"........," 

I froze, caught completely off guard as Winter abruptly closed the distance between us.

"I love you,"

He whispered, his eyes filled with a depth of emotion that took my breath away.

A pang of guilt struck me for my inability to reciprocate.

Before I could formulate a response, the moment was shattered by the abrupt entrance of a third party, crashing into the scene like a rogue wave.

"Oi... What are you two doing?"

"........,"

Shit.

"And, why are you hanging off the chandelier? Missed having your brain smashed?"

Huh?

I looked around, realizing with a jolt that I was no longer in Winter's embrace.

Instead, I was somehow clinging to the chandelier, suspended awkwardly above the room.

My heart pounded as I tried to piece together what had happened.

It dawned on me that Winter had used magic to move me at the last second, a random  teleportation spell resulting in this...unique predicament.

Standing in the doorway, looking up at me with an incredulous expression was Callisto, the Crown Prince.

"What the hell are you even doing up there?"

He asked, his voice a mix of confusion and amusement.

I glanced back at Winter, who had recovered his composure, his face the perfect mask of innocence.

"Uh... just... testing the structural integrity?"

I offered weakly, trying to shift into a more dignified position.

Callisto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Get down from there before you actually hurt yourself. We have more important matters to discuss."

I carefully disentangled myself from the chandelier, landing unsteadily but safely on the ground.

Winter gave me a small, amused smile, clearly enjoying my predicament.

"Yes, Your Highness,"

I mumbled, trying to regain some sort of composure.

As expected, the affection score above his head was locked.

A red lock.

As red as blood.

'Callisto much, huh?'

I looked at Callisto, gathering my thoughts.

"Your banquet isn't supposed to end yet, so why are you here?"

Callisto's expression softened slightly.

"I heard about Alissa's condition from one of the servants. The empire is abuzz with the news. The Grand Duke's adopted little girl going suddenly ill is quite the spectacle,"

Callisto explained, his tone laced with a hint of dry amusement.

"And I'm not the only one curious,"

He added, gesturing towards the doorway.

Penelope Eckhart, fanning herself languidly, stood in the doorway with her adoptive brothers, Derrick and Reynold Eckhart in tow.

Penelope's usual cold demeanor was replaced by a nervous tension.

Ron, the head butler, stood beside her.

"Your Grace," Ron began, bowing slightly, "I sent for her ladyship. I thought Alissa, who often speaks of her, would appreciate her company."

Derrick and Reynold exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions a mix of skepticism and unease.

Derrick, the more reserved of the two, masked his curiosity well, while Reynold's confusion was more apparent.

"Alissa,"

Penelope said softly, stepping towards the bed.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

She made an effort to maintain her composure, but the tension in her voice was evident.

Derrick and Reynold followed, their expressions mirroring the overall atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty.

"What's going on here?"

Derrick asked, his tone controlled.

I glanced at Winter, who gave me a subtle nod, signaling his readiness to back up whatever explanation I provided.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

"Alissa's condition is...complicated," I began, searching for the right words. "But we're doing everything in our power to help her."

Reynold's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Penelope. "And you think bringing her here will help?"

"........,"  

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

Penelope stepped forward, her voice steady.

"If being here provides her comfort, then it's worth it. We all want to help her."

Callisto's gaze swept over the group, his expression unreadable.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........," 

"As expected of you, Princess. Always ready to land a hand,"

୨⎯ " 3яɒ Ρєяsσи's Ρσv " ⎯୧

"........,"

"Wait a moment,"

Callisto interjected, a skeptical glint in his eyes.

"Didn't you claim to be ill, which is why you were unable to attend my banquet?"

Penelope froze, instinctively seeking refuge behind the protective figures of (Y/N) and Winter.

Her mind raced.

'Isn't the presence of almost every male lead in this room enough of a headache? And then there's him.'

She glanced up at (Y/N), a man who wasn't initially a romantic interest but whose affection score had inexplicably went higher being negative at first after their encounter at Callisto's brother's birthday.

[Interest 50%].

'It's the highest so far,' she noted.

Sensing Penelope's distress, (Y/N) intervened.

"Lady Penelope accepted Ron's invitation after recovering a little, Your Highness. She didn't want to disappoint Alissa by not visiting," He explained.

Callisto raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but willing to let the matter drop for now.

"Very well. But honesty is appreciated in the future."

Penelope nodded, remaining behind the Grand Duke as the tension in the room thickened.

Everyone was on edge, united by the shared concern for Alissa but divided by personal conflicts. 

Ron, ever the observant butler, cleared his throat.

"Perhaps we should focus on Alissa's recovery, Your Grace," he suggested diplomatically.

Derrick's stern expression softened as he turned his attention to the small figure on the bed.

"Her health is important. She is the daughter, of his Grace after all," he stated, his voice carrying a subtle weight.

Reynold, still visibly confused, crossed his arms.

"So, what's the plan? How do we help her?"

Winter, who had been quietly assessing the situation, spoke up.

"Uh, no need for such a thing," he said, his gaze fixed on Alissa, who was stirring.

Alissa's eyes fluttered open, taking in the group surrounding her bed.

Her gaze landed on Penelope, then Winter, (Y/N), and finally Callisto.

"Auntie Penny? Uncle Cally? Papa...? What are you all doing in my room?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

Finally, was the awakening of her little ladyship.

Alissa.

"You're awake," Penelope said softly, her demeanor softening as she knelt beside the bed. "We were worried about you."

Callisto stepped forward, his expression softening into a smirk. "You gave us quite a scare, little one," he teased.

Behind them, stood (Y/N).

Upon hearing her sweet voice, he felt a pang of guilt as he recalled Winter's explanation.

He was the reason.

The reason she was sick in the first place.

The reason she might die.

The reason he lost everything.

Si-Yeon, Do-Hwa, and everyone else...

He was the fucking reason.

Won't he die already?

"A-Alissa... Sweetheart."

Die,

Die,

Die,

Die.

Was all that he could think of as he reached out to her, retiring his hand as soon as she glanced at him.

"Papa!"

Alissa reached out for (Y/N), seeking comfort.

He hesitated, his hands trembling mid-air, before pulling her into a hesitant embrace.

She buried her face in his chest as he knelt, finding solace in his presence, her small frame shaking slightly.

"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.

He didn't deserve her.

Not in a million years.

.
.
.
╰┈➤ ❝ [Ɒσи'τ fσяɢєτ τσ vστє αиɒ cσммєиτ!]

₊❏❜ ⋮ ⌒(A/N): Thank you so much for reading this chapter! ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )

"........," 

I feel sorry for him.

Man, he needs a hug fr.

Also, it has been a LONG while since I wrote in 3rd POV, so, might suck. Bear with me, please! TvT

Happy reading! >ᴗ<

ִֶָ๋𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐