I woke up with a pounding headache and eyes that felt like someone had scratched them with sandpaper.
Last night… my breakdown.
Ugh. *Why did I even cry in front of them?* I'm supposed to be strong, untouchable. That's how the main lead should be. But I didn't hold back—I cried in front of two panicked brothers who only wanted to protect their little sister.
Great. Just great.
I rolled out of bed, ignoring the dull ache in my chest. *Okay, Jiya. Act normal. Pretend nothing happened. No tears. No drama. Just… flawless. I can do this. I will find a way to go back.*
My reflection disagreed—puffy eyes, tangled hair. *Flawless? Hah.*
I fixed my hair, pinched my cheeks, and put on the most neutral expression I could manage. No one had to know. Not Junyue. Not Junjie. Not even Xiaomei.
Today, I would survive.
Today, I would *pretend* everything was fine.
By the time I reached the dining hall, sunlight poured in like it was mocking me. Both Junjie and Junyue looked up.
I walked in with perfect posture, chin high, calm smile. *Flawless.*
Junjie relaxed slightly. Junyue tilted his head—he always saw too much. I kept smiling.
Breakfast was quiet. Too quiet. I barely touched my food. Junhao wasn't present, but I didn't ask anyone where he was.
Junjie chatted lightly to get my attention. Junyue stayed silent, observing. Mother Yang seemed worried, noticing I hadn't eaten.
When breakfast ended, everyone believed nothing had happened. Or maybe I just convinced myself.
But deep down, I knew yesterday's tears weren't forgotten. And neither were the eyes that had watched me break.
After breakfast, Junjie suddenly stood.
"We don't have to go to the academy today. Why not go to the market? Fresh air will help."
*Fresh air? But what if people talk? I know I'm being paranoid.*
Still, I nodded.
At least they were trying.Then we went to market.
The market looked normal, but I could feel sharp, curious glances. Maybe I was imagining it—but I doubted it.
Junjie walked ahead excitedly. I stayed in the middle, Junyue behind me, silent and watchful.
After a few minutes, I noticed a group of women whispering. I lowered my head. I didn't want to hear it.
I guess my brothers didn't notice—they were too focused on making me happy.
Jun Jie pointed at some flowers. "You like these, right?"
Junyue walked beside me, carrying bags, watching me like he didn't quite understand what hurt but wanted to help anyway.
Their kindness… somehow hurt more.
I forced a tiny smile, pretending to admire a vase. *Act normal. Don't let them see it bothers you.*
Then someone called—
"Junjie."
I turned and there I saw Jin Wei walking towards us. I can tell he know what's happening to me. I hated it so much. He can read the room like it's something so normal for him.
Jin Wei POV
I stood on the balcony of a restaurant, waiting for an informant who was late. My patience was thin—but then I saw her.
*Xueyi.*
I had clearly ordered her to meet me yesterday. Yet she had the guts to ignore me. I remember meeting her when she was five—rude, stubborn, spoiled even. Only someone connected to His Majesty could get away with being this brazen.
But last time, when I escorted her… she didn't seem spoiled. She looked fragile. The kind of girl who might break if spoken to harshly. And yet, she called me "police officer," unaware I was a general.On top of that, I didn't even corrected her.
Today, she acted strangely again. I saw her glance at women whispering, then lower her head. *Why?*
I walked into the alley where she stood.
I overheard two women:
"She's shameless. Always disrespect the shopkeepers. And now she's even trying to disrespect our Third Prince."
My black guard was beside me. He knew what I was thinking. If they made her bow her head… they didn't deserve to walk freely.
I walked towards her. Her brothers were trying to make her smile. I hadn't seen her genuine smile before—but Junjie's effort might just bring it out.
Her eyes… pure. Innocent. But today, tired.
It hurt. Why? I had no idea. I also started walking with them.
She walked beside her brothers, chin lifted to appear unbothered. Fingers twisted her sleeve—*too tightly.*
People whispered:
"Shameless… now even walking with Prince…"
She pretended not to hear, but her eyes flinched.
Without thinking, I stepped forward.
"Seems the wind carries useless noise today," I said casually, only for her to hear.
Her steps paused. She looked at me—for the first time today, our eyes met.
Then a noise drew attention.
An old street performer, dressed in mismatched colors, argued with a donkey that refused to move unless bribed with cucumbers. The donkey snatched the vegetables faster than the man could react. He fell dramatically to the ground, betrayed by his "closest friend."
The crowd laughed.
And she… did too.
A soft, genuine laugh. Her hand went to her mouth too late. The smile was already there.
Her brothers froze. Junyue's slight smile betrayed him. Junjie cheered silently.
I… I simply watched.
It wasn't forced. Not the loud kind of laugh people use to hide discomfort. Real. Brief. Genuine.
She glanced at me, fleetiing. Like she was observing that I might make fun of her.
I didn't smile. I don't do that. But I paused.
*So that's how she laugh.*
Her cheerful voice reached her brothers:
"Let's get some sweets before the donkey eats them all."
They followed instantly.
And as she turned away, she glanced at me again. *Alive, untouchable, surprising…*
As she walked off with her brothers, I realized something. I would remember that laugh. The sound of it. And somehow… I cared that I would.