Can’t Win Me Back

"What's wrong, Jonah? Is something on your mind?" Seeing that they were alone, Jasper seized the chance to approach Jonah.

His gaze was firm as he pressed on, "Did something happen when you were in the palace? "Everyone's overwhelmed by Lyse's situation.

The psychological pressure on you must be just as intense, maybe even more than the rest of us." Jonah met Jasper's concerned gaze, feeling moved.

"Jasper, I really appreciate you noticing how I'm feeling, even at a time like this." "Don't say that, Jonah.

We're family.

To me, you and Lyse are equally important." Since losing contact with Alyssa, Jasper had been restless, plagued by sleepless nights and a constant state of anxiety.

Every shift in the moods of those around him only magnified his own stress, making him hypersensitive and on edge.

"What really happened?" "To be honest, not much." Jonah pursed his lips.

"After entering the palace, I met the king.

He was kind and friendly, giving me a personal tour.

We even dined together and talked about my health and work.

"He felt like a warm-hearted elder, not a king.

Even though I'm not from Kontinia, it made me feel unworthy of all that attention." Jasper understood how Jonah felt.

been just as nervous

good thing?" "It is, but it's too

so that I couldn't

to me." Jonah looked into Jasper's dark eyes with a conflicted

was my first time meeting

and he's the leader of

so kind to me?"

gave me this." Jonah retrieved a quaint-looking emerald ornament from

intrinsic carving was of a noble and mysterious-looking

enough to tell that this wasn't something from

antique belonging to the Kontinian royal family."

under Javier and Newton, Jasper had a keen eye

the ornament from Jonah's hands

a museum's promotional

an antique, a

through generations

remember that it's only passed

for crown princes." "Say what?" Jonah stared

given such a

did he give it to me?" Jasper

a strong connection

understand a king's intentions?"

it to Yuliana so she can bring it back to His Royal Highness." Jasper looked