Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early that morning, the Grand Duke's carriage departed for the Imperial Palace.
Marbella sat beside her father, quietly watching the capital through the window.
Bustling streets.
Busy merchants.
Children chasing one another through the market.
Everything appeared peaceful.
No one knew that beneath the Empire's prosperity, countless schemes were already taking root.
Grand Duke Adrian set aside the document he had been reading.
"You've been unusually quiet these past few days."
Marbella smiled faintly.
"I've simply been thinking."
"About what?"
"The future."
Her father chuckled.
"You're only sixteen."
"You have plenty of time to worry about the future."
Marbella lowered her eyes.
Not in my previous life…
Back then, she had believed there would always be tomorrow.
She had been wrong.
The Imperial Palace soon came into view.
The carriage passed through the enormous golden gates before stopping in front of the main palace.
Imperial servants immediately stepped forward.
"Your Grace, Grand Duke Petrovic."
"Lady Marbella."
"This way, please."
After a short walk through several magnificent corridors, they arrived outside a pair of towering doors.
"Their Majesties are waiting."
The doors slowly opened.
Inside, the Emperor and Empress sat upon elevated seats.
Emperor Hans Terraina still possessed the commanding aura of a ruler, though faint lines of exhaustion had begun to appear around his eyes.
Beside him sat Empress Beatrice, elegant and dignified as always.
Marbella's gaze lingered on the Empress for a brief moment.
In her previous life…
The Empress had died only a year after Wilbert.
Consumed by grief.
She had never discovered that her son's death had been carefully orchestrated.
Marbella and her father bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor smiled warmly.
"Raise your heads."
"It has been too long, Adrian."
Grand Duke Adrian returned the smile.
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"I trust Your Majesty has been in good health."
The Emperor laughed.
"I wish I could say yes."
"My hair grows grayer each time I review the ministers' reports."
The lighthearted joke eased the atmosphere.
Then his attention shifted to Marbella.
"So…"
"This is little Marbella."
Marbella stepped forward and curtsied gracefully.
"It is an honor to see Your Majesty again."
The Emperor observed her carefully before smiling.
"I heard you shared the first dance with Wilbert."
Marbella nodded politely.
"I merely wished to celebrate my birthday with my cousin."
The Emperor's smile deepened.
"You made him very happy."
"He rarely attends social gatherings, yet he spoke of that dance throughout the following day."
Marbella felt a pang in her chest.
Wilbert…
Even something so simple had meant so much to him.
The Emperor suddenly sighed.
"I'm afraid I've spoiled the boy."
The Empress smiled gently.
"He has always been an easy child."
Unlike Julian…
The thought crossed Marbella's mind, though she kept it to herself.
Just then, the doors opened once more.
"Crown Prince Wilbert Terraina."
Wilbert entered, accompanied by Lady Eleanor.
He immediately smiled upon seeing Marbella.
"Cousin."
"I'm glad you came."
Marbella returned the smile.
"So am I."
The Emperor looked between them with amusement.
"It seems the two of you became quite close after the banquet."
Wilbert chuckled softly.
"I simply found someone willing to listen to my endless stories."
Marbella laughed.
"I don't recall Your Highness talking that much."
"Then perhaps I only spoke because I had good company."
The room filled with gentle laughter.
Standing behind Wilbert, Eleanor quietly watched the exchange.
Her eyes briefly met Marbella's.
For only a heartbeat.
Yet Marbella noticed it.
There was caution in Eleanor's gaze.
Almost as though she were trying to understand why Marbella had suddenly taken such an interest in Wilbert.
Marbella remained perfectly composed.
She couldn't afford to reveal even the slightest suspicion.
Not yet.
After some time, the Emperor turned toward Wilbert.
"You should show Marbella the palace gardens."
"You've both been sitting here listening to old men talk for long enough."
Wilbert smiled.
"As you wish, Father."
Marbella looked toward her own father.
Adrian gave a small nod.
"Go ahead."
She curtsied.
"Excuse me."
The palace gardens were breathtaking.
Fountains sparkled beneath the afternoon sun while colorful flowers bloomed along every pathway.
Wilbert walked at an unhurried pace.
Marbella naturally slowed her steps to match his.
"I'm sorry."
He smiled apologetically.
"I can't walk very fast."
"You don't have to apologize."
"I don't mind."
Wilbert looked at her with quiet appreciation.
"You're kinder than most people realize."
Marbella almost laughed.
If only you knew…
She wasn't walking slowly out of kindness.
She was watching him.
Studying every movement.
Every breath.
Every cough.
As they reached a marble pavilion overlooking a lake, Wilbert suddenly stopped.
"Cough…"
A sharp cough escaped his lips.
Then another.
Marbella immediately stepped closer.
"Your Highness."
"I'm fine."
He reached into his pocket and produced a small porcelain vial.
"I only need today's medicine."
Marbella's eyes narrowed.
"The medicine…"
Wilbert uncorked the vial.
Inside were several dark-colored pills.
Not the herbal drink she had seen before.
A different prescription.
Before he could place one in his mouth—
"Your Highness."
A calm voice interrupted them.
Lady Eleanor approached with measured steps.
"You've forgotten."
She held up a small wooden box.
"The Imperial Physician instructed that you take the herbal medicine before the pills."
Wilbert smiled sheepishly.
"It seems I did."
He accepted the box without another thought.
Marbella watched in silence.
So…
There were two kinds of medicine.
The herbal decoction…
And these pills.
For the first time since returning to the past…
A new possibility crossed her mind.
What if…
The poison wasn't only in the herbal medicine?
Or worse…
What if it had never been in the herbal medicine at all?
Her gaze slowly shifted to the small porcelain vial in Wilbert's hand.
The mystery surrounding his illness had just become far more complicated.