"Fate may circle upon itself, but the wise carve a new path when it returns."
The moonlight slowly faded, giving way to the first glow of dawn.
The long shadows of night were drawn back, and the capital of Asterion once again stirred to life.
From the towering pagodas to the cobbled merchant streets, morning chants and market calls filled the air. The smell of incense and roasted rice drifted through the wind as spirit cranes crossed the brightening sky.
But within the walls of the Aserra Mansion, the mood was quieter — heavy, uncertain.
Crystal Aserra sat by her younger sister's bed, watching her closely.
Aria's small form was curled up tightly against the corner, her eyes wide with fear. She didn't speak, didn't move — only watched her older sister like one might a monster from a nightmare.
Crystal sighed softly. "Even now…" she murmured, "you still can't look at me without trembling."
She reached out, but the little girl flinched away instantly, pressing herself harder against the wall.
The motion hit deeper than Crystal expected.
For all her memories, all her power, there were still wounds she had carved that no amount of rebirth could erase.
In her past life, she had ignored Aria — resented her, even. Now, she could see clearly what her cruelty had done.
She exhaled slowly, resting her hand on her knee. "It's all right," she said quietly, her tone gentler than it had ever been. "You don't have to trust me yet."
But the words didn't seem to reach. Aria only lowered her head further, silent tears slipping down her cheeks.
Crystal stayed there for a while, waiting — but nothing changed.
Eventually, she rose from her seat, brushing off her robe. "Mari," she called softly.
The maid at the doorway quickly stepped forward. "Yes, my lady?"
"Watch over her," Crystal said. "Don't leave her side."
Mari hesitated for a moment. "My lady… she seems very frightened."
"I know." Crystal's tone was even. "That's why I need you here."
With that, she turned and left the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing softly through the hall.
As she stepped into the sunlight filtering through the corridor windows, her mind wandered — the memories of two lives overlapping like faint reflections in a mirror.
So much had changed, yet so much remained the same.
The Asura banners still hung proud. The soldiers still trained in the courtyard. The servants still bowed as she passed.
But she was no longer the same spoiled girl who once believed the world belonged to her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps.
"My lady!"
Crystal turned as Mari came jogging toward her, slightly breathless.
"What is it?"
Mari bowed quickly. "You have a visitor, my lady."
"A visitor?" Crystal frowned. "Who would come unannounced?"
Mari hesitated, eyes flicking nervously toward the main gates. "It's… it's the Fourth Prince of Asterion, my lady."
For a moment, Crystal froze. Then, slowly, her lips curved upward into a small, knowing smile.
"The Fourth Prince…" she repeated quietly. "F…"
Her mind began to turn.
Memories flooded back — of a battlefield drenched in fire and blood, of loyalty and friendship forged through chaos.
The Fourth Prince — one of the few nobles who had stood beside her when the kingdom fell into war. A man of principle, brave yet cautious, and one of the generals who had followed her even when others turned their blades against her.
She had personally requested that he join her army, not as a prince, but as a soldier.
And he had done so willingly.
He had been loyal — perhaps too loyal.
That loyalty had cost him. After Noah's victory, the Fourth Prince had been "honorably reassigned" to the distant borders — a polite exile, far from the capital's politics.
Now, he was here.
Crystal's fingers tightened slightly at her side.
So he survived… and now fate brings him to me again.
She could almost see the threads of destiny twisting, reshaping the board.
In her last life, Noah had isolated the Fourth Prince deliberately — kept him far away, where he could do no harm.
Perhaps he had sensed his potential as an ally to her.
But now…
Crystal's gaze sharpened.
This time, things would be different.
If she was to live — if she was to win — she would need her allies back.
She smiled faintly, a dangerous glint flickering in her eyes.
"Tell the prince I'll be there shortly," she said.
Mari bowed. "At once, my lady."
Crystal turned, looking out one of the long windows that overlooked the courtyard. The soldiers below were training, their movements sharp and disciplined, their shouts echoing like thunder.
Once upon a time, she had led armies greater than this — thousands who chanted her name in reverence and fear.
But that was before betrayal.
Now, she had only three weeks and a promise to herself: to end the one who had destroyed her life.
And if the Fourth Prince was her first step toward that goal… then fate was finally starting to work in her favor.
A thin smile tugged at her lips.
"Yes," she whispered softly. "Tell him I'm coming."
The faint light of morning fell upon her face, illuminating her emerald eyes.
They burned — not with sorrow, but with purpose.
In her past life, the Fourth Prince had fought and bled for her without question.
This time, she would make sure his loyalty didn't lead him to ruin.
Because she wasn't just going to survive.
She was going to win.
"The wise do not fear destiny — they make destiny fear them."