Nathan''s presence filled the room-he radiated that quiet authority you just couldn''t ignore. "And what if I decide to change her fate, no matter what it takes?"

    The old master could only sigh, shaking his head. "Your Highness, this girl was born unlucky. In ten lifetimes, she''ll never know family, wealth, health, or love. She''s fated to walk through lifepletely alone."

    Nathan''s disbelief was written all over his face. "That can''t be true. She''s so kind, so brave, so gentle-how could someone like her be doomed to such a lonely, difficult life?"

    The master spread out the fate chart and pointed to the tangled lines. "Her misfortune isn''t some punishment for wrongdoing. See here? Her struggles are meant for the sake of others."

    Nathan leaned in, voice tight with concern. "For whom?"

    "That, I can''t tell," the master replied, meeting Nathan''s urgency with a weary sigh. "She really does have the heart of a saint."

    Nathan fell silent, lost in thought, then suddenly looked up his eyes burning with determination. "Whatever it costs, I''ll change her fate."

    The master hesitated, troubled. "Your Highness, if you''re set on going against destiny, there''s only one way."

    Nathan''s hope red. "Tell me. I''ll do it."

    "You need to find someone to sacrifice their fortune their fate-for hers."

    Nathan considered it, brow furrowed. "So, I need someone healthy, long-lived, loved by their family, destined for happiness and good fortune-someone who can give all of that up for her."

    He paused, frustration creeping in. "But where am I supposed to find someone like that, just like that?"

    Then, all at once, an idea sparked. He turned to the master. "What about my fate? What''s written for me?"

    The master gave a small, knowing smile. "Your Highness, except for a short hardship in your childhood—a brief separation from family-the rest of your life is blessed. Riches, health, honor... it''s all there."

    A smile broke across Nathan''s face, wild and excited. "Then let''s use mine. I''ll give everything to her-my long life for her safety, my family''s love for her to finally know warmth, my fortune so she''ll never want for anything-"

    The master was speechless. "Your Highness, you-"

    But Nathan''s eyes held the kind of resolve that left no room for argument.

    The master could only sigh, defeated. "You love her deeply. But the bond between you... it''s so fragile."

    Nathan''s expression softened. "I just want to see her again. Just once."

    The master nodded. "That, I can do. If you give her your fate, I can make sure your paths cross in the next life."

    He scanned the charts, then said, "She and her husband-they''re truly in love, destined to be together for threelifetimes. If you hope towin her heart... it won''t be easy.

    Nathan''s fists clenched, jaw tight with jealousy.

    The master flinched, worried he''d gone too far. "Since you''re willing to do so much for her... perhaps I can tie a red thread between

    you two?"

    But Nathan slowly rxed, the turmoil in his eyes settling. "If I give her my fate, I''ll

    be left sick, alone, and unloved. Isn''t that right?"

    "Yes, Your Highness. You can still change your mind."

    Nathan managed a wry smile. "I won''t. But if I turned into that kind of man, and

    forced her to stay with me, I''d only drag her down."

    He took a shaky breath, letting go of

    his own longing. "Forget it. As long

    as she''s happy, that''s all that

    matters. Whoever her husband is...

    it''s not for me to care."

    "And since Cameron is destined to be with her for three lifetimes, I''ll wish him all

    the best."