Your Prince

The hospital room door swung open—loud enough to be inappropriate for such a quiet place.

Ailine—who had just finished whining to Layla and arguing with Emma about discharging herself early—immediately turned her head. Her eyes widened.

“Darling, your prince has arrived!”

The voice was so familiar, so bold, so… commanding, it filled the entire room.

A tall man with fair skin and a face recognized by millions of television viewers rushed inside, slightly out of breath—as if he had sprinted straight from the hospital helipad.

Julian Feng.

“MY PRINCE, MY ASS!”

The man strode straight toward Ailine, completely ignoring her annoyed expression.

The large gift box and bouquet he carried were practically thrown into Emma’s arms.

And then, he hugged her.

Not gently.

Not hesitantly.

But like someone terrified of losing a person for the second time.

Ailine’s eyes went wide.

“J-Julian?!”

She wanted to smack his head, but she stopped herself.

She knew—this man was just worried.

Emma gasped. “OH MY GOD! That’s really Julian Feng?! The one trending every week?!”

Layla sighed softly. “Finally, he showed up. I had a feeling he would.”

Both Emma and Layla already knew that Ailine and Julian were acquainted, but they never expected this kind of reunion.

The entire floor buzzed with whispers from passing nurses.

“Wait—is that Julian Feng?!”

“The one from Silent Moon?!”

“He knows Miss Ailine personally?!”

Ailine stayed frozen in his embrace.

“Can you… let go now? I’m sick, you idiot,” she muttered weakly.

Julian finally loosened his hold, but his hands remained on her shoulders—gentle, trembling slightly. His expression was full of genuine worry.

“I flew all the way from City A the moment I saw the news. You nearly drove me insane, Ailine! Why didn’t you tell me you were this sick? Do you even realize how—”

“Enough,” Ailine cut in softly. “I’m fine.”

Her smile was small—cracked at the edges, forced but brave.

Julian frowned. “You’re pale. Your hands are cold when I touch them. That means you’re not fine.”

Ailine blinked, startled.

Julian was panicking.

And yet—his presence brought her a faint warmth.

At least for a moment…

The sting from the rumor that morning didn’t pierce as deeply anymore.

Julian always had that effect.

He always did—ever since back then.

Maybe it sounded a little exaggerated, but Ailine felt that as long as Julian was there to support her, everything would be alright.

She had even managed to survive the heartbreak after breaking up with Owen — something that had almost driven her insane — all because Julian had always been there for her, encouraging her, never leaving her side.

---

At that moment, the hospital room door opened again.

Owen entered—calm, composed, professional. Thin glasses. Mask. White coat. Clipboard in hand.

His arrival shifted the air immediately.

No one spoke.

No one breathed too loudly.

Ailine, who had been relaxed seconds ago, suddenly felt her heartbeat stumble again. Not as wildly as last night—but enough to make her chest tighten.

“Good afternoon, Miss Su.” Owen inclined his head politely. “I’m here for your routine check.”

Julian’s gaze flicked over him from head to toe—defensive, protective.

“The doctor?” he asked, tone sharp.

Ailine quickly opened her mouth to introduce them, but Owen spoke first.

“Yes. I’m Dr. Young.”

Julian raised a brow. “Dr. Young… You were the one who treated her last night?”

“That’s correct.”

Julian stepped closer, his aura still that of an overprotective drama prince.

“How could a superstar collapse like that? Weren’t there any signs before? She’s important—people care about her!”

Ailine gently touched his arm. “Julian… stop.”

Why was he scolding Owen? It wasn’t the doctor’s fault she got sick.

In fact, Owen was the one who saved her.

Owen didn’t look offended. His face remained unreadable, his tone steady and professional.

“Her condition has improved significantly,” he said. “But she still requires observation and additional tests.”

Julian exhaled sharply. “Make sure nothing happens to her. She’s very precious to me.”

Owen paused for two seconds before answering, “Of course.”

A faint tension filled the room—

not warm, but cold.

Owen’s calm coldness.

Julian’s protective coldness.

And Ailine was stuck between them.

Emotionally exhausted.

---

Owen examined her abdomen as usual, checking for tenderness. Ailine tried not to look at his face—because if she did, her heartbeat might betray her through the stethoscope.

Whatever she was feeling, Owen must never know.

“Nausea?” he asked.

“S-Slightly.”

“Pain?”

“Sometimes.”

Owen nodded. “I’ll adjust your medication.”

Julian watched the interaction as if witnessing something he couldn’t quite define.

There was something in the young doctor’s gaze… something beyond professionalism.

He brushed the thought away.

Impossible.

No way a doctor would look at her that way.

She was a celebrity—of course anyone would be attentive. That’s all it was.

Or at least… he told himself so.

Owen finished his notes. “Dr. Lisa will be here shortly to review the ultrasound results from this morning.”

The mention of that name made Ailine’s heart sting again. The rumor replayed in her mind.

But she said nothing.

She didn’t want anyone to see the crack.

Julian leaned forward. “Ailine? You’ve gone pale again.”

“I’m fine,” she answered quickly.

Too quickly—enough for Owen to glance up briefly.

“If you feel any discomfort, please tell me immediately,” he said quietly.

“Yes, Dr. Young,” Ailine replied—too polite, too formal.

Julian frowned at the tone.

Owen gave a small nod and turned toward the door.

And just as he opened it—he heard Julian’s voice:

“I’m not leaving you again, Ailine. Starting today, I’ll stay in this city until you’re fully recovered. So don’t worry, okay?”

Julian’s voice was soft yet firm. Deep, unwavering.

Ailine blinked in disbelief. “What? You—what about your work? You can’t just—”

Julian smiled at her as if she were the only person in the world.

“Of course I’ll handle it. I just can’t stand being far from you anymore.”

Owen stopped.

Only for a fraction of a second.

Barely noticeable. No one noticed it. Not Ailine, not anyone else.

Then he walked out, closing the door behind him.

Click.

Ailine stared at the door for a long moment.

Her chest felt strange.

Not happy.

Not sad.

Just… quietly shattered.