Fated Love Across Two Lifetimes

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Dylan Yates and I were reborn in the same moment.

In our past life, we remained devoted companions, cherishing one another until our hair turned white with age.

In this life, I believed he would once more seek my hand in marriage, yet he instead offered me the Love-forgetting Wine, requesting to marry my Younger Half-Sister.

"Sabrina, in our prior existence, Grace Lewis endured torment and perished due to an arranged marriage. I cannot bear to witness her repeat that fate, and thus, I must wed her."

"I wish not to inflict such sorrow upon you. By drinking this wine, you shall forget me. Once I have aided Grace Lewis in escaping the fatal arranged marriage that awaits her in seven days, you may consume the Antidote and recover your memories. I shall then divorce her and marry you with due ceremony and acclaim."

Seeing that seeing him was inevitable, I did not hesitate and drank the Love-forgetting Wine in one desperate gulp.

Unbeknownst to him, the Love-forgetting Wine possessed no Antidote.

In seven days hence, I shall have forgotten him entirely.

Dylan Yates accepted the wine glass from which I had drunk, his eyes shadowed with unease.

"I know you despise Grace Lewis; you must be incensed that I intend to marry her."

"Rest assured, I would never betray you. Your station is far too exalted for such a degrading political alliance. Grace Lewis, as a Daughter of a Concubine, faces a far grimmer fate: should I not take her as my wife, she is destined to a miserable death through a forced marriage."

"My heart is wrung with anguish; can you find it within you to forgive me?"

I gazed upon him, my eyes unfocused, adrift in sorrow.

I know not when this man, who had ever professed a deep devotion to me, fostered such compassion for Grace Lewis.

Full well I know that her mother seduced my father, driving my own mother to her untimely demise.

And full well I know that since birth, she has relentlessly seized what was rightfully mine; I hold her in utter detestation.

Yet it is she whom he seeks to shield.

Witnessing my silence, Dylan Yates' brow furrowed with a nascent disquiet, a hint of panic betraying itself in his gaze.

"Once you imbibe the Love-forgetting Wine, all memory of me shall vanish. I give you my solemn word, you will know no heartbreak when I take another to wife."

"Once the matter of the marriage alliance is concluded, I shall administer the Antidote to you, and you will forget all that has transpired, regaining your former memories. At that time, we shall renew our romance."

In truth, the Love-forgetting Wine does not induce instantaneous amnesia; rather, it gradually strips away memories until one completely forgets the person they love.

Nor does any Antidote exist; once the memories are gone, they are gone forevermore.

I looked at Dylan Yates, and smiled.

"Now that you have made your choice and bestowed the betrothal gifts upon her, there is no need to explain it to me again and again."

"If you can bear the consequences, so be it."

Seeing that I was not angry, Dylan Yates breathed a sigh of relief, his dark eyes filled with a smile.

"Now that I am committed, I am naturally confident in my success. Sabrina, rest assured; I can bear the repercussions."

I was on the verge of utterance when pain detonated within my mind. Darkness consumed my vision, and my body plummeted backward.

Dylan Yates caught me in his arms, his handsome countenance suddenly chilling, and he exclaimed with urgency:

"Does your head ache?"

"I have ascertained that the Love-forgetting Wine poses no threat to your health. I shall fetch the Imperial Physician to examine you at once."

As he spoke, he moved to sweep me into his embrace, but I pressed a hand against him, staggering to regain my balance, my mind momentarily devoid of thought.

The instinctive question arose:

"What Imperial Physician are you? How came you to be here?"

Upon hearing this, Dylan Yates faltered, as if comprehension dawned, a fleeting spark of joy illuminating his eyes.

He released me at once.

"Princess, I have come to seek your younger sister's hand in marriage."

"The wedding is set for seven days hence; henceforth, you shall address me as Brother-in-law."

I was stunned for several seconds before the realization struck: the Love-forgetting Wine had taken effect, erasing the immediate past from my memory.

Yet Dylan Yates believed I had forgotten all.

Gazing upon the burgeoning joy in Dylan Yates's eyes, I could not quell the sharp, rending pain that surged within my heart.

Yet, outwardly, I forced a smile.

Since he wishes to play this part, then I shall indulge him, and let it be a fitting culmination to our two lifetimes of love.

"Congratulations, Young Marquis, on the attainment of your beautiful bride."

Just then, Grace Lewis hurried over and clutched Dylan Yates's arm, positioning herself between us, her eyes reddening with aggrieved tears.

"Didn't sister always pride herself on her lofty principles, despising above all those who would ruin the affections of others?"

"Dylan and I are to be wed, yet you still secretly meet with him. How are you any different from such as they?"

Dylan Yates's face suddenly turned gloomy. "What nonsense is this? My relationship with your sister is perfectly innocent. Do not slander her name."