It was later that afternoon that they returned to the palace upon receiving word that Duke Canaels had arrived earlier than the estimated time, along with his daughter and her cousin.

Reddish pink hair and teal eyes, the father and daughter looked like carbon copies of one another, with the young Duke having a stern expression on his face as he greeted the princes.

The Duke has shoulder length hair, which he tied neatly at his nape, a handsome face that is enhanced by his sharp, horn-rimmed glasses that many noble ladies would fall in love with all over again whenever they see him.

It’s hard to believe that he’s a thirty-five year old widower with a precocious daughter that the crown prince wouldn’t want to let go no matter what excuse he gives.

Siane, with her waist-long hair tied to a twintail, beamed brightly at the sight of Calisto after the princes received their greetings.

Both the crown prince and princess opened their arms widely in unison as they walked towards one another to envelope each other into a tight hug.

Everyone else looked away out of embarrassment.

Tan, who grimaced at their display of affection, turned his eyes somewhere else.

His heart skipped several beats when he saw Siane’s cousin.

Medium length red hair and teal eyes, they bear semblance to Siane’s physique, albeit a few centimeters taller. Both girls were wearing matching light purple dresses that they could be mistaken as twins, with only their beauty marks as their differentiator: Siane’s beauty mark is under her left eye while her cousin has hers under their right eye.

Tan stared at her intently, wondering if she’s the one he saw in his dream, since it’s something only one family has.

Noticing the second prince staring at her, the young lady’s cheeks turned pink and gave a flustered curtsy towards him before stepping to hide behind the Duke.

Flustered for being caught staring, Tan bobbed his head quickly in response. Hearing snickers from the lovebirds, both turned to look at the glued Calisto and Siane.

“I guess dressing Mika up was worth the effort.” Siane said, her eyes full of mischief as she gazed at her cousin.

“You two look like twins, if I’m being honest.” Calisto added. “Unless she’s actually your twin and not your cousin.”

Duke Canaels only sighed tiredly. “Your Highness, Mika is my nep…niece that I recently adopted. She was sickly so she was sent to my house to be cared for, until recently. I’ve always wanted to have two children so here we are.”

Siane’s mischievous expression became bigger after hearing those words from her father.

“She’s two weeks younger than I am, so I’m a big sister now, Cali.” Siane said joyfully.

“I thought you considered my brother as your baby brother.”

“I thought you came here to check on me.” Tan interjected grouchily. “”You two look so weird with your height difference by the way. It’s like you’re hugging a younger cousin, kuya.”

Calisto rolled his eyes at that but did let go of the hug, keeping an arm around Siane’s shoulder. “Very well, let’s start on your check up so that I could spend more time with Sisi.”

The girl named Mika only looked at Tan with a worried expression, and the prince noticed this and he gave her a reassuring smile.

Duke Canaels made the prince sit down on a comfortable armchair, creating a magic circle at the prince’s feet. A warm sensation brushed over his body, and he tried not to shudder at the sensation.

There was also a slight prickling at the nape of his neck, which quickly disappeared as it had come.

The Duke only hummed in a thoughtful manner, Mika secretly glanced over at the lovebirds who seem to have a different aura around them that makes it hard to approach them, not realizing that it extends all the way outside the hallway and to the floors above and below them, with a much different effect.

It is the crown prince’s commanding and dominating aura, to prevent eavesdroppers from focusing on what they were supposed to eavesdrop on.

The unlucky servants who got caught in it were all brought down to their knees, shivering in fear, and their co-workers were having trouble trying to get them out.

Once the circle faded and the warm sensation along with it, Tan gave the Duke a curious look when he saw him frown.

“Is it serious?” Tan asked nervously, his hand involuntarily going to his nape to rub it.

He didn’t notice Mika, Siane and Calisto were looking in his direction with grave and worried expressions.

“I’m not sure how but you’re the second case that I have come across whose body was forcefully awakened before the proper age for it.”

Tan blinked. “Second case…? Forcefully awakened?”

“Mika has also undergone severe fever and was bedridden for days, and when I checked on her…she turned out to be an Omega.”

“Did she inhale something or had eaten something from someone not trustworthy?” Calisto asked. 

“I was with her all the time.” Siane said. “Nothing gets past me when it comes to Mika’s health.”

“Forced awakening isn’t entirely new, since there are theories about it in the academy.” The Duke added. “It could be triggered by severe stress…or by an artificial scent inducer.”

“There was a scent the last time I saw the young lady Ferrer…” Tan immediately responded. “However, I’m not entirely sure if it was coming from her or somewhere else…”

Calisto nodded at that as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll have this matter thoroughly investigated. Duke, will you come with me for a moment?”

The Duke nodded and he followed the prince out of the room. Siane looked at Tan and Mika for a moment, a sly smile on her lips.

“Tan, can I leave Mika with you for a while? I’ll have to go with Cali.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s for the safety of you both so I hope you understand.”

With that, Siane left the room to follow her father and fiance to the crown prince’s office.

The two left behind only stared at the door then awkwardly at one another.

Mika only sighed, rubbing her face in defeat. “Firstly, I’m sorry, Your Highness. This is all part of my cousin’s prank. Uncle had no choice but to play along with his only daughter.”

“Huh?”

“I…am not a lady, Your Highness.  Pardon the late introductions but I am Mikael Suarez, cousin to Her Highness the Crown Princess. We were raised as pseudo-twins so I could inherit House Canaels in the future.”

Tan blinked several times, trying to comprehend what he had heard. Once it clicked, he gave Mikael an incredulous look.

The prince didn’t want to admit it, but Mikael’s outfit really looks good on him. The only thing missing is a pair of earrings.

Maybe the one he bought would look good?

Tan mentally slapped himself, his face flustered.

How could he give those earrings to a guy? He’s not the one from his dream…right?