When had Alina ever spoken and laughed with a man like this?
Laughing so freely, so naturally—like old friends reunited after a long separation.
Never.
Not once.
"Ethan…"
Veyr clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white, his molars grinding audibly.
He could not accept it.
In terms of appearance, he was no worse than Ethan—handsome and refined, a jade tree facing the wind.
In terms of background, he was a core genius of the Azure Dragon clan, a future contender for the position of clan leader, backed by an ancient lineage.
In terms of strength, he was not inferior either. If Ethan did not possess a divine weapon, the outcome of a real fight was far from certain.
So why?
Why did Junior Sister Alina ignore him so thoroughly, yet show such interest in a human boy she had met only recently?
Veyr's heart burned with unwillingness.
He could not understand it.
And he refused to accept it.
