In an abandoned mansion near the borders of Camelot, Prince Dylan sat around a large round table with five others.
Two of them were women, while the remaining three were men.
One of the women, with long blonde hair and sharp green eyes, leaned back in her chair with annoyance written across her face.
"I still don't understand why capturing one princess has become so difficult," she said mockingly. "All you have to do is marry her."
Dylan's expression darkened instantly.
"It would do you good to shut your mouth, Alena," he snapped. "If it's so easy, why don't you do it yourself?"
Before the argument could worsen, the dark-haired woman beside them sighed.
"We should stop fighting among ourselves and focus on getting the princess away from her savior," she said calmly.
"Kiera is right," one of the men, Cole, added. "We need to figure out who that man is and what connection he has to the princess."
Kiera smirked slightly.
"I already had my people investigate him."
Dylan leaned forward impatiently.
"Then get to the point."
Kiera folded her arms.
"The man who saved Princess Chyna is none other than the rumored Devil's Son himself—Crown Prince Jordan of Dacria."
Silence filled the room.
"Well known," she continued, "for his merciless killings."
One of the men, Steven, frowned.
"I still don't understand why someone like him would save the princess."
Kiera's lips curled slightly.
"Maybe he's interested in her."
Dylan's jaw tightened with rage.
"If that's true, taking her away from him won't be easy."
"There's no point sitting here getting angry," Alena said as she rose from her seat. "We should all head back and think of another plan."
The others silently agreed before leaving one after another.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion in Dacria, dinner had become increasingly uncomfortable for Chyna.
Mostly because Jordan would not stop staring at her.
"Would you please stop staring?" she complained finally.
Jordan raised a brow innocently.
"Why? Are you uncomfortable?"
"You know it's rude to stare at people like that."
Jordan leaned slightly forward with a teasing smile.
"But you're not just anyone, Princess." His eyes gleamed mischievously. "You're my princess. The future Queen of Dacria."
Chyna immediately choked on her drink.
Jordan quickly handed her a glass of water.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she coughed after drinking half the glass.
"You should eat more slowly, Yna."
"And you should stop saying such cheesy things," she muttered under her breath.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"N-No."
The rest of dinner passed in relative silence.
Afterward, Jordan escorted her back to her room.
"Goodnight, Princess," he said before turning to leave.
"Wait!"
Jordan stopped instantly, though a small smirk already tugged at his lips before he turned around with a calm expression.
"Yes?"
Chyna hesitated nervously.
"Can you… maybe show me where your room is?" she asked softly. "Just in case I need something."
Jordan chuckled lightly.
"Of course."
He led her farther down the corridor until they reached two enormous black doors at the very end.
"This is my room."
"Thank you," she replied awkwardly.
Jordan walked her back before finally returning to his own chamber.
The moment he entered, he took a quick bath and changed into more comfortable clothes.
Afterward, he opened a cabinet beside his bed and pulled out a painting of Chyna.
His expression softened immediately.
"Oh, Yna…" he murmured quietly. "You have no idea how dangerous you are."
He traced the edge of the painting gently.
"Every time I see you, all I want to do is hold you in my arms and never let go." A bittersweet smile crossed his face. "But I can't… not until you remember me."
With reluctance, he placed the painting back inside the cabinet before lying down on his bed.
Meanwhile, sleep completely refused to come to Chyna.
She tossed and turned repeatedly beneath the blankets.
"What is wrong with me?" she groaned in frustration. "Why can't I sleep?"
Eventually, she gave up and climbed out of bed.
Walking toward the balcony doors, she stared quietly at the night sky.
Among the countless stars above, one lonely star caught her attention.
"So lonely…" she whispered softly.
Suddenly, blurry images flashed through her mind.
A young girl's voice echoed faintly in her head.
"So what's your name? And why did you save me?"
Another voice—a boy's—answered gently.
"You were in danger."
"What's your name?" the little girl asked again.
"My name is—"
The memory shattered instantly.
A loud noise suddenly came from outside the balcony.
Startled, Chyna slowly opened the doors.
The moment she did, a snow-white cat leaped into the room.
The furious animal hissed and swiped toward her face.
Chyna screamed.
Without thinking, she bolted out of her room and sprinted straight toward Jordan's chamber.
She burst through the doors without knocking and immediately climbed onto his bed, clutching the pillows tightly while trembling in fear.
Jordan, who had been standing near the balcony, stared at her in complete shock.
"Yna?" he asked quickly as he hurried toward her. "What happened?"
"T-There's…" she stammered while gripping his arm tightly. "A cat… in my room…"
Jordan blinked in surprise.
"A cat?"
She nodded rapidly.
Trying not to laugh, Jordan gently patted her back.
"Alright. Let's go check."
The moment he attempted to stand, Chyna clung to him even tighter.
Jordan smiled softly.
"Don't be scared," he assured her quietly. "I'm here."
Slowly, she loosened her grip and allowed him to lead her back toward her room.