Han didn't let it go.
He told himself it was just irritation.
Just annoyance at Li Xian's sudden change.
Nothing more.
But even after their conversation—
Even after Li Xian walked away like it meant nothing—
That feeling stayed.
Unsettling.
Persistent.
The festival was still alive with laughter and music.
But Han wasn't paying attention anymore.
His eyes searched the crowd—
Until they found him.
Li Xian.
Again surrounded by people.
Again smiling.
Again… too normal.
"Prince Li Xian! Come try this!"
"Over here!"
"You haven't played this one yet!"
He moved from one place to another, effortlessly blending into the excitement.
Laughing.
Teasing.
Shining.
Like he always did.
But now—
Han saw it.
The difference.
It wasn't the smile.
It wasn't the voice.
It was—
The distance.
Li Xian never stayed anywhere too long.
Never let anyone get too close.
And most of all—
He never once looked in Han's direction.
Not even by accident.
Han's expression darkened.
"…So you can do this too."
Ignore.
Distance.
Pretend nothing matters.
For someone who used to chase him endlessly—
This change was…
Annoying.
Without realizing it, Han started walking again.
Following.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough to keep Li Xian in sight.
At one of the game stalls, Li Xian paused.
A small child tugged at his sleeve, holding a poorly made flower crown.
"Your Highness… do you want one?"
The child looked nervous.
Hopeful.
Li Xian blinked—then his expression softened.
A real softness.
Not the bright, loud one.
Something quieter.
Gentler.
"How much?" he asked, crouching down.
The child hesitated. "I-it's not very good…"
Li Xian smiled, placing coins into the child's hand. "Then I'll take the best one you have."
The child's face lit up.
Han watched from a distance.
Silent.
That moment—
It didn't feel fake.
Li Xian stood up, placing the flower crown lightly on his head.
"Ah, how do I look?" he asked jokingly to the people nearby.
"Beautiful!" someone laughed.
"It suits you!"
Li Xian grinned. "Of course it does."
The usual confidence.
The usual charm.
But Han's gaze lingered.
Because just seconds ago—
That expression…
Was real.
"…So you're not completely acting," Han murmured.
Which made it worse.
Because now he couldn't tell—
What was real…
And what wasn't.
Suddenly, cheers erupted nearby.
Another performance.
Another distraction.
The crowd shifted, pushing people closer together.
In the chaos—
Li Xian was shoved slightly off balance.
His smile didn't falter.
But his body—
Tensed.
Just for a second.
Like he almost reacted—
Then stopped himself.
Han saw it.
That tiny hesitation.
That almost-crack.
And without thinking—
Han moved.
Grabbing Li Xian's wrist.
Steadying him.
The contact was sudden.
Unexpected.
Li Xian froze.
Completely.
The noise around them blurred into nothing.
His eyes slowly lowered—
To Han's hand.
Holding him.
For a brief moment—
Everything disappeared.
The festival.
The crowd.
The mask.
Then—
Li Xian gently pulled his hand away.
Not forcefully.
Not rudely.
Just…
Carefully.
"…I'm fine," he said.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
That same distant politeness.
Han's hand remained in the air for a second longer.
Before he lowered it.
"…You looked like you were about to fall."
"I said I'm fine."
No teasing.
No smile this time.
Just a quiet wall.
Something in Han snapped slightly.
"Then stop acting like you're not."
The words came out sharper than he intended.
Li Xian stilled.
Slowly, he looked up at him.
And for the first time that day—
The smile didn't return.
"…I'm not acting."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"I just learned where to stop."
Han's breath caught.
Just slightly.
Li Xian stepped back.
Creating distance again.
Like always.
"Enjoy the festival, Prince Han."
And just like that—
He disappeared into the crowd.
Han stood there.
Surrounded by noise.
By color.
By life.
But everything felt…
Muted.
His gaze remained fixed on the place Li Xian had been.
"…Where to stop?"
He repeated quietly.
As if trying to understand something he wasn't ready to face.
For the first time—
Han wasn't just irritated.
He was—
Thinking.