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.

just

that a good thing?" "It

so that I couldn't

Jonah looked into Jasper's dark eyes with a conflicted

my first time meeting

he's the

to me?"

this." Jonah retrieved a quaint-looking emerald ornament

intrinsic carving was of a noble and

to tell that this wasn't something

an antique belonging to the Kontinian royal family." A gleam flashed

Newton, Jasper had a keen

ornament from Jonah's hands and examined

a museum's promotional booklet

an antique, a personal artifact

been passed down through generations for about 300-400

I remember that it's only passed down to the

it's meant for crown princes." "Say what?" Jonah

have given such a significant

it to me?"

felt a strong connection

a king's intentions?" "No, I can't

back to His Royal Highness."