Her words detonated like a bomb, plunging the room into an oppressive silence. Every gaze shifted to Jiho, her statement having struck like a shockwave.
The mer, caught in the midst of this tension, stood motionless. Unlike the others, who were visibly shaken, his expression was oddly still, almost unreadable. Yet, a faint blush colored his cheeks, a stark contrast to his usual regal demeanor.
This was the first time in his life that someone had dared to address him with such rawness.
As the first prince, son of the Emperor and Empress, he was accustomed to adulation and respect, his every action scrutinized and praised. From childhood to the present, he had been the epitome of admiration, always treated with the utmost deference.
The mer's eyes, usually hardened by the weight of his status, softened as he looked at Jiho. The blush on his cheeks spoke volumes; it was a rare crack in his otherwise impervious facade.
