How did it come to this?!

Irene could scarcely hide the red in her cheeks as she did her best to look anywhere but directly ahead. As the carriage wheels rattled with movement, her knees ended up accidentally brushing against the person seated opposite her. Again.

In order to avoid any attention on the way to the festival, aa simple coach had been prepared for Irene and the others. Little did they know, there was not much leg space within the carriage, as a result.

Daniel had his arms folded over his chest and his gaze lowered, but the way the streetlights gently illuminated his midnight hair and warm beige skin, made it difficult for her not to stare. He didn't say a word, even as their knees remained centimetres apart. Irene did her best to sink backwards into her seat, shifting uncomfortably with a red face.

This is uncomfortable... I should have let Isabella enter the carriage before me. In attempt to calm down, she turned to the brunette seated next to her beseechingly. But her best friend was already too busy chatting away with Rayvis, so there was no hope for a distraction there.

Mikael was as quiet as his brother, staring silently out of the window on the other side. Irene wished she could trade seats with anyone else, but she realised this situation would have to be endured for now.

This situation in itself was amazing to her. The fact that the characters she once wrote about in such detail, were now crammed together in a cheap coach - on their way to the summer festival again. Usually, something like this would have been easy, but being in the presence of the male lead had her on edge.

Just as she was turning her head, Irene's eyes accidentally caught sight of Daniel's.

Her heart froze. For a moment, those deep oceans for irises ensnared her - and it felt as though she would drown in them.

Immediately spinning her head to face the window, Irene broke the eye contact and could feel her cheeks burn. The prince's gaze lingered, and made her shift awkwardly in her seat.

Please let this journey be over soon...!

Observing her flustered reaction keenly, Daniel did not peal his gaze from the girl in front of him. Her usual white hair was dyed a pale, bisque colour after using the dye handed to her by River Alvenicht. He could tell she was likely uncomfortable because of the proximity of their seats, but seeing her cheeks turn a soft rose was somewhat endearing.

Still, he knew that getting lost in this image of her was not a good idea.

He stifled a sigh. Not yet.

Reminding himself, Daniel slowly closed his eyes and avoided looking any longer. Despite his interest in the girl in front of him, he knew well she was not someone he could approach right now.

Not until that day came, and he could finally tell her the real reason why he came to live at the Cherliann estate.

"We're here!" A voice called out, as the carriage wobbled to a stop. Irene almost audibly breathed a sigh of relief, but held it in since it wouldn't escape the prince's notice.

Excitement bubbled up like a fine summer lemonade within the girl seated next to her, and at last- Isabella turned to face her friend with a beautiful smile.

"This is going to be so much fun, don't you think?"

Seeing her grin so exuberantly like a puppy, almost instantly wiped away Irene's discomfort from the journey. She smiled back softly, before nodding. "It will!"

As the five swiftly stepped down from the carriage, Irene gazed up at the familiar scenery ahead. The town was illuminated by golden, glowing lanterns, overhead. Buildings decorated with ribbons and summer wreaths, stalls lined with delicacies and games - even the citizens faces were alight with joy and buoyancy.

"It's been a while since we last came here, huh?" Irene smiled up at her brother beside her. His usual, silken strands of silver hair coated the same bisque colour as her own. Those crystal-clear eyes smiling down at her with nostalgia.

"Back then you were an itty-bitty little thing," Rayvis playfully ruffled Irene's hair, to which she responded with a look of slight annoyance. But before she could say anything, her brother's face suddenly took a very stern expression. "Now, remember what I always tell you, Rene. You have to-"

"Not leave your side, stay close to you at all times so I don't get lost, and not talk to any strangers, right?" Irene heaved a sigh. "Yes, Brother. I'll do just that."

Her begrudging response only elicited a satisfied chuckle from the young man, as he caressed her cheek affectionately. "You're such a good girl."

I'm starting to think my brother sees me as a pet.

Oh well. I wasn't planning on listening to him anyways.

"So this is what the festival looks like."

Irene turned to see Mikael gazing ahead with no particular interest in the festive scenery before him. His soft blonde hair swept over his ocean-blue eyes, but they couldn't conceal the apathy. Actually, he seemed rather annoyed to be here.

That was no surprise. Mikael wasn't exactly the type to enjoy things like this. He probably would have rather spent the evening training. Irene was sure he would be a shut-in if he existed in her previous life.

Not to mention, the bustling crowd likely made him uncomfortable - as much as he had gotten used to them over the years. Mikael often dragged a lot of attention, since his face was not only handsome - but the spitting image of the precious late emperor.

Any of the older citizens who laid eyes on him, would have noticed that.

"Come on, Your Highness," Isabella frowned at him. "You have to show more excitement than that!"

He flinched. "B-But I'm not excited-"

"You will be!" She insisted, pumping her fists. "Laydel's Summer Festivals are the greatest celebration ever!"

Rayvis laughed, joining in as he threw an arm around Mikael's shoulders. "You'll change your mind the moment you eat some of the food here. I bet you've never tried the famous meat skewers!"

Mikael flinched a little, remembering something from those words.

It was then his eyes instantly shifted towards Daniel, who was already smiling at him warmly. They both recalled that memory, and didn't need words to demonstrate their shared thoughts. Mikael gazed at his brother's soft, dark hair and gentle smile. Yet after all these years, it felt so strangely unfamiliar.

As Rayvis and Isabella continued to pester Mikael, Irene had something else on her mind. She stole a glance at Daniel, who had been silent this entire time - having said not a word since before the carriage ride. He watched his brother with an affectionate gaze - but there was also a distant look in those eyes.

There's been something off about him ever since he came to the Cherliann estate... Irene realised this from a while ago, but could not understand the way the male lead was thinking. Something was happening from a place she could not see, and the fact that Daniel's character had changed from her original story was proof of that.

Her attention then shifted towards Isabella, who she felt determined to helping out with Daniel. Though- much to Irene's surprise, the brunette didn't seem to be heeding much attention to the first prince, or attempting to converse with him.

But Isabella usually includes everyone... It kind of feels like she isn't speaking with him deliberately.

Could she be shy...?

Or maybe I misunderstood, and she isn't interested in him after all...

Just then, something completely surprising transpired right before her eyes.

As Mikael slipped away to go and speak with Daniel, Isabella and Rayvis were conversing again. As they always had.

The look on Isabella's face in that moment as she gazed up at the young man in front of her - suddenly grabbed Irene's attention. Her soft brown eyes glistened like pools of honey and that perfect, pearly skin was red beneath the warm lights. Isabella faltered with her words. As though her heart was caught in her chest.

It was the kind of expression that would make anyone assume she was deeply in love.

In...Love...?

Irene's eyes then shifted to Rayvis, who seemed to be talking to her amicably as he always did. Though she couldn't tell if her brother had such feelings in return - one look at Isabella in that moment, was enough for the realisation to dawn upon her.

It can't be...

The face Isabella wore was exactly how Irene would have imagined she'd gaze at Daniel, in her original novel. From the glimmer in her eyes to the redness of her cheeks. It all became too clear in that moment - she wondered how long such an obvious sight had escaped her notice.

How long was she friends with Isabella, without knowing how her closest friend truly felt? And towards her brother, of all people?

Crap.

Isabella is in love with Rayvis.

Perhaps Irene was assuming things again. But this time, her intuition told her she was right. And it caused a great knot of anxiousness to settle in her stomach, all of a sudden.

Of course... I'm such an idiot...

I became friends with Isabella from the start, so she was bound to see and talk to Rayvis more than the male leads, given how close she became to me...

How could I have not considered the possibility of something so obvious??

In the original novel, Rayvis was merely Daniel's right hand, not to mention his personality was stone-cold and murderous, like his father's. This playful, gentlemanly side of the eldest Cherliann was saved by Sarah's survival. Of course he was going to end up one of the most dreamy bachelors to the eyes of those in high society now. Who could blame Isabella for falling for him?

Crap... This changes things a lot...

I didn't pay attention because he's my brother... But even he is capable of stealing Isabella's heart with a face like that...

"—Irene!"

"Eh—?!"

Suddenly snapping out of her thoughts, Irene flinched at the sensation of a hand clutching her arm. Mikael peered into her face, a look of concern drifting across his expression.

"...Are you feeling unwell?" He asked, his brows furrowed. "You suddenly turned really pale."

Before waiting for a response, Mikael swiftly lifted his hand up to her face. Irene was still so shocked she could hardly process it when he gently swept her hair aside with the tips of his fingers. The feeling tickled her numb skin, before his slender hand pressed against her forehead.

Irene's eyes widened. "What are you...?"

As she watched Mikael slip his hand beneath his bangs and over his own forehead, his eyes were focused solely on her with a completely serious expression.

Is he... Trying to check my temperature?

They stared at one another wordlessly for a moment, before his gaze softened with relief. "I guess it's not a fever..." He sighed, retreating his hand. Irene blinked, bewildered. The place he touched her suddenly felt cold.

What was that about?

Was Mikael always that nice?

"I-I'm fine. It's nothing." Mustering the strength to smile, Irene tried to shake off all the mixed feelings that were entangled within her chest. Little did she know, the keen eyes of the first prince watched her silently from where he stood.

What am I doing?! I need to keep myself together! Irene reprimanded herself, before slapping her cheeks to snap herself out of it. It'll be fine! I just have to plan something else, like I've been doing all this time!

Before anyone else could notice, Irene decided to shake off the anxiousness and smile as much as she could. "We should go explore now!" She exclaimed, bringing Isabella out of her reverie and capturing Rayvis's attention. Everyone turned to her as she forced herself to fire up. "Let's enjoy this evening as much as we can!"