The atmosphere inside the palace had changed.
Everyone could feel it.
Princess Sabrina no longer smiled whenever Marquis Charles was mentioned.
No longer waited for his visits.
No longer sent him letters.
Instead—
She spent more time near Duke Alexander.
And that alone was enough to throw the entire noble society into confusion.
---
Inside a luxurious mansion decorated with gold and expensive paintings—
Crash!
A wine glass shattered violently against the floor.
Charles's expression darkened dangerously.
"What do you mean she refused to see me?" he asked coldly.
The servant kneeling before him trembled immediately.
"Y-Your Highness... the Princess personally gave the order herself."
Silence.
Dangerous silence.
Charles slowly leaned back against his chair.
Impossible.
Princess Sabrina adored him.
She always welcomed him warmly no matter when he arrived.
She would've never rejected him before.
Unless—
His brown eyes narrowed slightly.
Something changed.
Jennifer quietly watched him from the side while sipping tea elegantly.
"So?" she asked lazily. "Why are you so upset? She's probably throwing another tantrum again."
Charles frowned slightly.
"No."
His fingers tapped slowly against the armrest.
"This is different."
Jennifer raised an eyebrow.
Different?
She suddenly remembered the strange rumors spreading lately.
The Princess refusing to cancel her engagement.
The Princess visiting Alexander willingly.
The Princess publicly staying beside the Duke during the banquet.
Jennifer's expression slowly stiffened.
No...
That wasn't supposed to happen.
In the previous life—
Sabrina hated Alexander until the very end.
So why now...?
Her fingers slowly tightened around the teacup.
Charles suddenly stood up.
"We're going to the palace."
Jennifer blinked.
"Now?"
Charles smirked coldly while adjusting his sleeves.
"She's simply confused right now." His voice lowered slightly. "That foolish Princess has always been easy to manipulate."
Jennifer quietly lowered her gaze.
For some reason—
An uncomfortable feeling slowly crept inside her chest.
---
Meanwhile—
Inside the royal library—
Sabrina quietly sat near the large windows while flipping through an old book absentmindedly.
Or at least—
Pretending to.
Because her attention wasn't on the book at all.
It was on Alexander.
He stood nearby reviewing military documents while speaking quietly with one of the royal knights.
Serious.
Calm.
Handsome.
Sabrina immediately lowered her head slightly.
Why was she staring again...?
This is embarrassing...
"Princess?"
Sabrina immediately looked up.
Alexander was suddenly standing in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
Her heartbeat instantly became uneven.
"Y-Yes?"
Alexander lowered his gaze toward the untouched tea beside her.
"You've been holding the same page for ten minutes."
Silence.
Sabrina froze completely.
Alexander noticed?!
Warmth instantly rushed toward her cheeks.
"I-I was thinking!"
Alexander looked momentarily caught off guard before quietly nodding.
"...I see."
Formal again.
But this time—
Sabrina noticed something different.
The corner of his lips twitched slightly.
As though he was suppressing a smile.
Her eyes widened faintly.
Wait...
Did Alexander almost smile just now?
Before she could process it properly—
Knock. Knock.
A servant hurried inside before bowing deeply.
"Your Highness... Marquis Charles has arrived."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Sabrina's fingers tightened unconsciously.
That name alone already made her uncomfortable.
Alexander noticed immediately.
His crimson eyes darkened faintly.
"Tell the Marquis Her Highness is busy."
The servant hesitated nervously.
"B-But the Marquis insists on meeting the Princess personally."
Sabrina frowned slightly.
Still the same.
Charles never respected boundaries unless it benefited him.
Just like before.
Alexander quietly looked toward her.
"As you wish, Princess."
As though he would throw Charles out himself if she asked.
Sabrina slowly took a breath.
No.
Running away wouldn't solve anything.
Not this time.
"...Let him in."
Alexander's brows furrowed slightly.
Clearly displeased.
But he still nodded calmly.
A few moments later—
The library doors opened.
Charles entered wearing elegant noble attire while Jennifer followed quietly behind him.
The moment Sabrina saw Jennifer—
Her body stiffened faintly.
Black hair.
Dark eyes.
That innocent-looking face hiding poison underneath.
The woman who laughed while showing her Father's royal seal covered in blood.
Sabrina immediately lowered her gaze slightly.
Disgust crawled beneath her skin.
Meanwhile—
Charles smiled warmly as though nothing had changed.
"Princess." His voice sounded gentle naturally. "I've been worried about you."
Lies.
Every word from his mouth felt disgusting now.
Charles stepped closer naturally—
But before he could approach further—
Alexander moved slightly.
Subtle.
Barely noticeable.
But enough to stand between them.
Protective again.
Charles noticed it immediately.
His smile stiffened faintly.
"Duke," he greeted politely.
Alexander remained expressionless.
"Marquis."
Cold.
Sharp.
The tension between them immediately became obvious.
Jennifer quietly observed everything from behind.
And slowly—
Confusion filled her eyes.
Why was Alexander standing so close to Sabrina?
Why was Sabrina allowing it?
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Charles looked back toward Sabrina while softening his expression instantly.
"Princess, why haven't you replied to my letters lately?"
Sabrina stared at him quietly.
In her previous life—
Hearing his voice would've made her happy.
Now—
It only made her uncomfortable.
"I've been resting."
Charles smiled gently.
"Then allow me to accompany you like before."
Before.
That word alone made Sabrina's chest tighten painfully.
Before—
She ignored Alexander.
Before—
She trusted Charles completely.
Before—
Everyone died.
"No."
The word slipped out immediately.
Charles froze slightly.
Even Jennifer looked surprised.
Alexander quietly glanced toward Sabrina.
Sabrina slowly lowered her gaze.
"I don't need your company anymore, Marquis."
Silence.
Heavy silence filled the library instantly.
For the first time—
Charles's smile cracked slightly.
---
An hour later—
Outside the palace entrance—
The royal carriage prepared quietly while servants loaded several things carefully.
Alexander stood nearby wearing formal black attire instead of his military uniform today.
Simple.
Elegant.
And unfairly handsome.
At least to Sabrina.
The moment he saw her approaching—
He immediately straightened slightly.
"...Princess."
Formal again.
Sabrina sighed quietly.
Why was he always so formal with her?
Today's dress was soft blue with silver embroidery near the sleeves while her silver hair flowed gently beneath the sunlight.
Beautiful.
Alexander quickly looked away after staring slightly too long.
Sabrina noticed immediately.
And for some reason—
Her mood lifted slightly.
"Are you ready?" she asked softly.
Alexander nodded once.
"Yes, Princess."
The servants quickly opened the carriage door for them.
But before they could enter—
Another familiar voice interrupted them.
"What a coincidence."
Sabrina froze immediately.
Charles.
She slowly turned around.
Charles approached calmly while Jennifer stood beside him elegantly.
"I heard the Princess was heading toward the capital today," Charles said smoothly. "What a perfect coincidence. Jennifer and I were planning to visit the market as well."
Sabrina immediately understood.
Not coincidence.
Intentional.
Jennifer smiled politely.
"If it's alright... perhaps we could accompany you?"
Alexander's expression visibly cooled.
Clearly displeased.
Sabrina noticed immediately.
And strangely—
That made her feel slightly better.
Charles stepped closer slightly.
"It's been a while since we've spent time together, Princess."
The old Sabrina would've agreed immediately.
But now—
Sabrina only felt irritated.
Still—
Rejecting him publicly again would only create more trouble.
"...Do whatever you want," she answered calmly before entering the carriage first.
Charles's expression stiffened slightly.
Because her voice carried no warmth at all anymore.
Meanwhile—
Alexander quietly watched Sabrina for a moment before following after her.
His crimson eyes darkened faintly.
Something about Charles's gaze toward Sabrina bothered him greatly.
And for the first time—
Alexander found himself genuinely disliking the Marquis's presence near her.