"Thank you very much, Sir McCoy, for convincing my father to allow me to attend the festival." Irene beamed at the man walking beside her. Even though she had someone tagging along with her, she did not mind it. The bustling activities around her and watching the happy faces made her forget all her complaints and she joined them in their joy.

"It is my pleasure, Lady Sylvaine." Lucian smiled at her in return. His eyes were filled with a myriad of emotions that Irene could not understand. Not wanting to dwell more on them, she averted her gaze away from him and looked at a group of kids running around with pinwheel toys in their hands.

Irene recalled her days at the orphanage in her past life when there were a lot of kids of her age. Those days had been her least stressful days when she had nothing to worry about. Instead, her wardens would care for her, feeding her on time while having a bed to sleep in bliss.

Only after she turned eighteen and was shown the gate to leave the orphanage did she realize how brutal the outside world was.

'Thank my hard work. If not for the scholarship I had received from my university, I might have been living on the streets.' Irene thought to herself and smiled at the kids who were lucky to enjoy life before they too entered the stressful phase of their lives.

Even though their time period was different, Irene knew that the struggle to survive and gain power was as brutal as it was in her modern life. And once the children reached adulthood, they would lose all their innocence and stress-free lives.

"What are you thinking about, Lady Sylvaine?" Lucian queried as he followed her line of sight. The girl beside him had stopped walking suddenly, making him halt in his place. Her face held a strange expression that he could not comprehend. It was as though she recalled a memory that she had buried deep inside her heart.

Lucian's voice snapped Irene out of her thoughts and she turned towards him immediately. She stared at him in confusion. "Please pardon me, Sir McCoy. I did not hear a word you said." She snuck out her tongue apologetically and lowered her eyes the next instant.

Lucian's smile widened on seeing her cute behavior and he let out a deep breath. 'Does she even realize how beautiful and adorable she looks when flustered?' He wondered as he stared at the girl, taking in her beautiful features.

His intense gaze did not go unnoticed by Irene. Even though she had her eyes lowered, she did not miss the way he was staring at her with a smile on his face. Although she did not have any experience in love or relationships in her previous life, she had seen many movies and understood what his gaze meant.

Lucian did not conceal his budding feelings for her. But Irene was considerate enough not to point it out and make it more awkward for herself. Instead, she zipped her lips, forgetting this matter for now.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"I was wondering what got you thinking, Lady Sylvaine?" Lucian repeated his question, his smile not leaving his face. "You were staring at the children over there. Is something the matter?" His voice was soft and filled with intrigue. He was genuinely interested in finding out how she felt and what she was thinking.

Irene was just about to give a generic reply when Lucian intervened. "You can share your thoughts with me, Lady Sylvaine. I would love to listen to you."

Now, Irene did not have an opportunity to escape from the predicament she was in. But, since the man persisted and urged her to speak up, she did not keep to herself anymore.

"I was wondering how quickly time passes and how soon people grow up." Irene sighed and looked at the kids, who were playing happily. Immediately after, she let out a deep sigh and folded her hands.

When Reyna saw her mistress fold her hands, she wanted to step forward and remind her of her manners. She was not in her mansion to forget them. She was out in the open where the other aristocratic people would walk around. Reyna did not intend her mistress's actions to be the topic of conversation and ridicule among the aristocrats.

But the moment she stepped forward, Lucian turned towards her and warned her through his eyes, forcing her to stay put. He just shook his head and his intimidating gaze compelled Reyna to let go of the matter. Instead of being relieved, her worry only increased when she saw a group of ladies pointing at her Lady before they walked away while laughing.

"Would you mind elaborating, Lady Sylvaine? I do not understand what you are trying to convey." Lucian kept the conversation going.

"Do you see the children over there, Sir McCoy?" She gestured towards the group of children before she continued speaking. "How blissful their lives are right now. They have no idea what lies ahead for them and what kind of battles they will face in the future. They do not even know what they will do in the future."

Lucian stepped closer to her when she was not concentrating. Her words evoked a sense of admiration and appreciation in his mind. Yet he could not help but wonder why she was speaking so.

'Did something happen to her at her home? Is she not happy in her home?' He thought to himself. But the moment the notion entered his mind, he shook his head. 'It cannot be. Duke Seymour looks after his daughter well and from what I witnessed during my stay, Lady Sylvaine does not seem to be in trouble. She must be referring to something else.'

"They might become the members of the King's Council or the knights who guard the kingdom. Some might become merchants, while some might end up being teachers. They are unclear as to what the future holds for them. But I am certain of one aspect. Irrespective of their chosen path, they will face a lot of competition, especially if they want power and achieve success."

"Did something happen, Lady Sylvaine?" Lucian could not help himself any longer and stopped her from speaking further.

"Why do you ask, Sir McCoy?"

"You have suddenly turned serious and every word of yours holds a deeper meaning. So. I was wondering..."

"No, Sir McCoy. I was just stating my thoughts." Irene smiled in assurance. "Shall we see what the next stall is selling?" She changed the topic deftly and moved to the next stall without waiting for the man's reply. She chided herself for losing control of her emotions in front of a stranger.

'I should be careful. I cannot become emotional and conflicted lest I give away the truth about my life.'