Chapter 2

02.

Heather married Alistair the year she came of age.

She possessed no martial core and could only practice alchemy.

Back then, Alistair was already the young prodigy of Cloudcrest, a rising star with a boundless future.

Everyone whispered that Heather was unworthy of him. They claimed a hero like Alistair belonged with a peerless genius like Vivica.

Even the Grandmaster flew into a rage upon learning of their betrothal, threatening to strip Alistair of his title if he did not cut ties with Heather.

Despite all the pressure, Alistair insisted on marrying her. He even renounced his status and left Cloudcrest behind.

They stayed away for three long years.

Three years later, the Grandmaster approached his heavenly ascension. Before departing, he summoned Alistair and finally acknowledged their union, demanding that he cherish Heather forever.

“Heather’s constitution is weak, yet she insisted on using her own blood to brew your breakthrough pills,” the Grandmaster had said. “Such an act drains her very life force, proving how deeply she loves you.”

“Alistair, since you chose her, you must treat her well. If you ever betray her, I will never forgive you, even from the heavens!”

Their love was once the greatest romance in the land.

I truly believed Alistair loved her to the bone, making it worth her sacrifice.

I never imagined that the tale of a heartless traitor would play out right before my eyes.

Unable to swallow the injustice, I marched into the main hall alone to confront Alistair.

Inside the grand hall, Alistair was hosting a lavish banquet to welcome Vivica.

Lutes and flutes played sweet melodies while laughter filled the air.

Thinking of Heather lying unconscious on the cold alchemy floor with no one caring for her, my chest burned with agony.

I stepped forward and shouted, “Master, Mistress vomited blood to refine your pill, yet you feast and drink here! How could you be so cruel?”

On the raised platform, Vivica’s expression shifted. She placed her golden goblet down on the table.

“If my presence causes such trouble, perhaps I should leave,” Vivica said coldly. “Farewell.”

As Vivica rose to depart, panic flashed across Alistair’s face.

He caught Vivica’s hand before turning to bark a harsh command at me to apologize.

In the past, whenever Heather suffered the slightest scratch, Alistair would fuss over her for days.

Even to me, an orphaned beast spirit Heather had rescued, he had never spoken a single harsh word.

Now, he was screaming at me for the sake of a stranger.

Whether I wanted to admit it or not, Alistair was no longer the man he used to be.

I straightened my spine and looked directly into his eyes. “I spoke the truth. Why should I apologize?”

Alistair’s face turned frosty, his aura pressing down on the room.

Garrett quickly stepped in front of me to smooth things over.

“Master, Hallie merely spoke without thinking,” Garrett said nervously. “Sect Leader Vivica is our honored guest. Hallie, apologize at once!”

Guest?

Hearing that word come out of my fiancé’s mouth left me in utter disbelief.

The entire sect knew what Alistair and Vivica were doing. Was Garrett now defending the homewrecker who stole his master’s heart?

My gaze drifted toward Empress Vespera, who sat right beside Garrett. Realization struck me like cold water, and a mocking smile touched my lips.

“Is Empress Vespera also an honored guest?” I asked.

“Word has it Master intends to take Sect Leader Vivica as his wife. Tell me, Garrett, do you plan on marrying Empress Vespera as well?”

Garrett’s face flushed red with anger, and he snapped at me.

“Hallie! Mind your manners!”

“Empress Vespera and I are merely close friends! If you continue this ridiculous tantrum, get out of the hall!”

Garrett was my senior brother who had always shielded me from danger. This was the first time he had ever yelled at me like this.

Empress Vespera looked down at me with disdain, lifting her silver cup toward Garrett’s lips.

“I heard this Hallie girl is just a beast spirit?” Vespera purred.

“Animals never have any manners, so why let a little beast ruin your mood, Garrett? This plum wine is exquisite. Have a sip.”

My eyes locked onto the cup touching Garrett’s lips.

He did not defend me, nor did he pull away from Vespera’s touch.

In that quiet moment, my heart turned to ash. I turned on my heel and walked out into the cold night.