The bright lights illuminated a hallway in one corner of the palace, all kinds of paintings displayed along both sides of the corridor.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, it was the sound of Alex walking toward the end of the corridor where a room could be seen there.

He held his nose that still felt sore, checking his face in fear that there might still be blood left after Katarina headbutted him, he also checked his shirt and pants.

A sigh escaped from him, the sigh accidentally mixed together with laughter, Alex rubbed his forehead. "Damn...that headbutt was dangerous. How could my first soul core not react..."

Alex then entered the room at the end of the hallway, various kinds of palace furniture could be seen there, there was a staircase spiraling toward the second floor and a door leading directly to one of the gardens.

His family stayed there after their house was completely destroyed after the attack, Alex let out a sigh, he walked toward the sofa where his father and mother were sitting, his father noticed Alex first.

"You missed lunch together..."

Alex raised one hand, then sat down on the soft sofa and leaned his back against it, a faint smile appeared on his face. "Sorry dad, I was busy..."

His father clicked his tongue, he wanted to speak but Alex’s mother spoke first, she looked at her son from head to toe, slightly tilting her head.

"Where’s your black jacket? Weren’t you wearing a jacket when you went out earlier?"

Alex shrugged both shoulders, slightly touching his nose that still hurt. "I gave it to Katarina..."

Alex’s father and mother looked at each other, then shifted their gaze back toward Alex, his mother spoke first.

"Why did you give your jacket away? It looked like the princess was also wearing a jacket earlier..."

Alex’s mother sighed, leaning her body toward Alex. "Mother didn’t expect my son to be that close with the princess...are you really just friends?"

Alex’s black eyes widened, he leaned his body toward his mother as well, only separated by the glass table. "What’s wrong with that? Of course we’re friends..."

Alex’s mother placed her hand on her chin, her eyes narrowed slightly after hearing Alex’s words. "Can mother tell you something?...."

Alex’s lips opened a few times, confused about how to answer, he turned toward his father who only chuckled and now leaned forward as well.

Alex nodded several times. "Of course, just say it..."

Alex’s mother cleared her throat, she looked at Alex seriously, her black eyes reflecting Alex’s figure. "Mother still can’t believe we’re living in the palace. What I mean is, ever since you were attacked that night until now, mother feels like something is bothering me..."

Alex’s mother shrugged both shoulders. "Everyone here is so kind, who would’ve thought we’d live in the palace after being attacked, at first mother thought we’d only stay a few days."

Alex’s mother tilted her head. "But now it’s already been a week or two? Mother doesn’t even know because the people here treat us like special guests..."

Alex’s mother crossed both her arms, looking at Alex seriously.

"Are you dating the princess?...."

Alex immediately pushed his body back against the soft sofa after hearing his mother’s question, he felt like the entire build-up of his mother’s story ended up meaningless because of the question she asked.

"Of course not mom..."

Alex swallowed with difficulty. "We’re just friends....about staying in the palace, I already told you, I contributed quite a lot when this palace was attacked..." Alex scratched his eyebrow. "So, maybe the king and queen are repaying the favor a little?...."

One of Alex’s father’s eyebrows rose. "Really? Your mother and I heard from the servants several times that you and the princess kept running around these past few days like little kids..." Alex’s mother nodded as well.

Alex chuckled after hearing his father’s question, shrugging both shoulders.

"What’s wrong with running together?" Alex leaned forward again, tapping several spots on the table as if drawing something. "This palace is really huge, there are so many interesting things everywhere. So yeah, we’re just enjoying it....besides, we’re still kids anyway."

Alex’s father scratched his ear after hearing Alex’s explanation, while Alex looked at him.

"Dad’s also going to work here right? So just enjoy it....it’s nice here, no need to travel far to work...."

Alex’s mother frowned. "But what kind of workplace has a boss that keeps visiting their employee’s residence every single day?" Alex’s mother scratched her forehead. "I mean, the queen comes here every day, she also often plays with Aisy..."

Alex sighed softly, smiling at his mother. "That just means you’re nice to talk to...the queen probably also likes playing with Aisy, so don’t think too much about it..."

Alex pointed at himself. "I’ll also be returning to the academy soon, so just get used to it, think of this as our home for now. Of course we won’t stay here forever, but for the time being we’ll stay here first..."

Alex’s mother leaned her back against the sofa, still staring sharply at Alex. "But it still feels like something’s bothering me..."

Alex rubbed his forehead and his throbbing nose at the same time. ’Damn, there are way too many terrifying women today....’ Alex swallowed. ’What’s strange is they’re terrifying in completely different ways...’

Alex let out a sigh, looking at both his father and mother.

"Anyway! Don’t think about anything! Just enjoy it okay?"

Alex pointed toward one of the windows now illuminated by orange light. "Look! It’s already evening, I have to go!"

Alex then stood up, pointing toward the stairs leading to the second floor. "I need to get ready first...."

Alex immediately ran toward the second floor, leaving behind his mother and father who could only stare at his back.

Orange light slowly began entering the territory of the human palace, accompanied by the chirping of birds as if they were an inseparable package.

After some time, Alex came down from the second floor, now wearing a black shirt and loose black pants, he also wrapped his shirt with a white tracktop, he walked toward his father and mother who were also already prepared.

Alex then carried Aisy because he felt sad that they would soon be separated.

The four of them began leaving the room they stayed in inside the palace, heading toward the palace airfield, several times they passed servants who greeted them.

They enjoyed looking around at the palace interior during their journey toward the airfield, until finally an orange-lit hallway appeared at the end of their path.

The noisy sound of magical engines began to be heard, Alex looked at the little sister he was carrying, he took out a baby earmuff and put it on Aisy, he bribed Aisy with a lollipop so she’d stay calm while he adjusted the earmuff, Alex’s mother clicked her tongue because Alex kept feeding his little sister snacks, Alex only smiled and shrugged his shoulders, looking amused while Aisy licked her lollipop.

They finally reached the end of the hallway, a gust of wind immediately struck them together with the orange light, from the top of the palace airfield the slowly setting sun could clearly be seen, the four of them arrived first and not long after, the king, queen, Katarina, Reva, and Ken finally came out from the hallway they had passed earlier.

The wind blew against Katarina, her long dark red hair flowing freely, orange light reflected against her pale skin and white coat, she turned toward Alex who was already waiting together with his family.

Ken and Reva also looked toward Alex. Ken wore a sky-blue shirt contrasting against the orange sky, while Reva wore a gray outer.

They quickly said their farewells because the journey would take quite a long time.

Alex handed Aisy over to his father, his expression showing sadness because he would be separated from his cute little sister, then he warmly hugged his mother, his mother patted Alex’s back repeatedly, as if she didn’t want to let her child go.

But Alex would still leave, he also hugged his father and Aisy. Meanwhile the king and queen approached together with the others, they chatted for a while beneath the orange glow before Alex and the others departed.

Katarina also said goodbye to her parents, the king looked extremely emotional even though it wasn’t the first time Katarina was leaving, the queen also hugged her daughter tightly.

Reva and Ken also said farewell to the king and queen, thanking them for allowing them to stay at the palace.

After everything was finished, the four of them walked away toward the royal family’s special magical helicopter that would take them to Osteria Academy.

Ken immediately approached Alex, patting his shoulder and opening his mouth, his voice overlapping with the loud sound of the magical helicopter’s engine.

"Hey...are you ready?"

Alex glanced toward Ken, his black eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"

Alex’s sudden strange answer made Ken freeze speechless, he opened his mouth several times but no words came out, but eventually he still spoke.

"Who am I? What do you mean? I’m Ken..."

Alex sneered at Ken, his face looking serious, clicking his tongue.

"Ken? Who’s that? I don’t know someone who never played with me even though we lived under the same roof....don’t come near me." Alex immediately ran away from the others toward the magical helicopter.

Ken stood there frozen, still processing Alex’s words, and once he realized it, he gritted his teeth.

"Hey! What the hell do you mean bastard?!" Ken immediately ran after Alex, the two looked like they were chasing each other.

Luckily Ken’s curses toward Alex weren’t heard by Alex’s father and mother, they only saw their son causing trouble again by running around.

Meanwhile Reva who walked beside Katarina only shook her head, she turned toward Katarina.

"Princess...they’re like little kids huh...?"

Katarina glanced at Reva, her blue eyes narrowing. "Who are you?" She repeated what Alex did to Ken, but Katarina only walked faster, leaving Reva behind.

Reva who realized that immediately chased after Katarina and hugged her arm, pretending to cry in regret because Katarina ignored her, Katarina only chuckled after hearing that, messing up Reva’s brown hair.

Meanwhile Katarina’s blue eyes saw Alex stopping near the entrance of the magical helicopter, greeting the servant waiting there.

Alex lowered his head and greeted the servant with a smile, pointing toward the entrance. "Can I go in now?"

The servant smiled, extending his hand toward the magical helicopter entrance. "Of course, Sir Alex..."

Alex smiled and nodded once again, climbing five steps before finally entering the magical helicopter.

A fresh fragrance immediately reached Alex’s sense of smell the moment he entered the magical helicopter’s interior, cool air also touched his skin.

Alex looked around the entire interior of the royal magical helicopter, amazed by how advanced and classy the inside of the transportation he would ride was.

The inside looked bright, but orange light could still be seen entering through the helicopter windows, Alex saw several seats facing one another.

He still stood there silently admiring the interior when Ken entered, standing beside Alex. "Have you never ridden something like this before?"

A faint disbelieving laugh escaped from Alex, he didn’t turn toward Ken. "Damn, don’t compare me to a rich person like you...."

Reva and Katarina then entered the helicopter, Reva who heard Alex and Ken’s conversation immediately clicked her tongue. "Ahh this guy really is tacky, his expression is exactly the same as when he first rode a VIP train."

Veins bulged on Alex’s forehead, he turned to the right where Ken was also standing, he wanted to speak but stopped because suddenly Ken walked away and directly sat near the window, only staring outside.

Alex could only stand there stunned seeing that happen, he and Katarina looked at each other, meanwhile Reva also started sitting down, but she sat opposite from Ken, taking the seat near the opposite window.

Alex and Katarina only stared at that sight in silence, then they looked at each other again, Alex pointed toward Ken and Reva who sat far apart.

"What’s with them?"

Katarina only shrugged both shoulders, whispering to Alex. "They’ve been keeping their distance since earlier..."

Alex sighed tiredly, immediately walking toward Ken and Reva, slightly raising his voice so they could hear him.

"Hey! What are you guys doing?!" Alex pointed toward the four seats facing each other. "Just sit here! Why are you sitting so far apart?!"

Reva looked at Alex, clicking her tongue. "Noisy tacky guy! I’ll sit wherever I want!"

Alex shifted his gaze toward Ken, his face covered by the orange light, he stayed silent and simply patted the seat beside him.

Alex sighed, immediately sitting to Ken’s left, while Katarina sat beside Reva, the two of them separated by the walking space.

They immediately fastened their seatbelts once the servant who welcomed them entered and closed the door.

Alex let out a sigh, glancing toward the window beside Ken reflecting the orange glow, slowly the scenery moved as the magical helicopter began moving.

Vibrations spread through them as the helicopter slowly flew, they finally left the human palace behind.

After several minutes in the air, the servant who welcomed them approached, standing in the walkway separating Alex and Katarina’s seats.

The servant smiled. "Is there anything you’d like to drink? Or maybe some snacks you’d like to eat?"

After the servant finished speaking, Ken and Reva answered at the same time.

"Sugar Rush!"

"Sugar Rush, please..."

Reva and Ken immediately turned toward each other even though Katarina and Alex blocked their view.

Katarina chuckled slightly, meanwhile the servant nodded before asking Katarina. "How about you, Princess?"

Katarina thought for a moment before answering, smiling at the servant. "Hmm I’ll have Sugar Rush too..."

The servant nodded then turned toward Alex.

"Would you also like Sugar Rush, Sir Alex?"

One of Alex’s eyebrows rose, his expression turning confused. "What is Sugar Rush?"

The servant wanted to answer, but Ken spoke first, nudging Alex. "Have you never tried it? I think everyone likes that drink..."

Alex looked at Ken, letting out a sigh. "I’ve never tried something that sounds deadly...."

Katarina chuckled after hearing Alex’s words.

Meanwhile Alex shifted his gaze toward the servant, smiling politely. "Just water for me, thank you."

The servant nodded and immediately left to bring their orders.

Ken held Alex’s shoulder, continuously persuading Alex to try the drink later, but Alex always refused.

"Are you crazy? Just the name alone already sounds dangerous...." Alex swallowed unconsciously, feeling chills run down his spine. "....it must be insanely sweet, besides how can you even like a girl’s drink?"

Katarina’s ears twitched after hearing Alex’s words, she threw a crumpled tissue ball at him, making Alex turn toward her. "Hey...it’s not just a girl’s drink, guys like it too! And it’s popular among teenagers! You’re just tacky!"

Alex gritted his teeth. "I don’t care dammit...the point is I won’t drink that dri—" Alex’s words were cut off by Katarina throwing another tissue ball at him.

Not long after, the servant returned carrying three red cans of drink labeled Sugar Rush, he also brought four glass cups, one of them filled with water, he also served snacks for the four of them.

A sweet aroma spread the moment the canned drinks were opened, the smell spreading so strongly it made Alex nauseous. But Katarina, Reva, and Ken seemed to love it.

The orange glow slowly began disappearing, the sky gradually turning dark as the sun started to set.

Katarina who was staring at that phenomenon suddenly got distracted by Reva tugging her clothes, Reva who had been silent until now finally spoke to Katarina, but it wasn’t a whisper, her voice reached Alex and Ken, making them turn as well.

"Princess princess...why does that guy keep following me around? He even ordered the same drink..."

Katarina and Alex’s faces turned confused, meanwhile Alex felt a touch on his shoulder making him turn toward Ken, Ken’s face looked serious, he spoke in a voice that also made Katarina and Reva look over.

"You know? I’m not following her...I’m just accompanying her..."

Alex’s lips opened several times but no sound came out, instead Reva spoke to Katarina again in a voice also heard by Alex and Ken.

"Accompanying? Isn’t that basically stalking, princess? He dragged me everywhere...without even asking for my opinion..."

Katarina smiled in disbelief, laughter almost escaped from her, but Ken’s voice pulled her attention away again, Alex also looked back toward Ken.

Ken shrugged both shoulders. "Listen, I never forced her. She never rejected me." Alex’s eyes didn’t wander, he kept staring at Ken while drinking water as Ken continued speaking. "So does that count as stalking? I don’t think so..."

Without realizing it, Alex immediately turned toward Reva because he was curious about her answer, the same went for Katarina who sat beside Reva.

Reva cleared her throat, starting to count on her fingers. "Couldn’t reject him? How was I supposed to reject him, I mean...Princess, remember when you invited me to that famous bakery?" Katarina smiled excitedly nodding. "Of course..."

Then Reva continued. "He dragged me there and even reserved seats already, he also bought all the bread I liked...how could I reject that? Wouldn’t it just waste food?"

Katarina chuckled, nodding repeatedly toward Reva. "Of course! That would totally waste food."

Reva started counting again, continuing to speak while Alex, Ken, and Katarina only listened.

"He also suddenly gave me two movie tickets for a film I wanted to watch, so there’s no way I could reject him right? He also keeps dragging me everywhere, giving me every cute thing he sees without my approval!" Reva looked seriously at Katarina, meanwhile Katarina couldn’t hold back her happiness anymore, her legs kicked the air repeatedly, she laughed freely making everyone look at her, it was the first time they had seen Katarina laugh so happily.

Katarina’s laughter stopped Ken and Reva from bickering with each other, Alex only chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck while looking at Ken.

"So you guys are just bragging about your date today?"

Ken’s lips twitched, he shouted at Alex while Reva also shouted after hearing Alex’s words.

"We’re not dating!" "Who said it was a date?!"

Ken and Reva then both turned their bodies toward the windows beside them, Alex laughed and sighed, looking at the magical helicopter window that no longer reflected sunlight, now only the darkness of night surrounded them.

Katarina kept bothering Reva by constantly asking questions, it went on for quite a while until eventually Reva fell asleep.

The main lights inside the magical helicopter were turned off, leaving only the strip lights attached to each of their seats.

Alex turned toward Ken who had also gone silent, he too had fallen asleep just like Reva.

He sighed and looked toward the dark ceiling of the magical helicopter, then took out a paper with his symbol from his smart bracelet.

A glow shined from Alex’s symbol paper, he immediately grabbed a white ice cream stick with banana pieces on it, Alex was just about to bite the ice cream he summoned, but Katarina’s whisper stopped him.

"You said you don’t like sweet food?...."

Alex turned toward Katarina who was staring at him, then pointed toward the ice cream in his hand.

"This is homemade ice cream...I used fruit, milk, and a little honey."

Katarina turned her body toward Alex, her seatbelt still wrapped around her waist, she rested her right cheek against the seat.

"I want some..." Katarina whispered.

Alex smiled then took out another one of his papers, another glow appeared, Alex leaned toward Katarina while handing her the fruit ice cream.

Katarina bit the fruit ice cream Alex gave her, her eyes sparkling. "Wow...I didn’t expect you could make this..."

Alex chuckled, also biting his own ice cream while staring at the excited Katarina. "You underestimate me too much..."

Katarina bit her ice cream again, Alex kept looking at her, then he spoke.

"You looked really happy earlier when Reva and Ken were talking..."

Katarina who had been focused on her ice cream immediately shifted her gaze toward Alex, she who had been leaning back immediately sat upright facing him.

"Of course I’m happy!" her voice came out louder than she realized, Katarina quickly covered her mouth and leaned toward Alex even though the seatbelt was still wrapped around her waist.

She whispered to Alex in the darkness. "Do you know? In the previous life Ken and Reva weren’t like this..." Katarina nodded several times. "Yeah they knew each other, but they never had the chance to become like this now!"

Katarina sighed, lowering her gaze slightly toward the walkway separating herself and Alex.

"In the previous life Reva died protecting me during the train incident..." Alex listened to Katarina, continuing to observe every movement on her face.

Katarina raised her head and looked at Alex.

"Meanwhile Ken liked me back then, but I never accepted him...if I remember correctly, when I died, he didn’t have a partner..."

Katarina smiled widely, her blue eyes sparkling in the darkness, she no longer cared about the ice cream she previously liked so much.

"I really love this future! I seriously love it!"

Katarina continued talking endlessly, Alex only watched her until he finished his ice cream, meanwhile Katarina didn’t realize her ice cream had melted and dirtied her hand, she just kept talking with sparkling eyes.

Alex smiled, taking out his symbol paper from his smart bracelet, he leaned toward Katarina and cleaned the melted ice cream dripping onto Katarina’s hand.

Alex nodded several times while listening to Katarina’s story. "Yeah....we’ll help them get together if they like each other..."

Katarina’s story accompanied Alex until the magical helicopter finally arrived at the academy.