Hmmm... Really? For me, from what I understand is that he is kinda rejecting her in a sense that he told Jeanette that he is interested in the princess in a romantic way. So like in a sense I feel like he knows or think that jennette might have feelings for him? Because if that's not the case I don't think he really needed to tell her that his like for her is different from jennette. So like I feel like he is rejecting her in a romantic sense
Even I as a reader dont even know if Jennette romantically like Ijekiel so I assumed that Ijekiel have never also thought that Jennette might like her and also he just see Jennette as his sibling who is still dont know anything in the world, including romance love. And also Jennette is so focused to her supposed 'family' and she is just 14 or what, so for me I dont think she likes Ijekiel in that sense, maybe in the future or she might like him now unconsciously but we just dont see because the story is about Athy.
And also Jennette doesnt know that Ijekiel likes Athy romantically thats why she misunderstood, she thought that Ijekiel also see Athy the way she thinks of Athy hence why Ijekiel told her that they both love Athy in different way.
We've also seen Ijekiel confronting his dad and his plan that's why I think when he said that 'Athy is the most important person in my life', I just speculate that he must have a plan and him telling that means Jennette is not her priority. Idk maybe it is just me because I dont see them romantically together. Not for now since Jennette is still a child. And Ijikiel rejecting Jennette, I dont want to imagine that as a romantic rejection because I dont think Ijikiel knows that the girl he treated as a sibling likes him unless ofc Jennette told him that she likes him romantically. Even Jennette herself didnt even imagine about Ijekiel liking Athy romantically, so I think she doesnt even know and think about that...
Ohh cause like in their past life they were engaged so like I thought she might have subconsciously liked him. But I think u make more sense lol
I dont think Ijekiel romantically rejected Jennette. I mean he seems to be saying that he doesnt have time for her. And I think it is also his way of saying that he is choosing Athy than Jennette because as we already know, Mr. White has some kind of plan... They still think that Jennette is Claude's daughter and Athy's half sister so I think he is warning or kinda like that because he knows that Jennette existence if made known will hurt Athy. Or worst, Ijikiel might even betray his family for Athy