The carriage ride toward the capital became quiet afterward.
Too quiet.
Charles sat across from Sabrina while Jennifer remained beside him silently.
Meanwhile—
Alexander sat beside Sabrina.
Close enough for their sleeves to brush lightly whenever the carriage moved.
And every single time it happened—
Alexander would subtly move away again.
Careful.
Always careful around her.
Sabrina noticed it every time.
And somehow—
That made her chest ache a little.
Charles quietly watched the two from across the carriage.
His expression remained calm.
Gentle.
But the more he watched Sabrina unconsciously glance toward Alexander—
The darker his eyes became.
Because not once during the entire ride did she look at him first anymore.
Not once.
"Princess," Charles suddenly spoke softly. "You seem healthier lately."
Sabrina finally looked toward him.
Polite.
Distant.
"Thank you for your concern, Marquis."
Formal again.
Charles immediately noticed it.
That invisible wall between them kept growing thicker.
Meanwhile—
Jennifer quietly observed Sabrina carefully.
Something truly changed.
Even the way Sabrina looked at Alexander now felt strange.
Not fear.
Not discomfort.
Something softer.
Something that wasn't there before.
Jennifer slowly tightened her fingers against her dress.
Impossible.
In the previous life—
Sabrina hated Alexander until the very end.
So why now...?
The carriage finally stopped near the capital market.
The moment the doors opened—
Noise immediately flooded inside.
Merchants shouting loudly.
People laughing.
Footsteps echoing through crowded streets.
The market felt alive.
Warm.
Bright.
Alexander stepped down first before instinctively offering his hand toward Sabrina.
Natural.
Protective.
Sabrina stared at his hand briefly before placing hers over it gently.
Warm.
Steady.
The moment Alexander carefully helped her down from the carriage—
Several nearby noblewomen immediately gasped quietly.
Because Duke Alexander rarely touched anyone willingly.
Yet with Sabrina—
It looked effortless.
As though protecting her came naturally to him.
Charles noticed the whispers immediately.
His jaw tightened faintly.
Meanwhile—
Sabrina failed to notice everyone's reactions entirely.
Her attention remained on Alexander.
"Let's go to the tailor first," she said softly.
Alexander nodded immediately.
"As you wish, Princess."
Charles stepped forward naturally.
"I know a better tailor nearby, Princess. Perhaps we should—"
"No need," Sabrina interrupted politely.
Charles froze slightly.
Sabrina calmly walked beside Alexander afterward as though Charles wasn't even there.
Jennifer quietly watched the scene unfold.
And for the first time—
She saw genuine irritation flash across Charles's face.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
---
Inside the tailor shop—
The workers immediately panicked after recognizing the royal family members.
"Y-Your Highnesses!"
Sabrina smiled softly before walking further inside.
Meanwhile—
Alexander already looked uncomfortable.
Very uncomfortable.
His black military uniform stood out sharply among the luxurious fabrics and elegant decorations surrounding them.
He looked out of place here.
At least—
That's what he probably believed.
Sabrina noticed immediately.
"You don't like places like this?" she asked softly.
Alexander hesitated briefly.
"...I'm simply not familiar with them."
Simple answer.
But Sabrina understood immediately.
No one ever brought him to places like this before.
No one ever cared enough to.
Her chest tightened painfully again.
Meanwhile—
Charles casually stepped beside her while Alexander spoke quietly with the tailor.
"You've changed lately," Charles murmured softly.
Sabrina's expression remained calm.
"People change."
Charles studied her carefully.
Then lowered his voice slightly.
"Did Alexander say something to you?"
Sabrina almost laughed.
Still the same.
Always trying to shift blame toward Alexander first.
Just like before.
"No," she answered calmly.
Charles frowned slightly.
"Then why are you suddenly avoiding me?"
There it was.
Not concern.
Not affection.
Control.
Possessiveness.
Sabrina slowly looked toward him.
And for the first time—
Charles felt something unfamiliar from her gaze.
Coldness.
"...Because I finally realized something."
Charles's brows furrowed.
"What?"
Without realizing it—
Sabrina's eyes drifted toward Alexander again.
He stood quietly near the fabrics while listening seriously to the tailor explain measurements.
Tall.
Scarred.
Lonely.
And somehow—
Still gentle despite everything life had done to him.
Sabrina lowered her gaze softly.
"I realized I misunderstood someone important."
Silence.
Charles followed her gaze.
Alexander.
His expression darkened instantly.
Meanwhile—
Jennifer quietly watched everything from afar.
And slowly—
An uncomfortable feeling settled inside her chest.
Sabrina truly changed.
This wasn't temporary.
This wasn't confusion.
Something happened.
Something neither she nor Charles understood yet.
And somehow—
That frightened her more than anything.