The moment they were finally alone, Jordan grabbed Chyna's wrist and pulled her straight toward his room.
The second they entered, he shut the door firmly behind them.
Chyna stared at him nervously.
"Why did you lock the door?"
Jordan turned toward her slowly.
"Oh, so now you're scared?" he asked dryly. "Interesting."
Before she could reply, he guided her toward the couch and made her sit down.
Then he crossed his arms and exhaled sharply.
"What on earth were you thinking?" he demanded. "You knew that man was an imposter, yet you still followed him!"
He was clearly trying hard not to raise his voice, but his frustration was obvious.
Chyna blinked calmly.
"I was bored," she answered plainly. "And he looked interesting."
Jordan stared at her in disbelief.
"You were bored?" he repeated slowly. "Who follows a suspicious stranger because they're bored?!"
Chyna shrugged slightly.
"You were too busy with Jody," she muttered. "So I found someone else to talk to."
Jordan narrowed his eyes immediately.
"So this entire thing happened because you were jealous?"
"I was not jealous," she denied quickly.
Jordan sighed tiredly before finally sitting beside her.
"The truth is…" he admitted, "Jody is my younger sister."
Chyna blinked.
"She's married to the Prince of Alvania—Prince Caleb. She only came to visit."
Realization immediately crossed Chyna's face.
"Oh…"
Jordan tilted his head slightly.
"So you were really jealous."
"No," she argued weakly. "I just… misunderstood things."
A small teasing smile appeared on Jordan's lips.
"So you wanted my attention."
Chyna looked away immediately.
"Well… now we're even."
Jordan's amusement faded slightly.
"Yna, what you did was dangerous." His voice softened. "What if something had actually happened to you?"
Chyna finally looked back at him.
"I'm sorry."
The small guilty smile on her face instantly weakened his resolve.
Jordan sighed.
"I swear, I can never stay angry with you."
Then his expression darkened thoughtfully.
"But seriously… I still don't understand why he specifically chose to impersonate me."
Chyna hesitated briefly before answering.
"I think Prince Dylan sent him," she explained quietly. "I could feel other people nearby. I think it was all part of a plan to capture me."
Jordan's eyes immediately sharpened.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Chyna folded her arms stubbornly.
"You were too busy being jealous and angry to listen."
Jordan opened his mouth to respond but paused suddenly.
"Wait," he said slowly. "Why were you even alone with him long enough to notice all this?"
The memories from earlier flashed through Chyna's mind again.
The visions.
The forest.
Jordan's confession.
Her expression shifted slightly.
"Jordan…" she began hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"
Jordan instantly softened.
"Of course."
Chyna lowered her gaze nervously.
"Do we maybe—"
Knock. Knock.
Jordan's jaw tightened instantly.
"Who is it?" he called out irritably.
"It's Kyan," a voice answered from outside.
Jordan closed his eyes briefly in annoyance.
"Kyan, can this wait? I'm busy."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Footsteps retreated immediately.
Jordan turned back toward Chyna.
"What were you trying to ask me, Yna?"
Chyna hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"It's nothing."
"But—"
"Don't worry about it," she interrupted quickly while standing up. "I need to clean up first. I feel sticky after everything that happened."
She started walking toward the door.
But Jordan gently grabbed her wrist.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight."
Chyna blinked.
"I can't bathe here. My things are still in my room."
Jordan thought for a second before suddenly speaking.
"Move in with me."
Chyna nearly choked.
"What?!"
"I'll have the servants move your belongings here." He shrugged casually. "It's safer this way."
Seeing her hesitation, he added calmly:
"It's for your protection."
After a long pause, Chyna finally sighed.
"Fine."
A victorious grin immediately appeared on Jordan's face.
"Good choice."
Then another thought struck her.
"Wait…" Her eyes widened slightly. "Where exactly am I supposed to sleep?"
Jordan looked genuinely confused.
"My bed."
Chyna's face turned bright red instantly.
Jordan tried—and failed—to hide his amusement.
"My bed is large enough for five people," he teased. "I think it can survive two."
"O-Oh…"
"I promise not to bite," he added playfully.
Chyna immediately stood up.
"I-I'm going to bathe now!"
Before he could respond, she hurried straight into the bathroom.
Jordan laughed quietly to himself.
"She's so easy to fluster."
Still smiling, he eventually left the room and headed toward the garden where Kyan waited for him.
The dark-haired man bowed respectfully the moment Jordan approached.
"I assume you wouldn't interrupt me unless it was important," Jordan said calmly.
Kyan nodded.
"Your Highness, I investigated Prince Dylan as instructed."
Jordan's expression darkened immediately.
"And?"
"We confirmed that Dylan was behind today's attack. His people were the ones sent after the princess."
Jordan clenched his jaw.
Kyan continued carefully.
"My men also overheard something important. Dylan and his allies believe the princess is the key to something."
Jordan frowned.
"The key to what?"
"We still don't know."
Jordan remained silent briefly before giving another order.
"Tighten security around the palace."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And assign additional shadow guards to Yna," Jordan added coldly. "Even when she's alone."
Kyan looked slightly surprised.
"She must not notice them," Jordan clarified. "What happened today can never happen again."
Kyan bowed immediately.
"As you command."
Once Kyan left, another familiar figure approached.
"Your Highness."
Jordan turned toward Jorge.
"Yes?"
"I came to remind you about your birthday celebration in three days."
Jordan sighed immediately.
"Right…"
"Your parents are organizing a grand gathering," Jorge explained carefully. "They also intend to introduce potential brides to you."
Jordan's expression instantly darkened with annoyance.
"Absolutely not."
Jorge hesitated.
"Your Highness—"
"No." Jordan cut him off firmly before a slow smile suddenly appeared on his face. "Actually… this might be perfect."
Jorge looked confused.
Jordan's eyes softened slightly.
"I'll introduce Chyna to them."
Jorge nearly choked.
"Your Highness, isn't this too soon?" he asked carefully. "The princess still doesn't know the truth about your past together."
"I know."
"And you still plan to bring her to a royal celebration where your parents intend to choose your bride?"
Jordan smirked faintly.
"One way or another… she deserves to know."
Then he glanced toward the mansion thoughtfully.
"Send a message to my parents," he ordered. "Tell them I'll attend the celebration."
Jorge bowed reluctantly.
"As you wish."
After Jorge left, Jordan remained alone in the garden for a moment longer before finally returning toward his room.