compared with her," she responded to Sophie Lamiya.

Sophie's lips curved into a menacing smile when she turned to her cousin the Crown Prince. "In that case, I think Arin should decide. What is your opinion, brother? Who do you think is more beautiful? Iria or Lady Vienna?"

Iria Alewine blinked in amazement and so was Arin Helev! Why must his cousin ask him such a question?!

"You talked too much again," Arin muttered and shook his head. However, this only made Sophie curious than ever!

"Is it hard to answer? You just have to say a name!" she said in a loud yet challenging voice. Iria was already feeling more than uncomfortable by this time!

Crown Prince Arin briefly glanced at Iria before he turned back to his cousin and let out a sigh. "Why would I say that Lady Vienna is beautiful? She is the woman Hanson liked since we were a child."

Sophie's smile grew wider as she leaned towards her cousin. "What are you trying to say?" she asked with a seemingly innocent smile. She knew what he was saying yet she feigned ignorance.

Arin saw through his younger cousin but... he didn't know how to argue! He was never good at that. In the past, he would always keep quiet rather than getting involved in a pointless argument or conversation. However, this time, he felt like he was entangled!

Maybe he was afraid that Iria would get the wrong idea if he didn't say anything! But this wasn't what surprised him the most. He was more surprised thinking how he was feeling this troubled by a simple thing. If this was Arin Helev from the past, he would just maintain his silence, thinking that it was useless to speak up.

He knew very well that Iria was trying to help Lady Vienna and Hanson. So, she shouldn't misunderstand him yet... he still couldn't be at ease! He finds this feeling strange, childish and complicated!

Staring at his cousin's victorious smile, he finally sighed in defeat. "The Crown Princess is more beautiful, happy now?" He turned away from her with a displeased face, only to met Iria's gaze by mistake!

When he noticed that her beautiful aqua blue eyes were a bit widened, he quickly narrowed his eyes. Was she surprised by his response? He wasn't sure but he hoped that wasn't the case. He was simply telling the truth.....