"M'lady, we need to get your measurements now." Rina called out to the silver-haired lady.

The girl had a reluctant look on her face, but could not help to refuse the call. She put her sword down and faced the two boys who were with her.

"I need to go now, let's stop for today." She uttered in a sad tone, turned her back against the two boys who were looking at her with a worried look and stepped away.

"Aristia." A voice called her name, halting her footsteps as she turned her head towards the voice who called her. A red-haired approached her, and patted her head. "Don't push yourself too hard."

Aristia's gloomy expression slowly brightened up. A smile is drawn on her face.

"Don't worry, I won't." After saying that, she turned back, about to continue walking to the building. However, she paused for a moment and whispered in a really small voice. "Thanks, Carsein."

The silver-haired walked away, into the Monique Manor. A chartreuse-haired and red-haired remained on the training field, neither moving, nor saying a word.

"Oi, carrot." Allendis shouted, calling the red-haired.

"What?"

"Didn't I tell you to piss off? Stop clinging onto her, you bastard."

"Haha... No matter how I think about it you really are annoying. Why do you care? Stop ordering me around, it's my life! I get to choose what I'm gonna do, you psycho! Why, you're afraid that she'll like me more than she likes you?"

"Crazy bastard." Allendis clicked his tongue and walked away. Leaving the red-haired alone.

Carsein sighed, and exited the training grounds.

***

As soon as Carsein returned home, a-red haired young man with ruby orbs in a navy uniform caught his sight.

"It's been a long time, Sein." The man greeted.

Carsein froze, surprised by the return of his older brother, Kaysian.

"When did you arrive, brother?"

"About 2 hours ago? Yeah, it was about 2 hours ago. How are you doing?"

"Just... so-so. How about you? Aren't you tired? I mean, you just got back from an expedition..."

"Haha... I sure am tired, I'll rest in a while. How about we spar tomorrow? Let's see your progress while I'm away."

"Sure, you'd be surprised though. Well then, go rest now, shoo!"

"Alright, alright. You don't have to chase me away like that!" Kaysian laughed. "Well then, I'll be resting now!"

The ruby eyes disappeared like the wind, leaving the guy with clear blue orbs behind. Carsein returned to his room and lied on his bed.

His eyes slowly closing and in a few seconds, he fell into deep sleep. It was a tiring day.

***

A few days passed, the day when the lesser sun of the Empire, Prince Ruveliss' coming of age arrived. Cherry blossoms flutter along the the roads, filling the capital city of the Castina Empire.

People rejoiced, while the nobles were busy preparing for the coming-of-age ball in the evening.

'I wonder how she's doing right now... she must be super busy...'

"Thinking about Lady Aristia?" a voice snapped the red-haired back to reality, that question came out of Kaysian, his older brother.

"What?" Carsein questioned. "Why are you in my room?"

"I knocked just now, you know." Kaysian scoffed. "You didn't seem to hear my knock so I opened the door and found you dazed in your own world. So, tell me, what is it about Lady Aristia this time."

"It's not like that..."

"Heyy... don't lie, you'd always look different when you're thinking or even talking about her."

"What do you mean different?"

"Your eyes, they're glistening."

"Eyes?"

Carsein diverted his sight to the mirror just right behind his brother. He stared at his reflection which doesn't seem to be any different from his usual eyes. The clear-blue eyes gave the red-ruby orbs a questioning look.

"I'm aware that you have taken a liking to Lady Aristia, Sein."

"..."

"And I'm really sorry for saying this, but this is for your own wellbeing as well. You should find someone else, Sein. Anyone but Lady Aristia. You know that Lady Aristia is the fiancee of the crown prince right? So its better if you give up now rather than have a heartbreak later."

"...easy for you to say..." Carsein retorted.

'I've tried, a lot of times in the past. But what should I do? I still can't let her go, at least not now.'

The two brothers stood silent. None of them speaking a word. The eldest stood silent as he stared at his brother who is currently flooded with mixed feelings. A knock broke their silence.

"Come in." Carsein permitted. The door opened, showing a maid in front of the door. "What is it?"

"The Duchess is calling for you young masters," The maid explained. "she said that it is time to depart to the royal palace now."

"Oh it's time? Alright, we'll head down now." Kaysian informed. "Let's go, Sein."

"Hm." Carsein nodded, and they departed to the royal palace.

***

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Ruveliss Kamaluddin Shana Castina and Lady Aristia la Monique is entering!" The palace worker shouted, catching the attention of all the nobles inside the ballroom.

The door opened.

A young man with sea-blue hair in a light-blue white suit holding the hand of a silver-haired young lady wearing a light-blue and white dress filled the sight of a certain clear-blue orbs. He stared at the two as they entered and walked along the red carpet.

Seeing the couple wearing matching clothes which looked like they were born to be together irritated him. His eyes burning with jealousy.

He kept staring at them, and noticed something odd.

'Is it just me, or did she flinch when she made eye contact with the weed?'

Carsein turned his attention to the chartreuse-haired young man who was standing on the opposite side of him. Analyzing his facial expression.

'What's with them? They were still joking around yesterday but why suddenly-?'

A memory flashed in his mind. In the Crown Prince's coming of age in the past, a silver-haired and chartreuse-haired arguing in the balcony.

It all led to one conclusion.

'Something must've happened yesterday.'