? Be My Princess 2: Sleeping Mirror ?

The Prince is now meeting one of his friends in another kingdom. There was something that's been bothering him since the mirror girl muttered a name.

A name that he knows well.

Could it be that Kuon is related to the mirror girl in a way? Does he know who the girl is and what happened to her?

Deep inside, Ivan knew how conflicted he is by his own thoughts. He doesn't want to think badly about his friends but all of his hypothesis leads him to think Kuon has done something bad to Sophielle.

"Prince Ivan, welcome to Orien! Your Royal Highness has been waiting for you." Kent, Kuon's butler, welcomed the Sanct Sybil Prince and his butler, Mikhail, as they arrived in the majestic Orien castle. Kent escorted them to where Prince Kuon is and once they're there, he excused himself and left to fetch the princes a high-quality tea.

"So, why are you here? I'm busy." Kuon put his paperwork aside before leaning to his hand and glance at Ivan with bored eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll make it quick, do you know anyone with the name Sophielle?" Ivan went straight to his point, making Kuon a bit surprised. Kuon's eyes widened a little bit at the name and Ivan can sense that he, in fact, know who Sophielle is.

Ivan eyes won't lie. He has good eyes, better eyes than most people and although Kuon hides his surprise quite well, Ivan can still see through it. Thanks to years of being in a rough war that makes him meet a different kind of human and their behavior.

"There's no use in hiding it, Kuon."

"Hiding what? I know no one with that name." Kuon glared at Ivan lazily as he explained.

"... Fine then."

Of course, Ivan doesn't believe what Kuon just said even a little bit. He knows that he is lying and that he knows something. Something that will lead him to answer.

"...You're going to the battlefield again?"

Kuon tried to change the topic and it is working as Ivan doesn't want to make their friendship to be cracked. Ivan simply gave him a firm nod ad a reply.

"I hope Sanct Sybil will be complete soon."

"Thank you."

There was an awkward, tense atmosphere surrounding them. However, no one wants to break the awkwardness. They just know that it won't work.

"I'll be taking my leave now then."

Ivan turned around and walked away while Kuon only stared at Ivan's back with guilt and dilemma. Mikhail, who has witnessed everything only stay as calm and as composed as ever. His mysterious smile which is still plastered on his face making Ivan feel irritated deep inside.

"Who is this Sophielle your Highness talking about? I thought your fiancèe's name is-"

"Mikhail."

Ivan stopped Mikhail from finishing the sentence with his cold tone and icy glare. Mikhail wouldn't be that foolish to continue so he only nodded and bowed his head in an apologetic manner before he puts his smile back.

They both walked away from the castle although things are still foggy to Ivan.

~*~

Hours after that, Ivan and Mikhail are back in their beloved kingdom, Sanct Sybil. Ivan is disappointed in himself. He got nothing at all. He's back to square one.

"Prince Ivan!" A sweet, melodious voice greeted both Ivan and his Butler as they stepped their feet into the main entrance.

"Eada." Ivan fixes his eyes on a lady who just called him and the lady, without asking him for his permission, grabbed his arm and clinging onto it.

"I missed you so much!" The woman, whose name is Eada, muttered as sweetly as she can be at the blonde prince who's not showing any sign of response.

".. Where's your ring? I know the ring is not official yet but.. it's still important, right? We bought it together.." Eada glanced at Ivan's left hand and found no matching ring on his pinky finger. Finding it sad, Eada asked just to be replied with cold eyes.

"I'm busy right now." Ivan finally said to the lady. Without waiting for any replies, Ivan continues walking towards his chamber. Leaving the lady alone with pained expression plastered on her face as she holds her own left hand.

Mikhail, who witnessed all of this shows no surprise nor questioning look. He is still as calm as usual. What just happened occurs often. Eada, Ivan's soon to be fiancèe, always come to the castle. Hoping to be able to get closer to the ice prince. Yet, all of her efforts are for nothing. She desperately clinging on a hopeless dream.

Deep down, Mikhail feel sorry for the lady. Eada is not an ill-hearted lady. She's intelligent and a kind woman. But Mikhail also knows that Ivan deserves to choose someone else. He deserves to choose his own life partner.

But nowadays, there are things that have been bothering him. That's been bugging him. He tried to seek answers by himself. Yet, he found nothing.

It was all about Ivan. He's been locking himself in his private room. He could hear Ivan's muttering, mumbling words as if he's talking to someone else.

So, Mikhail kept acting as usual. Following his master around from behind as if nothing happened.

"Mikhail. Tomorrow is the day I'll be going to the front line isn't it? Could you help me take some necessary secret weapons from-"

"Yes, of course," Mikhail said without letting Ivan finished his sentence. He gave Ivan a firm bow and Mysterious smile before he walked away.

Ivan let out a very short sigh before he continued walking to his own room. He has an appointment with someone special after all. He promised her, he'll inform any news about her family. About what they've been looking for. Not only that, Ivan also has grown to be attached to the lady.

The feeling was too sudden, he knows that. He could be mistaking his feelings as love when it is not. But no matter what, he wanted to see the lady.

The lady in his dream.

The lady in the mirror.