That night—
Alexander remained alone inside his office long after everyone else had already left.
The candles burned quietly beside stacks of military reports while rainwater still faintly tapped against the windows outside.
Silent.
Cold.
Just like always.
Alexander slowly sat behind the desk before finally looking toward the letters resting near his hand.
Sabrina's handwriting.
Neat.
Elegant.
Familiar.
For several seconds—
He didn't touch them.
Because somehow—
He already knew reading them would hurt.
Yet slowly—
Alexander untied the ribbon carefully.
And unfolded the first letter.
> Charles,
I waited for you again today.
Mother said I should stop skipping lessons just to see you, but I don't care.
I think seeing you for even a few moments makes me happier than anything else.
Alexander's fingers froze slightly.
The candlelight flickered softly across the paper.
He continued reading silently.
> Sometimes I wonder if you know how important you are to me.
If one day you asked me to leave everything behind—
I think I would.
Silence.
Alexander slowly lowered the letter slightly.
His expression remained calm.
But his chest quietly tightened.
Because he remembered.
Back then—
Sabrina truly loved Charles that much.
Enough to ignore everyone else.
Enough to hurt herself for him.
Enough to never notice Alexander standing quietly nearby all those years.
Another letter.
Then another.
Each one filled with warmth Sabrina once reserved only for Charles.
Words she never spoke to Alexander before.
Words Alexander never expected to hear from her anyway.
And somehow—
That hurt more than battlefield wounds ever did.
Alexander quietly leaned back against the chair while staring down at the final letter silently.
Then slowly—
He remembered Jennifer's words again.
> Maybe the Princess is only using Your Grace to make Marquis Evermont jealous.
Alexander closed his eyes briefly.
Because part of him wanted to deny it immediately.
But another part—
The broken part inside him that spent years watching Sabrina love another man—
Couldn't.
After all—
How could someone's feelings change so suddenly?
How could Sabrina possibly love someone like him now?
A cold man covered in scars.
A man feared by the kingdom.
A man she once looked at with fear herself.
Alexander slowly clenched the letters slightly.
And for the first time in a long while—
Doubt quietly settled inside his chest.
---
The next few days became strangely different.
Sabrina noticed it immediately.
Alexander still protected her.
Still stayed near her during meetings.
Still made sure her meals were prepared properly.
Still asked servants whether she slept well.
Concern remained.
Always concern.
But—
Something changed.
Distance.
A quiet distance slowly formed between them again.
And Sabrina hated it immediately.
Inside the palace garden—
Sabrina walked beside Alexander quietly while several knights followed from behind.
Normally—
Alexander would've slowed his steps slightly for her.
Today—
He remained careful.
Respectful.
But colder.
Formal again.
"...Your Grace."
The title immediately made Sabrina stop walking.
Alexander froze slightly too.
Because lately—
She stopped calling him that.
Sabrina slowly looked toward him.
"...Why are you calling me Princess again?"
Silence.
Alexander lowered his gaze calmly.
"...Because you are the Princess."
Formal.
Polite.
Like a wall.
Sabrina's chest tightened faintly.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
But she didn't know why.
Meanwhile—
Alexander avoided looking at her for too long now.
Because every single time he did—
He remembered the letters.
The warmth Sabrina once gave Charles so easily.
And suddenly—
The gentleness she showed him now felt dangerous to believe in.
Still—
Even while distancing himself—
Alexander couldn't stop worrying about her.
When the weather became colder—
He quietly ordered thicker blankets brought to her chambers.
When Sabrina skipped lunch during meetings—
Alexander noticed immediately and had food delivered without saying it came from him.
When palace stairs became slippery after rain—
He silently walked slightly closer beside her in case she fell.
Careful.
Protective.
Always there.
Just farther away now.
And Sabrina felt every bit of that distance painfully.
---
One afternoon—
Sabrina finally couldn't endure it anymore.
Inside the royal library—
She spotted Alexander organizing military documents quietly near the large windows.
Sunlight reflected softly against his dark uniform while his crimson eyes remained lowered toward the papers.
Beautiful.
Distant.
Sabrina slowly approached him.
"...Alexander."
Alexander visibly paused briefly.
Then calmly—
"Princess."
Again.
That formal tone again.
Sabrina felt frustration rise inside her chest immediately.
"...Did I do something wrong?"
Alexander froze slightly.
Then slowly looked toward her.
And Sabrina's heart immediately hurt.
Because his eyes looked tired.
Quietly hurt.
But still gentle toward her somehow.
"...No," Alexander answered softly.
Lie.
Sabrina stepped closer.
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Alexander lowered his gaze slightly.
Because he didn't know how to answer.
How could he ask her—
Was any of this real?
How could he ask whether her kindness meant something...
Or if he was simply standing in Charles's place temporarily?
The thought alone already hurt enough.
So instead—
Alexander quietly stepped back slightly.
Tiny movement.
But Sabrina noticed.
And somehow—
That hurt her more than anything.
"...You should return inside, Princess," he said softly. "The weather is getting colder."
Concern again.
Always concern first.
Even while pushing her away.
Sabrina stared at him silently.
Confused.
Hurt.
And slowly—
Fear began creeping into her chest too.
Because it felt like Alexander was slipping away from her again.