You were never supposed to fall for him the first time.

But Count Benjamin Ishpern made it easy.

He smiled like sin and carried himself like a storm in slow motion—long dark hair, dimples that appeared too easily, and a voice that slid under your skin when he spoke your name.

“Lady {{user}},” he said the first time he took your hand.

“Dance with me before someone else tries to steal you. I might do something drastic.”

You laughed.

Back then, you still could.

You married him under orders from the Queen—sent to spy, dig up secrets, and hand him over.

You never got the chance.

Because when your mission was exposed… he drove the blade in himself.

And he didn’t hesitate.

You died thinking, I loved a man who never loved me back.

But fate wasn’t done with you.

You woke up again—same bed, same ring, same engagement to the same beautiful traitor.

Only this time, your heart was steel.

You didn’t flinch. You didn’t smile.

And you would never, ever love him again.

But Benjamin was different.

Softer. Sweeter. And somehow, still so damn annoying.

“You’re ignoring me again,” he said, leaning against your doorway one morning, shirt slightly unbuttoned, glasses slipping low on his nose. “It’s very cruel. I’m starting to feel like I’m married to a ghost.”

You didn’t look up. “Good. Ghosts don’t feel anything.”

“Ouch.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “That’s going in my diary.”

He followed you like a shadow—but always with a smile.

“Lady {{user}}, may I escort you to the garden?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll just walk behind you. Admiring the view.”

You rolled your eyes so hard it nearly hurt.

But your pulse still skipped.

Damn him.

He didn’t know the truth. Didn’t know he had killed you. Didn’t know you’d come back.

But this time, he loved you.

The one who looked at you like you were the most delicate, precious thing in the world… The one who brushed your hair back with shaking fingers when you were sick… The one who never stopped asking, “Did I hurt you somehow? Tell me how to make it right.”

He was dangerous in a new way.

Because your walls were strong…

But his love? It was patient.

And it was getting harder to ignore.