After the death of his first love, Caspian Stormcrown hated me for ten years.

No matter how carefully I tried to please him, he met me with nothing but sneers.

"If you really want to make me happy, go and die," he said.

The words cut deep. Yet when a burning beam collapsed during the palace fire, he shoved me out of the way and died in my stead.

He lay in my arms as his life faded. When I reached for him, he spent his last strength brushing my hand aside.

"Evelyn Frostwood, how much better would my life have been if I had never met you…" he whispered.

At the funeral, his mother sobbed until she could barely remain standing.

"This is my fault," she cried. "I never should have forced you to marry her. If I had let you marry Amelia instead, would today have ended differently?"

His father looked at me with open hatred. "Caspian saved you three times. Why did you only ever bring him disaster? Why did you live instead of him?"

Everyone regretted that Caspian married me.

So did I.

In the end, I leapt from Starfall Tower and returned to the past, 10 years earlier.

This time, I chose to sever every tie between Caspian and me and give everyone the ending they wanted.

"Evelyn Frostwood. You're something else." The young man's low, cold voice reached my ear, polished enough to cut. "You actually got my parents to threaten me with death so I would marry you. Do you really think marrying me will make you happy?"

I opened my eyes in a haze and looked straight at Caspian Stormcrown.

He stood right in front of me, dressed in red, the tailoring sharp against his frame. His brows looked untamed, his gaze wild. Everything about him, his presence and the way he spoke, felt unlike the Caspian I knew 10 years later.

This was the 18-year-old Caspian Stormcrown.

So I truly had gone back 10 years.

I forced the ache down and allowed myself to study him anyway, hungry for every detail.

"You don't want to marry me," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Because the one you actually want is Amelia Greenvale. Right?"

He let out a short, humorless laugh. "So what if I do? Are you going to let it happen?"

"I can," I said.

My parents had died on the battlefield. They had given their lives protecting the country, and King Aurelius Thalassar had rewarded me with a royal marriage decree. The decree bore no name, which meant I could marry anyone I chose. And just as easily, I could request another decree for someone else.

Caspian froze for a moment. Then his lips curled, as if I had told him a joke. "You used His Majesty's decree to pin me down. My parents are forcing me too. Our marriage is already decided."

His gaze swept over me, his contempt clear and sharp.

"And now you're saying you're 'going to let it happen'? How, exactly? Evelyn, I don't have time for your little push-and-pull game." He tipped his chin toward the palace gates. "Take your decree back inside yourself. I'll wait here."

He turned and leaned against the palace wall as if it belonged to him. The disgust in his eyes drove straight into my chest. Sudden sharp pain flared.

In my previous life, and in this one, I had loved Caspian for years.

Twice, he had thrown himself into danger to save me. I had mistaken that courage for something gentler. I had believed, foolishly and earnestly, that perhaps he cared for me as well. I had gone to King Aurelius full of joy, requested the marriage decree, and married him.

Only after his first love died did I finally understand that his heart had belonged to someone else all along.

My 10 years of love had been his 10 years of torment.

In that life, I had tried everything. I gave alms, did good deeds, and burned my own life down in a desperate plea to the universe for one more chance. In the end, I traded what I could to win Caspian the opportunity to be reborn.

Before it happened, High Priest Idris Augur had warned me, "Within 12 hours after you return to the past, you must fulfill three of his regrets. When you finish, leave at once.

"From that moment on, you will go your own way, and he will go his. He will not die at 30 because of you. The rest of your lives will end on separate paths.

"However, going back always has a price. Think carefully, young lady."

As long as Caspian lived, I feared no price. Thus, I went to see King Aurelius. I asked for a royal marriage decree for Caspian and Amelia.

I knew his three regrets. He had written them himself in his personal notes

[Regretted marrying Evelyn Frostwood. Regretted not resisting his parents' arrangement. Regretted failing to save Amelia.]

Now the first regret was already resolved. Was it not?

I left the palace with the decree and walked straight to him.

Caspian looked at me as if I had finally gotten what I wanted, as if I had won. His hand reached for the scroll, ready to open it.

I pressed my palm over his, stopping him. I kept my smile soft, almost gentle.

"Tomorrow," I said. "Look tomorrow. There will be a surprise."

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, impatience flashing across his face. "How is tomorrow any different from today? Either way, it still means marrying you."

His eyes narrowed as he studied me, as if I had suddenly grown a second head. "You're acting strange. What, you finally get to marry me, and you're so happy you've lost your mind?"

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."

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.