“Riaaa! What are you doing? Didn’t you say you were going to the palace? The carriage is waiting for you!” her mother called out from the hall.

Ria turned over lazily on her bed. “Yes, Mom! Just a minute, please!” she replied, quickly placing the unopened letter she’d received earlier into her drawer before hurrying out.

At the grand palace gates, Lucy—Ria’s closest friend and the princess of the Philistia Kingdom—stood waiting with her arms crossed, a pout on her lips.

“I really wanted you to come faster! It’s been ages since we met,” Lucy said, puffing her cheeks. “But you, Miss Ria, decided to arrive late!”

Ria laughed softly. “Sorry, Lucy! It’s just… I remembered something I’d forgotten.”

“Oh? And what was that?” Lucy asked curiously.

“Well…” Ria hesitated, her eyes glinting mischievously. “I’ll tell you later—I still haven’t decided.” She winked.

Lucy groaned. “You only know how to hush me, Ria!”

“Well, it works every time anyway,” Ria teased.

“Yes, yes. Come on now—it’s getting late,” Lucy said with mock impatience, grabbing Ria’s arm.

“Alright, let’s go,” Ria replied, following her friend inside.

Just then, a calm voice spoke behind them. “What are you two doing?”

Both girls jumped. Turning around, they saw a tall man with neatly combed blond hair, striking blue eyes, and a gentle yet sharp gaze—it was Melvin, Lucy’s brother, known for his quiet, almost fragile charm.

“Melvin!” Lucy exclaimed. “Can’t you stop doing that?”

“What am I doing?” he asked, smiling innocently.

“You always sneak up on us! It’s scary!” Lucy complained, frowning.

“Were you both talking bad about me behind my back?” Melvin asked playfully.

“No!” Ria and Lucy shouted in unison.

“Then why do you always look so startled when I appear?” he teased.

“Well, why shouldn’t we be surprised?” Lucy countered, crossing her arms.

Ria sighed and stepped between them. “Guys, don’t fight. Why am I here—to listen to you two bicker again?”

Lucy huffed. “I don’t want to argue with you, Melvin. Can’t you just go away?”

Melvin gave a dramatic bow. “Well, as you wish, my dear sister. I shall take my leave. But don’t forget to call me when your little talk is over. I missed Ria just as much as you did, so don’t keep her all to yourself.”

Ria chuckled softly. “The same old line, Melvin. I get it—I’ll come visit you later.”

After Melvin left, Lucy sighed. “Isn’t my brother weird? He always says such strange things and never gets tired of it.”

Ria laughed. “Yeah, that’s true.”

Just then, Lucy’s expression brightened. “Oh! By the way, Ria—I heard someone’s coming to the capital. Do you know who it is?”

Ria froze for a moment, her thoughts drifting.

“Ria? What’s wrong? Why are you dazed?” Lucy asked, concerned.

“It’s nothing,” Ria said quickly. “I was just thinking about something.”

“Anyway,” Lucy continued, “I heard someone was coming to the capital.”

“Yes,” Ria nodded. “It’s my cousin. My uncle and aunt are sending her here.”

“Why?” Lucy asked, tilting her head.

“Since she has her coming-of-age ceremony in the capital, she wanted to be acquainted with the people here,” Ria explained.

“Are you close to her? You’ve never talked about her with me,” Lucy said curiously.

“Ah… not really,” Ria admitted, slightly confused by her own feelings.

Just then, a palace guard approached and bowed. “Lady Rianide and Princess Lucy—His Majesty is calling for you both.”

As the guard bowed and departed, Lucy sighed dramatically.

“Ahh! It’s starting again.”

Ria tilted her head. “What is?”

Lucy pouted. “Every time you come, my parents end up calling you. They really like you so much.”

Ria chuckled. “Isn’t that because of our parents’ friendship?”

Lucy smiled and said suddenly, “That’s part of it, yes—but it’s also because of you.”

Ria blinked, then laughed. “Hmm… I knew it!”

They reached the grand double doors leading to the audience chamber where the King and Queen awaited. The guards opened them with a bow, and the two girls stepped inside.

“Oh, Ria! How are you? It’s been such a long time since we met,” greeted both the King and Queen warmly.

“I am well, Your Majesties,” Ria said with a graceful bow.

The King smiled thoughtfully. “Ria, would you like to take your classes together with Lucy and Melvin?”

Ria was momentarily taken aback. “It would be my honor, Your Majesty, but I must apologize beforehand… I cannot do that.”

The Queen’s brow lifted gently. “May I know the reason, dear?”

Ria replied respectfully, “I’m comfortable with where I am now, so… I’d rather continue as it is.”

The Queen nodded kindly. “That’s perfectly fine—it’s your choice, after all.”

After a few more pleasantries, Lucy and Ria bowed and took their leave.

Once they were gone, the Queen turned to the King with a knowing smile. “Were you playing cupid again?”

The King chuckled. “Perhaps. I was thinking…”

“I would love to have her as my daughter-in-law,” the Queen admitted.

The King laughed softly. “Aren’t they already close? Let’s see what the future holds.”

---

Outside the hall, as they walked down the corridor, Lucy suddenly stopped and turned to Ria.

“Ria… what do you think about my brother?”

Ria froze, startled by the sudden question. “Uh… what?”

“You heard me right,” Lucy pressed, grinning. “Answer me.”

Ria smiled nervously. “Ah… he’s a good person. We’ve known each other since childhood, so… I guess I like him? A bit?”

“What? Guess? A bit? I knew you liked him!” Lucy teased.

“If you knew, why ask me then?” Ria pouted, crossing her arms.

“Riaaa, don’t sulk! I was just confirming,” Lucy laughed. “Should I play cupid for you?”

“No way! Absolutely not!” Ria said, waving her hands frantically.

“Well, your wish. But Ria… you’ve heard the rumor, right?” Lucy asked.

“Rumor? How many are there now?” Ria asked, confused.

Lucy smirked. “It’s the one about you—people are saying you’ll be the Crown Princess.”

“What?! There’s talk about that? Why didn’t I know?” Ria asked in disbelief.

“Your parents must’ve kept it from you,” Lucy said casually. “But it doesn’t matter—it’ll probably become the truth anyway.”

Ria flushed red. “Are you doing this on purpose?” she exclaimed, chasing Lucy down the hallway as the princess burst into laughter.

A few days later, Ria’s cousin, Bella, arrived in the capital.

“Ria! How have you been? Are you well?” Bella asked brightly, stepping down from the carriage.

“Yes, cousin. I’m fine—as you can see. And you?” Ria replied politely.

After the formal greetings, only the two of them remained in the hall.

“You still haven’t changed, my dear cousin,” Bella said with a faint smirk.

Ria smiled thinly. “Same to you.”

Their words were polite, but their eyes carried a quiet challenge.

Later that day, Lucy invited Ria to the palace again. Ria’s parents insisted she bring Bella along, and though Ria didn’t like the idea, she agreed—it was her parents’ wish.

At the palace, Lucy greeted Bella warmly, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. Though it was their first meeting, Lucy sensed something… off about Ria’s cousin.

After a while, Bella began wandering through the corridors alone. That was when she saw a young man with golden hair and deep blue eyes walking past—Melvin.

Her heart skipped.

“Is that… the Crown Prince?” she whispered to herself. “He’s so beautiful… but why does he have to be friends with her?”

An unpleasant glint appeared in Bella’s eyes. The boy she had fallen for at first sight was the one rumored to be close with the cousin she despised.

In that instant, Bella made a silent vow—she would ruin the bond between Melvin and Ria.

Moments later, she approached him gracefully.

“Your Highness, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said with a perfect curtsy.

Melvin turned to her politely. “May I know who you are, my lady?”

“My name is Bella Raven. I’m Ria’s cousin,” she said with a charming smile.

“Oh! Ria’s cousin. It’s a pleasure to meet you too,” Melvin replied warmly.

Bella, eager to prolong the moment, said sweetly, “I’ve heard so much about Your Highness from my cousin.”

“Oh, really?” Melvin asked, amused. “What has she been saying about me?”

Their conversation went on for quite some time, much to Bella’s delight.

Eventually, Melvin smiled. “It was a pleasant chat, Lady Bella. I’m glad we met.”

Just then, Lucy and Ria—who had been searching for Bella—found her as the conversation ended.

“Brother! Why are you with her?” Lucy asked sharply.

Melvin looked surprised. “I just met her in the corridor and had a short conversation—she’s Ria’s cousin, after all.”

Lucy frowned. “Okay, but what were you two talking about?”

Melvin replied calmly, “Nothing much—just about Ria, since she’s our common topic.”

Ria, standing behind Lucy, felt uneasy. Seeing Bella with Melvin stirred something uncomfortable within her.

From that day onward, Bella and Melvin began meeting frequently, engaging in longer conversations each time.

Ria couldn’t shake her discomfort. Something about Bella’s behavior unsettled her deeply.

One afternoon, Bella asked Ria to meet her near the palace lake.

“Are you having fun these days?” Bella asked, her tone oddly playful.

“What?” Ria blinked, puzzled.

“Do you want to know what real fun is?” Bella whispered.

Ria’s brows furrowed in confusion.

Suddenly, Bella grabbed Ria’s hand—and threw herself into the lake.

For a moment, Ria stood frozen, her mind blank. She didn’t understand what was happening…

Not until she saw—

Ria was still frozen, her mind clouded with confusion, when a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Ria! What are you doing!?”

Startled, she turned around to see a familiar figure striding toward her—it was Melvin.

Bella’s plan had worked exactly as she intended.

Melvin’s expression shifted instantly when he saw Bella struggling in the lake. Without a moment’s hesitation, he jumped forward to help her, pulling the soaked girl from the water and carrying her swiftly to the guest chamber.

Ria followed quietly behind, her hands trembling.

After laying Bella on the bed, Melvin turned to Ria, his voice hard and accusing.

“What were you doing there, Ria? What happened!?”

Ria stammered, “I… I don’t know what was happening either!”

Just then, Bella, who had been pretending to be unconscious, stirred and opened her eyes weakly.

“What… what just happened?” she murmured softly.

Melvin leaned closer. “Are you alright? Do you remember what happened?”

Bella blinked innocently. “I don’t know. I was just trying to talk to Ria, and then she suddenly grabbed my hand… after that, I don’t remember anything.”

Melvin’s eyes flicked toward Ria, uncertain.

“Is what she said true?” he asked quietly.

Ria’s heart sank. “No, Your Highness. It wasn’t me who grabbed her—it was her.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Melvin looked torn, his mind caught between what he saw and what he heard. He had witnessed part of the scene—but not enough to know the truth.

Finally, he said, “I’ll look into this matter later.”

Then he turned and left, his expression unreadable.

---

As soon as the door closed, Ria faced Bella, her calm composure barely holding.

“What were you thinking, Bella? Why did you do that?”

Bella smirked faintly, her tone sharp. “Do you really not know, or are you pretending?”

“I’m not pretending,” Ria said, hurt. “I just don’t understand—why are you doing these things?”

Bella’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you really know? I thought you did. You don’t like me either, do you?”

Ria frowned. “Do you… perhaps like Melvin?”

Bella’s smile deepened. “What if I do? What will you do then?”

“So this was because you like him?” Ria asked quietly.

Bella shook her head slowly. “No. That’s not all. I hate you, Ria. I hate you because everyone loves you.”

For a moment, Ria could only stare at her cousin. Then she gave a faint, bitter laugh.

“So that’s all? Fine. If hating me makes you happy, then keep hating me.”

---

That evening, back at her home, Ria sat alone in her room. She had held her composure before Bella, but the words still echoed in her heart.

“It’s alright if she doesn’t like me,” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. “But… why does she have to hate me? I didn’t even do anything wrong.”

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Lady Rianide,” a maid said softly, “the Duchess is calling for you.”

Ria rose, composing herself, and went to her mother’s chamber.

“Mother, you called me?” she asked politely.

The Duchess looked up from her seat. “Ria, what happened to Bella? Why isn’t she here?”

“Mother,” Ria began carefully, “I was just about to tell you. Cousin Bella fell into the lake near the palace. She’s resting there for now.”

The Duchess’s eyes widened. “Is she alright? Was she hurt?”

“She’s fine, Mother. She just needs rest,” Ria assured her.

The Duchess sighed in relief. “That’s good to hear. You know she’s our guest—her well-being is our responsibility.”

“Yes, Mother,” Ria said quietly.

---

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Lucy received a letter from her grandmother.

“My dear Lucy,” it read, “I miss you and Melvin dearly. Since your brother must be busy, why don’t you come visit me for a few days?”

Lucy smiled as she folded the letter.

“Since Ria is coming tomorrow,” she thought, “I’ll tell her then!”

---

In another wing of the palace, Bella was lying in bed when she overheard two maids whispering near the doorway.

“Isn’t the princess departing tomorrow?” one asked.

“Huh? Tomorrow?” the other replied.

“Yes, she just received a letter. She’ll be gone for a few days.”

Bella’s lips curled into a sly smile as she listened.

“So,” she murmured under her breath, “finally… the time I’ve been waiting for.”