The girls dragged me through the festival, their arms linked through mine, chattering.
Five minutes ago, I'd been standing alone at a refreshment table, enjoying isolation.
Now I had two noble girls treating me like we were longtime friends.
It was... uncomfortable, and I had absolutely no idea how to handle this situation.
This is fine. Everything is fine. Just... go with it.
Seraphina kept up a steady stream of cheerful commentary as we wove through the crowd.
"Oh, look at those pastries! Have you tried the honey cakes? They're amazing. And the musicians are setting up for the next performance, I heard they brought a harpist all the way from the capital!"
She was relentlessly positive, her energy seemingly boundless. Every few steps she'd point out something new, her grip on my arm tightening with excitement.
Isabelle on the other hand was quieter, but I caught her glancing around the festival crowd.
Is she looking for someone?
Her dark eyes scanned faces methodically, and whenever we passed groups of young nobles, her posture straightened and her grip on my other arm became more... possessive.
"You're very quiet," Seraphina observed, tilting her head to look at me. "Are you always this reserved, or are we overwhelming you?"
"Little bit of both," I admitted.
She laughed. "Sorry! I know I can be a lot. Isabelle says I have the energy of three people."
"It's true," Isabelle confirmed, though her attention was still elsewhere. "She's exhausting."
"But in a charming way!" Seraphina added cheerfully.
We passed a stall selling ribbons and decorative trinkets. Seraphina paused, pulling us to a stop. "Oh, Jin, what's your favorite color?"
I blinked at the sudden question. "Uh... blue, I guess?"
"Blue! Perfect." She released my arm and darted to the stall, immediately engaging the merchant in animated negotiation.
Which left me standing with Isabelle.
She finally looked at me properly, her dark eyes assessing. "You're not what I expected."
"What did you expect?"
"Victor's younger brother?" She shrugged. "I thought you'd be more... I don't know. Martial. Loud. Like him."
"Disappointing?"
"No," she said thoughtfully. "Different. That's not bad."
Her eyes flicked past me toward a group of young nobles near the wine merchant's stall. A tall boy with sandy brown hair was laughing at something, completely oblivious to Isabelle's attention.
Her eyes flicked past me toward a group of young nobles near the wine merchant's stall. A tall boy with sandy brown hair was laughing at something, his arm casually draped around another girl's shoulders, a blonde in an elaborate pink dress.
"Boyfriend?" I asked quietly.
Isabelle's expression tightened. "Ex-boyfriend."
I looked at her and sighed. I should've left, probably. Go back to stan awkwardly at the edge of Father's conversation circle, counting down the hours until this festival ended.
But something made me stay.
Maybe it was curiosity about how this would play out. Maybe I was just tired of being passive.
"What's his name?" I asked.
Isabelle's jaw clenched. "Adrian Westmore. Broke up with me three weeks ago saying he needed 'space.' Then shows up here with her."
The venom in that last word was sharp enough to cut.
I followed her gaze. Adrian was handsome in that generic noble way, tall, well-dressed, confident smile. The kind of guy who'd never been told no in his life.
And he was very deliberately not looking in Isabelle's direction, which meant he knew she was there.
"Want to make him regret that?" I asked.
Isabelle's eyes snapped back to me. "What?"
"I'm saying, if you want him to realize what he lost, I'll help. But we do it properly."
She studied me carefully, "Why would you help me?"
"Because I've had a weird day, I'm bored, and watching entitled nobles squirm is mildly entertaining." I paused. "Also, you'll owe me a favor. Nothing major, just something to call in later."
Her lips curved into a small smile. "You negotiate like a merchant."
"I'll take that as a compliment. Do we have a deal?"
Isabelle glanced back at Adrian, at the blonde girl laughing at something he said, and her expression hardened.
"Deal."
"Good. Then stop looking at him like you care. First rule of making someone jealous... they need to think you've moved on completely."
"I know how jealousy works," she said, but her posture had already shifted, becoming more relaxed.
"Sure. But knowing and executing are different things." I offered my arm properly this time, not linked but extended like a gentleman. "Shall we?"
She took it with a genuine smile this time.
Seraphina returned at that moment, triumphantly holding a blue ribbon. "Found one! Here, let me!"
Before I could protest, she'd reached up and started tying the ribbon in my hair.
"Actually," Isabelle interrupted smoothly, taking the ribbon from Seraphina's hands. "Let me. I'm better at this."
She stepped closer, much closer than necessary, and reached up to tie the ribbon near my temple. Her fingers brushed against my hair, lingering just slightly too long to be casual.
"There," she murmured, her face inches from mine as she adjusted the ribbon. "Perfect."
Oh. We're starting already.
"You two are being weird," Seraphina observed, though she seemed more amused than concerned.
"Am I?" Isabelle stepped back but kept her hand on my shoulder, smoothing down my jacket collar with deliberate care. "I just think Jin deserves to look his best. Don't you agree?"
Her voice carried just enough to reach nearby groups.
Including Adrian's.
And he did notice, his laugh cutting off mid-sound, his head turning toward us. Eyes landed on Isabelle's hand on my shoulder, the intimate distance between us, the blue ribbon in my hair.
His expression darkened.
Hook.
"The musicians are starting," Isabelle said, loud. "Jin, you'll dance with me, won't you?"
It wasn't really a question.
"I'm a terrible dancer," I warned.
"I'll teach you." She linked her arm through mine again, this time pressing close enough that anyone watching would assume we were together. "Come on."
Seraphina followed, looking delighted by the whole situation.
We moved toward the performance platform where a crowd had gathered. The musicians had begun a lively tune.
And Adrian's group had moved closer as well, positioning themselves where they had a clear view.
Isabelle pulled me into the loose crowd of people dancing near the platform. Nothing formal, just folk steps.
"Put your hand here," she instructed, placing my hand on her waist. Her own hand rested on my shoulder, the other holding mine. "Just follow my lead."
We started moving, badly, on my part, but Isabelle compensated with practiced grace.
"He's watching," she murmured, her smile bright and seemingly genuine. "Good. Now laugh like I said something funny."
"You didn't say anything funny."
"Doesn't matter. Laugh."
I forced out a laugh that probably sounded fake as hell.
"Better," she said. "Now lean in like you're telling me a secret."
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"I really am," she admitted, her smile becoming more genuine. "You're a good actor."
"Well... have my fair, share of experience."
Her expression flickered, sympathy breaking through the performance for just a moment. Then it was gone, replaced by her bright smile.
"Spin me," she said.
"What?"
"Spin me. It's dramatic and he'll definitely notice."
I attempted a spin that was probably more awkward than dramatic, but Isabelle made it work, her dress flaring out as she turned.
When she came back, she was laughing.
"Okay, that was terrible," she said. "But endearing. Do it again."
"You're insane."
"Maybe. Again!"
I spun her again, slightly better this time.
The song shifted into a slower tempo, and Isabelle immediately adjusted, pressing closer. Her hand moved from my shoulder to the back of my neck, intimate in a way that made my skin prickle with discomfort.
"Too much?" she asked quietly.
"Little bit."
"Sorry. But he's coming over. Need to sell it."
Sure enough, Adrian Westmore was pushing through the crowd toward us, his expression thunderous. The blonde girl from before trailed behind him, looking confused and annoyed.
Line.
"Isabelle," Adrian said, his voice tight. "Can I talk to you? Privately?"
Isabelle turned to him with exaggerated surprise, not moving away from me. "Adrian! I didn't see you there. Are you enjoying the festival?"
His jaw clenched. "I said privately."
"I'm rather busy at the moment." She gestured to me. "You remember Lord Victor? He's his brother, Jin? We were just dancing."
"I can see that." His eyes fixed on me, hostile. "I wasn't talking to him."
"How rude," Isabelle said lightly. "Jin's been wonderful company. Much better than, well. Some people."
The implication hung in the air like a blade.
Adrian's face flushed red. "We need to talk. Now."
"I don't think we do." Isabelle's smile was sharp. "You wanted space, remember? To focus on your studies? I'm just respecting your wishes."
"That's not," He stopped, visibly struggling for control. "You're doing this to spite me."
"I'm doing this because I'm having fun." She tilted her head. "Something wrong with that?"
The blonde girl finally spoke up, her voice pitched high with irritation. "Adrian, can we go? This is boring."
"Stay out of this, Miriam," he snapped without looking at her.
Miriam's expression went icy. "Excuse me?"
Oh, this is getting good.
"Isabelle," Adrian tried again, his voice dropping. "Come on. Don't be like this. We can talk—"
"About what?" Isabelle interrupted. "About how you needed space but somehow found time for Lady Miriam? About how you're suddenly very concerned with who I dance with at festivals?"
"That's not—"
"Or maybe," she continued, her voice sweetening dangerously, "We should talk about how you're currently ruining my evening by making a scene. Jin, shall we get some refreshments?"
She turned away from Adrian completely, taking my arm and pulling me toward the refreshment tables.
I went with it, glancing back just long enough to see Adrian standing frozen, his hands clenched into fists. Miriam had stormed off in the opposite direction, clearly done with the entire situation.
And sinker.
We made it to the refreshment table before Isabelle finally let go of my arm. Her hands were shaking slightly.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"That was, " She stopped, then laughed, slightly manic but genuine. "That was amazing. Did you see his face?"
"Pretty sure everyone within twenty feet saw his face."
"Good." She grabbed a wine glass from a passing servant and downed half of it in one go. "He deserved that. He absolutely deserved that."
"He definitely looked like."
She laughed again, more stable this time. "Thank you. Seriously. I know I used you, and that's not fair, but thank you."
"You're welcome. Remember—"
"I owe you a favor. I haven't forgotten." She set down her wine glass and looked at me seriously. "Anything you need, Jin. I mean it."
Seraphina appeared beside us, bouncing with excitement. "That was INCREDIBLE! Did you see how mad he got? And then Miriam stormed off! It was like watching a theatre performance!"
"Glad you enjoyed the show," I said dryly.
"I did!" She grabbed my arm again, all cheerfulness. "You're officially my favorite person today. Come on, let's get those honey cakes I mentioned. After all that drama, we deserve sugar."
She pulled me toward a pastry stall, still chattering enthusiastically.
Isabelle followed, looking lighter than she had all day.
And I just... went with it.
Getting pulled into noble girl drama, playing jealousy games, and somehow ending up as the hero of someone else's romantic revenge plot.
What the hell is happening to me?
But despite everything, the discomfort, the confusion, the sheer absurdity of it all, I had to admit.
It beat standing alone at the edge of Father's conversation circle, being ignored by everyone.
Not enough to make me want a repeat performance though.