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

that a good thing?" "It is, but

so that I

felt strange to me." Jonah looked

my first time meeting

and he's the leader

he so kind to me?" Upon hearing

Jonah retrieved a quaint-looking emerald ornament from his

intrinsic carving was of a noble and

to tell that this

an antique belonging to the Kontinian royal family." A gleam flashed in Jasper's

Newton, Jasper had a

from Jonah's hands and examined it

in a

antique, a personal artifact of the

been passed down through generations

that it's only passed down to the heirs to the

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

should have given such a significant item to his only

he give it to me?" Jasper pressed

he just felt a strong

king's intentions?" "No, I

and have her return it to Yuliana so she can bring it back to His Royal Highness." Jasper looked down at the cold emerald