Chapter 2

Of course I was happy. I was finally seeing Caspian alive again.

I smiled. "I think you're the best man in the world. Whoever marries you will be very happy."

Caspian snorted softly and turned away. "Go back to the manor."

He walked off without looking back. If I had not already known how much he disliked me, I might have thought he was embarrassed.

The carriage rolled through the streets on the way home. When we passed the flower district, I lifted the curtain.

Laughter spilled into the air, mixed with excited voices.

"Tonight the Matchmaker descends! If you climb Starfall Tower, you can witness a once-in-a-century meteor shower. They say couples who watch it together will love each other for three lifetimes!"

The words loosened something in my chest. In my previous life, I had heard the same rumor. I had clutched Caspian's sleeve, eyes bright with hope, begging him to take me to Starfall Tower.

Back then, mockery had curved his lips. "Binding me for one lifetime isn't enough for you? You want three? Meteors and blessings. What a childish lie. If someone has to fall for it, let it be you. Don't drag me into it."

The cold look in his eyes still made me shiver, even now.

I lowered the curtain.

This time, Caspian spoke, his tone flat. "Do you want to go? I can go with you to Starfall Tower tonight. After the wedding, I won't have time to accompany you back to pay respects to your parents. Consider this compensation."

I looked up at him, startled. The offer was unexpected, yet not entirely so. Caspian had always been like this. His words were sharp, but his heart was softer than anyone's.

He did not love me. Still, he had risked his life for me three times.

The first time, bandits attacked us in the mountains. He took a blade through his right hand while protecting me. From that day on, the hand that could once split a leaf at a hundred paces could no longer draw a bow.

The second time, I contracted a deadly epidemic and hovered between life and death. He climbed a sheer cliff to find Eirwen’s Bloom for me and nearly shattered his leg when he fell.

The third time, he died saving me from the palace fire.

Caspian was good in every way. He simply did not love me.

I knew there would be nothing left between us after today. Even if we climbed Starfall Tower and witnessed the once-in-a-century meteor shower, we would never love each other for three lifetimes, no matter what the rumor promised.

Still, I pressed down the heat stinging my eyes and smiled as though it cost me nothing.

"All right," I said. "Let's go watch the meteors together."

Partway there, the carriage came to a stop. Amelia's maid stood outside. She said Amelia had a headache and wished to see Caspian.

His brows drew together at once. He stepped down from the carriage without hesitation.

"Ames isn't well. I'm going to check on her," he said. "You should go back to the manor first. We'll meet at Starfall Tower tonight."

I nodded. "Okay."

He paused, clearly surprised. "You used to hate it most when I went to see her. What changed?"

I opened my mouth to answer.

He scoffed before I could speak. "Never mind. We're about to get married anyway. She can't threaten you anymore."

He left without another glance. He did not see the loss or the bitter smile I could not quite hide. The truth was that I had never tried to stop him from favoring Amelia.

There was only one exception. After I heard rumors from the Marquis and others that Amelia was entangled with court officials, I investigated and found the rumors true. That was the only time I desperately tried to keep Caspian away from her.

He never knew. After her death, he suffered for 10 long years.

If I had to choose, I would rather see him with Amelia than watch him endure endless torment and die for me in the end.

-

I went first to the city registry and completed the formalities to leave the city. Only then did I return to the Marquis' manor.

Marchioness Derya Stormcrown had personally prepared dinner. The table was filled with dishes I loved.

Out of habit, I slipped the white fox-fur cloak from my shoulders and draped it over her. "It's cold. Please take care of yourself."

She looked at me, smiling so widely she could not close her mouth. "My girl is always so thoughtful. Come, let me see the royal marriage decree for you and Ian. I've waited so long. Soon, you'll be calling me Mother."

The Marquis, Valdrin Stormcrown, glanced behind me, saw no one, and immediately bristled.

"That brat didn't come back with you again?" he snapped. "The decree is already issued, and he still doesn't know how to cherish you. When he returns, I'll give him a proper scolding."