In front of her stood the second brother of the Abella family, Cooper Abella.

His hair was a kind of translucent white, like a reflection of the sun against the pure white snow. He wore spectacles with chains attached to them, dipping down and brushing against his cheekbones. Cooper's eyes shone a sea-greenish color, complementing his paler complexion. His height was overwhelming (as is most of the Abella's) standing at what had to be at least almost a foot and a half taller than her. His robes draped against him in a brilliant color of royal blue and soft silver.

It felt strange to see that one of the characters who was written with the pure intentions of plot convenience exists outside of the story. Cooper was real and manifested in front of her very eyes, despite never having been given so much as one description.

Cooper Abella was the highest scholar in the kingdom. He was in charge of maintaining order, predicting the weather for crop yield, and conducting science experiments for the betterment of the kingdom.

He also had may privileges that even the Abella family could not have. His cold attitude rivaled the Princes, but his wit and knowledge succeeded him. It was especially hard to predict what he was thinking.

"My little brother has been very rude to you, Angelika. My apologies," he said, striding towards the two of them. Angelika quickly stood up from her seat to face him, bowing her head in his presence.

"I wasn't even-" the youngest is silenced as soon as the words came out.

"Hush," he said, warning the youngest's protest with a single glance. Francis shifted in his seat uncomfortably, growing red in the face. "I came to let you know that we are expecting company."

"Yes, Master told me so a few minutes ago," she said, smiling. "Is there anything you would like me to do? I can help assist the maids if we are short-staffed, perhaps?"

"No, but my Mother instructed me to give you this," he held out a velvet box to her, opening up to show her what was inside. There, lay a small piece of chiffon fabric, sheer but decorated with jewels.

"How beautiful..." she mumbled, raising it to the light so she could see the jewels sparkle. "What is it for?"

"I have been told it is a face veil," he paused, looking at her for a few moments, "You and the Crown Prince... although I am unsure of what your encounter was, are on bad terms, correct? It would be better for you to wear this, so he doesn't recognize you. He cannot forget a face when he sees one."

Angelika felt her face betray her as she looked confused, staring at the fabric in her hands. The Crown Prince couldn't forget a face when he sees one...? That's impossible because;

The Crown Prince had facial blindness.

Prosopagnosia was the medical term for it. Mari had been watching some drama where the main character had face blindness and wanted to integrate it into the story. She agreed because it was an exciting trope to play around with.

It wasn't that he didn't see anything; he saw every feature to the smallest detail. But when he saw someone's face, he cannot register it in his head. It didn't make sense to him. He would meet someone for the second, third, and fourth time and the next time they would meet again, regardless of how long they knew each other, he would be unable to recognize him.

The only reason why he was able to recognize the heroine was because she was someone who was not from this world. Otherwise, he would have to rely on little nuances that the individual characters would have.

It was meant to be a form of irony. His mother was obsessed with her appearance, so it would only make sense that her son could not see her beauty.

So how would he be able to recognize her...? Perhaps they were taking extra precautions; there was no need to worry. Very little people knew about his facial blindness, anyway. But shouldn't the Abellas know, or at the very least Marshal?

"I appreciate the gift. Please relay my thanks to the Duchess," she said, finally taking the gift and tucking it away in her pocket.

"You have been talkative as of lately."

"Please pardon my insolence, then."

"There is no need- it is rather refreshing," he said, adjusting the glasses which rested on the crook of his nose. "I believe that your lesson with Francis should end soon. In the meantime, would you perhaps like to take a walk in the garden with me?"

"Pardon...?" She said, looking at his outstretched hand. Angelika felt immense pressure as she looked at his forced smile; the intentions behind it seemed more sinister than the sweet expression itself. She was worried. But it would be rude to reject, wouldn't it?

Angelika took his hand hesitantly and allowed him to guide her through the palace. She could feel the stares of the other servants as she awkwardly lingered beside him.

The refreshingly sweet smell of dahlias and a mixture of peonies wafted up to her nose. She felt an erasure of tension as she wandered through the garden with Cooper. Flourishing colors of lush green alongside the brightest hues of pinks, yellows, and purples mixed. It was clear that the Abellas had spent copious amounts of effort and money to grow such a garden.

Cooper turned to face her now, propping himself up against one of the benches. He motioned for her to sit next to him, which she shuffled towards him to accept the invitation.

"You said you are not interested in the Crown Prince?"

Yes." she confirmed, yet again. She was unsure why the two of them were so adamant about questioning her.

"You are lying."

"I am not."

"I know that you are working alongside the Penn family," he said, almost breathily. He looked over to her to look at her expression, and Angelika did her best to look as unphased as possible. "You are trying to assassinate him, no?"

She felt her breath hitch and her heart pound in her chest. How would Cooper be so knowledgeable about the plot and Angleika's intentions when he was hardly the main character? And why was he so calm?

"I--"

"I can assure you that I do not care. It does seem as though you've had a change of heart," he said, looking up at the sky. "Unlike my Eldest brother, I am not a fool to follow the Crown Prince so blindly."

"What do you want me to say to that?" she spoke abruptly, almost blurting the words out as she looked to him for guidance. His eyes immediately widened with the question before crinkling as he burst out into laughter.

"That is quite the question, Angelika. You never struck me as someone who was so forward with their words."

"I am just unsure of what to say to you."

"You needn't say anything, but you may listen," he said, adjusting the cuffs of his robes. "I want you to go into the palace to compete Empress candidacy. I don't care if you win or lose. I honestly couldn't care if you killed him if that is truly your aim." he sighed, running his hands through his hair. "I do not believe that the current reigning Prince is the best candidate for the throne. So honestly, you would be doing the people a favor if you killed him. But regardless, it would be thoughtless for the Abellas to not compete in the ceremony, despite not having any girls. Although you may not be related to us in blood; you are the closest thing we have to a female in our family. And the Abellas should be able to have a pawn like you in such a high position."

"I see..." she narrowed her eyes, looking at her lap. "Why me?"

"It was either you or a maid. I previously thought that you would be mentally incapable of doing so because you seemed like the sensitive type. But you are the only servant who has been adequate to meet my standards."

"Thank you for saying that," she said, sighing. "What will you do if I kill him? What will you do if he tries to kill me?" she asked, biting her lip. 

She was unsure of what Mari's plot was, and whether she could change it no less. But if she were to avoid the Prince, she felt she would have a much better chance of surviving whatever was coming to her. But what if following through with the plotline was inevitable? It would be better to ensure her safety first.

"I will take full responsibility." he reassured her.

"What will you do if I cannot turn his head?"

"You will return here as Francis' tutor."

"So, you are offering me full immunity, regardless of what I do?"

"That is correct."

"Then, I will accept," she said, nodding her head.

"I hope you will put on a show for me, Angelika."