As Sabina exited the parlor ahead of Autumn, she issued a cold command to her maid.

“Have someone follow him. A carriage accident would be appropriate.”

“For the mage?”

“Yes, give him enough money for the journey. It would be even better if he drinks himself senseless.”

A carriage accident involving an older mage who had left the Magic Tower and gotten drunk—no one would suspect a thing.

The maid was taken aback and froze when Sabina, who had been smiling warmly at the mage just moments before, gave such an order.

Sabina’s icy gaze swept over her.

“What? Can’t you do it?”

“N-no, Your Highness.”

It felt like a blade was grazing her neck. The maid quickly bowed her head, but Sabina’s mood had already soured.

At that moment, as Sabina took a step towards the maid, the head maid, standing behind, announced the day’s schedule.

“Your Highness, it’s time to attend the luncheon.”

“…Alright.”

If she had delayed any longer, she would have faced a scolding. The maid was fortunate in many ways.

After giving the maid one last, lingering look, Sabina turned away.

When she arrived at the imperial palace, having refreshed her appearance, everyone was already seated except for her.

The Emperor, looking at his cherished daughter, spoke.

“You’re late, Sabina.”

Sabina’s gaze shifted to the woman sitting in her place beside the Emperor.

“Rosemary Morphe!”

Though only her marriage to the Crown Prince had been decided, and she had not yet officially joined the imperial family, she boldly attended the family luncheon.

“Where did she get that dress? I’ve never seen it before.”

Sabina’s tardiness to the gathering was entirely due to Rosemary. Knowing Rosemary would be there, Sabina couldn’t bear to show up without being perfectly dressed.

However, she couldn’t admit to making the Emperor wait just because of her appearance, so she put on a delicate expression and said,

“I’m sorry, Father. The mornings have been chilly lately, and I had a slight fever.”

“Oh dear.”

That was Sabina’s trump card.

She had heard that her mother often complained of being ill during her lifetime. Perhaps that was why the Emperor, who saw the resemblance, was always soft on Sabina’s theatrics.

But today was different.

“Then it would be best for you to return to your quarters.”

“…What?”

Sabina froze, unable to believe what she had heard.

“Return? Did Father just tell me to go back?”

The Emperor’s gaze, which was usually filled with concern for her, was now directed at Rosemary.

“Isn’t there someone who needs to be careful?”

Rosemary smiled gently and said, “I’m fine, Your Majesty. Since Her Highness the Princess has come despite not feeling well, we should dine together.”

“Dear.”

The Emperor shook his head firmly.

“Always remember that the child you carry is a royal heir. You must be cautious, always. Do you understand? Never assume you are safe just because you are young and healthy.”

In other words, since Rosemary was carrying the Crown Prince’s child, Sabina should leave if she wasn’t feeling well to avoid passing on any illness.

Stunned, Sabina’s lips parted wordlessly. The Crown Prince, who should have mediated the situation, simply wrapped his arm around Rosemary’s shoulder and smiled—a tender expression she never imagined seeing on his usually stoic face.

“Please don’t be too hard on her, Father.”

“You’re quick to take your wife’s side.”

Despite his words, there was no trace of displeasure on the Emperor’s face. The Empress smiled contentedly at this.

“I’ve been anxious because the Crown Prince hadn’t chosen a fiancée, but it seems he had someone in mind all along. I’m just happy.”

It was a truly harmonious scene. Even without her, they seemed complete as a family. For the first time since entering the imperial palace, Sabina felt a deep sense of alienation, as if struck by a hammer.

After exchanging light pleasantries with everyone except Sabina, Rosemary winked at her and said,

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m really fine… just for today, please understand.”

There was no understanding—she was clearly being told to leave.

Sabina’s pride was wounded, and her face flushed red with anger. She barely managed a farewell and stormed back to her quarters.

On any other day, she would have moved cautiously, mindful of the eyes watching her, but today, the shock was too overwhelming for her to maintain control.

Biting her nails until they bled, Sabina silently vented her frustrations.

‘What do they mean by royal heir! The marriage isn’t even finalized, yet they’re behaving so indiscreetly. And my brother is just flirting with such a woman.’

The fact that the Crown Prince, who had never shown any affection despite her warmth, had become romantically involved with Rosemary, whom she disliked the most, turned her world upside down.

‘Father is too much! Shouldn’t he be worried about me and take my side? Instead of being concerned about the Morphe lady, who hasn’t even officially joined the royal family!’

As she recalled each person who had wronged her and made her feel sorrowful, she finally directed her near-hatred towards the last person: Rosemary.

‘It’s all because of that woman! What on earth did she do to enchant my brother?’

The Crown Prince had shyly claimed they had fallen in love and ended up this way, but there was no way love could be the reason.

‘She must have targeted my brother as a way to bring me down. She wants to become the Crown Princess and look down on me!’

Once married, she would have to leave the palace. She would no longer receive the treatment due to royalty.

But Rosemary would look down on Sabina as a member of the royal family.

‘I can’t tolerate that!’

Upon entering her quarters, Sabina immediately shouted at her handmaid, who was like her right hand.

“When is the royal wedding?”

“Do you mean the Crown Prince’s royal wedding?”

“Is there any other event worthy of being called a royal wedding?”

The handmaid stifled a sigh at Sabina’s sharp outburst. Sabina was being unreasonable.

“That wedding needs to be broken. Find a way to nullify it!”

Rosemary was already pregnant with the Crown Prince’s child. How could such a wedding be annulled? Just uttering such words could cause a scandal.

The handmaid was horrified and tried to dissuade Sabina.

“Y-you mustn’t say such things. Your Highness! If this reaches the Emperor, he won’t stand idly by.”

“What? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”

“Your Highness!”

To annul a wedding caused by a pregnancy was akin to threatening harm to the child!

Everyone knew that the Emperor cherished the royal heir above all and had even suggested moving the wedding date forward.

Fearing real trouble, the handmaid glanced around nervously. Sabina looked at her with disdainful eyes and twisted her lips.

‘Wait a minute. If it’s a marriage that can’t be annulled except by the person involved, then I’ll make her annul it herself.’

Imagine how amusing it would be if Rosemary herself declared she found the Crown Prince so repulsive that she couldn’t possibly marry him.

Though no fool would say such a thing, Sabina, fortunately, possessed a magical potion that could make the impossible possible.

Sabina’s gaze fell on the small vial that Autumn had left behind. She smiled meaningfully.

***

The fact that I was living my third life was, in my own way, a monumental confession.

Yet Yuri showed no surprise upon hearing my confession. He simply patted me and offered comfort.

“It’s only natural for Titi to hate it. I could understand if you wanted to run out and kill someone right now.”

His calm response made the last of my tears disappear.

After nervously confessing, why was his reaction so nonchalant?

I burst out at Yuri.

“Why aren’t you surprised? Usually, when someone says they’ve turned back time, you’d be shocked, right? Or are mages who can perform such magic common?”

At my question, Yuri’s eyes softened. With his characteristic fox-like smile, he replied gently.

“Mages with that level of skill are certainly not common. I’m not surprised because I had some suspicion.”

“How…?”

“You bought betting slips and lottery tickets while claiming to hate gambling, almost like someone who knew the future.”

“Th-that was…”

When Yuri pointed it out, I was at a loss for words.

It was true. Since that day, I hadn’t gone near anything like that. When I returned home, I openly expressed my disdain.

If someone who claimed to hate it suddenly bought lottery and betting slips for specific dates, it would indeed seem suspicious.