Just past dawn, Xueyi slowly opened her eyes. The familiar figure wasn’t there. She hurried to sit up and search.

But as she moved, she felt something gripped in her hand. Following her arm down, she saw Lorin slumped beside the bed, still fast asleep. Her fingers were clutching his sleeve.

If she hadn’t known Lorin was the Second Prince, his disheveled clothes would’ve made him look like a stray off the streets.

Xueyi glanced down at her own clothes. Aside from her undergarments, she and Lorin were nearly identical.

*Again like this?*

Last time, after Lorin said he believed her, she’d cried so messily—her first real breakdown. And just like now, he’d fallen asleep slumped by her bed.

Back then, she’d even mistaken his care for something worse.

Now, remembering it, Xueyi wished he *had* done something back then.

"Coward," she murmured. Her voice was hoarse from last night’s tears.

As she reached to touch him, Lorin’s eyelids fluttered. Xueyi froze.

Consciousness brought only grime and discomfort. Last night blurred together—sweat, hers or his, he couldn’t tell.

He lifted his head too fast. Overbalanced, he toppled backward.

"Ah! Ow!" Lorin clutched his head. His skull already throbbed from days of strain; this made it worse.

"Are you alright?" Xueyi tried to reach for him but collapsed back, weak. Only now did she grasp how wildly she’d unraveled last night.

Hearing her voice, Lorin pushed himself up and met her gaze.

To an outsider, they looked like two fighters after a brawl—faces and bodies equally wrecked.

"You’re awake," Lorin said, tilting his face away. Staring straight at her would’ve revealed too much beneath her torn clothes.

"Mm." Xueyi nodded, a strange ache tightening her chest.

She’d spent so long proving herself, never showing raw emotion to anyone. Last night wasn’t just release—it was pure selfishness.

The old Xueyi would’ve died before allowing it. Weakness invited mockery.

Yet with Lorin? She couldn’t hold back. Like he was her catalyst.

Before she could speak, the door burst open.

"Your Highness, breakfast is ready. Shall I—"

On days off from the Academy, maids still checked if Lorin wanted breakfast. If he slept, they’d retreat silently.

Today was different. The maid froze, taking in the wrecked bed, Lorin’s torn clothes, Xueyi’s bare shoulders.

Feeling the stranger’s stare, Xueyi yanked the blanket over herself, curling tight.

The maid shrieked, clapping hands over her eyes. "Forgive me, Your Highness!" The door slammed shut. Footsteps fled down the hall.

Lorin rubbed his temples. *Yeah. That’s not suspicious at all.*

He stood, watching Xueyi’s back under the covers. "Feeling unwell?"

"N-no..." Her raspy voice cut him deeper. Last night’s recklessness couldn’t have been gentle on her body.

He leaned closer. Between strands of hair, her ears burned crimson.

*Shy?*

Then he remembered—Xueyi hated showing this side of herself to others.

Lorin sighed. *Cat by day, tiger by night, huh?*

She’d calmed from last night’s storm. He sat on the bed’s edge. "Can you listen to me now?"

Silence. She stayed turned away. He took it as consent.

"After the Academy matter settles, discuss it with your family. Then come find me."

Truthfully, if not for Baneka and Romon’s orders, he’d never leave the Royal Capital. Not with Xueyi like this—prone to rash moves or new feuds if he blinked.

"...No need." Her voice was a spent kitten’s mewl. "I already told Father. I want to be with you."

"*What?!*" Lorin shot upright. He’d met her father recently—heard nothing of this!

"When? Why didn’t you tell me?!"

"After I went home last time. When you asked how it went... I *did* say I discussed something important." She pouted faintly. He’d only sighed, "As long as you’re safe," and never asked what.

"And your father? He didn’t refuse?"

"No." She recalled his stunned silence, his weary sigh, his reluctant nod. That permission had shattered her last restraint—sending her straight to Lorin’s door last night.

Lorin’s mind reeled. It was like a sheltered girl announcing she’d eloped after three trips to the market. Families demanded answers. They hunted the boy down.

He was just grateful her father hadn’t raged.

Lorin set the thought aside. "So... you’ll come find me after the Academy?"

Silence.

He leaned to see her face—

She turned, arm outstretched.

"Hold me."

"But—" Was this agreement? Or refusal?

Her fingers wiggled insistently. Sighing, Lorin pulled her up.

Bare skin met again, warmth passing between them.

Lorin shook his head. Xueyi buried her face in his shoulder, a bittersweet smile on her lips.