I can feel tears starting to fall from my eyes. I don''t understand why I feel so emotional right now. It''s probably because I feel so anxious these days that when I see Rufus, I suddenly feel like I have someone I can rely on.


    I feel happy seeing him.


    I rush towards him and hug him tight. Tears are still streaming down my cheeks. Rufus justughs at me and gently caresses my back.


    "Why are you suddenly crying? It''s only been months when we see each other. Do you miss me that much?" I heard Rufus tease me.


    I took a deep breath to calm my emotions. After a few moments, I break from Rufus'' hugs and smile at him.


    "Sorry for that. It''s probably because I was too stressed these days. Anyway, what brought you here?"


    I sit beside him. Rufus looks at me intently before he sighs. "Are you okay, purny? Are you hiding something from me?"


    How can this person know that I''m not okay? I still feel anxious knowing what will happen in the future. But I knew I couldn''t tell him what I knew, or else it would only bring harm to him.


    "Nothing. I was just worried about what will I do after I returned here. I''m still not sure if I can do the things my parents expect me to do." I fake a sigh.


    I feel sorry that I was lying to Rufus, but I cannot let him know anything.


    Rufus gently messes my hair. "What are you worried about? You managed to graduate from one of the prestigious schools in this world, and you''re worried about your future? Among your batch, you have the most brightest future."


    I shake my head. "You don''t understand, Rufus. I may be at the top of my batch, but studying is different than working in real life. Also, because of my achievements, everyone expects me to always excel in things. But what if I don''t? What if I couldn''t do what they expected me to do? That is what I am worried about. I''m afraid that I might disappoint everyone."


    Rufus sigh. "And why do you need to care about what will people say about you? No one is perfect, so do you. It''s normal for people tomit mistakes. So, don''t be afraid to make one. Mistakes teach us a lesson in life."


    I sigh and shake my head. Forget it. I''m really not worried about it since I already know the future of Csille.


    I take the teapot that is already prepared on the table and pour tea into one of the teacups before I look at Rufus. "Anyway, what are you doing here? Did something happen?" I offer him the teacup with tea. "Tea?"


    Rufus takes the teacup in my hand before he answers me. "I was wondering if you have anything to do tomorrow."


    I frown. Tomorrow? "Well, if my parents will permit, I might tour Pax Dea around the Kingdom. Why?"


    Rufus nods his head. "Nothing, I just miss you. I also don''t have work tomorrow, and I was hoping to spend time with you. But since you already have ns with your cousin, why don''t I apany you both? At least with me, I can be assured that nothing will happen to you."


    "Are you sure you want toe with us? It will be tiresome. You know that my cousin is a designer, right? I''m sure she would love to visit each boutique here."


    Rufus smirk. "That''s great then. Maybe she can help me with my fashion sense. I think I need to update my wardrobe. Don''t you think so?"


    I look at Rufus andugh at him. This guy never fails to make me smile. "Okay, okay. If you say so. Let''s just meet here tomorrow."


    Rufus nods his head and just stares intently at me. I raised my eyebrow at him. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have anything to say to me?"


    Rufus sigh. "Actually, I''m here for something else. Do you know?"


    I frown. Is there something that happened while I was away? "Do I know what?"


    "It''s about your engagement. You really don''t know? I thought it already reached your ears."


    Is he talking about what Father mentioned to me before? "Is it about his majesty asking my father to talk about the preparation for the engagement? My Father already mentioned about it back in Alderrdeen."


    Rufus shakes his head. "It''s not about that. It''s about—"


    Rufus wasn''t able to finish his words when someone spoke behind us. I look back and see our family''s butler standing at the doorway.


    "Your highness, Prince Rufus and Lady Csille, please forgive me for my interruption. However, there is someone looking for Prince Rufus outside. He said it something urgent."


    Rufus sigh and stand up immediately. He then looks at me. "I''m sorry, purny. I need to go for now. Let''s talk about this some other time."


    I raised my eyebrow at him. "Did you ditch your work today just to see me?" I shake my head. "Old habits are really hard to die, eh?"


    Rufus scratched his nape and smirked at me. "I''ll just see you tomorrow then."


    I just nod my head at him. He then immediately rush outside our house. It seems like something urgent really happened.


    Throughout these years, Rufus never changes. He is still the same person I met before. The happy go lucky person who doesn''t like to be restricted with what he is doing.


    I''m amazed this guy didn''t run away from the Kingdom. With his personality? It''s impossible for him to stay in something he doesn''t like to do.


    Is he maturing now?


    ________________________________


    Pax Dea and I spend the rest of our afternoon talking about things. After getting tired of talking, we decided to tour around the Lauretré residence.


    We spend some time in the garden. I even made Pax Dea a small bouquet of flowers that she truly loves. After the time in our garden. I did a simple tea ceremony, and we both sipped tea while watching the floating clouds.


    Before sunset, Mother called Pax Dea and me to help her cook for our dinner. Which the both of us dlyplied. Especially Pax Dea, I didn''t expect she would be really interested in cooking.


    "Dea, does the food suit your liking? Do you want me to cook something for you?" Mother asks Pax Dea.


    Pax Dea shakes her head. "No, Aunty, your dishes are actually delicious. My Mother would definitely scold me for saying this, but your dishes are way better than hers."


    We allugh at Pax Dea''s words. She is probably the only one who would say that to her Mother.


    "Dea, your Aunt and I won''t be able to apany you tomorrow because we both have things to do. However, your cousin Csille and Pascal will tour you around." Father looks at Brother Pascal. "Oh, right. Did the director of the hospital send you the letter of approval for your vacation?"


    Brother Pascal swallows the food in his mouth before he looks at Father and nods his head. "Yes, Uncle. I already received it. Thank you for helping me talk to our director.


    Father nods his head. "What are you thanking for? I was the one who asked you to take a break, of course, I will help you. Also, I heard from your director that since you started working in Holycross Hospital, you didn''t take any vacation at all. Are you even taking care of yourself? What will your parents say to me if they know about this? I''m sure they will be disappointed in me."


    Brother Pascal shakes his head. "Uncle, it was my own choice. You tried your best to bring me back, but you know where my heart belongs already. I want to help other people. The vulnerable ones."


    I look at Brother Pascal and cling to his arm. "My cousin is really awesome. I''m really proud of having you as my Brother."


    Brother Pascalughs at my words and gently caresses my head. "I''m proud having you as my cousin too, Csille."


    Pax Dea, who is sitting in front of me, pouts. "Hey! Csille, aren''t you proud of having me as your cousin too? Brother Pascal is not your only cousin here."


    We allugh at Pax Dea''s whining. I just coax her a little, and we all continue our dinner with a light atmosphere.


    I look at the people who are eating dinner with me. They are my family, and I will do my best not to involve them with what will happen in the future.


    I swear that even if it means I need to sacrifice my life.


    ________________________________


    Pax Deaes knocking on my door early in the morning. I groan and cover my face with a pillow.


    After days of anxiety, I was able to sleep peacefullyst night, that I almost wanted to sleep for the whole day.


    I feel someone tugs the pillow away from my face. "Csille, wake up. We are already waiting for you in the dining hall. Didn''t we have a promise that you would tour me around the Vrawyth Kingdom? Come on."


    I sigh and get up from my bed. I touch my head when I feel my whole world is spinning.


    "Csille? Are you okay?" I heard Pax Dea ask worriedly.


    I shake my head and wave my other hand at her. "I''m okay. You can go down first. I''ll just quickly refresh myself, and I''ll get down too."


    Pax Dea, make sure that I am okay before leaving me alone. I immediately go to my bathroom and freshen myself in the fastest way.


    I know Pax Dea is already excited for today, and I don''t want to disappoint her.


    Mother immediately smiles at me when she sees me walk inside the dining hall. "My dear, did you sleep well?" She then gestured her hand to one of the maids, who immediately moved a cart with teapots and teacups on it. "I already brewed your favorite tea. Come here."


    I give a warm smile to her before I kiss her on her cheeks. "Good morning, Mother. Thank you for the tea." I look at Father and give him a kiss on his cheeks too. "Good, morning Father. I hope the two of you got enough rest."


    I greet Brother Pascal and Pax Dea too before sitting in my seat. Mother immediately put pancakes on my te. "You should eat more. You be thinner since thest time I saw you." Mother sigh. She then looks at Brother Pascal and me. "You and your Brother Pascal are really not taking care of your health properly. What will happen to us if something happens to the two of you?"


    I look at Brother Pascal, and we both look away from Mother. We are both guilty.


    "Mother, don''t worry. Now that I return, you can now be assured that I would take care of myself now because I don''t want you to worry."


    Mother sigh and shake her head. "You better keep your words." She then looks at Dea. "Anyway, we won''t be able to apany you today because your Uncle will need to report back to the monarch, and I will be checking our businesses today. I''m sorry, Dea. I know your Uncle and I both promised to tour your around. However, the circumstances are really not favoring us. Don''t worry once we finish everything. We will surely apany you."


    Pax Dea shakes her head. "That''s okay, Aunt and Uncle. I know you are both busy. It was already an honor for me to be here in the Vrawyth Kingdom. Thank you for letting mee. Also, Csille and Brother Pascal will be apanying me today. I''m already satisfied with that. Although I really wish I could spend time with you too."


    Mother and Father look at each other and nod their heads. "We will apany you one of these days. Anyways, where do you n to take Pax Dea today?"


    Last night, Pax Dea and I talked about our itinerary for today. We all agreed to visit boutiques in the morning, which Pax Dea insisted. In the afternoon, we will be visiting one of the most sacred ces in the Vrawyth Kingdom. The ruins of the old Pce.


    It is the old pce that was destroyed because of the war a thousand years ago. It''s been years since Csille visited that ruin.. It''s also been years since his majesty prohibits anyone from entering the ruins.