"I'll offer you to stay here for three days,"
he said, "in a survival competition — you and your five knights.
Our forest is known as the most dangerous within the Astraviel Empire,
and you already know that, Your Highness.
If this request crosses any boundaries, then I apologize for my insolence."
The Crown Prince smiled calmly and shook his head.
"No need. Since I agreed to come, I'll accept the rest of your requests.
You did a great favor for my mother.
If this will put you at ease, then I'll do it."
Ravayal was lying, of course.
What heir would enjoy being "tested" by someone beneath him?
But he kept that to himself.
He would fulfill his father's orders
and restore the proper flow of authority again.
Sylvester straightened his posture and spoke:
"Your Highness… please forgive the boldness of my next question.
Did Mariana catch your attention in any way?
If she bothered you or her behavior displeased you, please tell me."
"Not at all," the prince replied.
"She was… beautiful. So much that I couldn't even lift my eyes from her."
He laughed shyly at himself,
and the duke's smile rose with curiosity at his words
— though he wondered if the prince's gaze on her was truly something he liked.
"But," the duke continued,
"if you want her to return with you to the palace,
that would be wonderful. For a week.
And if she sparks your interest in any way,
she is yours to take as your wife."
The prince tensed.
"Aren't you being too enthusiastic?
Being captivated by her beauty doesn't mean I want to marry her."
"Don't rush," the duke said.
"Just tell me what you think about my suggestion
after you stay here for three days."
"And since the backyard is already crowded with our knights and your guests…"
He looked at the prince.
"What do you say about greeting them?"
The prince stood straighter, adjusted his clothes, and motioned with his hand.
"Lead the way. This is your home, after all."
As he walked behind the duke,
he admired the place — until he noticed Mariana with someone.
He looked strangely similar to her…
Their parents' genes must have been too strong to be outmatched.
The duke stepped forward quickly,
trying to cover her flustered behavior in front of Ravayal.
"Ah, my dear ones. His Highness, the Crown Prince, is with me."
They bowed respectfully,
and he signaled them to raise their heads,
meeting their red eyes.
"This is my eldest son, Hanyul," said the duke,
"and he is also my first candidate to succeed me
and inherit the entire family legacy."
Ravayal extended his hand,
and Hanyul shook it with a calm face and steady eyes.
"You're much calmer than I expected," the prince said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hanyul."
Mariana spoke softly, her eyes pleading:
"Your Highness… I have a request. Please don't refuse."
The duke panicked for a moment, wanting to stop her,
but the prince's firm gaze ordered him to stay silent — so he lowered his head.
Ravayal released a soft laugh,
so different from the strictness he'd shown a heartbeat earlier.
"Go ahead. What do you want?"
Mariana, desperate:
"Please allow Jinho and Rora to serve as my attendants
for the duration of your stay."
Such a simple request…
but should he trust their servants more than his own?
"It's only three days," he thought.
"Your request is simple — why are you so nervous?" he said.
"They're yours."
She lifted her head with sparkling excitement
but composed herself quickly and bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you. You won't lack anything from our servants,
so please rest as much as you want.
I'll take care of them."
Hanyul watched her, feeling a strange discomfort.
Did a servant really need that much attention?
She left after asking permission.
The prince spoke:
"Hanyul, follow me with your father to the courtyard.
I think you'll get along well with Seongjin."
Mariana walked away humming happily.
These are new details I never saw in my previous regressions…
All my past attempts to change my fate were meaningless.
Each time I woke up believing things would be different,
I found myself repeating the same scenario again.
But Jinho and Rora… this is the first real change.
I need to find out what shifted in the story this time.
Do I finally… have the power to change my fate?
...
She entered the kitchen, and the workers inside bowed for a brief moment before returning to preparing lunch.
Her eyes wandered around until they landed on Rora washing the dishes.
She called her gently.
Rora approached, trying—and failing—to hide her curiosity.
Marianna said,
"I have good news. But where's Jinho?"
Rora whispered,
"He's fetching some charcoal outside so we can grill the meat. But if you want to send him a message, tell me and I'll deliver it."
Marianna hummed in understanding.
"When he comes back, bring him to me. I'll be waiting for both of you in the front garden."
She raised her voice slightly so the head maid would hear, ensuring no questions would be asked later about why they left their work.
Marianna walked away with a calm smile on her face.
Rora felt something off—something bigger hidden behind that smile—but returned to her work anyway. Jinho would arrive soon.
Meanwhile, Jinho was with the male servants, carrying vegetables and fruit stored in the back rooms.
Everything was organized… almost too organized.
He stepped outside just in time to see the crown prince crossing the courtyard with Sylvester and Hanyul.
He bowed politely, but the prince stopped him.
"How is the work so far, Jinho?"
A strange expression crossed Hanyul's face when he heard the prince say that name.
Jinho didn't look impressive—thin, dusty from the charcoal, clearly overworked.
Not the type of person his sister would ever find interesting.
Jinho answered calmly, looking Sylvester straight in the eye with quiet confidence:
"Everything is well-organized. I'm grateful the workers have been kind."
His composed tone—even in front of the crown prince—was something worth admiring.
And maybe… just maybe… something that would appeal to his sharp-tongued sister.
The prince chuckled lightly.
"Lady Marianna will be borrowing you and Rora for a few days. Prepare yourself to serve her properly."
"Me?"
Jinho pointed at himself, confused—earning a short, mocking snort from Hanyul.
Jinho shot him a quick sharp look that clearly meant: Stay out of it.
Sylvester noticed, swallowed his annoyance, and quietly prayed the prince hadn't seen it—
but of course, he had.
He just chose not to comment.
Hanyul said calmly,
"I see why my sister wanted you."
He said nothing more.
The prince continued walking, and Sylvester saw no reason to prolong the conversation.
Why does Marianna want me as her servant?
And what did he mean by that last comment?
Please don't let the plot twist again… I don't want to be accused of anything else.
He remembered the time he was framed for poisoning her father.
Marianna didn't react.
She didn't believe he did it… but she wasn't sure he didn't either.
They say his death meant nothing to her.
Even her father's death didn't stir much emotion—unlike Hanyul.
Strange, Jinho thought.
A girl treated more gently than her brother… not shedding a tear when he died?
He was so deep in thought he didn't notice he'd already reached the kitchen.
Rora was lost in her own thoughts as she cut the meat.
He approached her.
"Rora. The prince said we'll be serving Marianna while we're here."
She stared at him, wide-eyed.
"That's the good news? That's terrifying!"
He immediately placed a hand over her mouth, laughing nervously as the workers stared.
He whispered near her ear,
"Could you lower your voice?"
She pushed his hand away.
"You taste like charcoal."
He scoffed,
"It's not like I washed in rosewater, my lady."
Rora sighed.
"Anyway, she asked for us in the front garden. We should go."
He bowed politely to the head maid, who nodded in understanding, and the two slipped outside.
Marianna sat waiting on a chair, wrapped in a winter coat that covered her dress.
Her expression softened when she saw them approach.
"Welcome. How's your first hour of work?"
Jinho answered politely,
"It's been pleasant. Organized… thank you for asking, my lady."
Rora shot him a side-eye, silently saying: Since when are you this polite?
Marianna noticed.
"Is there something you want to say, Rora?"
Rora shook her head quickly.
"No, my lady… I was just wondering why you called for us."
Marianna stood, hands on her hips, excitement glowing in her eyes.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"We're going out."