Li Wei's gaze hardened as he faced Chen Yu in the palace corridor.
"…What are you doing here?"
Chen Yu blinked, a little out of breath from jogging.
"I was… looking for you."
Li Wei said nothing.
The silence pressed like a blade against Chen Yu's grin.
"I—uh… I wanted to apologize about yesterday."
He scratched his head, boyish and awkward.
"I shouldn't have dragged Leena out to the market. It was reckless. I just… wanted to cheer her up."
Li Wei's jaw tightened.
Images of them laughing together.
Holding hands.
Her smile—bright in the sunlight, but not for him.
He forced his voice to remain calm.
"…And?"
Chen Yu's grin faltered.
"There's something else. While we were out… someone shot an arrow at us."
Li Wei froze.
"An arrow?"
"Yes." Chen Yu's usual joking tone disappeared.
"It barely missed her. If I hadn't pulled her aside…"
A cold fire coiled in Li Wei's chest.
So the attack had reached beyond the palace walls.
He stepped closer, his shadow falling over Chen Yu.
"And yet," he said softly,
"you still thought it was wise to parade her through the streets like a festival prize?"
Chen Yu swallowed.
"I… didn't mean any harm."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed.
"You seem to forget she is not just some girl. Every move she makes… puts a target on her back."
Chen Yu hesitated.
"I… just didn't want her to feel lonely."
The words were simple, but they pierced like a thorn.
Li Wei said nothing.
The image of her laughing with him burned again.
For a moment, the tension between the two friends felt sharp enough to cut.
Finally, Li Wei turned away, his black robe sweeping behind him.
"Go. And stay out of trouble."
Chen Yu hesitated, then gave a stiff bow.
"…Yes, Your Highness."
As he left, Li Wei's hand tightened into a fist.
Someone had aimed for Leena.
And until he found out who…
He would not let her leave his sight.