The wind moved softly beneath the large tree near the training grounds.
Sunlight filtered gently through the leaves above while the distant sounds of swords clashing continued faintly in the background.
The picnic blanket had already been prepared neatly beneath the shade.
Several small desserts, sliced fruits, tea, and warm pastries rested inside the basket.
Everything looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Alexander still stood there silently as though he was still processing what was happening.
Or perhaps—
He simply didn't know how to react anymore. It's like he malfunctioned.
Sabrina carefully sat down on the blanket before looking up at him.
"...Are you just going to stand there?"
Alexander immediately straightened slightly.
His crimson eyes shifted toward the knights nearby before returning to Sabrina.
"...Princess, this isn't appropriate."
Formal again.
Careful again.
As though he was terrified of crossing a line.
Sabrina lowered her gaze slightly.
In her previous life—
Alexander always kept his distance from her like this.
Not because he didn't love her.
But because he respected her too much.
And she was too blind to notice.
"...I don't mind," Sabrina whispered softly.
Alexander froze faintly.
The knights nearby immediately pretended not to listen while very obviously listening.
Sabrina almost wanted to hide her face.
This was embarrassing.
But—
She wanted to try.
This time she wanted to try understanding him properly.
After a long moment—
Alexander finally sat down carefully across from her.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Not uncomfortable.
Just...
New.
Sabrina quietly poured tea into a cup before handing it toward him.
Alexander stared at it for a second before accepting it carefully.
"...Thank you."
His voice sounded quieter now.
Gentler.
Sabrina slowly looked toward his hands.
Scarred.
Even his fingers carried old wounds.
Some faded.
Some deep enough to remain forever.
Her chest tightened painfully again.
How many battles did he fight alone...?
Alexander noticed her staring.
Almost immediately—
He lowered his sleeves slightly.
Trying to hide them.
Sabrina froze.
Why is he hiding them...?
Then she remembered.
The rumors.
People feared his scars.
They called him terrifying.
Monstrous.
A war demon stained with blood.
Meanwhile—
Charles was praised for simply smiling prettily at noble gatherings.
Anger quietly twisted inside Sabrina's chest.
Unfair.
It was unfair.
Without thinking—
Sabrina reached toward the basket again.
Alexander immediately looked confused.
Then—
She pulled out a small container carefully wrapped in cloth.
Alexander blinked slightly.
"...Princess?"
Sabrina looked away awkwardly.
"It's ointment," she muttered softly. "For scars."
Silence.
Alexander froze completely.
Even the servants nearby looked shocked again.
Sabrina slowly opened the small container while avoiding his gaze.
"Noblewomen use it often..." she whispered quietly. "I thought... maybe it could help a little."
Alexander stared at the ointment silently.
Then slowly—
His crimson eyes softened faintly.
"...You don't need to do this."
Sabrina's chest tightened painfully again.
Always this.
Always acting like he deserved nothing.
"...I want to."
Alexander froze again.
Sabrina carefully reached for his hand.
Slowly.
Giving him enough time to pull away if he wanted.
But he didn't.
His hand remained still beneath hers.
Warm.
Rough.
Covered in scars.
Sabrina carefully applied the ointment against an old scar near his wrist.
And immediately—
A horrifying image flashed inside her mind.
Chains.
Blood dripping across the floor.
Alexander's wrists torn open from restraints.
Sabrina suddenly froze.
Her breathing became uneven.
Alexander noticed immediately.
"...Princess?"
Sabrina quickly lowered her head.
No...
Not again.
Those memories still felt too real.
Too vivid.
Alexander quietly watched her trembling fingers.
Then softly—
"...You're pale."
Sabrina forced herself to breathe slowly.
Alive.
He's alive now.
He's right in front of me.
Not dead.
Not broken.
Alive.
"I'm okay," she whispered weakly.
Alexander looked unconvinced.
But he didn't push further.
Silence settled between them again.
Soft.
Careful.
Then quietly—
"...Does it hurt often?"
Alexander looked slightly confused.
"Your scars," Sabrina clarified softly.
Alexander lowered his gaze briefly.
"...Not anymore."
Lie.
Sabrina immediately knew it was a lie.
Not physical pain perhaps.
But loneliness?
Yes.
That pain still remained.
She slowly looked toward the training grounds where the knights continued practicing from afar.
"...You spend most of your time here, don't you?"
Alexander nodded once.
"There is always work to do."
Simple.
Short.
But somehow—
Sad.
Sabrina lowered her gaze again.
No family beside him.
No warmth.
No one waiting for him after battles.
Even his own achievements only made people fear him more.
And despite all of that—
He still chose to protect the kingdom until his final breath.
Her chest ached painfully again.
"...Alex."
Alexander froze slightly.
He still wasn't used to her calling him like that.
Sabrina carefully looked up toward him.
"Were you lonely?"
Silence.
The wind moved softly between them.
Alexander's crimson eyes widened faintly.
As though no one had ever asked him that before.
Not as a commander.
Not as the merciless duke.
But as himself.
Alexander slowly lowered his gaze.
Then after a long silence—
"...I got used to it."
Sabrina's heart shattered quietly inside her chest.
Not "no."
Not denial.
Just—
I got used to it.
Because loneliness became normal for him.
Without realizing it—
Sabrina's fingers slowly tightened against his hand slightly.
Alexander looked up immediately.
And for the first time—
He saw it clearly.
Regret.
Pain.
And something unbearably gentle inside Sabrina's sapphire blue eyes.
As though she was mourning him.
And Alexander suddenly found himself unable to look away.