Later...

Yn POV:

I walked silently beside Ari through the palace halls, heading toward the library. She hadn’t spoken since we left the chamber.

Ari: Stop looking for him, Yn… He’s not here. You know he’ll be at the practice ground at this time.

Yn:I froze mid-step, staring at her in shock—but quickly composed myself, turning my eyes away and walking again..

I WASN’T LOOKING FOR ANYONE, ARI..!! I mumbled softly..!!

Ari: (chuckling softly) Stop lying, Yn… AT LEAST TO YOURSELF.

Yn:I stopped again and glared at her slightly, but she just grinned.

Ari: Okay, okay! But first, we’re going to the practice ground. My Alpha asked me to meet him this afternoon. Let’s go!

Yn: (muttering, uninterested) You go, Ari… why me?

Ari: "It’s not like you don’t want to come and see your Alpha," she teased.

Yn: "He’s not my Alpha, Ari.. he was never mine... I’m just—" my throat dried as I tried to speak, but I forced the words out, "I’m just his claim."

The silence that followed was heavy.Ari’s teasing smile faltered, and her expression softened.

Ari:My heart clenched at her words.. Immediately try to change the topic (voice tightening)Let’s just go. My Alpha must be waiting…said excitedly

Yn:I chuckled at her eager expression and nodded, following her.

We stepped into the grounds hurriedly. Ari immediately ran toward Yoongi when she spotted him. My eyes, though, searched the ground until they found a particular figure—him.

My lips curved into a soft smile the moment I saw him training with his sword.

Yn pov:"DOESN’T HE KNOW HOW TO REST…?"

Last night, he was rough and dominant, and now, here he was, training again. His body must be exhausted. But still… he trains..Always so responsible for the dynasty.

I couldn’t stop watching him—every move. His sweat-soaked clothes clung tightly to his muscular frame. I gulped, memories of last night flashing vividly through my mind.

I immediately looked away, trying to compose myself, but my eyes betrayed me again, dragging back to him like I was spellbound.

Suddenly, a Beta pup ran through the ground and tripped, falling hard.

I instinctively took a step forward—but Jungkook was quicker.

Jungkook: "Careful there," he said softly, helping the pup up and dusting off his clothes.

Beta Pup: "Forgive me, Your Highness..!" the little one said, flustered.

Jungkook: "It’s never wrong to fall down… it only matters how we rise from it," he said calmly.

I watched silently. A small smile formed on my lips.

Yn:"He may look cold and tough, but inside… he’s soft."

In mind:But why does he keep me at a distance? Why does he ignore me, like I’m nothing? Even after everything between us..Is he hates that much !?Suddenly—

??: "Hoo.. Really..! Jungkook is soft inside?"

Yn:I gasped and turned, only to sigh in relief.

"You scared me, Hyung..! Don’t do that. I thought it was someone else.."

Ari: "No one will dare come near you now, Yn. You're literally covered in the scent of a Trueblooded Alpha. Who would even stand beside you..!"

Yn: "Ari..! Shut up, will you..!?" Said while glaring at her

Yoongi: "I laughed at the two Omegas," and said with a grin. "You both really missed the training grounds, huh? Let’s go have a proper sparring match in the private grounds. No one will disturb us there."

We both nodded excitedly and followed him.

Once inside the private training ground, we all pulled out our swords and got into position. The sparring began, and sparks flew.

Every move was intense, powerful, none of us giving up ground. It wasn’t just play—it was battle. Determination burned in each strike.

Yoongi: "Yn..! You’re not concentrating," said mid-attack.

Yn: "Hyung… Am I bad? And ugly..?"

The moment the words left my mouth, everything halted. Both Ari and Yoongi stared at me in stunned silence.

Ari: "Who the hell said that..!?" she yelled in fury.

Yoongi: "What happened, Yn..!? Tell me who it is!"

Yn:I chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension.

"Stop you both..! I was just asking…"

Ari’s POV: I stared at her, understanding everything without her saying it. It was because of him—Prince Jungkook. I clenched my sword tightly.

Yoongi: "I don’t know why you're asking things like that, Yn… but listen to me. Every Omega is beautiful. But it’s the heart that matters.

And you? You’re pure. You’re kind-hearted. Don’t ever say you’re bad, Yn."

Yn:He and Ari looked at me seriously.

Yoongi: "And ugly..? Do you know how many Alphas—and even Betas—are drawn to your beauty in the training ground? You’re beautiful, Yn...!! Please stop thinking like this."

Yn:I smiled gently, nodding, and felt Ari’s arm wrap around me in a side hug. She didn’t say anything—she didn’t have to. She knew I wouldn’t want to hear anything about him from her.

"Okay, okay.. let’s begin again."

We all smiled and resumed. This time, the strikes were stronger. Fierce. The air filled with the sounds of clashing steel.

Suddenly, we all froze at once—the door creaked open..That door was only opened by palace people.

And we stood stunned as he walked in.

PRINCE JUNGKOOK..!!

three of them stunned and whispered "Your Highness..!"

Yn:I stared at him, frozen as he walked slowly toward us. He stood right in front of us, and we all immediately bowed.

Jungkook: "We’re in private, Hyung. No need for formalities," he said, calm as always.

Yn:I kept my eyes down. I didn’t know why I couldn’t meet his gaze. Maybe because it still hurt—being ignored, being left without a word.

I knew I shouldn’t feel like this… but I couldn’t stop the ache.

Jungkook: "Mind if I join in fighting?"

We all exchanged surprised glances.

Yoongi: "You can, Jungkook." Then he added, "What about two vs two?"

But no one responded.

Yoongi: "Me and Ari. You and Yn, Jungkook."

Yn:My head shot up. I stared at Hyung like he had betrayed me. That was intentional, wasn’t it?

I watched Ari and Yoongi walk away, leaving just me and him behind.

I slowly raised my head. My breath hitched when I found his eyes already on me. I told myself over and over—

"HE IS THE CROWN PRINCE. NOT MY ALPHA."

The pain of the past stabbed at me again.

Jungkook: "Shall we begin?"

Yn:I looked away, forcing myself to hide everything.."We can."

Our swords clashed fiercely. Each stroke filled with unspoken words. Our eyes met with every strike, saying what our lips couldn’t.

He never raised his sword to attack—only defended.

Ari: "They’re lost in each other… Yn’s attacking with her heart in every strike, but Jungkook…

he’s only defending. He’s never raising his blade.. didn't he hated her so much from the start— then why?"

Yoongi: "Let’s leave them alone" I said softly, eyes never leaving the two in the ring.We both walk outside..

Meanwhile—

Yn: "Why is he just defending? Why not strike back? Is he mocking me?!"

Anger boiled inside me. I decided to use the same move he’d once used on Hyung—but in the process, my blade caught his shoulder.

BLOOD..!!I gasped, horrified.

"No…" shouts but He didn’t even flinch. Just stared at me with those cold, dark eyes—but I caught something in them. Amusement?

I dropped my sword and rushed to him, already in tears.

"Your Highness!! Why didn’t you stop me!? You could’ve ended this fight in seconds! But you didn’t! Look at you!"

I reached for the knot of his upper garment and untied it, exposing the deep cut.

Tears streamed down my face as I wiped the blood, placing cloth to stop the bleeding.

"LET’S GO TO THE HEALER, NOW—"

But before I could finish, he pulled me toward him. Our bodies collided.

Jungkook: "It’s just a normal cut," he said quietly, eyes locked on her.

Yn:I sobbed softly and said No..!! I hide my face in his bare chest, arms wrapping around his neck.

"I-I’m sorry..! You should’ve stopped my strike..!"

I held back the urge to break down completely.

Jungkook: "I was distracted," he said, tone calm but unreadable.

Yn:I pulled away, confused."What was there to be distracted by..?"

He didn’t answer. Just stared. Eyes dark. Lips soft. That small mole beneath them calling to me

I’d never seen him this close… this real.

I leaned in without thinking, kissing the mole under his lower lip..!!

Time stopped..!!

Then I snapped out of it, realizing what I had done. I turned quickly, about to walk back —only to collide into his bare chest.

His hand rested on my waist. Then He kissed me..Hard..!!

His lips moved against mine with hunger. I responded, matching his passion. Our tongues tangled, and he sucked harshly on my lower lip.

His lips sucked mine like they belonged only to him.. I gasped for breath, and push him away—but he didn’t move.We both panted, breaths mixing.

I didn’t know what came over me. I cupped his face and kissed him again..

Then—knock knock..We froze...but We were still too close.

Guard: "Your Highness..! Luna asked for your presence!"

Jungkook: "Why..?"

Yn:I looked up at him immediately. His brows furrowed—the first time I saw his expression change..

Guard: "Princess Aera is here to see you, Your Highness..!"

Yn:My heart stopped..Everything halted..My hands fell from his chest..I stepped back.

I can feel his gaze on me —but I didn’t look back.

I opened the door and walk away with heavy heart