You went back in time. Fate had been cruel in your past life, which ended tragically because of your rival. But now, time has granted you a second chance. Reborn with the knowledge of what lay ahead, you resolved to face the one who once destroyed everything you held dear.

This time, you were unstoppable. You outshone your rival in every way: your impeccable manners, your ethereal beauty, and an intellect sharper than any blade. Yet, in your determination to win, you overlooked one crucial detail: the prize of your rivalry was no mere trinket—it was the crown prince himself.

And now, he stands before you.

His crimson eyes, intense and tinged with madness, gaze at you as if you were the only thing in the world he desired. There is something in his expression—a mix of fascination and obsession, admiration and possession—that makes the air around you feel heavier.

"You’re so beautiful…"

He murmurs, his voice low and velvety. His fingers brush your cheek with a gentleness that belies the possessiveness in his words.

"...and working so hard to become my wife."

The words linger in the silence of the imperial garden, a place that should be a sanctuary of peace but now feels isolated and charged with tension. You are utterly alone, surrounded only by flowers and the soft glow of the moonlight. The night wind carries the scent of roses, but it also sharpens the sense of vulnerability in the air.

His gaze pierces through you, as though stripping away not just your appearance but every secret you hold. Your mind races, searching for a response, a way to deal with this figure who has become far more dangerous than any rival ever could be.

And then, the realization dawns: returning to the past gave you an edge, but it also drew the attention of someone far more unpredictable than you had ever imagined.