"…Wait."
The room fell silent.
Wilbert paused, the porcelain cup hovering just inches from his lips. His violet eyes turned toward Marbella, filled with quiet curiosity.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
Marbella's gaze remained fixed on the dark liquid inside the cup.
Her heart pounded violently.
She had no evidence.
No witnesses.
Nothing except memories from a life that no longer existed.
If she accused anyone now, she would only be dismissed as an emotional young lady.
She forced herself to remain calm.
"Your Highness… has the Imperial Physician changed your prescription recently?"
Wilbert blinked before shaking his head.
"No."
"The prescription has remained the same for years."
Marbella lowered her eyes.
"I see."
The maid standing beside the bed smiled politely.
"His Highness has taken this medicine every day since he was ten years old."
"Every day?"
"Yes, My Lady."
"The physicians believe it helps suppress His Highness's illness."
Marbella slowly nodded.
"…May I see it?"
The maid looked at Wilbert.
Receiving a small nod, she respectfully handed the porcelain cup to Marbella.
Marbella carefully examined the dark liquid.
A strong herbal scent filled her nose.
It smelled bitter.
Nothing more.
She wasn't knowledgeable enough to distinguish every medicinal herb simply by its scent.
"I've embarrassed myself."
She returned the cup with a faint smile.
"I've recently become interested in herbal medicine, so I was merely curious."
Wilbert chuckled softly.
"I didn't know my cousin had taken an interest in medicine."
"I only know a little."
Marbella lowered her head politely.
"Please forgive my rudeness."
Wilbert smiled before lifting the cup.
Without hesitation, he drank every last drop.
Marbella unconsciously held her breath.
A few moments passed.
Then—
Cough.
Wilbert covered his mouth.
Cough… Cough…
His shoulders trembled with another fit of coughing.
The maid hurriedly poured a glass of water.
"Your Highness."
Wilbert accepted it with a weak smile.
"I'm fine."
"This always happens after taking the medicine."
Always.
Marbella's fingers tightened beneath her sleeves.
No one questioned it.
No one found it strange.
Everyone had accepted it as part of his illness.
After several moments, Wilbert finally regained his composure.
"I'm sorry."
"I seem to have worried you."
Marbella forced herself to smile.
"It is nothing."
Yet his complexion had become noticeably paler than before drinking the medicine.
Exactly as she remembered.
Exactly…
Like every memory from her previous life.
The room suddenly became quiet as another person entered.
She was a graceful woman in her forties, dressed elegantly but modestly. Although she wore no extravagant jewelry, every servant respectfully bowed as she passed.
Her eyes immediately softened upon seeing Wilbert.
"Your Highness."
"I heard you were receiving a guest."
Wilbert smiled warmly.
"Mother Eleanor."
"You came."
The woman sighed helplessly as she adjusted the blanket over Wilbert's lap.
"You never stop making everyone worry."
"I was only speaking with Marbella."
"You should still rest."
Her movements were gentle and practiced.
Like a real mother caring for her son.
Only then did she notice Marbella.
"Lady Petrovic."
"It has been quite some time."
Marbella returned the greeting.
"It is good to see you again, Lady Eleanor."
Eleanor smiled kindly.
"I heard tomorrow is your sixteenth birthday."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Marbella quietly observed the woman before her.
Lady Eleanor had served in the Imperial Palace for decades.
After the death of Wilbert's birth mother, she had become his nanny and personally raised him.
Everyone in the palace trusted her.
Even Wilbert called her "Mother Eleanor."
In her previous life, Marbella had pitied her deeply.
After Wilbert's death, Eleanor had mourned for months, rarely leaving his memorial hall.
She had looked like a mother who had lost her own child.
Marbella searched the woman's expression.
There was only warmth.
Only concern.
No hatred.
No guilt.
No trace of deception.
For a brief moment, doubt crept into Marbella's mind.
Could I be wrong?
No…
She immediately dismissed the thought.
Someone had murdered Wilbert.
She was certain of it.
But perhaps…
The killer wasn't standing in this room.
Perhaps someone else had been moving the pieces from the shadows all along.
The carriage slowly departed from the Imperial Palace.
The sun was beginning to set beyond the palace walls, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold.
Mia sat across from Marbella, stealing worried glances at her mistress.
"My Lady…"
"You've been quiet ever since we left."
Marbella finally lifted her gaze.
"Mia."
"Yes, My Lady."
"I have something I need you to investigate."
Mia straightened immediately.
"What is it?"
"I want you to find out everything about the Crown Prince's medicine."
"The physicians who prescribe it."
"The servants who prepare it."
"The merchants who supply the herbs."
"And everyone who has access to it."
Mia's eyes widened slightly.
"Your Ladyship…"
Marbella looked out the carriage window.
"If someone wishes to kill the Crown Prince…"
"They must first touch his medicine."
A chilling silence filled the carriage.
Mia lowered her head.
"I understand."
"I'll begin the investigation immediately."
Marbella watched the Imperial Palace gradually disappear behind them.
In her previous life…
She had been too late.
This time…
She would uncover the truth before history repeated itself.