Once Irene had gotten back to the parlour where Haren and Isabella were waiting, the two smiled at her with expectant glistens in their eyes, as she plopped onto one of the leathery sofas. That conversation was exhausting, he's worse than Snow... She thought.

"How did it go? Did you manage to find out why Ivan is mad?" Isabella asked, with Haren beside her looking as worried as ever.

Irene grimaced, rubbing her temples. "Ivan said he's not mad, but jealous of your pet dog."

"...What?" The awe in their voices was enough to make her open her eyes.

"He told me he was upset that you were spending time with Harpi instead of him, which is why Ivan decided he didn't need you if you don't need him."

Isabella frowned, averting her gaze. "That was the reason?" She wore an expression that screamed "then why did I get involved in something so minor?"

Irene couldn't help but wear an expression that responded with "I told you so."

"Come to think of it... He did get upset when I was busy playing with Harpi yesterday..." Haren said, glancing toward the floor as he realised his brother's reasons for ignoring him. "So that was why...! I feel a little bad for him now..."

So do I... Imagine being that bone-headed. Irene sighed internally. Although it's a little cute, I have to admit.

As the room fell into silence for a moment, the white-haired girl stood up, and wore a radiant smile. "Well, now that that's over, I'll be going to the kitchen!" She beamed, already making her way toward the door.

Isabella quickly stood up, walking over to her. "Wait! We can't leave just yet..." Her hazel eyes were glazed with concern as she glanced back at Haren, who was deep in thought. She then leaned in toward Irene's ear, and spoke in a whisper. "While you were gone, he told me that he wanted to do something to make up for his mistakes. And I ended up saying I'll help him..."

Irene frowned, wanting to sigh. But as she looked at the sheepish and apologetic smile on her friend's face, an idea suddenly came to mind.

It was then, Irene's golden eyes lit up, and she turned to the younger twin situated on the sofa. "Haren! You want to make up with Ivan, right?"

He looked up instantly, a confused look on his face when he noticed her sudden enthusiasm. "Huh? Yeah...?"

Irene took his hand, pulling the boy up to his feet as he stood dumfounded before her. His amber eyes widened and a tint of red flushed his cheeks at the cool touch of her hands.

"Let's go to the kitchen together. I know a way you can get Ivan to be happy again!"

It wasn't long until both Isabella and Haren were pulled along with Irene's sudden whim, as she guided them toward the kitchen at the back of the manor. As they traipsed the hallways, the white-haired girl turned to the timid boy beside her, smiling. "Haren, are there any foods that Ivan likes?" She asked him, finally beginning to explain her plan. "If we can make something that he'll like, I'm sure he's going to forgive you."

His honey-brown eyes furrowed, as he thought deeply for a moment. "Well, he likes fish, and spicy foods, and-" just then, his eyes lit up. "Ginger cookies! Those are his favourite, and they're easy to make."

Irene's smile widened. "Great, we can ask the chef to make some! And I can finally have my iced drink..." She sighed contently as the cool sensation of a sweet drink on her tongue entered her imagination.

Meanwhile, Isabella seemed rather sceptical. "Are you sure this will work? Will Ivan really forgive Haren over some cookies?"

Irene kept her smile, but her voice held a tone of seriousness. "He will." Then, she looked at Haren's face, and her eyes glistened with resolve.

Irene remembered something about the Firventia twins, when she wrote about them in her previous life. And that was - the fact that Ivan adored sweets. Despite his promiscuous and flippant personality, he would always fall at the mercy of desserts.

Later on, when Ivan would become difficult to control, the mature Haren would use sweets as a way to keep his brother in check. For example, in one scene when they were eighteen, Ivan was busy messing around with women instead of going to a very important council meeting. It was Haren who coerced him into joining, by tempting him with ginger cookies - his favourite.

Ivan is a bit like a stray cat. He's free-spirited and feisty, but can't ignore the food he likes best. There's no way he'll say no to his beloved brother bringing him cookies.

As soon as they entered the kitchen, Irene gazed around at the familiar place. It was a homely and large room, with glossy countertops and sundry spices lined up on the shelves. On the right, was a door to the cold room, where fresh meat would be kept. And on the opposite wall, was another door that lead to a spence. Cooks routinely walked in and out of here to stock up on supplies, and the chefs would cook their confections in the large ovens along the back wall of the kitchen.

As the three children entered, a middle-aged couple dressed in the white chef's attire, smiled at the sight of them. They were Jane and Gerald Harsch, a lovely couple who had worked for the Cherlianns for as long as Irene could remember. She would often visit them when bored, and they would tell her the tales of their youth while making her delicious snacks.

"Oh, it's the little Miss! And she's bought some friends," Jane beamed, walking over to them with a smile. "What brings you all here?"

Gerald smiled at them, carrying a bag of flour in his arms after closing the door to the spence. "It looks like we'll have some more desserts to make, Dear." He laughed heartily.

Irene gazed up at them cheerfully. "It's good to see you both! Actually, we're here to ask if you can prepare ginger cookies. Also some lemonade."

"Why, of course! It's our job to please our masters, after all!" Gerald replied, smiling. "Ginger cookies, shouldn't take too long, My Lady. You're free to stay and I'll get you all some cold drinks."

Finally...! Irene sighed in relief, knowing the drink she was waiting for was only a few minutes from refreshing her. "Thank you, both of you!"

"It's our job!" Jane echoed happily. As Irene, Isabella and Haren took a seat at the table in the corner of the room, Jane and Gerald began to prepare the ingredients for the ginger cookies.

It was then that Haren, who had been quiet for a time, slid out of his seat and approached the kind cooks. "U-Um, is it okay if I help? I want to take part in making these for my brother..."

Jane frowned softly, slightly concerned. "Are you sure, young lord? There's really no need for you to work yourself, we can do it for you."

Haren shook his head vigorously, amber eyes igniting with sparkles of resolve. "I-I want to do it! For Ivan!"

His determination was so radiant, and the look on his face was so cute, that Jane couldn't say no. She smiled softly. "Very well, Sir Haren."

Irene and Isabella watched with smiles, as the chefs taught Haren how to make the cookies step by step. Although he was the esteemed son of a duke, he had no qualms with making a mess or sullying his clothes with ingredients, if it meant Ivan would be happy in the end.

Good thing his parents aren't here right now... They're pretty strict about noble appearances. Irene thought, sipping the cool, sparkling lemonade Gerald had procured for her.

"It looks like Haren is having a lot of fun," Isabella chuckled, noticing the boy's smiling face and glistening irises. "He was so sad earlier. Who would've thought he would cheer up from this."

Well, Haren was originally a pretty passionate cook... Irene thought, remembering his character from her novel. He loved to make food as a hobby, and would always give some to his brother. Perhaps it was from his attempts to tame Ivan, that he picked up this skill.

"Haren's always tried to make his brother happy," Irene replied softly, setting down her lemonade. "The two are inseparable. There's no way they won't make up."

Soon enough, the ginger cookies were set to cook in the oven for half an hour, and Haren returned to the table where his new female friends were sat. Gerald gave him a cool drink, and the brown-haired boy was finally smiling as he, Isabella and Irene conversed about numerous things. This happy side of Haren was much more charismatic and likable than the sullen, sad puppy one from earlier. Baking really cheered him up...

A while later, the cookies had finally been finished, and the three children tried some out with great anticipation. Much to their relief, the biscuits were delicious.

There was a light taste of ginger, blended neatly with sweetness and a faint citrusy flavour.

"It's wonderful, Mr and Mrs Harsch! Thank you so much for the help!" Haren said with a broad smile, as the chefs shook their heads.

"You are too kind, My Lord. They taste good because of your hard work." Jane responded softly, looking at the boy with a warm smile. In a way, the boy reminded her of her own son - who was all grown up now. Their only child - a knight in Rudien's army, was now fighting at war alongside the duke.

I do hope he's safe...

After placing the cookies into a neat plastic bag, and tying it with an elegant blue ribbon, the three finally left the kitchen and said goodbye to the chefs who helped them. Irene then took Isabella and Haren to where Rayvis and Ivan were, with Snow leading the way.

Of course, only she could see him.

Snow led them to a room by Rayvis' chamber, where the two boys were now resting after their training. As they entered the lounge, Ivan and Haren exchanged awkward glances at one another.

"Ah, you all came!" Rayvis beamed, breaking the ice. "Come sit with us!" He patted the couch, and Irene took a seat beside her brother. His amiable nature was always good for dispersing obvious tension.

As Isabella and Haren followed suit, Haren approached Ivan, who crossed his arms and turned his head away in vain. "What do you want?" He spoke petulantly, but Irene could tell he was just as desperate to make up as his brother was.

"I wanted to apologise..." Haren told him, handing him the bag of cookies. "I know why you were mad at me now. I helped make these cookies for you, so please don't be upset at me anymore...!"

Although he's still as timid as ever, at least he doesn't stutter much when he's with his brother.

Ivan hesitated, looking quite surprised by the gesture. As he noticed the resolve in Haren's eyes, his cheeks tinted slightly from embarrassment. "...Thanks..." He mumbled, before taking the bag, and undoing the ribbon.

As he took out a cookie, he didn't think much and threw it into his mouth. Contrary to their plain and round appearance, the biscuits were delicious. Ivan's eyes lit up, and he quickly devoured the rest of them. Those sharp, amber irises twinkled as he smiled at Haren.

"T-These are...! They're so good!" He exclaimed, in awe. Ivan consumed them so fast he almost choked, causing Haren to worry and grab a glass of water.

"D-Don't eat them so fast — Ivan!" He brought the glass to his brother's lips. "Drink water!"

As the others watched this play out, Rayvis couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He glanced at Irene, expectantly. "Why is Ivan the only one who gets cookies from his sibling~?" He wailed, leaning his head onto his sister's.

Irene chuckled softly, turning to Rayvis and ruffling his smooth silver hair. What a cutie. "Don't worry, I'll make some for you tomorrow."

Rayvis beamed. "Promise??"

"Yes, I promise."

Meanwhile, Isabella sat alone, watching the sibling love blossom. Must be nice to have such close siblings...! She thought, smiling through the pain, as the only single child in the room.

"So, am I forgiven?" Haren smiled at his brother, who was so absorbed with the cookies he had forgotten why he was mad in the first place.

"Only if you make this for me every day!" Ivan responded.

Haren pouted. "You'll get a toothache if you eat too much of them."

Rayvis then sat up, leaning toward Ivan and reaching a hand out to the pack of cookies. "Hey Ivan, let me try one—"

"No!" The boy snapped, clutching the bag protectively. "They're all mine! Haren made them only for me!"

"Well, you could share them, you know..." Haren sighed softly.

"No way! Never! These are all mine!"

Irene and Isabella glanced at each other as they watched the boys bicker like kittens fighting over treats, and they couldn't help but laugh.

In the end, maybe helping out those twins wasn't so bad... Irene thought, smiling at Ivan and Haren. They were characters she felt sceptical toward, only a day ago. But now, it felt that she had gotten closer to them in a way.

Even if they're a little annoying, they're still my characters... She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of their childish voices. Maybe I should avoid them less, from now on.