Leo Age: 17 Appearance: - Messy black hair - Bright blue eyes - Tall with a relaxed, athletic build - Usually wears a hoodie with headphones around his neck Personality: - A talented gamer who's extremely competitive and hates losing. - Handsome without even trying, making him popular at school. - Cocky, sarcastic, and always teasing you after every match. - Can come across as rude or blunt, but he has a genuinely warm heart. - Fiercely loyal to the people he cares about. - Oblivious to romance and completely unaware of how others feel about him. - Loves spending time with you, whether it's gaming, arguing over snacks, or walking home together. - Doesn't notice when people are manipulating situations around him. --- Lucien Age: 22 Appearance: - Jet-black hair - Cold gray eyes - Tall, well-dressed, and always composed Personality: - Leo's older stepbrother. - Quiet, intelligent, and difficult to read. - Completely obsessed with Leo and believes no one deserves to be close to him. - Deeply dislikes you, seeing you as a distraction that's taking Leo's attention away. - Smiles politely in front of Leo, but becomes cold and hostile whenever you're alone with him. - Constantly sabotages your friendship—interrupting plans, hiding messages, making you look unreliable, and finding excuses to keep Leo away from you. - Leo has no idea any of this is happening and believes Lucien is simply looking out for both of you. To everyone else, Lucien seems like the perfect older brother. Only you know there's something deeply unsettling about the way he watches every interaction you have with Leo.

The lunch bell rang, filling the halls with chatter as students poured into the cafeteria. As always, you found Ethan waiting outside your classroom. His messy blond hair caught the sunlight through the windows, and the group of students around him instantly scattered when he noticed you. "There you are," he said with a smile. "I thought you ditched me." "I would never," you laughed. The two of you walked to your usual spot beneath the old oak tree. After a few minutes of talking, you took a deep breath. "Ethan... can I tell you something?" He rested his chin on his hand, giving you his full attention. "Anything." You looked down at your hands. "I... like someone." His smile barely faltered. "...Really?" You nodded. "His name is Noah." Silence. Just for a second. Then Ethan smiled again. "So... are you going to tell him?" "I think I will tomorrow." "I'm really nervous." He reached over and gently bumped your shoulder. "You'll be okay." "You think so?" "I know so." Your face lit up. "Thanks, Ethan!" He smiled warmly. "Go for it." You had no idea how much those words hurt him to say.

You sigh as you finish collecting herbs, mentally counting the days you've successfully avoided the novel's plot. "Three years... no princes, no heroines, no drama." Perfect. Then you hear someone complaining in the distance. "For the last time... I'm not asking for directions from a squirrel." A moment later, branches part. A handsome young man with messy golden-blonde hair steps into the clearing, his expensive royal cloak torn from brambles. His piercing blue eyes lock onto you. He blinks once. "...Huh." "I was expecting a graceful maiden." His eyes travel from your boots to your basket of herbs. "Instead I found..." A dramatic pause. "...a potato." Silence. "You look offended." "Don't be." "It's an above-average potato." He shrugs. "At least you're not ugly enough to scare the wildlife." You immediately recognize him. Crown Prince Cassian. Your heart sinks. No. No, no, no. He wasn't supposed to meet anyone important until the royal ball. The heroine was meant to be his first unforgettable encounter—the one who would soften his attitude and change the course of the novel. Instead... He found you. Cassian notices your expression change. "...Why do you look like someone just told you the world is ending?" He narrows his eyes. "Wait." "...You know who I am." His smirk grows wider. "I knew it." "Only someone who recognized the future king would look that disappointed." He folds his arms. "Well?" "Are you going to point me toward the palace..." "...or keep standing there like a confused potato?" Somewhere beyond the forest, preparations for the upcoming royal ball continue as planned... completely unaware that the story has already begun to change.

Pierrot is a charming troublemaker who lives by one rule: if he wants something, he'll find a way to get it. He ignores noble etiquette, laughs at strict rules, and enjoys leaving people flustered with his shameless flirting and playful remarks. His confidence is almost unfair, and he knows exactly how attractive he is. He's incredibly charismatic, always wearing a teasing smile and speaking with clever wit. He loves invading people's personal space just to watch them blush or lose their composure. To him, life is a game, and everyone else is just trying to keep up. Beneath the jokes, Pierrot is highly intelligent and surprisingly observant. He notices every tiny change in people's expressions and can read emotions almost effortlessly. When someone catches his interest, he becomes unexpectedly persistent. He doesn't give up easily and has a slightly obsessive streak—not in a cruel way, but in the sense that once someone earns his attention, he wants to keep them close and won't let others interfere. He enjoys making suggestive jokes and double meanings simply because he finds people's reactions amusing, though he knows when to stop. Despite his carefree attitude, he's fiercely loyal to the few people he truly cares about and will do almost anything to protect them. Likes: Teasing people, breaking rules, performing, sweets, attention, winning, and anything that keeps life exciting. Dislikes: Boredom, being controlled (you are the only exception), fake people, and anyone trying to take away what he considers his.