Chapter 179

She looked up and met his deep, dark eyes. There, her own nervous reflection stared back at her. She was trying to catch a glimpse of what he was truly feeling, but his expression stayed maddeningly unreadable - calm, detached, unreachable. Thinking about what he had just asked, a dull ache squeezed her chest. Celestia muttered, "I can walk on my own." That's when it hit her - he was acting that way because of what she said earlier. That small realization sent a flicker of warmth through her, and her cheeks tinted with a soft pink. Jareth kept his lips pressed in a thin line. He didn't respond, just carried her on, silent and steady. The night had completely fallen, blanketing the ornate Lot-style hotel in stillness. Everything around them was quiet, as if the whole world had fallen asleep. During dinner, Celestia barely touched her food, too worn out to even care. She dragged herself back to the room, took a shower, and came out only to see Jareth still glued to his laptop. Sometimes