There was a time when her refined and elegant demeanor wasn’t as apparent.

"—Hey."

Back when she was called Seolbong (Snow Phoenix) instead of her given name.

A time long forgotten, a distant memory.

Back then, we tried to avoid each other as much as possible, our interactions brimming with sharp tension.

If we happened to meet, it never ended with kind words. Yet, there was a peculiar period when she would often come looking for me.

When I saw Seolbong approach, I frowned deeply. She mirrored my expression but still spoke curtly.

"Eat."

"I’m not hungry."

She came out …