She happily nodded with an excited smile, clearly interested in hearing what the old woman had to say.

"Alright then," Nova said as the two of them walked toward the small stall.

Nova and Rieka stood before the old woman’s stall as she slowly looked at the two of them with her clouded eyes. A faint, mysterious smile appeared beneath the shadow of her large hat before she spoke in an ancient, almost ethereal tone.

"In this world, where misfortune walketh hand in hand with hope, only a chosen few are destined to attain true greatness. Fate and destiny shall ever guide thee unto the path ordained.

It cannot be bent, nor shattered...nay, not even the gods themselves may unweave the tapestry of destiny."

Her wrinkled fingers gently tapped the wooden table before she turned her gaze toward Rieka.

"Come forth, little lass. Grant this old soul thy hand, and let me behold the tale that fate hath etched upon thy palm."

Nova and Rieka exchanged puzzled glances. Neither of them understood why the old woman was suddenly talking about fate and destiny. To them, it sounded like the ramblings of a mysterious old fortune teller.

Still, neither of them paid it much mind.

With a curious smile, Rieka slowly extended her hand toward the old woman.

The old woman gently held Rieka’s hand and stared at her palm with an unusually intense gaze, as though she were reading something invisible to everyone else.

Several moments passed in complete silence before she slowly lifted her head and looked into Rieka’s eyes.

A warm smile spread across her wrinkled face.

"Thy fortune is fair and unclouded, my child. A life blessed with love awaiteth thee."

Her gaze then shifted toward Nova before returning to Rieka.

"Fret not, little one. Though thy beloved may one day walk beside more than one soul, let not thy heart be burdened. The love he beareth for thee shall never fade, nor shall thy place within his heart be diminished."

Rieka didn’t know how to respond.

She didn’t truly believe the old woman’s fortune-telling, yet those words strangely didn’t bother her.

Deep down, she already knew Nova might one day find more companions. It wasn’t something she resented, nor did it make her insecure. She knew how deeply Nova cared for her.

Nova, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow.

What’s with this old lady...?

He couldn’t help but wonder why she would suddenly say something that could easily create misunderstandings between them. Although he himself had considered the possibility of finding more partners in the future, he had never intended to neglect anyone.

If that day ever came, he would love each of them equally and never abandon one for another.

Yet...This old woman had spoken those words with absolute certainty.

{Heh... looks like she’s the real deal.}

Liya’s amused laughter echoed inside Nova’s mind after hearing his thoughts.

Nova smiled faintly before extending his hand across the table. The gentle smile on his handsome face drew the attention of several women passing by, causing them to glance back at him.

"Then tell me my fortune too, old lady."

The old woman returned his smile, though there was something mysterious hidden behind it.

"Of course, my child."

She gently took Nova’s hand and began examining his palm just as she had done with Rieka’s. However, only a few moments later, her expression changed completely.

Her hands suddenly began trembling.

Her frail body shook uncontrollably before she stumbled backward and fell to the ground. Horror filled her wrinkled face.

"Granny!"

Rieka quickly rushed forward and helped the old woman back to her feet.

The old woman slowly lifted her head and stared at Nova. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke with a trembling voice.

"Oh... my poor child... such a dreadful calamity awaits thee. Beyond three years, I can behold naught but endless darkness."

Nova merely raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?"

Although Rieka didn’t fully believe in fortune-telling, hearing those words still made her heart tighten. For some reason... it felt as though the old woman wasn’t lying.

The old woman swallowed hard before continuing.

"I mean... a great misfortune shall befall thee. A calamity so terrible that it may claim thy life three years from now. That future hath swallowed all the other threads of thy destiny... I can see nothing beyond it."

Surprisingly, Nova didn’t panic.

Even if the old woman was telling the truth... even if she truly possessed the ability to glimpse fate... he still had three years.

Perhaps destiny couldn’t be changed.

But fate...Fate could be bent.

And who was to say destiny itself couldn’t be rewritten? Ever since arriving in this world, countless things he once believed impossible had become reality. If such miracles existed, then anything was possible.

A calm smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you for the warning, old lady."

"I’ll prepare myself for that day."

He gently gestured for Rieka to leave. Though reluctant, she nodded and quietly followed him away from the stall.

The old woman remained standing there, her body still trembling uncontrollably. It wasn’t merely because of the terrifying future she had witnessed...

She had seen something within Nova fortune that she simply couldn’t comprehend, staring at his departing back with eyes full of disbelief, she whispered to herself,

"Is... he even human?"

After reaching the eastern gate of Frostholme, Rieka quietly held Nova’s hand a little tighter. Nova immediately noticed the change and looked at her with a warm smile.

"What is it?"

Rieka lowered her gaze before asking in a soft voice,

"Do you believe the words of that old lady?"

Nova let out a small chuckle.

"Let’s assume she was telling the truth. Even then, we still have three whole years to prepare. Besides..." He smiled confidently. "You already know how fast I can grow stronger."

Rieka was about to reply when a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Nova!"

The two of them turned around and saw Edward and Jenna walking toward them.

Nova looked at them in surprise. He had been planning to return to the village to meet them, yet they had come to Frostholme instead.

As soon as Jenna reached him, she immediately wrapped him in a tight hug. Ever since hearing about the beast tide and how dangerous the battle had been, she had been worried sick.

Although Edward had reassured her that an unknown powerhouse had saved the city, she still couldn’t stop worrying about both her husband and her son.

Nova hugged his mother back and smiled reassuringly. "I’m alright, Mom. Dad and I are both fine."

He then looked toward Edward with a puzzled expression.

"But Dad, what are you both doing here? Didn’t you return to the village? I was just about to head back myself."

Before Edward could answer, Jenna’s attention shifted to the beautiful silver-haired girl quietly standing behind Nova. Rieka appeared slightly nervous as she met Jenna’s gaze. It was, after all, her first time meeting Nova’s parents.

Jenna looked at her curiously before turning back to Nova.

"And who is this beautiful young lady, son?"

Nova gently guided Rieka to stand beside him before answering with a smile. "Mom... this is Rieka. She’s my partner. We love each other."

He revealed the news as casually as if he were talking about the weather, completely unaware of the impact his words had.

Edward and Jenna exchanged stunned glances. Their eyes widened in surprise. Their son had left home only a few days ago...and he had already found the woman he wanted to spend his life with.

"Did... did I hear that correctly, my son?" Jenna asked in disbelief as she slowly walked toward Rieka.

Seeing the unusual expression on his mother’s face, even Nova became a little nervous.

"Yes, Mom," he replied with an awkward smile. The next moment, Jenna’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Wonderful! Look at her! She’s so beautiful and adorable!" she exclaimed happily. "Just look at her gorgeous silver hair... and those cute ears!"

Before Rieka could react, Jenna pulled her into a warm hug.

Rieka froze for a brief moment. She had expected countless reactions when meeting Nova’s parents, but this certainly wasn’t one of them.

Feeling the warmth in Jenna’s embrace and realizing she genuinely liked her, the nervousness in Rieka’s heart slowly melted away.

A faint blush appeared on her face as she shyly returned the hug. Watching the scene unfold before him, Nova couldn’t help but let a broad smile spread across his face.

Thanks for reading....