The Grand Duke's mansion was unusually quiet that morning.
Outside her bedroom window, the snow had begun to melt, signaling the end of winter. The same scenery she had once taken for granted now felt painfully precious.
Marbella stood silently before the window, her violet eyes fixed on the white garden.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow was her sixteenth birthday.
Tomorrow was the banquet where she would meet Julian for the first time.
The banquet that had changed her fate.
"No…"
She slowly closed her eyes.
"It wasn't the banquet."
"It was the day Wilbert began walking toward his grave."
In her previous life, she had never questioned the timing.
The Crown Prince's health had always been poor.
His death, though tragic, had never seemed suspicious.
Only after waking up in the past did she realize something strange.
Wilbert's condition had rapidly worsened shortly after her birthday.
Within six years…
The beloved Crown Prince was dead.
A few months later…
Julian became the new Crown Prince.
Everything happened too perfectly.
Someone had planned it.
Someone had needed Wilbert to die.
Marbella clenched her fists.
"I have to see him."
"My Lady?"
Mia looked surprised.
"You wish to visit His Highness?"
Marbella nodded.
"Prepare the carriage."
"But… His Highness rarely receives visitors."
"I know."
"Especially when he's feeling unwell…"
"I know."
Mia hesitated.
Since childhood, Marbella and Crown Prince Wilbert had been friendly but never particularly close.
Why would her lady suddenly insist on visiting him?
Still, Mia bowed.
"As you wish."
The Imperial Palace.
Unlike the magnificent western halls where banquets were held, the eastern palace was eerily quiet.
Everyone lowered their voices.
Everyone walked slowly.
Because the Empire's hope…
Lived here.
A servant carefully opened the bedroom doors.
"Lady Marbella Petrovic has arrived."
No answer.
The room smelled strongly of herbs.
Sunlight barely reached the bed.
A young man with golden hair leaned against several pillows.
His face was frighteningly pale.
His once brilliant purple eyes had lost much of their light.
He looked less like the future Emperor…
And more like someone waiting peacefully for death.
Wilbert slowly looked toward the entrance.
"…Marbella?"
His weak smile remained exactly the same as she remembered.
Warm.
Gentle.
Completely unaware of the fate awaiting him.
Marbella suddenly froze.
This smile…
She had not seen it in over twenty years.
Her throat tightened.
In her previous life…
She had stood before his coffin.
She had watched the Empire mourn him.
She had cried…
But never once suspected he had been murdered.
Now…
He was alive.
"Have I become that terrible-looking?" Wilbert chuckled softly.
"You've been staring without saying a word."
Marbella quickly lowered her gaze.
"…Forgive me, Your Highness."
"I merely…"
"I was relieved to see you."
Wilbert blinked.
"Relieved?"
She nodded.
"You are still alive."
For a brief moment…
Silence filled the room.
Then Wilbert laughed.
"I wasn't aware rumors of my death had already spread."
Marbella forced herself to smile.
"If they ever do…"
"I'll personally prove them wrong."
Wilbert looked at her curiously.
Something about his cousin had changed.
She still had the same elegant posture.
The same calm voice.
Yet…
Her eyes.
Those violet eyes no longer belonged to a carefree sixteen-year-old girl.
They carried grief.
Regret.
And determination.
A determination he could not understand.
A maid entered quietly carrying a silver tray.
"Your Highness."
"It is time for your medicine."
Marbella's expression stiffened.
The medicine.
Without realizing it…
She took one step forward.
The porcelain cup released a faint bitter aroma.
Dark.
Almost black.
She couldn't remember.
Had it always looked like this?
Wilbert reached for the cup as naturally as breathing.
"I've grown used to this taste."
Marbella stared at the liquid.
An unbearable feeling of dread surged through her chest.
Somewhere…
Deep within the fragments of her memories…
She recalled this exact scene.
Wilbert drinking.
Then coughing.
Then growing weaker.
Every.
Single.
Time.
"…Wait."
The room fell silent.
Everyone looked at Marbella in confusion.
Wilbert tilted his head.
"What is it?"
Marbella's eyes remained fixed on the medicine.
For reasons she couldn't explain…
Every instinct in her body screamed the same warning.
Don't let him drink it.