The reports from the mining guild blurred before Jasper's eyes for the fifth time. The words — inked in perfect lines — made no sense anymore. Every number, every statistic, every seal dissolved into a single image that kept flashing again and again in his mind.
Her.
Tessa.
Laughing.
With Felix.
He didn't know what irritated him more — her laughter echoing so easily beside someone else, or the way Felix had stood so close to her, his hands over hers, teaching her how to hold that damned wooden sword.
Jasper clenched his jaw. "Ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, snapping the parchment shut.
He turned his gaze toward the open window. The air was cool and silver with the scent of the evening rain, but it only fueled the storm inside him.
Why am I even thinking about this?
He tried to reason. I was just… concerned. That's it. Concerned that she's alone here, that she might feel out of place.
But the thought twisted when he remembered her bright smile during training, the way she'd laughed — like she didn't have a care in the world.
"Oh, so she's not lonely after all," Jasper said bitterly to himself, leaning back against the desk. "Seems like I've been wasting my thoughts on someone who's quite entertained."
His fingers brushed the edge of the report again, but his attention refused to return. A flicker of power escaped him — a sudden gust slammed the window shut with a loud, echoing crash! The glass rattled violently, startling even him.
For a moment, silence filled the chamber… before hurried footsteps echoed in the hall.
The door burst open. "Your Highness!" Alex rushed in, sword drawn. Tessa followed right behind him, her eyes wide with alarm.
"Jasper! Are you alright? What happened?!"
The sight of her — breathless, anxious, her hand clutching the edge of her robe — somehow made everything worse and better at the same time.
Jasper composed himself instantly, voice smooth and steady. "It's nothing. A draft caught the window," he said curtly.
Alex didn't look convinced, but before he could press further, Tessa stepped forward. "Your Highness… may I speak with you? Alone?"
There was something soft yet firm in her tone. Jasper hesitated, then nodded. "Alex, you may leave."
Alex bowed. "Yes, Your Highness." He shot Tessa a concerned look before quietly leaving the room.
The door closed, and silence hung again.
Jasper turned to face her. "Now then," he said, folding his arms, "to what do I owe this… personal conversation?"
Tessa shifted nervously. "I just wanted to check if you were alright. Everyone's saying you've been in a bad mood since morning."
"I'm perfectly fine," Jasper replied coolly. "Is there anything that says I shouldn't be?"
"No, I just—"
"Then don't worry yourself unnecessarily," he said, cutting her off, his voice sharper than intended.
She frowned. "You don't sound fine."
"Perhaps that's just your imagination." He turned back toward the desk, picking up a report. "Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?"
Tessa took a hesitant step closer. "Actually… this morning, Felix asked me—"
The name hit him like a spark to dry wood. Jasper turned sharply, voice deceptively calm. "Felix? You both are already on first-name terms, I see."
Tessa blinked. "Well, he said it's fine to call him that—"
"Wonderful," Jasper said, his tone edged with sarcasm. "So what did your fabulous Felix ask you?"
She stared at him. "Jasper, are you… sure you're okay?"
He looked away. "Why wouldn't I be? Because you and Commander Hun had such a lovely practice session together?"
"Wait—what?"
"Oh, come on," Jasper continued, his voice tightening. "You came here all flustered, asking for a private talk. It must be because of something he said, right? Go on. I'm intrigued."
Tessa blinked at him in disbelief. What is he even talking about?
"Don't misunderstand," she began slowly. "I genuinely practiced hard. He's just a good teacher and… a friend. Funny, sincere—"
"Friend?" Jasper cut in sharply. "Commander Hun is your friend now?" His jaw tightened. "That's interesting. I didn't know Miss Malven was making friends so easily. Do you even know how bad he is?"
"Bad?"
"Yes bad ! He is"
"But felix is the second commander of the imperial knights....how can he be bad? What's the sudden reason?"
"Because I don't like him at all .he disgusts me !"
Tessa had a blank face expression as she couldn't believe Jasper could say something this much silly. She laughed out loud.
"What the heck😂... So...*laugh*... According to your explanation he is bad because you... 😂 Jasper Blackthorn... Did you turn off your brain fully?"
"You are laughing? Huuh.. do you find it that funny ?!" Jasper glared.
"Yes!" she gasped, holding her stomach. "It's the funniest joke I've heard all week! You could totally do stand-up comedy!"
"Tessa, stop laughing."
"I'm trying—pfft—but I can't—"
Something in him snapped.
In one smooth motion, Jasper stepped forward — closing the distance between them in two strides. His sudden proximity silenced her instantly.
"If you don't stop laughing," he said, voice low and dangerous, "I'll make you stop."
Tessa froze. "Jasper… you're too close."
He leaned in slightly, eyes locking onto hers. "Not more than your Felix, I guess."
Her heart stuttered. "What are you even saying—wait." Realization hit her. "It was you, wasn't it? You were the one watching us during training?"
Jasper looked away, jaw clenching.
"Oh my God," she whispered. "Are you jealous because we are good friends?"
"I'm not," he said too quickly.
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Jasper—"
"Tessa."
"Felix is not—"
"Tessa, stop saying that name."
"Felix is just a very good friend—"
"Tessa, enough."
But she didn't stop. "Felix—"
Jasper's patience shattered. He reached out and, without thinking, pressed his hand gently over her mouth.
The room went still.
His palm was warm against her lips, his breath dangerously close to her ear. "Please," he whispered, voice low and rough, "stop before I cross the line."
Tessa's eyes widened, her pulse hammering in her throat. The sound of her heartbeat filled the silence — and Jasper heard every note of it.
For one suspended second, neither of them moved. The world outside ceased to exist — only the flickering candlelight and the wild rhythm of two confused hearts.
Then Jasper suddenly drew back, realizing what he'd done. He turned away, his voice unsteady. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that .. are you hurt? Did I use too much strength? "
Tessa, still speechless, somehow managed to say ," I'm ok don't worry ."
He exhaled, steadying himself. "You should go. We'll talk tomorrow morning. I'm… not myself tonight."
She hesitated, watching his back — shoulders tense, head bowed slightly. "Alright," she said softly. "But please… rest a little, okay? You look exhausted."
He didn't turn. "Goodnight, Tessa."
She nodded and quietly left the room.
---
The moment the door closed, Jasper let out a deep, uneven breath.
"What the hell was that…" he muttered, raking a hand through his hair.
Her skin scent still lingered in the air — soft and maddening.
He pressed his palm against his face "This isn't… supposed to happen... was I really jealous? ... Maybe I'm really too tired. I should take a good rest to fulfill my duties properly from tomorrow. "
---
Meanwhile, Tessa practically ran back to her room.
Elisa looked startled as she entered. "My lady? You look flushed—"
"I'm fine! Just tired! Oh I'm going to skip dinner today . See you tomorrow." she blurted and slammed the door.
Inside, she leaned against it, her face burning. The moment replayed in her mind — Jasper's voice, his eyes, his hand — that whisper.
Please stop before I cross the line…
Her heart raced again. She threw herself face-first into the pillow.
"What the hell just happened…?" she groaned. "Did he just—? What was that — Why the heavens am I blushing?!"
She rolled on the bed, pulling the blanket over her face. "Ughhh! I'm going to sleep. I'll forget this ever happened!"
But even as she drifted off, her heart refused to calm. Somewhere deep down, she little bit knew — the line between protection and passion had blurred dangerously in her heart.