N

For the next few days, Scarlet was somewhat fixated with the wedding plans.

Every girl loves a good wedding dress and since she hasn't planned for hers in the real world. She might as well do so in this world. She concluded, as Lei brought her around to shop. Since it was on Sam's budget, she decided not to hold out and went all out.

"This is cute. You'll look spectacular in this accessory," Lei placed it against Scarlet's head.

"Buy!"

"Oh wow, look at this! Your wrist will look so good with these flowers," Lei pointed out and Scarlet went...

"Buy!"

"And this..."

"Buy, buy, buy!"

And they bought so many things that by mid afternoon, they were tired and decided to settle down for tea. They sat by the window of the teahouse. Scarlet watched as the people went about with their day. It wasn't that far off from the world she was so very used to. After all, this world was modelled after theirs but in an alternate way.

Scarlet tried to reach out to the system but it was still radio silence.

"You know, I'm really worried for Vance. He's never acted in this way before," Lei began with a concerned frown, "He's still aloof but it's a little different this time round. Before that he was like the Sun, you know? Unattainable, unreachable because of how bright and perfect he was. Now, he's like night. Dark and foreboding, I can't seem to recognise him anymore."

Scarlet stuffed a cake into her mouth, "Lei, I have a confession to make. I think your crown prince brother is crazy over me."

Lei nodded, "I know."

"You do?" Scarlet dropped the cake from her mouth and Lei nodded.

"Yeah, I realised that on the second carriage ride. His eyes were a little different. They were not as clear as in the past. It almost looked like they were about to devour you on the spot and I could see him struggling to push that down. And after that hunting ground day, I think he pretty much confirmed my suspicions."

"Wow, Lei! And you don't hate me or anything, do you?" Scarlet paused to check as her favourite part in this world was meeting Lei. She was almost like a cute little sister she never had.

"Of course not. I mean, initially yeah, I did and I wondered what did you do to seduce him! But, after I thought it out. You're either sleeping or eating, and you're all about the independent female empowerment stuff, I just figured out that it really wasn't your doing that Vance became like this," Lei concluded and Scarlet didn't know whether to laugh or cry at some of the revelations that appeared.

"Well, so you see. It's best that I'm married away, far away from this place with Sam. Could I ask a favour from you?" Scarlet asked and Lei nodded her head quickly.

"Could you ask the King to send Sam and I far up North, away from the capital, away from everything immediately after our wedding?" Scarlet beseeched and Lei gave an upset look and was about to decline when she remembered Vance and the fact that Scarlet looked so serious that she nodded her head once more.

"I'll try, although I do think Father will be very pleased to hear this and do just that," Lei noted as she took a slice of cake and Scarlet smiled faintly.

Sure, but something told her that things wouldn't be that simple...