As Sabrina hurried through the shallow water while laughing helplessly, occasionally turning back just to splash him again.
Alexander finally caught her wrist gently.
Sabrina laughed breathlessly.
"No fair!"
"You declared war first," he replied calmly.
But his voice sounded softer now.
Lighter.
The servants watching nearby looked completely stunned.
Because Duke Alexander—
The terrifying war hero feared throughout the kingdom—
Was currently standing in river water letting the Princess splash him repeatedly.
One maid quietly smiled.
"Her Highness looks truly happy around His Grace."
Another servant nodded softly.
"It's the first time I've seen the Duke smile."
Meanwhile—
Sabrina was still laughing while trying to pull her wrist away.
"Alex, let go!"
Alexander blinked slightly.
Alex.
She called him that so naturally now.
His grip loosened unconsciously.
And Sabrina immediately splashed him again.
Alexander stared at her silently before sighing quietly.
Helpless.
Completely helpless against her.
Sabrina laughed so hard her chest started hurting slightly.
But this time—
It wasn't from fear.
It wasn't from regret.
It wasn't from guilt.
For the first time in both her lives—
Sabrina felt genuinely happy.
Eventually, the laughter slowly faded.
Only the sound of the river remained.
Sabrina sat carefully near the grass while trying to catch her breath.
Meanwhile—
Alexander stood nearby quietly.
His black sleeves were wet because of her now.
Yet he didn't seem bothered at all.
Sabrina looked up at him softly.
Then suddenly—
Her smile slowly faded into something gentler.
Because she realized something again.
Charles always loved loudly.
Sweet words.
Promises.
Pretty lies.
But whenever she truly needed someone—
He was never there.
Meanwhile Alexander—
Alexander rarely spoke about feelings.
Rarely explained himself.
Yet somehow—
He was always beside her.
In both lives.
Even until the very end.
Sabrina lowered her gaze toward the flowing river.
Then softly—
"...Alex."
Alexander immediately looked at her.
"Yes, Princess?"
Sabrina hesitated briefly before quietly asking—
"If I drowned... would you save me?"
Silence.
Alexander visibly stiffened.
His brows furrowed immediately.
"Why would you ask something like that?"
Sabrina smiled faintly.
"Just answer me."
Alexander stared at her for a few seconds.
Then slowly—
"As long as I'm alive..." his voice became quieter. Steadier. "I would save you."
No hesitation.
No confusion.
Just certainty.
Sabrina's chest tightened painfully.
Because in her previous life—
He really did.
Even after she accused him wrongly.
Even after she ignored him.
Even after she hurt him countless times—
He still jumped into the water to save her.
Always him.
Always Alexander.
Sabrina suddenly laughed softly to herself.
A sad laugh.
But warm.
Alexander looked confused.
"...Princess?"
Sabrina slowly stood up before walking toward him.
Then gently—
She wrapped her arms around him.
Alexander froze completely.
"...Princess?"
Sabrina buried her face lightly against his chest.
Warm.
Alive.
Still here.
Her voice came out softer this time.
"...Truly?"
Alexander blinked slightly.
Sabrina tightened her hold on him faintly.
"You would save me because you want to?" she whispered softly. "Not because of duty... or obligation... or because I'm the Princess?"
Silence.
Alexander's heartbeat suddenly became uneven.
Because no one had ever asked him that before.
Not as the Duke.
Not as the kingdom's sword.
Not as someone useful.
Just him.
Sabrina slowly looked up at him again.
Her sapphire eyes trembled faintly.
"I want the truth, Alex."
Alexander stared at her silently for a long moment.
Then—
Very gently—
His hand moved toward her hair.
Careful.
Almost hesitant.
As though he still wasn't used to touching her like this.
"...Even if you weren't the Princess," he said quietly. "Even if you were someone with nothing..."
His crimson eyes softened slightly.
"I would still choose you."
Sabrina's breath caught instantly.
Alexander lowered his gaze afterward, almost embarrassed by his own honesty.
"...So no," he murmured quietly. "It's not obligation."
His hand relaxed slightly against her hair.
"I simply..." he hesitated briefly. "Can't ignore you."
Sabrina felt her chest ache so painfully she almost wanted to cry again.
Because he still didn't realize it.
How deeply he loved her.
How sincere he truly was.
Sabrina laughed softly through her tears before hugging him tighter.
"You really love me too much, Alex."
Alexander went silent again.
But this time—
Very slowly—
His arms wrapped around her too.
Careful.
Gentle.
As though holding something precious.
And while quietly holding her beneath the sunlight—
Alexander realized something terrifying.
For the first time—
Letting her go no longer felt possible anymore.