Chapter 3

The Marquis and Marchioness' concern was sincere, and it made my chest ache.

After my parents died on the battlefield, I was left alone. It was the Marquis, Lord Valdrin Stormcrown, and the Marchioness, Derya Stormcrown, who raised me. They gave me a home, affection, and everything I had.

I had always been obedient. But this time, I was going to defy them.

I looked at them and said seriously. "My Lord. My Lady. I will not marry the heir. Tomorrow, I will leave for Willowreach. From that moment on, I will no longer remain at your side to serve you. Please take good care of yourselves."

Derya froze, then panic swept over her. "Your parents died for the country. You grew up here with us. This manor is your home. If you leave now, where will you even go?"

Her voice sharpened with worry. "Did Caspian bully you because of that Greenvale girl? Is that why you no longer want to marry him?

"Don't think like that. He has you in his heart. Otherwise, he would not have risked his life to save you twice.

"Every year on your birthday, he begins searching early for rare gifts. I know you love him too. You learned to cook for him. You massage his arms every day to ease the pain in his hand. If you marry, you will be happy. You truly will.

"And that Greenvale girl is no good. We cannot let her win. You must not leave in anger like this."

In my previous life, they had said these exact same things. In the end, I lost my husband, and they lost their son. Everyone lived with regret.

I gently wiped the tears from Derya's eyes and spoke softly. "My Lady, forced love is never sweet. The person Ian loves is not me. I truly should not force him to marry me."

I continued, "I had a dream last night. I dreamed that he and I married. But he refused to see me. He worked himself to the bone every day, ruined his health, and came home covered in injuries. The porridge I cooked for him went untouched. When he fell ill, he would not allow me to care for him. He said the pain I brought him outweighed any happiness."

My voice faltered, and my chest tightened until breathing became difficult. "In the dream, he even died at 30 while saving me."

Derya stared at me in shock. "This… This was only a dream, my girl. Caspian would not…"

I sniffed quietly and forced a faint smile. "Dreams can be warnings. My Lord. My Lady. He does not have to marry me. We do not have to be husband and wife. I only want him to live a long life.

"He may be of noble status, but too many things remain beyond his control. At the very least, his marriage should be his own choice."

I knelt and bowed deeply three times, my forehead striking the floor with solid, echoing thuds.

"I have already obtained travel documents to leave the city. I beg you to grant me your blessing. Your kindness in raising me is something I will never forget. I will repay it for the rest of my life."

Valdrin pressed his lips together and helped me to my feet. Derya wiped her tears and pressed a heavy sack with coins into my hands. "If this is truly your decision, then I will respect it. Remember this. No matter what happens, this will always be your home."

Tears spilled over. I wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you, my Lady."

As long as I severed all ties with Caspian, the tragedy of my previous life would not repeat itself. He would live long, and Valdrin and Derya would never fall into despair or hate me so deeply.

This life would end well for everyone.

The second regret written in Caspian's journal, his regret at failing to resist his parents' arrangement, should count as resolved as well. Should it not?

I still had one final regret to fulfill. Would everything go smoothly?

-

That night, I went to Starfall Tower. Couples filled the place, arriving in pairs to pray for a love that would last forever.

"Evelyn."

A familiar voice reached my ears.

Joy surged on instinct. I turned at once, only to meet Caspian's dark, furious expression.

He grabbed my wrist with brutal force, his fingers biting into my skin like iron. Red crept into the corners of his eyes, a sign of barely restrained rage.

"You know I despise people who use power to bully others," he said coldly. "I only failed to accompany you back to the manor, and you went straight to my parents, stirring trouble until they publicly humiliated Ames."

His grip tightened. "She could not take it anymore. She poisoned herself. Are you satisfied now?"

Pain exploded up my arm. It felt as though my wrist might snap, and the color drained from my face.