Jordan and Chyna arrived downstairs together, their presence immediately drawing attention.
Standing in the hall was a young woman about Chyna's age.
She had long fiery red hair, sharp green eyes, and a striking red silk gown with a slit that revealed her elegant stride. There was something confident—and unsettling—about her presence.
"Dan! I'm so happy to see you after such a long time," she said brightly the moment she saw Jordan, a wide smile forming on her lips.
Jordan maintained a polite expression.
"How have you been?"
"As you can see, I'm alive," she replied casually.
Then she added, "I missed Jody so much that I came to see her. But she wasn't in Alvania, so I came here thinking she might be here."
Jordan shook his head.
"You just missed her. She left earlier."
"Oh?" she blinked. "Do you know where she went?"
"No," he answered curtly.
She sighed softly, then glanced around.
"My carriage was destroyed on the way," she said. "Can I stay here for a while?"
Jordan nodded.
"Sure."
At that moment, Chyna cleared her throat lightly, drawing attention to herself.
Jordan immediately reacted.
"Oh—right." He gestured between them. "Princess Daya of Northern Lights, meet Princess Chyna of Grandcrest."
Daya offered a polite smile.
"Nice to meet you."
Chyna smiled back.
"The pleasure is mine."
Jordan glanced at Chyna.
"She's Jody's friend," he explained.
Chyna nodded.
"Oh… I see."
Daya tilted her head slightly.
"And you are…?" she asked.
Before Jordan could answer, Chyna stepped forward.
"I am his fiancée," she said calmly.
The room went silent.
Jordan turned toward her sharply.
"…Chyna."
Daya's smile froze for half a second.
Then she recovered instantly.
"Oh… congratulations," she said, though her jaw tightened slightly.
Chyna's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"The maids will show you to your room," she added smoothly. "We have to get back to something."
Daya nodded politely.
"Of course."
She followed the maid away, her expression unreadable.
Later, in her assigned room, Daya sat on the bed with a slow exhale.
The moment the door closed, the atmosphere shifted.
A voice echoed behind her.
"Good job entering his palace successfully."
Kiera stepped out of the shadows.
"Now begin your mission immediately."
Daya's eyes sharpened.
"That princess is more annoying than I expected," she muttered. "But don't worry. I'll make sure everything goes as planned."
Kiera smirked.
"Good."
And just as suddenly as she appeared, she vanished.
Daya stood in front of the mirror afterward, her reflection staring back at her.
A slow, dangerous smile formed on her lips.
"You don't know what you've invited into your home," she whispered. "But I hope you enjoy the trouble coming your way."
A soft, chilling laugh followed.
Meanwhile, upstairs in Jordan's room, Chyna collapsed onto the bed with a dramatic sigh.
"That was exhausting," she groaned, stretching her arms.
Jordan leaned against the side of the bed, amused.
"It lasted twenty minutes," he said.
"Twenty minutes of my precious life," she corrected immediately.
He chuckled.
"Why are you so dramatic now?"
Chyna rolled onto her side.
"Did you forget I'm leaving tomorrow?"
Jordan's smile faded slightly.
"I haven't forgotten."
She sat up slowly.
"I just wish I could stay here…" she said quietly.
Jordan shook his head.
"You know you can't."
She looked away.
"Right… because of my parents."
Her tone turned slightly sarcastic.
"Since they're my parents, I guess I don't get a say."
She walked toward the balcony, her gaze falling over the glowing forest lights.
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it.
Jordan noticed immediately.
He walked behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Don't be sad," he murmured. "We'll see each other in three days."
She laughed softly through tears.
"Three days feels like forever."
"I don't want to go," she whispered. "Please don't send me away…"
Her voice broke.
Jordan tightened his hold slightly.
"Shh… my love, don't cry."
She turned in his arms and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
They stayed like that for a while until her breathing slowly calmed.
Jordan gently lifted her face.
"Better now?"
She nodded weakly.
He wiped her tears carefully.
"Your face is as red as an apple," he teased softly.
She pouted instantly.
"You're annoying."
He smiled.
"But cute."
Then he kissed her forehead gently.
"Hold me like this a little longer," she whispered.
"Sure," he replied without hesitation.
And he pulled her back into a warm embrace, holding her close until the world outside didn't feel so heavy anymore.