Late at night, Mose still hadn't returned.

Obviously, he was still by the side of Anna, who had fallen into the water and caught a chill.

Gabriela climbed over the wall and slipped into my room. She sat beside me, handing me a small box.

"I've already taken the medicine," she whispered. "It should take effect in the next few days. When I enter a state of feigned death, all you have to do is hold my body and jump into the Reincarnation Well. Then we can both return. As for the demonic energy in the well, don't worry. I acquired this secret medicine that can block its invasion for an hour."

She paused, letting out a chuckle. "Does this feel like a lovers' pact to die together?"

I rolled my eyes at her and said nothing.

Footsteps echoed outside the door. Gabriela stuck out her tongue at me before running out and climbing over the wall to return to her own palace.

The next moment, Mose pushed open the door and walked in.

He looked at me and asked with a frown, "Who were you talking to just now?"

I shook my head, maintaining my usual docile demeanor in front of him.

"No one. Just talking to myself," I replied.

He shot me an indifferent glance instead of pursuing it.

"Go to sleep," he said.

I blinked in surprise that he hadn't questioned me about hurting Anna, as he always did.

Nevertheless, I obediently lay down on the innermost side of the bed.

Mose removed his clothes and lay down beside me.

He had his back to me, and his voice was devoid of any emotion as he said, "Anna just got back. She's feeling insecure, and I have to be considerate of our past."

I felt the warmth of his body, but my blood ran cold.

Mose had always been clever. He must have understood everything.

He knew what happened that day and the days before were all set by her to frame Gabriela and me.

Yet he still chose to side with Anna, not for any other reason but simply because she was feeling insecure.

I turned my back to him as well and hummed in response.

Since Anna's return, everything around me had been constantly reminding me that the only reason I'd gotten this far was because my face resembled Anna's.

What could a mere stand-in do to change anything for the real person?

I closed my eyes, saying no more.

The sound of steady breathing came from behind me, but I couldn't fall asleep.

...

Two days later, Gabriela climbed over the wall into my courtyard again and tossed me a ring.

She said, "This ring is a magical artifact. It can store a lot of things. You should start packing."

I took it and immediately used it to store all the jewelry and coins that Mose had given me.

Gabriela clicked her tongue. "Who would've thought Mose could be so generous?"

The next day, I was alone in the small garden outside the hall, tending to the flowers I had planted.

Suddenly, a commotion came from outside.

I stood up, walked to the door, and grabbed a passing maid to ask what was going on.

The maid looked extremely nervous, but out of respect for my status, she answered properly, "His Highness took the Consort and Lady Anna to attend a banquet. On their way back, they were attacked by demons. Lady Anna was injured, and His Highness is summoning the royal physicians to treat her."

A growing sense of unease gripped me, and even my voice trembled as I asked, "What about the Consort? Where is Gabriela?"

The maid hesitated before replying timidly, "I didn’t see Princess Gabriela when His Highness returned."

I released the maid and dashed towards the Nebula Palace as if my life depended on it.

When I passed by the entrance to the Celestial Realm, I saw Rudolf's trusted aide holding a familiar figure.

I rushed over and saw Gabriela, covered in wounds, and my eyes instantly reddened.

"Gabriela, are you all right?" I asked anxiously.

Gabriela gave me a weak smile. "Yeah, it will be over soon."

I immediately understood what she meant.

The medicine was beginning to take effect.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Gabriela suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

I was taken aback, thinking to myself that the drug's effect was indeed potent, but I maintained a façade of grief on my face.

"Gabriela! Gabriela!" I cried out.

The guard quickly settled Gabriela and rushed out to find the imperial physician.

However, it took a long time for the guard to return, and there was no one behind him.

I frowned. "Where is the physician?"

The guard hesitated for a moment. "They are all with Lady Anna. Her maid stopped me from entering, and both princes are accompanying her."

I gritted my teeth and rushed out. Anyway, the show must go on.

...

Inside Nebula Palace, Anna leaned weakly against Rudolf, while Mose was expending his magical power to heal her.

The maid indeed stopped me, looking down at me with disdain.

She said sternly, "Halt! Our lady is inside receiving treatment. No one is allowed to enter."

I coldly stared at her and slapped her across the face.

"I am the princess! How dare you stop me?" I snapped.

The commotion at the door disturbed the people inside. I heard Mose say, "Let her in."

The maid glared at me before stepping aside.

I quickly walked in and grabbed a physician to take him outside.

"Stop!"

I paused but still chose to walk towards the door.

Mose's voice was tinged with anger. "Etta Lambert! What do you think you're doing?"

I stopped, and when I turned around, my eyes were already red.

I replied, "I'm making a scene. What are you doing?"

I pointed at Rudolf, who was holding Anna. "Rudolf! You left Gabriela behind, not caring about her life or death. She is just a mortal with no magical powers. She can only rely on medicine to heal. But now you are holding all the physicians. What should Gabriela do?"

"She won't die," Rudolf said without looking up.

I was stunned. "Do you know what you are saying?"

Rudolf snorted, "Gabriela colluded with demons! It's already a great mercy that I haven't divorced her, and she dares to ask me for medicine? Don’t worry. The demons wouldn't hurt her badly."

I realized that this was likely another frame-up by Anna.

Just as I was about to refute, that guard rushed in. "Your Highness, Lady Gabriela is severely injured and has already passed away."

I froze, collapsing to the ground. Tears streamed down my face.

Rudolf suddenly looked up but then seemed to remember something and frowned.

"Gabriela is something now, even able to bribe you," he snorted at the guard.

I stood up, wiped away my tears, and choked up. "If you don’t believe, just o and see yourself! Gabriela is now in the side palace! When she came back, she was covered in blood."

Rudolf stood up, walking towards me. "Fine, I'll go see what tricks she's playing now. Let me remind you. Gabriela's collusion with demons is a grave sin. If she continues to play fire, I can't protect her."

I smiled sarcastically and did not respond.

Rudolf followed the guard and hurriedly left.

Just then, Mose's voice sounded. "Anna, you're awake."

Anna turned to me, speaking softly. "Etta, I'm sorry about this. I didn't expect Rudolf to leave Gabriela behind."

The anger in my heart was instantly ignited. I rushed forward and grabbed her hair.

"Shut up and drop your act!" I snapped.

Anna screamed in pain, shaking her head.

But before I could say another word, a slap landed firmly on my face.

It stung fiercely.

Mose looked at me coldly. "Have you had enough? Anna has nothing to do with this matter."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and through my blurred vision, I caught a glimpse of his panic.