Hanok Library was supposed to be a sanctuary.
But that morning, it felt… off.
Rae Jin felt it the moment they walked in—Luna at his side, laughing softly at something Lola said earlier about red threads being worse than exes.
The moment was shattered when they saw him.
A man, seated casually at the librarian's desk, flipping through the Threadbearer's Guide like it belonged to him. His silver hair fell into his eyes, but his smirk was sharp and knowing.
"Long time no see, Rae," he said without looking up.
Luna blinked. "You know him?"
Rae's entire body tensed. "Aelius."
Aelius finally met Luna's eyes—and hers went wide.
There was a thread.
But not red.
Not gold.
Silver.
"A… silver thread?" she whispered.
Aelius stood and gave her a small bow. "Nice to meet you, Luna Han. Threadbearer. Granddaughter of the Keeper."
Luna took a step back. "Wait—what?"
Rae's voice was sharp. "How do you know that?"
"I know a lot of things," Aelius said. "Like the fact that Luna isn't just a Threadbearer. She's a key."
"A key to what?" Luna asked, her voice cracking.
Aelius smiled like he was enjoying this far too much.
"To the one thread that connects all fate."
The room seemed to freeze.
Rae stepped in front of Luna. "You're not touching her."
Aelius raised his hands mockingly. "Relax, Rae. I'm not here to hurt her. Not unless she makes the same mistake she did."
Luna's heart dropped. "She…?"
Rae's jaw clenched.
Aelius leaned closer, whispering just loud enough for Luna to hear—
"You look just like her."