The night air was cool.
After dinner, Thea and Erick walked side by side through the garden path, the soft crunch of gravel the only sound between them. The moon hung low in the sky, silver light spilling over their shadows as they moved together—close enough that their arms nearly brushed, yet neither dared to close the distance.
No one spoke.
But Thea's heart was loud enough to fill the silence.
So this is what it feels like… walking beside him without fear.
She inhaled slowly, letting the breeze calm the storm in her chest. For the first time since waking up ten years in the past, she felt something dangerously close to happiness.
Maybe this was why she was brought back.
To fix this.
To fix them.
In her past life, this moment had never existed. Their first meeting had been a disaster—water thrown in his face, cruel words spat without restraint, her hatred for the marriage burning brighter than reason. She had cursed her grandfather, cursed Erick, cursed the world for forcing her to marry a "commoner."
She clenched her fists behind her back.
No wonder you stayed silent. No wonder you kept your distance.
And yet—even then—he had never raised his voice at her. Never retaliated. Never humiliated her back.
He had endured.
What kind of man does that?
She exhaled slowly, guilt pressing heavily on her chest.
Not this time. Never again.
Beside her, Erick's thoughts were just as tangled.
He watched her back as they walked, the gentle sway of her dress, the way moonlight clung to her hair. The warmth she showed him earlier—her laughter, her teasing, the food she cooked—none of it matched the woman described in rumours.
She's innocent, he thought firmly. Whatever the adults decided has nothing to do with her.
He tightened his hands at his sides.
I should at least try.
Thea suddenly turned her head, catching him staring.
"Is there something on my face?" Erick asked instinctively, touching his cheek.
She laughed.
"No," she said lightly. "I was just thinking… do your superiors know you have this cute side?"
Before he could react, her hand lifted—soft, warm—and brushed his cheek.
Erick froze.
Her fingers were gentle. Careless. Intimate.
"How can a man have such long eyelashes?" she murmured, more to herself than to him.
Time stopped.
Her face glowed under the moonlight—freckles faint, eyes shining, lips parted just enough to make his throat dry. His heart hammered wildly, a sensation he had never felt before. He swallowed hard, pressing a hand to his chest as if it might calm the rhythm.
"You're the first person who's ever called me cute," he said hoarsely when she finally pulled away.
Thea blinked—then grinned.
"Really? That's a shame."
She walked ahead, hands clasped behind her back, voice light but sincere.
"You're a good person, Erick."
He stared at her back, stunned.
Good? Me?
In the army, he was feared. Soldiers trembled when he trained them. Officers spoke his name with respect and dread. No one had ever looked at him like she did—like he was safe.
Like he was warm.
How is this possible? he wondered. To feel this drawn to someone I just met?
They stopped walking.
Thea turned again, eyes shining.
"I'll miss this moment," she said softly. "Thank you for coming today, Erick. I'm really grateful."
The words slipped out before she realised she had spoken them aloud.
Erick frowned slightly, unease stirring.
"Thea… have we met before?" he asked slowly. "Before yesterday?"
Her heart skipped violently.
"Why does it feel like you already know me?" he continued. "Like… this isn't our first meeting."
She froze.
Panic surged through her chest.
He noticed.
Of course he did. Erick was sharp—trained to observe, to notice inconsistencies, to sense danger. She had forgotten that in her excitement. Forgotten how easily she could lose everything with one mistake.
"No," she said quickly, turning her face away. "Yesterday was our first time meeting."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But you treat me like—"
Fear swallowed her whole.
Her hands wrapped around herself, body trembling as old memories surged forward—hospital lights, empty rooms, his ring on her finger that no longer belonged to her.
"I-I'm sorry," she said, voice shaking. "Did I make you uncomfortable? I'll stop. I promise. I'll adjust."
Tears burned her eyes.
"I just… I felt comfortable with you. I didn't plan anything. Please believe me, Erick."
Her shoulders shook.
The sight pierced his chest painfully.
What did I do?
Erick stepped forward instantly, grasping her shoulders gently, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to look at him.
"No," he said firmly. "You didn't make me uncomfortable."
His thumb brushed her cheek without thought, wiping away a tear that never fell.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like this. I'm… glad you're comfortable with me."
She blinked.
Relief washed over her face, her smile returning like sunrise.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Really."
She laughed softly, pressing a hand to her chest. "That's a relief."
He stepped back slowly, heart pounding.
How can someone smile like that?
"I'm glad our first meeting went well," he said quietly.
"It did," she replied warmly.
Be careful, she told herself. Slowly. Don't scare him.
They reached the car.
"I think this is where we say goodnight," she said reluctantly.
"Thank you for everything today," he replied. "I feel bad I didn't bring anything."
She shook her head. "You didn't need to."
"I insist. Ask me for something."
Her eyes sparkled dangerously.
She leaned closer, tiptoeing until her lips brushed his ear.
"If you want to repay me…" she whispered, voice low and playful, "a date is enough."
His ears turned crimson instantly.
Before he could respond, she kissed his cheek—soft, fleeting, devastating—and stepped back with a smile.
"Goodnight, Erick. Drive safely."
She walked away.
Erick stood frozen, fingers lifting slowly to touch the spot she kissed.
"Date…" he murmured.
A smile broke across his face before he could stop it.
And behind him, hidden by shadows, fate laughed softly.