A few days passed, and the evening of Laydel's annual summer festival had finally arrived. Standing excitedly at the foyer of the Cherliann estate, were a pair of young girls. Their smiles and exuberant laughs infectious to the guards and maids passing by.

Despite the fact Irene already visited the summer festival in the past, it was nice to be able to experience the same event with new people by her side. At the same time, this was a good opportunity for her to try and help Isabella and Daniel's relationship blossom.

From their conversation a few days ago, it seemed Isabella was interested in Daniel, though she never admitted it openly. Even so, the white-haired female remained determined to ensure they got together.

After all, Isabella was the protagonist of the story. She was someone who, if led down her original path, would become a wonderful empress to her people, not just Daniel's lover. Though Irene was well aware of her own position, being someone who the nobles currently supported as the empress candidate - she wished to avoid that outcome.

It was clear the first prince had taken an interest in her, of sorts. That was inevitable, since their first encounter at the victory banquet four years ago - a meeting that should have been between him and Isabella, not Irene. As a result, she ended up capturing Daniel's attention.

He even asked for her hand in marriage - although he withdrew that suggestion almost immediately out of courtesy. Marrying Irene Cherliann - or even forming an engagement with her, was sure to spark people's approval of the first prince. After all, rather than royalty, the country relied on the Cherliann household.

Ever since their previous king had passed, Rudien Cherliann did everything in his power to protect the nation. With help from House Atlan, Einfred and Firventia, the country remained stable in areas Cherliann had little expertise. However, it had become an unspoken expectation that Irene Cherliann, daughter of Rudien Cherliann — the hero of the nation and their late emperor's closest vassal — would become empress.

Irene herself knew the pressure of this would come to haunt her in the future, especially when she would become of age. In Laydel, girls were seen as women the moment they turned sixteen, so in her case - she had four years left.

Four years to try and wriggle out of the country's unspoken desire to see the crown on her head, and place it on Isabella's instead. Perhaps it was wrong of her to try and manipulate such a responsibility onto her friend - but at the same time - Irene was the only one who really knew how capable the true heroine was.

Isabella Einfred was made to be an Empress. Even if things had changed in this life, it didn't mean that fact didn't remain. Irene did not wish to bear the title of Empress - solely because she couldn't see herself in that position, or by Daniel's side. As the author of this world and someone who woke up in the body of a villainous character, it had been her goal from the start to stay away from any risks.

Over the last few days, Irene avoided Daniel as much as she could. Now that the prince was living at the estate, it made it difficult not to run into him by chance. Their eyes would often meet in the halls or the training grounds. Even during family dinners accompanied by both young princes, she would leave the table after he had finished eating first, and purposefully eat slower as a result.

Daniel probably noticed this, but hadn't seemed too interested in getting involved either, contrary to his attitude and words in the past. It seemed the first prince already had enough on his plate, and always wore a rather distant aura about him. Though he maintained an affable image with those within the manor, Irene realised it whenever she caught herself staring in observation.

There was always an isolated look in his eyes. As though Daniel was looking far, far away into an unknown abyss. As if something was constantly bothering him.

He was detached, with little light in his eyes. Even if he was able to wear a graceful smile and demonstrate prowess in his training, it did not escape her vision.

Irene had grown used to studying the people around her over the years, especially those who were originally protagonists in her story. And Daniel's troubles were a mystery to her, but she couldn't help him by getting close.

Maybe if Isabella grows close enough to him, she can help him with whatever is on his mind... She thought, glancing down at her feet and noticing the simple hem of her skirt.

It had been a long time since Irene dressed in such plain, comfortable clothes. She wore a very bland linen dress, with long, airy sleeves and buttons on the shirt. Since the season's warmth lingered outside, there wasn't much of a need to overdress, which made it easier to fit in with the citizens of Laydel.

"Even in such plain clothes, you're so pretty, Irene!" Isabella marvelled, but her own red and white apron-dress was a gorgeous sight in itself. Especially since her pretty brown hair was decorated with a thin coif.

Irene chuckled softly, before raising her hand to her chest earnestly. "Thank you- but I pale in comparison to you, my fair lady."

She gracefully took Isabella's palm in a swift motion, and leaned forward - almost like a gentleman. Irene's golden eyes took on a gentlemanly gaze and her friend's cheeks reddened as she kissed her hand in a courteous manner.

"Oh my! How charming!" Isabella squealed, raising her free hand up to her face as she swooned. Moments later, the girls made eye contact, and immediately broke into a peal of laughter.

"What are you two goofing off about?" A sigh resounded from behind them, and both Irene and Isabella turned to see a dissatisfied blonde approaching them from the staircase. Behind him, followed two more dashing young men.

"Ah, you've all arrived at last!" Isabella beamed, her eyes sparkling at the sight.

Both she and Irene stared in awe at how different Mikael, Daniel and Rayvis looked in such plain clothes. Even though all three of them were stunningly handsome young men, seeing them so underdressed had a charm in itself.

Irene blinked at them, her expression amazed. "You three sure took forever, just to put on a shirt and pants."

Her comment made Mikael scoff. Daniel seemed to silently watch as Rayvis took a step forward, flinging an arm around his sister's shoulders. "Come now, Rene! I know you secretly think we're gorgeous. Especially me."

Irene glanced at her brother's cheeky smirk. He wasn't wrong. Rayvis Cherliann was so admired for his looks, he had more fans than both Mikael and Daniel combined. Perhaps that was also because he often traversed the lands and showed his face, much more than the princes did.

Strands of silver hair like silk threads, and piercing sky-blue eyes which shimmered like rich diamonds. The more he grew over the years, the more Irene noticed her brother becoming more of a man, physically at least. Though he was still only sixteen now, in the eyes of society, Rayvis Cherliann was more or less a grown adult. As facetious as he was - his capabilities and intellect were enough for him to keep up with his father, even at such a young age.

Ultimately, that boosted his confidence in a way Irene didn't particularly approve of.

It was then that she noticed the top button of his shirt was let loose, allowing his defined collarbones and chest to show a little. Irene turned and grabbed Rayvis by the collar.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop unbuttoning the top?!" She nagged, fixing her brother's shirt as he laughed softly at her fussing over him.

Both Daniel and Mikael stood there, staring with deadpan expressions.

So that's why he purposefully left it undone... They simultaneously realised.

Irene heaved a sigh, once she was done fixing his shirt. Rayvis had quite the playboy personality, except he didn't really actively flirt with anyone. Perhaps he was just doing this to tease others or as some sort of odd fashion statement, but she could tell by his satisfied look - he enjoyed when Irene reprimanded him.

What a doting brother. He seemed more mature as a child than he is now. She couldn't help but smile at him. Though she hated to admit it, her elder brother was adorable and a simple man. It didn't take a lot to please him.

Perhaps he inherited that from their father.

"Miss Irene, Sir Rayvis." A familiar voice called out from ahead, and both siblings turned to see a spectacled man approaching from the entrance to the manor.

River's dark cloak rippled with his stride as he drew nearer, his long ebony hair let loose and hung around his waist. Irene blinked, noticing Snow perched onto one of her teacher's shoulders. There was a somewhat serious look on their faces.

"Sir River? What brings you here?" Rayvis asked, slightly confused. It was unusual for the grand sage to make an appearance at this hour, on a busy day of the week like this.

River's eyes fleetingly met with Irene, before he turned to bring forth something from his pocket.

"I have business with His Grace, but also heard you were going to visit the festival again," stepping towards them, he procured what seemed to be a small, rounded glass bottle. Inside, was an unusual opalescent potion. "I hope you weren't planning on going out with your unique silver hair for show. Please use this."

He handed it to Irene gingerly, and she blinked in confusion as she stared down at the miniature potion in her hands. "What is it?"

River motioned towards his head. "Place a single drop of it on your head, and it will temporarily change your hair colour. The effect lasts for six hours."

Both Irene and Rayvis glanced at each other. It was true that hiding their hair meant concealing their identities, since the only people in Laydel born with silvery-white hair were the Cherlianns.

Isabella sounded amazed from behind. "Wow! Isn't that the potion you were working on last week, Sir River?"

Her teacher nodded. He then glanced at both the princes nearby, and politely bowed. "If you feel the need to, please use the dye as well, your highnesses. There is enough for more than twenty uses in that single bottle."

Irene smiled. River sure was dependable. As she gently held the smooth glass potion in her hands, she glanced up at the mage. "Thank you, Sir River!"

Though she did wish he could come with them, it seemed River was busy. Even if he concealed it well - there was a sense of urgency in his inky pools for eyes. In addition, it was unusual for him to make an appearance at the manor during evening hours.

Irene then glanced at Snow, who only she could see, and spoke to him within her mind. "Are you going to be going with him, Snow?"

The Phoenix faltered for a moment, lowering his beak. But with a soft sigh, he nodded. "It's a matter he asked me to help with. But if you need me for any reason, just call. I'll be there immediately."

Irene smiled at her spirit companion. It actually gave her a peace of mind that Snow spent so much time with River - mostly because she knew he was aiding someone trustworthy and capable in many fields. As the Head Mage of the magic tower, River Alvenicht was one of the most powerful men in the nation, though he would never admit it himself.

It was better for Snow to assist him than hanging around her as she idly had fun and lived the typical young noblewoman life, anyway. But it brought her a sense of comfort knowing he'd be there the moment she called him.

Irene smiled. "I see, well make sure you assist him well." She told him, and the Phoenix perked his head.

With that, River and Snow took their leave, and Irene and the others began to make their own ways to the carriage outdoors waiting for them.

🛐