That was...

Unexpected... Irene thought, her face flushed as red as a beetroot as she hurried through the maze, back the way she came. With her elaborate little gown fluttering from her movements, her mind became a frenzy of panicked thoughts as she realised what had just happened.

I talked rudely to the first prince...

What if he comes after me because of this?!

As she continued almost aimlessly running through the endless labyrinth, Irene couldn't even tell if she was going the right way anymore. That was her first time meeting Daniel in this life, and he was as beautiful as she thought. Although — she could've sworn she saw his face somewhere before. Perhaps she was mixing it up with someone else's. Either way, it didn't seem he knew who she was, seeing as he asked for her name.

"Let's just hope he forgets about me by the time we next meet..." She mumbled to herself, absentmindedly. The older Daniel was not someone who one could easily mess with. In fact — if compared to other characters, he would become as frighteningly powerful as Rayvis and Rudien. There would be no walking out alive if he planned on killing a person. And Daniel never hesitated.

Just as Irene was about to hurry past the next corner, her eyes widened at the sight of a familiar face coming right toward her.

"—WAH!"

Someone collided into her with a sudden impact — causing Irene to fall back into the grass with a yelp. It seemed they accidentally barged into each other at the worst timing.

The young man in front of her winced as he ran a hand through his silky turquoise hair. Those amber eyes were screwed shut, as Irene recollected herself and turned to face him with a look of bewilderment.

"Ivan?" She gave him a look with slight apprehension, and her voice quickly brought the boy's attention. As he faced her in slight embarrassment, Irene noticed the boy's cheeks tint a light shade of pink.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him, but he faltered and struggled to find a reason. Sighing softly, the white-haired girl stood up and gently brushed the dirt off her skirt, realising from Ivan's reaction — he came to look for her.

"...I saw you coming outside by yourself, so..." He hesitated, averting his gaze. Long, straight bangs concealed his eyes, but the little beauty spot above his cheek was still visible.

Irene offered him a hand to help him up. Considering they were in a rather awkward place ever since he degraded Mikael a few months ago, she wasn't exactly happy to see him right now. Although she knew he was just a silly kid who made mistakes like any other eleven-year-old, she still couldn't let go of the insulting attitude he had toward the prince.

"You followed me here, didn't you?" Irene sighed, crossing her arms after helping him to his feet. He had grown noticeably taller than the last time she saw him. "So I'm guessing you have something you want to say?"

He wore the look of a frightened little kitten who was hiding from a big dog, and although it was a cute face he was making - she wasn't going to let him go that easily. Ivan fiddled with his fingers, eyes downcast and shoes shifting uncomfortably. But he soon gathered the courage to speak up again.

"I-Irene, I wanted to apologise..." He began to say, and she stayed quiet so she could listen to what he had to say. "I know it's been a long time since we last talked... But the time I spent after that day was horrible - until I learnt my lesson and realised I was wrong. I was too scared to say this earlier, but I really shouldn't have said those things to the prince, or to you..."

He paused for a moment, glancing up to observe her reaction. Irene wore a look of nonchalance, but her eyes weren't piercing or as angered as he thought she would be. Instead, there was a look of relief in them.

Holding her stern gaze, Ivan apologised with sincerity. He bowed his head and clenched his hands - which were sweating from how nervous he was.

"I won't be like that again! I promise I'll grow into someone who never spouts such rude words about others, and I'll support Prince Mikael from now on, too!" He exclaimed, and Irene noticed his ears turning red. "I apologised to him earlier and he forgave me... But it wouldn't have felt right if I didn't make things up to you, too."

Irene was silent for a moment, staring blankly at the bowing boy in front of her. She didn't know what happened to the immense pride he once had, but Ivan was a much gentler person than she thought. The more she looked at him, the more she realised he and Haren may have been more similar than expected. With a small sigh, Irene gently reached a hand up to the boy in front of her and tapped his shoulder lightly.

"What are you doing, apologising that hard to a little girl like me?" She sighed, and when he stood upright again, his amber eyes were glistening like gems.

"You're not still mad...?"

Shaking her head, Irene offered him a warm smile. "How can I be, when you worked hard all this time, trying to fix things?" She reached a hand up to pet his head, and although the boy was a bit taller than her, she managed to gently ruffle his perfect hair.

"You're a bit of an idiot, but you apologised. That means you're a good person who knows when they did something wrong. So you're forgiven." She smiled.

Ivan looked like he was about to cry, with his big eyes swelling with water, and his lips quivering a little bit. He was adorable when he looked guilty, even Irene couldn't help but feel her chest warm up by looking at his vivacious face. Ivan was so unnecessarily beautiful, it didn't even look bad when he scrunched his face up to withhold his tears.

"Ah, we should head back into the hall now - before they start wondering where we are." Irene smiled, taking Ivan's hand and glancing up at Snow, who randomly appeared overhead just to check up on her. The Phoenix took the hint that he needed to lead her back, and quickly flew over the maze to work out the way out.

As the two children walked in silence, Ivan wondered how the girl even knew how to get out of here, but didn't ask anything. Rather, his mind was occupied by something else. There were still some things he needed to say.

"Irene..." He then stopped, and she turned to face him with confusion in her cherubic face. Her little hand was so warm, and those large, round eyes were like pools of melted gold. The more he looked at her, the prettier she grew.

Ivan blushed faintly as he gazed at Irene's face, and she tilted her head a little in question. "What's wrong?" She asked, realising he had something on his mind.

A hesitant look crossed his visage, and Ivan broke his gaze away for a moment. But it was quickly overtaken by a look of resolve. The boy tightened his hand around Irene's — and then faced her with a strong gaze.

"You see... I'll be leaving Laydel with Haren, to attend school at the Pedillion Academy. So... I won't be seeing you for a really long time," he explained. "In order for me to become worthy of inheriting my family's name... I'll work hard to become someone who benefits the empire. I hope you'll wait for me, until then."

Pedillion Academy... It sounded familiar, and Irene instantly remembered what he was talking about. It was an esteemed educational institution — the only one of its kind in the entire continent, in fact. Located in the southern country of Argenia, the school was renowned for raising students of high-class and sometimes royal background, from all over the world.

Since the academy primarily focused on allowing students to form relationships with other nations, as well as becoming adept socialites who learned about national affairs, trades and intermingling with different people — it was perfect for the sons of House Firventia to attend. After all, their duchy specialised in those fields.

Graduating from the Pedillion Academy was a huge honour — and having someone among Laydel's aristocracy receive an education there, would look very good for the empire. Not to mention, they would be very knowledgable when it came to other countries and would be well-versed in creating international relationships.

Ivan and Haren were graduates from the academy, back in her original story. But since they were the only characters who attended the school, Irene didn't think of it too much. Only now did she remember the existence of the academy, and she remembered that the twins would be leaving for eight years to fulfil their education.

"You're really going there?" Irene gasped, taking his hand with an exuberant smile. "Congratulations on getting in! I heard acceptance rates are really low for Pedillion. I'm proud of you both!"

Ivan smiled in turn, having realised she would react this way. But the idea of not seeing her for eight long years was rather painful for him to imagine. He didn't really know why Irene was so special, but Ivan hoped he could grow up into someone who would be worthy of her praise.

"It's not long until we leave... But I'll do my best to make Laydel proud. And Haren will too," He smiled, gazing at Irene's excitable, beaming face. "You better not forget me! When I come back, you'll be the first person I want to see."

She was a little confused as to why Ivan would want to see her first, rather than Rayvis or Isabella who he spent way more time with — but Irene shook it off and nodded her head with a smile. Although he was a troublesome lady's man in the original novel, Ivan was very sharp and skilful when it came to dealing with other people in the novel. It would take him a simple conversation to win anyone over — and so he became quite a master at persuasion.

"I look forward to seeing how much you change when you grow older," Irene giggled softly, and tilted her head. "But you better keep your promise and be a good person, alright? And make sure you stay safe. You and Haren both."

With a firm nod, Ivan smiled with resolve. "I promise."

After finally making it back to the banquet hall, Irene managed to find Mikael, who had been spending his time talking with Rayvis, Haren and Isabella. They greeted both her and Ivan, and the blonde-haired prince glanced momentarily at the face of the boy who had apologised to him earlier.

Ivan was sincere when he said sorry, but Mikael didn't really like the red on his face whenever he looked at Irene. The elder Firventia twin seemed a lot happier now that she accepted his apology - more than how relieved he got after Mikael forgave him.

Irene must have noticed the second prince's apprehension, because she soon peered into his face when he ignored her greeting unintentionally.

"Earth to Mikael! Are you ignoring me again?" She harrumphed, and the boy shifted slightly in his seat, averting his gaze.

"What?" He sighed, as Irene sat beside him. Mikael looked like he was in a bit of a bad mood, while everyone else was blissfully enjoying themselves. Irene noticed the crease between his brows, and she raised an eyebrow.

Is he upset because I left him...? Or is it because he's disappointed he wasn't able to see Daniel?

She couldn't really tell what the reason was, since Mikael was quite difficult to read sometimes. But seeing as he would often cheer up as soon as she got his mind off his thoughts, Irene decided to take his hand, and drag him down the hall herself.

"Let's dance, Mikael!" She beamed, but the young prince only gave her a look of irritation.

"I don't want to! Let go—"

"Stop being so boring! We took a lot of lessons together, so let's not let them go to waste!"

In the end, Mikael couldn't refute the stubborn girl - as always, and decided to just give in to her demands. Although he didn't enjoy these sorts of activities all that much, Mikael unexpectedly didn't dislike the feeling. Irene was a bit too close, and his face became a little rosy, but her warm hands were pleasant to touch; her childish smile filled him with bliss. Their feet travelled through the hall with ease, and the thrill of dance completely washed his previous mood away.

As the two waltzed in grace, Irene's mind recollected all her memories of the time she spent in this world, leading up to now. Somehow, the music they were dancing to brought a sense of nostalgia in her chest, as she recalled everything she managed to achieve in this life.

From the days she grew as a baby, Irene somehow managed to win over the cold heart of Duke Rudien Alpheus Cherliann — a man she once saw as frightening yet terrible as a father. And now, that very same man was watching her dance with a smile on his handsome face. It seemed he was finally less strict about her being close to Mikael... Sometimes.

And beside the silver-haired hero of Laydel, was his beautiful wife and the kind mother Irene managed to save. By ensuring she lived happily in all of the smallest possible ways, she prevented Sarah's death and in doing so, she protected Rayvis and Rudien from becoming distant, cold and lonely men.

Rayvis was in the middle of dancing with Isabella, who was completely red-faced for some reason. As Irene noticed her precious heroine struggling to keep up with her elder brother — who was laughing and smiling as always, a feeling of warmth overcame her chest.

Even Ivan and Haren looked happy, enjoying themselves whilst talking to one another and watching the dance. The adorable twins who Irene found annoying at first — but soon came to seeing as good friends.

As Irene and Mikael gracefully glided across the marble floors, hand in hand, they enjoyed the feeling of cool air and movement. To everyone else who watched them, they were two cute children guarded by the hero of the banquet. But to each other, they were tied with a much greater bond. As Irene danced with the boy, she smiled at his perfect flow of movement, his beautiful expression and those wavy tresses of creamy-blonde hair framing eyes as blue as the sapphire ocean. He was still ever so slightly shorter than her — a cute little boy, who was growing healthy and well.

Even now, Mikael was as beautiful as the day she first saw him step down from the carriage when he first moved into House Cherliann. It had been five and half months since then — but the time felt more like years. Who would've thought he'd become far more important than Irene originally thought?

This same boy, who used to ignore her and push her away at every chance he got. Although Mikael was trying to keep her out of harms way, having suffered from Sophia Cather's abuse his whole life, he still tried to protect Irene even with a bitter personality. A broken soul who originally turned into a villain with no hope or people to love him.

But now, he prospered and was healing into a beautiful flower — which not even the aristocrats could deny. With the Cherlianns on his side, no one would dare to criticise him ever again.

Mikael was much happier now. And seeing him that way put Irene's heart at ease, knowing she saved him from his bleak and desolate future.

Many precious people had appeared to her in this world — which she created from her own imagination, back in her previous life. And as she poured all her remaining time into this story before her death, Irene never imagined the characters she came up with herself, would become living and conscious right before her eyes. Everything was still so surreal, but one thing was for sure — these people meant the world to her.

There were hardships, and a lot of new things came about after I changed the story... She smiled, glancing up at Snow who had stolen some hors d'oeuvres and was munching on them upon the glittering chandelier overhead. But I have no regrets... This place has become such an important place to me.

Irene then glanced back towards Mikael, who's beautiful little face vaguely reflected Daniel's. As she thought about the first prince — the beloved male lead she cared for, more than anyone when she wrote her original story — she wondered if he too, would become someone important to her later on.

It was still uncertain whether this peace would last, and Irene knew it would be a good idea to keep her guard up. But in this moment of bliss — this fleeting memory in the making — Irene felt it would be okay to simply relish these seconds as they happened. After all, she was never able to do that in her previous life as Hanna.

This story will always be changing, especially by my own will. She smiled, closing her eyes as a feeling of wistfulness warmed her heart.

I will protect this happiness... My family and friends that have become so important to me...

No matter what trouble comes our way,

❤️❤️❤️

😭

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