Alexander noticed it immediately.
The way Sabrina's expression changed after hearing Charles's name.
The slight stiffness in her shoulders.
The uneasiness in her eyes.
And somehow—
That bothered him more than it should have.
"...Princess?"
Sabrina blinked slightly before forcing herself to calm down.
No.
She couldn't panic now.
Not when she already knew what kind of man Charles truly was.
Alexander quietly studied her face for a moment longer.
Then softly—
"You don't have to come if you're uncomfortable."
Sabrina froze slightly.
Because once again—
He placed her comfort first.
Always her first.
Even during political matters.
Even during war.
Her chest tightened faintly.
Then slowly—
Sabrina shook her head.
"...No. I should go."
Because hiding wouldn't change anything.
And if Charles truly started involving himself with the northern situation already—
Then Sabrina needed to know.
Alexander hesitated briefly.
Then nodded once.
"As you wish."
Meanwhile—
Far inside the royal council chamber—
The atmosphere had already grown tense.
Several nobles argued loudly while servants nervously refilled tea no one bothered drinking anymore.
"The northern border continues losing supplies!"
"Then increase security!"
"And drain the royal treasury even further?"
"This is exactly why His Majesty should negotiate with the neighboring kingdom instead of provoking them!"
The doors suddenly opened.
And silence instantly fell across the room.
Alexander entered first.
Cold.
Calm.
Intimidating.
Sabrina quietly followed beside him.
And immediately—
Several nobles exchanged surprised looks.
Because recently—
The Princess had started appearing beside the Duke far too often.
Meanwhile—
Charles sat near the center of the room wearing elegant dark noble attire.
The moment his eyes landed on Sabrina—
His expression softened automatically.
But Sabrina noticed it immediately now.
That smile wasn't warmth.
It was calculation.
Possession.
Charles slowly stood.
"Princess."
Sabrina answered calmly.
"Marquis Evermont."
Formal again.
Distant again.
Charles's eyes darkened faintly.
Alexander noticed immediately.
And without realizing it—
He stepped slightly closer toward Sabrina again.
Protective.
Natural.
Charles noticed that too.
The atmosphere quietly became colder.
Meanwhile—
The King rubbed his temples tiredly.
"The attacks continue increasing near the northern border."
Alexander stepped forward calmly.
"The enemy kingdom is testing our defenses."
Several nobles immediately frowned.
One older noble scoffed loudly.
"You're speaking as though war is already guaranteed."
Alexander's crimson eyes lifted slowly.
"...It is."
Silence.
The room instantly became tense again.
Sabrina quietly stared at him.
Because this was another thing she remembered.
Alexander warned everyone long before the war started.
No one listened.
Until it was too late.
Charles suddenly spoke calmly from the side.
"Perhaps Your Grace is being overly cautious."
Sabrina immediately looked toward him.
Charles continued smoothly.
"The kingdom cannot afford unnecessary military movements based on assumptions alone."
Lies.
Manipulation.
Even now—
Charles was subtly trying to delay preparations.
Just like before.
Sabrina's fingers slowly tightened beneath the table.
Because she finally understood now.
Charles wasn't simply ambitious.
He was helping create the disaster itself.
Alexander remained expressionless.
"The attacks on merchant routes are no longer isolated incidents."
Charles smiled faintly.
"And yet no direct proof links the neighboring kingdom to these incidents."
The room quietly divided again.
Some nobles nodded toward Charles.
Others looked uncertain.
Sabrina felt anger quietly rise inside her chest.
Because this was exactly how the previous timeline unfolded.
Debates.
Doubts.
Delay after delay after delay.
Until blood flooded the kingdom.
Then suddenly—
Another memory flashed inside her mind.
A burned supply warehouse.
Near the eastern route.
Three days from now.
Sabrina's breathing quietly faltered.
Alexander immediately noticed.
His gaze softened slightly.
Concern again.
Always concern.
Sabrina quickly forced herself to speak before the memory faded.
"The eastern supply warehouse should increase guards immediately."
The entire room looked toward her.
Even Charles froze slightly.
The King blinked.
"...The eastern warehouse?"
Sabrina's heartbeat became uneven.
Think.
Quickly.
"I heard rumors among the merchants earlier," she lied softly. "About suspicious movements near the forest roads."
Charles narrowed his eyes slightly.
Watching her carefully now.
Meanwhile—
Alexander quietly looked toward the military map.
Then calmly spoke.
"I'll send additional soldiers tonight."
No hesitation.
Because she asked.
Sabrina stared at him silently.
And once again—
That trust nearly made her chest hurt.
Charles noticed the interaction immediately.
The way Alexander responded to Sabrina instantly.
The way Sabrina unconsciously looked relieved afterward.
Something dangerous quietly twisted inside his chest.
Because slowly—
Very slowly—
Princess Sabrina was slipping further away from him.
And somehow—
She kept moving closer toward Alexander instead.