"Why?" He gave a smile, "I was invited to the party too, so a guest should enjoy the event."

Finn Dahlia, twelve years old and the youngest child of House Dahlia. She remembered his family has risen up to the rank of a Count, so this might have contributed to his bold approach to someone from the Duke's side.

She also suspects from a child's point of view, being the older kid must have given him some sort of confidence.

Claude let out a sigh and stared at him blankly. 

"I meant why are you here, trying to start a conversation with my sister?"

From his tone, it wasn't hard to tell that Claude had no plans to be friendly at all.

Yet, whether Finn didn't know or simply pretended to not care, the boy didn't stop talking to her.

"Milady, it's a pleasure to see you have been doing well. I really enjoyed the talk we had last time."

She did recall having a brief conversation with him. They exchanged greetings in previous gatherings, but she wouldn't say their meeting  was particularly memorable.

His parents were probably the ones who arranged for his engagement. They must have told him, yet the way he approached her like this after rejecting him...was strange.

Did they not tell him?

Despite her initial confusion, she answered him with a polite smile. "I see."

The nobles might have already caught the news about her receiving the engagement letter from House Dahlia, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. Right now, she had a feeling that her answers might decide how her brother will react.

She observed the reactions of the guests and caught Fiona's gaze for a moment. Her expression seemed like she was telling her to tell hurry up and get the conversation over with.

"Lord Dahlia, let's have a discussion at another time," she told him, deciding to postpone the matter. The guests might be people she knew, but that didn't mean they will throw away the chance for a gossip.

And the last thing she needs is a ruined reputation.

Finn seemed like he wanted to say something to her, but before he could reply, the entrance of someone else had grabbed everyone's attention, including hers.

She vaguely heard him excuse himself, though just like everyone else, she was paying close attention to her friend who has just arrived.

In a swift yet graceful manner unexpected of a child, the boy walked along the pathway leading to the main crowd, his face displaying nothing but signs of calmness.

As cliche as it sounds, his movements did feel like a scene was being carried out from the novel. She felt as if she was watching from somewhere close yet so far away.

When he reached his destination, he turned around and greeted at the guests for attending the party with a serious expression.

She smiled when they made eye contact with each other, as a way to greet him. His expression didn't change much, but to her relief, he did seem to relax a little.

--------

Just like how she imagined from reading the novel, the children of the nobles were more than happy to shower the prince with all kinds of gifts; jewels, clothing, and even books! 

Adelina held back her laugh when she saw how troubled he seems to be the receiving end of the attention.

"Happy 13th birthday, your highness."

Adelina handed the gift to him once she was finally the front of him. Theodore looked at the rectangular-shaped box curiously.

"Can I open it?"

At her silent nod, he lifted the cover.

"It's a fountain pen."

"I was thinking about what kind of gift your highness would like and somehow, I thought a pen would suit you." 

"Did you decide on the initials?"

"Yes, I thought it would be a nice addition to the original design."

"How thoughtful of you, Lady Adelina."

Until now, he has commented on each of the gifts he has received. She waited patiently to hear his answer.

So...do you like it? You were always interested in writing, it's perfect for you.

At the time, Adelina didn't realise her mistake yet. Nor did she notice the teasing glint in his eyes.

"Lady Adelina."

"Yes, your highness?"

He smiled innocently. "You shouldn't keep the line waiting."

Her expression fell.

You....really...

For the first time in a while, she felt the sudden urge to punch him, hard. She also mentally added another reason to her long list as to why his personality must have been glorified in the novel.

Nonetheless, Adelina held back the urge and replied with a smile she has perfected from her etiquette classes. "I understand. I'll take my leave, as your highness wishes."

Take a deep breath, Adelina. He's the crown prince-though a childish one at that.

To prevent the chances of her possibly lashing out on the prince, she kept her lines short and swiftly made her exit.

From where he stood, Theodore glanced over at the red haired girl who was walking to the garden in a strangely fast pace. Her green eyes were firmly focused on the entrance of the garden, yet she still managed to hold an elegant walking posture.

While he wasn't able to see her expression, he could imagine the look of annoyance on her face.

"Your highness, you're smiling." The butler whispered from the side, and hearing those words snapped him out of his thoughts.

--------

A distraction was what she was looking for, yet she was not expecting that to occur so quickly, in the form of a person.

"Lord Finn! I apologise, I almost bumped into you."

"Ah, Lady Adelina." he answered in a surprised tone, "I had something to ask you."

It was a question she expected from him, and unfortunately for him, she knew her answer already.

"I'm sorry...but I'm not looking for a fiancé." She lived longer as a girl grown up during the modern era, so for Adelina, it felt too early for her to think of engagement...let alone, marriage!

"Is this your answer?" He asked again to confirm, as if she would change her mind in the next second.

"Yes."

He grinned, his mannerism suddenly relaxed.

"Wow, I'm relieved you didn't accept it."

"...." Okay, that was...not what she was expecting.

Perhaps from reading her expression, Finn chuckled lightheartedly, "Lady Adelina, why do you look as if you're the one who was rejected?"

Despite her conflicted thoughts, she could simply listen in return.

"My parents were the ones forcing it on me, but me? I'm happy with the outcome. Thanks for saying no, Lady Adelina." And with a friendly smile, Finn turned his back and headed back to the party venue.

She watched silently as he left first, who was the one suggesting that they leave separately to avoid another scene.

There was only one thought that occupied heavily on her mind.

Her uncertain future comes first.

And that was it. Finn didn't bring up the topic ever again. Even if he did send her a letter, she wouldn't have known...

After all, Adelina had a very lovely family.

——————
author's note
I have accepted that I will probably end up posting once in a blue moon :)

on a random note, I've been playing Genshin Impact for a few months already, which is surprising to me~