Soon after their little exchange, Irene blissfully jumped off Mikael's bed. The boy was still struggling to grasp this situation, but was now wide awake from the awe he felt earlier.

To think she actually snuck into my room because I was avoiding her... He wanted to shudder, but felt oddly calm about having her presence here. As he gazed at Irene's petite figure flurrying across the room toward the windows, he watched her gently move the curtains aside to allow the morning light to come in.

Her shoulder-length white hair was messily strewn across her head, and Mikael thought this unkempt appearance suited her unpredictable personality well. Still - albeit annoying, she was hard to dislike.

"So now that we're friends," Irene smiled, opening the windows to allow some fresh air to sweep into the room. "I've already decided on the first thing we'll do together!"

He raised an eyebrow, but his eyes seemed disinterested. "And what's that, exactly?"

It was then that Irene turned to face him, and there was a glimmer of excitement twinkling in her eyes. Her radiant grin as she ran toward him with exuberance, suggested there was something she was looking forward to. She took a seat on his bed beside him, taking his hand which caught him by surprise.

"Did you know? There's going to be a-"

Thud!

Just then, the sound of a door being briskly opened cut through the room, capturing the attention of both children. As their heads turned to see a tall, skinny old woman standing at the doorway — Ms Cather froze in shock at the sight of Irene.

The old woman froze in shock when she saw Irene, sitting on the prince's bed beside him. But when she met Mikael's gaze, he only turned away. She had no idea as to why the daughter of Cherliann was present here, and sitting so close to the young prince. But it was all too unwelcoming.

"Miss Irene, what brings you here so early in the morning?" The shrewd woman asked, trying to mask her aggravation behind a smile. She noticed the spare pillow beside Mikael's, and instantly realised the girl had snuck in here.

Irene observed her for a moment, before responding with a smile of politeness in return. "I came to ask Mikael to have breakfast with me." She said, her words surprising both the old woman, and the boy in front of her.

She's just calling me by my name and dropping formalities... Mikael thought, wanting to sigh. What a brave girl.

"I see, but My Lady, you shouldn't have come to him like this in your night clothes," the maid then frowned, her thin and dark brows knitted together as her dark eyes glared at Irene in disgust. "And to be sitting on the same bed. It is extremely undignified for a lady, especially one of your stature. Didn't you have a proper education?"

Irene's smile dropped from her face, and her eyes narrowed in annoyance. Did this woman just insult me for being crude?

I'm eight years old!

"I don't see the issue here. Brother Rayvis and I sleep together all the time," she responded, setting aside her child-like demeanour as her expression became more stern. "Prince Mikael is living with us, so he's family now. Why would it be undignified of me to greet my family in the morning? And exactly who are you to question my education?"

The maid's brows furrowed with annoyance, before she sighed and adjusted her glasses. Meanwhile, Mikael grew anxious from the tension in the air. "Even so, it is too early to view His Highness as family, My Lady. If you care about your reputation-"

"And who made you the judge of that? That's between me and Mikael," Irene interjected, her patience wearing thin. "The prince may have brought you along, but you should mind what you say, Ms Cather. Clearly you haven't realised who's house you're standing in, and who you just insulted."

This old woman is starting to get on my nerves. She really talks too much. Irene thought, while frowning at the maid.

As he watched her respond in such a strong and fearless manner, Mikael couldn't help but stare at her in total awe. She's arguing back with Ms Cather? And it looks so easy for her.

It was then that Sophia Cather had nothing left to say. If she refuted the young princess of Cherliann here, it could get her kicked out of the manor entirely. And so, although fuming with rage from how badly her pride was hurt by a mere child, Ms Cather bit her lip, and bowed her head. "I apologise... I spoke out of turn." She said through clenched teeth.

Irene was silent, but sighed softly. "Don't let it happen again," she said. "I won't tolerate any more insults. I may be young, but I'm not incapable of dealing with rude servants."

"Thank you, My Lady. You are too kind to forgive me so quickly." Ms Cather responded, her thin lips twisting into a forced smile.

Irene ignored her, before sighing softly. "Please go and ask the kitchen to prepare breakfast. We'll be eating together soon." She instructed, and the woman found herself unable to refuse.

Irene watched as the old woman nodded her head, and left the room. She then stormed out, her body in a trembling zeal of rage.

"That little wench!" She growled, her hands balled into fists so tight, her nails were digging into her own skin. "Who does she think she is?! I'll murder that girl with my own two hands!"

But not right now. She thought, attempting to tame her anger. In order for his plan to work, I need to keep a low profile. I have to stay out of trouble.

After watching the arrogant woman leave, Irene and Mikael remained silent for a moment. It was then the white-haired girl heaved a sigh. "I know she's your maid, but she sure likes to poke her nose into things that shouldn't concern a servant."

As Irene said this, she looked at the boy in front of her, who was still trying to comprehend what had happened. Throughout his entire life, no one ever dared to say a word against Ms Cather, because everyone was always frightened of her. She was violent, strict, and heartlessly killed a few other maids who tried to be nice to Mikael, in the past.

Even Daniel, who was adored by the maids - feared her. Ms Cather was the reason why, despite being the first prince- the boy would only help Mikael secretly. He was afraid of becoming a target of her violence, and Mikael didn't blame him for it.

Yet Irene so easily dealt with the hag of a maid, even reprimanding her and making her apologise. For some reason, the fact that this young girl no older than himself was so powerful and had so much composure, was fascinating to Mikael. But he knew it was only because the lives they were born into were polar opposites.

Irene grew up confidently, but Mikael's confidence was crushed since birth.

"Are you alright?" Irene asked him, breaking the prince out of his trance as he realised he had been staring for a while.

"I... I'm fine," he responded, averting his gaze and turning away from her. But even as he felt unsure that Irene was someone he could trust, he couldn't help but feel curious. "Just then... You weren't afraid of Ms Cather?"

Irene raised an eyebrow in confusion, wondering why she should fear an old woman with no authority. But as looked at the side of Mikael's face, she noticed him fall quiet.

"Of course not," she responded. "Why should I be? She's a maid who can be thrown out easily."

Mikael swallowed, his throat dry. Throwing her out... Hah. He glanced down at his hands, a bitter smile on his pale face. That crazy old woman would never let that happen.

Eventually, Irene left Mikael to carrying out his morning routine, telling him to meet her at the dining room later. As she herself headed back to her chamber to wash up for the day, she had a feeling that the prince wasn't going to turn up.

But much to her surprise, when she arrived at the morning dining room — his familiar blonde hair and lapis blue eyes came into view. Mikael sat before her, with silver platters of delicious nourishment laid across the table. Fried eggs with ham, bacon and french toast. Fresh pancakes oozing with syrup decorated with cream, elegant pastries and bowls of strawberries.

"You actually came!" Irene beamed at the sight of him, taking a seat at one of the high-back chairs.

Mikael sighed in disinterest. "If I didn't, you'd come drag me here." He retorted without bothering to look at her, and although his response was curt, Irene giggled sheepishly.

The two then proceeded to dig in to their breakfasts, as Irene tried to strike conversation with the prince numerous times. And much to her surprise, rather than ignoring her or giving short responses, Mikael would actually respond in sentences now. It was such a small thing, but Irene felt the change come naturally and was happy that she made more progress.

Although, he did still seem disinterested in everything except the food.

"Oh, by the way," He glanced up at her, eating a strawberry. It's rosy colour made his plump lips red, and he looked like a baby as he ate. "What did you want to tell me before? The first thing we would do as friends."

Irene blinked, remembering she hadn't managed to tell him about her plan because they were rudely interrupted by Ms Cather. A buzz of excitement then reveberated through her as she remembered what she wanted to say earlier.

As Irene glanced around to ensure there were no maids in the room, she leaned across the table to whisper to Mikael. "Tonight, there's going to be a meteor shower. It only ever appears once every five hundred years," she told him, her radiant smile displaying her obvious excitement. "So instead of going to bed, we'll go up to the rooftop, okay? I know the best spot!"

Mikael wondered why she was so excited over something so trivial to him, since it was just giant rocks falling across the sky. But he nodded along anyway. For it to be the first thing we do as "friends"... This girl sure has luck on her side.

As the two continued to eat, Irene soon finished and became full for the day. Meanwhile, Mikael had already moved on to his third plate. For such a small and petite-looking boy, he sure had a big appetite.

He eats so well... She thought, smiling blissfully.

😭

❤️‍🩹

😳

👀

😭😭

• If Mikael had a voice, it would be the same as Scaramouche's 😩😩 (see the above video) genshin players where u at?

• Originally, Mikael was going to have green eyes

• Mikael in the earliest ideas I had, was a very kind/gentle person while being shy and sensitive as a kid. Basically, he would've been exactly like Reinald from my other story.

• Mikael and Daniel weren't initially brothers who got along. Daniel would've seen him as a threat to the throne/a love rival

• Rayvis was going to be a potential male lead and unrelated to Irene

• Daniel was going to be someone I would make everyone hate, but I grew a liking towards him so I decided not to do that.

• Irene's name was changed. It used to be Seira, but I felt unsatisfied with it (although it's a pretty name)

• The reason I wrote this story was kind of for the sake of having a male lead that didn't have black hair, (aka Mikael) because whenever I write a romance like this one, the ML always has black hair (I just like them too much) Of course, right now there's no telling who the ML will be 👀 Things are really leaning toward Daniel rn

• Hanna's name was supposed to be Emma, idk why that changed I think I forgot I named her

• Hanna was never made to have an ethnic background. I didn't say whether she was Japanese, Korean, or from any other place. That's because I wanted everyone to be able to relate in a way (?) Hanna is a pretty universal name which is why I chose it :3

• Ivan and Haren never existed in the drafts

• Rayvis and Freya Atlan (she's not been written much about yet, but some of you might remember seeing the name pop up) were going to be an engaged couple from a young age

• Snow was initially an elegant spirit without a bad mouth (or beak), but I made him fun because I got bored lmao

• In total, I had planned for only one main antagonist to appear in the story. Now the number of them has increased 👀

• Rudien was going to die in later chapters but I can't do that to Papa 🥺 also the readers would literally kill me