The journey back to the palace was calm but strangely heavy for Tessa.The streets shimmered with silver light as the moon spilled over the rooftops of Velmor. The laughter of the evening still lingered faintly in Tessa's chest, but her thoughts were already somewhere else—or rather, with someone else.
Inside the carriage, Sir Alex sat across from her in his usual silence. His expression was unreadable, but Tessa could sense that even he seemed to be thinking about something.
"Sir Alex…" she began softly, breaking the silence.
He looked up. "Yes, my lady?"
"Did you…enjoy today? "
" Yes, the food was delicious. And Lord Hun's house was built good. "
" You are suddenly calling him lord? Isn't he is lower in rank ?"
" At work my lady not in real life ... Although as those things doesn't matter in the empire but sometimes out of habit I say that .... After all before being the captain, i always addressed him like that. "
" I see .. ummm do you know where His Highness's room is?"
There was a pause as the carriage stopped in front of the palace door. "You intend to visit him now? It's already past midnight."
"I know," she admitted, her voice lowering, "but I brought some food from Fiona's party. He must not have eaten properly …"
Alex's gaze softened just a fraction. "His Highness is indeed busy from last few days . If anyone can convince him to rest, perhaps it's you."
Tessa smiled faintly. "Then I'll take that as permission."
He nodded and stood. "Follow me."
They walked through the silent corridors of the palace, their footsteps echoing faintly against the marble. The air was thick with quiet and something else—a lingering tension, as though the walls themselves knew the Crown Prince was at war with his own thoughts. Finally, Alex stopped in front of a tall oak door.
"This is His Highness's chamber," he said, bowing lightly. "I'll stand guard outside."
"Thank you, but sir Alex you should go and take rest . I can go back on my own. "
" Are you sure? My lady..."
"Yes. "
" Fine then . "
Alex left and Tessa took a deep breath, balancing the small basket in her hands, and knocked softly.
A deep, calm voice answered, "Come in."
She pushed the door open.
Jasper was seated on the long couch, a dozen scrolls and papers scattered around him. His royal jacket was discarded, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing faint scars along his forearms—marks of a man who didn't just command from a comfortable palace but fought alongside his soldiers. The candlelight painted half of his face in gold, the other half in shadow. Jasper said without looking
" Alex , any news? I was about to .. oh." He didn't look surprised to see her, only quietly curious. " Tessa? What are you doing here at this hour. You should go and rest."
Tessa stepped in, closing the door gently behind her. "See who is telling....You look busy, Your Highness. I… thought you might be hungry."
He blinked once, as if it took him a moment to process her words. "Hungry?"
She nodded and lifted the basket. "I packed some food from the party. Fiona insisted I bring sweets, but I added some bread and soup too. I swear the soup is delicious."
His lips quirked slightly. "You came all this way at night… to bring me food?"
"Someone had to," she said with a small, shy smile. "And I didn't want you to stay hungry while I go to bed with full stomach ."
Jasper's chuckle was soft but low, like distant thunder. "You're impossible,Tessa. But I don't think I'm hungry.."
" You are . Let's not lie to each other Jasper. I have seen in dinning table that you love to eat good and tasty foods... Your position must have the weight but you should not go empty stomach when you have to fight and rule. " Tessa sat in front of Jasper.
" Fine . " Jasper smiled and took the food to eat. " Thanks "
"I've been told that before," she said, setting the basket on the table. "You should rest, Your Highness. I know you have been working hard these days."
He leaned back, eyes drifting to the window. "Rest isn't a luxury I can afford right now."
"The hunters again?"
His eyes sharpened. "Yes. Their movements have grown more unpredictable. They are not practically active right now ...It's as if they're being directed by something—or someone—stronger. I can't risk a single mistake."
Tessa's chest tightened. "You've been investigating alone?"
He looked at her then—truly looked. "Dad entrusted me with it .. and moreover how can I let my people die while I sleep comfortably?"
She bit her lip, unable to answer. "No… but you can't shoulder everything alone either."
He didn't respond, but the silence between them said enough. " I'm not alone Tessa ... Don't worry. Everyone wants this to stop... And I also have to keep my promise to you. "
" Promise? "
" I promised you to return you safely in your world didn't I? "
Tessa became quite. She almost forgot she was not from this world. She felt a rush of blocked air inside her body.
After a long moment, Jasper reached for one of the documents, but Tessa stepped closer and gently took it from his hand. "Eat first. Then think about saving the world."
He raised an eyebrow. "You give orders to the Crown Prince now?"
"Only when he forgets to act like a human."
" I'm not a human Tessa , I'm a vampire with some human like qualities."
" Yes yes whatever. "
The corner of his mouth twitched. "You've grown bold."
"I'm just not afraid anymore. Specially of you."
Something unreadable flickered in his eyes—something warm and dangerous all at once. "You should be," he said quietly. "You care too easily, Tessa. And in this world, care can be a weapon used against you."
She hesitated. "Are you warning me… or protecting me?"
"Both," he said simply while slurpinh the soup.
For a heartbeat, neither spoke. The candlelight swayed. The air grew heavy, humming with something that wasn't entirely spoken.Tessa remembered the warning the King of Seron aka Jasper's older brother had given her.
Then, Jasper sighed and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Listen to me carefully, Tessa. There are rules you must follow while you're here."
Tessa blinked, startled by his tone. "Rules?"
"Yes." His gaze met hers—sharp, unyielding, but with an undercurrent of worry.
"First, you must never reveal your true identity to anyone. Not even the ones who seem trustworthy, hunters can be hidden anywhere. But the palace is mostly safe now. "
She nodded slowly.
"Second, don't act recklessly or put yourself in danger... doesn't matter who is in danger...."
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeve. " Even if it's you? " She said in a low voice.
" Ofc . Specifically if it's me . I was about to scold you last time but mom stopped me ..."
"Third," he continued, "you should not leave the palace without my permission. It will be dangerous if the hunters decide to target you."
She swallowed, listening carefully.
"Fourth," Jasper said, his voice dropping lower, "you will decline every invitation from the noble ladies. No tea parties, no luncheons. Some of them would trade a life for favor—and they'd use you to do it."
" What? "
" Yes... Tessa .. you can be their easy target as you were my partner in the ball. They will just harass you or maybe do something bad. ..but Fiona Hun is ok .."
Tessa looked down.
"And finally…" Jasper hesitated for the first time. His eyes softened, but his tone remained firm. "You must not fall in love while you're here."
Tessa blinked in confusion. "Fall in love?"
"Yes." He looked away then, toward the window where moonlight kissed the floor. "For you such attachments only bring heartbreak as you may have to leave your world permanently. It's forbidden for a reason."
She stood still, her breath caught somewhere between her chest and throat.
When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, trembling, but clear.
"I don't know about love but even if it's forbidden… nothing can stop me from caring for someone I hold dearly, Your Highness."
Jasper turned his gaze toward her then. For a brief, dangerous moment, she thought she saw a crack in his calm—something raw and almost painful behind his eyes.
"...You're reckless, please don't say such things.," he murmured.
"Maybe," she said, smiling faintly.
" May I know for whom you are ready to take such steps that can cause you this much harm from which you can never retreat?"
" I made some good friends here like Fiona, Elisa, Sir Alex, Teacher... Some people who cares for me and make me feel like home ... The Majesties, Duchess hun ....but above all you who risked his life once to save mine , brought me with him to ensure my safety and taking care of me till now .... "
" You.."
" Listen Jasper Blackthorn. You may think you are just a crown prince who is just politically important.....but to me you are important as who you are ! I don't care if you are the crown prince or a normal citizen or even if a orphan ... You are still the Jasper Blackthorn I know and I will help you with my all. No one ever did as much as you did for me . No one! If you die , the empire may cry for the lose of a future ruler but I will cry because I lost you , Jasper. Anyways I.."
Jasper's gaze made Tessa stop.
A long silence followed. Then, Jasper slowly rose from the couch, stepping closer until the air between them thinned into tension.
"Go back to your chambers, Lady Tessa," he said quietly.
Her heart pounded, but she curtsied gently. "Good night, Your Highness."
As she turned to leave, Jasper's voice came once more—barely above a whisper.
"...Thank you. For the food."
She smiled without turning around. "Its ok."
And when she stepped out into the quiet corridor, the moonlight felt heavier than before—like it carried the weight of something neither of them were ready to name.