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I keep seeing theories and breakdowns of the 4 timelines and saw people wondering how Carcel kept falling for her in all timelines but Ines isn't?
I did not read the novel, but I have a theory. Remember in the recent chapter where Carcel remembered the CP's words from the 2nd timeline—that he made a smart decision and how unfortunate that Ines and Carcel still can't remember each other.
My theory is that since in the 1st timeline, Ines and Carcel are deeply in love with each other while the CP is very insecure towards Carcel that he kept sending him to wars till he died. So when he was allowed a wish when he died (not sure how he died tho, surely he died too early bc that's the only way you're allowed a wish) he wished to keep his memories so that he could have things on the next life go his way.
Notice how in Ines's memories when they were hunting, the CP gave Carcel's Grandfather's gun to Ines instead of Carcel (one way to manipulate Ines) and in the current timeline (4th) he personally gave Ines the gun. I was thinking that maybe he was always meant to give that to her personally but starting on the 2nd timeline the CP started changing things so Ines would fall for him and not Carcel (considering how abusive Ines' Mother is, I think he saw the CP as her savior from that shitty house).
If we also look at what Carcel can remember the prince kept manipulating his thoughts so he could never dare pursue or even think or feel anything towards Ines because it will put her in danger so there is no way the two of them could start knowing each other so they can develop something. Although Carcel already has some sort of affection (remember when he remembers fragments of their 2nd life, he kept saying that that version of him doesn't even like Ines THAT much). I think he truly fell for her when Ines and CP were already married for a couple more years.
In the third timeline, Ines remembered her past life too late. She's going to be engaged to CP in a month so imagine the desperation after just offing herself and waking up realizing you're going to repeat that all over again in just a month. She didn't have time to think of anything and just grabbed the prettiest man available at that moment (Emiliano) I am also guessing Carcel is prolly not available at this time because CP probably sent him some war far away so he doesn't have a chance at getting near Ines.
Ines mentioned that she framed Emiliano and started painting on the glass after. Which I think she means that she did not like him at first but fell in love after spending more time with him. So that explains why she did not fall for Carcel in this timeline either.
And if we fully observe in the 2nd timeline, CP really did his best to lure Ines' eyes away from Carcel. Used his memory to manipulate every core event so it would be his and Ines's memory instead of Carcel. And in 3rd timeline it's so chaotic bc Ines was so busy running away and making sure Emiliano and her child won't get killed.
So in those timelines she really didn't know Carcel that much, just a side character in her story. But Carcel on the other hand, knew her so well because he kept being on the sidelines watching her. So you'll notice in Ines' memories she kept remembering little bits and pieces of Carcel in it and only realizing he's always been there since the start.
That's my theory on what might be the reason why only Carcel fell for her in all timelines but not Ines too. Also I think in 2nd timeline, she somehow harbor a little bit of likeness towards Carcel when they were younger, but CP always gets in between :P