Morning sunlight slowly entered through the large palace windows.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Sabrina slowly opened her eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling above her.
Warm.
Her body finally felt warm again.
Not cold like that dungeon.
Not covered in blood.
Alive.
A soft breath escaped her lips.
Then—
She felt something.
Warm fingers loosely wrapped around hers.
Sabrina froze slightly before slowly lowering her gaze.
Alexander.
He was still there.
Sitting beside her bed while leaning against the chair awkwardly, his eyes closed from exhaustion.
His dark hair fell slightly over his face while faint sunlight illuminated the scars near his neck.
He stayed...
The tightness inside Sabrina's chest slowly returned.
In her previous life—
No one stayed beside her like this.
Not Charles.
Not Jennifer.
Only Alexander.
Always Alexander.
Sabrina quietly stared at him.
How long did he remain here?
Did he even sleep properly?
Her gaze slowly lowered toward their hands.
Even while sleeping—
Alexander still held her hand carefully.
As though afraid she would hurt herself again.
A painful feeling settled inside her chest.
Why did I never notice this before...?
Suddenly—
A knock echoed softly through the room.
Alexander's eyes immediately opened.
Alert.
Sharp.
As though years of war trained him to wake up at the slightest sound.
The moment he realized Sabrina was awake, his expression softened faintly.
"...Princess."
Formal again.
Always formal.
Sabrina slowly sat up while Alexander carefully released her hand.
The warmth disappeared immediately.
For some reason—
She didn't like that.
"Their Majesties are requesting your presence," the servant spoke carefully from outside the room.
Alexander immediately stood.
"I'll call the physician first."
"No."
Alexander paused slightly.
Sabrina slowly looked toward him.
"I'm okay now."
Alexander remained quiet for a moment.
Clearly unconvinced.
But eventually—
"...Understood."
A few moments later—
Inside the royal meeting chamber.
The atmosphere felt unusually tense.
The King and Queen both looked relieved seeing their daughter awake, but the worry still remained visible on their faces.
"Sabrina," the Queen spoke softly while immediately embracing her daughter carefully. "How are you feeling?"
Sabrina lowered her gaze slightly.
"I'm alright, Mother."
But the Queen's expression only became more worried.
Because Sabrina didn't look alright.
Not at all.
The King slowly sighed before sitting down heavily.
"Sabrina..." His voice became gentler. "About the engagement."
Silence filled the room instantly.
Alexander quietly stood near the door.
Calm.
Silent.
As though preparing himself for rejection already.
Sabrina noticed it immediately.
His posture looked composed.
But his hands—
His hands were clenched tightly behind his back.
Nervous.
Her chest tightened painfully again.
The King sighed once more.
"If you truly wish it... we can cancel the engagement."
Silence.
The room became unbearably quiet.
In her previous life—
This was exactly what she wanted.
She begged endlessly to escape this engagement.
Because she feared Alexander.
Misunderstood him.
And chased after Charles instead.
But now—
Now she knew the truth.
The man standing quietly near the door loved her enough to die for her.
While the man she trusted destroyed everything.
Her hands slowly tighten against her dress.
Then finally—
"No."
The King blinked.
The Queen froze.
Even Alexander slowly lifted his head.
Sabrina took a shaky breath.
"...I...I don't want to cancel the engagement."
Complete silence.
The servants nearby seemingly looked shocked, like they just heard something bizarre.
Because everyone knew how much Princess Sabrina despised this engagement before.
The Queen looked confused.
"Sabrina, darling, are you certain?"
Sabrina slowly nodded.
"Yes."
Her sapphire eyes unconsciously glanced toward Alexander briefly.
And immediately—
She saw it.
Shock.
Confusion.
And something dangerously close to hope.
Alexander quickly lowered his gaze again.
As though afraid to believe her words.
The King frowned slightly.
"But before, you said—"
"I misunderstood him father"
The words slipped out softly.
Sabrina lowered her gaze.
"I misunderstood Alexander."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Alexander froze completely.
His crimson eyes widened slightly.
Sabrina's chest tightened painfully again.
Because even now—
Alexander looked more confused than happy.
As though kindness from her felt unfamiliar.
The Queen slowly exchanged glances with the King.
Clearly confused by the sudden change.
But—
Relieved.
Because for the first time since waking up—
Sabrina no longer looked terrified.
The King finally sighed deeply.
"If this is truly your decision..."
Sabrina nodded immediately.
"It is."
The King slowly leaned back against his chair.
"...Then the engagement shall remain."
Meanwhile—
Inside another mansion—
Crash!
A wine glass shattered violently against the floor.
Charles's expression darkened dangerously.
"What did you say?"
The servant kneeling before him trembled violently.
"T-The Princess refused to cancel the engagement, Marquis."
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Charles slowly clenched his jaw.
Impossible.
Princess Sabrina hated Duke Alexander.
She would've never willingly stayed engaged to him.
Unless—
Something changed.
Jennifer quietly sat nearby, her dark eyes narrowing slightly.
For some reason—
A strange uneasy feeling slowly crawled inside her chest too.
Meanwhile—
Back inside the palace—
Alexander quietly walked beside Sabrina through the long hallway after leaving the meeting chamber.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
Just... careful.
Then softly—
"...Princess."
Sabrina immediately looked up.
Alexander hesitated slightly before speaking again.
"You don't need to force yourself because of guilt."
Sabrina froze.
Alexander lowered his gaze quietly.
"If remaining engaged to me makes you unhappy... you can still change your decision anytime."
There it was again.
That quiet gentleness.
Even now—
He was still thinking about her feelings first.
Sabrina felt her chest ache painfully.
This man truly loved her too much.
She slowly stopped walking.
Alexander paused immediately.
Then—
Before he could react—
Sabrina carefully grabbed the sleeve of his uniform.
Alexander froze completely.
Her sapphire eyes slowly met his crimson ones.
"I'm not forcing myself, Alex."
Silence.
The hallway suddenly felt too quiet.
Alexander stared at her silently.
Almost stunned.
Because for the first time—
Princess Sabrina looked at him not with fear.
But warmth.
And Alexander realized something terrifying.
For the first time in years—
He wanted to believe it.