In her room that night, she looked at herself in the mirror.
"Why did he look so... real?"
She covered her face.
"Stop it. Remember your death. Remember the poison."
And tears fell.
Aria couldn't sleep last night. Her heart was not calm. It was loud. Too loud.
She sat on her bed and looked at the moon.
"Why is he acting like this?"
Her thoughts were messy.
"In the past... he hated me. He ignored me. He let me die."
She held her chest.
"But now... he begs for my love. He smiles like an angel. He gives warm words. Why?"
Then a thought hit her.
"Is it because I regressed?"
Her eyes opened wide.
"Did my regression change something?"
She shook her head.
"No... He didn't love me before. Why now?"
She clenched her fist.
"I will not fall for it. Even if he gives me the stars."
---
Next morning, the castle was bright. The sun was kind.
Today was Aria's birthday.
She didn't tell anyone.
In the past, nobody remembered.
Not even Jin Haru.
That day... he watched her drink poison. No gift. No word. Just cold eyes.
She walked in the hall quietly.
Then she saw it.
A big table in the garden.
Flowers.
Cakes.
Music.
And many, many boxes.
"W-What is this...?"
Servants smiled.
One said, "His Highness told us to prepare it. For you."
Her heart stopped.
Jin Haru walked out with a soft smile.
He wore white.
He held a small golden box.
"Happy birthday, Aria," he said gently.
She stared at him.
Her lips trembled.
"You... remembered?"
He nodded.
"I always remember. I just didn't know how to show it before."
He gave her the box.
Inside, there was a ring. A simple, silver ring with a small red gem.
"It's not expensive," he said. "But it reminded me of your eyes."
Her hands shook.
She looked at the gifts. So many. Books. Dresses. Shoes. Necklaces. Even a magic wand.
Her eyes filled with tears.
In the past... she had nothing.
Now, she had everything.
"Why..." she whispered. "Why are you doing this?"
Jin Haru smiled.
"Because I want to protect you. I want to treasure you. I was blind before."
She covered her mouth.
"Is this real...?"
She turned around.
She walked fast. She didn't want him to see her crying.
Jin watched her go.
His smile turned cold.
He opened his system.
[Target Confusion: 51%]
He closed the screen and looked at the table.
"She's useful," he said softly.
"She has a system. She's smart. She's powerful. If I make her love me again, she will never doubt me."
He sat on the chair.
"Her regression made her careful... but her heart is weak."
He held the empty cup.
"She still wants love."
He closed his eyes.
"And I'll give it. Fake love. Sweet lies. Until she becomes mine again."
---
Aria sat in her room, hugging the ring box.
Her tears wouldn't stop.
"He never did this before. Not once."
She smiled.
"Maybe... this is the reason I came back."
She wiped her face.
"I'll wait. Just a little more. Maybe he really changed."