Ch - 1

The grand ballroom shimmered under golden chandeliers, filled with laughter and music as nobles gathered to celebrate Lady Rosaline’s eighteenth birthday—the beloved daughter of the house.

Yet, though it was also her birthday, Aurelia stood quietly at the far edge of the hall, her presence unnoticed, as always.

Her white hair, soft as moonlight, drew whispers wherever she went, marking her as something unwanted in a world that favored perfection.

Across the room, Rosaline shone brightly, her dark hair cascading elegantly as their mother smiled at her with a warmth Aurelia had never known.

For a moment, Aurelia allowed herself a small, foolish hope—that perhaps Cedric would remember her today.

Holding onto that fragile thought, she slipped away from the crowd in search of him, her steps light against the marble floors as the music slowly faded behind her.

The corridors were silent—almost too silent—until she stopped before a half-open door.

Soft voices drifted out.

Familiar voices.

A faint smile touched her lips as she pushed the door open…

…and it vanished instantly.

Silence followed her entrance.

Not guilt.

Not panic.

But irritation.

“You weren’t supposed to see this,” Cedric said flatly, as though she were the one who had made a mistake.

Aurelia said nothing, her fingers curling slightly into her dress.

Then his gaze hardened.

“You have white hair… did you really think someone like you wouldn’t bring bad luck?”

Clara looked away, uninterested.

“You should leave,” she said quietly.

“You’re making this awkward.”

Aurelia didn’t cry.

She didn’t shout.

Whatever should have broken inside her simply… fell silent.

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

The laughter.

The music.

The warmth.

All of it felt distant now—like something she no longer belonged to.

She didn’t look at Rosaline.

Didn’t search for Cedric again.

But as she passed the crowd—

a soft laugh reached her ear.

Delicate.

Familiar.

“Finally,” Rosaline whispered lightly,

“now she’ll stop pretending to belong here.”

Aurelia moved again… as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

Step by step, she walked past the grand doors—leaving behind the lights, the music, and the people who had never once chosen her.

Aurelia kept walking.

Her footsteps were soft, almost fading into the night itself.

For a moment, the world felt strangely still—as if it was holding its breath.

Then—

A faint sound broke the silence.

Footsteps behind her.

She stopped.

Not turning… not yet.

Her heart beat once.

Twice.

“…Aurelia.”

That voice.

Her breath caught slightly.

Cedric.

She didn’t move.

Didn’t answer.

Behind her, he stepped closer—but slower now, hesitant in a way he had never been before.

“I… didn’t mean—”

Aurelia let out a quiet breath, almost like a laugh, but softer… emptier.

“You always mean it,” she said gently, her voice calm.

That was what made it worse.

Silence stretched between them.

The wind moved again, brushing past both of them, carrying away whatever was left unsaid.

Aurelia finally turned her head slightly—not fully facing him, just enough.

Her expression wasn’t angry.

Wasn’t sad.

Just… distant.

“Some things,” she said quietly, “can’t be undone.”

Cedric’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue this time.

Because he knew.

For the first time… he actually knew.

Aurelia looked back toward the road ahead.

The path stretched into darkness, but it wasn’t frightening anymore.

It was… quiet.

Peaceful.

And for the first time in her life—

it didn’t feel like she was being pushed away.

It felt like she was choosing to leave.

Without another word, she walked forward again.

And this time…

she didn’t look back

...CH-1 ENDS...

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