Carlyle opened his eyes. He was back in his room. Did he pass out? Did someone tuck him into bed? Was anything destroyed in his mana outburst?

No, something didn’t look right. His room looked like the way it was three years ago. A book on his nightstand confirmed this. It was a book he read three years ago.

Just to make sure, Carlyle leaped out of bed and ran for the mirror. His appearance was younger too.

He was back in time three years ago. He was eighteen again. How is that possible? Is that something that mages can do? Is that something that god Solarius even allowed?

Still in shock, he manages to get dressed and stumbles his way into the main palace, not even bothering to eat his meal. He wasted the entire morning trying to find more evidence that he wasn’t dreaming nor mistaken about returning in time.

He had somewhat recovered from his shock by the time he reached his father’s office and accidentally entered it without knocking.

“Carlyle?” A familiar voice called out to him. “Goodness, knock next time.”

Carlyle’s eyes cleared. “Good day, Father.”

Sitting at the desk was his father, the emperor. And standing in front of his father was Carlyle’s other brother, Theodore.

“And good day to you too, brother. How do you do?”

Theodore just studied Carlyle’s face with an unreadable expression. Why isn’t he saying anything? Did Carlyle interrupt some kind of private conversation?

Theodore’s face broke into a grin. “Nice of you to finally come crawling out of your cave, Carlyle. I thought you had forgotten your family!”

Carlyle must have been imagining the stone in his brother’s expression. Of course his brother was happy to see him. And Carlyle had forgotten how strong Theodore’s charm was.

For someone who was so ill-suited to become an emperor, Theodore sure had a knack for breaking down any tension.

“Of course not, brother. Can we have lunch together today?”

“Of course!” The emperor beamed, pleased that Carlyle came out to see him. Carlyle felt a pang of guilt for holing up in his palace for so long. How could he have neglected his good brother and father?

“Your mother should come too. We haven’t spent time together in so long, just the four of us.”

Was that a flicker of disgust that ran through Theodore’s face just now? No, it must be surprise. Or discomfort. Although Theodore got along with his stepmother well in public, the two don’t really spend much time together.

Carlyle’s eyes ran over the papers that were spread out all over his father’s desk. “What’s this?”

“Oh.” The emperor picked two of the papers up. “These are applications for the new knight captain of the second imperial squad. Captain Holsen is retiring soon, so I will need to pick out a new captain.”

At the mention of knight captain, Carlyle’s mind flickered back to Lorelai. She was definitely the one who took over that position in the past timeline. 

Maybe—maybe if he finds a way for her to not take that position again, would she live this time?

“Who’s the top candidate?” Carlyle asked, pretending not to care as much as he did.

“Lorelai Ashburn. She’s the one endorsed by Captain Holsen. He praised her leadership skills a lot, although I’m worried that she is a bit young.”

His worries were for naught. Lorelai would become a brilliant captain based on his memories of his previous life… Although that’s not what he’s trying to do right now.

“Isn’t she the top candidate to inherit the Ashburn Dukedom?”

Theodore turned to Carlyle with a look of surprise. “Since when are you so knowledgeable about nobles?”

“The servants gossip, brother. Don’t think too much of it.”

“You’re right.” The emperor responded to Carlyle. “I believe Duke Ashburn favors his daughter as his successor over his son Lorenzo.”

Carlyle nodded. “In that case, wouldn’t Lorelai have to return to the Ashburn Duchy soon? To prepare for becoming a duchess?”

The emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Yes, I suppose that’s true.” He glanced down at the applications again and sighed. “What a shame. I am rather curious to see what kind of woman she is.”

And with that, the emperor placed down the papers he had been holding. 

“Let’s head to the dining room, my sons. I’ll pick out the next knight captain after lunch.”

Carlyle had succeeded. Lorelai would not become the knight captain in this life. He wordlessly created an apology to the girl he loves and prayed for her to forgive him for sabotaging her chance to become knight captain.

In the days that follow, Carlyle convinced his father to give him his own territory so Carlyle can leave the palace. Carlyle ended up becoming the Grand Duke of Elephy

When he did meet Lorelai again, it was during the emperor’s fiftieth birthday. The masquerade ball where he first danced with Lorelai in his past life. Lorelai had returned to Ashburn Duchy after her application was rejected in favor of another knight. Despite not being a knight captain this time, Lorelai visited the capital and attended the masquerade ball at the persuasion of her best friend, Geneva Winscroft.

Carlyle felt his heart lift when he saw her again. The last time he had seen her, all he saw was her coffin. But now, seeing her smiling and full of life in front of him, he could almost convince himself that everything from the past life is nothing but a dark nightmare.

Lorelai was more disguised this time. She had worn a wig of dark brown hair and she wasn’t wearing her signature dark blue color this time. She was wearing pale blue. 

But that didn’t stop Carlyle from recognizing her. He could recognize her anywhere, no matter what she wore or what she changed her appearance to be.

Ironically, Carlyle didn’t disguise his eyes or hair color this time. He wanted her to meet him as he really is without a shred of dishonesty. He was certain she wouldn’t be too biased against him. After all, she did investigate the truth last time instead of taking her knights’ words at face value. 

How should he approach her? Not like last time. Last time, they weren’t strangers. 

He decided to just be himself.