After committing suicide in front of her lover's grave, Jianwan awoke in the body of a noble lady.
After a brief exchange with the maids, she understood her new identity. Her name was Kristina, the third daughter of the Marquis family of Tarestia.
A cold feeling washed over her after her awakening. Looking back at her past life, she had devoted herself completely to Ryan.
"Heavens gave me another chance… I'm going to enjoy this life," she muttered to herself.
But reality poured a basin of cold water over her.
She was nothing more than a tool. Women here had more restrictions than anywhere else. Even for a noble family, the quality of life was suffocating. Her family wasn't wealthy and survived mainly through her eldest sister's marriage alliance.
So, she began to accumulate strength.
She attended noble gatherings and gradually formed a small circle around herself. With her virtuous character, she was quickly known as the most virtuous lady in the capital.
Naturally, marriage proposals began arriving at a visible pace. And it didn't escape the Crown Prince's attention.
After the former queen's death, his engagement had been broken. Though surrounded by others, his desire to possess Kristina only grew stronger.
So he proposed.
And her family accepted. Or, in more polite terms, they had no choice.
Kristina's family lacked the power to refuse the Crown Prince, even in his decline.
Thus, her engagement was announced when she was only ten years old.
Naturally, her disgust toward the engagement was obvious. All she wanted was to live a carefree life as a maiden. The shadow of her former life still haunted her.
She still couldn't choose.
So she chose to escape.
From a young age, she displayed remarkable talent. At just eleven, she established a society for noblewomen, gathering young ladies under her influence. She also befriended the last remaining young lady of the once-powerful Yurlik family, now fallen into decline.
Her efforts over the years yielded many benefits.
Then one day, everything changed.
"What?! The First Prince is dead? How could this happen?!"
A shrill voice echoed through the room. It was Kristina's mother.
Her father was equally shaken. "This is bad… his death means immense pressure for our family."
"What should we do?" her mother cried. "I've already associated with those ladies. If I show my face now, won't I become a laughingstock?"
Her father frowned. "It's worse than that. Our family will fall into decline again. Who will take Kristina now? She was already engaged to the royal family."
Because of that engagement, she couldn't marry another man. In the eyes of society, she was as good as a widow.
Her father sighed. "We'll have to cling to a new ally."
Listening from behind the curtains, Kristina felt a complex mix of emotions.
Part of her was relieved. She was finally free from that seventeen-year-old prince.
Yet… something felt off.
Shaking her head, she returned to her room.
Later, her father came to see her.
"His Highness's funeral will be held in two days. Prepare yourself."
"Okay, Father," Kristina replied, devoid of emotion.
"I know it must be painful," he continued, his expression calculating. "Make sure to show your grief to the King tomorrow."
Disgust rose within her. The shackles of aristocratic families still bound her, even in this life.
On the day of the funeral, she wore a long black dress. Despite its somber tone, it gave her an alluring, almost ethereal beauty.
When she arrived at the palace, she wandered through the gardens. She had been here before during her bridal training.
As she admired the flowers, she suddenly noticed a boy gazing at her.
At first, she assumed he was just another admirer.
But when she truly looked at him—
She froze.
A surge of emotion flooded her heart.
She pinched her cheek. It hurt. This wasn't a dream.
The boy was just as shocked.
He stepped forward and softly said,
"Jianwan."
The voice wasn't loud, but in the silent garden, it echoed clearly.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
It was him.
Ryan.
She didn't care about anything else. She rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
Liser was taken aback. He hadn't expected the girl to be this bold.
But he didn't care.
A faint, trembling voice came from his chest.
"Is it really you, Ryan? I'm not dreaming, am I…? Are you really back?"
Her voice carried a soft sob.
He gently replied, "I'm back, Jianwan. I'm really here."
Soon, he felt his chest grow wet.
Looking down at the sobbing girl, he couldn't hold back either.
How many times had he wished to be with her again during those painful days? How deeply had he longed for her?
And now… she was here.
His vision blurred as tears began to fall uncontrollably.
In the quiet flower garden, surrounded by blooming petals and rustling leaves, an eleven-year-old boy and girl held each other and cried without restraint.
After calming down, they sat together on a nearby bench, staring into each other's eyes.
Neither spoke at first. It felt unreal. As if they wanted to memorize each other's existence.
Kristina broke the silence.
"Ryan…"
"Hmm."
Thousands of questions filled their minds, but she could only ask one.
"Are you okay?"
Liser chuckled softly.
"That? You could say I am. Brother Ji… I'm the Fourth Prince now. Impressive, right? I go by Liser."
The tension faded instantly.
Kristina smiled faintly. "Little brother… my name is Kristina now. Not Jianwan."
She raised her hand to pat his head, but stopped midway.
Noticing this, Liser wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned against her.
"It feels good… like we're kids again. Your shoulder always gave me warmth."
"Hmph. You've become quite the smooth talker after transmigrating," she replied.
They fell into a brief silence.
Then Liser began telling her about his journey in this world.