n

n

nBeatriz was watching the whole thing unfolds and becomes surprised. She had met Nadia before, but the Nadia she was seeing right now looked entirely different.

nThe way she talks now is more refined and isn't rough like how she used to. Even the way she held herself is not the same. She doesn't act like the same arrogant lady she was, at all.

nShe doesn't hate her, and she hadn't liked her either. She was just surprised at how she appeared to be at this moment.

nThey have the same face but they exude different aura.

nRemoving her eyes off of her, she departed from the scene, having seen enough for the day.

n----------**** .

n

"Nathan! Are you going somewhere?

" Asked Luther, the second son of Duke Reichen and the student council treasurer.

nLuther was leaning back at the sofa and looking at Nathan who was already opening the door.

nNathan only glanced at the red-haired guy and continued, walking out of the room.

nEzekiel gazed at the closed door, and so are the three other people inside the student council room.

nThey were all important people who came from powerful families, and together, they formed the council. Except for Nathaniel who declined to be in the council because he finds it troublesome. He made it his getaway place though if he wanted to be left alone.

n

"Does he have somewhere to be?

" Questioned Eon, Count Riviere's eldest son, and the council's secretary. His messy brown hair almost covered his green eyes.

n

"Ah! Isn't his sister attending the Academy as well? I think I saw her during the assembly,

" The guy with long black hair tied into a ponytail remarked. It was Conrad, from the ducal house of Ethalion and the council's vice president.

n

"Right! I think her name was Nadia. I have already met her once. She visited the house before and my sister kept talking about her these days,

" Eon said and looked at them.

nThe three of them looked at each other and stood up.

n

"Let's see where he's going,

" Ezekiel uttered and the three of them decided to follow Nathan.

n

"But it's impossible, right? Didn't he hate his sister's guts?

" Luther

n

"And she kept bugging you too, that's what you said before,

" Stated Conrad and waved at the students who greeted them.

n

"She is a troublesome lady,

" Ezekiel muttered and smiled at the people in acknowledgment. Ezekiel, as the Crown Prince, is also the student council president.

nThey had finally joined Nathan and the five of them walked together to the direction of the first year's social event.

nEzekiel looked dubious and stares at Nathaniel who wasn't saying anything who then suddenly stopped, which made them halt as well.

n

"Are we going in the wrong way?

" Ezekiel asks.

nHe might have really turned in the wrong direction. There's no way he's going to his sister's event.

n

"… I forgot to bring something,

" Nathan then murmurs, looking perplexed.

nThe four guys looked at him in confusion.

n

"What do you mean?

" Conrad

n

"I didn't bring a gift,

" Nathan replied and was really frowning now which made them more puzzled.

n

"A gift? For who?

" Eon inquired as he scratches his head.

nNathan glanced at him, then looks around as if searching for something.

n

"My sister, who else.

" He said this like it's a matter of fact.

n

"What?

" The three guys cried out.

nEzekiel watched Nathan as he suddenly went to a nearby flower bed. He watched him intently as he gazed at the flowers for a while before plucking one bud.

n

"What is he doing?

" Luther whispers.

nEzekiel doesn't know what to think. He just finds it weird because Nathan, for all this time, hated Nadia. So why is he plucking flowers now? Why is he being so fussy for not bringing a gift? Why is he going to the event?

nIt doesn't make sense.

nNathan returned to them and started walking again. They all trailed beside him, looking really bewildered.

n

"… That's for your sister?

" Conrad asks.

n

"It's not a rose, but she likes red so this is fine. I guess…

" Nathan answered and frowned again. He really looked troubled for giving something that isn't a rose.

nEon, Conrad, and Luther gawked at him, but he ignored them. Ezekiel was still smiling but is also baffled deep inside.

nThis doesn't make sense...

nThey had arrived at the spacious backyard where the social event is being held. The students there caught sight of them and began buzzing in excitement.

n

"Ah, I didn't bring anything for my sister too,

" Eon whispered.

nThey made their way through the crowd who greeted them and they smile in return. The four of them were just following wherever Nathan would go. Getting curious about what is about to happen.

nScanning the crowd, Nathaniel's eyes caught sight of something silvery-white amongst the sea of people and strode in that direction.

nHe is sure it was her because no one has the same silky hair which seems like made from strands of moonlight as she had.

nNadia noticed that the students were looking transfixed behind her so she got curious and turned around. There she saw Nathan, and the other four guys, marching on her way.

n

"Brother?

" Gwen whispers at her side.

nThe four of them reached their position and she looked up at her brother with inquiring eyes.

n

"Why are you here?

"

nEzekiel looked at Nadia, and back to Nathan, trying to solve the mystery. He didn't understand what is happening, so he remained watching.

n

"This,

" Nathan uttered and held out his hand which is holding a flower.

nNadia looked at it then accepted it, a smile peeking at her lips.

n

"For me?

"

nNathan glanced sideways, avoiding her inquiring eyes as if getting shy. The four people who saw that gawked even more. Their jaw looks like it's going to hit the ground.

n

"I don't have anything with me.

" He mumbled, looking angry at himself.

n'Who is this?! Who is this man?! This is not Nathan!' Were the four guys' thoughts.

nNadia blinked once, then looked at the flower in her hand, and beamed at him.

n

"Thank you~

"

n'Isn't he sweet? He's so cute as well!' Nadia thought as she fought real hard to stop herself from giggling.

nNathan stared at her smiling face and murmured.

n

"Yeah…

"

nGwen, who was watching at the sides, finds the scene absurd.

n'They act sweeter than most lovers I see' She thought to herself.

n

"What am I seeing?

" Luther nudges Conrad while gaping at the weird scene in front of him.

n

"I don't know but I see it too,

" Conrad answered.

n

"We must be having the same weird dream,

" Eon muttered and gaped at the two figures.

nEzekiel, who saw the exchange, looked mystified. His smile was wavering and he already felt like throwing a barrage of questions to the both of them.

n

"Brother,

" A girl called out. She was standing beside Nadia the whole time and he only had gotten to notice her presence.

n

"Gwen,

" Eon answered,

"-are you enjoying the event?

"

nGwen looked at his brother who was peeking behind Nathan's back.

n

"What are you doing here?

" She asked. Looking at the group back and forth.

nEon scratched his head and glanced at Nathan.

n

"We were just visiting?

"

nNadia then noticed the others and peered at them. Her eyes caught Ezekiel's smiling figure and inwardly jolted.

n'Damn! So handsome!'

nEzekiel met hers which made her inwardly flinched for the second time.

n'Look at those blue eyes! And that blonde hair! He really is a prince! Now I know why the original Nadia kept obsessing with him.'

nNadia cleared her throat and smiled amicably at the prince who was staring down at her, wearing that damned smile. The same smile that earned him the title of 'The Flower'. Sounds lame right? It's because he always looked like he's decorated with blooming flowers whenever he smiles.

n

"Good Afternoon, Prince Ezekiel.

" Nadia warmly greeted.

nAfter saying that, she turned her attention back to Nathan, not sparing him another glance.

n

"Where did you even plucked this?

" She teased. Nadia felt like bursting out in bouts of laughter after seeing Nathan's grimace.

n

"…

" Nathan

nEzekiel got more and more confused as everything went on.

n'That's all? She won't start pestering me afterward?'

nEven after their first meeting together, Nadia was already so clingy to him. Always tailing after him everywhere he goes and he really finds her annoying.

nShe was loud, unkempt, and rough. She doesn't act every inch of a lady like she is, and she act like she's not of nobility most of the time.

nHis impression of her got even worse after knowing that Nathan doesn't like her, even though she's his own sister. Add the fact that she kept clinging to him and acting impudently. How could she like her? He's even shocked he has a cousin like that.

nThen what is this? Why is she acting all proper right now?

nEzekiel watched her like a hawk. From the way she moved, the way she talks, and even her mannerisms, it all looked polished. She looked like a lady from a Marquis' House.

nShe seemed like a different person and not the same Nadia he had come to know.

n'Who is this?'

n

"Oh my, look at that group. Aren't they all good looking?

" Someone mentions among the crowd of people which made the others, who heard them, nod in agreement.

n

"Seriously good looking! I mean, just look at their group. It looks ridiculous!

" One person uttered.

n

"And they all came from powerful ties as well,

" Another chimed.

nThe students who were there looked at the group in awe. The most powerful people gathered together and they all silently sigh in admiration.

n

"Prince Ezekiel looks really handsome! And the others looked really great too! The girls are beautiful as well! Ugh, I want to be in that group too! How envious,

" A girl exclaimed and stared at them while sighing.

nNathan's group didn't stay there for long either. After exchanging some more conversations, they left later on.

nAs they were leaving and had gotten far away from the backyard, Ezekiel turned his head to Nathan.

n

"Your sister seemed different today,

" He pointed out.

nNathan's brows furrowed and thought back to earlier's event.

n

"She's acting like the usual.

" He replied.

nEzekiel smiles ironically.

n

"She usually sticks to my side but she's not doing that today.

" He stated, sounding baffled.

nNathan suddenly halted his steps so Ezekiel stopped walking as well and turned to him. He was frowning and was regarding him with cold eyes.

n

"She's my sister.

" He declared.

nEzekiel blinks, feeling perplexed.

n

"Yes? And she's my cousin.

" He replied.

nNathan's eyes narrowed at him but says nothing and continued his steps.

nEzekiel felt that Nathan's mood was dampening and quietly wondered to himself.

nWhat happened during the time they weren't together?

n