Leena's fingers hovered over the pear Chen Yu held out.
Then—smack!
A hand pushed the fruit away.
The pear hit the ground with a dull thud.
Chen Yu stared, horrified.
"…My pear! Why?"
Li Wei stood there, black robes swaying, eyes sharp as knives.
"Stop playing around," he said coldly.
"Didn't you hear the rumors about you two?"
Chen Yu blinked. "…Oh, that?"
He waved it off with a grin.
"Just rumors! Leena's my new best friend. Right, Leena?"
Leena hesitated, then gave a small, polite nod.
Chen Yu beamed.
The prince's jaw tightened.
"Your friendship is putting her in a very… awkward position.
Step back."
The weight of his voice was pure warning.
Chen Yu's smile faltered. "…I don't want to step back."
A heavy silence.
Li Wei's boots clicked against the stones as he closed the distance, slow and deliberate.
The message was clear: One more step, and you'll regret it.
Leena's heart pounded.
But then—something flickered in the corner of her vision.
A man.
Standing at the edge of the market.
Staring.
Her breath hitched.
She had seen him before.
Earlier, when she strolled with the prince…
Everywhere they went, he was there.
"Your Highness…" she whispered, tugging his sleeve.
"There's a man. Watching us."
Li Wei's gaze flicked past her—sharp, calculating.
He saw him.
He straightened, voice low.
"Chen Yu. Take her back to the palace."
"What?" Chen Yu blinked.
"I thought I was supposed to step back!"
The prince's eyes flashed.
"It's now that you decide to listen?"
His tone cut like ice.
"Take her. Now."
Chen Yu gulped. "Y-Yes, Your Highness."
Li Wei turned to leave—silent, focused.
But a small, soft hand grabbed his arm.
He froze.
Leena looked up at him, worry clouding her eyes.
"Why go alone? Please… let us go with you."
For a heartbeat, the world slowed.
The market noise blurred.
The prince's chest tightened at the sight of her anxious face, her fingers curled around his sleeve.
He wanted to say no.
He wanted to keep her safe.
But the warmth of her touch melted his resolve.
"…Stay close," he said at last, his voice low.