Anomaly of Fate
Chapter 102: Royal Masquarede

Chapter 102: Royal Masquarede

Most people looked at her with ill intent—whether out of ambition, politics, or something else entirely. It made sense, he supposed. A princess wasn’t just a person; she was a symbol, a prize, a stepping stone for those seeking power. He had never cared much for nobility or their tangled games, but the way she spoke of it, so matter-of-factly, made it sound... exhausting. Like being caught in an endless performance where every move was scrutinized, and every word was weighed for its consequences.

That kind of life sounded utterly tiresome.

He frowned slightly, leaning back against the wall. For all the privilege that came with her status, it appears that freedom wasn’t part of the bargain. Not really. Always being watched, always being expected to act a certain way, always having to filter every interaction through layers of caution—he couldn’t imagine living like that. His own life had been chaotic, sure, but at least his choices had always been his own, even when they led him into trouble most of the time.

He flickered his gaze back to Solenne, who was still watching the hall with an unreadable expression. There was a certain weariness to her posture, hidden beneath the practiced grace she carried. It wasn’t the kind of exhaustion that came from a lack of sleep—it was deeper, the kind that settled into one’s bones after years of enduring something inescapable.

Velren exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms. He had always assumed royalty lived in a world of luxury and indulgence, free from the struggles of ordinary people. But maybe their cages just looked different.

For a moment, he wondered—if it were him, would he be able to handle it? Would he last a day in her position, where trust was a currency few could afford to spend?

He immediately chuckled at the thought.

’...Probably not.’

Before he could say anything else to her, a voice cut through the ambient murmur of the hall, catching the two’s attention.

"Solenne, there you are."

Velren turned toward the source and immediately took note of the man approaching them. He appeared to be in his early thirties, tall and composed, with an air of effortless confidence that came from years of refinement. His dark hair was neatly combed back, revealing striking golden eyes that held a quiet intensity. Unlike most nobles in the room, whose finery leaned toward opulence, his attire was somehow... understated—an elegant black and gold ensemble, tailored to perfection, yet lacking any excess embellishment.

Solenne turned to him and greeted him with a small, polite smile.

"Big brother."

’Big brother? As in her sibling? As in the prince?’

Solenne’s expression remained composed, but Velren noticed the subtle tension in her posture—nothing overt, just a faint stiffness in her shoulders, the way her fingers lightly curled as if bracing herself. It was barely noticeable, yet somehow, it made all the difference.

The prince, however, seemed oblivious—or perhaps, he simply chose not to acknowledge it.

"How’s life at the academy treating you?" he asked, his tone light but measured.

Solenne maintained her polite smile. "Eventful, as always."

"Yes, I heard," he mused, sharpening his gaze slightly.

"The recent exam sounded quite... harrowing. The reports didn’t go into much detail, but I imagine it must have been an ordeal."

Something in the way he said it made Velren glance at Solenne. That faint stiffness in her stance hadn’t eased; if anything, it had grown more pronounced. Her hands remained at her sides, but Velren noticed the slightest movement—her fingers curling and uncurling, as if resisting the urge to fidget.

"That’s an understatement," she answered, her voice steady.

The prince hummed, his expression unreadable. But then, his demeanor shifted—not drastically, but just enough. His gaze grew sharper, more focused, as he took a step closer.

"And yet," he continued, lowering his voice ever so slightly, "there are some details missing from the reports, aren’t there?"

For the first time, Solenne’s smile faltered. Not visibly, not enough for most to notice—but Velren, standing close enough to catch the nuances, saw the fleeting hesitation in her eyes.

The prince held her gaze, pressing just a little further. "Solenne—"

Before he even realized it, Velren had shifted slightly. But before he could do anything, Solenne spoke.

"There is nothing to be concerned about," she said smoothly. "The situation was handled, and I assure you, I am perfectly fine."

The prince studied her for a moment longer, then—just like that—his expression softened. The sudden change was seamless, effortless. One moment, his gaze had been piercing, scrutinizing; the next, he was back to his composed, collected self, as if the last exchange had never happened.

Velren wasn’t sure why, but something about the way he could switch so easily gives him the creep.

Then, after a pause, the prince gave her a smile—one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"I’ll be seeing you soon."

With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Velren watched until the prince fully disappeared into the sea of aristocrats before shifting his gaze back to Solenne.

"I take it that wasn’t just a friendly sibling chat?"

Solenne exhaled softly, her gaze lingering in the direction her brother had gone before turning back to Velren.

"No, it wasn’t," she admitted. "But that’s just how he is."

"That’s not exactly reassuring."

A small, humorless smile played on her lips.

"It’s not meant to be."

He studied her for a moment, noting the tension that hadn’t quite left her posture.

"So... should I ask what that was about, or is this one of those ’better not to know’ situations?"

Solenne hesitated, then shook her head.

"It’s nothing you need to worry about. Not right now, at least."

Velren didn’t like the sound of that, but he also knew better than to push. With a quiet sigh, he leaned back slightly.

"If you say so..."

He glanced at Solenne from the corner of his eye.

’Maybe being an only child wasn’t so bad after all.’

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