When Celena heard the boy mumble "brother," dragging her towards Michiya like a sacrificial offering, she paled instantly, her gaze fixed on the brunette. At that moment, Celena realized she had made a grave mistake, choosing the wrong person for help. The person she had assisted was none other than Natsu Kilvester, the timid and cowardly second prince of the novel she had lost interest in—A Fate Unwritten: The Baron's Daughter. Her infatuation with him had waned after the third chapter, finding the plot dull.

As they were promptly escorted back to the throne room by Michiya, with Celena handcuffed, a wave of relief washed over her. Fortunately enough, she didn't get punished, nor was Celena scolded by the royal family. As the queen was amused by Grace's small talk, the king kept quiet, silently engaging a battle in his mind. She did get an earful from her dearest mother in the carriage, though.

Somehow, while Celena was away, her father, Fill, and Kale managed to hinder the engagement when they sobbed that Celena was too young to get married at age seventeen, wanting to have more time to spend with her. Moved by fatherly love, the king addressed the idea that Celena would get betrothed and live in the castle when she reached the age of eighteen, which was due in about two weeks. However, the two mothers disapproved and insisted on preparing for the wedding as soon as possible. Their protests were met with stern looks from their husbands.

Lying in her bed, Celena stretched her arms wide, her mind filled with thoughts of the brief encounter she had with the prince. But as she stared at the ceiling, a shiver ran down her spine, causing her to clutch her blanket and roll in bed like a caterpillar, her eyes closed.

'How the hell did I end up in this mess?'

'I was wearing the necklace when he saw me!'

'I refuse to have an arranged marriage!'

Celena's thoughts echoed loudly in her head, and she let out a sigh of exasperation. The prince continued to visit her from time to time, often during ungodly hours like breakfast, which used to be her favorite time of day but was no longer.

"Hi, Celena! How are you?" Silfie exclaimed, peeking at her through a small hole she had made in her caterpillar-like cover.

"Silfie! Finally, the fairy I've been longing for! You have no idea what you've missed! I have so many questions for you!" Celena complained, breaking free from her wrap and transforming into a butterfly-like form.

"Oh, what did I miss?" Silfie sat on the bed, raising an eyebrow curiously.

"Firstly, where have you been?" Celena inquired, frowning.

"Still in the human world, exploring, getting lost, and stuff—you know, the usual," Silfie remarked casually.

"Magical necklaces don't just malfunction, right? Please tell me it's not broken!" Celena pleaded, holding Silfie in her hand and staring at her expectantly.

"Woah! Calm down, Celena. Take deep breaths. Let me take a look at the necklace, and I'll tell you," Silfie assured, patting her hand. Celena nodded and promptly dug her hand under the pillow, harshly throwing it on the mattress.

As Silfie examined the jewelry, Celena bit her thumb anxiously, trying to think of something—anything—to break off the marriage or the engagement.

'Is it too late to run away?'

'What if I hide where nobody can find me?'

"There's nothing wrong with it," Silfie announced abruptly.

"What?! Really? But then why—" Celena's voice trailed off, her hands clutching her hair in frustration.

"Celena, you need to explain what's going on. I have no idea what you're talking about," Silfie questioned, her brows furrowing.

Slapping her forehead in frustration, Celena began narrating her story from the beginning, sharing the horrifying details of her encounters. She described how she had kept her promise to let the boy catch a glimpse of his love. The next morning, she met him again, but she hadn't thought much of it since the necklace concealed her true appearance. She explained how she had received a marriage proposal for insulting him and how his little brother had betrayed her; it was safe to say she loathed Natsu for life. Silfie listened attentively, bowing her head in response to Celena's explanation.

"Did the necklace emit a soft glow when you met the lad?" Silfie asked, to which Celena nodded defeatedly.

"Okay! I know what happened. It's effortless, Celena," Silfie cleared her throat and teased as Celena expectantly leaned in,

"You're his love."

"Nooooooooo!" Celena whined, thrashing around in bed, unable to accept the revelation.

Unbeknownst to Celena, Kale, Michiya, and Svan was right outside her chamber door, cringing at her screech. Kale crossed his arms and sighed, while Svan wore a look of disbelief, and Michiya stood motionless, staring at the door.

"Is she always like this?" Svan skeptically inquired.

"All the time," Kale proudly stated, smirking.

"Your Majesty..." Svan glanced at Michiya, silently hoping that he would reconsider the entire marriage arrangement.

"Announce my presence, Kale," Michiya bluntly said, ignoring Svan, who deflated. Bowing to his demand, Kale knocked on Celena's door and spoke.

"Celena, the prince is here and requests a moment of your time."

"Tell him I died in a ditch!" Celena barked from within the room.

"He's here with me..." Kale admitted, coughing.

"Damn it," Celena muttered under her breath.

Silently bidding Silfie farewell and mouthing, "We'll continue this later," Celena trotted towards the door, holding a paper and quill. As she focused on the three figures that had been standing outside her chamber with weary expressions, she eyed them mischievously.

"Goodness me! Yo-your hair?!" Svan was the first to break the silence, petrified as he examined her.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Celena fired back, rolling her eyes and scratching her hair playfully. Kale couldn't help but snicker at their banter.

"How could I not when it looks like a bird's nest!" Svan stammered, peering at Michiya. He then appealed to Michiya, saying, "Give me a second, Your Majesty; I'll just make her hair presentable."

Kale chimed in, eyeing the whole interaction comically. "You know, we can cancel that engagement right now, Your Majesty, and we wouldn't even question it. You can't take care of Celena. What do you say?"

Michiya stopped at that and pondered for a bit, staring at Celena, who grinned mischievously. Then, he boldly stretched out his open palm towards Celena, maintaining his stare at Kale.

"Hand."

With a sigh of resignation from the three, Svan suspiciously glared at Celena, wondering why she was sighing along with them. He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to her actions.

Putting her hand in Michiya's, Celena felt a jolt as he instantly intertwined their fingers and squeezed them. They began to walk, leaving Kale and Svan behind. Along the way, maids stopped to admire Michiya from afar, causing Celena to roll her eyes at the attention.

"That hurts!" Celena complained, feeling the sting from the squeeze.

"Apologies..." Michiya explained, leading them to the greenhouse.

As they arrived, Celena snatched her hand back and sat on a chair, placing her paper and quill on the table. Michiya sat on the other end of the furniture, studying Celena curiously, with Svan standing behind his back. The vibrant plants and fragrant flowers surrounded them as they continued to share the silence. Celena mindlessly drew on her paper while Michiya stared at her with a cup of tea in his hand. The stillness and his intense scrutinizing gaze became unbearable for Celena, and she finally broke the silence.

"So... what are you doing here today?" she asked, her eyes focused on her drawing.

"I'm here to know more about my wife," Michiya answered. His words caused Celena to choke on her saliva, and Svan quickly corrected him, saying, "FUTURE wife, Your Highness," with a perturbed tone.

"Ah... yes... okay, you do that," Celena shrugged, aggressively continuing her sketch.

"What are you doing?" this time, it was Michiya who inquired, placing his tea down.

"Distracting myself from you," Celena replied without missing a beat, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"..."

Michiya watched his tea getting cold, a hint of disappointment on his face.

"This insolent!"

"Stop it, Svan," Michiya ordered before rising from his seat and making his way toward a nervous Celena. He placed one hand beside the table, near the paper, and leaned in to observe her drawing—an island with a horribly drawn girl holding a stick. Embarrassed by the motion, Celena quickly hid the paper, her face turning crimson.

"I know that girl in the drawing holding a stick is you... but I don't see myself on the island," Michiya asked, his gaze filled with curiosity.

"You? Why would a prince be on an island with me?" Celena questioned, her confusion evident. She just wanted to put an end to this situation already.

"I'm your husband; wherever you go, I go with you, Always," Michiya replied, gazing at her with his mesmerizing pink orbs.

"FUTURE, husband!" Both Celena and Svan jitterily corrected him, their eyes widening in shock. They glanced at each other, silently sharing their surprise. Svan looked away with a huff.

"Makes no difference to me. You're already mine," Michiya responded, his gaze unwavering.

"There is a big difference! Your Highness!" Celena emphasized, spreading her hands far apart to emphasize the distinction. She then pointed at her drawing and said, "Besides, that wasn't a stick; it's a spear!" She blushed at her own poor drawing skills.

Michiya chuckled softly, the sound filling the greenhouse. "My apologies, Celena. I underestimated your artistic talents. A spear it is, then."

Svan, who had been silently observing the interaction, let out a small sigh of relief. Perhaps Michiya's intentions weren't as bad as he had feared. He decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, at least for now.

When the day of her birthday arrived, the entire mansion buzzed with activity as everyone worked diligently to perfect every detail. The ballroom had been transformed into a breathtaking spectacle, adorned with a plethora of flower arrangements that showcased a vibrant mix of roses, lilies, and daisies, injecting bursts of color into the space. Ribbons were carefully hung all around, adding a playful touch to the elegant decorations. The chandeliers above sparkled, casting a warm and inviting glow on the scene below. The room was filled with music emanating from the live band, setting the perfect mood for dancing and enjoyment. The guests, dressed to the nines, mingled with one another, engaging in animated conversations, laughter filling the air. They showcased their finest waltzes, exhibiting their grace and skill. Glasses clinked as everyone raised a toast, and the tantalizing aroma of delectable treats mingled with the sweet scent of the flowers, creating an atmosphere of celebration.

However, amidst the grandeur and festivity, Celena couldn't help but feel the weight of exhaustion. Her shoulders slumped as she let out a tired sigh. The countless introductions, speeches, interactions, and blessings from the guests had left her on the verge of collapsing at any given moment. It was only her dear brother who stood faithfully by her side throughout the event, providing her with some semblance of support. She found herself devoid of any enjoyment on her special day. The pure white and pink silky dress she wore felt heavy, weighing her down, and her accessories only added to her discomfort. To make matters worse, mothers eagerly introduced their "single sons" to her, making her long for an escape from the room and the entire affair. She never anticipated that this historical experience would prove to be so utterly draining.

As the time for gift-giving approached, the sole reason that Celena remained in the ballroom, the guests began to form a line to present her with their extravagant presents. As individuals made their introductions and wished her a happy birthday, a confident man strode towards Celena, boldly cutting through the line. Surprisingly, the guests made way for him, allowing him to approach her unhindered.

Celena couldn't help but notice this golden-haired man with a mischievous smirk. His hair was tied with a ribbon, which cascaded over his shoulder, while his playful blond eyes exuded a certain innocence. From a distance, she had already observed him surrounded by several ladies, their laughter catching her attention. In fact, he had even winked at her when their eyes met.

"Happy Birthday, dearest Celena. I am Falena from the House of Royce," he greeted her with a smoky voice, bowing and placing a hand over his heart. Celena responded with a small nod and an awkward smile, which quickly faded when he took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it.

Distracted by the gesture, Celena accepted the gift from Falena, offering him a forced smile. She hoped that by expressing her gratitude, he would take his leave. However, Falena fearlessly extended his hand, moving it uncomfortably close to her face. Sensing her discomfort, Celena watched in surprise as he removed her previous necklace and replaced it with the one he had given her. Before she could fully comprehend what had transpired, she blinked, and the necklace adorned her neck. Falena stepped back, satisfied with his actions, grinning and nodding to himself. The peculiar stares of the onlookers didn't escape Celena's notice, particularly Kale's piercing glare.

"I knew pearls would suit you, darling. Just to let you know, the pearl is my birthstone," Falena huskily remarked, extending his hand.

'I was born in January...' Celena thought to herself, though outwardly, she maintained her smile.

"May I have the honor of having your first Dan-"

Falena was abruptly cut off by a thunderous voice that reverberated throughout the room. Tensing at the proclamation, he scanned the surroundings.

"Make way and honor the shining ray of our empire! Michiya Kilvester is in your presence!" The grand doors swung open, unveiling Michiya in all his glory. Svan trailed behind him, accompanied by a line of knights. The crowd bowed respectfully at the sight of their prince, and murmurs spread through the room as he made his way toward Celena.

Celena suddenly realized that she was the only one who had not bowed, and she caught a glimpse of Falena's disgruntled expression. Kale urged her to follow suit, but just as she was about to comply, Michiya intervened, causing another ripple of astonishment to ripple through the room.