Vaelis left the café without looking back.

The cool evening air wrapped around her, but it did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside. Lucien Voss had shattered everything she thought she knew, not just with his revelation but with the arrogance in his words—his belief that he alone was shaping the world.

She tightened her grip around the ring still in her palm, its familiar weight grounding her. Proof of the past. Proof that this was real.

He had been there.

Not just in this life, but in the one before.

Vaelis took a slow breath, forcing her mind to settle. Panic was useless. She had survived far worse. What mattered now was what she did with this knowledge.

Lucien wasn’t an ordinary opponent. He had power, control, and most dangerously—he knew the truth.

But he had made one mistake.

He had underestimated her.

She was almost at the dorm when a familiar voice called out.

"Vaelis."

She turned to see Rowan Sinclair leaning against a lamppost, his sharp green eyes studying her like he had been waiting.

She didn’t slow her steps. "If you’re here to lecture me about my expressions again, save it."

Rowan fell into step beside her. "No lecture this time. Just an offer."

Vaelis raised an eyebrow but kept walking. "I’m not interested."

"You don’t even know what it is yet," he drawled, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Let me guess." She gave him a pointed look. "You need a partner for the upcoming banquet, and you’ve somehow decided I’m your best option."

His smirk widened. "See? You do know what it is."

Vaelis exhaled sharply. The banquet.

She had almost forgotten it was happening soon. One of the most exclusive events for the wealthy families—an elegant affair where alliances were formed, reputations were solidified, and, more importantly, the night where the male and female lead first truly noticed each other in the original novel.

It was a turning point.

And she wanted no part of it.

"No," she said, her voice firm.

Rowan blinked, clearly not expecting such an immediate refusal. "No?"

"You heard me."

He studied her for a moment before tilting his head. "You don’t like parties. Fine. But something tells me this isn’t just about that."

Vaelis ignored him and kept walking.

Rowan let out an exaggerated sigh. "Come on, Vaelis. I need someone to make the night bearable. And you’re one of the few who can handle those snakes without losing your mind."

She glanced at him. "And why should I care about making your night bearable?"

Rowan clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch. That almost hurt." Then his expression shifted, more calculating. "You know, people will talk if you don’t show up. They’ll think you’re avoiding someone."

She smirked. "Let them think what they want."

Rowan stopped walking, watching her with interest. "You really aren’t coming."

Vaelis turned slightly, meeting his gaze. "No, I’m not."

For a second, she thought he might push further. But then Rowan just let out a low chuckle. "Alright, Cara. But don’t blame me when you regret missing all the drama."

She didn’t respond.

Because the only thing she regretted was ever being part of this story to begin with.