August, Galactic Year 3021. Third Star Zone.

The Greys and the Carters, two of the top noble families here in Zone Three, were throwing the wedding of the year today.

All across the district, every massive street screen was looping the couple’s wedding video. The bride looked sweet and graceful, while the groom had that charming, scholarly vibe. People couldn’t stop saying how perfect they looked together.

The wedding was held at the very top of Central Tower — the 88th floor — in that fancy banquet hall.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, and everything from the silverware to the floral arrangements screamed luxury. Champagne glasses clinked, laughter echoed, it was the kind of classy party only this level of wealth could pull off.

Everyone who was anyone in Zone Three showed up, and rumor had it even two big-shot VIPs from Zone One were in attendance. That alone said a lot about how important this wedding was.

But while the banquet hall was buzzing with energy, next door in the bride’s dressing room? Not so much. The mood in there was ten shades of heavy.

Eleanor Walker paced nervously. “Charlotte, you still can’t get through to Julian? Maybe something happened? Should I go ask someone from the Carter family?”

Charlotte Grey stood there in her white gown, eyes half-lowered, quietly staring at the diamonds sewn into her hem.

Right then, her comm-link gave a soft beep. It was a call from Julian Carter. She lifted her wrist to answer."Charlotte, I'm sorry, but Alice's aircraft crashed in Sector Seven. I have to go help her!"

"Aren't there rescue teams for that?"

"Charlotte! How can you say that? She's in danger—how could I just stand by and do nothing?"

Charlotte stayed calm as she replied, "Julian Carter, did it slip your mind that in just a few hours, it's my twentieth birthday? If you don't come back and marry me, the main system will randomly assign me a husband."

"I'll try to be back, Charlotte. No one wanted this to happen."

Try? So basically, there’s a chance he won’t make it.

Charlotte didn’t answer.

Instead, Julian seemed a little annoyed and added, "Charlotte, I get that you're upset, but don't be so self-centered. Alice is your sister too! She’s badly hurt—I can’t leave her like this. Anyway, that’s it. I’ll try my best to come back, and don’t bother going to my parents."

The call ended.

In the mirror, the bride’s reflection curled her lips slightly, her smile full of mockery.

Seriously? Her sister?

Selfish, her?

When Charlotte was thirteen, her spaceship had been attacked by space pirates. Thankfully, the interstellar patrol showed up in time to save her.

But she’d been seriously injured and ended up in a cryo pod—frozen for five whole years.No one really knew that during those five years in her coma, Charlotte Grey’s soul had somehow ended up on ancient Earth, over a thousand years in the past.

By the time she woke up, there was suddenly a new girl living at home—a girl just a few months younger than her. She was adopted from the Seventh Zone and was supposedly the daughter of her father Anthony Grey’s late best friend. Her name? Alice Grey.

Alice had skills—like, serious social skills. She could charm anyone. Anthony treated her like his own, and even Charlotte’s two biological brothers acted like she was their real sister.

Oh, and now even Julian Carter, the guy Charlotte had been engaged to since they were kids, bailed on her wedding day because something happened… to Alice.

What a coincidence, right? Of all days—today?

“Charlotte…” Eleanor Walker looked worried sick. She stared at her daughter, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

Charlotte, completely calm, actually comforted her instead. “It’s fine, Mom. The wedding's still on.”

“We’re still doing it?” Eleanor blinked, stunned.

“Yeah. Help me keep the guests entertained for a bit—I just need to step out.”

Eleanor tried to catch up. “Wait, where are you going?”

As the door shut behind Charlotte, her voice drifted in:

“No groom? I’ll go find myself one.”

Eleanor: “…”