I don't really upload new fics on this site anymore, but since this is now complete and went down well on AO3, I decided to publish it on this website as well. Hope you enjoy.

Gerald & Keith - Isekai Versions of the characters
Geord & Keith - Game versions of the characters

Please bear with me while I try my best to make it clear who is who!

A commenter mentioned having such a big fic in one shot is hard to read, so I've split into 3 parts now.

Through the Looking Glass

Chapter 1

Game World

The Lab for Experimental Magical within the Academy doesn't generally see a lot of activity. Due to the high status of the students, security on campus is excellent for keeping new techniques secret. However, the high status also means anything too dangerous has to be held to stringent rules.

As such, it's a rare opportunity for Prince Geord to attend the experiments being held here, and one he's taking full advantage of, quickly shutting the door before a certain brunette can spot him.

"Prince Geord! Wait-"

He huffs a sigh of relief as the voice fades out. Honestly, he gets that Katarina is his fiancé, but ever since he started conversing with Maria, she's become intolerably clingy.

"Having fun, your Highness?"

Geord smiles, looking over to see Keith Claes knelt inside a giant rune on the other side of the room, magicians and scientists dotting about and making notes.

Keith, he's sure, is just as grateful Katarina's grades do not allow her entry. The girl normally ignores him, but his flirting with Maria has not gone unnoticed either.

"Greetings Keith," he says, walking over and looking at the rune. "Well, this is quite fascinating..."

It is a beautifully intricate rune – Geord doesn't think he's seen anything quite like it. "Where did they find something like this?"

"It was in an old tome that was willed to the Academy," Keith explains. "Some old Viscount who spent his life collecting rare volumes. Most of it was destroyed, but how to draw the rune was still intact."

Geord smiles and walks over the threshold, walking along the inner lines and taking in the spell work. "It's amazing. What does it do?"

Keith chuckles. "They have no idea. Best guess is it's some kind of transportation array, but no one can figure out how to activate it."

"Transportation..." Geord says, kneeling down and looking at the centre. "I can see that – those are definitely runes used for it-"

"Alan was the one who figured it out," Keith says. "But it drove him crazy because they're not lined up right."

He smirks at the Prince. "Do me a favour. If you figure out how to activate it, don't tell him when I'm in the room. I have enough sibling squabbles without dealing with yours."

Oh now the teen's gone and made it a challenge. Geord smiles.

"Come now, if my little brother of all people can figure out it's a transportation rune, I'll have it running by dinner. Just in time to visit Maria and tell her all about it."

Keiths smiles immediately falls, scowling at the Prince.

"You know, you have a fiancé. How about you leave the single girls to me?"

Geord huffs. "Maria deserves more than a flippant playboy, Keith. I might be stuck with Katarina, but I won't just stand by and let you play around with Maria's feelings."

"I'm playing around?" Keith says. "You're the one whispering sweet nothings you can't follow through on. Katarina will never agree to annul the engagement, and you know can't break it without a valid reason."

Geord frowns, and stands. As much as he hates to admit it, his fellow student council member is right.

"I wish Katarina didn't have any feelings for me," Geord says. "It would solve so many issues."

Keith smirks and gets to his feet.

"And I wish I could have lived in a world where my family actually wanted me," he says. "If wishes were horses, your Highness."

He walks over and pats Geord once on the back, and the two start to walk out of the rune. However, when they both entered the middle circle, a bright light lit up against the pentagram, and both men paled as they found themselves frozen to the ground.

"What the-"

The rest of Geord's worlds are stolen away as the rune activates. Outside the markings, they can hear teachers starting to yell, but it quickly fades away, as the rune pules a terrifying bright white.

Isekai World

"Are you sure you don't want to come and see it Katarina?" Gerald asks, outside the door of the Lab for Experimental Magical. He'd convinced his fiancée to escort him to the door, and he'd rather continue the rare conversation he gets where it's just the two of them.

The brunette laughs and waves off Gerald's question. "Thanks for the offer Gerald, but my grades aren't good enough to be allowed entry."

"I'll escort you," he insists. "We can make it a date."

To his frustration, Katarina rolls her eyes. "Don't tease, Gerald. Besides, I have plans with Sophia and Mary and Maria."

"And Nicol?" Gerald asks, eyebrow twitching, because lord knows Sophia doesn't go anywhere without her brother.

"Huh? Oh no, he had Student Council work," Katarina says, which is a little relieving.

Suddenly, someone throws an arm around both of their shoulders, and Gerald grimaces as Keith's face looms between them.

"Here you are," he says. "You weren't trying to take Katarina into a secure room were you, your Highness?"

"Keith," Gerald says, voice tight. "So, you also signed up to view it?"

The teen grins.

"I'll be taking his Highness now, Sis," Keith says with a strained smile, freeing his sister and yanking Gerald towards the door. Katarina merely waves them goodbye..

"Have fun!"

"You know, one of these days, you're going to have to stop being so protective," Gerald mutters, as Keith slams the doors of the Lab closed. "She'll be my wife one day."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Keith says, and turns to look at the rune being examined by court magicians.

"So, this is what all the teachers have been so excited about?" he asks. "I've never seen a rune this complicated."

"I agree," Gerald says, quickly following and heading for the centre. "I want to say some kind of transportation array…but there's no way to set location, or even protection for the transport."

Keith frowns and kneels by the outer array.

"It's crazy. Nobody puts these incantations together, it doesn't make any sense at all. I think there might even be musical notes in here."

Despite himself, Gerald smirks. "Oh? Should get my brother in here then. He'd probably be fascinated."

"Nah, he'll just get frustrated that you got a chance to see it first," Keith says. "Besides, he already turned down viewing it."

"Right..." Gerald says. His brother had a recital coming up, and he's no longer so obsessed with proving himself that he has to compete with Gerald in every arena.

"It's a pity Maria doesn't have the status to view it," Keith says. "She's really got a knack for figuring this sort of thing out."

Gerald nods. "True. Sadly, she's spending the afternoon with the other girls."

Keith immediately looks up. "Worried?"

"Of course not," Gerald scoffs. "Maria and Mary essentially cancel each other out, and Nicol won't be there, so Sophia won't be on the offensive. It'll be a perfectly harmless get together."

He stops, and sighs.

"Not that there's any other sort when Katarina's involved," he adds. "She truly is dense to all compliments isn't she?"

"I thank God every day that she's still oblivious to your charms," Keith replies with a satisfactory smile. "Don't you think you should give up?"

Gerald doesn't answer, and Keith looks up in surprise.

"Gerald?"

The Prince sighs, tracing the runes on the ground.

"She's my fiancé, you'd think she'd have some affection for me at this point. Have I ever given her reason to doubt my intentions?" he asks. Keith winces – for all that he disapproves of Gerald's match, the Prince has never been cruel or rude to Katarina. He's just not selfless enough to give her up to anyone she doesn't love back.

Gerald shakes his head. "I just wish I lived in a world where Katarina loved me. Is that such an impossibility?"

He then gives Keith a short glare. "And hopefully that would mean a world where you don't try and sabotage me at every step."

Keith just gives him a sharp smile. "Not going to happen. Though I have to admit, a world where I didn't have to worry about my sister's love life would be a relaxing one."

He looks a little wistful. "Or even a world where she didn't see me as a brother. That would be something to wish for."

Gerald laughs to himself and stands up. The absolute last thing he needs is Katarina seeing Keith as anything other than her brother. But before he can voice his opinion, the ground beneath their feet starts to glow bright white...

Isekai World - Game characters

When Geord starts to come to, he's in the infirmary. For a moment, he blinks at the roof, before memories of the light come rushing back, and he jerks up in bed.

The rune! It activated! What had it done?

He hears a groan from his right, and looks over to see Keith propping himself up – a look of disbelief on his own face.

"What happened?" he mumbles.

"I'm not sure," Geord says. "The rune activated, but I'm not sure how. And I don't remember exactly what it did."

"That can't be good," Keith says, running a hand through his hair and looking over at Geord, scanning his frame quickly.

"Well, if nothing else, we both look like we're in one piece," he offers. "So that's something."

Geord nods, but before he can answer, a nurse walks into view, face clearly delighted.

"You're awake!" she claims. "That's wonderful. The professors were getting quite worried."

Geord bets they were.

Keith quickly sends a winning smile her way.

"Thank you for taking care of us so well," he says. "Any chance we can leave?"

To their frustration, the woman shakes her head. "Sorry, but we're under orders to keep you here overnight. The professors will be in shortly to discuss what happened."

Geord sags. That's not unexpected, but still somewhat irritating.

"However, Lady Claes has been waiting outside ever since you arrived," the nurse continues, and heads for the door. "I'll send her right in."

Both of them blanch at that.

"Wait-" Geord starts, but it's too late. The nurse has opened the door and left. A second later, a familiar brunette practically knocks the door down getting in.

"You're okay!" Katarina yells, looking overjoyed.

Geord freezes, then braces himself for the girl to invade his space. Only to blink and stare in shock as Katarina runs past him with barely a glance, in order to sit at the side of her brother's bed, slipping a hand onto the equally shell shocked Keith's forehead.

"Are you okay, Keith?" she asks, worry clear in her voice. "When Maria told me there'd been an accident with an experimental rune, I was terrified. Are you hurt? Do you have a fever?"

Keith is boggling at his sibling, and Geord doubts he's doing much better. Is that really Katarina? He doesn't think he's heard his fiancée say that many worlds to Keith...ever. Least of all with any genuine concern.

Keith slowly gets over his shock, slowly pulling Katarina's hand away. Katarina just looks puzzled.

"Keith?" she says. "What's wrong?"

"I...why are you here?" he asks in clear confusion. Katarina's expression doesn't look much better.

"Where else would I be?" she replies. "You might be quite grown up, but you're still my baby brother! Of course I'm going to be by your side when you're hurt."

Anger takes over her face, and before either of them can process what she's said, she's spinning in her seat and pointing a finger towards Geord.

"Did you do something?" she says. "You know Keith is sensitive! Was this your fault? I know my brother would never mess with a rune he didn't know, so it must have been you."

Geord is openly gawping. He honestly doesn't think he can stop.

A passing thought comes to mind, and the edges of his lips twitch upwards.

"Aren't you being a little cruel to your fiancée, Katarina?" he says. The girl immediately pouts.

"You're not going to get out of it that easily, Gerald," she warns, and his eyes twitches at the odd pronunciation of his name. However, that thought quickly gains traction, and his mouth starts to curve into a hopeful grin.

"Katarina...are you in love with me?" he asks. Katarina frowns.

"What...no, of course not," she says, and Geord's heart leaps. "I mean, I love you, you're my dear childhood friend, but we both know you don't love me, not that way. I told you a dozen times that I'm happy to break the engagement ever since my scar faded. You're the one who refuses to break it."

The girl quickly turns and gives Keith an exasperated grin.

"I know he likes having a shield for all the other girls, but really, you'd think he'd be willing to admit his affections for someone else at this point."

Her smile fades as she takes in Keith's face. Honestly, it looks like the teen might start crying.

"Keith? Keith, are you hurt?"

"Miss Katarina..." he says, barely more than a whisper.

"Miss Katarina?" she yelps. Keith gets panicked.

"I-is that wrong?"

The girl looks almost broken. "Did I do something wrong?" she asks. "You always call me Sis..."

Geord thinks he might faint – Keith isn't much better, but he's clearly trying to gather that playboy confidence to ask the question.

"Then...Sis," he says. "Do you love me?"

Unlike Geord's question, this clearly upsets her.

Of course I do!" she says, as if outraged he could question it. "You're my brother! I adore you."

She lunges forward, arms wrapping Keith tight in a hug, and Geord is privy to seeing the school's biggest casanova near tears at the touch.

"Why would you even doubt that?" Katarina cries, looking close to tears herself. "I love you."

"Nobody loves me," Keith says, shaking his head.

"That's ridiculous!" Katarina insists. "Of course you're loved. For God's sake, we both know you're mother's favourite."

Keith gives a choked gasp, looking as if he might throw up, and Geord decides to throw his friend a bone.

"Katarina, I think Keith and I could do with some more rest," he says. "Could you give us some privacy?"

The girl frowns in his direction, but when Keith nods in agreement, she reluctantly releases him from her hold and shuffles off the bed.

"I'll send in the healers in a few minutes," she says. "And when you're up for it, I'll bring everyone to visit? Alan and Nicol and the girls were all really worried about you."

As far as Geord is aware, Alan has never given a damn about Geord's well being and would probably be elated if he was in the medical wing. Or, at least, his Alan would…

But as Katarina walks out the door, barely giving Geord anything more than a simple wave, it's becoming very clear that something is off.

"Keith," he says, the second the door is closed. "This is not our world."

"You think?" Keith says hysterically, yanking off the blanket and throwing his legs over the side. He immediately crouches over himself, running his hands through his hair. "Katarina never even touched me without injury. Let alone call me her brother ."

Geord can't help himself, he starts giggling, pulling off the blankets and sitting on the side of the bed to join his friend. Keith starts glaring at him, but there's no real ire in it.

"Keith," Geord repeats. "This is not our world. We wished for this. A world where Katarina did not love me-"

"-And I was wanted ," Keith finishes, eyes wide. "Did...did we change reality?"

Geord shakes his head. "No. Reality altering magic is far beyond our current understanding. But that rune had travel incantations hardwired into the core. Nobody could figure out why, but it's clear now. We travelled to a different reality. One with the parameters we set."

Keith nods, though his face is scrunched up.

"But that would require more power than we provided," he says. "Transportation is a two way street."

Geord nods. "Which suggests that in this reality, our counterparts were also in the rune at the same time. And possibly requested made offhand wishes like we did. Our world likely fit their parameters, and allowed us to make the trade."

He chuckles, placing a hand on his chin. "No wonder the rune seemed impossible to activate. The odds of getting suitable matches within realities within the same time must be astronomical."

"So, if we're here, then our counterparts must be waking up in our world," Keith concludes. Geord grins.

"Let's hope their awakening is as enjoyable as ours," he says. He doesn't know what they might have desired that they can find in their world, but they are certainly welcome to it. For now, Geord needs to plan out the steps for the immediate future. If Keith now has the familial affection he's always craved, he can't complain about stepping back for Geord to pursue Maria.

First of all, he has an engagement to break.

Game World - Isekai Characters

Gerald frowns as he regains consciousness. When he opens his eyes, it's to the infirmary roof. He has just enough time to wonder what happened, when a voice hits his ears.

"Prince Geord! I'm so happy you're awake!"

He's not exactly sure who 'Geord' is, but perhaps the rune has damaged his hearing, because someone is clutching his hand tight, and he turns in surprise to see Katarina sitting by his bedside, face filled with relief.

"Katarina..." he says, eyes flicking over to the next bed, where Keith still lies unconscious.

"I can't believe the nerve of those magicians!" Katarina tells him. "To allow you to be injured like that. I hope your father punishes all of them. What would I do without you?"

Gerald honestly can't believe what he's hearing, and slowly shifts into a sitting position. He keeps his eyes on Katarina, as if she'll vanish if he blinks. Carefully, he lifts up his free hand to cup her cheek, and nearly goes dizzy when his fiancée blushes .

"P-Prince Geord," she all but giggles. "You're being very forward today."

"How can I not, when my fiancée is being so affectionate," he says with a smile, and is rewarded with Katarina going beet red.

Dear God – he doesn't know what that rune did but it's officially his favourite magic artefact ever .

The moment is broken a second later when Keith groans from his bed, and Gerald sighs, dropping his hand so Katarina can go to her brother.

Except Katarina doesn't. In fact, she barely even registers Keith waking, and just keeps smiling at him. When Keith finally joins the living, he shuffles into a sitting position, and glances over in confusion at Katarina's back.

"Sis?" he asks, glancing at the two of them. Gerald can't blame him, Katarina never chooses him over her sibling. However, the second Keith speaks, Katarina's back goes ramrod straight, and her smile becomes a scowl.

"What did you just call me?"

Gerald frowns as Katarina stands up and starts looming over Keith's bed. His eyes are wide in shock.

"I don't know how hard you hit your head, but don't you ever refer to me in such a way again!" Katarina yells. "Know your place, Keith!"

Her brother is looking up at her in horror, about ready to cry, and Gerald starts to get a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Katarina, I think the two of us could use some more rest," he says. "Would you mind leaving us for a bit?"

Katarina's tirade cuts off as she turns her attention back to Gerald, and suddenly becomes all smiles yet again.

"Oh, of course Prince Gerald," she chimes, hands up to her cheeks. "I'm sorry I have to leave you with this , but I'll come see you first thing tomorrow!"

She walks towards the door, though she keeps her eyes on Gerald as long as she can before reaching the door. There's not even a second glance in Keith's direction.

"Keith, are you okay?" Gerald asks, once the door is closed and they've been left alone. The teen is practically curled into the foetal position.

"Yes...no…I don't know," he says. "Sis-Katarina...she's never been that mad at me. What's going on?"

"Keith, the rune," Gerald says. "Do you remember what we said before it activated?"

The other student looks up, realisation crossing his face.

"Oh god...I wished Katarina didn't see me as her brother," he whispers, hands twisting into his hair. "What have I done?"

"And I wished she loved me," Gerald adds. "But specifically, we wished for a world in which that was true. The rune has transportation incantations – I think we've swapped places with this world's Gerald and Keith."

Or - 'Geord' and Keith, apparently.

That seems to relieve Keith, and his shoulders relax.

"Wait, so that wasn't our Katarina?" he says.

"No, or at least, not the one we're used to," Gerald says, and smiles. While Katarina had been overly harsh on Keith, she'd probably just been upset because her beloved fiancée was injured. As far as Gerald is concerned, a Katarina that isn't overly doting on her little brother can only be a good thing.

"I'm sure you can smooth things over with her tomorrow," Gerald says. "Katarina isn't the kind to hold grudges."

Keith glares at him, before shuffling back down and throwing the blankets over his head. Gerald chuckles and settles down himself. Tomorrow, he gets to spend time with a besotted Katarina, and no Keith to sabotage them.

He cannot wait .

Chapter 2

Isekai World – Game Characters

The next morning, while Geord is practically giddy to explore this new reality, Keith is feeling unnaturally nervous. He's used to being the socialite, but if this is a world where Katarina treats him like a sibling, he has no clue what's waiting for him outside those doors.

"What's the plan?" he asks, once the nurse gives them both the all clear and privacy to change. "If Katarina is off, there's no telling what else is."

"First things first, I need to speak with my father," Geord says, tugging on his jacket. "Katarina sounded quite agreeable to annulling the engagement, so I need to start the procedure with him."

He gives Keith an innocent looking smile. "Since Katarina and you got along so well, why don't you spend the morning with her? Play up the injured brother and have her show you around?"

Keith glares. "Great. A morning with Katarina, just what anyone wants."

"You're the one who wanted a closer family," Geord singsongs, and Keith rolls his eyes.

"I'm grateful she doesn't want to grind me under her boot any more, but you of all people know her affection can be suffocating."

"I'm sure you'll survive," Geord says, and the conversation comes to an automatic stop as the door opens.

"Good morning!"

Both paste on smiles at the sound of Katarina's voice.

"Ah, good morni..."

They both trail off as they see the entourage following the brunette. Most astonishingly-

"Maria?" Geord says, as the blonde walks in with a smile and a basket. She's followed by Nicol, Sofia, and equally as surprising, Alan and Mary. His brother raises a hand in lazy greeting.

"Morning. Feeling better?"

His brother is smiling. His brother is smiling at him . While their relationship had been getting better in Maria's presence, that is unnerving to see.

Geord manages a shaky nod, and Maria lifts up her basket. Inside, are two charming little gift bags.

"After Katarina told us about the accident, I thought I'd make you both some sweets," she says. "Please feel free to eat them later, I know you have to take it slow today."

Geord risks a glance at Katarina, but she's completely focused on her brother (although Keith's eyes keep flitting between her and Maria), and so happily accepts the gift.

To think, a world where Katarina and Maria get along. This truly is a fascinating reality.

"Thank you, dear sweet Maria," he says. "You remain the most beautiful gem in this school."

To his surprise, Maria's smile slips, and she looks more confused than charmed.

"Oh, uh, thank you…?" she says, and Geord feels his eyebrows furrowing.

"Maria-?"

"Oh, Keith!" she says, breaking eye contact and darting over to the other teen. "Here's yours."

True to form, Keith is giving her a winning smile, plucking the bag up and tucking it in his jacket. "I look forward to it," he says. "Your sweets are almost as sweet as you Maria."

Katarina squeaks, and Keith flinches, returning his eyes over to his sibling. However, rather than mad, Katarina looks panicked...and a little red faced. Maria looks a little blind sided herself, but starts giggling nervously.

"Both of you seem in a very good mood," she says.

"Not hard when the company is this charming," Keith offers.

That has Nicol, Sophia and Mary all frowning, while Alan raises an eyebrow, but Katarina seems oblivious, clapping her hands and smiling.

"Well, I'm glad you're both okay," she says. "But I wanted to keep an eye on you Keith, so how about we spend the morning together? We can all get tea before I go to work on my field."

Both of them feel their smiles twitch. Field?

"What do you think?" Katarina presses. "Does that sound good?"

Mary suddenly slides in, forcing Keith to step back slightly.

"When Katarina told us her plans, we all thought we'd join in," she says, eyes sharp, and then turns her attention over to Geord, who hasn't moved since Maria shifted her attention. "I hope you both don't mind?"

"Actually, I was hoping to get word to Father today," Geord says, taking the opportunity for what it is. "There's something I need to discuss with him."

Katarina pouts, but everyone else seems to relax. Including Maria...perhaps she realises why?

"Oh, okay," Katarina says. "Maybe we'll catch up later. Have fun with your Father."

She grabs Keith's hand and heads for the door – he doesn't even try to resist – and Maria and Mary quickly chase after them, followed by Sophia and Nicol. Alan however, hesitates, staring at Geord.

"You need to see Father? Something wrong?"

"Just something I've realised needs to be done," Geord soothes. "It's quite urgent."

Alan frowns, but doesn't question it.

"Must be important if you're skipping out on time with Katarina. Suit yourself - catch you later."

He pats Geord's shoulder and heads for the door. Geord can only watch, wondering what on Earth changed in their relationship that Alan doesn't push to know why his 'perfect' twin sibling needs to speak to the King.

It's useful, and there's something exciting about possibly being able to interact with his sibling without the ice in the future. But that's a later issue. For now, he needs to get to the palace.

As Maria pours tea in the school's waiting room, in view of the beautiful patio doors, Keith is trying to wrap his head around the whole situation. Granted, he's used to spending time with most of the people at this table in the council room, but they're not really 'friends' per say. For all of them to be voluntarily sitting at this table, with Katarina in the centre, in their spare time, is something he just never saw happening.

Even more confusing is how they're seated. Keith had made a point to sit next to Maria, and had expected Katarina to sit on his other side, but the second she did, Mary made a beeline for the chair next to her. He didn't really talk to Alan or his fiancée, but he was of the impression that Mary disapproved of Katarina.

This Mary certainly doesn't. If she moved her seat any closer she'd be sitting in her lap. Even more interesting, she's barely paid any attention to Alan whatsoever.

However, Maria has barely paid any attention to Keith either, even though they're sitting next to each other. She's more interested in keeping the conversation with Katarina going – they're talking about one of the classes and it's upcoming test. He's tried to reply to her remarks, in the hopes to urge her into a slightly more intimate conversation, but she's not picked up on any hints.

So instead, he focuses on Katarina, whose eyes flit to Keith every other minute to check up on him, and the 'friend' at her side. Mary seems to use every chance Katarina is distracted by Keith to move her hand closer – she's practically holding her hand by now. Strangely, every time she catches Keith's eye, her smile becomes wicked, as if trying to taunt Keith, and for the life of him, he can't figure out why.

"What's wrong Keith?" Alan asks. "You've been staring at Mary for the last few minutes."

Keith winces as everyone turns their attention to him. Mary is smirking at him, and he gives a small chuckle.

"Just surprised," he says. "Didn't realise how close you and Mary were."

He regrets it instantly. The entire table is frowning, some of them quite suspiciously.

Katarina frowns. "Of course we're close. Mary and I have been friends since before she got engaged. You were there ."

"Oh, right," Keith splutters. "Sorry, my head is still kind of foggy from yesterday."

Katarina's frown vanishes for worry, and she looks guilty.

"Ah! You're still recovering, of course," she says. "Maybe we shouldn't have brought you out so soon!"

Mary recovers first, using the opportunity to grab Katarina's hand, raising it slightly.

"Well I can assure you, Katarina and I are very close," she says. "She's my best friend in the world."

Katarina blushes, and starts stuttering something about how amazing Mary is, and Keith takes the distraction gratefully. But when he looks around the table…

Why is everyone but Alan glaring at Mary now? Alan is frowning, but it's more his resting scowl than anything of intent. Even Maria is looking agitated…

"Perhaps Keith should return to his room," Mary says, standing up still holding Katarina's hand. "If you're still having problems, it might be best to rest up."

Keith gratefully takes the out.

"Actually, I think that might be a good idea," he says. "You should all go on ahead with your day. I can catch up later."

That apparently isn't what Mary expects to hear. Her smile falters, and she blinks several times in confusion. But whatever her issue, she recovers masterfully.

"Well...good," she says. "Shall we leave you to it?"

Keith makes to stand, and then stops, glancing over at Maria.

"Maria, just in case something happens, would you be kind enough to escort me back?" he asks. "I don't want to burden Mis-ah, my sister too much."

The girl blinks, looking over at Katarina – who is in turn looking at Keith in confusion. She nods and smiles.

"Sure Keith," she says. "I'd be happy too."

"Wonderful!" Mary agrees. "Why don't we head off?"

Katarina however, doesn't stand. The confusion in her eyes is starting to turn into something resembling comprehension.

"Oh...Oh!" she gasps. "Of course, yes, that makes sense. Sure thing!"

Her head twists towards Mary and the others.

"Um, Mary, maybe you and the others could go ahead?" she says. "I need to tell my brother something."

Keith sags, dread filling his stomach. Here it comes. Katarina's don't-you-dare-date-a-commoner speech. Even if she's clearly friendlier with Maria, she won't approve of a more intimate relation.

Mary doesn't look happy about it, but Alan is rising from his seat, and Sophia has moved towards them too, Nicol a curious shadow behind her.

"You really must have hit your head pretty badly," Sophia says. "This is not like you at all."

She then smiles like a Queen. "But I don't think anyone is complaining."

"Oi, don't take too long," Alan says as a final greeting says, and the group move towards the patio doors heading into the gardens. Nicol however, stares at Keith, long and hard, before turning on his heel and following. When they're out of earshot, Katarina then turns to Maria.

"Can you give me a moment with my brother, Maria?" she asks, and the girl nods, standing up and moving towards the inner door. Keith watches her leave with pining eyes, before turning and bracing himself for Katarina's onslaught.

"Look, Sister, I-"

She doesn't give him a chance to finish. Keith squawks as Katarina claps her hands on the side of his head and pulls him in close.

"Mis-ah, Sis?"

"Don't ever forget Keith," Katarina says somewhat desperately. "I am 100% on board with any romantic relationship you have. I will never stand in your way! I support you no matter what!"

Keith can't formulate words, mouth flailing even as Katarina lets go of him.

"Good luck, little brother!" she says, with a strained smile, making a strange pumping motion with her arm, before standing up and running towards the gardens. Keith can only stare after her.

That...that was not expected.

His lips hurt, and when he reaches upwards, he realises he's smiling wider than he ever has, and his eyes feel teary.

To think, a Katarina that both loves him, and supports his romantic interests? Nicol can only dream of such a devoted sister. He's really starting to like it here – other Keith clearly didn't appreciate his good fortune.

Now for the icing on the cake. Maria is already smiling when he approaches her, and the two of them start heading for the dorms in amicable silence. Keith lets them make it to the main campus exit, before turning his attention to the beautiful girl at his side.

"Thank you for your help," he says. "I really appreciate it."

Maria is smiling so brightly Keith can almost see the sparkles. "Don't worry about it. We're friends after all. And Katarina's been so worried, it's nice to know I can ease her fears."

Keith nods. "She does really seem to care about me."

Maria laughs. "Yes, Katarina cares about everyone in her life very much."

She glances over. "How are you feeling, really? I heard that rune was very mysterious. Nobody really knows what it did. It must have hurt you quite badly if you couldn't remember Katarina and Mary's friendship."

Keith nods. "I don't know if I hit my head, or if it messed with my memories, but things do seem a little off. But I'm sure it'll be solved with the right care..."

They make it to the stairwell, and Keith makes his move, stopping in his tracks and waiting for Maria to notice.

"I admit, my head is still a little fuzzy, but I would love it if you could help refresh my memories," he says, leaning over Maria with his best smile. "Would you go on a date with me, pretty maiden?"

It's almost word for word his first pick up line with Maria, and while it hadn't worked back then, it's become a fond in-joke for the two of them. He's certain his other self has probably used it too.

Maria blushes, and then-

"I-I'm sorry, Keith," she says. "But I don't feel that way about you."

Keith's smile falters.

"Oh...I see..." he says.

' But...but Katarina seemed so certain what was going to happen,' he thinks. ' Unless... '

"Can I ask, Maria," he says. "Is there a certain someone you do feel that way about?"

To his horror, Maria's cheeks redden, and her face blossoms into a sweet smile.

"I do," she says. "You must not remember, because I was certain you knew, but there's a special someone I really love."

Keith wants to throw Geord off a building. It has to be him. Even though he knows Alan and Nicol have some affection for the sweet and innocent student, they never would have left him alone with Maria if they were her intended. Katarina must have realised Maria had a crush, and when Keith asked for time alone, mistakenly assumed it was for him. How does the Prince get all the luck?

Maria then places a hand on his forehead, and he tries to jerk back, blushing.

"You really must have taken a knock," she says. "Maybe we should take you back to the infirmary."

"No, no need," Keith says, trying to hide the anger in his voice. "But I think I'll make the rest of the way on my own."

Maria nods in understanding, and steps away.

"I'll let Katarina know," she says. "Feel better soon."

He waves her off, and once she's out of sight, glances up the stairs. For a moment, he wonders about heading back onto the main campus and finding some more willing romantic partners to occupy his time.

Then he shakes his head in dismissal. Right now, what he needs to do is head to his room and find some kind of record or diary so he can stay on track. His sweethearts often list the day to day goings in their letters – and he can't afford another Katarina-and-Mary slip up unless he wants to end up back in the infirmary again.

So, with a sigh, he ignores the bright sky behind the door, and saunters up the stairs to begin his research.

Game World – Isekai Characters

It's official. Keith is in Hell .

When they woke up this morning, the headmaster was there to greet them, apologising for the incident, and that the two of them would be allowed a few days off classes if necessary, and only to do light council duties if they were up to it. He's barely out the door before Katarina has taken his place, clamping onto Gerald's arm and looking at him with hearts in her eyes. She hasn't even acknowledged Keith's presence.

It takes everything he has not to jump out the window. What on Earth has he done to deserve this?

Gerald of course, is acting like his birthday just came early, kissing Katarina's hand and complimenting her outfit. Katarina is barely holding it together, and Gerald happily whisks her out the door to walk the grounds, and warning Keith not to wait for them with a very smug smile.

It's a little upsetting to find nobody else comes to greet him. He's gotten used to the Student Council inevitably following Katarina's wake, and leaves the infirmary feeling unnaturally lonely.

For lack of any other option, he starts walking towards the Student Council room – there's probably some work his other self hasn't completed, when he starts to hear high pitched giggling coming towards him.

He looks up and back, and finds three female students, elaborately dressed and eyeing him up like a tiger with a steak. They look vaguely familiar, and he's fairly certain he's probably spoken to them at society events, but certainly doesn't know them personally.

Still, no need to be impolite. He stops and smiles as they approach.

"Good morning," he greets. "Can I help you?"

The ladies titter, and move even closer.

"Good Morning Keith, we were all so worried about you."

"We heard about your accident, it was so terrible!"

"I could barely sleep, I was so worried."

Keith's smile strains as they're expressions turn almost predatory, and he chokes back a squeak as one of the ladies moves so close there's nothing but fabric between them.

"I hope you're going to make it up to us," the first one croons, playing with a button on his jacket, while the one leeched to his side lets her fingers tiptoe across his back.

"If you're still feeling under the weather, we'd be more than happy to help."

"Oh yes, perhaps we should all go to tea?"

Can a person jump out of his own skin? Keith would really like to see if that's possible in this world right now.

"I-I uh, I have to go!" he says, far higher pitched than he'd wanted, and practically lunges out of the maiden's grasp. He spins and turns to face them, hoping his face isn't as panicked as he feels.

"Maybe another time?" he splutters unconvincingly.

Like never? Never would be great for him.

All three of them look completely shocked at his reaction, before it's quickly replaced with anger.

"Fine, be that way!"

"Hmph..."

The third looks genuinely crushed, but flounces off with the others, and Keith tries to get his heart back in his chest rather than his throat. Dear lord, what on Earth had the other Keith been doing?

"Keith…?"

He freezes at the female voice, and slowly turns around in panic, preparing for yet another ambush – only to relax when he sees the pink dress and blonde hair, a basket of sweets on her arm.

"Maria, good morning," he says gratefully.

His friend smiles, though there's a question in her eyes as she approaches. "I'm surprised. Normally, you'd be delighted at Miss Papra, Elodie and Gwen fussing over you. You seemed out of sorts today."

"That's definitely one way to put it," Keith says. "How are you Maria?"

The girl's smile fades.

"Well, Prince Geord was supposed to meet me last night, but since the accident happened, I thought I'd meet him this morning," she says. "But when I went to the infirmary, I heard he'd gone out on a date with Miss Katarina."

She tries to force a happy expression on her face.

"I saw them entering the gardens, and they seemed quite affectionate," she says. "I know they're engaged, but I guess I never knew how close they were."

Keith nods in sympathy. It's probably as painful for dear Maria to see Katarina falling over that stupid Prince as it is for him.

"I'd probably expect that to become a regular occurrence," Keith tells her. "His Highness is going to be putting far more effort into that relationship in the near future."

The girl blinks, still looking quite upset. "Really?"

Keith's own expression becomes more sympathetic. He cannot blame her for feeling crushed at all.

"I'm afraid so. But even with a ring on her finger, I know Prince Geord won't stop you from being friends," he says. "He's not that cruel, and Katarina would never let him get away with it."

It's meant to be comforting, but Maria is frowning, as if she doesn't quite follow what he's said.

"Katarina wouldn't...Keith, is something wrong?" she asks. "You're not acting at all like yourself."

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I'm getting a lot of that today. It's just – I've had a lot to process recently."

She nods in understanding. "Well, it's not really a bad thing," she says, and gives him one of her more mischievous smiles . "I would have expected you to be telling me to move on and go on a date with you."

Keith's eyes nearly bug out of their sockets as Maria's smile widens and she gives a soft laugh, one hand reaching for her mouth.

"This sweet sympathetic side isn't something I've seen before. I kind of like it."

Date?

Oh dear God, he's even been fishing for Maria? Does his doppelgänger have any shame?

Clearly not, but Maria hasn't noticed his panic, and offers up her basket.

"Here, these were for Prince Geord, but I don't want to bother him," she says. "Why don't you take them?"

"Thank you, Maria," he says, accepting the basket. "I'll take these and share with-"

He stops the knee jerk 'Katarina' on his tongue, and reconsiders. "With everyone in the Council Room. I was heading there anyway. I'm sure everyone will love them."

Maria claps her hands and lights up, clearly delighted. "That's a great idea!"

She steps away and waves goodbye. "I'm going to study in the library, but perhaps I'll catch you later. I hope your head feels better soon!"

Keith returns the wave – but the second she's out of site, starts running down the hall. He can't risk another female bumping into him, his heart can't take it.

He's never been so relieved to see a door in his life, and practically yanks it open. Once he slams the door of the council room shut, and sighs in relief.

"Keith?"

He jerks up to see Nicol and Sirius looking at him in curiosity. Sophia is also sitting at her desk, though her face is mostly hidden by a book.

"Wait, don't tell me," Sirius says with a smile. "One of your sweethearts spotted you with another sweetheart and didn't take it well?"

"Sweethearts?" Keith mutters under his breath. Just how many did he have?

Nicol starts frowning. "Are you sure you should be out of the infirmary? You're looking rather pale."

Keith gives a nervous laugh. "Ever wake up and feel like everything in the world has just gone horribly wrong?"

For a second, Sirius's face goes dark, but before Keith can question it, his face has smoothed over.

"Well, feel free to hide out here," Sirius offers. "Just see if you can get some of the paperwork done – you've been letting it pile up."

"Are those Maria's sweets?" Nicol asks, and Keith smiles.

"Yes. They're for everyone, feel free to dig in."

He carefully places the basket on the table Katarina would normally sit at, and wanders over to his desk in search of a pen. He immediately has another aneurysm after sitting down when he opens his top drawer, and finds a literal mountain of ribbons, handkerchiefs and letters signed with lipstick, and slams it shut. Thankfully, the second drawer comes good, and grabs the pen to get through the work. It's essentially identical to the forms that he'd filled out the day before in the real world, so doesn't require much thought. For a while, he loses himself in the work, only looking up when he hears Sophia stand and move towards her brother.

"Nicol, I've finished my portion," she says in the softest voice he's ever heard from her. "Can we go to the library now?"

Nicol's head immediately looks up, and he smiles, glancing between his work and his sister.

"I'm afraid that's all I can do for today, Sirius," Nicol says, reaching out a hand to his sister, who gingerly accepts it and huddles to his side. "I promised Sophia I'd escort her to the library earlier."

The president however, is frowning – and Keith can't blame him. Nicol's desk appears quite laden down, which is odd for the teen.

"This is the third time this week you've begged out early Nicol," Sirius warns. "And no other girl in the school needs an escort on the grounds."

He turns his attention to the white haired girl at Nicol's side, and gives a sympathetic smile. "I know you find it hard, but his work is starting to lag."

The girl herself looks quite embarrassed, and she hides her red cheeks behind the book in her hands. Nicol is actively frowning, and Keith finds himself very confused. While Nicol has always been attentive, Sophia generally goes to the library alone, or in the company of the girls. She knows it like the back of her hand.

He decides to speak up, since it's clear Nicol could use some help to clear his duties. "I know Maria is already in the library, so Sophia won't be alone. You could escort her and come straight back."

It sounds perfectly rational in his head, so he's rather confused when Sophia drops her book to scowl in his direction, and Nicol narrows his eyes.

"That's not funny, Claes," Nicol warns. "You know Sophia and Maria have their differences when unescorted."

Keith frowns. They do?

"Well, surely another friend can meet with her?" he says. "I'm sure Katarina and his Prince Geord must be finished with their outing, she'd no doubt volunteer."

That he mostly offers because he would rather like an opportunity to break up that date should it still be going on, but he's clearly stepped on a landmine, judging from the dark and suspicious looks all three Council members give him. Nicol is now actively frowning, walking over to assess Keith's panic. He leans over, studying Keith's face, before nodding confidently.

"I'm taking you back to the infirmary," he announces. "Clearly you've suffered some kind of concussion. I'm surprised no one noticed."

He hoists Keith up by the arm, and pulls him towards the door, Sophia quickly following in their shadow.

"N-no, really, I'm fine!" Keith defends. "I just got confused-"

"You just suggested that Katarina would willingly help out my sister," Nicol argues. "That is more than just 'confused' Clearly you need additional help."

Despite his protests, Keith was dragged all the way back to the infirmary, where he'd been poked and prodded and told to warn them of any other memory lapses, since they couldn't find anything wrong. Afterwards, he doesn't dare set foot in the school, and heads straight for his room.

It at least, doesn't seem to have changed much. He's missing a few trinkets – items he'd collected from his adventures with Katarina growing up, and there's strange letters on his desk, all from women, but he's starting to accept that. He grabs the letters, and starts looking for somewhere random to store them, and eventually decides on the drawer that holds his correspondence with his parents.

It's a mistake, and he stills when he opens the drawer, finding only a few random letters, rather than the heavy stack of weekly updates. He dumps in the love letters, and shakily picks up the handful other-him had deemed vital.

There's nothing from his mother at all, and his father's letters are clipped and precise. Ordering Keith to maintain acceptable grades and to not bring shame on the Claes name. Not a single one offers so much as a query regarding Keith's well being.

His next few breaths are staggered, and he drops the letters to the floor, before walking over to his bed and gripping his hair.

This is his nightmare. The world he thought he'd have back when he was a child and his magic was too powerful by far. His adoptive parents clearly have no love for him – he's merely an acceptable heir for when his si- when Katarina gets married out. Katarina is no doubt the same, if she doesn't see him as a brother.

He wants to take back those words. This isn't what he meant! No even close. Please, if there's a God, help him take it back! He'll live the rest of his days out as Katarina's beloved little brother and never once ask for anything more if they'll just undo this! He'll even plan her wedding and be her groom's best man! Just let him go back !

Of course, nobody answers, and Keith is not the type to wallow. A certain someone never allowed it. For now, he's stuck here, and even if Gerald is happy enough, he's fairly certain he can talk the Prince into at least helping him find a way home.

In the end, he starts working on his homework, to stave off leaving the room. A few hours later, there's a knock at the door, and he scowls as Gerald enters.

"Come to gloat?" Keith mutters into his homework. Quite literally the last thing he needs is for Gerald to rhapsodise about his first real date with 'Katarina-Oh-You're-Being-Very-Forward-Today-Claes.'

To his surprise, Gerald just closes the door quietly, and walks over to Keith's bed, where he sits down and drops his head into his hands. Keith frowns, discarding the homework and turning to observe him, when he hears the quiet, but hysterical laughter.

"Prince Gerald?"

A few moments later, he lifts his head up to meet Keith's eyes, and he flinches when he sees the hurt in his eyes.

"Have you ever heard the expression, 'be careful what you wish for, you might just get it?'" Gerald asks. "Because I've just crashed straight into it."

Keith frowns. "I don't understand. Is Katarina not your fiancée here or something?"

Gerald's laugh is tragic. "Oh she is. She is. She's just..."

"...Just…?"

The Prince answers in a pathetically broken voice.

"...Not Katarina…"

A few hours earlier...

There is nothing quite as wonderful as having a willing Katarina hanging from his arm, Gerald thinks, as the two of them walk into the decorative gardens. He's managed to trick her into it on occasion, normally for social gatherings, but she's always been quick to let go and run off to whatever caught her eye.

This Katarina on the hand, keeps looking at Gerald's arm like she expects it to vanish. Clearly her Prince has not been treating her well at all.

"Forgive my impropriety, but I think that magical incident did you the world of good," Katarina says, clutching even tighter as they walk down stone steps. "You've never invited me to view the gardens before."

"Clearly, a horrific oversight," Gerald replies, smile widening as his fiancée blushes yet again. That will not lose it's appeal any time soon.

"I thought we'd wander these gardens, and then perhaps go up to your field," Gerald says. As affectionate as Katarina has been, there's no way he can convince her to wander around so much greenery and not have her feel the urge to work on her own plants. Of course, that way lies company and having to mingle, so he'd like to hold it back until the very end.

Katarina however, loosens her grip to look up at Gerald with narrowed eyes.

"Field?" she repeats. "The Claes don't have any gardens on the school grounds."

Gerald's smile falters.

"You don't garden, Katarina?"

The girl on his arm gives a haughty laugh. It's an odd sound that he's never heard from her before.

"Of course not, your Highness," she says. "That's what we have gardeners for."

Her eyes light up.

"No, don't tell me Prince Geord has named a garden after me?" she asks. "That would be too wonderful."

Gerald blinks, and shakes.

"My apologies, I must have hit my head harder than I thought yesterday," he says. The girl looks disappointed, but quickly recovers.

"Oh, well, I prefer jewellery anyway," she says, with an odd smile. She starts looking around, and Gerald realises she's less looking at the plants, and more watching whoever is in the garden to witness their date.

A Katarina that doesn't farm. Gerald isn't really sure why that bothers him so much, but if removing her field is what it takes to have Katarina focus on him, it's not that big a loss. Perhaps without her fields, she didn't get so distracted by Mary for so long, and Gerald won her heart in her other hobbies? Maybe he can reintroduce it to her?

He's mulling over that thought, when Katarina's smile quickly drops into an angry looking scowl. Gerald's never quite seen the resemblance to her mother until right this moment. He follows her gaze, wondering who could possibly have upset her that much.

To his astonishment, he sees Maria just outside the main building. Her head is down, and she's heading inside, but it's clear she'd been staring at the two of them beforehand. But, why would Katarina be so upset? She's always-

"Ugh, I don't understand why they let a filthy commoner into this school anyway."

Gerald's head snaps down so fast he nearly gets whiplash. Katarina seems oblivious to his shock, continuing her rant.

"At least you've come to your senses regarding her. It's been quite frustrating, watching her flaunt herself at you. As if talent can make up for breeding and education."

Gerald keeps staring, and his mouth feels very dry. As such, his voice cracks when he asks a dangerous question.

"I must be confused," he says. "I thought the two of you were good friends?"

This time, Katarina is the one who snaps her head in shock.

"Friends?" she repeats, sounding utterly disgusted at the concept. "Me? The daughter of a Duke, friends with the bastard child of a commoner?"

She frowns. "Prince Geord, you're looking rather pale, do you need to sit down?"

He does, but shakes his head regardless.

"Your memory must be very muddled, to have made a mistake like that," Katarina insists. "But don't worry, I won't leave your side! I'll make sure you stay right."

"Then perhaps you can refresh my memory on some other students," Gerald says rather weakly. "Who are your closest friends?"

"Oh, only the most well bred ladies in the school," Katarina assures him. "I would never embarrass you by socialising with anything less than a child of a Marquess."

"What about Mary Hunt?" Gerald asks, though there's a dark, ominous feeling in his belly, warning him that he won't like the answer.

Katarina frowns.

"Your brother's fiancée?" she says, and his heart sinks even further. "Hmph, she thinks she's so high and mighty, why would I ever interact with her? It's not my fault she got saddled with the inferior Prince."

Oh God, Gerald might just throw up. This...person, no matter what she looks like, is not Katarina at all. There is nothing of the incredible woman he loves to be found.

"How about Nicol and his sister?" he tries, because no matter the world, the Prime Minister's son would still be his friend – surely Sophia?"

"Nicol? Oh he's very handsome and supportive of you," Katarina says, but before Gerald can get the tiniest hope up- "It really is too bad about that sister of his. You'd think her family would just home school her, rather than let a child as cursed as that outside...Prince Geord, are you sure you're okay? You really are going dreadfully pale..."

As Gerald finishes describing his day, Keith looks horrified, and Gerald finally understands his feelings from when he'd first woken up in the medical wing.

"Then...Sis – no, Miss Katarina..." he stumbles. "She's not-"

"She's nothing like our Katarina," Gerald says. "I don't know what happened, what changed, but she's the perfect stereotype of a Nobles daughter. Well bred, master of etiquette, and arrogant against anyone who isn't her to an extreme degree."

Keith gives a nervous laugh. "You mean, she's the daughter my Mother always wanted. And to think, I used to help mother encourage that behaviour."

"Never again," Gerald orders. "If ill manners is the price to keep Katarina from becoming...that-"

He flails towards the door, half panicked. "Then it's a bargain beyond measure."

A thought comes to Keith, remembering a conversation in the hall, and with the Student Council, and laughs.

"Actually...an awful lot of conversations suddenly make a lot of sense," he says. "Now wonder Nicol thought I had a concussion. Maria, Nicol and Sophia must have thought I lost my mind today."

"It's more than just Nicol, Sophia and Maria," Gerald says. "After I managed to extract myself, I ran into my brother. I was hoping to talk to him about Katarina, and if he knew why she was this way."

"...And?"

Gerald just looks at him with sad eyes.

After that disaster of an encounter, Gerald is walking the halls, in something of a daze, wondering exactly how Katarina could have had such an extreme personality shift, when he spots a familiar face in the hall. Alan is heading towards the Experimental Lab, Mary at his side.

"Alan!" he calls, genuinely relieved. His brother might be completely dense to his own feelings, but he's known Katarina as long as he has. Perhaps he can shed some insight.

The second he calls, Alan freezes, back straightening as if he'd just heard a death threat rather than a greeting, and swings round with an angry glare. It's so intense, Gerald actually hesitates getting any closer.

"What do you want?" Alan asks, clearly annoyed, and Gerald blinks in surprise as Mary moves closer to him in a silent show of support.

"I was hoping to talk to you," Gerald says, trying to keep his voice calm. "Regarding Katarina."

Mary's eyes go dark, and Alan raises his eyebrows in disbelief.

"Why?" he asks. "I have even less interest in your fiancée than you do, which is saying something."

"It's regarding our childhood," Gerald says. "Did you ever notice a change in her personality? Something that could have affected her?"

Now his brother just looks confused.

"What are you talking about?" he asks. "I don't think I met her more than twice when we were kids."

"Lady Katarina has always been a strong personality," Mary offers, hiding her mouth behind a fan – no doubt to hide her scowl unbecoming of a lady. "I have certainly never known her to be any different."

Gerald shakes his head.

"No...something must have happened," he says. "This doesn't make any sense ."

That apparently rubs Alan the wrong way, because his hackles start to raise.

"Then why don't you figure it out?" he says. "Rather than ask me questions you know I don't have answers to."

"Prince Alan-" Mary starts, reaching for him only to stop at the last moment. His brother shakes his head, maintaining his glare.

"I don't know what's up with you, but stop trying to taunt me," Alan snaps. "I've got another appointment to check out the rune this morning. The magicians gave it the all clear once you woke up."

Gerald's eyes widened. " You're going to study it?"

"Yes!" Alan growls, clearly agitated at the question. "I'll be checking out that rune, and figure out what it did long before you even get near it again!"

Gerald falters.

"You really shouldn't Alan," he says, confused that his brother would even want to. "Rune's aren't really you're special-"

"Stop talking down to me!" Alan yells, and Gerald flinches, eyes wide. "Just because you couldn't figure it out doesn't mean I can't."

Alan sounds so bitter, and Mary is now actively glaring at him. Gerald can only stare in incomprehension – it's been years since Alan has let himself get this wrapped up in his self esteem issues. Not since…

Oh.

"My apologies," Gerald says smoothly, stepping back and praying his expression looks sincere. "I'll leave you be."

Alan is still frowning, but nods before storming off. Mary however, stays in place for a few more moments, body bristling.

"Prince Alan is more than you think he is," she says. "You shouldn't treat him like that."

She then runs after him, and Gerald sees her expression change to something soft and longing as she catches up. It's an expression Gerald doesn't think he's ever seen her wear, and his legs start to feel weak.

He needs to find Keith. Now.

When he finishes his story, Keith looks as disbelieving as he was.

"Mary and Alan?" he says. " Really ?"

Gerald nods. "I don't think Alan's relationship with her has changed all that much, but it was clear Mary's feelings were genuine. She's never even pined that much at Katarina."

The other teen shakes his head in disbelief.

"I just...I can't picture it," Keith says helplessly. "There's just something wrong with that image."

"Perhaps, but it's the least of my worries right now," Gerald replies. "Without Katarina's friendship, and that ridiculous tree climbing contest, Alan never had a reason to let go of his anger. For all intents and purposes, he sees me as a challenge, not a brother."

And that stings far, far more, than Gerald ever thought it would. He hadn't realised how much he enjoyed their easy camaraderie until it was gone. It's been less than a day, and he already has deep sympathy for his other self, to be saddled with that version of Katarina and an Alan consumed by anger and inferiority issues.

He sighs, dropping his head down to stare at the ground, a mirror image for Keith's own depression.

"No wonder my other self wanted to leave-"

Gerald trails off, and the two of them jerk their heads up in tandem.

"Of course!"

"That's it!"

"The Gerald of this world wanted Katarina not to love him," Gerald gasps.

"And Keith probably wished for a better family situation," Keith sums up. "Given the reality of this world, it makes perfect sense to wish for it. Our wording just happened to match up."

"Yes, well they clearly got the better end of the bargain," Gerald mutters, hand on his chin as he thinks about the situation. "Although they're probably quite confused too, given how extreme the differences are. I wonder how long it'll take this other Gerald - this 'Geord' - to realise his luck?"

"He might not," Keith tells him. "It took you interacting with Katarina one on one to realise anything was wrong. If he's used to not interacting with Katarina, he might not realise how different she is for a while."

Gerald nods. "True. While I was looking forward to spending private time with an affectionate Katarina, he was probably aiming for an ambivalent or resentful Katarina so he could..."

He trails off, eyes widening in horror.

"He's going to break the engagement..."

Keith's eyes widen, and Gerald starts gripping his hair with his hands in panic.

No. No, no, no, no, no! That is literally his only trump card in the fight for Katarina's heart. There's no way she'll agree to it again, and without the engagement, Nicol will have absolutely no reason to stay out of the fight. Sophia will probably confess for him!

And that's not even considering what Mary and Alan might try – or even Maria. She's never once held back her feelings on Katarina, and without that social expectation holding them back…

"We have to get home right now!" Gerald snaps, getting to his feet, and Keith gives a hysterical laugh.

"How?" he wails. "We ended up here practically by accident. Maybe if we go back into the rune we could jump back, but our alternates would have to do it at the same time. And I don't think they'll be as ready to swap back as we are right now."

"Then we get help," Gerald says. "I'll summon every magician in the country if I have to. Go speak to the student council, and I'll speak to the headmaster. It's time we revealed exactly what happened."

Chapter 3

Isekai World – Game Characters

"I'm sorry...you wish to annul the engagement?"

Geord keeps his 'obedient and loveable son' smile firmly in place as he nods to this world's version of the King. "Yes Father. I know Miss Katarina will not protest the decision."

His father is frowning, even as the maids finish pouring tea in front of him, mulling over the request. When Geord had arrived at the Palace, his father had almost immediately found time for him, and invited him into his parlour. It's almost identical to every other time the two of them had been together, and Geord didn't foresee any issues. His father would obviously expect him to defend the decision, but would ultimately agree with him so long as he could guarantee the Claes cooperation, thus resulting in a manageable settlement.

His father huffs and shakes his head, picking up his cup as the maid steps back, looking as the steam rising from the china.

"I must admit, I am surprised," he says. "For the last seven years, you have been adamant about maintaining that engagement. Even when the Duchess Claes and her son requested you annul it."

That throws Geord off course. "I'm sorry, even the Claes are against it?"

He regrets the question when the King looks at him as if he's said something stupid.

"Her mother has not exactly been quiet about her feelings on the matter. I've lost count of the number of times the Duchess Claes has begged me to intervene," he explains. "But if I ever tried to approach you regarding your choice, you made it clear it was not up for discussion."

Katarina's mother had-?

The King's eyes narrow. "So I'm sure you can understand why I'm so surprised at your change in opinion. Considering just two months ago, you announced at the dinner table that you would be marrying Katarina Claes even if you had to give up your title."

Geord only just manages to keep his jaw from dropping. Truly? What kind of masochist was his other self?

"I guess I just didn't want to admit I was wrong," Geord says, going for the only explanation that might pass muster. "Going back on one's decisions and responsibilities is not becoming of a Prince. However, even Miss Katarina has acknowledged that the engagement is unnecessary, given our circumstances, and continuing with it is more foolish that committing to such an error."

The King looks at him, long and hard.

"And if I were to contact Miss Katarina and her family, they would agree with this?"

"I have not spoken to the Claes family, but Miss Katarina has stated, in front of me and her brother, that she is happy to break the engagement," Geord assures.

"Hmm...well, I guess that's that," his father says, drinking from his cup and placing it down. "We'll need to get the paperwork and settlement formalised, so I'll send word to the Duke Claes today. Can I leave the preparations regarding Miss Katarina to you? I will need the two of you here tomorrow, in order to go through the necessary motions."

Geord's face bursts into a genuine grin.

"And should I ask...is there another woman?" the King asks, but before Geord can answer, the King shakes his head.

"If so, please give me at least a few months to weather the scandal," he says. "Even if it's voluntary on both sides, cancelling an engagement after this long without any proof of improper behaviour will cause tongues to wag."

"Of course, thank you for understanding Father," Geord says. "I will have it done."

It's official – Keith has no idea what's going on any more.

His room looks more or less the same, although his shelves are filled with strange odds and ends he doesn't recognise. They include a fishing lure, a child's bracelet, a strange looking snake made from paper, and a charming ornate box – which when opened, contains nothing but a handful wooden splinters for some reason. There's also a notebook filled with his childish scrawls – several drawings and a lot of angry scrawls saying things like RIVAL! and HOW MANY MORE?. Clearly his other self had issues with someone and their refusal to stay away, although the context eludes him.

What isn't here however, is his maiden's letters. His desk is bare of everything but some homework. He clicks his tongue in annoyance and starts digging through drawers. His other self must keep them hidden away, and they're going to be filled with the most up to date information regarding this world, and he needs to know who he's wooing if Maria is already this far gone for Geord.

He yanks open a bottom drawer and grins when he finds a stack of letters neatly stacked away. Jackpot. He picks them up and hops onto his bed, flicking through them to find the best one to start with.

Within a few moments, his smile has faded though, because all of these letters are from one of two senders. His parents.

It takes a herculean amount of effort to open up the oldest one from his mother. The woman has never had a kind word to say about him, but Katarina's words from the day before ring through his head.

' We both know you're Mother's favourite.'

His mouth is abnormally dry, and his hands tremble as he opens up the paper.

' Dear Keith,

I do hope you are settling into your dorm room comfortably. It gives me great comfort to know that of my two children, I do not at least have to worry about your ability to bring honour to the Claes name.'

He swallows, almost curling up on himself as he continues. The Lady Claes has never cared for his well being, and never seen him as anything but a shameful necessity, not something honourable.

' Speaking of my greatest frustration, I know I over rely on you regarding her, but please continue to support your sister. Now that she's away from her ridiculous garden and in the constant presence of Mary and Sophia in addition to you, I truly hope she will become a better example of nobility.'

Keith frowns. Greatest frustration? Katarina? And what's this about a garden? Could it have something to do with the field Ka-his sister had been talking about?

' Now that you're at the school, please let me know when you manage to charm the future Lady Claes. You've grown into such a fine man, it is truly inexplicable that you should still be without a fiancée.'

He bites back a laugh at that. The future Lady Claes is still very much anyone's race, with no real frontrunner. Looks like his other self isn't any better. Unless he's mentioned someone in later letters, he might still be able to play the field as usual.

Although...that's kind of odd. His parent's adopted him specifically to have an heir to inherit. If they're on such good terms with him in this reality, it's actually rather surprising that he doesn't already have at least a marriage candidate set up, right? Unless his other self had been actively dissuading them, but why?

' Please let me know of any issues with your servants. Given Katarina's...issues, I feel more comfortable giving her the more experienced staff, but if you feel they are underperforming I will see to getting you a better attendants.'

Katarina again. He's going to have to spend more time with this version of Katarina, because something must be off, outside of her considering Keith her sibling.

' All the best, my dearest son-'

He doesn't even make it to her signature, dropping the letter and running a hand through his hair. This...it's unreal .

But, crazy as it sounds, it's the reality now.

With another dry swallow, he picks up the rest of the letters, and starts gorging on the love another version got to embrace wholeheartedly.

Game World - Isekai Characters

Prince Gerald has always been a perfectionist, and highly motivated regarding the things he wants. So Keith probably shouldn't have been surprised at just how quickly his fellow traveller managed to get the word out regarding their situation. Most people would have waited until the morning, but Gerald had the headmaster, the head researchers, and his Father, the King, all at the research lab by midnight. How he even convinced them of the truth, Keith has no idea, but it does help his situation with the Student Council, who all get dragged into the lab first thing in the morning for a briefing. Difficult to argue when everyone above you is fully on board.

"Wait, let me get this straight," Alan says, looking like Gerald had just knocked him over the head with a bat after they'd gone over the story one more time. "So, you're not our Geord and Keith?"

"Yes," both of them say. Not for the first time. They're sitting at a table at the back end of the room while the Council sit at the other end, looking absolutely baffled.

"Instead, you're from some kind of alternate reality, and got here because you made some ill timed wishes?"

" Yes ," the both growled. The younger Prince blinks, and starts snickering.

"Oh, I am never letting this one go. Geord is going to live with this for the rest of his life."

"And you're welcome to," Gerald says. "But first let's get your 'Geord' back to his life before he does something irreversible to mine! And for me, it's 'Gerald.'"

They all sort of automatically nod, and turn to Keith, who is half leaning on the table and propping his head up in his hands.

"Still just Keith," he says.

"But wait, how did you know?" Maria asks. "I mean, the two of you were acting a little strange, but nothing that extreme. Is your world really all that different?"

Gerald and Keith glance at each other, then at the rest of the council.

"There is one, definite difference," Keith says. "And as crazy as it sounds, that one difference changed everything. Our Katarina."

Maria frowns, flinching at the name, and Mary scowls.

"Katarina? What could your fiancée possibly have to do with anything."

"Sis is amazing," Keith defends, and just the familial relation is enough to make eyes go wide. "She's kind, and sweet, and unbelievably dense, but she loves her friends and family with everything she has."

He shudders, closing his eyes to fight off the tears threatening to come. "She's the most precious person in the world to me. I've never left her side this long before. I...I just need to get back, nothing else matters."

Gerald quickly puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. While he's always found Keith's dependence on Katarina a frustrating thorn in his side, he can only imagine what being in this hell world is doing to the teen.

They don't seem to know how to process this news, looking at the upset teen with new eyes. Nicol however, is watching Keith in understanding. What little Keith had mentioned to Gerald strongly suggested that this world's Nicol and Sophia have a very similar relationship to their Keith and Katarina's – which is probably a little awkward. At least Gerald's Keith and Katarina are only distantly related by blood.

Keith leans a little into his hand, and takes a deep breath before looking up.

"You've got to understand, our lives are very different," Keith says. "I have a good relationship with my family, so when Katarina reacted badly to me after the accident, that was a pretty obvious warning."

Then he scowls.

"As was her fawning over Gerald. That was a pretty big red flag."

Gerald gives a short laugh, bringing up a hand to hide his smile. "Yes. I thought I'd gotten the one thing I always wanted. It wasn't until the next day I realised the price."

"I'm sorry, but you wanted Katarina to be in love with you?" Sirius says. "I've never heard you, well, other you, say so much as one fond word for her."

They both nod in understanding.

"We've only been here a day, but your confusion is understandable," Gerald says. "But as Keith said, our world's are very different."

"What exactly did the two of you wish for?" Sirius asks, looking curious, and the two of them frown. They'd tried to avoid mentioning that, given how foolish it sounds now faced with it in this reality.

"I want it noted, that I did not mean it in this way," Keith defends. "But I wished for a world where Katarina didn't see me as her brother."

"And I wished that Katarina loved me," Gerald says. As expected, this revelation does not go down well. Alan's openly gaping, and Nicol's eyebrows have risen above his hairline. Mary looks disgusted, Sophia is frowning, and Maria looks absolutely heartbroken. Sirius on the other hand, is grinning like this is the funniest thing he's ever heard.

Nicol is also nodding, and staring at Keith. "I can understand Keith's wish, if she was overly possessive, but I am surprised any version of Geord would wish for that."

"And if our Katarina was anything like yours, I would understand that," Gerald says. "But ours is..."

He trails off and smiles, picturing his fiancée. digging in the dirt in her field. How she lights up when he finds a rare plant for her to add to her collection, and that dense charm which has seduced everyone that comes in contact with her.

"When I was little, I didn't care about anything," he explains. "Then I met Katarina, and all her quirky, crazy hobbies. She was impossible to predict, and everyday I got to see her just brought more colour into my world."

He straightens and stares down the flabbergasted group.

"Proposing to Katarina after her accident was the best decision I ever made," Gerald says. "She makes life fun. I never know what to expect from her, and even though I know she doesn't love me the same way yet, I won't give her up."

He glances over at Keith. "No matter who tries to get in my way. One day, I'll win her heart. I refuse any alternative."

"Of course you do," Alan mutters under his breath, and Gerald decides to twist the knife. This whole spiteful brother bit is something that should have been dealt with years ago.

"At least I'm honest about it," he snaps in his direction. "Our Alan's just as head over heels as I am but too dumb to realise it."

Alan gapes, and Mary stiffens in shock.

"What? Alan is in love with your Katarina?"

She looks utterly horrified, and it's such an odd look at the girl who both Gerald and Keith acknowledge as their main competitor, they can't help but snicker a little at the ridiculousness of it all.

"In his defence, everyone Katarina meets falls in love with her," Keith says. "It's a full time job keeping her suitors away. Including you, Mary."

The girl blinks repeatedly, having trouble processing the thought.

"Our Katarina likes to farm ," Keith says. "She's been maintaining a vegetable field since before I was adopted. The two of you met at a tea party, she saw your garden, asked you to give her some advice, and the next thing anyone knows you're dropping hints to her about how hard it would be to become a Princess and how the two of you should run off to another country together."

"That, and trying to make sure Alan doesn't realise his feelings so that he breaks the engagement with you and starts pursuing her, giving you another competitor." Gerald adds. "You're surprisingly ruthless when you want to be. It's kind of admirable."

"B-but, I- that is, that's impossible!" Mary says. "I love Alan!"

Gerald only just refrains rolling his eyes.

"Mary, you learned how to dance the lead so you could dance with her at her fifteenth birthday party," Gerald says. "You even deliberately tried to match her colours – you're utterly besotted . The only two people who don't know it are Katarina and Alan. On this, they're perfectly matched."

"Don't get us wrong, you like Alan well enough," Keith admits. "You're just not in love with him. Both of you understand that it's a political match rather than a romantic one."

"Sophia's rather smitten too, but she doesn't really compete," Gerald continues, rather enjoying how much this is throwing off the people in front of him. "Most of her support is thrown towards Nicol, although he's smart enough to pine rather than pursue."

The white haired girl flinches, and grabs her brother's arm. He merely puts his other hand on hers and frowns.

"That seems odd."

"Not if you know Katarina," Keith says. "She met Sophia at one of Gerald's tea parties, and they bonded over books. Katarina really enjoys romance-"

"The greatest irony of our lives," Gerald mutters.

"-And the first thing she ever said to Sophia was how beautiful her hair was," Keith finishes. "There's a book, Sophia and the Princess?"

The girl gasps and nods, and Keith smiles.

"Sophia and her got close, and well, Nicol likes anything his sister loves."

He sighs and leans back. "Then she went and accidentally gave him the final push. Told him how lucky he was to have such a wonderful family. I practically saw cupid's arrow that day."

Nicol gives a long, slow blink. His eyes flick over towards Maria, who has been surprisingly quiet this whole time, and looks very lost, before returning his attention to them.

"The worst part of all this though, is if what we know about our alternates is accurate, your Geord is going to see about cancelling the engagement. Katarina will let him do it, she's told me repeatedly that she would."

For the first time, Maria finds her voice, though it's quite mumbled to start with.

'B-but, I thought you were in love?"

"He is, she isn't," Keith says, looking a little amused. "Katarina's been trying to convince him he doesn't need to 'take responsibility' for years, and Mother's been pressuring the King to consider it."

"Oh..."

"The point," Gerald snaps. "Is that Katarina has many suitors, and our engagement has been the only thing holding most of them back."

"And most of them really haven't been holding back all that much as is," Keith adds.

Gerald just starts glaring.

"Look, all I know is that the only thing that's kept Nicol from actively pursuing Katarina is the fact that she was engaged to me," Gerald says. "No matter how he feels, I'm his friend, and I found her first. If he thinks I've genuinely given up on her, Sophia will have him down on one knee in front of her door within an hour of annulment, and you know it."

Keith goes a frightful shade of white.

"Crap...and she's weak to that stupid smile of his. She'll probably agree without even knowing what she's agreeing to."

"Stupid...smile?" Nicol asks weakly.

Gerald allows a wicked smirk to broach his face.

"Right. And while you're pretty good at stopping me, I don't rate your chances at stopping Nicol and Sophia working together with an engagement in place."

The siblings glance at each, and then back, and from the centre of the group, Sirius starts chuckling, leaning over the table with his head propped in his hand.

"Should I dare ask about me?"

Both Keith and Gerald perk up.

"Currently immune to her charms, thank God," Keith says.

"And I would very much like to get home and make sure it stays that way," Gerald adds, before standing up.

"We have some of the best grades in the school," he says. "With this and the researchers, we have a good chance at undoing whatever we did."

Everyone still looks shaken, but they all stand – except for Maria, who is wringing her hands.

"Um, before we do, can I talk to Prince Geor- ah, Prince Gerald and Keith?" she asks.

Both Alan and Nicol furrow their brows, but allow Mary and Sophia to pull them away. Sirius idles for a brief moment, an unreadable look on his face, before he also leaves them alone.

"Maria?" Keith prods, and then looks away, playing with her hands.

"Sorry, it's just...what's your relationship with me in this other world?"

Gerald frowns, but Keith immediately winces.

"Oh, yeah...can I just apologise for how much of an ass my other self must be?" he says. "I swear, I'm not a flirt."

Gerald's neck snaps in his direction, and his jaw drops slightly.

"What?"

Maria blushes, and looks quite embarrassed, waving her hands frantically.

"Oh, no, no, no! It's not- I didn't!" she says. "I mean..."

"Flirt?" Gerald repeats, somewhat in disbelief. Keith just moans.

"Trust me, you don't want to know."

"To be honest, he really wasn't that bad," Maria defends. "He's just...lonely. Once you get past his walls, Keith's actually really sweet."

Her face goes a little red. "And Prince Geord always seems to just be going through the motions. He's never really been challenged by anything, and for a while, I just thought he was interacting with me because I was something new. He's got a dark personality, but there's a good man underneath."

"I can imagine," Gerald says. He knows the path he'd been on when Katarina hit her head, and it wouldn't have ended well for anyone. The brittleness of his brother's relationship gives weight to that.

However, Keith's words, and this whole conversation, helps him come to a fairly obvious conclusion, and his eyes widen slightly.

"You and Prince Geord?" he asks. "You're together?"

Now Keith is the one who looks shocked, but Maria bites her lip.

"No," she says. "I mean, not exactly?"

They both frown, and Maria droops a little.

"I think...no, I know Prince Geord has feelings for me. As does Keith, a bit. It's hard to tell with how he flirts, but...it sometimes feels genuine. But Alan kind of does the same thing, and sometimes I think I catch Nicol staring at me, so, I don't really-"

She gets cut off when Keith slams his head into the table.

"Oh God, we're all doomed to a harem life no matter what we do, aren't we?" he wails. Gerald leans back and runs a hand over his face.

"Same problems, different girl," he chuckles. There really is no justice in any world, is there?

Poor Maria laughs despite herself, but then looks a little down.

"It's just, everyone who was at this table has been so kind to me," she says. "After so many years of being alone, I finally feel like I might have a bright future. I guess I feel sorry for your Maria, to not have that."

Gerald meets Keith's eyes, and they can't help it. They burst into peals of laughter, and Maria flinches, looking a little hurt.

It takes a few moments to recover – and get a few odd looks from the friends a further distance away, including disapproving glares from both Nicol and Alan – but when they do, they offer her sympathetic smiles.

"Remember the 'everyone' part of our explanation?" Keith says. "You are not immune to the charms of Katarina."

Maria's eyes go wide.

"Really?"

Gerald nods. "Katarina's been a fan of you since you first met, and even though she doesn't realise that's what you're doing, you've been trying to confess your feelings for some time."

She's taken aback even as Keith nods.

"I think the killing blow is when she went to invite you to lunch, and found you getting bullied by some noble girls because of your grades and position in the Council. She went on a full on rant about how hard you worked on your schooling, and how kind and dutiful you were to everyone on the council. You told us later nobody had ever stood up for you before, not without trying to get into your good graces."

"It's a little frustrating," Gerald admits. "You came into the race late but Katarina adores you. She loves your sweets – she'll eat them off the ground if she has to – and you're always spending time with her and the other girls."

"It drives Mary nuts," Keith laughs. "She really thought she was making headway until you arrived. Katarina has even said you were 'No.1 marriage material.' I thought Mary was going to have a stroke ."

"I know I nearly did," Gerald huffs, and pats Maria on the shoulder. The girl looks utterly shell shocked.

"I...that sounds impossible," Maria says softly. "I mean, I'm kind of friends with Sophia, and Mary is tolerant of me rather than friendly, but I've never had a friend who would care that much. I wonder what happened to Katarina to make things so different?"

Keith shrugs. "I don't know, but I'm just grateful we got our version."

"For what it's worth, I'm not surprised our other selves were drawn to you," Gerald says. "If Katarina hadn't entered our lives, if we'd grown up with this world's version...You would have been a true light in the darkness."

He gives her a soft smile. "I wish you luck with them when we get them back."

Maria blushes, and the three of them head towards the rune to start discussing options.

Isekai World – Game Characters

When Geord returns to the school, he's in high spirits, and eager to inform Katarina and Maria of the news. However, Katarina isn't in her room, and when he went to the Student Council room, it was empty. For lack of alternatives, he goes searching for Keith, and finds him holed up in his room, sitting on his bed with letters strewn around him.

"Did it go well?" he asks, not even looking up from the letter in his hand, and Geord nods.

"Far easier than it would have been back home," he says, walking over and glancing at the strewn correspondence. "Katarina's desire to break it off made things far easier than they would otherwise have been. We'll start the annulment tomorrow. Now I just need to inform Katarina, but I haven't been able to find her or anyone else."

Keith smirks, gathering up the letters and quickly shuffling them together. "If the most recent angry rants from my mother are anything to go by, they'll all be at Katarina's field."

"Field? She mentioned that earlier, but I thought I'd misheard..."

"Nope," Keith says, setting the letters to the side and standing up. "Apparently, this Katarina's hobby is farming, and she's been working on a field just outside the main gardens ever since the start of the school year. Mother does not approve in the least little bit."

He gives a rather hopeless grin. "I have suspicions that you and Prince Alan are probably the reason it hasn't been shut down though. I double checked with one of my servants earlier, and she was given permission for a flower garden, not a vegetable field, but nobody seems to have stopped her."

Geord shakes his head in disbelief, but follows Keith towards the door.

"Katarina gardening...I can't picture it. That girl once threw a plate at her maid because she chipped a nail."

Keith hesitates for a moment, before continuing down the hall by the Prince's side.

"There's something you should know," he says. "This Katarina, she's different from ours. And not just regarding me and the engagement."

Geord frowns. "Truly? She's still Katarina, it can't be that much of a shift."

His company chuckles. "I haven't spent that much time with her, but I spend the last few hours reading the letters from my parents, and the Katarina they're describing does not sound anything like the one we know."

He continues to describe what he'd read in the letters as the two of them meander through the gardens. How his mother despairs for Katarina's lack of manners, her inability to retain etiquette, the steadfast refusal to adopt more 'acceptable' hobbies, and a rather embarrassing appetite for anything sweet.

"To be honest, she actually sounds like someone I'd love to have as a sister," Keith says with a soft smile. "If this morning was any indication, she's also on board with my love life, though not all that involved, considering-"

Geord frowns as the other teen bites off the rest of the sentence and scowls. He'd like to press, but they turn a corner, and the conversation needs to be pushed to the side.

It's as Keith said, there is indeed a vegetable field growing here – one Geord is positive does not exist back 'home,' and most of the Student Council is here. Alan is off to the side with Nicol, mulling over a basket of tools, while Sophia is kneeling next to what looks like a tomato plant. Mary and Maria are both deep into the patch, Mary tending to a wilting plant while Maria is handing a trowel to a gardener crouched between them and half covered in dirt.

For a moment, Geord frowns, especially when he spots Anna, Katarina's maid standing to the side, because he can't see Katarina anywhere.

Then Keith straightens, and his eyes bug wide.

"Oh dear God..." he says, and points back towards Maria and Maria. Geord frowns but follows his gaze – just in time to see the gardener stand up with a basket of potatoes and a grin, and feels his jaw drop.

That's not a gardener. That's…

Well, unless she has a twin nobody knows about, that is Katarina. Wearing the rattiest green overalls Geord has ever seen, a very unflattering headscarf, and her face covered in dirt smudges. The girl, daughter of a noble and not all that removed from aristocracy then spots the two of them, and gives a wide smile as she lifts her cargo, without a single ounce of shame for her appearance.

"Keith! Are you feeling better?" she asks. "And did your meeting with your father go okay Prince Gerald?"

It takes a few moments for Geord to find the words. Keith, a master of female conversation, is clearly just as thrown, but manages to find solid ground a tad quicker.

"Oh, uh, yes Mi-gah, Sis," he splutters, and tries to smile back – though judging from the concerned looks he gets from everyone other than Katarina, it's more of a grimace. "I think I'm much more together now."

Katarina nods and walks over, dropping her basket at the side of the garden. "In that case, you can help out," she says. "Want to help me prune?"

He only just hides the shudder. Really, he dislikes even the idea of getting near the dirt, too familiar with the times he'd been kicked to the ground, but with the ladies all deep in the field, Keith doesn't really have grounds to protest.

To his relief, Geord manages to recover, and attracts his sister's attention when he speaks up.

"Actually, there's something I need to discuss with you Katarina," he says, quickly crossing the distance to face her – and trying to keep a poker face at her shabby appearance. "The meeting was regarding our engagement."

The words are barely out of his mouth before Mary and Maria are both flanking Katarina, each grabbing a hand and giving each other an odd, angry look before turning it towards Geord.

"Oh?" Mary says, not giving Katarina a chance to reply. "I can't imagine why. Katarina still isn't wearing a ring, and there's no social events coming up that are high profile enough to make it official."

"Yes, and Keith hasn't told Katarina any news, and he would definitely have heard about it," Maria adds, looking more worried than the brunette. Her mention of Keith is a little frustrating, but not surprising given how much gossip he hears – she's probably just afraid that Geord is going to be chained down even more.

Well, time to dispel those worries.

"It's rather the opposite," Geord says. "Could I speak to you privately, Katarina?"

Mary's eyes immediately flick towards Keith, and frown when he just stands there impassively. Judging from the looks on Nicol and Alan's faces as well, his ally has missed a step somewhere.

Katarina however, goes from smiling to slightly panicked.

"Oh, um...you know, I'm sure that's not necessary," she says. "I share everything with Keith and Mary and everyone else. If it's not dangerous, I don't mind them hearing."

It's an odd reaction – most ladies would want to keep any conversation quiet to corral rumours. It says a lot about how much Katarina trusts the people around her to not put in any precautions.

For a brief moment, Geord feels a brush of doubt about his next actions, but quickly brushes them aside.

"Very well, but don't say I didn't offer," he says, with just a small amount of spite. Granted, he acknowledges that this Katarina is not the target of his anger, but the wound still runs deep. "After what you said in the Medical Ward, I came to a decision. I went to the palace to speak to my father, and he agreed to cancel the engagement."

The reaction is almost deafening – just not from Katarina.

'WHAT!" Mary and (to his surprise) Maria both scream, forcing him to flinch and take a slight step back. Alan's eyes grow impossibly wide, and while Nicol's face seems impassive, there's something resembling shock, and – unless Geord is reading him wrong, hope? - in his eyes. But before he can process that, Sophia literally wilts , only narrowly avoiding fainting to the ground by her fast acting brother grabbing her by the shoulders.

In fact, the only one not reacting in shock and astonishment is Katarina, whose eyes light up like stars, and Geord gasps as she grabs his hands tight.

"Really?" she says, as if he's just promised her the crown jewels. "You're really annulling the engagement?"

"Yes, so long as you give confirmation to my father of your willingness to break it tomorrow," Geord explains, giving her a genuine smile for once. "If your parents can also make it to the Capital, we can arrange to have the paperwork processed quite quickly."

He has tried to back out of the engagement with Katarina twice before. Once when Katarina's scar had clearly healed – and she had made it clear that the very memory of the scar was enough to beholden him, and again when they had started attending the school and Maria had started to bleed colour into his life. That had gone badly for Maria, and he'd had to do some very fast talking with his father to avoid bringing shame on the Royal Family.

There's part of him that's genuinely expecting the worst here. That Katarina's giddy smile will turn into that far more recognisable smirk, and her words will become knives promising unholy rage at his attempt.

But no, Katarina's smile, if anything, becomes even brighter. He's not sure he's ever seen anyone look more elated in his life .

That's...actually, that's a little offensive. Was he really that awful an option?

"Perfect! I'll send word to my parents tonight," she says, while he's still mulling that over. "With any luck they can be here by tomorrow, and this can all be over."

She lets go of his hands and turns to everyone with a grin. Shock seems to have abated, and while Alan, Nicol, Sophia and Anna are still staring at Geord in utter confusion, Mary and Maria only have eyes for Katarina. Happy, hopeful eyes.

"Sorry to cut this short," Katarina apologises. "But I need to-"

"Oh no! No need to apologise!" Mary says, although she's grinning even wider than Katarina at the moment. "I understand the urgency!"

"Yes, this needs to happen!" Maria adds, her face turning slightly red. "Please go!"

His future ex-fiancée laughs, and runs off, her maid in close pursuit. A few moments later, Geord thinks he can hear her yelling something, but she's too far for him to hear properly...

"-eath flag averted! Wo..hooo! I didn't...ev...eed the...ake!"

"Mother will be elated," Keith says, though he's looking more concerned than anyone. And he keeps looking at the garden as if it'll answer some great question. His calm demeanour seems to draw the attention away from Geord, and Mary starts frowning.

"I would have thought you would be more excited by this, Keith," she says in suspicion. "You've been an advocate of cancelling the engagement since day one."

Her eyes narrow. "Actually...both of you are acting really weird. Prince Gerald cancelling the engagement and you not following Katarina like a puppy dog? What's going on?"

Keith bristles at the insult. Granted, his father's letters had alluded to the same idea, but this school already has Nicol in the role of Sis-con. He is not going to follow that lead.

"Maybe I decided to let Katarina live her own life," he snaps back. "She's a big girl, she doesn't need me hanging over her all the time."

Mary's jaw actually drops for a brief moment, before recovering elegantly.

"I...I...wow..." she says. "Well, that's...good, I think."

She straightens and smiles. "No, that's very good," she rephrases, and by her side Maria giggles.

"I'm very proud of you Keith," she says with a smile. "I know that must have been hard to decide. It means a lot."

Still a sucker for that sweet smile, even if he's at a disadvantage for her heart, Keith gives her a soft smile in return, and Geord's hackles raise, quickly stepping forward.

"Maria, might I speak with y-"

He's cut off when everyone starts to hear bickering coming from the side, and turn to see Sophia practically shaking her brother by the arms, and speaking at a somewhat fast pace.

"-Ose tomorrow or you might lose your chance!"

"Sophia, it's not that simple."

His friend looks somewhat panicked, trying to calm his sister down, and Geord frowns.

"Nicol?"

The two of them jerk up from their conversation, looking a little guilty.

"Sorry, but Nicol and I need to head into town!" Sophia insists. "There's something very important we need to buy!"

Nicol looks a little torn, frowning at his sister.

"Sophia, don't you think it would be too sudden-"

The girl doesn't let him finish, moving around and pushing on his back towards the school.

"No! You're graduating soon and this is the perfect opportunity. We need to go now!"

The taller teen protests for all of a second before sagging in defeat and letting his sister march him away. Geord can only stare as the siblings make a hasty getaway. He means to comment on it, but before he can, Alan's hand is clamped on his shoulder.

"You're really giving up?" he says, sounding utterly confused. Geord frowns. Has everyone in this world gone a little crazy?

"Giving up?" he repeats.

"You love Katarina," Alan says, and Geord laughs.

"I don't," he insists. "Perhaps I thought I did once, but I certainly don't now."

"Oh..." Alan murmurs, brow furrowing. "So, as of tomorrow, she won't be your fiancée..."

Geord frowns and pulls away. He's not sure how to act around this version of Alan. There's history he clearly doesn't know.

"Yes," he says. "That is generally what happens when you cancel an engagement."

His brother flinches, and then, to his surprise, blushes.

"Sorry, it's...I guess I've always just thought of Katarina as your fiancée. The idea that she isn't...makes me feel weird."

Alan shakes his head as if shaking off a heavy blow, and pats Geord's shoulder a few times before smiling and heading back towards the school. Geord watches him leave, rather befuddled at the interaction. Regardless, it's unimportant. With one girl out of the way, he needs to make his intentions clear. He turns to see Maria-

-and blinks when he sees an empty vegetable field.

"Wait, where did Maria go?" he asks, utterly lost.

"She and Mary ran off after Katarina," Keith says, from where he stands at the edge of the field. "Mary was saying something about 'comforting her through the scandal,' and Maria insisted on following because Mary 'can't be trusted with Katarina alone?'

Geord frowns. He was of the impression that Mary was friends with Katarina given how close they'd been in the field. But more pressingly...

"Maria and Katarina are friends in this world? I know they all came to see us, but I thought that was just coincidence."

Keith shakes his head. "Nope, they're close. I think Katarina might be her best friend."

He glances back at the school with a frown. "Though I don't get why Maria didn't want Mary alone with Katarina. Mary is even closer with Katarina than she is."

Geord winces.

"I hope that won't complicate things," he says. It is rather gauche to propose to one of your ex-fiancée's best friends...

"I doubt it," Keith mutters. "I tried to ask her out earlier-"

Geord grits his teeth.

"-but she shot me down flat," Keith continues. "And told me there was someone she loved. Given that Nicol and Alan haven't gone anywhere near her, and I haven't seen any other men circling, I think your other self made far better headway."

That knowledge has Geord bursting into a grin. He loves this world...

Tomorrow, he thinks. Tomorrow morning, he's going to invite Maria to the tree where they first met, and ask Maria to start courting officially. His parents will never approve of an engagement without a proper waiting period after the first, but he can set the groundwork for his new bride.

Chapter 4

Game World – Isekai Characters

After they manage to reverse the rune, Gerald runs from the lab in a panic, heading straight for Katarina's field. To his relief, she's there alone.

" Katarina!" he yells, and the girl looks up from her gardening with a smile.

" Prince Gerald, you're back," she says. When Gerald reaches her, he grabs her by the shoulders, and asks-

" Katarina, our engagement-"

The girl holds up her hand, stopping him in his tracks.

" Oh don't worry," she interrupts. "After it was annulled, Nicol proposed. Isn't this ring lovely?"

" Alan!"

" Oh, you're back."

" Where is Katarina?"

His brother shrugs. "No clue. After the engagement was annulled she and Mary disappeared. I think they started a farm in a foreign nation."

" What do you mean you're engaged to the other Keith now?"

" Well, it's kind of crazy, but after I realised he wasn't my brother, I couldn't help but fall in love with him, so now I'm going to stay in the Claes family. I'm sure brother won't mind."

" Oh hi Prince Gerald! After the engagement was annulled I accepted Maria's feelings and now we have a dozen adopted children with light magic and run a bakerystrokegrocery shop. We named the oldest Gerald Jr!"

" OI! WAKE UP!"

Gerald gasps and jerks up when something shoves him to the side, and throws out an arm to brace against the wall.

It takes a few moments to get his bearings. He's still in the lab, sitting on a chair in the corner. Alan is looming over him with a scowl.

"You were moaning in your sleep," he says. "If you're not going to rest, you need to help."

Gerald closes his eyes and runs a hand down his face. Right, he'd spent nearly the whole night arranging to the best minds he could get into this room, and the lack of sleep had been getting to him. Everyone had insisted he try and take a nap when it was clear he wasn't able to concentrate fully.

"I see, my apologies," he says, getting up as gracefully as he can. "Have there been any developments?"

Alan huffs, and the two of them walk back towards the rune, and the curious faces watching.

"No," he spits out, sounding extremely frustrated about it. "Even given the information you and the other Keith gave us, we're still at a loss at how to reverse the process."

Irritating, but not unexpected.

"There has to be something we're missing," Gerald says, as he reaches the rune. To avoid accidents, everyone is banned from setting foot in the rune, and Maria looks up from where she's kneeling at its side, scribbling in a notebook.

"Not necessarily," she says with a sympathetic smile. "It's entirely possible this rune was made to be one way. Nothing about it is making any sense."

That absolutely cannot be true, no matter how valid a solution it may be, and Gerald gives Alan another once over.

"We spotted something similar to musical notes the first time, I don't suppose you can make any headway with them?"

Alan scoffs, and his head drops as if trying to hide behind his large collar. "Why don't you stop trying to boss me around? Who cares about musical notes, why don't you focus on them."

He then storms off, and kneels down by a distant spot, leaving Gerald standing alone, and Maria looking between them with worry.

"Um, Prince Geor-ah, Gerald, please don't take it personally," she says, standing up just a little closer than Gerald is used to. "Prince Alan is just-"

"I'm aware," Gerald interrupts, giving her a smile, and then striding over, ignorant to the girl's genuine surprise. Alan tenses as he approaches, and it gets worse when Gerald kneels next to his sibling.

Enough of this. Alan's talents don't lie in runes to begin with, and if he's going to be of any use at all, Gerald needs to slap a giant band aid on these insecurities.

"What?" Alan snaps, looking even more riled up at his proximity. Gerald just meets his eyes.

"When we were younger, I envied you."

Alan freezes where he kneels, before curling his fists.

"I don't know why you enjoy-"

"Our brothers were both amazing heirs, so the two of us were already precariously situated as third and fourth," Gerald continues, cutting Alan off before he gets going. "And you were sick, which meant any attention that could be thrown our way immediately went to you. I was left in the cold."

He gives a sad smile, remembering that time. "It wasn't your fault, you couldn't help being sick, but I had to try twice as hard. My only option was to excel. If I wanted even a scrap of attention, or validation, I had to be the best at anything I did."

Love, or the need to find it, is an excellent motivator.

"I...I never thought about it like that," Alan says, just under his breath.

"In the end, I succeeded," Gerald says. "I wouldn't allow anything less than perfection, or I'd lose the attention I'd earned. But it did have an unexpected outcome of making me a serious contender for the throne."

"Unexp-wait, you don't want to be King?"

Gerald shrugs. "Not really. I know I could do it, but it never held any real appeal for me. Especially not now."

' Katarina as Queen? Even if she did love me, she'd flee the country before she'd let anyone put a crown on her head. She already chafes under his nobility title, she'd never give up her freedom, not for anyone.'

That apparently doesn't compute with Alan. He's looking at Gerald as if he's never seen him before.

"When you spend your life knowing that it only has value if it's perfect, you tend to get bored with life very quickly," Gerald says. "When we were children, I was just going through the motions. I knew how everyone would react, what they all wanted. Nothing was surprising, and you didn't want anything to do with me. In the end, I thought that would just be how things went forever. Then Katarina walked into my life, and I finally found something new."

He stops and stares directly at this other version of his brother, whose eyes have gone wide.

"I don't know if your Geord is the same or not," he says. "But I've never said anything with the intent to mock my Alan, no matter how he took it. You're my brother, and I'm genuinely proud when you achieve anything."

His lips twitch. "Your talent with music is something I can never match. I can't tell you how irritated I get when Katarina hears you play. She truly admires it, and I'll never be able to make her smile like that. So don't undermine your skills or strengths, they're something to be admired."

Alan doesn't answer, but he's looking at Gerald as if he'd never seen him before.

"So, what do you think about the rune?" Gerald asks, offering the olive branch. "Could the musical aspect be important?"

"I...maybe," Alan says, and glances back down at the rune. His fists clench, and sighs. "Where exactly are these notes?"

Isekai World – Game Characters

Keith is resting in his room, mulling over the day's events, when Katarina bursts into his room. He jerks up and squawks as she jumps on his bed and practically slumps over him.

"Keith! Keith!, look!" she squeals, waving a letter in the air, while he flushes red at just how close she is. "Mother was so elated to hear Prince Gerald was finally breaking the engagement she even paid extra to get the reply to me tonight! They're coming to the capital tomorrow morning."

"Ah, that's great Sis," he says, grateful it's starting to get easier to refer to her as such. It helps that she's so friendly.

"Isn't it?" she laughs, and shuffles so she's sitting right next to him, far closer than he's certain siblings would normally sit. "You know, I'm very grateful."

Keith frowns. "Grateful?"

Katarina nods. "Don't think I didn't notice you've been talking to Prince Gerald quite a bit the last two days. Let me guess, you managed to convince him after the accident? You're always looking out for me."

She gives him a quick peck on his cheek, and Keith feels himself turning red again.

"Oh, uh, no problem," he mumbles. Technically, she's not entirely wrong.

"How are you feeling now anyway?" Katarina asks. "I never got the chance to ask earlier."

She then looks a little panicked. "And um, Maria? You spent some time with her right? I don't blame you, she's really charming, but did you do-"

"I tried to ask her out."

Keith decides to cut that off at the pass, and bursts into laughter as Katarina goes white, then red, and then starts mumbling.

"Ah, of course you would! She's so sweet and amazing and you would be perfect together and of course I'll completely support you so please please don't think I'll ever do anything to sabotage that I'm not going to stand in the way I absolutely would never do-"

"Sis, relax," Keith says. "She turned me down."

Katarina's mouth snaps shut, and Keith bites back the smile as she starts looking outraged instead.

"What!" she says. "But you're amazing! You're smart, and sweet and a complete gentleman and not at all a playboy! Why wouldn't she be interested?"

Keith's eyebrow twitches at the 'playboy' remark. If only she knew.

"I think you must have read her wrong Sis," he tells her. "Because she said she was already in love with someone else."

Katarina falls off the bed. But before Keith can even think about leaning over to help her up, she's lunging to her feet, eyes wide.

"Prince Gerald! Of course!" she says. "That's why he's breaking the engagement. He finally fell for her charms."

She sucks in a deep breath. "I just need to make sure the annulment goes smoothly and not get in his way at all, and I'll be completely safe."

Keith frowns. "Safe, Sis?"

The girl nods with a happy smile. "Yup. If I get in Prince Gerald's way, he might try and exile me. Or maybe even kill me if it doesn't go well."

His jaw drops. "What?"

She does understand that a Prince just can't exile a noble, right? There has to be at least some kind of cause – and Keith has seen enough of this world to know Katarina, while an unconventional noble, is guilty of less than his Katarina. Even if Geord did want to try, she'd clearly have support from her allies before it got anywhere close to a trial.

Wait, is this why she's been so keen to cancel the engagement? Because she thinks Geord will kill her?

"Katarina, that would never happen," Keith assures her. "Even a Prince can't just exile or kill another member of nobility."

His sister merely spins and points a finger straight at Keith's nose. "Do not underestimate what people will do for love Keith!"

She sounds so certain, Keith starts to doubt himself. He only has letters and the two times he's seen the group interact, but he was of the impression that Katarina and Prince Gerald had a friendly relationship in this world. What if it wasn't? Perhaps 'Gerald' is more dark hearted than his own friend – it's entirely possible that Katarina's relief comes less from a lack of love, and more from the hope of freedom.

"Well, it's being annulled, so you don't have to worry," Keith says, and stands to meet her. He bites his lip, pondering if he dares, but throws caution to the wind and ruffles her hair, giving a genuine smile when she squawks and ducks her head.

" Keith!" she whines, but gives him a happy grin as she moves away.

"So, with you and Prince Charming ending things, do you have any new suitors in mind?" he asks. He's not certain, but the way Sophia and Nicol had been going on...he suspects Nicol might have feelings for her. And if not, Sophia at least approves of her, which is really all that guy ever really cares about.

Katarina however, just shakes her head.

"Don't be silly, I don't have the charm or looks to win anyone's heart," she says. "I'm happy just to spend time with my friends and to work in my fields."

"And that would be why Mother is going grey," Keith says, though he's genuinely surprised. "But you shouldn't sell yourself short, Sis. You wouldn't have so many friends if you weren't charming, and you're not exactly ugly."

Katarina merely points to her eyes. "Maybe. But I have the eyes of a Villainess, and I've got nothing on real beauties like Maria and Mary and Sophia."

' Villainess?'

"I think you might be surprised," Keith replies, and Katarina shakes her head.

"Well what about you?" she says, clearly trying to change the subject. "If Maria and Prince Gerald are getting together, you should try and find someone too!"

Keith allows the shift, eyes flitting to the side to look out the window.

"You're right," he says, stepping aside and leaning against his desk. "I think I'm going to seriously look for a special someone from now on."

The girl's eyes widened. "Really? You've always refused before now."

"Maybe I just wasn't ready to grow up," he says, and looks over at the shelf. "Perhaps I should start putting myself out there."

He gives one of his more wicked-playboy smirks. "There are plenty of single ladies at the school. Maybe it's time I dance with more than my sister."

He regrets it instantly, because Katarina goes frightfully pale – as if she's seen a ghost.

"...Sis?" he asks, and she stays frozen. "Katarina?"

She flinches back to life with a minute shake of her head.

"Um, nothing. I uh, I should go."

She looks completely thrown from one line, and Keith almost feels bad about it. Apparently that dependency he'd suspected from the letters goes more than one way. This Katarina is probably used to having Keith completely to herself.

She makes it to the door, and Keith quickly follows to open it. She steps out, then hesitates.

"Hey...Keith?"

"Mmm?"

"Now that you've rested a bit, do you remember anything more about what the rune did?"

Keith looks over. The girl looks genuinely curious, so he moves closer, slinging an arm around her shoulder, and grins.

"Nope," he lies. "Still a complete blank, Sis."

Katarina nods, an odd look on her face as he frees her.

"Okay...good night, Keith."

"Night Sis."

Game World – Isekai Characters

It's a frustrating situation, but even after nearly a full day of experts and top students analysing the rune on the floor, and spending the whole morning today with knowledge of what it does , nobody has any clue how to make it function in a controlled situation. Every usual avenue is a dead end, and after a few hours, they gather at a table to discuss it.

"I've never seen anything like it," says the head researcher from the Ministry of Magic. "There's no activation sigil, no reversal array, no protective architecture – I can't even tell how it could be voice activated!"

He throws up his hands in frustration. "Are we absolutely certain this isn't an entire hoax?"

"Are you suggesting I would do such a thing?" Gerald growls, and the man immediately backtracks.

"N-no, of course not your Highness," he says. "But it's possible that someone has altered your memories rather than it being the cause of the rune."

"Valid, except for the fact that every researcher in this room saw the thing activate," Keith says. "This is supposed to be one of the more secure rooms in the country. Are you suggesting someone was able to break in and cast magic on the dozen or so people here without anyone noticing?"

The man drops back, properly cowed, and the woman at his side sighs.

"Regardless, his point is valid," she says. "This rune goes against every rule we have regarding arrays. We're still not sure if this is a full body switch, or just a memory transfer, and more importantly, we don't know if this was the rune's primary function, or an unexpected side effect. We've been here all day, and we're no closer to understanding it than we were when it was first drawn out."

"We must be missing something," Gerald insists. "The very fact that we activated through sheer chance means there must be a way to intentionally trigger it."

There's a disturbance at the door, and the table glances up when they spot a servant from the dorms heading towards the table.

"We had orders not to be disturbed," said one of the researchers, and the man bows.

"Apologies, but I needed to speak to Prince Geord," says the servant. "Lady Claes is asking for you."

Gerald sighs, suppressing the knee jerk reaction to go bolting for the door. It's not his Katarina.

"Please give her my apologies, but I cannot spare any time at the moment."

The servant doesn't look happy, but walks out the door, and Gerald returns his attention to the group. The researchers still look frustrated, so he glances over at the Student Council members. Alan has been scribbling in a notebook for hours, but the others are all comparing their own work. Maria's lips are pursed, eyebrows furrowed as she looks over some research.

"It's kind of like a mythical chimera," she says. "A strange amalgamation that shouldn't exist, let alone survive."

"Not a bad example," Sirius agrees. "I'm not even sure we're looking at it properly."

He looks rather outraged at it, and considering the teen spends most of his time bringing order to the chaos that is council duties, he probably is. Gerald then turns his attention to his brother, who has been uncharacteristically silent, and focused on his own notes.

"Alan?"

He frowns when he realises Alan isn't paying any attention, and is mumbling something under his breath. It's not even music – the sound is all over the place, and Mary places a hand on his arm.

"Prince Alan...are you humming?" she asks, and Alan jerks his head up.

"Huh, what?" he says, looking confused.

"What has you so focused?" Keith asks, and Alan's cheeks turn red.

"The musical notes," he says. "They're littered all around the outside array. Some of them are hard to make out, but there's a pattern to them."

Gerald leans back, eyes narrowed. "A pattern...as in a score?"

"There's actual sheet music in this?" Mary asks.

"Oh great, like it couldn't get even more ridiculous," the first researcher groans. Alan just glares at everyone, and Gerald sighs.

"At this point, we'll take anything. Alan, what have you found?"

His brother turns his head. "I'm not sure – on their own, they don't make sense, but there's... something , about them. They look almost random, but my gut says they're not. I'm trying to figure out if they make a reasonable tune."

"If you think you can make sense of it, keep going," Gerald says. He's not exactly certain how musical notes would be of any use, but if there is a pattern to be found, it could be the first step to finding order in the rest of it. "If anyone will find an answer in that route, it'll be you."

Alan looks away, but Mary looks genuinely surprised, and sends him a grateful smile as she scoots closer to Alan's side, even as he starts scribbling again.

"What about the inner arrays?" Keith asks the main researchers, and they start going off on another tangent, but the general consensus is clear – traditionally speaking, this rune should not function, and everyone is at a loss as to why it does - or even if it does. Gerald is trying to follow each argument, hoping to find at least one that has a new idea to work with, when he hears commotion coming from the entrance of the room.

He turns his head, and sees the servant from earlier heading back with a rather panicked look on his face, and sighs. When he stands, the conversation grinds to a halt.

"Prince Gerald?" Maria asks, looking confused. "Is something wrong?"

Everything is wrong, but Gerald gives her a smile.

"Apologies, but I need to step out for a moment," he says. "I'll be right back."

He waves off the servant heading their way – ignoring the relief on the man's face, and exits the door. As expected, Katarina is waiting outside, and lights up when Gerald arrives.

"Prince Geord!" she greets. "I knew you'd come see me. That idiot clearly didn't understand."

"Miss Katarina, I'm afraid I'm very busy," Gerald says, trying to disarm her with a smile. It's clearly not what she wants to hear, because Katarina scowls.

"What's going on with you?" she accuses. "Yesterday, you were so gentle with me! You were a perfect fiancée, so sweet and affectionate, and now you won't even give me the time of day!"

Gerald holds up his hands in an attempt to soothe her. "Miss Katarina, there is currently a very urgent project being held right now. Once it's sorted, I'll have plenty of free time."

Or at least, his other self will.

She stares at him, and whatever she sees, only makes her anger grow.

"Urgent project?" Katarina growls. "The kind that needs you to contact your father? And has you locked away with Keith and that commoner girl?"

Gerald's eyebrow twitches. "You know I contacted the King?"

Katarina tosses her hair with an arrogant huff. "I have connections Prince Geord, of course I'm going to hear when my fiancée contacts his father unexpectedly."

He bites his lip, and wonders how to handle this.

"It's to do with the incident a few days ago," he explains. "As it turns out, we figured out the cause, and now we're trying to undo it. In a few days, everything will be back to normal."

Katarina pauses, and looks at Gerald as if trying to pierce his soul. It's an odd look on her.

"Prince Geord..." she says. "Do you love me?"

Gerald opens his mouth, and then closes it. He honestly isn't sure how to answer, Katarina goes cold.

"You never even hesitate to answer that with a no," she says. "What's going on?"

"Miss Katarina-"

"Why are you acting so nice when your eyes are so cruel? Normally you ignore me, or push me away. I was so happy yesterday, but even if you're acting the same, the love is gone. You loved me yesterday, so what changed?"

Gerald's eyes widened. This Katarina is far more observant. He probably should have realised that. This is one who has perfected the skills his Katarina has never even tried to learn.

"You loved me yesterday," she repeats, and Gerald closes his eyes. "I've spent years wishing to see that look in your eyes, and now it's gone again. What happened?"

He mulls over his options, and opens his eyes to face her. What happened has not been classified, but he's reluctant to explain.

"If I tell you, do you promise to leave this room be?"

Katarina frowns. "So long as it doesn't affect our engagement."

Fair enough. "The reason for my change in behaviour, is because I'm not Prince Geord."

Her jaw drops, and Gerald continues.

"Keith and I have both been replaced by counterparts," he explains. "The incident yesterday accidentally brought the two of us here and transferred our other selves to our world."

"Another world?" Katarina says, looking astonished, and Gerald nods.

"I'm afraid so. We realised the difference yesterday, and are focusing on trying to return things to the way they were."

He's barely finished speaking when Katarina grabs his hands.

"But you're still Prince Geord, so why do we need to send you back?" she asks, eyes looking scared. "You were happy yesterday before you realised the truth, so I'm sure you can settle in here. I'm just as much a Katarina as yours is, I'm sure she'd understand!"

Gerald immediately shakes his head.

"No. I wish to return to my Katarina, and I'm afraid I cannot be unfaithful to her, even if you are her counterpart."

"But-"

"Sorry, but Keith and I have to return to our world," Gerald insists, his voice now more firm. "And while you may look the same, you are not my Katarina any more than I am your Geord, or Keith is your brother."

He pulls his hands free, and reminds himself yet again that this is not his Katarina. That it's not the sweet, eccentric woman looking at him as if he's stabbed her with a sword.

"I advise that you stay away for your own safety until this is over," he says. "I'm sorry for giving you false hope."

And with that, he turns his back and heads into the lab again.

To his relief, Katarina doesn't follow.

Chapter 5

Isekai World – Game Characters

It's the early morning with Geord slips out of his room and heads for the female dorms. In his pocket he carries a letter for Maria, inviting her to the gazebo at lunch. There, he intends to announce his intentions, so she can properly prepare. While it will be some time before he can make it official, he wants the sweet natured girl to be without any doubts as soon as possible. Perhaps it would be best just to confess this morning, but he wants to do this right. He won't even dare let a servant deliver it, in case of sabotage.

It's a decision he appreciates, when he arrives at the dorm and hands the letter to the receptionist who views all comings and goings, only to have her reply in a chipper manner-

"Oh, but Miss Campbell has already left for the day. She won't be back until class lets out."

The letter is immediately handed back, his hand twitching in surprise, but he hides it well.

"Ah, I see," he offers, extremely grateful he'd hand delivered it. Waiting at the gazebo alone would have been crushing. "I was unaware Maria would leave so early."

The woman tilts her head slightly and gives a small chuckle.

"Well, today is hardly a normal day," she says, face blushing slightly. "Word around the school is that an engagement is to be broken. It's all anyone can talk about."

Geord returns the small laugh. He can imagine.

"You'll no doubt find her at the Lady Claes field," she explains. "She only left a few minutes ago – you might be able to catch her."

The humour immediately leaves his face.

"Lady...did Katarina call her out?"

Has Katarina realised his intentions? Is she making her moves to ruin his plans?

The receptionist shakes her head, looking a little wistful for some reason. "No. Or if she did, she didn't send a letter. This place would have been far more hectic. Maria just mentioned she didn't want to waste any time."

Geord thanks the woman, but walks out the building in obvious confusion. Why would Maria leave so early? And 'wasting time?' Is there a deadline involving Katarina he doesn't know about? No matter how he looks at it, even being in agreement about annulling the engagement, he can't imagine Katarina would be too elated at her friend shoving her victory in her face this early in the morning. He also can't imagine Maria doing something so cruel, especially since Katarina knows Geo-

He stills.

No...Katarina was supporting Keith. His friend had said Katarina must have been confused, supporting him even though Maria's affections lay elsewhere. She thought Maria had a crush on her brother, not him. Maria has gone to get Katarina's blessings to pursue Geord!

With a panicked swallow, he decides to hurry to the field. Granted, Keith has said the two of them are friends, but to ask her the very morning before seems risky. He should be there – make sure Katarina takes it well.

In a best case scenario, perhaps he'll even get Katarina's blessing!

He heads towards the field, and sees the two of them standing in the middle of the field. Katarina is in those overalls again, but standing on the grass, and Maria is holding the other girl's hands. To his relief, Katarina doesn't look the slightest bit upset.

Part of him wants to call out and be there for Maria, but he hesitates. Maria might think he's stalking her if he just shows up – or Katarina might start thinking he's had second thoughts. Instead, he slips around the building, and inches around the wall to eavesdrop on the conversation.

'-grets about annulling the engagement?" Maria is asking, and Geord leans forward.

"Of course not," Katarina replies. "Prince Gerald only asked me out of duty. It's better that he gets engaged to someone he loves."

Behind the building, Geord smiles. He thinks he could grow to like this Katarina as a friend. Hopefully, she herself will find someone.

He can only make out half of her face, but Maria looks elated at her answer, and lifts Katarina's hands up, the two of them in a facsimile of prayer.

"Katarina, I know I should wait until the annulment is completed, but I'm afraid that if I do, I could lose my chance," Maria says. "There's something I need to tell you."

It's utterly unbecoming for a Prince, but Geord feels himself leaning forward to hear Maria's next words.

"Miss Katarina, I want to be with you forever," Maria stresses, her cheeks red. "You're the one I love more than anything. Please let me stay by your side!"

Geord's hand slips on the wall, and thinks his heart might actually stop beating.

What?

Oblivious to the knife wound ripping out his heart, Katarina just smiles.

"That's very sweet of you to say, Maria," she says. "It makes me really happy to hear that. But don't worry, me and Prince Gerald will still be friends, so it's not like anyone will have to choose."

Maria's hands grab hers tighter.

"Miss Katarina, I'm not sure how else I can say it," Maria continues, looking a little exasperated. "But I promise, I'll make you understand one day, no matter what it takes."

Katarina laughs. "You really are too charming Maria!"

"Ah! Katarina!"

Geord jerks back further as he sees Mary Hunt running towards the field, looking rather out of breath and in her nightwear, a coat hastily slung over her shoulders. She looks rather frantic.

"W-what, Mary?" Katarina yelps, yanking her hands from Maria's grasp and running to meet her. "What's wrong?"

Her back is to Geord, so he can neither hear or see what the other girl is saying, but his eyes are locked on Maria's face before it vanishes from view. The affection is unmistakeable even from here.

A dark, ugly feeling rises in his chest, and he slips away, uninterested in what had pulled Mary out of bed before she was respectable, and no longer capable of looking at Maria without feeling rage. When he makes it back to the main school grounds, he finds himself laughing, and struggles towards a bench, suddenly unable to support his own weight, as he ponders the situation he's now in.

It appears that Katarina really is a Villainess no matter what the world. Rather than make his life miserable as his fiancée, she's stolen the only person Geord has ever loved right from under him. She's probably been laughing under her breath ever since he promised to break the engagement – then she can steal away with the woman he loves and leave him humiliated and alone.

Oh, he can even picture it. Katarina's wicked smile as she lifts up Maria's chin with sharp claws, evil eyes savouring every piece of the innocent mouse caught in her trap. First she'd thrown her brother at the girl, and when that failed to ensnare her, gone to work herself, wrapping Maria up in honeyed works with hidden barbs until she didn't know up from down. He hadn't given this Katarina enough credit – clearly she's a far more intelligent viper than his own garden variety. A seductive chess master who lives to hurt him.

"Prince Gerald?"

He lifts his head up to see the Student Council President walking towards him, a curious look on his face.

"Good morning Sirius," he greets, pasting a smile back on his face. Clearly it's a meagre substitute, because the student president's just deepens.

"Is something wrong? You haven't seemed yourself lately."

Geord's lips quirk upwards. Well, he's not wrong.

"I just had a rather startling revelation this morning," he explains, and Sirius quickly steps forward, sitting down next to him. "Katarina and Maria...appear to be intimately involved."

Sirius's eyes widen – but not for the reasons Geord expected.

"Really? Maria finally found a way to confess her feelings that Katarina didn't misunderstand?"

Geord's jaw drops. "What? This is common knowledge?"

Sirius gives a light chuckle. "That Maria is in love with Miss Katarina? I think everyone in the school except Miss Katarina knows that. She doesn't really hide it."

Well isn't that just fantastic. Geord's suddenly very grateful he never managed to deliver the invitation to Maria – it would have been beyond humiliating.

"I don't understand," Geord says. "I know Maria is a kind girl, but to be so devoted at this point...Katarina must be a truly manipulative seductress."

After all, even after several months of testing the waters with his Maria, her affections were still torn between several men. How had Katarina managed to catch her eye so completely and utterly.

"Yeah she's really not..." Sirius mumbles, and starts patting him on the back.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking out loud. But...this could work."

Sirius smiles, and Geord's eyes suddenly feel very dry. They close and he rubs them, somewhat relieving the pressure, but it's left his head with a throbbing headache. He can't even remember what Sirius just said.

"My apologies, I don't think I got enough sleep," he admits. "Please excuse me."

He gets to his feet and gives the president a short nod, before making his way back towards the dorms. When he's a suitable distance, he pulls out the invitation, Maria's name elegantly written out.

How ironic, that something he'd once seen as beautiful could now look so abhorrent.

He lifts it way from his body and concentrates his magic. It turns to ash in the fireball in seconds, and he drops the embers to the ground as he storms back to the school.

Fine then. If Maria's made her choice, then so be it. Once the engagement is over, Geord will just make sure the right rumours make it to the proper channels. A lady breaking her engagement to be with a female lover is a scandal that will never allow either to survive high society without the right support. Katarina will have to abandon Maria to save her own skin, and Geord can sweep her off his feet the way his other self should have been doing from the start.

And if Katarina really does love Maria? Well, the Claes will probably disown her, and they'll both have to flee the country in shame. Either way, Katarina will be crushed on Geord's heel for good.

Nobody makes a fool of the Third Prince.

From the bench, Sirius leans back on the support and grins at the dark aura surrounding the blond.

"...Huh," Sirius says. "I really didn't think that would take as quickly as it did. Your version of Katarina must have done a number on you, Fake Prince."

Because that blonde teen cannot possibly be the one Sirius knows. He honestly doesn't understand how no one has spotted it yet. True, his magic allows him to see the darker emotions in a persons soul, and the sheer depth of negative feelings regarding Katarina Claes both this Gerald and Keith have make them almost unrecognisable, but surely someone else has noticed the change?

It just goes to show how unreliable things like love and friendship truly are, if you can be replaced by a stranger so easily. He of all people knows that very well.

His grin becomes something almost malicious as Gerald wanders into the building, the darkness around him almost double in size already, and chuckles to himself.

"You really should get a hold of those emotions your Highness," he whispers. "Or that kind of darkness might push you into something you regret..."

Later that morning, Keith also visits the female dorms to collect Katarina, his heart pumping far too loud in his chest.

Their parents will be arriving in less than half an hour, and they need to be there to greet them. The Duke Claes and his wife, his legal parents through adoption, who in this reality, love him as if he truly was the flesh and blood child his Mother suspected he was.

In the reception, he swallows heavily, pulling at his collar. He thought he could handle this, but reading letters and coming face to face with them are two very different things. As much as Katarina is altered here, outside of the house they had little interaction at school, and this Katarina has left him alone whenever requested. He has no frame of reference for his parents outside of the home, least of all a positive one.

"Focus, Claes," he hisses to himself, slapping one cheek as he tries to calm down. If he looks too nervous, they might think something is wrong. They might punish him for not being-

No...no these ones wont. They're not that way towards him...right?

He glances towards the stairs, wondering if he should go up and collect Katarina, when he hears a commotion at the door. His jaw drops when he turns his head, spotting Katarina stumbling through the door, Anne tailing after her with sharp words.

"-old you we needed to leave at least 2 times, Miss Katarina," the maid is saying, stress clear in her voice.

"I know, I know!" Katarina whines, only to light up when she sees Keith. He on the other hand, is still gaping, because Katarina – thirty minutes before meeting with her parents so they can discuss the annulment terms – is dressed in those ridiculous overalls.

"Morning Keith!" she greets. "I'm just going to get changed. Be right down."

"You're not ready?" Keith wails, mentally going over a ladies usual regime. "We need to leave in fifteen minutes if we want to be waiting at the gate for them."

"It's fine, Mother will wait a few minutes. I'll just tie my hair back."

"You will not," Anne says, voice firm, and ushers her wayward Lady upstairs, tossing a sympathetic glance Keith's way.

"I will do my best," she offers, and chases after Katarina. Keith walks to the side of the wall, and drops into a couch before running a hand through his hair.

Does Katarina even have the slightest clue what's about to happen? How is she this nonchalant? Even if it's a mutual dissolution for both parties, women do not come out the victors with broken engagements, especially when the man is a member of the royal family. She should have been ready hours ago, preparing her terms and putting together an action plan for her future. Graduating without a future spouse is social suicide for a Duke's daughter. Does she have any idea how her actions reflect on the Claes name?

He's not feeling any more lenient when she reappears, dressed in her usual white and blue, but with a reddish face that suggests she's been scrubbed rather harshly, and her hair looking rather dull – given that Anne follows with a brush, she's clearly not had time to properly style it.

"Okay, lets go," Katarina cheers, apparently uncaring about her unkempt appearance despite the future meeting, and Keith grits his teeth, trailing after her.

When the gates come in view, Keith sighs and steps forward, reaching into her hair and plucking out a dirty leaf.

"Did you really have to work on your field this morning?" he asks, genuinely curious at what she'd been thinking, and Katarina laughs.

"Well I was had a lot to think about last night. I could barely sleep," she admits. "So I thought I'd do something practical instead. The cauliflowers have been wilting a bit, so they need all the attention I can give them."

"I don't think that explanation will satisfy your mother, Miss Claes," Anna offers with more bite than Keith has ever heard from his version. Katarina just brushes it off.

"No explanation would satisfy my mother," she whines. "Honestly, she really needs to calm and relax. There are so many more things to worry about other than their daughter doing a little gardening."

"Katarina, Mary does a little gardening. You, have a miniature farm," Keith says, disapproval clear in his voice. "One you're apparently obsessed with maintaining."

Katarina humphs.

"It was necessary!" she insists. "If Prince Gerald hadn't broken the engagement, that field was going to support me."

Keith frowns, and glances over at the maid. She just gives him a shrug, but doesn't look surprised. Apparently this has come up before?

"Refresh my memory," he asks. "How would a field support you if you married the Prince?"

Katarina rolls her eyes.

"Well, obviously he was never going to marry me," she says, and Anna drops her head into her hands momentarily. "But if I ever got exiled, I knew could become a farmer!"

"You can't just exile someone!" Keith half yells, remembering the evening's conversation. "Why do you keep saying that like it's gospel?"

Katarina stops in her place, looking at Keith in shock. Anna is also looking at Keith like she's never seen him before.

"Keith?" Katarina says in the quietest voice he's ever heard, and Keith erupts.

"You have this ridiculous hobby, and it's for the most ridiculous reason I've ever heard!" Keith snaps. "Exile? In case you become a commoner? What kind of noble thinks like that? If that's what terrifies you, you should be ensuring you fit in high society, so nobody will ever have reason to!"

"I-but-love-" Katarina splutters, but Keith doesn't let her finish.

"Prince Geord's breaking this engagement, and you seem to think that everything's going to be fine now," he warns. "But you're fifteen, and have to bear the shame of a broken engagement, and thanks to me, you're no longer the official heir to your house. Do you understand the position you're in right now? Not a lot of men your age are without their own engagements – and the ones that are will think twice with a broken contract in your past. Our parents might have to arrange a marriage with a noble much older than you, possiby a widow, or even one in another country! Your only chance to avoid that, is to be desirable enough on your own for them to overlook that, and you're...swanning around in garden overalls and angering your parents on the one day you should be giving them the entirety of your attention. Your future is in their hands!"

Silently, he knows it'll never come to that. Their Father has clearly been indulgent with her over the years, and he's still pretty certain that Nicol will make a move after the annulment, but it's the sheer obliviousness to her situation that has created an odd mix of anger and panic in his mind, amplified by the stress of meeting this world's version of his parents.

It's a rage he's never experienced, too terrified to ever speak up in any Claes presence, but when he sees Katarina's eyes tearing up, the far familiar feeling of shame creeps back up.

"Why..." Katarina whispers, sounding so broken. "Why are you saying this me now? You've always supported cancelling the engagement, and helping me in the field. Where is this coming from?"

His voice dies in his throat, and he looks away.

Why does it matter? He's never cared one whit about what Katarina does before.

Next to him, he hears Katarina sniffling, then flinches as she grabs his hands.

"I know...I know Keith is always looking out for me," Katarina says, clearly trying to force the tears down. "I guess I never realised how much of a burden I was being. I always thought you'd tell me – didn't I say you could tell me anything?"

Now Keith wants to cry.

This Katarina is kind is a way his Katarina is almost allergic to being. He cares because he wants her to be happy. This dim but sweet and oh so protective big sister is everything he never dreamed he could have for a sibling – hell, everything he's ever dreamed in having in any significant relationship – and he's terrified for her.

"I just want you to be safe and happy, Sis," Keith offers. "I think I've started to realise how little you seem to understand about the world."

Katarina's gives him a tiny smile. "I know more than you might think," she offers, and Keith shakes his head.

"Sorry, I won't yell at you again," he says. "But I promise, I will do whatever it takes to make sure you are never exiled, so stop worrying about that, okay?"

He risks tugging at her shoulder, pulling her into a very loose hug. Katarina huffs into his chest, throwing her arms around him and making it awkwardly tight.

"You're a great brother, Keith," Katarina mumbles into his shirt, and then pulls away. Keith keeps smiling, although he notes Katarina's eyes seem a little subdued compared to what he's seen so far.

"And you're the best sister I've ever had," Keith answers. Katarina bites her lip.

"Keith, last night, you-"

"Keith! Katarina!" How are my darlings doing?

The two snap their heads towards the gate, where their parents have arrived. Their mother is moving as fast as she can while maintaining an elegant flair, and making a beeline for Keith. He is frozen to the spot as the woman throws her arms around him in a tight hug, but she doesn't appear to notice, letting him go a few seconds later to kiss him lightly on each cheek.

"Oh, Keith, you become more charming every day. How are we not here discussing your engagement?" she asks. "We will need to rectify that soon."

"Ah, Katarina, finally got your wish?" their father says, hugging his daughter tightly and matching her elated grin. "How did you finally break him?"

"I don't really know, but I think Keith convinced him."

His mother pats his cheek. "That's my boy! I knew you could do it. I'm so proud!"

Keith finds himself battering pride and terrifying nerves as his Mother moves away to hug her daughter, and finds himself embraced by his Father. The man frowns when they separate, eyebrows furrowing as he stares at Keith's face.

"Are you okay son? You look like someone has a sword to your throat."

Keith immediately shakes his head, trying to compose himself.

"Katarina! What is going on with your hair?"

"Ugh, it's fine, I promise. I just ran out of time-"

"It is not fine! Anne, give me the brush, we need to fix this."

His father sighs.

"Can it wait, dear? We do have some time before the King arrives. Perhaps we can all wait in the meeting room rather than broad daylight?"

Keith frowns. "The King is coming here? I thought we were going to the palace."

"So did we," his Father admits. "But before we reached the city, one of the King's messengers intercepted up. He has a prior appointment at the school so decided to change the location."

He smiles.

"Which means we all have some time to catch up. Doesn't that sound wonderful dear?"

His mother, who has been scowling at Katarina's obstinate face, immediately melts, grabbing her husbands hand and blushing. Keith only just hides the astonishment – the Claes seniors don't do physical contact. They can barely stand being in the same room as each other.

What kind of love spell was cast to make these two so smitten towards each other?

"It is," his Mother admits. "And truly, we'll need the time. Anne and Keith can really only do so much."

She smiles at him again, and Keith finds himself spewing words before he can fully think them through.

"Mother...can you hug me again?"

The words are barely out of his mouth before his Mother's arms are wrapped around him, and Keith drops his head onto her shoulder, breathing in her perfume, desperately trying to immortalise this one moment in his head forever.

"Keith, what's wrong?" she asks, moving away and cupping his face in her hands. "You're not usually this affectionate. I thought you 'were too old' to hug your dear Mother.'"

There's not a touch of anger of disgust in her expression, just honest concern for someone she loves dearly. Keith tries to smile, but he can feel his eyes tearing up.

"I just...I've really missed you?" he offers, and his Mother almost melts.

"Oh, my sensitive boy," she says. "You always know what to say."

"He was rejected yesterday," Katarina decides to offer up, and Keith flinches as his Mother's face twists into something far more familiar.

"Rejected? My Keith!"

He gasps as the anger dissipates, his Mother pulling his head down to her chest as she brushes her hand through his hair.

"My poor boy. I promise, they did not deserve you!" she insists. "Completely their loss. You can do so much better."

It's literal agony to pull away, but if Keith doesn't get distance, he's going to break down in tears and never stop. The smile he wears is almost completely fake, but it's one he perfected years ago, when he needed to hide how close to a mental breakdown he was on a daily basis.

"Don't worry, I'm already over it," he lies. "I promise I'll make you proud."

His father laughs and pats him on the back, coaxing the family into moving towards the school. "You make us proud every day Keith. There's no worry of that changing."

Can Keith just live in this moment forever? Mother holding their hands, smiling and laughing between her children, his sister happily chattering away with the odd glance over, and his father at his side giving him an indulgent smile. Life cannot possibly get better than this – everything that comes after is just going to be a disappointment.

He isn't giving this up, he realises. Why does his other self get all of this and he doesn't even get crumbs? He didn't deserve what his family put him through, any more than his other self deserved to have this family handed to him on a platter – especially since he just threw it away.

It doesn't matter that none of it is really for him, he'll earn the right to this family.

Because this Lady Claes, his Mother, loves him. His Father loves him. They're a family. And they're relying on him to be a supportive influence on his sister, especially now that she's lost her engagement. A role he will wholeheartedly throw himself into from now on - his flirting and dates can wait.

As the future heir of the Claes, it's his job to make sure Katarina can secure another engagement, and not bring shame on the Claes name. Her farming is embarrassing, but with Prince Geord clearly uninterested in curbing his future wife's bad habits, has been allowed to get out of control. Especially if she's been doing it under some ridiculous notion that she was going to get kicked out of high society once her fiancée was bored of her. The way she's going, her actions will do that on their own.

Keith nods to himself. That settles it, once this engagement is broken, he's going to ask his parents for more authority over Katarina, and put her back on the right track like a decent brother should. That field will be ripped out and replaced – he'll salt the ground if he has to, and get Katarina focused on more acceptable hobbies. If she wants to garden, Mary can perhaps give her a rose bush. Flower gardening will be an acceptable substitute, so long as he burns those ridiculous overalls.

His Father throws an arm around his shoulders, and Keith lets himself lean into the action, his Mother's hand still intertwined with his.

There's no other choice. They love him, and he needs to repay that.

Game World – Isekai Characters

In another reality, a different Keith is sprawled out next to the outer array, about ready to give himself a paper cut and see if a blood sacrifice will make the thing activate, when he hears a loud yell from the table, jerking him up as if electrocuted.

"I figured it out!"

He lifts himself up by his arms to see Alan, staring at what's been keeping him occupied for hours, and looking extraordinarily pleased with himself. Before Keith can get to his feet or the other scientists and classmates can get to him, Gerald is on the other side of the table, looking desperate.

"You have? Does it have to do with the activation."

"I think it has everything to do with the activation," Alan tells him, and things get a little loud.

"Calm down, everyone!" Sirius yells over the multiple questions, trying to get everyone back on track. He forces the researchers and council to step back from the now stricken Alan, and offers him a sympathetic smile.

"Alan, you were saying?"

"It's the notes. I figured out why it looks random," Alan explains. "It doesn't make sense on it's own because it's missing half the notes."

Still on the other side of the table, Gerald's face lights up.

"It's a puzzle. You need both pieces or it doesn't work."

Alan nods.

Gerald's eyes widen. "This rune activated with our words. A song where you have to know the missing pieces."

Alan nods. "Whatever both versions of you said matched up enough to substitute the musical incantation, but to make this thing work correctly, you need both sides to know the song."

"That would be an exceptionally intelligent lock," a researcher admits. "And it would explain why it only activated when the two of you were inside it. You and your counterparts inadvertently created a connection with your sentences."

Gerald nods. "Us being transported here was probably an unexpected side effect. The odds of having two people enter and speak similar lines at the same time – nobody would create an array to do that."

"But how would they manage to create the array in the first place?" Keith asks. "If this is true, then somebody would have to create the other half in the other world."

"That's a question we can answer once we've set things right," Gerald adds. "For now, we need to figure out the missing notes."

He glances over to Alan. "Can you do it?"

Alan bites his lip. "Maybe. But even if I do, it won't activate on their side."

"It's halfway though, that's a good start," Nicol offers. Alan nods, and he looks down at the notes, mulling over something in his head.

"...Give me an hour," he says. "This composition is...nothing like anything I've seen, but it's been made to make sense if you understand music. I can figure it out."

"Alan, Sophia and my Katarina would fight me on this," Gerald says. "But if you pull this off, you are the greatest brother anyone could ever have in any world."

He means it with every fibre of his being too. His Alan's going to have to work his back off when he gets home to regain his title as Gerald's favourite twin. On his end, Alan reacts by blushing bright red, and looking ridiculously embarrassed.

"Wha-you, don't just say things like that!" he yelps, running a hand through his hair before storming away with his notes. However, everyone can see the satisfied smile on his face.

Slowly, Mary leans in, poking Sirius on the shoulder.

"We sure we can't keep Gerald? That's a good look on my fiancée."

Sirius hides a smile behind a hand. "I don't know if Alan would be able to take that."

Mary sighs, but nods. "You're right. Pity though. He hasn't looked this happy in a while."

With a huff, she brushes down her dress, and goes to see if there's anything she can help her fiancé figure out.

Sirius however, turns his attention back to Keith and Gerald. If this works, they'll soon have everything back to normal, and have their own versions back in hand. No more of the bright, positive relationships these two collect like candy, but dark, broken, angry versions, like the world should be.

He can hardly wait.

Chapter 6

Isekai World – Game Characters

Nicol is sitting in the Student Council room, enjoying one of the few rare occasions he has the room to himself, staring at the object in his hands, when the door bursts open. It's Mary and Maria, looking elated.

"The Claes have arrived on campus!" Mary squeals. "Not long now!"

"I heard that the King is coming here too," Maria says. "They're not wasting any time."

"You're one to talk, Maria," says Mary, her face looking rather calculating. "Was the sun even up before you tried to make your claim?"

Maria smiles back, innocence personified. "It's not my fault you don't excel at early mornings, Mary. You were still quick to intercede."

The other girl pouts. "I can get up early! I just didn't get much sleep last night."

"You both tried to confess this morning?" Nicol asks, drawing their attention. Both girls look over with some embarrassment. "The engagement hasn't been annulled yet."

"It's Katarina ," Mary stresses. "You need every advantage you can get."

Maria however, glances down at Nicol's hand, and frowns.

"What's that?"

Nicol follows her line of sight, and lets his eyes soften. He holds out the small red box, allowing the girls to draw closer. Mary recognises it first, giving out a sharp squeal.

"Is that an engagement ring?"

"Is that what you and Sophia were out getting yesterday?" Maria asks with a gasp.

Nicol nods, looking down at the customised ring. He suspects Sophia has had it on order for months, given how quickly the jeweller put it together. It's not overly flashy, and doesn't have a single diamond, but the girl it's for has never been the materialistic type.

"Five stones, to represent five key moments from our lives," Nicol says. "A blue sapphire, for the dress the day we first met, peridot for the dress when I first fell in love, yellow topaz for her birthday, where I told her I was in love, though not with who, and emerald for the day I learned I could have a chance, all circling her birthstone, honouring the life of the girl I love."

Mary and Maria both blush a little at that. Mary almost looks ready to faint.

"Wow..." Maria says, looking torn. "That's beautiful. And so romantic."

" You did not come up with that," Mary says, throwing off the romance filter. "When it comes to romance, you are utterly hopeless. That is Sophia's work to the core ."

Nicol nods. "It's an homage to a character in the second 'Devilish Count' novels - it's one of Sophia and Katarina's favourite novels. The character proposes with a ring adorned with five stones, each of them mined from the five places he met his love during their romance."

"So even if she completely missed the romantic part of your confession, she'd want the replica jewellery from a book enough to accept," Mary says. "Sophia plays dirty ."

Maria nods, looking depressed. "That would be hard to say no to."

"Yes," Nicol admits. Even if he himself wouldn't have managed to put it together himself, it's exactly the kind of ring he'd want to give to his future wife. One that speaks to them, rather than to their status or lineage.

He snaps the ring box shut with a sigh.

"Pity I'll never get the chance to give it to her."

Both girls freeze.

"What?"

"How come?"

Nicol sighs, and tucks the box away before locking eyes with Mary.

"You know very well why. It might have been fun to live in the fantasy yesterday, but we need to start acting rationally."

"What are you talking about?" Maria asks, rather confused. Mary winces.

"Absolutely nothing," Mary says. "Nicol's just getting confused-"

"Mary," Nicol interrupts. "We both know that's not Prince Gerald. Or the real Keith Claes for that matter."

Maria's eyes go wide with shock, but Mary immediately moans and sags into her desk.

"Dammit..." she whines. "Why couldn't you keep your big mouth shut? If you did, I could pretend I was just imagining things and keep ignoring it. At least until the engagement is out of the way."

"I couldn't," Nicol says. "Not if I ever wanted to look Katarina in the face ever again."

"Wait, what?" Maria asks, and Nicol takes pity on her.

"I know you haven't spent much time with Prince Gerald and Keith without Katarina, but do you really think Gerald would break the engagement so easily? Or that Keith wouldn't be walking on air at the loss? I suspected something was up with the way Keith acted yesterday morning, but when Gerald visited Katarina, it was clear. The way they act, and their reactions to us in general isn't right. They're playing parts, and not particularly well."

"Then why didn't you say anything yesterday?" Maria asks, and Nicol looks away.

"Because Sophia was so excited, and it was so late, there was little I could do," Nicol says. "I sent a message to my father, telling him I needed to speak to the King urgently, and then...well, I let myself get pulled along in Sophia's enthusiasm."

His lips quirk upwards.

"Just because I know it's not real, doesn't mean I haven't thought about what I'd do if it was."

"So you're why the King's coming here," Mary concludes, leaning forward. "I'd heard the rumours, but I thought it was strange. You're going to stop the annulment before it starts."

"And get these plants arrested and interrogated, so we can retrieve the real Prince and Keith. Hopefully nothing untoward has happened to them, and they can be retrieved easily."

Maria goes pale. "You think they're here to cause harm?"

"This still could just be because of the rune incident," Mary says. "A minor personality alteration. It's not impossible!"

"Maybe so, but what if Prince Gerald and Keith are in danger?" he asks. "If whoever these people are want to cause harm to the kingdom? Even if they don't, what do you think Katarina would think of us if she found out we knew her brother and dear friend had been switched out and did nothing about it?"

Both girls blanche and look at each other, finally understanding. He knows what he'd do if Sophia had been replaced and Katarina had kept silent. He loves her, truly, but if she allowed even the possibility of risk to his sister then his actions would probably be just shy of treason. Katarina might not be in love with Prince Gerald, but she does consider him a friend, and she adores Keith. He highly doubts the girl, good natured as she is, would forgive them easily.

"Thankfully, my father knows I wouldn't request to meet the King unless it was urgent," Nicol says. "Given that they were meeting with the Claes anyway, they've changed the venue to the school. I've arranged to speak with them before the annulment proceedings begin."

Mary sighs. "Well, it was fun while it lasted. Those two better appreciate it."

Her lips purse. "Though, I guess I hope they're not in too much trouble..."

Game World – Isekai Characters

"Easy, easy, little to the left..."

Everyone watches as Alan aids the servants trying to manoeuvre a piano into the room, ready to try and make the strange tune he's composed activate the array on the floor. By Gerald's side, Keith is standing with slumped shoulders, looking tense.

"Do we really think this will work?"

"It has to work," Gerald says. "We'll be back to square one otherwise, and we don't have that kind of time."

"So, you do have doubts. I was starting to think this newfound faith in your brother was unshakeable."

Both glance over as Sirius wanders close, a placid smile on his face.

"It's quite the difference, watching you interact with everyone."

Gerald shrugs. "It's been quite different interacting with everyone here for us too," he says. "I never quite realised how much I relied on our friendship group until it was shattered."

"I swear, the second we get home, I'm hugging my sister and not letting her go until someone pries me off," Keith promises.

"Good luck getting hold of her long enough to try. I have an engagement to salvage, and I'm not above grovelling, if necessary" Gerald warns.

Sirius's smile becomes a little more disbelieving.

"The two of you really do care for her, don't you?" he says. "I'd say you don't have a single ill thought against her."

"I wouldn't go that far," Keith mutters. "It would be nice if she wasn't quite so oblivious. Especially to the intentions of certain people."

Gerald smiles, and Sirius hides his own behind a hand.

"It can be frustrating, but it's just one of the things that make her endearing," Gerald says, and walks away when he sees the servants walk away, the piano now in place. Alan is walking around it, testing the keys and making sure it hasn't been damaged in transit. Everyone is almost subconsciously drawn towards it, as Alan sits down.

"Are you ready?" one of the researchers asks. "We'll be analysing the array if there's any reaction, but we have no idea how it'll act once this song starts."

Alan nods. "I might have a few off keys, but the bulk of it is about as right as I can make it. Should be able to amend along the way."

"Good luck, Alan," Gerald says, his hands clenched into fists.

Alan sits at the keys, takes a deep breath, and cracks his knuckles.

"Okay, here goes nothing..."

Isekai World – Game Characters

"Ah, good afternoon ladies, by any chance have you seen Prince Geord?"

"His Highness? I-uh, I'm afraid not."

Keith sighs, and gives the girl another heartbreaking smile. "Thank you. Do let him know I'm looking if you do."

The girl blushes beet red and practically staggers down the hallway. Keith waits for her to move out of sight before dropping the smile and sighing in frustration.

"Dammit, your Highness. Where are you?"

It's more than a little frustrating. You'd think today of all days it would be easy to track the Prince down, but Keith has been checking every expected haunt and coming up empty.

This shouldn't even be his job! He was in the parlour room, enjoying tea with his father while his mother frantically made Katarina presentable, when one of the King's attendants had arrived. Apparently, he was being held up by his previous meeting, but wanted to make sure 'Prince Gerald' was ready and waiting for when he was free. One would think they'd send a servant, but Katarina of all people had volunteered his services.

"You're always so good at tracking Prince Gerald down," she insisted. "I almost never see him without you – you're such good friends!"

His parents had chuckled at a joke he clearly didn't know, and also agreed it was a splendid idea, and so Keith had to be taken away from his precious 'me-time' with his family to track down a wayward Prince. Who on the day of his annulment could not be found anywhere! It's as if he wasn't even in the school any more.

At that, a thought crosses his mind, and he frowns.

No, maybe not out of the school...but why would he be there?

And yet, despite his doubts, he finds himself outside the research lab, and knocking on the door. When he slips in, he's relieved to see it appears abandoned, and most of the lights are off.

"...Can I help you?"

"Ah!"

Keith jumps about two feet, and swings round – only to see a rather panicked young researcher staring at him.

"Oh, uh, sorry," Keith says. The researcher nods.

"You were one of the victims who got caught up yesterday?" he asks, and smiles when Keith nods. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Prince Geord," Keith says, walking up to the array. "Nobody's here?"

The researcher nods. "Since nobody is certain what happened when it activated, it's been put on a minor lock down for the immediate future. I'm just here to record earlier findings and make sure nobody without clearance gets in."

That makes sense, and Keith turns to look back at him. "Has his Highness been in?"

"Not today," the researcher says. "Perhaps the library?"

"Maybe," Keith mutters. "Thanks for your help."

He makes it two steps, before he hears a familiar hum, and the room fills with a bright light. Keith's eyes widen in horror, and he swings around, panic on his face.

No, no, no...it can't be activating now!

"Dear lord!" the researcher exclaims. "But how? Nobody has touched it in over a day!"

Keith grits his teeth, trying to figure out what it's doing. The array is glowing white, brighter on the inner array, and barely there on the outer. The whole thing looks fragmented, as if only half the array is getting fuelled.

"I have to go get the others!" the researcher yells, lunging for the door. "Stay here and document everything!"

"Wait!" Keith yelps, but the man is already out of the room.

' Dammit! You're the researcher here!'

The array's humming has altered somewhat now, and Keith is hesitant to go near. But the longer the thing is activated, the easier it becomes to make out. It's a tune – one he's never heard before, but very unique in its composition. There's nothing he's heard quite like it.

Then, the bright light in the centre blooms, a giant ring floating in the centre, and Keith jumps back in horror when he spots people inside it.

That's him. And Geord. As well as the student council and a dozen researchers. To the side, he can see Alan performing on the piano, clearly the source of the song.

Is that how this thing activates? Music? Those musical notes are important? Then how did they activate it?

Crap...he's not going back. Sorry other him, but if steps through, he better be ready to share.

His other self however, just appears to be frowning at something.

"Is it working?"

By his side, the Geord copy looks equally dismayed. "It's hard to say."

Someone moves closer to view, and Keith's heart stabs when he realises it's Maria.

"It should be," she says with hesitancy. "They should be able to see and hear us, but unless they activate it on their end, it's one way only."

Keith lets out a sigh he didn't know he was holding.

"So you can't see me?" he dares to ask, and smiles in relief when they don't react at all.

The other Geord however, looks frustrated.

"Fine, listen up, members of the Magical Research team! Your third Prince and the Son of the Claes family have been switched with doppelgängers from this world. You need to activate the array on your side in order to switch us back. The secret is in the musical notes carved into the outer ring."

"You should have the other half of the sheet music!" His other self says. "Alan figured out the missing pieces on his side, so our Alan should be able to do the same. Or just take a recording of this performance. You need to get Alan or someone else to play the song on their end! That opens up a two way conversation. It doesn't work unless we both have the whole thing."

Slowly, Keith nods, and looks behind him. Nobody else has heard the explanation – but he does hear a commotion outside. The researcher is bringing backup.

"If all else fails, this is the song."

Mary moves in, holding up a music sheet, and Keith's eyes narrow, before lowering to the rune.

"We'll keep contacting you, repeating this message, to make sure you get all of it," the other Geord says, and starts to repeat his earlier speech.

"Attention, the array's activation switched-"

Keith ignores the sounds, eyes focused on locating musical notes, grinning when he spots several nearby. Another look towards the door to ensure he's alone, and he steps forward, summoning his magic directly onto the rune. The outer ring starts rippling, and when he locates a handful of notes, Keith grins, forcing the ground to move upwards, crumbling the ink lines to dust.

The sound and image vanish as quick as they came, and as the door behind him opens, Keith hastily smooths over the array, trying to make his alterations invisible.

"It stopped?" the researcher asks, walking towards him, face dismayed. Keith immediately plasters on a disappointed look and nods.

"Afraid so," he says. "I'm not sure what activated it, but nothing happened. Maybe because nothing was inside it?"

The other researchers start cornering Keith, throwing questions his way about the light, what he'd seen, did he notice any oddities. He handles them with grace, but quickly extricates himself – reminding them he's meant to join his family for a prior meeting.

He feels a little bit sorry for his other self, he admits as he walks down the hallway. The teen did look quite frantic, and Keith feels a little guilty.

Just a little, though.

"Keith?"

He stops where he stands, and turns to smile at Geord coming into view. It's an expression that falters when he sees how sour faced the Prince appears.

"Where have you been?" Keith asks. "I've been looking all over for you."

Geord's eyes narrow, and he shakes his head.

"I'm not sure. I think I was just wandering. It's been a strange morning."

Keith frowns.

"Are you okay?" he asks. "You look kind of upset."

That's an understatement. He doesn't think he's ever seen the other teen without a smile on his face, a perfect mask for his daily life, and Keith crosses his arms as he cocks his head, taking in the teen's appearance.

"Would have thought you'd be pretty excited, considering you're about to achieve your greatest fantasy."

Geord doesn't meet his eyes, glancing over his shoulder.

"It's nothing, I have a headache. What were you doing in the lab?"

"Looking for you," Keith says. "The King is finishing up with a meeting, and wants you to come speak with my parents. We might be able to get the basics cleared up early and move things along. Katarina's pretty eager."

"I just bet she is," Geord mutters, pushing past him. "Let's go."

Keith's own smile falters, but he brushes it off, quickly matching step with the Prince. To fill in the silence, he starts whistling – and realises it's the tune he'd just snuffed out.

"What is that?" Geord asks. "I don't think I've heard it before. It's quite unique."

Keith pauses, and gives him a charming smile.

"Just a pointless ditty. Nothing important."

Geord 'hmms' in reply, but doesn't stop Keith when he restarts the tune, whistling down the corridor.