Anomaly of Fate

There was no mistaking it.

That gluttonous appetite for cold desserts, the trademark short red hair, and to top it all off, the phoenix creature perched lazily on her shoulder.

Raine Ashford.

Velren had seen her demolish bowls of frozen treats before, but seeing her do it in the middle of an opulent diplomatic summit? That was something else entirely. It was almost surreal—like spotting a wild animal in the middle of a royal court, utterly unfazed by its surroundings.

And yet, there she was, among the nobility in a flowing red dress, a color that only made her presence more striking. It wasn’t an elegant gown dripping with embellishments like the other women at the summit wore, but rather something bold—form-fitting yet unrestrained, the kind of attire that hinted at a rebellious streak even in formal settings. The rich crimson fabric cascaded around her as she leaned forward, utterly absorbed in her dessert, a stark contrast to the rigid postures of the aristocrats around her.

But there was something else that didn’t quite add up.

He knew Raine as one of the top students back at the academy—famous for her overwhelming combat prowess and untamed style that often left her opponents in shambles. And unfortunately, he was a prime example of that.

But noble? High society? Maybe even... royalty?

That part was new.

Velren took a quick glance at Solenne, who was still engaged in conversation with a few figures. She wouldn’t mind if he wandered off for a bit, right? It wasn’t like he was abandoning his duty—he was simply taking the opportunity to greet a familiar face in this sea of strangers.

’Definitely not for the food.’