CHAPTER 113: NOTICED

Jae spotted Princess Yuna across the bustling hall, her bright hair catching the flickering lantern light as she scanned the crowd with an expression somewhere between determination and amusement.

She didn’t seem to notice anyone else, and for a second, her presence felt like a calm island amid the chaos of the party. Jae adjusted his posture, straightened his shoulders, and started walking toward her, weaving carefully through small groups of chattering students. .

When he reached her, she turned, her smile lighting up her face, eyes crinkling at the corners. Jae could feel a sudden pull in his chest, a small heat spreading across his face as she stepped closer.

"Hey, there you are," he said, trying to sound casual, though the sound of his own voice felt oddly foreign.

Yuna’s smile widened, and she leaned in to hug him quickly, pressing a light peck against his cheek. The warmth of her body, the faint scent of jasmine that seemed to cling to her hair, made him pause for a heartbeat, just long enough to feel the electricity of proximity.

"I missed you," she whispered, her voice soft and intimate, carrying that warmth like a small flame. "I came with my brother, Sun, but he’s nowhere to be found."

Jae grinned at her words, noticing the slight lift in her eyebrows and the playful tilt of her head.

"Want to join me and Elise at the table?" he asked, motioning casually toward the corner where Elise was sitting, composed and alert even amid the noise.

Yuna shook her head playfully, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Not while Elise’s here. But follow me, I know a quiet corner where we can do some... steamy things." Her tone was light, but her gaze carried the kind of daring that made his pulse stutter.

Jae paused, taking in the thought. His mind raced briefly, the weight of Sun’s presence looming somewhere in the back of it. If Sun catches me sneaking off with Yuna, I’m dead. He chewed the inside of his cheek, trying not to betray any hint of panic.

As much as the invitation tempted him, he kept his voice even but playful. "As tempting as that sounds, I don’t want to get caught. Maybe another time."

Yuna’s have a disappointed pout, her small shoulders shrugging in exaggerated mock defeat. "Another time, huh?" she murmured.

Jae nodded, giving her a wink before turning his attention back toward Elise.

His gaze softened as he crossed back through the crowd, the noise of the party fading into a dull hum compared to the quiet pull of his thoughts.

Elise looked up as he approached, her composure slightly less rigid now, as if she’d been waiting for him to return.

He sat down beside her, the chair scraping softly against the wooden floor, and let his hand rest lightly on her thigh. The simple touch was deliberate but gentle, a way of grounding them both amid the chatter and clatter surrounding them.

Elise’s shoulders stiffened slightly at first, then relaxed under his warmth.

"You okay?" he asked, voice low, close enough for her to hear without raising it above the surrounding noise.

Elise’s cheeks colored faintly, her lips parting in a shy, almost hesitant smile. "I’m fine," she murmured, looking down at her hands folded neatly in her lap, tracing invisible patterns across her palms.

Jae tilted his head, letting a teasing smirk play across his face. "You’re blushing."

Her head shot up, eyes wide with embarrassment, the flush spreading across her ears and neck. "It’s... your fault," she said, her voice quieter now, almost a whisper. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, twisting it slightly as she avoided his gaze.

"That so?" Jae said, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. He leaned a fraction closer, the warmth of his body brushing against hers in the closest semblance of comfort and connection he could offer.

Elise’s lips parted, unsure whether to protest or continue the small moment of shared intimacy. She stayed quiet, letting the blush deepen and her heart beat a little faster.

After a few moments, the air between them shifted subtly, a mutual settling into ease. Their conversation deepened naturally, moving past small talk and teasing into something more reflective.

"Ever think about where you want to be five years from now?" Jae asked, his tone curious but casual, eyes drifting toward the edge of the room before returning to hers.

Elise’s posture straightened slightly, her expression thoughtful as she considered the question. "I want to be the top fighter in the kingdom," she replied, voice steady, the confidence in her tone blossoming from somewhere deep within. "No one better than me." Her fingers flexed lightly on the edge of the chair, the small tension betraying both pride and the weight of the goal she had set for herself.

Jae let out a soft, appreciative whistle, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That’s bold," he said, shaking his head slightly in admiration. "I’m aiming to get away from the capital, maybe run my own duchy someday. Different path, but ambitious, I guess."

Elise’s lips curved into a small, amused smile. "Sounds like you want to build your own world," she said, the thought bright and clear, no hesitation in her voice now.

"Exactly," Jae replied with a faint laugh, leaning back slightly but keeping his hand on her thigh. "No distractions, just what I make of it." The simplicity of it, the plainness, carried a weight she understood, a glimpse into a part of him he didn’t show often

Elise’s gaze softened, the earlier blush fading into a quiet warmth. Her fingers brushed against his casually, testing the reaction, though she already knew his hand wouldn’t move. "I like that," she said softly. "Makes sense why you do things your way."

Jae’s smirk widened, satisfied, a little sparkle of humor in his eyes. He could feel the subtle rise and fall of her chest, the small heat of her skin, the faint pulse in her wrist. The room around them remained a blur of light, noise, and laughter, yet for a moment, it felt like they were in a small bubble, separate from everything else.

"You ever think about how much this all changes us?" he asked, his voice a touch softer now, not teasing, just pondering aloud. "I mean... all the pressure, the training, the expectations?"

Elise tilted her head slightly, considering the question. "All the time," she admitted, a faint chuckle escaping her. "But I think it’s worth it if you’re doing it for yourself. Not just to please someone else or meet some impossible standard."

Jae nodded slowly, thoughtful. "Yeah, I get that. Makes sense." His eyes flicked toward the far end of the room, catching the flicker of lights on someone else’s hair, before returning to her. "And you... you’re not just doing it for anyone else, right?"

Her eyes met his, steady and sure this time. "No," she said simply, voice firm. "I’m doing it for me. But... it’s nice to have someone notice." A quiet laugh followed, soft and natural, pulling him in.

He gave a small nod, a smirk playing at his lips again. "Noticed," he repeated, voice low enough for just her to hear, letting the warmth linger between them without forcing it into words.