I was still horrified that I had been reincarnated as a flower bud..!

And worse, I had been kidnapped by a blue-haired gremlin named Noah, who had given me the ridiculous name Buddie.  

I wanted to protest. I wanted to scream. But unfortunately, plants don’t have vocal cords.  

Instead, I could only sit helplessly in my little ceramic pot as Noah picked me up.  

"Alright, Buddie! Time for a tour!" he declared.  

Tour?... Before I could even process that, he had already lifted my entire pot and started marching out of his massive bedroom.  

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Now, let me clarify something... I had known Noah was rich. I mean, he was Hiro’s little brother, and Hiro was the male lead of my brother’s original story.  

But I had not fully grasped just how rich this little gremlin was. The Astra family wasn’t just some noble family. They were The Stellar Caster Family. The strongest magic family in the entire kingdom. Powerful enough to rival the royal family.  

They were known for their mastery of cosmic magic, using the stars, space, and celestial forces themselves to bend reality.  

…

And I was in their house. In the hands of their youngest son. I had so many questions. And also a strong urge to escape.  

But Noah, completely unaware of my inner turmoil, grinned as he carried me through the halls.  

"This is the east wing! My bedroom is here, but so is Brother's training hall!"

He gestured dramatically, but since he was holding me in front of him, he basically shook me around like a maraca.  

"Oh! And over here is the library! It's so big, you can get lost if you're not careful!"

He turned a corner, and I saw it- a massive room filled with endless bookshelves, spiraling staircases, and a floating chandelier shaped like a miniature galaxy.  

I felt my nonexistent jaw drop.  

This is a library?! This place is big enough to be a whole university! So bigger than the picture I saw on my brother's phone!

Noah grinned, "I don’t really like studying, but Brother and Father are always here!"

I wanted to cry. Not because I was in awe. But because I was stuck as a plant instead of enjoying this beautiful library.  

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Noah continued his tour, carrying me through different parts of the castle.  

The ballroom where I had been stolen from. The dining hall was big enough to fit 200 people. The training ground was a literal floating arena.  

And finally- "Oh! Look, Buddie!" Noah suddenly gasped.  

I turned- well, mentally turned- toward where he was looking. And then I saw them.  

Hiro...And a girl...? 

A beautiful girl with shoulder-length brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a kind, gentle expression.  

She was wearing a simple yet elegant dress, and the moment she looked at Hiro... I KNEW...! 

That was Elise..! The second Princess from the royal family! And also the heroine of my brother’s story.  

And she has being SWEET with. HIRO.

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"Hiro, you’re always so serious," Elise said, smiling as she adjusted the collar of Hiro’s coat.  

"I have to be," Hiro replied, his voice softer than usual.  

"You should smile more," Elise giggled. "It suits you."

Hiro actually smiled. Noah and I visibly recoiled. 

"Ew," Noah muttered.  

Ew... I mentally agreed.  

"Why are they acting so lovey-dovey?!" Noah whispered in horror.  

I wanted to yell, "BECAUSE THEY’RE THE HERO AND HEROINE, THAT’S WHY!" 

Meanwhile, Hiro and Elise continued their disgusting, mushy conversation.  

"You should rest more, Hiro," Elise scolded gently. "You work too hard for a 17 year old"

"You worry too much... As the eldest of the Astra family it's my job after all~" Hiro chuckled as he poked her forehead.  

"I worry because I care about you!" Elise huffed, crossing her arms.  

"I know." Hiro smiled again. "And I appreciate it..."

EUGH...

Noah actually shuddered.  

"I think I’m gonna be sick," he muttered.  

Suddenly, Hiro turned his head- toward us...  

Noah froze, I froze... I was never moving to being with...

Hiro narrowed his eyes. "…Noah?"

Noah yelped and sprinted away.

"ABORT MISSION, BUDDIE!" he shrieked.  

Hiro sighed. "That kid…"  

Elise just laughed. "He’s cute" 

"He's a menace," Hiro muttered.  

"He’s your little brother," Elise pointed out.  

"Exactly..."  

And with that, we were gone.

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Noah flopped onto his bed dramatically, placing me on the bedside table.  

"That was awful," he groaned.  

"Why do they act like that?" Noah whined. "They’re so gross."  

They’re in love, you gremlin... That’s how romsnce works... 

"Love is stupid," Noah declared. "Right, Buddie?" 

But I agreed anyway. Noah huffed. "Brother was way cooler before all this..." 

This is your future, Noah. Accept it.

He sat up, suddenly looking serious. "Buddie. We have to stop him...!" 

"We have to make sure Brother doesn’t turn into some cheesy romance guy...!!"  

"We’ll call it… Operation Save Big Brother Hiro From Love!"

I stared at him in horror. This boy... This foolish, foolish boy...!!

"We’ll do it together, Buddie!" Noah grinned, poking my bud.  

I screamed internally.  

This is my life now.  

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To Be Continue