《Frostbound Blood》


 Chapter 1

    Arie''s POV


    The palace, once brimming with life and purpose, now stood cold and empty, its halls abandoned to the royal guards. Flowers, bright against the ice-blue sheen of the coffin¡¯s surface, floated like forgotten promises. Mourners, a sea of muted figures, sat silently on the marble chairs, their eyes lost in the chilling gloom of the hall. Yet, I remained standing, rooted before my father¡¯s casket, the weight of his absence too heavy to bear. A curse, spun from dark magic, had claimed him¡ªits source still shrouded in mystery. If I ever discover who is responsible, I will hunt them down without hesitation.


    ¡°All the responsibility is now yours. Are you truly sure you can handle that?¡± I asked the tall figure beside me, my voice a mix of skepticism and disbelief.


    His sky-blue eyes lit up like a flicker of flame in the dark. ¡°Of course. What else would you expect from the Ice Prince?¡± he replied, his tone as cold and confident as the winds outside. ¡°I¡¯ll rule this kingdom. They¡¯ll remember me as a great king.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad for the new king¡¯s optimism,¡± I murmured, the words falling from my lips like heavy stones, ¡°but I¡¯m still in shock that our father is gone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not crowned yet, so don¡¯t call me king,¡± he said, a flicker of something more vulnerable in his voice. ¡°He was overprotective of us, but in the end, he couldn¡¯t protect himself.¡±


    His sky-blue hair fell over his eyes, and for a long, oppressive moment, the silence stretched between us. I closed my eyes, wishing our mother could be here to ease the ache in my brother¡¯s heart. She had vanished long before I could remember her¡ªjust a shadow in the distant past, a ghost of a mother I never knew. My brother, the youngest ever to ascend the throne of Glacia, was left to carry this burden alone.


    We stepped away from the casket as the guards began their solemn task of moving it to the burial site. The air was thick with cold, and the palace¡¯s oppressive chill clung to me like an old, unwanted companion. I stood in silence, my expression blank, but inside, the loneliness gnawed at me.


    A heavy hand settled on my shoulder, warmth spreading through me like a welcome fire. ¡°You look paler today, Ice Princess,¡± came the deep voice, offering the strange comfort of his touch. ¡°I think you need my warmth.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thanks for noticing,¡± I said, my tone flat. ¡°But I¡¯m used to our cold temperatures. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± he replied, his touch withdrawing as he stepped back. ¡°Just tell me if you need help.¡±


    I nearly forgot the presence of the visitors behind me, my mind lost in the moment. Skadar Facienda, one of the nobles my father had wished for me to marry before his death, stood among them. Ice Captain Sterling, his father, was best friends with my father. Skadar, like my brother, was a double-elemental user, wielding both ice and light powers. He had the ability to warm his palms using internal light energy¡ªa useful talent in this frigid kingdom. Though I was immune to freezing entirely, the cold still seeped into my bones, a persistent ache that no amount of tolerance could erase. His warmth, however, was a rare and welcome relief.


    We walked across the patterned diamond floor, following the guards toward the burial grounds. Outside, the chill of the air sliced through me, and the falling snowflakes clung to my hair and cloak, their soft whiteness a stark contrast to the somberness of the occasion. The citizens of Glacia stood outside, their eyes filled with silent sorrow, paying their respects with quiet reverence. My brother walked ahead, holding our father¡¯s framed portrait, while General Dicester flanked me, his daughter, Dorsey, walking at his side.


    ¡°Your father was a great king,¡± my uncle whispered, his voice low and thick with grief. ¡°A caring brother to me. He will always have a place in my memory. And don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll continue doing my best as a general of this kingdom.¡±


    I glanced at him, my heart heavy with unspoken questions. ¡°Uncle, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been meaning to ask since my father died.¡±


    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Why not you become king instead of that inexperienced jerk?¡± Dorsey interjected, her voice laced with sharp bitterness. ¡°The kingdom would be safer in the hands of a veteran.¡±


    ¡°Dorsey, don¡¯t be so harsh on Prince Aerol,¡± my uncle chided, though his gaze was cold. ¡°He has potential, and besides, only the king¡¯s blood can rule this kingdom. Now, I¡¯m speaking to Princess Arie.¡±


    Dorsey shot me a venomous glance, her disapproval clear. I understood her feelings. She had always been vocal about her doubts regarding my brother¡¯s suitability for the throne.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already answered my question, Uncle,¡± I said quietly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. ¡°I¡¯m worried it¡¯s too soon for my brother to become king.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help him manage the kingdom,¡± he reassured me, his voice firm. ¡°For now, let¡¯s wish for a peaceful afterlife for my beloved brother.¡±


    We paused as the guards placed the coffin on the cold, chiseled stone floor for a brief moment. I took one last look at my father¡¯s face before they began the process of moving it into the royal ice block¡ªa long, rectangular vault carved from solid diamond where the deceased of our family were entombed. Ice encased the front, and our father¡¯s name would be etched there for all eternity.


    Once the task was done, the others teleported away, leaving nothing but a trail of snowflakes in the air¡ªanother testament to the magic of the Fruit Masters. Their powers were incredible, the ability to vanish with little more than a flicker of their magic. I felt like an outsider among them. I was the only one in my family without a Magical Fruit, the power I longed for, and the one thing that could make me feel truly alive in this frozen world.


    ¡°Condolences for your loss,¡± a voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see the periwinkle-haired boy standing before me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to disturb you, Ice Princess, but I have something important to tell you.¡±


    I startled at his sudden appearance. ¡°What is it, Claudius?¡±


    ¡°My mother had a prediction last week,¡± he said, his expression unreadable. ¡°She foresaw that you would find your Fruit Cube today. I have a list of possible locations where it might be.¡±


    My heart skipped a beat. ¡°Really? Thank you for telling me,¡± I said, my voice laced with the hope I hadn¡¯t dared to feel. ¡°I¡¯d like to hear more predictions from your mother in the future.¡±


    Claudius nodded solemnly, standing as still as stone. ¡°Of course, Ice Princess.¡±


    With a swirl of dark purple smoke, he disappeared as swiftly as he had appeared, leaving me alone with my thoughts.


    I hadn¡¯t realized that my brother and I had drifted apart from the noble company. He held my hand and together, we teleported back to the palace, the familiar feeling of ice-cold magic surging around us as we reappeared at the front entrance.


    I wasted no time. My mind was racing, filled with a growing sense of urgency. I ran out to the snowy yard and grabbed the iron shovel, digging into the frozen earth.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Aerol¡¯s voice broke through the tension.


    ¡°Digging up a corpse?¡± I shot back, my words cutting through the cold air.


    He smirked, but his eyes gleamed with mischief. ¡°I can help you with that.¡±


    I stepped back quickly as he summoned a blast of ice, shattering the ground beneath us. When the ice cleared, I saw it¡ªa sleek, black cube, gleaming like a star in the snow.


    ¡°Finally,¡± he said, voice full of pride. ¡°You¡¯re getting a superpower. Don¡¯t forget who found it for you.¡±


    ¡°But I found it first,¡± I muttered, feeling a twinge of guilt. ¡°Now I feel worthless for it.¡± I threw the shovel aside, my hands trembling as I reached down to touch the cube.


    I noticed the faint glow pulsing from the cube, revealing a red circle symbol etched into its surface.


    ¡°A cherry?¡± I whispered, confused.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the symbol for a cherry,¡± Aerol said, crouching beside me. ¡°It could be something else.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, it just looks similar. I¡¯ve studied this stuff,¡± I said, my sky-blue eyes focused intently on the cube. For as long as I could remember, I had dreamt of finding a Fruit Cube. Now that it was here, my excitement was tempered with doubt¡ªwhat should I do first? What could this power truly offer?


    ¡°Summon fruit.¡±


    A cranberry, glowing with a light blue aura, hovered above the cube.


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± I said, disappointed. ¡°I thought there¡¯d be some big, dramatic effect, like a tornado or blinding light.¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess literature can be dramatic,¡± he teased. ¡°Are you just going to stare at it, or are you going to eat it? Who knows? A frog might slither out and eat the cranberry.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the frog here,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes as I took the cranberry in my hand. The moment I bit into it, warmth spread through my body, and energy surged, filling me with a deep, calming chill.


    ¡°With that blue aura,¡± Aerol said, raising an eyebrow, ¡°it¡¯s an ice elemental fruit. What will you name it?¡±


    ¡°I feel chilled,¡± I said, my mind already working. ¡°Chillberry. That¡¯s what I¡¯ll call it.¡±


    ***


    "¡ªand the new king of Glacia, is Aerol Glaciouso!"


    The Glacians erupted in applause, their cheers resonating through the palace as my uncle placed the crown upon my brother''s head. I stood beside my cousin Dorsey Glaciouso, atop the terrace of the ice-castle, the icy wind biting at my skin as the sight below unfurled before me. Sky-blue eyes¡ªthose familiar, brilliant eyes¡ªwinked at me from the stage below. I returned the gesture, a fleeting connection between us. Above, purple clouds twisted unnaturally, conjured with an ease that sent confetti raining down in shimmering arcs. Yet, as I took it all in, a shift in the air occurred. It wasn¡¯t for me, but for the person standing higher on the terrace, my brother''s wink a signal to someone else.


    "Claudius'' phantom ability again," Dorsey muttered, her tone tinged with disdain. "Your brother is such an immature brat, making him use his power just to summon a useless effect for fun. I don¡¯t trust the phantom element."


    I arched an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "Why do you think so?" I asked, the words slipping from me before I could stop them.


    Her gaze hardened, like stone, cold and unwavering. "Because it''s an extension of inner magic, cast upon a Magical Fruit. Many sorcerers in history have lost themselves to it, gone mad from the very magic that binds them. Whoever killed your father is insane."


    I blinked, the weight of her words heavy in the space between us. It''s been a day since I''ve got Chillberry. "Then, the rest of the elements of the Magical Fruit must also be extensions of inner magic, too, right? After all, it''s all called a ''Magical Fruit.''"


    She met my eyes then, her expression steely. "Yes, but the others lack the corrupting abilities of inner magic¡ªexcept for the phantom element. It¡¯s different."


    The temperature around us seemed to rise suddenly, the air growing thick with discomfort, or perhaps just the weight of the conversation. A voice interrupted, cool and composed, pulling me from my thoughts.


    "It''s getting hot in here, isn¡¯t it?" The tall, sky-blue-haired boy behind us spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness. For a heartbeat, I thought it was my brother¡ªhis hair too, his presence so familiar. But then I noticed the shoulder length of the hair, the sharpness of his features. It was Aice, my cousin.


    "Mind your own business, Aice," Dorsey hissed, her words laced with irritation.


    His gaze flicked to me, his deep blue eyes sharp. "The Ice King wants y¡¯all to come down for the feast in the banquet hall."


    The title¡ªIce King. It felt strange now, like a weight my brother had suddenly borne, one that seemed miles beyond anything I could ever reach. A shadow behind him, always. I followed my cousins down the terrace steps, my thoughts swirling.


    ***


    Later, in the solitude of my bedchamber, I lay awake. The soft glow of moonlight filtered in through the window, but my thoughts were consumed by what Dorsey had said: "So whoever killed your father is insane." The words haunted me, twisted through my mind like the wind against the frozen glass. Could magic really warp the mind, turn someone into something unrecognizable, make them capable of unspeakable things? No. There had to be a reason, something deeper. The culprit had a purpose, something driving them beyond mere madness.


    I stood from the bed, the cold air pressing against me as I approached the window, intent on closing it before sleep claimed me. But as I gazed out at the kingdom, something caught my eye. An eerie glow, an orange fire flickering among the snowy trees, a strange and unnatural presence against the endless white. Without thinking, I grabbed the monocular resting on the side table, bringing it to my eyes for a closer look.


    The glow pulsed, and my heart sank. What I saw was nothing short of impossible.


    "Fire spread," I murmured, the words tasting bitter on my tongue, "in a cold climate."

 Chapter 2

    Aerol¡¯s POV


    Today is my coronation day. The mirror reflected perfection¡ªI admired the way the ceremonial attire complemented my sharp features. As I sorted through the gilded accessories in my wardrobe, a knock echoed against the diamond door. I opened it to find General Dicester towering before me, his figure as imposing as ever.


    ¡°My wonderful nephew,¡± he began with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes, ¡°you look dazzling today.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I replied, gesturing for him to step inside. ¡°What brings you here, Uncle?¡±


    He took the nearest plush chair, his expression darkening as he spoke. ¡°As the new king of Glacia, there is something your father left for you¡ªa task, a favor only the ruler of this kingdom can fulfill.¡±


    I frowned, lowering myself onto the sofa across from him. ¡°A favor? Shouldn¡¯t I have known of this earlier?¡±


    He met my gaze with a solemn nod. ¡°I¡¯m not merely a general, Aerol¡ªI am the keeper of Glacia¡¯s royal testaments. What I am about to tell you must remain between us.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± I murmured. Rising, I locked the door and swept the room for any prying eyes or unseen magic. Satisfied, I returned to my seat and gestured for him to continue.


    From his coat, he drew a scroll and handed it to me. I unfurled it carefully, my eyes scanning the familiar script¡ªmy father¡¯s unmistakable handwriting.


    "To the next ruler of Glacia,


    Keep the kingdom safe from the Wolfmen and retrieve the Weather Clock. If you are reading this, I have likely died without recovering it. The Weather Clock is the kingdom''s most dangerous weapon, stolen by the Wolfmen during my adolescence. Protect it at all costs."


    I rolled the parchment closed, my pulse quickening. ¡°The Weather Clock? I¡¯ve never heard of such a thing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a relic,¡± General Dicester explained, his voice grave. ¡°It regulates the kingdom¡¯s cold, keeping the land frozen and secure. But in the wrong hands¡­¡± He trailed off, the weight of his words sinking into the silence.


    ***


    Arie¡¯s POV


    I wasn¡¯t allowed outside at night. Not at fifteen, not as the Ice Princess, and certainly not while the threat of Wolfmen lingered beyond the castle walls. So instead, I summoned my ice drone, sending it to survey the burned remnants of Snowdoom Forest beneath the pale glow of the moon.


    Ash blanketed the ground where proud trees once stood. My drone weaved through the charred wreckage, the moonlight catching glints of melted ice and scorched earth. A pang of guilt clenched my chest for the forest¡¯s ruin.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I adjusted the drone to return, but a sudden force wrenched it downward. The screen spun, disorienting, until it stilled. Through the static, a familiar voice broke through.


    ¡°Did I forget to mention,¡± Aerol¡¯s smirk filled the screen, ¡°that ice magic users can manipulate anything made of ice? Nice try, little sister.¡±


    ¡°Aerol,¡± I groaned, transmitting my voice through the drone. ¡°What are you even doing out here?¡±


    He tilted the drone to face the north, his glacial eyes twinkling with amusement. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be asking you that? Palace property doesn¡¯t just wander into the woods on its own.¡±


    I clenched my fists, glaring through the lens. He always found a way to meddle. But my irritation faded when the drone¡¯s view shifted, revealing Dorsey among the guards, standing over something in the mud. Her pale blue eyes burned with fury.


    I adjusted the drone, trying to angle it for a better view. The guards were silent, their faces unreadable as they formed a circle around. A lump rose in my throat.


    Why weren¡¯t they moving? Why wasn¡¯t anyone speaking?


    A strange chill crept over me, crawling down my spine as I slowly panned lower, my heart pounding like a war drum.


    Then I saw it.


    General Dicester lay lifeless in the snow, his face ashen and still. My breath hitched, the cold wrapping around me like a serpent.


    The royal physician stood from the body, his tone clinical. ¡°It was a heart attack. But with no history of heart disease, I suspect magic was involved.¡±


    ¡°First my mother,¡± Dorsey¡¯s voice trembled, though her posture remained rigid. ¡°Now him. Is it the same murderer?¡±


    My stomach churned as the weight of it all pressed down. My father¡¯s death, my mother¡¯s disappearance, and now my uncle¡¯s demise¡ªcould it all be connected?


    ¡°We don¡¯t have enough to draw conclusions yet, Princess,¡± Captain Sterling said.


    Aerol¡¯s voice cut through the somber air, cold and commanding. ¡°Whoever is behind this will face judgment.¡±


    Dorsey¡¯s piercing sky-blue eyes locked onto my brother with disdain. ¡°Brought a toy here, huh.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m using this to record the investigation,¡± Aerol replied, flashing a faint smile.


    A toy? I bristled at the remark. He just called me a recorder. How rude. Shaking off the insult, I maneuvered the drone, scanning the area. My search revealed a trail of footsteps in the mud, leading toward Glacia¡¯s outer village beyond Snowdoom Forest.


    Dorsey tucked a strand of her lilac hair behind her ear, her voice sharp. ¡°Was anyone with my father before he passed away? If not, the guards need to be disciplined. Allowing the Ice General to wander alone is inexcusable.¡±


    A guard hesitantly raised his hand. ¡°He told us¡­ he was going to take a whiz, so we let him go alone into the fores¡ª¡±


    ¡°What an IGNORANT decision!¡± she snapped, cutting him off.


    ¡°Let him finish,¡± Aerol said firmly, his tone calm yet commanding. ¡°We need to uncover the truth.¡±


    ¡°I agree with the Ice King,¡± Captain Sterling chimed in, his expression grave. ¡°This is a serious matter, and we must understand how it unfolded.¡±


    The guard straightened under the weight of their scrutiny, his voice trembling. ¡°I¡­ I overheard the general shout ¡®Ice Princess¡¯ and ¡®stop right there¡¯ just before he collapsed. The forest was still ablaze at the time.¡±


    An uneasy silence fell over the group, their expressions a mixture of confusion and suspicion.


    Aerol broke the tension with a dry chuckle. ¡°Seriously? Are you trying to make me laugh?¡±


    Captain Sterling¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I hate to admit this, Ice King, but it seems your sister might be hiding something. Going out at night is highly suspicious.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve known this all along,¡± Dorsey interjected, her voice dripping with venom. ¡°The Windcore family is a bloodline of witches and warlocks. I don¡¯t trust you, son of a witch.¡±


    The words hit Aerol like a physical blow, his glacial eyes glinting with unshed tears. But he composed himself, his voice unwavering. ¡°Family hatred has no place here. My sister has been asleep in the palace all night. I can vouch for her.¡±


    Unmoved, Dorsey turned to the detective crouched by the trail of footprints. ¡°What have you found?¡±


    The man rose slowly, removing his fedora. ¡°The footprints match a common peasant¡¯s slipper. It¡¯s possible the culprit is from the village, but¡­¡± He hesitated.


    ¡°They match the Ice Princess¡¯ foot size, don¡¯t they?¡± Dorsey¡¯s confidence was unshaken.


    The detective nodded reluctantly, his admission casting a heavy shadow over the gathering. Dorsey¡¯s smug expression grew sharper as she glanced at Aerol.


    If Aerol tells them I¡¯m controlling the ice drone, I have an alibi, I thought desperately. But it could also work against me. They might believe I used magic to teleport back to the palace.


    I clung to the knowledge that I hadn¡¯t killed the general. I wasn¡¯t capable of such an act, especially without my Magical Fruit. Without it, I had no powers¡ªno witchcraft to accuse me of.


    Suddenly, my screen blurred, and the connection to the drone was severed. Before I could process what had happened, a knock sounded at my chamber door. Heart pounding, I rose from my desk and opened it.


    Pain shot through me as I was shoved to the floor. Looking up, I saw three royal guards towering over me, their expressions unreadable.


    ¡°You¡¯re coming with us to the dungeon, Ice Princess.¡±

 Chapter 3

    "But I''m innocent! Please, don''t do this to me," I pleaded, my voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes.


    Their grip was unyielding, dragging me from my bedroom. My attempts to resist were futile; their strength far outmatched mine. Their grasp reminded me that I hadn''t eaten my Magical Fruit in hours, in hopes that I would be able to sleep. Without the effects of the Chillberry, my superpowers had faded, leaving me helpless. But hope wasn''t lost¡ªI had stashed the fruit cube in my pocket. It would only take a moment to summon its power and remind these bastards who the true royal was.


    We trudged through the dim corridors, and after several minutes, I realized something was wrong. The path wasn''t leading to the dungeons.


    "This isn''t the way to the dungeon," I said, my voice cutting through the silence.


    "Shut up and keep walking," one of the guards snapped, his tone sharp and dismissive.


    Disrespect? Since when did palace guards dare to speak to a member of the royal family like that? Perhaps ever since both my parents were gone. The thought simmered in my mind, making my blood boil. They''d forgotten their place. I imagined throwing them into the legendary dragon dungeon¡ªan amusing thought, but one I couldn''t act on. Not yet.


    Feigning clumsiness, I stumbled, falling to the cold palace floor. My hand darted into my pocket, grasping for the fruit cube. I just needed a second.


    Before I could summon Chillberry, a sharp kick struck my hand, sending the fruit cube spinning across the floor.


    "Watch your steps, clumsy pie," the guard sneered, his voice laced with mockery.


    Panic surged through me. I lunged forward, crawling toward the fruit cube, but rough hands seized me. One guard held me by the chest, another clamped a hand over my mouth, and the third plucked the fruit cube from the floor, confiscating the contents of my pocket.


    I tried to scream, to protest, but their grip silenced me. My mind raced, more terrified of losing the fruit cube than of whatever fate awaited me.


    "What''s going on here, chads?" A commanding voice echoed through the hall, cutting through the tension like a blade.


    The guards froze as Skadar stepped into view, his sharp yellow eyes narrowing.


    "Just carrying out the king''s orders," one of the guards said, stiffly turning to face him.


    Skadar raised an eyebrow, his thick brows furrowing. "At this hour? Aerol really does love disturbing my sleep," he muttered, crossing his arms. His gaze flicked to me, taking in the scene. "But what exactly are you doing to our lil'' princess?"


    The guard hesitated before responding. "She''s committed a serious crime. We''re taking her to the dungeon."


    My eyes widened, and I shook my head furiously, desperate to convey the truth. Skadar''s lips twitched into a smirk.


    "A serious crime?" he echoed, his tone mocking. "You''re acting strange tonight... and oddly formal. That''s disrespectful to your godchild."


    He raised a hand, a blinding light emanating from his index finger. The guards flinched, shielding their eyes.


    "This is True Light," Skadar said, his voice steady and calm. "It reveals the true colors of camouflaged creatures."


    The guard holding my mouth let out an inhuman growl as gray fur erupted across his skin. His hands grew claws, his teeth sharpening into jagged spikes. A Wolfman.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    The fruit cube tumbled from his grasp, and I wasted no time. I bit the arm of the guard holding me, forcing him to release me, and dove for the fruit cube.


    "Summon Chillberry," I whispered. The fruit cube radiated with a brilliant cranberry glow before dissolving as I ate it whole.


    The Wolfman lunged at Skadar, but with a calm flick of his hand, he froze the beast solid. A second later, a blast of light shattered the ice, scattering shards across the floor.


    The remaining Wolfmen attacked, one lunging at me. I channeled the Chillberry''s power, freezing the creature mid-air¡ªeverything except its snarling head.


    Skadar dealt with the second Wolfman in a flash of light, then turned to mine.


    "No!" I shouted. "We need to interrogate him!"


    But it was too late. The light pierced through the frozen creature, reducing it to shards. Its severed head hit the floor with a sickening thud.


    Skadar smirked, unfazed. "Oops. Guess we''ll just have to ask the head instead."


    He blasted the decapitated head, reducing it to ash.


    I glared at him. "Thanks for saving me from being abducted," I said, my tone sharp, "but we needed answers."


    Skadar shrugged. "You''re welcome, Ice Princess. Though, I''ll admit, that was terrifying. Those beasts holding you hostage? Not a sight I''ll forget."


    I crossed my arms. "This never happened under my father''s rule," I said bitterly.


    His gaze softened, his yellow eyes meeting mine. "Don''t worry. I''ll protect you from any threat. Looks like your brother isn''t as vigilant as your father was."


    His words hit a nerve. I sighed. "Speaking of Aerol... where is he?"


    Skadar frowned. "Good question. But first, we need to secure the palace. If there are more camouflaged Wolfmen lurking here, we can''t let them catch us off guard."


    I nodded. "Agreed. Let''s alert the guards and figure this out later."


    ***


    In the middle of the night, we found ourselves in a dimly lit bedroom, discussing the unsettling events we had encountered.


    "Claudius, does your mother happen to have a vision related to the chaos today?" Skadar asked, his voice low but direct.


    "I don''t think so," the periwinkle-haired boy replied, adjusting his glasses.


    "I thought she was a future seer. What¡¯s the point of having such a gift if she can¡¯t even predict something like this?" Skadar muttered, crossing his arms.


    "The security should have been stricter in the first place," I said, shaking my head. "It¡¯s strange how they managed to infiltrate the palace so easily."


    "Wait," Claudius began, his voice soft but deliberate, "I think she might have. She once told me she had a nightmare about the Snowdoom Forest burning and Wolfmen invading the palace, but that was a long time ago. We didn¡¯t think much of it at the time¡ªor we simply forgot."


    "You should have told us," Skadar exclaimed, his golden eyes narrowing. "I could¡¯ve warned my father earlier."


    "Not all dreams are visions," Claudius said defensively, brushing his bangs away from his face.


    The door creaked open, and Lady Collfumes entered, her periwinkle side-swept bangs partially concealing her left eye. She walked gracefully to the large bed and sat down, her presence commanding the room.


    "You should all be asleep by now," she said with a gentle yet stern tone. "But I suppose my little night owl would still be awake." She patted Claudius¡¯ fluffy hair affectionately.


    Claudius adjusted his glasses again. "Do you still remember the nightmare you had several months ago?"


    "Ah, yes, my son," she replied, her deep purple eye flickering toward me. "Ice Princess, I imagine you¡¯re wondering why I never disclosed it."


    She stood and retrieved a book from the pile stacked neatly on the desk.


    "We¡¯re not having a bedtime story while the kingdom is in peril," Skadar grumbled.


    "Silence, and listen carefully," Lady Collfumes ordered. She sat back down and opened the book.


    Suddenly, the bedroom transformed into a throne room, its grandeur bearing a faint resemblance to ours but distinctly older. Lady Collfumes used this projection magic often when I was a child, weaving her stories with vivid imagery.


    "In the kingdom of Glacia," she began, her voice calm and measured, "there was once a Dream Seer who served the Ice King."


    The vision showed a youthful Ice King, perhaps in his twenties, seated upon a jeweled throne. A young man approached and bowed deeply before him.


    "The king demanded the seer share his dreams, believing them to be visions of the future. But not all dreams are as they seem."


    The scene shifted. A shallow cave came into view, and knights swarmed the entrance, launching flaming spears. Agonized screams echoed as the flames engulfed those within.


    "One day, the seer dreamed of bandits raiding the palace to kill the Ice King," Lady Collfumes narrated. "The king ordered an ambush on their hideout to prevent the attack."


    The projection returned to the throne room, where a cloaked man bowed before the king.


    "But the bandits had no such intention. The detective revealed they had only sought a peaceful bargain with the king," she said.


    The image of the Ice King hardened. He gestured, and guards seized the Dream Seer.


    "The king ordered the seer¡¯s execution for leading him astray."


    The vision shifted again, this time to a funeral. Shadows danced ominously as the bandits mourned their slain kin.


    "Yet, the king¡¯s cruelty sowed the seeds of his downfall. He was later beheaded by one of the surviving bandits."


    The projection faded, and we were back in the bedroom. I felt a chill as I processed the tale. The cruelty of those times was overwhelming, though I remained composed. I had learned to steel myself against such emotions.


    "What a tragic ending," Skadar muttered.


    "But how does this explain why you didn¡¯t share your dream?" he asked, frowning.


    "It wasn¡¯t a dream¡ªit was a nightmare," Lady Collfumes clarified. "At least, that¡¯s what I believed. I didn¡¯t want to risk history repeating itself with a false vision."


    "I appreciate your caution, Lady Collfumes," I said, offering her a faint smile.


    "I¡¯m glad you understand, Ice Princess," she replied warmly.


    But my smile faltered as a weight settled in my chest. "I¡¯m still worried," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper, "that I¡¯m the main suspect in General Dicester¡¯s death."


    Her expression shifted instantly. "Really? That¡¯s a grave accusation," she said, her voice sharp with concern.


    Skadar¡¯s gaze met mine, unwavering. "I¡¯ll speak to my father about it. He¡¯s bound to take action¡ªespecially since he¡¯s set to become the next general."


    "I¡¯ll hold you to that, Skadar," I said, nodding.


    A knock on the door interrupted us. Lady Collfumes rose and opened it. Standing in the doorway was my brother, his clothes splattered in blood.

 Chapter 4

    Aerol¡¯s POV


    The heat hit me like a wave, and before I could react, Arie¡¯s ice drone melted away in seconds. When I looked back, the footsteps in the snow had vanished. My chest tightened. Everything seemed to spiral out of control since my coronation.


    ¡°Are you alright, Ice King?¡± a royal guard asked, his voice steady but concerned.


    ¡°Yes, just thinking,¡± I replied, shifting my focus back to the bitter cold air of the devastated platform.


    Dorsey kicked a dead branch into the mud, her frustration evident. ¡°This isn¡¯t over,¡± she growled, her eyes narrowing at me. ¡°None of this would¡¯ve happened if you hadn¡¯t insisted on that night patrol squad. This is all your fault.¡±


    Before I could respond, she stormed off with her personal guard. I let her go. She needed space, and I had no time to dwell on her anger. The weight of the kingdom rested on me now.


    ¡°We¡¯ll head to the outer village tomorrow,¡± I announced, turning to Captain Sterling. ¡°Something tells me the answer lies there.¡±


    ¡°But Ice King,¡± Sterling interjected, his deep blue eyes filled with worry, ¡°you should remain in the palace. There could be Wolfmen waiting to ambush you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I conceded after a moment. ¡°But I won¡¯t send another general to their death. That¡¯s not a risk I¡¯m willing to take.¡±


    Sterling¡¯s silver hair glinted under the moonlight as he straightened his stance. ¡°You have my word, Ice King. I¡¯ll be cautious and wise.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Captain.¡±


    I teleported back to the palace with my royal guards, leaving Sterling and the remaining troops to guard the outer roads.


    As we arrived at the entrance, I stepped onto an icy plate, and a splash of red liquid soaked my pristine clothes.


    ¡°Alert! This could be from an enemy!¡± one of the royal guards shouted, his posture rigid as he scanned the area.


    I bent down, sniffing the liquid on my sleeve. It reeked of chemicals¡ªnot blood, not even anything natural.


    From above, a familiar voice called out. ¡°Why did you ruin my trap?¡±


    I looked up to see Aice leaning out of a second-floor window, his expression a mix of annoyance and mischief.


    ¡°Never set traps at the palace entrance again, Aice,¡± I growled.


    He jumped gracefully from the window, landing behind me. ¡°You¡¯re no fun, Aerol. That trap wasn¡¯t for you; it was for the chef who stained my shirt with ketchup yesterday. Guess what? He¡¯s dead now, thanks to today¡¯s fiasco.¡±


    My eyes widened. ¡°Something happened here while I was gone?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and while you were playing Ice King in the forest, I had to step in.¡±


    I crossed my arms, glaring at him. ¡°You¡¯re the most immature royal in Glacia.¡±


    ¡°Yet somehow, I¡¯m still more tolerable than you,¡± he quipped with a wink.


    I pushed past the irritation and demanded, ¡°What happened? Tell me everything.¡±


    As we walked through the palace, he gave me a rushed explanation. By the time we reached Claudius¡¯ room, I still had more questions than answers.


    ***


    Arie¡¯s POV


    Standing at the doorway was my brother, his clothes stained with streaks of crimson.


    Lady Collfumes gasped. ¡°Oh my¡ª¡±


    ¡°Were you attacked by Wolfmen?!¡± I asked, stepping forward.


    ¡°Where are they? Why didn¡¯t you call me?¡± Skadar exclaimed.


    Claudius raised a hand to calm us. ¡°Wait¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just red paint,¡± his mother interrupted, her voice even.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Aerol replied, unbothered.


    Lady Collfumes arched an eyebrow. ¡°Paint?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and it¡¯s courtesy of a certain idiot who was just here,¡± Aerol said, gesturing behind him. But when he turned, the hallway was empty. ¡°What? He was right here!¡±


    ¡°Maybe you were with a ghost,¡± Lady Collfumes suggested lightly.


    ¡°I¡¯m certain it was Aice,¡± Aerol insisted, frowning.


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    ¡°Let¡¯s hope it wasn¡¯t,¡± she replied.


    Aerol stepped inside and took a seat, his gaze settling on me. ¡°Am I still a suspect?¡± I asked quietly.


    ¡°Never,¡± he said firmly. ¡°You¡¯re my sister. It¡¯s my duty to protect you.¡±


    Relief washed over me.


    ¡°But,¡± he continued, ¡°there was a sudden temperature spike earlier. Your ice drone melted.¡±


    ¡°That explains why I lost access to it,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°The Wolfmen planned this distraction to capture you,¡± Aerol said, his tone serious. ¡°You¡¯re lucky they failed, but you need to be more cautious. Don¡¯t open your door to anyone.¡±


    ¡°I promise I¡¯ll be more careful,¡± I assured him.


    ¡°Good,¡± he said, turning to Skadar. ¡°Tomorrow, your father becomes the new general. He¡¯ll be heading to the outer village to investigate.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going with him,¡± Skadar declared. ¡°I won¡¯t risk his life.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re better off staying in the palace,¡± Lady Collfumes advised. ¡°Wolfmen target adolescents because they¡¯re easier to overpower.¡±


    ¡°Not this adolescent,¡± Skadar shot back. ¡°I¡¯m stronger than my father¡ªand probably you, Aerol.¡±


    Aerol let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Just be careful.¡±


    Claudius, ever the curious one, asked, ¡°What caused the temperature spike?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the weather clock,¡± Aerol answered. ¡°Lady Collfumes, you remember it, don¡¯t you?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°The Wolfmen stole it during your father¡¯s reign. Now they¡¯re using it to their advantage.¡±


    "That''s right. Wolfmen stole it from him so they were able to use it for their own benefit." He stated.


    ¡°That clock keeps the palace cold,¡± I murmured.


    "Yes, so expect that our kingdom will last for a few hundred years more before it''ll crumble to liquid." He replied.


    "Unless those bastard Wolfmen destroy our palace and it''s gone within seconds." Skadar inserted.


    ¡°Exactly. Without it, Glacia¡¯s future is uncertain.¡± Aerol¡¯s voice hardened. ¡°But we are Glacians, one of the oldest tribes in this world. We¡¯ve survived countless wars. We¡¯ll survive this, too.¡±


    ***


    It¡¯s been a week since the incident, and my brother and I now have personal guards shadowing us constantly. Privacy is a luxury I¡¯ve lost¡ªthough they leave me alone in my bedroom, they stand guard at the door, ensuring no trespassers get through.


    My brother left this morning for a diplomatic conference in the Sunstar Kingdom, which means I¡¯m forbidden from leaving the palace today. The royal guards, stationed everywhere, watch me like hawks.


    I sit alone at the long dining table, eating salmon and rice. Across from me sits my plush polar bear, staring back at me with unblinking button eyes. It¡¯s quiet except for the clink of silverware and the faint rustling of the royal guard shifting near the doorway.


    I glance at him. He¡¯s staring at me, his expression unreadable but intense.


    Please stop looking at me like that, I think, shifting uncomfortably in my chair.


    I focus on my food, eating quickly to finish as soon as possible. In my haste, my fork clatters into my glass of water. Now I think it''s a bad idea to eat at the dining hall alone, I should''ve stayed in my bedroom.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± I mutter, flustered. ¡°Get me another glass of water!¡±


    A nervous maid rushes forward, replacing the glass and taking my empty plate to the sink.


    ¡°Princess Dorsey is looking for you, Ice Princess,¡± the guard says suddenly, his voice startling me.


    I nearly choke on my water, surprised both by his sudden words and the unexpected mention of Dorsey. Why does she want to see me now?


    I step out of the dining hall and find her waiting, her lilac hair styled in a perfect braid. Her sky-blue eyes bore into mine with a sharpness that feels almost unnatural, as if she¡¯s trying to cut through me.


    ¡°We need to talk. Follow me,¡± Dorsey commands.


    I obey, trailing behind her. My cousin has an aura of authority that demands respect¡ªor fear. Perhaps it¡¯s the way she carries herself, taller than most girls her age, her posture unyielding, every step measured with purpose. Or maybe it¡¯s the way her lilac bangs frame her face so elegantly, accentuating the sharp focus in her eyes. Either way, I feel like I¡¯m walking into an interrogation.


    Inside her room, she closes the door firmly. The space is spotless, organized to perfection. The curtains are open, revealing a large artificial tree with dark teal leaves just outside the window. A bird rests on one of its branches, chirping faintly.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± Dorsey begins, her voice low and calculating, ¡°do you secretly have magic?¡±


    My heart skips a beat. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t! If I did, I would¡¯ve told my parents.¡±


    She narrows her eyes, her voice dripping with accusation. ¡°Oh, they probably knew already. So you killed them.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t kill them!¡± I cry, my voice trembling. ¡°And I never would, Dorsey!¡±


    She pauses, studying me. ¡°Fine. Then tell me¡ªwere you there the night my father died?¡±


    ¡°No! I wasn¡¯t! Please, Dorsey, stop this. The real culprit is still out there, planning their next move.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m stopping you from being that culprit,¡± she snaps.


    Her gaze hardens. ¡°I know about your ice drone. You could¡¯ve used it to erase evidence, but it¡¯s too late. We were already there.¡±


    How does she know about the drone? Panic twists in my stomach. If I don¡¯t explain myself now, she¡¯ll have me thrown into the dungeon.


    ¡°I only sent it to check on the forest,¡± I stammer, ¡°because I noticed it was burning¡ª¡±


    A sharp knock interrupts me.


    ¡°Prince Aice wants to come in,¡± the guard outside announces.


    Dorsey scowls. ¡°Of all snowflakes, why now?¡±


    She opens the door to reveal Aice, his sky-blue hair gleaming under the hallway lights.


    ¡°Heyo!¡± he says, waving lazily.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Dorsey demands, irritation clear in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m bored since Aerol¡¯s gone,¡± he replies nonchalantly.


    ¡°You¡¯re interrupting us,¡± she snaps.


    ¡°Interrupting what? A conspiracy against King Aerol?¡± he teases, smirking.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯d do that to my brother!¡± I exclaim.


    ¡°She killed her parents,¡± Dorsey mutters.


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine Arie doing that,¡± Aice says, his tone more serious now. ¡°Anyway, I found something suspicious. I thought I¡¯d show it to you first¡ªjust in case the guards are involved.¡±


    ¡°You should¡¯ve told me immediately,¡± Dorsey says.


    Aice pulls a transparent pouch with gray fur inside from his pocket.


    ¡°Where did you find that?¡± I ask, my voice tight with apprehension.


    ¡°In the laundry,¡± he answers. ¡°It was stuck to one of the guards¡¯ uniforms.¡±


    My eyes widen. ¡°That means¡ª¡±


    ¡°One of our royal guards is secretly a Wolfman,¡± Dorsey finishes, voice as sharp and final as a blade striking stone.


    "Isn''t it a werewolf?" Aice asks, hesitation lacing his words.


    "It''s possible that it could be a Wolfman using a magical accessory to disguise as a human," Dorsey answers, her tone clipped but steady.


    I hesitate. ¡°I thought those two terms were the same¡­¡± The admission burns. Books about the Wolf race had been banned in our kingdom for as long as I could remember.


    To my relief, Aice answers without judgment. ¡°A Wolfman is a Wolfman forever. They¡¯re born that way. A werewolf was once human¡ªsomeone infected. They only transform every midnight.¡±


    ¡°I understand now.¡± The words feel fragile on my tongue, as if saying them aloud solidifies the danger lingering just out of sight. ¡°So that means there¡¯s a Wolfman or werewolf in our palace.¡±


    Dorsey¡¯s glare hardens, the frost behind her eyes cutting deeper than before.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try deceiving us by acting clueless.¡±


    The words pierce¡ªsharper than the fear of a wolf among us. Because this wound isn¡¯t about the palace.


    It¡¯s personal.


    ***


    Aerol''s POV


    The sun blazed mercilessly overhead as we arrived at the Sunstar Kingdom¡¯s border. The air shimmered with heat, and even the royal guards seemed to move slower under the oppressive weight of the desert sun. A sand bear¡ªone of their kingdom¡¯s unusual emissaries¡ªapproached, his white robe covering his slender build only exposes his face. Arie would love to meet a talking bear, but I was reminded by the urgent meeting looming ahead.


    ¡°The meeting will be held in one of our mansions,¡± the bear stated. ¡°It¡¯s nearby, less warmer than the palace.¡±


    We followed the sand bear to the mansion, a grand structure whose sandstone walls seemed to radiate heat. Inside, the air was cooler, shaded by heavy curtains and high, vaulted ceilings. At the center of a large, circular room sat a young man with golden hair, his presence commanding despite his youth. A large crown rested upon his head, its design intricate and heavy, as though to emphasize the weight of his rule.


    He was surrounded by his royal family, seated in a semicircle, while their guards stood rigid, watchful.


    ¡°Take a seat,¡± the Sand King said, his tone courteous but firm.


    We took our designated seats on the opposite side of the table. It was a round table, but the unspoken hierarchy was clear¡ªour places were on the lower arc of the circle. I found myself directly across from the Sand King, our gazes locking for a brief moment. He looked to be in his late twenties, perhaps a decade older than me¡ªa fortunate coincidence for my first diplomatic meeting. Most rulers I¡¯d faced in the past were far older and far less patient.


    ¡°What is this meeting about, King Jamaico Sunlight?¡± I asked, keeping my tone even as I studied the man.


    He leaned back, a smile playing on his lips. ¡°It concerns the land with soil that borders your kingdom. The Sun God¡¯s reach extends there, you see. And as you know, your cold kingdom should concern itself only with ice.¡±


    His smile grew sharper, like a blade just drawn from its sheath. ¡°Your father was so stubborn on this matter. I had hoped you might be... different.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± I replied, matching his smile with a faintly arched brow. ¡°So, what is it you want?¡±


    ¡°To put it plainly, I want that land of yours,¡± Jamaico stated, his tone light, as though the demand were trivial.


    General Sterling shifted beside me, his voice calm but cautious. ¡°Perhaps we can draft a contract to share the territory¡ª¡±


    I cut him off, my voice firm and cold. ¡°It is our territory, not yours. The presence of sunlight does not dictate ownership.¡±


    My icy blue eyes locked with Jamaico¡¯s. The air seemed to chill despite the desert heat, tension rising between us like the prelude to a storm.


    Sterling glanced at me, concern flickering across his face, but I didn¡¯t waver.


    Jamaico¡¯s golden eyes glinted, a predatory gleam that matched the sly grin now stretching his lips. ¡°Very well,¡± he said, his voice soft but heavy with implication. ¡°It seems we are edging closer¡ª¡±


    He leaned forward, his smile sharpening into something deadly.


    ¡°¡ªto what we call war.¡±

 Chapter 5

    Skadar''s POV


    I hadn¡¯t found the culprit last week, not even with my father¡¯s help. This time, I¡¯d go alone. The royal guards were split between patrolling the palace and attending the diplomatic meeting¡ªmeaning no one would notice me slipping away. A faint yellow glow enveloped me as I teleported with my horse to the charred remnants of Snowdoom Forest. An efficient ability, especially when you wanted to avoid unnecessary conversations or forced familiarity.


    The ceremony still lingered in my mind. Aerol¡¯s coronation had been everything one might expect from a royal spectacle¡ªgrand, suffocating, and full of prying eyes.


    ¡°Oh, Skadar! He¡¯s so handsome,¡± a girl had whispered, her voice tinged with awe.


    ¡°How are you today?¡± another dared to ask, her gaze lingering too long.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to him like that. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Skadar,¡± her companion interjected, bowing with exaggerated grace.


    Their fawning grated on my nerves, a clamor I couldn¡¯t shake even now.


    I rode my horse deeper into the ruins of Snowdoom Forest. The air here felt heavier, laden with ash and regret. It was as if a fire-breathing dragon had raged through, awakened by some foolish human¡ªexcept dragons were the stuff of fantasies. No, we had something worse: an evil wolf king with far too real and sinister designs on our kingdom.


    The charred expanse gave way to the outskirts of the village. It was a quiet, impoverished part of the Glacia Kingdom, governed by a minor lord and lady. Their rule offered little comfort to the peasants scraping by in wooden homes that had once relied on the forest¡¯s bounty. Now, with Snowdoom¡¯s trees dwindling, even that meager resource was prohibited. Mud caked the narrow paths, and I was grateful for the hiking boots I¡¯d chosen today.


    As I approached a pavilion, the sound of heated voices drew my attention. Beneath the wooden structure, men gambled with ice bills, their faces tense and furtive. Among them stood a man in a navy-blue uniform. My breath hitched. General Dicester¡¯s royal guard? Gambling?


    ¡°Hand over the ice bills right now,¡± the guard demanded, his voice cutting through the noise.


    ¡°But I need this to support my family!¡± a man protested, desperation evident in his tone.


    ¡°It¡¯s past due already. A few months ago, you even offered to cut off one of your fingers to extend your debt,¡± the guard countered coldly.


    Before I could intervene, a light touch on my shoulder made me stiffen.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Skadar?¡± Princess Dorsey¡¯s lilac hair caught the corner of my vision as she leaned in to whisper.


    I turned sharply to face her. ¡°And what are you doing here, Princess?¡±


    She crossed her arms, a knowing glint in her pale blue eyes. ¡°My royal guard is collecting debts for my father¡¯s... less-than-ethical lending business,¡± she admitted with practiced nonchalance. ¡°Now, your turn.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m tracking the person who killed your father,¡± I replied curtly.


    She raised a brow, skepticism painting her features. ¡°By yourself? We can¡¯t afford to lose a powerful noble, Skadar.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°I won¡¯t lose. Not to a sorcerer. They¡¯ll be dead before they even realize I¡¯m their enemy.¡±


    The sound of galloping hooves interrupted us, echoing ominously through the village. Dorsey and I moved instinctively to the shadows as a group of riders approached.


    When they came into view, my pulse quickened. King Aerol and my father dismounted, their faces grim, as if the weight of the skies had collapsed upon them.


    ¡°What happened, Father?¡± I asked, my voice low but steady.


    ¡°The Sunstar Kingdom has declared war,¡± he replied, his furrowed brow deepening. ¡°They ambushed and killed several of our royal guards.¡±


    ¡°War?¡± Dorsey¡¯s voice broke the silence, sharp with disbelief.


    ¡°Return to the palace immediately for your safety,¡± Aerol commanded, his tone unyielding. He turned to General Sterling. ¡°Guard this village with your forces. Prepare for an attack.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ice King,¡± the general replied, his expression hardening.


    And just like that, the fragile peace that had cloaked the kingdom began to fracture.


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    ***


    Arie¡¯s POV


    The royal library, nestled on the palace¡¯s fifth floor, was a sanctuary of quiet. Warm light from glowing lamps bathed the room, casting soft shadows across rows of towering shelves. The air was tinged with the faint, comforting scent of parchment and ink.


    As I stepped inside, a familiar figure caught my eye¡ªa boy with periwinkle hair, standing neatly before a bookshelf. He adjusted his glasses, his expression brightening when he noticed me.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Arie,¡± Claudius greeted, his tone cheerful yet composed.


    ¡°Good afternoon to you too,¡± I replied, smiling. ¡°I came to find that new book about bears.¡±


    ¡°Oh, the one I¡¯ve been reading?¡± he asked, his curiosity evident.


    I nodded, and he gestured for me to follow. We made our way to a nearby shelf where the book resided.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask,¡± I said as he scanned the shelves. ¡°Why did you choose to take the bedroom on this floor?¡±


    He smirked, a touch of mischief in his expression. ¡°So I could access the library easily.¡±


    ¡°But you could just teleport, couldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Claudius adjusted his glasses again, as if pondering the question. ¡°True, but... I¡¯m too lazy to teleport.¡±


    A soft chuckle escaped him, and I couldn¡¯t help but laugh along. ¡°At least you¡¯re not too lazy to read.¡±


    ¡°Fair point,¡± he conceded, grinning as he retrieved the book with a flick of telekinesis.


    The book floated toward me, its title catching the light: Bear Evolution.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, taking it eagerly. ¡°I¡¯ve been curious about how polar bears evolved.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be amazing to meet a village of polar bears?¡± Claudius mused, his tone wistful.


    I smiled at the thought. ¡°That would be the greatest day of my life.¡±


    With the book in hand, I made my way to a secluded table in the corner, settling comfortably into a chair. The pages unfolded a fascinating story of adaptation and survival, each word pulling me deeper into the Arctic wilderness.


    But the tranquility shattered abruptly.


    The library door slammed open with a resounding thud, echoing through the silent space.


    ¡°Arie.¡± My brother¡¯s commanding voice filled the room.


    Startled, I looked up, closing the book. His expression was grim, tension radiating from him as he approached.


    ¡°Do not leave the palace until further notice,¡± he said firmly.


    ¡°Why? What happened?¡± I asked, rising from my seat.


    ¡°The Sunstar Kingdom has declared war on us,¡± he revealed, his tone heavy with the weight of the words.


    The air in the library seemed to still.


    ¡°Is this for real?¡± Claudius¡¯s voice wavered as his widened eyes darted between us.


    ¡°It is,¡± my brother confirmed. ¡°They¡¯ve already killed several of our royal guards.¡±


    Claudius staggered back slightly, his hands trembling. ¡°That¡¯s... that¡¯s terrible. I need to check on my mother.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the conference room,¡± my brother informed him, his voice softening slightly. ¡°You may go there.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for telling me,¡± Claudius said before vanishing with a quiet flash of smoke, his teleportation swift and seamless.


    As the librarian disappeared, my brother turned his focus back to me. His ethereal, glacier-like eyes bore into mine with unspoken worry.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any intruders to capture you again,¡± he said, his voice low, almost pleading. ¡°Stay safe, Arie. Promise me.¡±


    I stepped closer, placing a hand gently on his arm. ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ll take care of myself. But don¡¯t hesitate to tell me if you need help. I won¡¯t let you bear this burden alone.¡±


    ***


    The cold conference room felt suffocating despite the icy atmosphere. We sat around the expansive glass table¡ªme, my brother, the nobles, and their family heads¡ªengaged in a tense discussion. The weight of the Sunstar Kingdom''s declaration hung heavy in the air, a shadow none of us could ignore.


    "King Jamaico announced that they''ll attack us with their full army in three days if we don¡¯t surrender the contested land," General Sterling stated gravely, his voice steady but tinged with urgency.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just give them the land, then,¡± Lady Collfumes suggested, her tone sharp and dismissive.


    ¡°We can¡¯t,¡± Aerol said firmly, his icy blue gaze cutting through the room. ¡°That land is crucial to our survival. If we lose it, we lose our farms¡ªand with them, our ability to feed our people.¡±


    ¡°I agree with the Ice King,¡± Lord Aalto added, his words directed pointedly at Lady Collfumes. ¡°It¡¯s easy for you to suggest surrender when your estate lies safely within the ice borders.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯d prefer to let us all be ambushed instead?¡± she shot back, her voice rising.


    ¡°And who¡¯s the so-called Dream Seer who failed to foresee anything negative happening?¡± Lord Aalto countered with a smirk.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Aerol commanded, his tone cutting through the escalating tension.


    The room fell silent, but the unease lingered, a thick, oppressive force. Across the table, Skadar raised an eyebrow at me as if to ask if I was all right. I nodded, trying to suppress the anxiety bubbling in my chest.


    After a long pause, Aerol spoke again, his voice measured but resolute. ¡°I may lack my father¡¯s years of experience, but I will not tolerate disrespect among us. We must remain united.¡±


    He straightened in his seat, commanding the attention of the room. ¡°I have a strategy in mind.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Ice King?¡± General Sterling asked, leaning forward intently.


    Aerol paused, ensuring all eyes were on him. ¡°We will host a palace party.¡±


    A collective wave of confusion swept through the room. Even Dorsey, who had been scribbling notes, looked up in disbelief.


    ¡°What kind of nonsense is that?¡± she asked, her brow furrowing.


    ¡°It may sound absurd,¡± Aerol admitted, his tone unwavering, ¡°but by hosting a party, we can gather everyone safely inside the palace during their attack.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain this will work, Ice King?¡± General Sterling pressed.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Aerol¡¯s gaze was steady, his confidence unshaken. ¡°We¡¯ll project an air of calm and unity, luring them into underestimating us. They won¡¯t expect us to be prepared.¡±


    Murmurs rippled through the room. Some nobles whispered nervously, while others exchanged skeptical glances.


    Lord Aalto leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s a bold plan, but what if they catch us off guard?¡±


    Aerol¡¯s gaze shifted to the general before scanning the rest of us. ¡°Our army and the fruit masters will handle the invaders. We¡¯ll ensure the palace remains secure.¡±


    Relief washed over me at his confidence. The palace was home to countless fruit masters¡ªwielders of unique elemental powers granted by consuming magical fruit. Most of them specialized in ice, and even I had recently acquired a fruit cube. However, as a beginner, I was still a Class 1, the lowest level.


    My eyes darted to Skadar and Aerol¡ªboth rare double-elemental users and formidable warriors. They were Class 4, nearly unmatched in power. The two had been rivals in strength since childhood.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Aerol added, his tone pointed, ¡°Class 1 minors will be excluded from the battle.¡±


    I frowned, his words cutting deep. I didn¡¯t want to be sidelined, treated as fragile. What was the point of gaining powers if I couldn¡¯t use them to protect myself or others?


    Lord Aalto broke the silence. ¡°I suggest fortifying the palace¡¯s defenses in advance, regardless of the party.¡±


    Another family head interjected, his voice grave. ¡°And let us not forget¡ªthe person behind the previous general¡¯s death remains unidentified.¡±


    The weight of his words pressed on me as every gaze turned my way. Suspicion hung in the air like a storm cloud, their eyes dissecting me as if I were a threat.


    ¡°We should consider the Ice Princess¡¯s trial,¡± a man with sleek black hair said, his expression calm but his tone sharp.


    My brother¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a blade. ¡°My sister has done nothing wrong. A trial would be an utter waste of time.¡± His words were firm, but I could feel his protective anger simmering beneath the surface.


    The room fell into a strained silence, though the doubt lingered.


    Finally, Aice approached Aerol, handing him a small pouch. ¡°Ice King, you must see this.¡±


    Aerol took the pouch and opened it, pulling out a piece of gray fur. His expression didn¡¯t waver, but his voice cut through the tension like a blade. ¡°Wolf fur. Explain its relevance.¡±


    ¡°I found it in the royal guards¡¯ laundry,¡± Aice said evenly.


    Lord Aalto reached for the fur, examining it with a grim look. ¡°This could belong to one of the Wolfmen that attacked last week, son.¡±


    The tension hung thick, but Aerol¡¯s tone left no room for argument. ¡°This matter is closed for now. We focus on securing our palace.¡±


    The dismissal was clear, but the unease in the room refused to dissipate.


    The black-haired man turned his sharp gaze to Aerol. ¡°If you really care about securing the palace, we can¡¯t delay the Ice Princess¡¯ trial any longer.¡±


    Aerol¡¯s gaze hardened, his brows furrowing. I knew he would fight to protect me, but I didn¡¯t want him to shield me forever. I had to prove my innocence¡ªnot for him, but for myself.

 Chapter 6

    The courtroom was cold¡ªboth in temperature and mood. Lukewarm lamps cast a dim, pallid glow, their light failing to pierce the heavy shadows clinging to the edges of the room. I stood in the center, my posture deliberately composed, though my heartbeat thundered with a rhythm only I could hear. Rows of eyes pressed down on me, their silent accusations as sharp as daggers. At the far end sat the judge, a formidable figure poised to cut through my defenses with questions that threatened to shatter my resolve.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± the judge¡¯s voice was a measured cadence, commanding the room into silence, ¡°today, we are gathered to decide the fate of Princess Arie¡ªknown to many as the Ice Princess. Is she innocent, or is she the hand behind the murder of General Dicester, her uncle?¡±


    ¡°I maintain my innocence,¡± I said, my voice steady though the words scraped like ice against my throat. ¡°I have no reason to harm my uncle. Not only did I admire him, but I had just lost my father weeks before. Why would I add to my grief by taking another family member¡¯s life?¡±


    The judge¡¯s expression did not waver. ¡°Grief is no substitute for an alibi, Princess,¡± he said, his tone razor-sharp, each word striking like a lash.


    From the front row, my cousin Dorsey glared at me. Her eyes, alight with fury, promised storms to come. ¡°I believe the Ice Princess concealed her identity, donning the slippers of a peasant to cover her tracks,¡± she said, her voice laced with venom.


    The accusation sent a ripple through the courtroom. My resolve faltered for a moment¡ªa brief but perilous hesitation¡ªbut I forced my expression to remain calm. In the sea of faces, I found my brother. The Ice King sat still as a statue, his face a mask of cool detachment, though I could sense the turmoil simmering beneath. He, too, was bound by the law, unable to intervene on my behalf.


    Turning to the detective present, I addressed him directly. ¡°Detective Harold, would you share your findings regarding the footprints discovered at the scene?¡±


    The detective rose, his measured movements exuding calm authority. ¡°Indeed,¡± he began, his voice clear and deliberate. ¡°We traced footprints from the Snowdoom Forest to the outer village of Glacia. The prints matched the size and type of slipper commonly worn by peasants¡ªand the Ice Princess'' foot size.¡±


    Gasps rippled through the audience, but Harold raised a hand to forestall premature conclusions. ¡°However, many villagers wear identical footwear. The prints alone are insufficient evidence to implicate anyone specifically.¡±


    The judge turned to Dorsey. ¡°Princess Dorsey, do you have any evidence to support your accusation?¡±


    She tilted her head, her calm demeanor a deliberate mask. ¡°No,¡± she admitted, ¡°but my instincts never fail me, and I know she is guilty.¡±


    The judge¡¯s verdict was firm. ¡°Without evidence, this becomes a trial of sincerity.¡±


    A murmur swept the room, dividing loyalties as whispers of doubt and defense collided. The weight of their gazes pressed heavier on my shoulders, but I clenched my hands, grounding myself. The truth had to surface¡ªit was my only hope.


    ***


    The palace corridors stretched before me like veins of frost, dimly lit and eerily silent. Each step I took echoed faintly, mingling with the restless whirl of my thoughts. The trial loomed over me like a stormcloud, its shadow darkening every corner of my mind. If I couldn¡¯t uncover the truth, everything¡ªmy title, my reputation, my life¡ªwould unravel.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Turning a corner, I spotted a familiar figure¡ªthe guard who had been on duty the night of my uncle¡¯s death.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± I called, quickening my pace. ¡°Do you have a moment?¡±


    The guard stiffened, then turned, his eyes widening at the sight of me. ¡°Of course, Ice Princess.¡±


    I leaned closer, lowering my voice. ¡°That night¡­ when General Dicester yelled ¡®Ice Princess¡¯¡ªare you certain he was referring to me?¡±


    The guard hesitated, his brow furrowing as he glanced around nervously. ¡°At first, I thought so,¡± he admitted, ¡°but now¡­ now I¡¯m not so sure.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± My pulse quickened, hope flickering to life like a fragile flame.


    ¡°I recall seeing someone running away,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°It was all a blur, but¡­ it looked like Princess Dorsey.¡±


    The name struck me like a physical blow. ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    He nodded hesitantly. ¡°I can¡¯t be sure, but¡­ yes, I think it was her.¡±


    The implications were staggering. If Dorsey had been at the scene, it would explain her eagerness to accuse me¡ªdiverting suspicion from herself. My chest tightened with a mixture of betrayal and sorrow. Could my cousin truly be capable of such a crime?


    If Dorsey was the killer, then she was hiding a far darker truth¡ªshe was an inner magic user. It all made sense now: her accusations, her attempts to frame me, her ambition to take my place.


    The betrayal cut deep. She was my cousin, someone I had trusted, and now she was turning our family, our kingdom, into chaos. Anger and hurt swirled within me, but so did resolve. If she had orchestrated this, I couldn¡¯t let her succeed. The truth had to come out, no matter the cost.


    ***


    "I didn''t kill my uncle. I looked up to him since I was a child. He was like a second father to me, especially after my own father¡¯s death." My crystalline eyes caught the flicker of pity in the audience¡¯s expressions, though it did little to ease the crushing weight on my chest.


    "You stole my father," Dorsey spat, her voice brimming with unrestrained fury. "You lured him away with that facade of innocence."


    I recoiled slightly but held her gaze, my hands trembling behind the desk.


    "And because your parents discovered your magic, you silenced them¡ªpermanently¡ªso no one would know. You did the same to my parents because you wanted someone to share in your misery, someone as broken as you."


    "There''s no way I would ever do that, Dorsey," I said, my voice steady, my expression sincere. "I have no evil motives. Maybe you should stop and think for a moment."


    Her glare didn''t waver, though a pause lingered between us. For a second, her rage dimmed, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. I wasn¡¯t sure whether to confront her fully. I didn¡¯t want to stain her name, but I couldn¡¯t lose either. If I failed, everything would crumble¡ªmy title, my life, my very identity, all gone.


    "What will happen now to the fate of the Ice Princess?" The judge''s voice shattered the silence, reverberating through the courtroom. "Is she truly innocent, or a cold-blooded killer concealed?"


    I drew in a shaky breath, the icy air tightening around my lungs. "Wait. I still have one more witness."


    The guard rose hesitantly, his steps deliberate, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. All eyes turned to him. He was trembling¡ªnot from the cold but from fear.


    "I... I¡¯m the one who heard the general¡¯s final words," he began, his voice uneven but loud enough to carry through the room.


    "What did he say?" the judge prompted, leaning forward with an intensity that matched the growing tension in the room.


    The guard hesitated, his gaze darting toward Dorsey before landing back on the judge. "He yelled: ¡®Ice Princess,¡¯ and told her to stop running away. At first, I thought he meant Princess Arie, but when I looked up... the person fleeing the scene, as I stood over the general¡¯s lifeless body, was his own daughter¡ªPrincess Dorsey."


    The courtroom erupted into gasps and murmurs, the revelation rippling through the crowd. Shock painted every face, from the nobles to the commoners. Even my brother¡¯s stern expression cracked, disappointment shadowing his features.


    "What did I just hear?!" Dorsey shouted, slamming her hand against the desk. Her voice carried a mix of anger and desperation. "He¡¯s lying! He must have been paid to say this."


    "We already pay our guards handsomely," my brother, the Ice King, interjected sharply. "There¡¯s no need for bribes."


    "And how can we trust your word?" Dorsey shot back, her tone dripping with distrust.


    "Perhaps you should ask yourself that question," he retorted coldly, the weight of his authority silencing her briefly.


    I turned to my brother, my brows furrowed in a silent plea for restraint. I didn¡¯t want to see Dorsey humiliated. Deep down, I wished the guard had seen someone else. Yet, his fear was palpable¡ªtoo genuine to dismiss.


    "Can we terminate this trial?" I asked, cutting through the thickening tension.


    "Yes," the judge agreed. "There is no concrete evidence to proceed further¡ª"


    "Actually," the guard interrupted, his voice shaking but resolute. "I... I have something to present."


    He reached into his pocket and took out a scroll, his trembling hands offering it to the judge. The room fell deathly silent as the judge unfurled the parchment. His face blanched, the color draining from his cheeks.


    "This... This is a contract," he stammered. "It bears Princess Dorsey¡¯s signature, offering the guard twenty thousand ice bills in exchange for something."


    Dorsey shot to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "That¡¯s absurd!" she barked, her voice cracking. "Why in the name of the Frost would I leave a contract? If I wanted to pay him, I¡¯d just do it outright!"

 Chapter 7

    The murmurs in the room swelled like an incoming storm, but the judge raised a hand, commanding silence.


    "Binder¡¯s Magic," he said, his words chillingly deliberate.


    The name alone was enough to send ripples through the crowd. Binder¡¯s Magic¡ªa rare and dangerous inner magic. Unlike spells drawn from external sources like a Magical Fruit, Binder¡¯s Magic was born from within. Its wielder could manipulate agreements, binding their target to a promise they couldn¡¯t resist¡­ so long as the target consented. A gift for the cunning. A curse for the unsuspecting.


    The judge¡¯s dark eyes bore into Dorsey, reflecting not just authority but something deeper¡ªan intent to strip away every defense she clung to. "With such power, you could rewrite the guard¡¯s memory, replacing the truth with the image of the Ice Princess fleeing the scene."


    Dorsey¡¯s lips parted in a mixture of shock and outrage. "Binder¡¯s Magic? I don¡¯t possess such a thing! Anyone could¡¯ve used it against me!"


    The judge didn¡¯t flinch. "Unfortunately for you, your spell failed. The guard¡¯s fake signature rendered it ineffective."


    The crowd gasped, their collective disbelief like an icy gale. Dorsey¡¯s face hardened, a mask of defiance cloaking the fear that flickered in her eyes.


    From my seat, the trial felt like a hammer striking over and over, each blow aimed at Dorsey¡¯s fragile defense. I couldn¡¯t bear to watch, yet my gaze lingered. Skadar caught my eye from across the room, his easy smile offering a flicker of reassurance. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, overshadowed by the crushing weight of the proceedings.


    Claudius sat nearby, lost in thought, his expression unreadable. Lady Collfumes, poised and silent as always, observed with calculated interest. The businessman from the conference, his porcelain skin and smooth black hair gleaming under the court¡¯s pale light, leaned back with a faint smirk.


    My brother, Aerol, whispered to a royal guard at his side. The glint of metal in the guard¡¯s hand caught my attention as he disappeared into the shadows. It was a fleeting moment, but enough to plant a seed of unease.


    The judge¡¯s voice brought me back to the present.


    "Why," he began, "would the culprit choose to wear peasant slippers?"


    My brows furrowed. "A good question," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.


    The judge turned to Detective Harold. "Your thoughts?"


    The detective¡¯s tone was sharp, precise. "Dorsey¡¯s foot size is two inches smaller than the Ice Princess¡¯s. It¡¯s plausible she wore them to implicate the princess. A pair of ice heels would¡¯ve been too obvious¡ªevidence of a deliberate frame-up."


    Dorsey¡¯s jaw clenched, her composure cracking under the weight of accusation. But then, her expression shifted¡ªcold, calculated. "You have no proof. I, a royal princess, would never touch a peasant¡¯s slipper."


    The air grew heavier as the same guard who had stepped out earlier returned to the courtroom, his footsteps firm. He moved to the front and paused before speaking. "We found a pair of thin brown slippers under her bed," he declared.


    Her icy facade melted into a blaze of fury. "How dare you invade my private quarters!"


    I winced. For a royal like Dorsey, the humiliation of suspicion was bad enough. To have her sanctuary breached? Unforgivable. Only Aerol could have ordered such an intrusion; his keys unlocked every room in the palace.


    "Fine!" Dorsey snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I¡¯m the sinister witch who murdered her parents and now stands here, conspicuously not casting spells to escape. Truly convincing."


    The judge, unmoved by her outburst, held the slippers in his hands. His title¡ªIce Judge¡ªwas well-earned. Known throughout Glacia for his unwavering judgments, he wasn¡¯t just a man. He was a wielder of Puppeteer¡¯s Magic. With a touch, he could summon spells tied to an object¡¯s true owner. A power that had unmasked countless criminals.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    He whispered his incantation, his voice low but resonant. "If these slippers belong to Dorsey Glaciouso, let her hands be bound in ice. If not, let the spell fail."


    All eyes turned to Dorsey. Her expression flickered from defiance to panic as crystalline handcuffs formed around her wrists, encasing her in frozen restraint.


    The crowd erupted in gasps. The handcuffs gleamed in the torchlight, an irrefutable testament to her guilt.


    "Dorsey Glaciouso," the judge pronounced, his voice like frost creeping over glass, "you are convicted of homicide and the improper use of magic."


    "No!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "This isn¡¯t real! I¡¯m the one who called for this trial!"


    The judge¡¯s gaze was unyielding. "And yet, it is now clear. You are the culprit. Your fate is sealed: fifty years in the dungeons."


    Applause broke out, reverberating through the grand hall like thunder. The Ice Judge had delivered justice once more.


    But my chest tightened. This wasn¡¯t justice¡ªit was a nightmare. Dorsey, my cousin, my childhood companion in our innocent games of murder mysteries¡­ now condemned. Reality struck like a torrential downpour, cold and merciless.


    This wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to end.


    ***


    Dorsey''s POV


    The royal guards flanked me as I walked out of the courtroom, their icy stares as cold as the air around us. My heart clenched as I caught sight of the faces surrounding me¡ªonce friendly, now twisted with disgust and judgment.


    I searched the crowd, desperate for some semblance of support, but when my eyes landed on Skadar, he looked away, avoiding my gaze entirely. My chest tightened, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Even you?! The one who vowed to seek justice for my father, the one who swore to stand by me¡­ now you¡¯re no different from the rest.


    I forced myself to glance back, where Arie sat in the gallery. Her eyebrows furrowed as if in pity¡ªor perhaps guilt? My blood boiled at the sight. Pity from her? The very person who orchestrated this? Ain¡¯t it enough that she framed me, stripped me of my dignity, and turned everyone I trusted against me?


    There¡¯s something more behind those innocent eyes of hers, something that gnaws at my soul. I want to scream, to shout and curse her name, to let the entire kingdom know how much I despise her. But no words escape my lips.


    As I stepped closer to the courtroom doors, the truth hit me like a blade. I am no longer Princess Dorsey Glaciouso of Glacia Kingdom. I am a royal stripped of her crown, degraded to a lowly criminal. All because of her.


    The hatred inside me solidified into resolve. I clenched my fists, my shackles biting into my skin. I will never forgive her for what she¡¯s done. Never.


    I made a silent vow as the guards ushered me forward: I¡¯ll find a way to prove my innocence. I¡¯ll uncover the truth and expose every lie they¡¯ve woven around me. They¡¯ll regret the day they doubted me.


    But as my eyes locked onto the exit ahead, a cold shiver crawled down my spine. Doubt whispered in my mind like a specter. What if I¡¯m not chasing lies but fighting against shadows I can¡¯t comprehend?


    What if the truth is darker¡­ and far more sinister than I can imagine?


    ***


    Arie''s POV


    Two days after the trial, the palace brimmed with life once more. The air buzzed with anticipation for the evening''s grand party. Laughter echoed through the halls, blending with the uplifting beats of the orchestra. Yet, as I stood before the mirror, the jubilant atmosphere felt alien. The echoes of Dorsey¡¯s courtroom words still clung to me, a haunting refrain I couldn¡¯t shake.


    I turned from my reflection, my gaze falling to the gowns arranged meticulously on the velvet couch. The shimmering fabrics of silver, white, and ice blue seemed to mock my indecision.


    ¡°Are you okay, Ice Princess?¡± Skadar¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts. His reflection appeared in the mirror behind me, his brows knit in concern.


    I forced a smile that felt as brittle as glass. ¡°Yeah, just trying to decide which dress to wear.¡±


    He stepped closer, his eyes scanning the options before settling on one. ¡°The ice blue gown,¡± he said with certainty. ¡°It matches the palace perfectly and brings out your eyes.¡±


    His words carried a warmth I wasn¡¯t sure I deserved. ¡°Thanks for the suggestion,¡± I replied softly, trying to hold onto the comfort his compliment offered. But no matter how much I tried, the weight of the trial still pressed against my chest.


    Skadar¡¯s playful grin returned as he added, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to meet me at the ball later. It won¡¯t be as grand without the Ice Princess herself.¡±


    I nodded, murmuring an agreement as he turned and left the room. His departure left an eerie quiet, the kind that felt too loud.


    I sighed and returned my attention to the mirror, smoothing out the gown I had chosen. Is this celebration really a good idea? My brother had insisted on the party, arguing it was a necessary show of strength and unity. But I couldn¡¯t shake the gnawing unease.


    What if Dorsey¡¯s conviction wasn¡¯t the end but the start of something darker? What if the Sunstar Kingdom takes this as an opportunity to strike, catching us off guard in the midst of our revelry?


    The question lingered, a quiet storm in my mind, as I prepared for the night ahead.

 Chapter 8

    The palace walls shimmered, jewels embedded into the stone like secrets waiting to be uncovered, their radiance softened by the glow of crystal chandeliers. A soft, soothing melody from the orchestra hung in the air, its notes cold and elegant, a perfect reflection of our kingdom¡¯s grandeur.


    All eyes were on me as I stepped from the dressing room. My gown, a cascade of ice blue crystal, stood out in the sea of cold-themed opulence. Lady Collfumes approached, her silver evening gown hugging her waist with precision.


    "Arie!" Her smile reached up to her cheeks. "You look glamorous tonight."


    "Thank you, but you outshine me, Lady Collfumes," I responded with a playful smile.


    "You know, you resemble your mother¡¯s beauty," she continued, her tone wistful, "but she always accepted compliments with such grace¡ªteasing me for admiring her." She chuckled softly.


    A sudden ache settled in my chest at the mention of her. The thought of my mother, gone too soon, made the air feel heavier. "I wish she were here," I muttered, barely above a whisper.


    Lady Collfumes¡¯s smile faltered, a shadow passing over her purple eyes, hidden briefly behind a side-swept bang. "I would love to have her here as well," she said softly, a quiet sadness coloring her words.


    I shifted uncomfortably. "By the way, where is my brother? I need to speak with him."


    "He¡¯s with Aice," she said, her voice lighter now. "They¡¯ve gone to the dining hall. Let¡¯s take a seat for a moment."


    We found a quiet corner, away from the bustling voices of the nobility. The murmurs of their conversation were muffled here, offering a brief escape from the weight of the evening.


    "Are you still thinking about Dorsey?" Lady Collfumes asked, her voice soft but perceptive. "I know it¡¯s recent, and it¡¯s hard to shake off the unease."


    My heart twisted painfully at her words. I had been trying so hard to keep my worries hidden, but the trial, the circumstances¡ªeverything about it felt wrong. "Yeah," I said quietly, "I just can¡¯t believe it. It¡¯s... unbelievable."


    "Do you suspect anyone other than Dorsey?" Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, leaning in closer.


    The question caught me off guard, a slight tension rising in my chest. "Is there anyone else?" I shook my head, trying to steady my breath. "I can¡¯t think of anyone. Though¡­ I did sense something odd at the Ice Judge."


    She leaned back, a playful glint in her visible eye. "Right! I''m glad that I''m not the only one that thinks the same."


    "Your words now convince me that you saw a vision that we''ll talk about this so you already know what I would say." I said with a sly look on my face.


    She let out a mischievous laugh, "Was it that obvious? Honestly I thought you''d guess it from the moment I approached you."


    "But have you guessed something else?" she continued, leaning in with that same playful glint. "My son might be making moves at you."


    I feigned innocence, raising an eyebrow. "Claudius? Really?"


    Lady Collfumes leaned closer, a playful smile formed on her face. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t play coy with me, Arie. The way he looks at you¡ªlike you¡¯re the only ice sculpture in the world! It¡¯s rather sweet, really.¡±


    I felt warmth stir in my chest despite myself, laughter escaping me. "That¡¯s sweet of him, but I have enough on my plate already."


    "Well, it¡¯s nice to know you¡¯re appreciated," Lady Collfumes said, her expression softening. "But unlike the others, Claudius is a good boy. Charming, handsome, and those dimples¡ªgood heavens! They could melt a glacier."


    "Is that why you want me to dance with him at the ball?" I asked, biting back a smile.


    "Bingo!" she exclaimed. "Though sadly, it seems you¡¯ll be dancing with someone else. I wonder who that might be."


    "Don¡¯t worry," I reassured her, "we¡¯re just going to dance."


    "That means Claudius still has a chance," she winked. "But for now, let¡¯s get you to Aerol before the nobles start pulling him into their endless talk about trade routes and winter fashion."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    I nodded, a mix of warmth and anxiety swelling inside me. "Thanks for the pep talk, Lady Collfumes. You always know how to lighten the mood."


    "Always," she replied with a wink. "Now go¡ªbefore someone else steals him away. And remember, if you ever need help with matchmaking, you know where to find me."


    I smiled at her once more, grateful, before heading toward the dining hall, my heart racing with what awaited.


    The scent of the banquet hall was intoxicating, rich with the promise of a feast. The chef offered a smile as he served the guests, and I returned his gesture with my award winning smile. The long table was piled high with extravagant dishes, the nobles and aristocrats eating, their voices blending together in a symphony of chatter.


    My gaze found my brother and my long-haired cousin at the far end of the room, far from the crowds. I made my way toward them, and as I neared, Aice glanced up.


    "How¡¯s the chill evening going?" he asked with a grin.


    "Can you call this chill when the neighboring kingdom might attack us today?" I leaned in, caught between my brother and Aice.


    Aice shot me a playful glance, his grin widening. "Calm down, Arie. Your brother and I are having our first date."


    "Don¡¯t joke about that," my brother replied, his brow furrowed as Aice struggled to suppress his laughter.


    "I¡¯ve heard you age faster with a grumpy face," Aice continued, raising his glass of lemonade.


    I grabbed an empty chair from a nearby table and moved it beside them. "Really?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "Am I that grumpy?"


    "Alright, I¡¯ll keep my face cool," my brother said, leaning back in mock resignation.


    "Now I¡¯m glad both of you look like angels," Aice sighed dramatically. "Honestly, I only said that to see the Ice King¡¯s vulnerable face¡ª"


    "How dare you!" My brother shot Aice a mock-glare, though the laughter was impossible to suppress.


    "Seriously?" I asked, still surprised. "Did I look like a jerk earlier?" I paused. "Sorry to ruin your conversation, but I¡¯m just worried about the possibility of an attack."


    Aice grinned. "Don¡¯t apologize, Ice Princess. You look cuter when you¡¯re frustrated."


    I narrowed my eyes at him. "I¡¯m not sure if I should be happy about that."


    "Oh, you mean about Aerol¡¯s amazing party?" Aice said, his cheeks lighting up with amusement.


    "It¡¯s supposed to unite the kingdom¡¯s important figures," my brother replied, his sky-blue eyes meeting mine. "We talked about this, Arie."


    Worry tugged at me. "This doesn¡¯t feel right," I admitted, glancing around the room at the laughter and joy. "How can they all be so carefree when there''s a threat looming over us?"


    "I think the solution is eating more delicious food," Aice winked, his playful grin teasing my brother. "Maybe you should¡¯ve invited the Sunstar Kingdom too. Now that would be a true unification."


    My brother¡¯s expression hardened, his tone serious. "That¡¯s a dangerous mindset, Aice. We¡¯re not distracting ourselves with a party. We¡¯re preparing for the unexpected. But remember, we have responsibilities. We can¡¯t just ignore the reality of the situation."


    The weight of his words hung between us. I still couldn¡¯t shake the unease in my chest, the constant fear that something terrible was on the horizon. Dorsey¡¯s final, despairing glance haunted me, a reminder of all that had been lost. I wanted so badly for my parents to come back, to tell me it was all going to be fine.


    "Arie," my brother whispered, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "It¡¯ll be alright. I feel the same way."


    A small, bittersweet smile tugged at my lips. We were the same, bound by blood, by the same loss. We had both lost our parents.


    "Let the Ice Princess eat!" Aice exclaimed, breaking the tension with his usual mischief. "The dishes will be sad if you don¡¯t."


    He waved a waiter over, calling for food as he continued to munch his cold, ocean-blue ice cream.


    "Remember when you ate an ice cream in cold weather without an ice resistance?" Aerol brought up, his eyes glittering.


    "I can still imagine your reaction when your face paled up because of its coldness." He teased.


    "You don''t have to remind me of that!" Aice shouted, while my brother quietly chuckled.


    Laughter filled the space around us, and for a brief moment, the weight of everything else lifted. With my brother and Aice beside me, I felt the warmth of familiarity, a reminder of simpler moments. The food tasted sweeter, and my worries seemed just a little bit lighter.


    ***


    My heart thumped in my chest as I stepped into the ballroom, the soft melody of the orchestra sweeping over me like a tranquil tide, momentarily silencing my unease. The grand chandeliers cast a crystalline glow, painting the room in shimmering light. I scanned the crowd, searching for him.


    A noble approached instead. Not Skadar.


    ¡°Good evening, Ice Princess.¡± Claudius greeted me with a tentative smile, his crisp white shirt layered under a dark gray vest¡ªa subtle but striking contrast against the ballroom¡¯s unspoken ice-blue theme. His purple eyes flickered between me and the polished marble floor, as if the act of meeting my gaze might set the room ablaze.


    ¡°You look stunning tonight,¡± he offered, his voice carefully measured, though I caught the falter at the edges.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied, mirroring his formality with a grin. ¡°And you look sharp tonight. That outfit suits you.¡±


    His cheeks turned a faint pink, the color faint but unmistakable against his composed demeanor. ¡°Oh¡ªthank you. Have a memorable evening!¡± The words tumbled out hastily, as if staying a moment longer would test his resolve.


    I softened my expression, attempting to put him at ease. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Claudius.¡±


    Before I could say more, a light tap brushed my shoulder. I turned, and there he was.


    Skadar.


    Silver hair framed his face, catching the light and gleaming like frost beneath the chandeliers. His glittering light-blue suit complemented his sharp features, but it was his smile¡ªso effortless, so self-assured¡ªthat left me momentarily speechless.


    ¡°Are you ready to dance, Ice Princess?¡± he asked, one brow arched in playful challenge.


    I glanced briefly back toward Claudius, but he had already vanished into the crowd, leaving no trace of his shy demeanor. My gaze returned to Skadar, who now stood tall before me, his golden-yellow eyes locking with mine, daring me to look away.


    ¡°Yes, gentleman,¡± I replied, a spark of mischief lighting my tone. With a wink, I placed my hand in his, and as the music shifted into a waltz, we glided onto the floor, the world around us dissolving into motion and melody.

 Chapter 9

    ¡°Oh my¡ªyou look stunning tonight. I¡¯m glad you followed my suggestion,¡± Skadar said, his voice carrying a playful lilt as he gently swung my arms back and forth.


    I met his gaze and smiled. ¡°And you¡¯re sparkling more than ever, Skadar.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Ice Princess,¡± he said, his grin widening with a flicker of pride. ¡°Who else can outshine the Ice and Light noble?¡±


    I tilted my head, the faintest shadow of unease creeping into my mind. ¡°Well¡­ perhaps Jamaico, the King of Sunstar Kingdom?¡±


    ¡°The Sand King?¡± His smirk deepened, tinged with amusement. ¡°The Sand and Light King? But ice is shinier compared to sand, Ice Princess.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± I admitted, my voice softening. ¡°But I still worry about him.¡±


    Skadar¡¯s hand tightened slightly over mine, grounding me. ¡°Look around you. They didn¡¯t attack today, and tonight¡­ well, let¡¯s say not yet,¡± he said, a mischievous glint lighting his golden eyes. ¡°Are you that eager to see my abilities against them?¡±


    I chuckled despite myself, the warmth of his hands spreading through mine. ¡°No, Skadar. I hope it doesn¡¯t come to that¡ªespecially not tonight. Not when I¡¯m with you.¡±


    ¡°Correction,¡± he said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a knowing smile. ¡°It can¡¯t happen. And do you know why? Because I have a surprise for you.¡±


    Before I could question him, he spun me effortlessly, my feet leaving the floor for a brief moment of weightlessness. When I landed back in front of him, his hand revealed a single sky-blue flower, its delicate petals glowing faintly under the ballroom lights.


    My breath caught. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ incredibly rare. Where did you find it?¡±


    His eyes locked onto mine, the sincerity in his gaze as unyielding as the glacial landscapes we ruled. ¡°Found it during my search in the outer village. I wouldn¡¯t have discovered it if it weren¡¯t for you.¡±


    Carefully, I took the flower from his hand, cradling it as though it might dissolve under my touch. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I truly appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Ice Princess.¡±


    We continued to glide across the ice-like floor, the melody weaving through the air as if it were written for this moment alone. His warm hands anchored me, his radiant smile easing my every worry. With his golden eyes fixed on mine, all the fears that lingered at the edges of my mind melted away, leaving only the warmth of his presence to fill the void.


    ***


    Aerol''s POV


    The ballroom is open, but my heart remains shut. It¡¯s been years since I last danced with the girl from the Fresha Kingdom, though I can¡¯t even entertain the thought anymore. She¡¯s my cousin, for Megaverse¡¯s sake. Still, no other girl could tempt me to dance tonight.


    So here I stand, watching my younger sister twirl across the dance floor with Skadar. From this vantage point above the hall, the music feels distant, a melody for others to enjoy. Sunstar Kingdom is unlikely to attack tonight¡ªthey thrive under the sun¡¯s gaze, while we, the Glacians, are strongest under the moonlight. But how long will this fragile balance last?


    The weight of the crown presses heavier tonight. Am I doing enough to protect my people? To lead them? The title of Ice King feels more like a curse than an honor, especially with the Sunstar Kingdom lurking, their threats echoing in my mind like a haunting refrain. Each decision I make feels like a gamble, the line between peace and war thinning with every passing moment.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The nobles below smile and sway as if their world isn¡¯t teetering on the edge. It must be nice¡ªto live without the constant shadow of responsibility. For me, there is no escape. What if the Sunstar Kingdom has spies here tonight? What if this peace is nothing more than an illusion they¡¯ve created to catch us off guard?


    My fingers tighten on the balustrade. I can¡¯t afford to let my guard down, not even for a moment. The lives of everyone in this hall¡ªmy sister, my people¡ªrest on my shoulders. One mistake could turn this evening into a battlefield. I glance at the chandeliers, their light glittering like frost. No, I must stay vigilant. Peace may be fleeting, but I will not let it shatter under my rule.


    Just as my thoughts threaten to spiral deeper into paranoia, a tall figure approaches, his royal blue eyes locking onto mine with sharp precision.


    ¡°Thanks for not attacking Sunstar Kingdom today, Ice King,¡± Lord Aalto said, his voice layered with both formality and an unspoken edge.


    I paused, unsure if his words were sincere or dripping with sarcasm. ¡°No problem, Lord Aalto. It seems you might have more to say?¡±


    He twitched, his gaze narrowing. ¡°Oh, nothing much. Just a friendly reminder to avoid any... reckless decisions.¡±


    ¡°And have you seen my son? He was with you earlier,¡± he added, his tone clipped.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t know where he¡¯s gone,¡± I replied with a shrug.


    Before he could press further, Lady Collfumes¡¯ voice echoed through the grand hall. ¡°The Star of the Night is... Princess Alicia Grandiluxe!¡±


    Applause erupted, the crowd¡¯s enthusiasm filling the room as a girl with sky-blue hair gracefully stepped forward. The name was unfamiliar, but I recognized the last name¡ªand the implications unsettled me.


    ¡°Alicia Grandiluxe?¡± I murmured, glancing at Lord Aalto. His expression darkened, his annoyance plain.


    ¡°I have no relatives by that name, other than my son,¡± he stated, his voice tense. ¡°That brat. He¡¯s cosplaying as a princess again, isn¡¯t he? Seeking attention like always.¡±


    I stifled a laugh. ¡°Well, he does know how to steal the spotlight.¡±


    Aalto¡¯s irritation only deepened. ¡°What did I do to deserve such an undisciplined child? And Lady Collfumes, of all people, hosting this event... It¡¯s as if the universe conspired to test my patience tonight.¡±


    He stormed off, muttering under his breath, and I watched him shake hands with the Ice Judge. My gaze returned to Arie on the dance floor. Her laughter and smiles seemed so genuine, but I knew better¡ªmy sister carried guilt like a shadow. Dorsey¡¯s imprisonment still lingered on her mind, even though none of it was her fault.


    Before I could dwell on it further, General Sterling¡¯s voice broke my thoughts. ¡°Ice King, won¡¯t you spare a moment for an old friend?¡±


    I turned, startled by his sudden appearance. ¡°Good evening, General.¡±


    He smiled warmly. ¡°You seem burdened tonight. Here, have a glass of wine.¡±


    Hesitating for only a moment, I accepted the glass. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He leaned against the balustrade beside me, his eyes drifting to the dance floor. ¡°Isn¡¯t it wonderful that Sunstar Kingdom didn¡¯t follow through with their threats?¡±


    I chuckled, taking a sip. ¡°We¡¯re too cool to be tainted by their sand abilities.¡±


    Sterling roared with laughter. ¡°Cowards, the lot of them.¡± He raised his glass. ¡°Cheers!¡±


    Our glasses clinked, the sound momentarily blending with the orchestra¡¯s melody. Skadar caught my eye, waving at me while still dancing with Arie. His playful wink made me scoff internally. That boy¡ªonce my childhood rival¡ªis now practically family.


    ¡°Look at them,¡± Sterling said, pride radiating from his voice. ¡°My son is the perfect protector for your sister, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    I forced a smile. ¡°She¡¯s still young, General. We¡¯ll discuss that in the future.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s powerful, combining ice and light like no other,¡± Sterling continued, clearly pleased with his son.


    As he spoke, another figure joined us. Lord Alaric, with his rare black hair and composed demeanor, inclined his head in greeting.


    ¡°Lord Alaric,¡± I said. ¡°How¡¯s business?¡±


    ¡°Flourishing,¡± he replied smoothly, his sky-blue eyes glinting under the chandelier¡¯s light. ¡°Finer than ever¡ªlike a well-aged wine.¡±


    We exchanged polite words until Sterling excused himself, vanishing in a burst of light to rejoin his son. Alaric and I took seats at a nearby round table, the soft murmur of nobles creating a subtle backdrop to our conversation.


    ¡°Ice King,¡± Alaric began, his voice steady and measured. ¡°Your royal family¡¯s trust in my wine enterprise honors me greatly. I¡¯d like to offer you a special discount for our newest flavor.¡±


    I nodded, intrigued. ¡°We appreciate your contributions to the Glacia Kingdom. What¡¯s this new flavor you¡¯re unveiling?¡±


    He smirked, reaching for a briefcase beneath the table. ¡°Let¡¯s make this interesting. How about a guessing game?¡±


    Opening the briefcase, he revealed a deck of monochrome cards, each one gleaming faintly as he spread them out on the table.


    ¡°A card game?¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You do enjoy your mind games, Alaric.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°If you win, you¡¯ll secure the highest discount. If not, the standard price applies. Care to play?¡±


    I leaned forward, a competitive spark igniting in my chest. ¡°Deal.¡±


    And so, the game began.

 Chapter 10

    My fingers tightened on the card as Alaric handed it to me, his demeanor calm but unsettling. The mystery of what I''d been given gnawed at me, a foreboding chill settling in my chest. When I turned it over, my breath hitched. Written in sharp, crimson ink were the words: ¡°The flames are coming to get you.¡±


    I immediately jerked my head up, but his right hand clamped onto my left shoulder like a steel vice. His lips curled upward, a predatory grin slicing across his face.


    ¡°Sometimes, the real threat is already inside,¡± he said, his voice low, each word dripping with menace. His sky-blue eyes shifted to an unholy crimson, sending a jolt of terror through me.


    ¡°Felipe! How¡ª¡±


    Before I could finish, pain erupted across my body. Flames spread from his hand, crawling over my shoulder and consuming me with searing heat. My fire resistance should have protected me, but the agony was unbearable, unnatural. The realization hit me like a blow¡ªGeneral Sterling. That damned traitor. He must have enchanted the wine I drank to strip me of my resistance.


    My knees buckled, and I struggled to move, to fight back, but the flames crawled hungrily at my skin, melting it away like wax. Felipe''s face blurred in the heat, his laughter cutting through the screams that echoed in the ballroom. My vision faltered as his fire consumed me, but one voice pierced through the chaos.


    ¡°Arie¡­¡± I wanted to cry out, to warn her about Felipe, but my voice burned away with the rest of me. I thought of my sister, so young, so unprepared for the crown¡¯s weight. My heart ached for her safety even as my body gave out.


    The world melted into darkness. I could do nothing but curse Felipe, curse Sterling, and silently beg Arie for forgiveness.


    ***


    Arie¡¯s POV


    I had just stepped back into the ballroom with a plate of coconut salad when a fiery eruption tore through the pavilion. My heart dropped as my gaze locked on the source¡ªLord Alaric¡ªI didn''t have time to react.


    ¡°No, no, no!¡± My pulse raced as the sight before me became clear. The flames engulfed my brother. I screamed, my voice breaking through the din of terrified cries.


    No. No. It couldn¡¯t be. This couldn¡¯t be real.


    ¡°BROTHER!¡± I shoved through the panicked crowd, heading for the burning stairs. The heat seared my skin, but I didn¡¯t care. I had to save him.


    When I finally reached him, I froze in horror. His flesh was¡­ gone. Just molten remains clung to his frame, like a grotesque sculpture left too long in the fire. Tears streamed down my face, but I forced them back, summoning my power.


    "Glacial Ice!" The words burst from me, and with them came a frozen tempest. Twin cascades of glacial power erupted from my palms, crashing toward Lord Alaric.


    But he only smirked, mocking me. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, lil'' princess?¡± His voice was laced with venomous amusement as my ice shattered against a barrier of flames.


    The palace¡ªmy home¡ªwas unraveling before my eyes. The delicate blue walls collapsed, overtaken by fiery orange tendrils that consumed everything. Sweat drenched me, my heels reduced to molten puddles against the scorched floor. Still, I stood firm.


    "Why did you burn him?!" I demanded, my voice raw with desperation. I searched for reason in his fiery gaze, but found only malice.


    "Didn¡¯t you hear him?" he sneered, stepping closer. "I am Felipe Viciouso, the Wolf King.¡±


    I froze.


    Felipe Viciouso. The tyrant whispered about in every shadowed corner of our kingdom. The murderer whose name lingered like a curse in the halls of history.


    "You killed my father, didn¡¯t you?¡± My voice wavered, the weight of my words threatening to crush me. ¡°Do you know my mother?"


    He laughed¡ªa low, guttural sound that cut deeper than any blade. "Your mother? Oh, I knew her well. Personally. Intimately. I knew her banishment, too."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The word hit me like a slap. Banishment? No. My mother had vanished, yes, but banished? That was a lie. It had to be.


    "What do you mean by banishment?!" My voice cracked, desperation drowning out my fear.


    Felipe smirked, relishing my unraveling. As he shifted, the firelight caught on a silver bracelet gleaming on his wrist, its polished surface untouched by the chaos around us. "You¡¯ll find out¡ªif you survive my flames." He raised his hands, and the fire surged forward, a tidal wave of destruction.


    ¡°Arie!¡± Skadar¡¯s voice cut through the inferno as an iceberg erupted between me and the flames, shattering the fiery onslaught.


    "We have to leave, now!" He grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the collapsing stairs. A chandelier plummeted, shattering into fiery shards just behind us.


    Before I could protest, light engulfed us, and the world blinked out.


    When it reappeared, we were outside the palace, its once-pristine towers now engulfed in hellfire, while plumes of steam and shimmering heat waves twisted into the evening sky. I stood frozen, my breath caught between disbelief and despair.


    "How about my brother?" I asked, though the answer clawed at the edges of my mind.


    Skadar¡¯s yellow eyes softened, heavy with sorrow. "He¡¯s gone."


    The finality of his words crushed me, a sob tearing free as my knees buckled. Tears blurred my vision, each one a futile protest against the truth.


    "I¡¯m sorry," he murmured. "But you¡¯re the last eligible heir, Arie. Your safety is paramount."


    ¡°But what about the others? My friends, my family¡ª"


    Skadar stopped, his hand firm on my shoulder. His gaze pierced through my hysteria. "Listen to me. They have the fruit masters. They¡¯ll do everything they can. Right now, your survival is the only thing that matters."


    I nodded, though the words felt hollow. My brother was gone. My kingdom was burning.


    ¡°We need help,¡± I said, my voice trembling. ¡°We¡¯ll call on the Fresha Kingdom.¡±


    Skadar smirked faintly, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. "You think they¡¯ll offer help so freely?"


    ¡°They will,¡± I said, my conviction fragile but unyielding. ¡°They have to.¡±


    He sighed, his shoulders relaxing as exhaustion caught up to both of us. "You¡¯re tired."


    "I¡¯m fine¡ª"


    He crouched suddenly, his back to me. "Get on. I¡¯ll carry you."


    I hesitated. "Wait, I can¡ª"


    "Arie." He glanced back, a tired but genuine smile on his face. "Just get on."


    Reluctantly, I climbed onto his back, my gown bunching awkwardly. He took off, moving like a shadow through the moonlit snow. As the burning palace faded into the distance, so too did the last shreds of my peaceful life.


    ***


    We reached the expanse of the Great Glacia Ocean, its vastness stretching endlessly before us. The waves danced in a hypnotic rhythm, their gentle splashes a balm to my fractured mind. The stars above burned bright against the obsidian sky, their glow reflected in the crystalline waters below. For a moment, I wondered if the Galactic God could see me from his celestial throne.


    "If Megaverse were real," I murmured, my voice barely audible over the ocean¡¯s song, "He would have saved my brother. I thought his fate for us was to make our lives better." The wind whispered through my hair, carrying my words into the void.


    Skadar¡¯s reply was quiet, laden with a gravity I couldn¡¯t grasp. "Maybe he did. Just... in another way."


    I turned to him, my innocent blue eyes searching his inscrutable expression. "What do you mean?"


    "Just a thought that slipped my mind," he said, brushing the question away with practiced ease.


    The silence between us deepened, interrupted only by the ocean¡¯s rhythm. Skadar had been unnervingly quiet since we reached the water¡¯s edge. His golden eyes, usually sharp and alert, now carried a distant, soulless glaze. Perhaps it was the same look I bore after witnessing the inferno that consumed my world.


    "Skadar," I asked gently, worry threading through my words. "Are you okay? We can wait until morning to head to the Fresha Kingdom if you¡¯re tired. Let¡¯s rest for now."


    "Nah, I¡¯m good." He avoided my gaze, his attention fixed on the icy ground beneath us. His tone was steady, but something about it felt... wrong.


    "Are you sure?" I pressed, leaning closer, my concern growing heavier with each second of his silence.


    For a moment, he didn¡¯t respond. The wind howled around us, its icy breath seeping into my skin, but my hands were damp with sweat. Something about him was... off.


    Finally, he spoke. "I¡¯m sorry, Arie."


    The words were a dagger. "For what?" I asked, my voice trembling. "For not being able to save my brother?"


    His gaze, cold and unreadable, met mine at last. "It was all a part of the plan."


    "What plan?" My heart twisted in confusion, my voice faltering. "Skadar¡ªwhat are you talking about?"


    Instead of answering, he offered me a smile¡ªsmall, hollow, and far too calm. "You need to rest now. Until everything¡¯s... alright again."


    Before I could react, his hands found mine, his grip ice-cold and unyielding. Frost surged from his palms, crawling up my arms like an invasive vine.


    "Skadar!" I cried out, panic clawing at my chest. "What are you doing?! Stop this¡ªstop it now!"


    He didn¡¯t answer.


    I thrashed against the freezing tendrils consuming me, but it was futile. The ice spread rapidly, encasing me in a crystalline prison. Betrayal crashed over me like the waves around us, leaving me paralyzed¡ªnot just physically, but emotionally.


    I trusted him. I trusted him with everything.


    My frozen gaze locked onto his as he stepped back, his stoic mask never faltering. My iceberg was shoved into the water, sinking with an eerie, deliberate grace. Deeper and deeper it descended, past curious clusters of fish and the shimmering rays of moonlight, until the ocean¡¯s cold, murky depths swallowed me whole.


    I hit the ocean floor with a muted thud, the iceberg embedding itself into the sand. My mind screamed, my heart shattered. He¡ªthe man I thought was my ally, perhaps even my love¡ªhad cast me away like a pawn in some unfathomable game.


    Now I wait.


    Wait for the ice to crack.


    Wait for something¡ªanything¡ªto set me free from this frozen, drowning fate.

 Chapter 11

    Dorsey''s POV


    I sat at the edge of the pale blue walls that encased me, the familiar silence my only companion. But now, even silence deserted me. Screams echoed through the dungeon, rising and falling like the tide of chaos breaking over the palace above. My heart tightened as I stood, gripping the cold, unyielding metal bars that defined my existence.


    "The Ice King is dead¡ªand the Ice Princess too!" a royal guard¡¯s voice boomed, sharp and clear.


    Impossible. That couldn¡¯t be true. Arie couldn¡¯t be dead. Not her, and not that arrogant brother of hers. I haven¡¯t had my revenge yet. I haven¡¯t made them suffer for framing me for a crime I never committed. Aerol¡¯s death? I could live with that. But Arie? She must be alive. That wicked princess will answer for her sins.


    I pressed my face against the bars, watching the commotion as guards rushed to and fro, unlocking cells and freeing prisoners. My gaze landed on a royal guard who sprinted toward me, his face etched with panic.


    "Princess Dorsey!" he shouted, breathless. "You must get out of here now¡ªthe palace is burning, and soon this dungeon will too!"


    His desperation grated on me. "Do not dare shout when you''re this close to me," I snapped, my voice sharp as ice.


    ¡°I refuse to leave,¡± I said coldly, my sky-blue eyes glaring into his soul.


    His expression twisted with disbelief. ¡°B-but we need to move you to safety! You¡¯re a royal¡ªwe can¡¯t afford to lose you.¡±


    Another guard appeared, his face familiar¡ªthe one assigned to guard my cell. "Come on, Princess!" he pleaded. "You¡¯ll die here if you don¡¯t come with us!"


    I scowled. "You didn¡¯t believe me when I spoke the truth, and now you want me to come out? I¡¯d rather burn than spend another second of my life rotting in this place."


    Before their hands could reach me, I willed a shimmering barrier of ice to encase the bars, blocking out their persistent faces. Finally, peace. Let the flames come¡ªI will embrace them. My name is already tarnished, my dignity shattered, all thanks to that so-called Ice Princess.


    The heat began creeping in, wrapping itself around my skin like an unwelcome intruder. Sweat dripped onto the icy cement beneath me, but I stood my ground. I was ready¡ªto perish and join my parents once more.


    A sudden crash rang out behind me, the sharp sound of shattering ice. I turned just as fragments scattered across the floor. Through the haze of melting frost stood a man dressed in regal elegance¡ªGeneral Sterling. His deep blue eyes locked onto mine with quiet intensity.


    "I apologize for your stay here," he said coolly, "but you must leave now, Princess."


    I arched a brow, defiance bubbling in my chest. "Tell me first¡ªwhat is happening in the palace?"


    "Two days here, and you¡¯ve already forgotten your manners," he remarked dryly. "But yes, you already know¡ªthe Ice King is dead."


    My glare bore into him, but my attention snagged on the glint of a golden chain in his pocket. Something about it gnawed at me.


    ¡°He was never a competent king,¡± Sterling continued, his voice devoid of emotion. ¡°He carried a crown too dangerous for any man. His end was inevitable.¡±


    A dark realization settled over me. "So you''re a traitor to the royal family," I hissed, my fists clenching. "I should¡¯ve known."


    Before he could react, I lashed out, summoning a storm of ice spikes aimed at his chest. But they never reached him¡ªeach shard evaporated in a burst of searing heat. My breath hitched as I turned to face the source of the flames.


    A figure emerged from the shadows, his crimson eyes glowing like embers. The wildfires of Snowdoom Forest clung to his aura, flickering in the dim light.


    ¡°Dorsey Glaciouso,¡± he greeted, his voice both smooth and sinister.


    I swallowed hard. "Lord Alaric...? No, it can¡¯t be."


    A smirk curled his lips. ¡°Not exactly. That man is dead.¡±


    The weight of his words crushed the air from my lungs. His presence was suffocating, his power undeniable. Felipe Viciouso. The name reverberated in my mind like a curse. It screams the ruthless, dangerous Wolf King.


    ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about another dungeon,¡± Felipe said, stepping closer. ¡°I¡¯m offering you complete freedom¡ªin exchange for your loyalty to me.¡±


    His words lingered, venomous and tempting. He leaned in, his voice a low murmur. "And we both know the truth, don¡¯t we? Arie is no innocent princess¡ªshe¡¯s a concealed witch. You should thank me for ridding the world of her and her brother.¡±


    My mind reeled. Arie dead? No. That witch has Dreamer¡¯s Magic¡ªrare, elusive, and nearly impossible to defeat. I doubted her death as much as I doubted my sanity. Yet, despite every warning screaming in my head, my hand moved on its own, reaching for his outstretched palm.


    And in that moment, a fallen princess made a pact with the devil.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ***


    Skymint''s POV


    Sitting comfortably against the smooth wooden surface of my boat, I rowed across the vast ocean, the rhythmic splash of oars cutting through the silence. My destination was clear¡ªthe border of the Glacia Kingdom, where my modest livelihood awaited me. Fish here, fish there, and fish everywhere¡ªthat was the simple, repetitive cadence of my life. I glanced at the metal bucket beside me, brimming with silvery scales, their sheen catching the morning light.


    Almost there. These fish would fetch me enough ice bills to get by, thanks to the merchant in the village who paid a decent price for my daily hauls. But enough was never quite enough. Fishing had always been a game of chance, and today I decided to test my luck once more.


    Gripping my fishing rod, I cast the line, the hook vanishing into the deep blue. The ocean was serene, a mirror reflecting the endless sky above. Seconds passed. Then, a sharp tug. The reel stopped spinning.


    My heart leapt. "This fish must be huge!" I muttered, gripping the rod tighter as I began to pull. Whatever it was, it resisted, heavier than anything I''d caught before. I braced my feet against the edge of the boat and heaved with all my might.


    "Hopefully, it''s an extremely large tuna!" I exclaimed, a grin spreading across my face.


    The tension in the line grew unbearable. I had to act fast. "Ice Rod!"


    Frost coursed through my hands, coating the wooden rod with a shimmering layer of ice. The sunlight caught its crystalline surface, a radiant sky-blue hue dancing across the water. With renewed strength, I pulled¡ªbut then disaster struck.


    The line snapped.


    "No!" My shout echoed across the open sea. Desperation gripped me as I stared at the frayed cord. That rod had been with me since I first joined the workforce, my most trusted companion in this unyielding trade.


    Without hesitation, I plunged into the icy depths, the chill biting at my skin as I swam after the sinking line. The water grew darker as I descended, the abyss below stretching endlessly. Then, something caught my eye¡ªa glint of light.


    Curiosity tugged at me like the lost fishing line. Swimming closer, I saw it: a massive iceberg, its surface glittering like fractured starlight. But it wasn¡¯t the iceberg that stole my breath. Encased within the frozen mass was a girl.


    Her face was pale, her expression frozen in a mask of horror. My heart thudded against my ribs. From her regal features, it was clear¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just anyone. This was Princess Arie Glaciouso, the Ice Princess herself.


    I couldn''t leave her here.


    Wrapping my arms around the iceberg, I surged upward, breaking through the ocean¡¯s surface. The weight was staggering, but I pushed on, icy water streaming from the frozen mass. As I approached my boat, realization struck: landing her on the fragile vessel would sink it instantly.


    "Ice Floor!"


    A shimmering platform formed beneath me, solid as steel. I landed hard, the impact vibrating through my body. Setting the iceberg down, I inspected it more closely. The ice was dense, far too thick for my fishing rod to have lifted it.


    "Reversed freezing," I whispered, pressing my palms against the ice. Cold magic coursed from my hands, thinning the layer encasing her.


    "Please be alive," I murmured, my breath fogging the air. "I don¡¯t want to be the one who finds you only to see you slip away."


    The ice began to crack, shattering into shards that fell around us. At last, the princess was free. I caught her as she collapsed into my arms, her body trembling violently.


    Her lips parted, her voice faint. "I... I¡¯m dying..."


    "You are safe now," I muttered, gathering her into my arms and carrying her toward the boat. The icy wind bit at us both, but I kept my grip steady, shielding her as best I could from the cold.


    Then I saw it¡ªa flash of terror in her eyes, raw and sudden, as though my words had struck some hidden nerve. As though I''d said something terribly wrong.


    I grabbed my thick wool coat and wrapped it around her frail figure, her shivering barely abating.


    She blinked up at me, her pale eyes clouded with confusion. Then, to my utter disbelief, she gasped.


    "Woah! You¡¯re a talking polar bear!"


    I stiffened, biting back my irritation. "I¡¯m a Polarman," I corrected, keeping my tone as respectful as I could muster. "Not a polar bear, or anything of the sort."


    "Oh," she said sheepishly. "Pardon me¡ª"


    "There¡¯s no need," I interrupted, scratching the back of my head. "If I may ask, though... how did you end up down there?"


    Her face tightened, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. "I... I¡¯m not ready to talk about it," she admitted, her voice trembling. "But you¡¯d be better off without me. They probably think I¡¯m dead by now. You shouldn¡¯t be here with me. You¡¯ll only get yourself in trouble."


    I crouched down to meet her eyes. "I promise, that won¡¯t happen," I said firmly. "I¡¯ll keep you hidden."


    The horizon stretched endlessly before us, the muddy shore of the Glacia Kingdom just within reach. My boat creaked as it swayed gently in the water, the bucket of fish untouched.


    Leaving her alone, even for a moment, wasn¡¯t an option. Not again.


    She stared toward the west, her gaze fixed on the far-off village. Her expression was guarded, her fear almost palpable, as though she expected something¡ªor someone¡ªto emerge from the sunlight.


    I tightened my grip on the oar and began rowing back toward my village. The risks were immense, but my course was clear. Whatever danger awaited, I couldn¡¯t abandon her. Not this time.


    ***


    Arie''s POV


    I watched the ocean waves ripple endlessly as the boat glided past scattered ice plates of varying sizes, their jagged edges glinting under the rays of sunlight. The light kissed my skin with an unfamiliar warmth, a reminder that the sun had indeed moved closer to the outer village of our kingdom¡ªa strange phenomenon I couldn¡¯t bring myself to ignore.


    My gaze shifted to the Polarman seated at the front of the boat. His broad shoulders flexed with each steady stroke of the oar, his white fur glowing faintly in the daylight. His rounded ears twitched slightly atop his head, and his high cheekbones¡ªeerily reminiscent of the average human in Glacia¡ªmade his face strikingly familiar yet distinctly otherworldly. His physique was impressive, no doubt honed by years in the workforce.


    He was a sight I had only dreamed of seeing. A Polarman, a living legend I had longed to encounter my entire life. But wonder quickly gave way to suspicion, a thorn digging deep into the fragile fabric of my trust. Could I really believe in him? After everything that had happened?


    My mind replayed Skadar¡¯s cutting words, his sharp voice echoing like a ghost: "It was all part of the plan." The phrase refused to leave me, wrapping around my thoughts like a cold chain. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this Polarman¡ªSkymint, as he called himself¡ªwas merely another piece of Skadar¡¯s twisted game.


    I tucked the hood of the winter wool coat snugly around my face, shielding myself not just from the biting wind but also from the lingering doubt clawing at my resolve. He had saved me, yes, but at what cost? What intentions truly lay behind those kind eyes? Were they as innocent as they appeared, or was there a darker purpose hidden beneath?


    For now, I would play along. I would follow the rhythm of his oars, let him guide me to safety¡ªor so he claimed. But I wasn¡¯t foolish enough to let my guard down. Not after betrayal had sunk its icy fangs into me so deeply.


    I turned my gaze back to the horizon, the endless expanse of ocean stretching into oblivion. The cold, once my solace, now felt like a threat.

 Chapter 12

    Felipe¡¯s POV


    The crackling flames whispered a symphony to my ears, each pop and hiss a reminder of my dominance. The acrid smoke of burning trees filled the air, heavy and intoxicating. I loved it. From this vantage point, I felt like a god, surveying the inferno I¡¯d created.


    Below me, the forest burned without mercy. It didn¡¯t matter if these trees had no part in the royal family¡¯s crimes. Their mere existence in this cursed kingdom was enough. Everything tied to the Glaciouso name deserved to burn.


    My gaze shifted, catching movement amidst the chaos. A girl, sprinting through the fire¡¯s glow¡ªno, not just any girl. Arie Glaciouso. The Ice Princess herself.


    I hadn¡¯t expected her here, not in this burning forest. But there she was, her unmistakable sky-blue hair trailing behind her as she ran. And chasing her¡ªthis was even more unexpected¡ªGeneral Dicester, the Glaciouso family¡¯s most formidable warrior.


    "Ice Princess! Stop running away!" Dicester¡¯s booming command echoed over the roaring flames.


    But she didn¡¯t stop. Her movements were swift and calculated, a predator disguised as prey. I watched closely, intrigued as she glanced back at him.


    Then, without warning, Dicester collapsed.


    What just happened?


    My mind scrambled for an explanation. Was he faking? Playing dead to bait her into something? No. His collapse was too abrupt, too final. The man was dead.


    And her? The girl didn¡¯t even look back. No hesitation, no remorse. Just cold, mechanical precision.


    Arie Glaciouso. The powerless princess they whispered about in the shadows of court? No. That was a lie.


    This was no ordinary girl running for her life. She had power¡ªreal power. The kind that made a man like Dicester fall in an instant. The kind that could only belong to the Windcore bloodline.


    Dreamer¡¯s Magic. It had to be. Nothing else could kill so effortlessly, so silently.


    I felt a grin tug at the corners of my lips. She was no longer just the Ice Princess. She was a killer.


    But it wasn¡¯t only her magic that captivated me. It was the way she¡¯d looked at him. That glance¡ªdetached, calculating, devoid of anything resembling emotion. It wasn¡¯t just her bloodline or her magic. It was something deeper.


    Something darker.


    The darkness in her called to me. It was raw, unshaped, and utterly beautiful. A force buried beneath her icy exterior, waiting to be molded. She didn¡¯t even know it existed, but I could see it.


    And I would use it.


    She¡¯ll be mine. Not just as a weapon, though that will come in time. No, she¡¯s more than that. She¡¯s a storm waiting to be unleashed. And I, Felipe, am the only one who can bring it to the surface.


    She¡¯ll fight me at first, of course. But manipulation is my art. Breaking her will be a challenge, but oh, how sweet the victory will be.


    I watched her vanish into the smoke, her figure a blur against the inferno. The fire consumed everything around her, but not her. No, she didn¡¯t burn.


    Not yet.


    But she will.


    ***


    Arie''s POV


    "Is it okay if we stay temporarily at a sea cave, Ice Princess?" Skymint asked.


    "Yes, anything will do." Honestly, I don''t even know any places outside our kingdom. Such a shame to be this sheltered at my age.


    "Also, you may call me Arie. I prefer that. After all, I''m no longer a princess in this state." I let out a low chuckle, though the sound felt hollow.


    "Got it, Arie."


    He''s probably still upset. I took a steady breath. "I''m sorry for calling you a talking polar bear earlier. I was really disoriented."


    He chuckled, soft. "I told you, no need to apologize."


    "By the way, I haven''t introduced myself. My name''s Skymint Polarion," he said, a spark of optimism in his voice.


    "That''s a cool name." My lips curved, tone light with amusement. "I''ve noticed it reflects your eye color¡ª''Sky'' for your right eye, the pale blue one, and ''Mint'' for the light green left."


    His expression faltered. "Yeah... Did you find it¡ªawful?"


    "Of course not!" I yelped, too loud. "Who would think that? I''ve never seen eyes like yours before. They''re fascinating."


    "It''s caused by a rare condition called Heterochromia," he explained gently.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    His voice dropped, quieter. "But I always wished they''d both be the same¡ªeither sky blue or light green. Maybe then I''d seem... normal."


    My gaze fixed on his hands as they tightened around the oar. "I''m sorry... did they¡ªtease you for it?"


    His grip flinched, knuckles paling. "Yes. They judged me for being different. Thought I was cursed. I''ve wanted to change it ever since."


    I shook my head. "I couldn''t imagine changing something so unique. If anything, those people should be the ones to change."


    He blinked, then offered a faint smile. "Thanks. I appreciated that."


    "I''m glad you did." But the words felt forced, hollow.


    His voice grew somber again. "But you can only change yourself if you have inner magic." He sighed.


    I stared at my pale hands, weak and trembling. If only I had that kind of magic¡ªenough to change the world, not just myself.


    "I''ve thought about that too," I murmured. "Since I became known. People assume my life is perfect, but it''s exhausting, being a princess."


    Silence stretched between us. I shouldn''t have said that.


    "Thanks for sharing that," he said softly. "And... you''re right. People do assume that. I''ve heard the rumors¡ªthough mostly from my fellow Polarmen. Or should I say Polarwomen?"


    I snorted, surprised by the joke. "I thought men wanted to be princesses now¡ªbefore you clarified."


    A rare laugh escaped me, echoing over the waves.


    But the lightness fractured as my gaze drifted past him. Far out on the water, a small boat approached. White fur. Rowing closer. My chest tightened.


    "Skymint... do you know that Polarman?"


    He followed my gaze. "Yeah. Don''t worry¡ªhe''s nearsighted. He won''t see you. Looks like he''s coming for me."


    "Alright... I''ll hide real quick." I ducked behind the ridge of the boat, pulling fishing nets over myself, heart racing.


    The oars sliced the water louder now. Closer.


    "Skymint!" A deep voice called.


    "Hey, Mr. Puffin. How''s fishing?"


    "Doing great. Caught a lot today."


    "Glad to hear it. Do you need anything?"


    "No¡ªwell, actually... a shark bit my net. Didn''t bother retrieving it. Sharp teeth, you know."


    "Do you need an extra net?"


    Oh no. He''s going to peek over.


    "I''ll grab it for you, sir." Skymint crouched, meeting my eyes beneath the net as I wordlessly handed him one.


    He straightened, passing the net over.


    "Thank you, Skymint. Always reliable."


    "No problem, Mr. Puffin. Have a good day."


    The sound of water faded. I exhaled in relief.


    But¡ª


    "Wait!" The old bear''s voice boomed back. "I smell something."


    My breath hitched. I shifted, a wooden plank tapping beneath me. Of course. Bears have heightened senses. He smelled my scent.


    I heard the clanging of metal. "Yes, it''s my fish. Can you bring mine too to the merchant? Unfortunately, I have forgotten to go there."


    "You''re really still forgetful, Skymint." The old bear chuckled. "I''ll take it as my token of gratitude. Wait for the ice bills once I''m done with my work at noon."


    "Okay, take care!" Skymint''s voice boomed with energy.


    The splashes grew distant.


    "You can come out now." Skymint''s voice gentled as he crouched, peeling away the nets tangled around me.


    "Thank you... for saving me again." I rose, my hands trembling, eyes damp.


    "It''s nothing. Let''s get to that cave before we meet any more friendly bears."


    We sat in silence as he rowed, the oar slicing the sea. I watched the endless blue stretch into the horizon. A memory stirred, caged¡ªtoo fragile, too painful to face. Not now. Not with him.


    He seems to be trustworthy, but I couldn''t just let him do all the work.


    "Wouldn''t it take forever if you just keep rowing? Let me help."


    "If you don''t mind, I can make this boat faster without rowing." A smirk teased my lips.


    He shot me a look. "No, you can''t¡ªPrincess. I mean, Arie. You''re still disoriented from earlier. You need rest."


    I narrowed my eyes. "Now I''m starting to believe Mr. Puffin was right. You are forgetful."


    His brow lifted. "Oh? You heard that, huh?" A flash of mischief flickers behind his mismatched eyes. "Tell me this boat-speeding plan of yours."


    ***


    An ice engine and a crystalline handle, both shimmering under the pale sunlight, were now affixed to Skymint''s boat¡ªfaint frost tracing delicate patterns along the mechanisms. He hadn''t known elemental ice could be transmuted into machinery, but I had. The Ice Manual from the royal library had been my constant companion, a forgotten piece of home that now felt worlds away.


    The boat surged forward, skimming across the water''s surface with exhilarating speed. Wind whipped through my hair, tugging strands free to dance behind me, a rare lightness rising in my chest. Yet, guilt lingered, a whisper beneath the thrill. How could I dare enjoy this, when so much had been lost?


    The cave came into view, jagged against the horizon. Seconds now. We were so close.


    "What else have you made with ice?" Skymint''s voice broke through my thoughts, curiosity tinged with awe.


    I hesitated, then answered, "I once created an ice drone. It worked like an eyepiece, but I could control it to fly and record everything I saw." The memory stirred a flicker of the old pride, dulled but not extinguished.


    "That''s amazing!" he exclaimed, his grin wide. "Can I see it when we get inside the cave?"


    I exhaled softly. "I wish... It melted a long time ago. But maybe¡ªmaybe I could make another, someday. I could teach you, if you want."


    His gaze softened, as if the idea meant more than just a passing fascination.


    The boat nudged gently against the stony shore. We had arrived.


    The cave loomed before us, vast and hollow, its yawning mouth damp with ocean spray. Cold. Gloomy. But it was shelter.


    I stepped out, the chill brushing my skin like an old companion, yet failing to bite as it once had. The Chillberry still lingered in my veins, its magic holding back the frost. I unfastened the heavy coat, letting it slide off my shoulders. The torn edges of my ice-blue gown caught the pale light, shimmering faintly despite its tattered state.


    Skymint froze.


    His face flushed, pink beneath his fur, as his gaze jerked away.


    "Arie¡ª" His voice wavered, then dropped to a whisper. "You should keep the coat on. If... if the treasure hunters are nearby, they''ll spot you shining from miles away."


    I blinked, momentarily confused¡ªthen hastily pulled the coat back on, hiding the pale fabric beneath its dull gray folds. "Right. Of course."


    His reaction lingered with me, strange and unspoken, but I chose not to press. There were bigger concerns than deciphering his sudden awkwardness.


    I tugged the coat tighter. "Skymint... are you sure you want to stay with me? You don''t have to. You could go back to your village¡ªit''s safer there. You don''t owe me anything."


    His ethereal eyes met mine, earnest and unwavering. "I''m determined to protect you, Arie. Don''t ask me to leave you behind."


    "Come. Follow me."


    He extended his hand, steady, warm despite the cold.


    I hesitated¡ªbut only for a moment¡ªbefore placing my fingers in his. His hand, so gentle yet strong, reminded me of someone. My father. When I was small, he had held my hand just like this, promising I would never be lost.


    I followed.


    The cave narrowed as we ventured deeper, the stone closing in until only a narrow tunnel remained. Then, like a heartbeat stirring to life, cyan light pulsed along the walls.


    Glowing vines. Alive.


    The dim tunnel seemed to breathe with them, casting long shadows across the damp stone.


    A shiver traced my spine. This place¡ª


    No. It couldn''t be.


    But the resemblance was undeniable. The vast tunnel. The ethereal vines. They mirrored a story I''d once been told¡ªwhispered in hushed tones by Lady Collfumes when I was young.


    The Ice Monster''s Lair.

 Chapter 13

    The silence between us felt almost heavier than the damp chill of the cave walls pressing in. Only the soft echo of our footsteps and the low hum of the glowing vines filled the void as we ventured deeper.


    The teal light pulsed gently, illuminating just enough of the path to keep moving forward¡ªbut the shadows ahead remained endless.


    "Skymint," I whispered, voice steadier than the fear curling in my chest. "Where are you taking me?"


    "To an old friend," he replied, glancing back at me with furrowed brows. "Are you alright? If you''re uncomfortable, I can take you somewhere else. Is it... enclosed spaces?"


    I shook my head, carefully pulling my hand free from his. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "But this... this is the Ice Monster¡¯s Lair. I don''t want to be eaten."


    He blinked. "What?" His expression twisted with genuine confusion. "I''ve come here so many times. I''ve never seen anything like that."


    "Are you sure?" I challenged, unease prickling my spine. "Maybe it didn''t appear before. Maybe now it will¡ªbecause you''re with me."


    His gaze shifted between the tunnel and my face, the beginnings of uncertainty flickering in his eyes¡ªbut then, just as quickly, he smiled, gentle and reassuring. "Arie, that''s just an old story. I promise you, there''s nothing to fear."


    His hand touched my shoulder, steady, grounding. For a moment, his startling eyes¡ªso pale they almost glowed¡ªmanaged to anchor me, and I allowed a breath to escape, tension easing slightly from my posture.


    Until the roar came.


    A deep, guttural sound, echoing from the void ahead¡ªlow, furious, and unmistakably alive.


    I froze.


    The sound was real.


    Real.


    Panic surged. My hands rose instinctively, trembling as ice gathered at my palms, pale frost swirling into existence.


    "Arie, wait¡ª"


    "Don''t touch me!" My voice lashed out as my fingers curled tighter, the raw instinct of survival overriding reason.


    I couldn''t trust him.


    Not when I was being led deeper into this cursed cavern. Not when a creature was lurking just beyond the veil of shadows. My hands surged with power, a jagged ice shard forming faster than I could control¡ª


    And I released it.


    The ice shot forward, too fast to call back¡ªstriking Skymint squarely in the chest.


    The impact sent him staggering a step backward.


    I felt the blood drain from my face.


    I turned away sharply, pulse hammering as my knees buckled. No. No, no, no¡ª


    "I killed him."


    The shard. My power. His kindness.


    "He shouldn''t have rescued me. None of this would have happened¡ª"


    A whisper¡ªbarely audible.


    "Arie... it''s not your fault."


    I gasped, spinning back toward him¡ª


    He was still standing.


    The ice shard jutted out from his chest, embedded deep¡ªyet not a single drop of blood stained his pale fur.


    His hand reached up calmly, fingers curling around the jagged ice. And with a casual tug, he pulled it free as if it were no more than a splinter.


    And then¡ª


    Darkness.


    The world spun. My vision blurred, and the cold was gone.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ***


    Warmth.


    Silk, soft against my skin.


    I stirred, disoriented, consciousness returning in fragments.


    "Arie."


    The voice¡ªgentle. Familiar.


    "Arie."


    My eyelids fluttered open. Skymint''s face hovered above mine, his expression creased with concern. I was lying on some sort of foam mattress, a pale gray blanket tucked around me. The cave''s cyan vines pulsed gently around us, painting the stone in eerie shades of silver-blue.


    But we weren''t alone.


    An old turtle, cloaked in worn midnight fabric, stood quietly at the tunnel''s end. The light caught the smooth dome of his bald head, and perched on his shoulder, clinging to his sleeve with sharp claws, was¡ª


    A creature.


    Tiny. Snow-white. Its beady black eyes fixed on me with unsettling intensity.


    The turtle''s voice broke the silence. "Fear nothing, young one. This is my companion. He used to be three times the height of your friend here, but I assure you¡ªhe''s harmless now."


    I stared. "That¡ªthat was the Ice Monster?!"


    The creature blinked. Its deep black gaze seemed to mock me.


    The turtle chuckled. "Ah, yes. Skymint, explain."


    Skymint winced as the turtle prodded his ribs with the tip of an ancient wooden staff.


    "Ack¡ªalright, alright! Um... so, the sorcerer here¡ªDonshell¡ªdefeated the Ice Monster years ago. He shrank it down with a spell."


    Donshell nodded, stroking his beard. "Indeed. Though, I fear the spell''s effects have begun to wane. Hence the...roaring."


    I paled, instinctively eyeing the tiny creature.


    "Don''t worry," Skymint cut in, flashing a nervous smile. "The spell''s stable. As long as no one here tries... experimenting with forbidden magic or anything."


    The monster opened its mouth and let out a surprisingly loud, tiny roar.


    Donshell sighed. "I admit, I may have amplified it a touch for dramatic effect. Life in solitude gets dull. Forgive the theatrics, Princess Arie."


    I blinked. "Wait¡ªhow do you know who I am?"


    The old sorcerer offered a knowing smile. "I see more than most. Now, tell me... how did you end up with him?"


    Skymint flushed. "I rescued her! She was¡ª"


    "Yes, yes, I¡¯m just surprised you were the rescuer. Not exactly¡ª"


    "I rescued her!"


    I ignored their banter. Something stirred in the back of my mind, a memory resurfacing. I sat upright, ignoring the ache lingering in my limbs, and extended my palm.


    "Arie?" Skymint asked warily.


    "My kingdom is in peril. Felipe killed my brother." The words slipped from my lips before I could stop them, a quiet confession that seemed to echo in the cave¡¯s cold, hollow air.


    ¡°Felipe invades our kingdom. He killed my brother,¡± I repeated, louder this time. The statement struck Skymint visibly, his jaw tightening as he processed it. Donshell, however, remained still, his expression unreadable¡ªlike he¡¯d already anticipated my revelation.


    ¡°The Wolf King,¡± the old sorcerer murmured, his voice carrying the weight of a story long buried. ¡°He harbors an unrelenting hatred for the Glaciouso bloodline. A hatred born of the days when Wolfmen were enslaved by your family. They are free now¡ªbut only because of him.¡±


    I froze, his words like shards of ice cutting into me. ¡°Slaves? Why¡ªwhy would we do that?¡± The question fell from my lips as though seeking answers from someone long gone.


    Donshell¡¯s gaze softened, though the gravity of his tone remained. ¡°Even I lack the full knowledge of those times, Ice Princess. But mark my words¡ªyou are not bound by the sins of your ancestors. You can choose to be better.¡±


    I looked away, shame blooming in my chest. ¡°But... I don¡¯t want to be the Queen of Glacia.¡± The admission left my mouth bitter and raw, the silence that followed heavy with disappointment.


    ¡°That title belongs to my mother. I have to find her¡ªto dethrone Felipe.¡±


    ¡°And if she isn¡¯t what you believe her to be?¡± Donshell¡¯s voice was sharp, deliberate, like a dagger poised to strike. ¡°Will you still pursue her?¡±


    I hesitated, glancing at Skymint for reassurance. His expression was kind but cautious.


    ¡°Shell, don¡¯t test her,¡± Skymint said quietly, as if trying to shield me. ¡°She¡¯s stronger than you think.¡±


    ¡°Please,¡± I whispered, forcing my voice to steady itself against the swell of doubt rising inside me. ¡°Teach me how to reach Class 5 today.¡±


    Donshell laughed, the sound loud and booming, like thunder cracking through the stillness. He leaned on his staff for support as though the notion itself had weakened him. ¡°Class 5? Today? Oh, child¡ªI''m not a fruit master. I am but a humble sorcerer. Besides, such a leap¡ª"


    Skymint chuckled softly, his tone light. ¡°Don¡¯t mind him, Arie. Solitude¡¯s made him... eccentric.¡± His smile lingered before fading into something more serious. ¡°But he¡¯s right¡ªjumping to Class 5 in a day is unrealistic.¡±


    I crossed my arms, determined. ¡°You shrugged off an ice shard to the chest earlier. That wasn¡¯t exactly ordinary either.¡±


    Skymint rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. ¡°Ah. Right.¡± He hesitated, pulling something small from his pocket. ¡°Well... my fruit category is a melon.¡±


    A cube floated into the air between us, glowing faintly.


    ¡°Summon Wintermelon!¡± Skymint called, and a cantaloupe-shaped fruit materialized above the cube, its aura a soft, shimmering blue¡ªmuch like my own.


    ¡°So it¡¯s an ice type, too...¡± I murmured, studying it.


    ¡°Your passive ability must be a hardened body,¡± I guessed aloud, observing the light that danced between the fruit and his hand.


    ¡°Correct.¡± Skymint nodded. ¡°And yours enhances your stamina by extending your internal body clock. It¡¯s why you haven¡¯t collapsed from exhaustion yet.¡±


    ¡°Shell!¡± Skymint turned abruptly to Donshell. ¡°Can we stay here until tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°You may stay as long as you like,¡± Donshell replied warmly, though his gaze flickered toward me, silently assessing my resolve.


    ¡°Thank you, but I have to return to my village by noon,¡± Skymint added.


    My chest tightened. Leave? Was he going to leave me here? Alone? My mind spiraled at the thought of Wolfmen stalking the shadows, waiting for night to fall and drag me to Felipe. I didn¡¯t want to be abandoned¡ªnot again.


    Skymint seemed to sense my panic, his eyes softening as they met mine. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Arie. I¡¯ll bring you with me.¡±


    Relief washed over me, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Thank you. But before then, please teach me ice-fighting techniques. I might not reach Class 5 today, but I¡¯ll push myself as far as I can.¡±


    Skymint gave me a long look before his lips curved into a soft, almost reluctant smile. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want, I won¡¯t stop you. Let¡¯s begin your first lesson.¡±

 Chapter 14

    "Goodbye, Donshell!" I called out, waving cheerfully at the mouth of the cave. My voice echoed against the jagged walls, lingering like a fragile melody before fading into the depths.


    "Goodbye, too, Ice Princess," the old turtle replied with a knowing smile. His weathered face, etched with countless years of wisdom, radiated a kindness I would not soon forget. "Remember, my child, you may return here whenever the tides guide you."


    "And you, Skymint," he added, his tone dipping into a quiet seriousness. "Protect her well. I trust you¡¯ll keep her safe, unseen by those who seek her."


    "Thank you, Shell," Skymint replied with a grin, tipping his hat as though brushing off the gravity of that responsibility. "We¡¯ll come back¡ªsomeday, perhaps, when the stars see fit. May they guide us to meet again."


    Skymint turned toward the cave''s exit, his thick wool coat brushing against the rocky walls with every stride.


    For a moment, I lingered at the edge of the shadows. The icy blue cloak Donshell had gifted me fluttered gently as though it were part of the frosty air itself. Its hood, lined with soft white fur and intricate silver threads, shimmered faintly like frost catching the light. He¡¯d transformed my flowing gown into a lavender tunic¡ªsimple yet elegant¡ªand my fragile ice heels into silver-gray boots that clinked lightly against the stone floor. The transformation left me feeling unburdened, almost lighter, as if I¡¯d shed the remnants of an old life.


    I cast one last glance over my shoulder, watching as Donshell disappeared into the tunnel''s shadows, his silhouette dissolving into darkness. There was an ache in the stillness that followed, a quiet farewell I didn¡¯t know how to put into words.


    I turned and hurried after Skymint, the gentle sound of my boots mingling with the rhythmic crash of waves beyond the cave. As we reached the shore, the sight of the waiting boat stirred something conflicted in me¡ªa rush of anticipation mixed with a quiet sadness.


    I climbed aboard, settling into my seat as Skymint pushed us off. The horizon stretched out before us, vast and endless, the sky painted in sweeping strokes of twilight blue. Somewhere beyond the waves, the polar bear village awaited, hidden beneath the shimmering veil of the northern lights.


    And yet, excitement alone didn¡¯t fill me. Beneath it, something else stirred¡ªa sadness rooted in the truth. I couldn¡¯t show myself to them, no matter how close we sailed. That thought pressed against my chest like a shard of ice, cold and unrelenting, a reminder of the distance between who I am and who I wish to be.


    ***


    Several minutes passed, and we finally reached the small island of polar bears¡ªfar faster than I had expected. We had traveled from the sea cave near the Glacia Kingdom in the north to the northeastern part of the hemisphere, a long way from where we had met. During the journey, Skymint had taught me a peculiar skill: the ability to transform myself into ice. I could only hold the form for a few minutes, but it was enough to ensure my concealment in his village.


    "Are you ready?" he asked, holding up a small jar with the lid slightly ajar.


    "Yes," I said. A single word, and then my form shifted¡ªI became an ice cube.


    Inside the jar, I felt myself sealed in as Skymint screwed the lid shut and slipped it into his pocket. I wasn¡¯t entirely alone, though¡ªmy fruit cube, a reminder of simpler times, sat by my side.


    The world outside became an indistinct hum, and the only thing I could perceive was the shiny black cube pressed against me. Every step Skymint took sent small vibrations through my icy form, tilting me slightly with his movements. Then, his footsteps stopped, and a familiar voice greeted him:


    "Hey, Skymint! Here are the ice bills," said the gruff but warm voice of Mister Puffin, the old bear.


    "Thank you very much, Mr. Puffin. I appreciate your service," Skymint replied politely.


    The bear chuckled. "No problem! Just don¡¯t forget to sell me some fish next time, or I might take these bills for myself!"


    Skymint laughed lightly. "Well, this might be your last chance, Mister."


    After their exchange, Skymint continued walking until I felt the jar being lifted out of his pocket. Cool blue brick walls greeted me as he unscrewed the lid. I jumped out, instantly reverting to my true form.


    "I''m finally in the polar bear village¡ª" My words trailed off as I looked around, realizing the harsh truth of my situation. "Well... stuck in an igloo because I¡¯m a dead princess."


    "Don¡¯t lose hope," Skymint said, his words steady and reassuring. "This is only temporary. Once the Guardian of Polarmen hears of your plight, he¡¯ll ensure your safety."


    His encouragement sparked a flicker of warmth in my otherwise weary heart. His gaze, filled with genuine concern, reminded me that I wasn¡¯t entirely alone in this.


    Just as I was about to thank him, Skymint frowned and turned, muttering, "Why does my back feel... heavier today?"


    I followed his gaze to his back and spotted something clinging to him¡ªChillbi.


    "Skymint¡ª" I began, but before I could finish, the tiny creature leapt from his back and perched on my shoulder.


    Skymint¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, Chillbi, what brought you here?"


    "Master say... guard Arie," the small creature said in a soft, almost childlike voice. Startled, I flung it off my shoulder.


    Chillbi landed on the icy floor with uncanny grace, its sharp, toothy grin unfazed by my reaction. Skymint crouched, his black, inverted-triangle nose almost brushing Chillbi¡¯s pale blue face.


    "Shell didn¡¯t tell me about this," he muttered, irritation flickering across his features. "You should go back to him."


    "No! Me stay here!" Chillbi declared, scrambling up onto Skymint¡¯s head. Its pleading black eyes locked onto mine, making me pause.


    I sighed, a smile tugging at my lips. "We should keep him."


    "Me thank you!" Chillbi exclaimed, leaping into my hands.


    Skymint still seemed uneasy. "It¡¯s ironic how you were scared of it before. You do realize it¡¯s still the Ice Monster, just... smaller."


    "Yes, but it¡¯s too cute to be threatening now," I said with a shrug, placing Chillbi on the icy desk. "Besides, I know you have responsibilities¡ªyour community, your family. You can¡¯t always be here with me."


    Skymint¡¯s expression softened. "I understand... but I don¡¯t want you to feel lonely."


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    He stood and headed for the door. "I¡¯ll be back soon with dinner. Remember, don¡¯t open the door unless the knock is three times."


    "Alright," I assured him, sliding the lock into place after he left. My hands trembled slightly as I secured the door, the silence of the igloo pressing in on me.


    Sitting on the small white bed beside Chillbi, I let my thoughts wander back to Skadar. The memory of his betrayal lingered like a phantom, gnawing at my resolve. I was supposed to be in the Fresha Kingdom by now, seeking help. Instead, I was here, questioning everything.


    Why didn¡¯t he just kill me when he had the chance? That question haunted me. Was his loyalty genuine, or had I been deceived from the start?


    I thought back to the moment he saved me from the disguised Wolfmen. The rage in his eyes, the way he fought¡ªit couldn¡¯t have been fake. Could it? The memory of his warm hands holding mine felt so real, yet now it seemed tainted by doubt.


    As I stared at Chillbi, my thoughts shifted. "How did you become like this?" I asked the tiny creature.


    "Master bind me," it replied simply.


    "Bind? Binder¡¯s Magic?"


    Chillbi nodded, confirming my suspicion. Donshell must have used Binder¡¯s Magic not only to alter my clothes but to transform Chillbi as well. This kind of magic required consent from both parties¡ªhad the Ice Monster willingly agreed?


    The idea seemed strange, almost too bizarre to comprehend. But compared to everything else that had happened, was it really so unbelievable?


    Still, a voice from the past lingered in my mind¡ªDorsey¡¯s voice, echoing her protest. "There¡¯s no way I possess Binder¡¯s Magic! It must be someone else using it against me!"


    Could Dorsey have been framed? The thought unsettled me, but I pushed it aside. Whatever happened in the Glacia Kingdom wasn¡¯t my problem anymore.


    I needed to focus on the future, no matter how uncertain it seemed.


    ***


    Claudius'' POV


    It was only yesterday that the palace crumbled into shards of ice. I had tried my best to salvage the royal library, but in the end, it too was lost¡ªburned into memory, much like the girl I admired. I hadn¡¯t even gathered the courage to ask her for a dance before she was gone. And Skadar... how could he, of all people, have failed to protect Arie from Felipe?


    It wasn¡¯t just his failure that haunted me. He had purchased the rare Daysky flower from me, only to gift it to her. That should have been my gesture.


    I stormed out of our mansion and mounted my black horse, gripping the reins as if they could anchor me from the storm within. I needed to ride¡ªfast, reckless¡ªto drown out the weight pressing against my chest. The houses I passed blurred into mere backdrops, insignificant against the hurricane of my emotions. I had to see him.


    When I reached the marble mansion inlaid with gold, there he was¡ªSkadar¡ªcalmly sipping tea on the terrace. He noticed me immediately, standing with that unnervingly warm smile that sent a chill down my spine.


    "What brings you here, Claudius?" he asked, voice smooth as silk.


    "I''m here to talk about how exactly you lost Arie," I replied, my tone sharp and unwavering.


    "Come, have tea with me," he offered, as though my words were as inconsequential as the wind.


    "No, thanks. I don¡¯t drink tea." I dismounted, stepping closer, my fists already clenching.


    "Straightforward today, aren¡¯t we? That¡¯s not like you." He descended the terrace, his tone laced with mockery. "Desperate for her, are you? Even if she were alive, what would you gain?"


    The pause between us bristled with tension.


    "Either way," he continued, his smug expression twisting the knife, "I¡¯d still be her first choice."


    That was it. My restraint shattered. My fist, blazing with phantom aura, collided with his face before he could even react. The blow was so abrupt, even his light-born reflexes couldn¡¯t save him.


    And then it happened. A vision¡ªhis thoughts bleeding into my mind. I saw it. Skadar freezing Arie and burying her in the depths of the Great Glacia Ocean.


    The vision jolted me like lightning. The ability to see someone''s thoughts through pain was a gift¡ªno, a curse¡ªof my phantom magic, one I could only use once every twenty-four hours. No one but my mother knew I possessed it.


    Skadar recovered quickly, glaring at me with eyes like molten gold.


    "Not in front of my mansion." His voice was ice, and in a flash, he teleported us to the backyard.


    Before I could react, a barrage of light rays rained down on me.


    I summoned translucent duplicates of myself, weaving left and right, trying to dodge his relentless assault. My mind raced. I should apologize¡ªno, I shouldn¡¯t. He deserved this. He needed to be punished.


    "Don¡¯t you feel even a shred of guilt?" I yelled, my voice echoing through the yard. "I know what you did!"


    "A mind reader, are we?" Skadar sneered. "I¡¯ll make you mind your own business!"


    Ice shot up from the ground, ensnaring my feet. Before I could break free, a searing blast of light struck me, scorching my skin.


    "I¡ªI don¡¯t have a business," I croaked, even as pain wracked my body. Somehow, I managed a grin¡ªsharp, defiant.


    He approached, his expression a dangerous mix of amusement and malice. "I thought you¡¯d finally grown serious. But never mind."


    His voice dropped. "Did you read my mind?"


    I spat blood, smirking through the agony. "Whatever I say, you¡¯ll hurt me anyway. You¡¯re doing this because you want to."


    His face twisted. "Don¡¯t you think I constantly think about it?"


    "I don¡¯t care what you feel," I said coldly. "You¡¯re a horrible person."


    Summoning what strength I had left, I pushed myself off the ground and landed a swift, phantom-infused kick to his groin. His agonized scream pierced the air, but before I could savor the moment, a shadow loomed over me.


    "Lady Collfumes¡¯ son," came a deep, icy voice. Skadar¡¯s father, his blue eyes simmering with fury. "I didn¡¯t expect this from you¡ªespecially not against my beloved son."


    His words carried the weight of a death sentence.


    "I¡¯ll escort you to the dungeon. King Felipe himself will decide your fate."


    I glanced back at Skadar, who was still writhing in pain, his golden eyes burning with malice.


    I despised him¡ªand his father, too. Hearing Felipe addressed as "king" was like waking up in a twisted dream. My foolishness had led me here, my inability to control my emotions overriding the logic I usually clung to. Now, I would face the consequences of my recklessness.


    And yet, I didn¡¯t regret it. Not one bit.


    ***


    The dark gray walls of the dungeon loomed around me, their cold silence broken only by the occasional crackle of orange flames from the torches. Time dragged endlessly, each second stretching into eternity as I waited for my mother. She was supposed to come. She had to come.


    But the longer I waited, the more despair clawed at the edges of my mind. Just as I was about to give in, the sound of footsteps echoed through the stone halls. My heart lifted¡ªonly to freeze in place when the figure came into view.


    A man. Black hair framing a pale face, his crimson-red eyes glinting like a serpent¡¯s, locked onto mine with an unnerving smile.


    "Oh, Claudius Collfumes," he began, his voice smooth but cutting. "You must be the son of the Dream Seer who¡¯s gone missing..." His gaze lowered, his expression feigning pity. "What a shame. She left her own child behind."


    His words struck like a dagger, and I felt the air leave my lungs. "Th¡ªthere¡¯s no way she¡¯d do that," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.


    He leaned forward, placing his hands on the table between us. "Perhaps," he mused, "but maybe she didn¡¯t want to serve her visions to me. So she left you to take her place instead."


    The thought made my stomach churn, but he wasn¡¯t done.


    "Think about it," he continued, his words heavy with calculated intent. "Arie wouldn¡¯t want you to be imprisoned, would she?"


    The mention of Arie sent a sharp pang through my chest. Imprisoned? No. I couldn¡¯t let that happen. The gravity of my situation finally hit me like a tidal wave. This wasn¡¯t just about me anymore¡ªit was about survival in a kingdom where loyalty meant nothing, and manipulation was king.


    "Serve me," Felipe offered, his tone deceptively kind. "And you¡¯ll stay clean. Use that phantom magic of yours to prove your worth. You¡¯re in the perfect position to do so."


    I clenched my fists under the table, my thoughts swirling. Arie was dead, and now this man wanted to pull me into his web of lies and schemes. His words were poison, and yet... what choice did I have?


    He leaned closer, his crimson gaze piercing. "I¡¯m glad you¡¯re considering it. To prove yourself, I have a task for you."


    I didn¡¯t reply, but he smirked as though my silence was all the confirmation he needed.


    "I want you to use your powers on Dorsey," he said. "Read her mind. Find out if she¡¯s plotting anything against me."


    The weight of his command settled over me like a crushing boulder.


    "I¡¯ll hear your report next week," he added, rising from his chair. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the faint echo of his footsteps behind.


    The silence that followed was suffocating. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as Felipe¡¯s words replayed in my mind.


    How could I possibly do what he asked? How could I not? If I refused, he¡¯d destroy me without a second thought. But to betray Dorsey, to strike her just to use my phantom magic... I couldn¡¯t stomach the idea.


    My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the table, my thoughts turning to my mother. If she were here, would she be able to guide me out of this nightmare? Or would she look at me with disappointment, seeing the iron bars that now defined my existence?


    I exhaled shakily.


    Felipe thought he had me cornered, but he underestimated one thing: I wasn¡¯t about to let him play me like a pawn. This kingdom might be corrupt, and I might be powerless now, but I wouldn¡¯t stay that way.


    I would find a way to outsmart him. For my mother. For Arie. For myself.


    No matter what it took, I had to stay mentally strong. In a world of deception and chaos, my only weapon was my mind. And I intended to use it.

 Chapter 15

    Skymint''s POV


    What kind of food does a princess eat? The thought lingered as I trudged through the snowy village streets, the crunch of ice beneath my boots a rhythmic distraction. For me, tuna was the pinnacle of cuisine¡ªflaky, flavorful, perfect¡ªbut what would Arie think? She¡¯d probably prefer something delicate, like palace-grown blueberries or other rare fruits beyond a peasant¡¯s reach.


    A friendly smile pulled me out of my musings. Cream-colored fur and a familiar glint in his eyes told me it was Llanova. He noticed me too, his gaze falling on my odd-colored eyes.


    "Hey there, Llanova," I greeted.


    ¡°What a melancholic dusk, Skymint,¡± he replied, his voice carrying that poetic weight he always seemed to carry. We exchanged a fist bump before falling into step together.


    The periwinkle and lavender hues of the evening sky caught my attention as we walked. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of treating myself to something tasty tonight. You know, after a long day of life.¡±


    He perked up, his silver eyes gleaming. ¡°Then let¡¯s head to my father¡¯s shop! Fresh tuna meals and tuna sandwiches, as always!¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Not today. I want to try something different. Hypothetically, if you were hosting an important guest, what food would you serve?¡±


    ¡°Important guest?¡± he echoed, confusion lacing his tone.


    ¡°Yeah, like, let¡¯s say Megaverse himself dropped by your house.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then I¡¯d serve him my father¡¯s special dishes, obviously!¡±


    I laughed softly. ¡°Of course you would. Subtle advertising, Llanova.¡±


    ¡°Was I? Didn¡¯t even notice,¡± he said with mock innocence, though I could tell he wasn¡¯t entirely unaware.


    The warm, savory scent of chicken broth wafted through the air, cutting our banter short. My nose led me toward the source: a new stall, its sign above reading Bearesto. Steam billowed out like an invitation, and my curiosity surged.


    ¡°This must be new!¡± I exclaimed, grabbing Llanova¡¯s arm to drag him along.


    The stall bustled with Polarmen, their chatter mingling with the clinking of spoons against bowls. Behind the counter stood a muscular Polarman, his fur dusted with a faint sheen of steam and effort. Large pots of soup simmered before him, each carrying a different, enticing aroma.


    ¡°New customers!¡± the vendor greeted, his smile as warm as the air around him. ¡°What can I serve you two?¡±


    ¡°Your best-seller, chef master. Is it the chicken soup?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got good instincts, young bear. How many bowls for you both?¡±


    Llanova shuffled uncomfortably. ¡°Just him. He dragged me here.¡±


    I glanced at Llanova and grinned sheepishly at the vendor. ¡°Two chicken soups, please.¡±


    The vendor chuckled and ladled soup into two cups, each brimming with broth and chunks of tender chicken. I paid him with fifty ice bills before scanning the seating area. We settled by a small Polarman family, their laughter contagious as we joined their lively conversation. The soup was divine¡ªrich, hearty, and exactly what I needed on a chilly evening. For a moment, I forgot why I¡¯d even come here in the first place.


    It wasn¡¯t until I finished the last sip that I remembered my errand. I needed dinner for Arie.


    As Llanova and I rose to leave, I approached the vendor again. ¡°One more to-go, please!¡±


    Llanova arched a brow. ¡°You¡¯re still hungry? Or is this for your sister?¡±


    I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s for her. She has to try this masterpiece too.¡±


    He sighed in relief. ¡°Glad to hear you¡¯re not binge-eating tonight.¡±


    I laughed lightly, taking the sealed soup from the vendor. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m saving room for tomorrow¡¯s tuna feast.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the meal, chef master!¡± I called out, waving as we stepped into the frosty night.


    The soup felt warm in my hands, a comforting contrast to the chill biting at my fur. It was the perfect choice, the ideal meal for this freezing weather. Now, I just needed to figure out how to slip back to the igloo without Llanova realizing I wasn¡¯t heading straight home.


    ***


    Arie''s POV


    "Well done!" I held up the ice camera in front of my face, while Chillbi stared at it with curiosity.


    "Woah, Arie make cool ice," his tiny voice chimed.


    He suddenly turned his gaze toward the door. "Me smell food."


    I heard three knocks at the door. It must be Skymint. Rising from the bed, I opened the door to find him standing there. His eyes met mine, his expression radiating warmth that felt familiar yet distant. The delicious aroma wafting from the pouch in his hand revealed the source of Chillbi''s excitement.


    As soon as he entered, Skymint closed the door behind him and took out a container from the pouch, resting it on the cold table.


    "I bought you some chicken soup. Hope you like it, Arie," he said. His tone was hopeful, though his expression carried a hint of uncertainty, as if bracing himself for rejection.


    "Thank you for buying this for me, Skymint," I replied, hesitating before reaching for the container. It felt slightly cool to the touch, no doubt affected by the winter air. "I don¡¯t know how I could repay you."


    He looked down briefly before meeting my gaze again. "No need. Remember, I saved you out of free will."


    "I highly appreciate your help," I said softly.


    I meant it, but regardless of what he said, I couldn¡¯t ignore my debt to him. I sat on the wooden stool, removed the lid from the container, and was greeted by the soothing warmth of the steam against my face. I picked up the wooden spoon, its simplicity reminding me of how far I¡¯d fallen from the silver spoons of the palace. Yet, for a fleeting moment, this simple dinner felt perfect¡ªa reprieve from the suffocating royal expectations.


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    But guilt gnawed at me. The unresolved conflicts I left behind weighed heavily, making it impossible to feel truly at ease.


    Still, old habits lingered. My regal mannerisms were carved into me, refusing to fade. I sipped the soup, its warmth both comforting and nostalgic. It reminded me of the first time I ever tasted soup, when my mother spoon-fed me. Her eyes, as blue as the skies, radiated affection. I didn¡¯t remember much about her, but those eyes remained vivid, a beacon of comfort in my fragmented memories.


    "Is this what you call the ''ice drone,'' Arie?" Skymint asked, holding up my invention from the bed.


    "They''re similar, but that¡¯s an ice camera," I explained, taking another sip of soup. "I plan to attach it outside, just above the door."


    "I¡¯ll do it for you," he offered firmly. "I can¡¯t let you step outside, even for a moment¡ªit¡¯s too dangerous."


    "No prison Arie!" Chillbi exclaimed, looking up at Skymint.


    "Calm down, Chillbi. I don¡¯t mean to lock her in," Skymint said quickly, softening his tone. "I just want to ensure I can protect her."


    "Good. Me watch out," the tiny creature declared, fixing Skymint with an intense glare. Their faces, despite the tension, were so comical I had to suppress a laugh as they stared each other down.


    Just as I was about to take another sip of soup, a knock at the door sent a shiver down my spine. The room felt colder, and unease wrapped around me like an iceberg. What if it wasn¡¯t for Skymint? What if it was Skadar looking for me? I pushed the thought away¡ªit couldn¡¯t be. Not now.


    I glanced at Skymint, whose expression silently urged me to hide. Quickly, I ducked under the bed with Chillbi beside me. The space was cramped, and all I could see were Skymint¡¯s boots. I imagined his broad shoulders blocking the view of the igloo¡¯s interior.


    "What are you doing here at this hour, brother?" a voice asked. It was his sister, her tone tinged with concern.


    "Just hanging out with my igloo because it misses me," Skymint replied casually.


    "Hmm, I might be able to guess what you¡¯re actually doing here. My nose doesn¡¯t lie."


    My heart pounded. She must have smelled the chicken soup I left on the table. Why do I keep finding myself in these situations? Please let Skymint be safe. I was more worried about him than myself.


    "It smells like ice abilities," she said sharply. "But don¡¯t think that¡¯s enough to cover up what you¡¯re hiding."


    Ice abilities can be smelled? I must have overlooked that detail while reading the Ice Manual. Or maybe it¡¯s just bears having a stronger sense of smell than humans. Whatever the case, I couldn¡¯t let her find me.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I forgot to give it to you, so I just ate it," Skymint said, his tone casual but firm.


    "Good luck explaining your extra dinner," she shot back. "I saw you with Llanova an hour ago, grinning while heading here. Care to explain? You clearly ate the soup willingly!"


    "I thought you¡¯d be resting at home after a long day of work with those ice-playing rich cubs," Skymint countered.


    "But I can¡¯t let you enjoy that soup. I was distracting you to make it soggy," his sister said confidently.


    Their argument continued briefly before I heard the door close. Their voices grew fainter as they moved outside.


    Relieved but worried, I looked around and realized something alarming¡ªChillbi was gone. When did he slip away? He¡¯d been right beside me moments ago. What if he went outside?


    I flinched under the wooden platform, accidentally hitting my head. "Ah!" I yelped, wincing as a sharp pulse shot through my skull. Crawling out from under the bed, I stumbled to my feet, nearly losing my balance. My gaze darted around the igloo until it landed on the crystalline desk¡ªand I froze. My chicken soup was gone. Not even the container was left behind.


    It would have been better if it were just soggy, but no. It had vanished completely. Chillbi... He must have eaten it.


    I sighed, frustration gnawing at my stomach, which was still aching with hunger. But before I could dwell on it any longer, I remembered something far more pressing. Chillbi was missing. My pulse quickened, and I rushed toward the door, hand trembling as it gripped the knob.


    Then Skymint¡¯s voice echoed in my mind: "It¡¯s too dangerous outside."


    I hesitated, my hand dropping to my side. He was right. I couldn¡¯t risk it. Pressing my ear to the door, I strained to hear what was happening beyond.


    "...she¡¯s dead. Felipe himself declared it," came a muffled voice¡ªa woman¡¯s, filled with concern. Skymint¡¯s sister. "I¡¯m worried about how the fall of their kingdom will affect us."


    The words struck like an ice shard to my chest. She¡¯s dead. No doubt, they were talking about me.


    I leaned harder against the door, my heart pounding so loud I feared they might hear it. Did they know what Skadar had done to me? What had they been told?


    "We¡¯re not part of their kingdom, so don¡¯t stress about it," Skymint replied, though his voice lacked its usual warmth.


    "But Skymint," his sister pressed, her tone urgent, "this isn¡¯t just about their kingdom. It¡¯s a tragedy that will ripple through neighboring territories. What if our island is next?"


    Tragedy. The word clawed at me, dredging up the memory of Aerol¡¯s death. The grotesque image of his lifeless body¡ªburned, ruined¡ªseared itself into my mind again. My breath hitched as tears pricked my eyes. I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself. I couldn¡¯t let them hear me cry.


    "I¡ªI don¡¯t know," Skymint stammered. "Let¡¯s just hope for the best."


    His sister¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. "I¡¯ve sensed something strange lately. Have you noticed it too?"


    "The strange occurrences at night?" he asked, his pitch rising slightly.


    "No, not that. Something else." Her voice grew sharper. "There are Wolfmen in the village. They¡¯re posing as traders, but we both know they rarely come here unless they have a reason."


    Wolfmen. My chest tightened. I knew why they were here. They were hunting me. Felipe must have declared me dead to eliminate competition in finding me.


    "Maybe they¡¯re just passing through," Skymint said, though he didn¡¯t sound convinced.


    "Way too convenient," she muttered. "Anyway, be careful, brother."


    "I will," he replied. "You heading home?"


    "Yes. Aren¡¯t you coming?"


    "I have something to finish first. I¡¯ll catch up later."


    Her footsteps faded, crunching the snow outside.


    I let out a shaky breath, backing away from the door. My gaze fell to the stool, and I hurried to sit down, pretending I¡¯d just finished eating. The soup no longer mattered. Chillbi¡¯s absence weighed heavier now.


    Skymint entered moments later, closing the door behind him. He scanned the room, his expression softening when his eyes met mine.


    "Sorry about my sister," he said, his voice gentle. "She worries too much. Are you alright?"


    I nodded quickly. "I¡¯m fine. But... have you seen Chillbi? He¡¯s gone."


    "What?" His eyes widened. "I didn¡¯t see him leave. Are you sure¡ª"


    The door creaked open again, cutting him off. We both turned, and there he was¡ªChillbi, waddling back inside as if nothing had happened.


    Relief washed over me. I scooped the little creature into my arms, setting him gently on the desk. His tiny black eyes darted nervously, and I leaned closer.


    "Chillbi, why did you go outside?" I asked softly, then immediately regretted the question. "What happened?"


    "Magic out!" he squeaked. "Me saw bird, bird!"


    I blinked. "Bird?"


    Skymint¡¯s face lit with recognition. "I think I know what he¡¯s talking about."


    "What is it?" I asked, curiosity bubbling despite my lingering anxiety.


    "There¡¯s been a dove flying around the village for the past four days," he explained. "It always appears whenever food goes missing. Vendors have started blaming it for their losses."


    A dove. My thoughts raced. Four days ago was when Sunstar Kingdom declared war on Glacia. Could it be connected?


    "Arie," Skymint said suddenly, his tone laced with suspicion. "Where¡¯s your soup?"


    Before I could answer, Chillbi chimed in, "Bird vanish it!"


    Skymint sighed, shooting a playful glare at the tiny creature. "Guess I¡¯ll have to buy you another one."


    I shook my head, turning away. "I don¡¯t want to eat."


    "You can¡¯t starve yourself," he said, his concern palpable.


    "I¡¯m not hungry," I murmured, sitting on the bed and pulling my knees to my chest.


    He hesitated, then joined me, his voice soft but firm. "Arie... you can¡¯t keep pushing me away. I¡¯m staying here. I¡¯ll protect you."


    Tears welled in my eyes, and I whispered, "You shouldn¡¯t. You have your sister, your life. You don¡¯t need to take responsibility for me."


    He rested a hand on my shoulder, his expression shadowed with a pain I hadn¡¯t noticed before.


    "I¡¯ve already made that mistake once," he said quietly.


    I looked at him, confused.


    "My mother," he explained. "I wasn¡¯t there when she needed me most. I left her side for just a moment, thinking I¡¯d have more time. But when I came back... she was gone."


    The anguish in his voice broke something inside me.


    "I couldn¡¯t even hear her last words," he continued. "I¡¯ll never forgive myself for that. So when I found you, I promised I wouldn¡¯t let it happen again."


    I wiped my tears, his words softening the jagged edges of my grief.


    "Thank you," I whispered.


    He smiled faintly. "You¡¯re safe here, Arie. And I¡¯ll make sure it stays that way."


    For the first time, I felt a fragile spark of hope. Skymint wasn¡¯t just my protector¡ªhe was my anchor, someone who truly understood. And in his quiet strength, I found the courage to let myself grieve, no longer hiding my tears.

 Chapter 16

    Lady Collfumes'' POV


    I finally knew.


    The curse that killed King Domestan.


    Aria Windcore... Did she know the truth? The truth that stole her husband¡¯s last breath? Her banishment was a grave mistake¡ªa misstep carved by that arrogant Ice Judge, so blinded by his own sense of righteousness. Glacia¡¯s justice system¡ªfractured, diseased¡ªhad failed her.


    Now, everything was unraveling: Aerol¡¯s death, Felipe¡¯s corruption, Arie¡¯s impending ruin. My gift of dream vision means nothing if I do nothing.


    Why her? Why does it have to be Arie? I try to convince myself it¡¯s just a dream, a figment of dread born from the shadows of sleep, but I can¡¯t escape it. The truth gnaws at me, relentless. She¡¯s alive.


    That should bring relief. It should. But for those of us who see, it¡¯s a revelation soaked in dread. Among seers, her survival is controversial¡ªa spark threatening to ignite something far darker. Felipe¡¯s rule is spreading its rot through everything, and Arie¡­ Arie is the key. I have to find her. I must.


    The cold wind clawed at my face as the forest grew denser, the moonlight fracturing through tangled branches like desperate fingers hiding the distant Greatspire Mountains. It had been two days since I left Glacia¡¯s crystalline, frozen expanse behind. Now, mud clung to the ground like decay, and only the ice bills I carried had made this journey possible.


    The eerie stillness pressed against me, a weight that made the chill seep deeper into my bones. A shiver coiled through my spine as the carriage wheels groaned beneath me.


    Then, the horse halted abruptly, its snort loud in the oppressive silence. I froze, my heart hammering. Before I could react, the coachman turned, his movement unnaturally fast, his face hidden in shadow.


    And then he lunged.


    My breath caught as something cold and sharp pressed into my neck, and before I could even scream, his fangs sank into my skin.


    A flash of agony shot through me, freezing my body in place. I fought, but my limbs felt like stone, the strength draining from my very core. A coldness deeper than the night itself swept over me, consuming everything¡ªmy will, my vision, my very sense of self. The carriage walls blurred and spun as I crumpled into the cold embrace of darkness.


    ***


    Skymint''s POV


    Another exhausting morning lay ahead, but this time it was different. I had a responsibility now¡ªto protect Arie. And it was impossible to dismiss it. I just hoped she was doing fine with Chillbi. Sleep had eluded me last night; the worry gnawed at me, a constant thought that something bad could happen to her at any moment.


    At dawn, I visited the igloo and found her already awake. Before leaving, I attached her ice camera to the igloo¡¯s exterior, a small reassurance in her absence. I promised to return after finishing my work in the afternoon.


    ¡°Skymint, you look pale today,¡± Llanova remarked, setting his mug on the garden table.


    ¡°Today? Isn¡¯t white always pale?¡± I chuckled, my eyes drifting to the snow-covered plants.


    ¡°Not your fur,¡± he replied with a pointed look. ¡°I mean your face¡ªit¡¯s like it¡¯s been tainted by my milk.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°Don¡¯t get me started on how you look tainted by cream.¡± My laugh was light, but I couldn¡¯t tell if his expression was more annoyed or genuinely concerned.


    ¡°Skymint¡ª¡±


    I cut him off before he could probe further. ¡°Yesterday, my soup vanished.¡±


    ¡°You ran into the robbery dove?¡± His eyebrows lifted in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I lied smoothly, unwilling to share the real scenario. ¡°On my way home, it swooped in, and suddenly my pouch was gone.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate,¡± he said with a sympathetic nod. ¡°So that¡¯s why your sister got mad¡ªshe thought you ate it.¡±


    I nodded, eager to steer the conversation elsewhere. Llanova had a talent for piecing things together, often getting uncomfortably close to the truth. I didn¡¯t like lying, especially to my best friend. But if protecting Arie meant keeping secrets, then so be it.


    ¡°We should get going,¡± I said, rising from the bench and gazing at the ocean just a few steps away.


    Llanova finished his milk and followed me. The sunlight caught his fur, highlighting its orangey undertones. The morning air breezed past, its crispness evident in its scent. But I didn¡¯t feel it¡ªnot because of my ice elemental fruit¡¯s cold resistance, but because of my hardened skin. My passive ability never switched off, not even when I¡¯d tried to comfort Arie.


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    As we left the garden where we usually ate breakfast, my eyes caught sight of the pier. Three Wolfmen traders stood there, clad in dark red cloaks. Llanova and I stepped from the snow onto the wooden planks leading to our boats. Their eyes turned to me, glinting with a peculiar secrecy.


    ¡°What can we offer you, handsome Polarman?¡± the female trader asked, making Llanova raise an eyebrow.


    I glanced at the locked crate she stood beside. ¡°Do you have any fruit cubes?¡±


    ¡°We do,¡± she said with a sly smile. ¡°But first, show us what you can trade.¡±


    I hesitated. I couldn¡¯t risk showing my fruit cube. Changing it meant losing my mastery over my current fruit, and that cost was too high. ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have anything valuable yet. I just wanted to take a look.¡± I offered a grin, feeling the offense simmering beneath their stoic expressions.


    ¡°That¡¯s unfair. You might be a plunderer,¡± another trader muttered, his tone accusing.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not,¡± I said, gesturing to Llanova. ¡°My friend here can prove it.¡±


    Llanova held up his hand, revealing a golden ring set with an orange gemstone.


    Their eyes gleamed with awe. ¡°The gemstone of heat resistance,¡± the female trader breathed.


    The bulky trader at the back unlocked the crate and dragged it forward with heavy arms. Inside were dozens of shiny black cubes, each etched with a glowing symbol. The symbols shimmered in different colors, each representing the color of the fruit stored inside the fruit cube.


    Then, something caught my eye. Among the glowing cubes was one that emitted a purple light, outlining its round symbol. Inside the circle, small glowing dots formed a scattered, almost hypnotic pattern, mimicking seeds. I sensed that it might be a rare dark elemental fruit because the temptation was magnetic, pulling me toward it.


    Before I could act, Llanova reached for it first.


    ¡°That¡¯s a superior one,¡± the slim trader said with an appreciative nod.


    ¡°Would you trade your little gem for it?¡± the female trader asked, her voice dripping with persuasion.


    Llanova hesitated, the fruit cube resting in his palm. ¡°My gem holds a lot of value to me. I don¡¯t want to lose it¡­ yet.¡± Slowly, he placed the cube back into the crate.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± she pressed. ¡°Someone else might trade for this power, and it¡¯ll be gone forever.¡±


    The male trader opened his mouth to offer something else, but Llanova cut him off. ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡±


    He glanced at me, a silent signal to end this interaction before they tried to push more of their enchanted trinkets on us.


    ¡°Just remember,¡± the female trader said, her tone charming yet unsettling, ¡°you¡¯re always welcome here.¡± She winked and let her fingers linger on Llanova¡¯s ring.


    My gaze shifted to the muscular trader¡¯s wrist. A silver bracelet gleamed there¡ªthe same kind I now noticed on the other two. The slim trader handed me a coin, brushing my hardened palm as he did so.


    Their smiles lingered, unsettling in their forced friendliness, as though they were trying too hard to seem human.


    Climbing into my boat, I noticed Arie¡¯s ice engine had melted, just as she¡¯d said it would. Ice elements always melted without their summoner nearby¡ªthe closer the summoner, the longer the ice endured. I didn¡¯t mind explaining my boat¡¯s upgrade to Llanova, though he didn¡¯t need to know it wasn¡¯t my doing.


    Until now, I haven¡¯t pieced together what led Arie to be buried deep beneath the Glacia Trench. She insists it¡¯s not time for me to know, and I respect her choice¡ªfor now.


    It couldn¡¯t have been Felipe. If it were him, she would¡¯ve been burned, not frozen.


    I stared at the coin in my palm, the wolf¡¯s head carved into its surface glinting under the sunlight. Without hesitation, I hurled it into the vast ocean, watching it vanish beneath the waves.


    ***


    Arie¡¯s POV


    I closed my eyes, focusing on the connection to the ice camera perched atop the door. Slowly, my blank vision filled with a cool, crystalline blue. The igloos outside came into view, surrounded by snow-laden pine trees. Polarmen passed by, some chatting with easy smiles, while others worked or played. The warmth in their interactions made my chest ache with longing.


    Claudius¡¯s words surfaced in my mind: "It would be great to meet a village of polar bears." We had always dreamed of this, and now I had achieved it. But at what cost? I could only observe from a distance, unable to join them, speak to them, or even reveal myself. Isolation weighed heavily on me. I tried to find solace in the presence of a companion who could only manage three-word phrases.


    My attention caught on a little cub standing in the snowy path, her bubbly eyes fixed on the ice camera. She stood motionless, her dress fluttering in the morning breeze, and waved as if she could see me. For a moment, unease rippled through me¡ªhow could she possibly know what the camera was? Only Glacians were familiar with Ice Technologies.


    Then I remembered what Skymint had shared last night. His sister babysat cubs from a wealthy Polarman family that once lived in the Glacia Kingdom before Felipe¡¯s invasion.


    It had to be her.


    ¡°Tundra!¡± Snowgale¡¯s voice cut through the morning air.


    Snowgale took the cub¡¯s hand and led her away. Relief washed over me. Skymint must¡¯ve explained the camera¡¯s purpose beforehand, sparing me from suspicion.


    Skymint told me he works until dusk, his sister¡¯s earnings unable to cover the ice bills needed for their towering debt. Though he didn¡¯t explain its source, I suspect it might be tied to his mother¡¯s treatment in the past.


    Before leaving, he prepared lunch for me. I disconnected from the ice camera and moved to the cold, pale-blue desk.


    Still, the isolation clawed at me. There had to be a way to communicate with the Polarmen without exposing myself as the Ice Princess¡ªor worse, the presumed-dead princess. My gaze fell on a pile of thin wooden sheets stacked against a nearby igloo. An idea struck me, risky but worth a try.


    ***


    Nightfall came, and the village grew quiet. Against the chill of Skymint¡¯s warning echoing in my mind, I slipped out of the igloo. Guilt pressed heavily on my shoulders, but Chillbi¡¯s earlier encouragement reassured me. The moonlight bathed my hooded figure as I moved silently through the stillness. The faint rustle of leaves accompanied my steps toward the wooden sheets I¡¯d noticed earlier.


    I darted forward and reached for one of the sheets, but I froze as a small figure emerged from beneath the slanted pile. My pulse quickened. How had I missed this?


    The cub stared at me with wide, curious eyes, his face slowly draining of color. Panic flickered across his expression before he bolted toward the housing area of the village.


    My heart sank.


    How could I have been so careless? The frightened look in his eyes said it all¡ªhe¡¯d seen me, and to him, I must have looked like a ghost. It wouldn¡¯t take long before rumors spread that the Ice Princess was alive.


    I hurried back to Skymint¡¯s igloo, my mind racing. This was bad. Very bad.


    To calm my nerves, I focused on forming ice in my hands, the cool sensation grounding me. The delicate lines of frost spiraled outward, a demonstration of my mastery over Ice Technology¡ªa skill few could replicate. But it wasn¡¯t enough to distract me from the memory of the cub¡¯s expression.


    His wide, terrified eyes lingered, a haunting reminder of what I had just risked.

 Chapter 17

    Skymint''s POV


    It has been two days since I started waking at dawn to check on Arie in my igloo. The sun hadn¡¯t yet spilled its light across the horizon, the frozen world still cloaked in quiet shadows. Slowly, I opened the door, careful not to disturb her if she was still asleep.


    But she wasn¡¯t. Arie was already awake, wrapped in the fur coat I¡¯d given her the day we met. For a moment, I almost admired her serene beauty. Almost¡ªuntil I noticed the white cardboard mask covering her face, painted crudely to resemble a polar bear.


    ¡°Arie,¡± I said, confusion gnawing at my calm. ¡°What are you up to?¡±


    She turned to me, brimming with energy, her voice light and playful. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the perfect disguise? Now I can go outside, and the Polarmen won¡¯t recognize me!¡± She punctuated her declaration with an exaggerated snarl, mimicking a wild animal.


    I sighed, pressing a hand to my face. ¡°They¡¯ll recognize you in two seconds. You¡¯re not even walking like a polar bear.¡±


    She laughed, utterly unbothered by my lack of amusement. ¡°Oh, Skymint, you haven¡¯t even seen me try yet¡ª¡±


    ¡°Arie went out,¡± came Chillbi¡¯s chime from the corner.


    I frowned, raising an eyebrow at her. ¡°You did?¡±


    Arie froze for a moment before slumping theatrically. ¡°Chillbi! I thought you¡¯d cover for me!¡± Even with the mask obscuring her face, I could picture the frown tugging at her lips.


    Chillbi, unfazed, replied, ¡°Me don''t lie.¡±


    Arie groaned, pulling the mask off with a huff. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to go out. It wasn¡¯t intentional, I swear.¡±


    ¡°But you did go out,¡± I said, my voice calm but firm. ¡°And who knows what might¡¯ve happened if I didn¡¯t know about it?¡±


    Her shoulders drooped further. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Skymint. I won¡¯t do it again. I promise.¡±


    I sighed, reluctant to scold her further. ¡°I¡¯ll let it go. Just this once.¡±


    Her expression softened, and she nodded earnestly. But I knew the truth¡ªif she defied me again, I wouldn¡¯t be able to stop her. She was the Ice Princess, after all. Protecting her wasn¡¯t just a duty. It was a necessity.


    ¡°Did anyone see you?¡± I asked, my voice carefully measured.


    She hesitated before answering, ¡°Just a cub. He ran off back toward the housing area.¡±


    A chill crept into my veins. ¡°What did he look like?¡±


    ¡°He had a brown beanie and a jumpsuit.¡±


    Relief washed over me as I connected the description. ¡°Flake,¡± I murmured. ¡°Mr. Puffin¡¯s late son.¡± The boy was mute. He couldn¡¯t tell anyone what he saw. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but worry.


    Arie¡¯s voice was soft, regretful. ¡°He looked so cute. Too bad I scared him.¡± She stared at the cold floor beneath her feet.


    ¡°It¡¯s not you,¡± I said, stepping closer. ¡°It¡¯s Felipe. He declared you dead, and now your very existence feels like a ghost story to them.¡± I managed a small smile, hoping it would lift her spirits.


    "Besides," I continue, "I have good news. I¡¯ve scheduled a meeting with the Guardian of Polarmen. We¡¯ll talk to him tomorrow¡ªhe¡¯ll help you."


    She lets out a dry chuckle. "Help me? He might faint if he realizes the Ice Princess is still alive."


    "He won¡¯t," I say firmly. "He¡¯s charismatic. A good man. He¡¯s helped countless people."


    "Where will we meet him?"


    "On the nearby island. His mansion is there." I set the pouch of bread down on the desk.


    "I see," she muses. "Then no need to go to Fresha Kingdom¡­ for now."


    When I turn back to her, she suddenly leans forward, wrapping her arms around me.


    Her warmth seeped into my frozen frame, melting the layers of my resolve for just a moment. I held her in return, letting the quiet stretch between us.


    When she pulled back, she gave me a faint smile. ¡°See you again at dusk, Skymint. Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Always,¡± I promised.


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    ***


    The snow-laden garden is quiet. Too quiet.


    I scan the familiar scenery¡ªsilver-dusted bushes, oak-colored benches, tables sprinkled with fresh snow. My usual morning spot. Llanova should be here.


    He always is.


    He¡¯s like a brother to me. A sibling in all but blood. We¡¯ve weathered hardships together, stood side by side through thick and thin. Like me, he doesn¡¯t fit the mold of an ordinary Polarman. But for him, the difference is starker¡ªborn of a Polarman and a Sandwoman, a living testament to a love that defied rules and tradition.


    My fingers curl.


    True love. The kind that risks everything. The kind that builds a home despite the weight of laws pressing down like icebergs.


    A gust of wind carries the scent of untouched snow, but Llanova is nowhere to be found.


    Llanova, where are you?


    An unease coils in my chest. I was just with him yesterday. But now, his absence feels suffocating.


    Ice engulfs my boots. I use it to propel myself forward, sprinting toward the village, toward Llanova¡¯s home.


    He never lets me visit. Not unless absolutely necessary. His uncle isn¡¯t a kind man¡ªshort-tempered, rigid, still carrying the burden of a scandal that changed their family forever. Llanova¡¯s father fell in love with an outsider, and though neither of us blame him, society did.


    I reach the door and knock.


    No answer.


    I knock again. Harder.


    Nothing.


    The snow crunches behind me.


    Turning, I find myself face-to-face with a tall, broad-shouldered Polarman. His thick eyebrows furrow, suspicion laced in his gaze.


    "Skymint," he says, voice tight. "Have you seen Llanova?"


    A chill seeps through me. "I was about to ask the same thing."


    "He¡¯s been gone since sunset," he continues. "I thought he might¡¯ve stayed at your igloo."


    The word igloo sends a jolt through me. My mind races, a dozen possibilities flashing at once.


    No. It can¡¯t be.


    "Maybe he volunteered for house transportation?" I say, forcing an incredulous smile. "He¡¯ll probably show up later, exhausted but bragging about how much he carried."


    The man folds his arms. "I didn¡¯t assign him to volunteer."


    I swallow.


    "And," he adds, his gaze piercing, "I ran into your sister this morning. I asked her to check your igloo. If my nephew is there, she¡¯ll find him."


    The ice in my veins thickens.


    No.


    Llanova can¡¯t be missing.


    My thoughts spiral, clawing through every plausible explanation¡ªevery best possibility¡ªbecause the worst is unthinkable.


    I don¡¯t have time to process.


    "Tell me everything you know," I demand, already turning on my heel, ice forming beneath my boots as I bolt away.


    ***


    Arie¡¯s POV


    I thought of the ice crown that once rested on my mother¡¯s head, the jagged diamond spikes glistening above her fine white hair¡ªa snowy landscape beneath the crystal. It wasn¡¯t impossible for a princess to be put on trial, but a queen? Banished from her own kingdom?


    Felipe must be lying. He has to be.


    Lady Collfumes, my mother¡¯s most trusted advisor and the Dream Seer of Glacia, never spoke ill of her. Even my brother, who always described her as the best woman in his life, never hinted at anything disgraceful. The only trait they ever mentioned¡ªsomething neutral rather than good or bad¡ªwas that she was cold. As harsh as the unforgiving winter.


    Whether she was banished or vanished, did it even matter? The kingdom had been left in the claws of a tyrant Wolf King. His empire had already fortified its stronghold, expanding its rule over nearby territories, but why ours? Why go so far to seize Glacia?


    The lack of knowledge gnawed at me. I wished there were books about the Wolf race in our kingdom.


    The way my brother died¡ªit was a cruel echo of my grandfather¡¯s fate. Burned to death by Felipe. The stories of the Glaciouso Massacre lived only through the accounts of those who served under King Aether. None of his siblings survived to tell the tale.


    I bit into my bread, but it was dry, tasteless against the whirlwind of emotions in my mind. Chillbi, usually interested in my food, was staring at me instead, tilting his head.


    "Do you think I''ll be able to handle the role of Ice Queen?" I asked, my gaze fixed on him.


    "Me think yes," he said, his voice small but certain.


    Before I could ask why, he suddenly leapt off the desk and scurried toward the door, sniffing intently. A moment later, the door burst open, shards of ice scattering across the floor. Chillbi yelped as he tumbled backward.


    I shot to my feet, my breath catching in my throat.


    Standing in the doorway was Skymint¡¯s sister. Her wide eyes were locked onto the ground as if she couldn''t believe what she was seeing.


    "Parasite!" Snowgale hissed.


    "No!" Chillbi spat back, scrambling upright.


    Then, she finally looked up¡ªand her gaze met mine.


    I was still holding my half-eaten bread.


    "Holy Glacia!" she gasped, slamming the door shut. Then, as if trying to test reality itself, she yanked it open again, hoping I¡¯d disappear like an illusion conjured by a phantom user.


    But I remained.


    Trembling, she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. She looked like she had just seen a ghost. Chillbi bared his teeth, growling, but I raised my hand, signaling him to stop.


    "Ice Princess? I¡ªI thought you were dead," she breathed.


    "Almost," I said calmly. "But Skymint saved me."


    She blinked rapidly. "Really? Him?" She still looked dazed. "This seems like a dream. But at the same time, it isn¡¯t."


    "Yes. He¡¯s my rescuer. I wouldn¡¯t be here if it weren¡¯t for him."


    "I''m not saying it''s impossible," she muttered, pacing. "But of all people¡ªSkymint? And he didn¡¯t tell me?" Her voice rose, laced with frustration and concern.


    She turned sharply to face me, her expression hardening.


    "You know what¡¯s at stake, right?" she said. "If Felipe finds out about this, my brother will burn. Not just him, but this whole village."


    The words sent an icy chill through my veins. My fingers went numb, and the bread slipped from my grasp, landing on the floor with a soft thud.


    Snowgale exhaled sharply. "I¡ªI¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to startle you." Her cheeks flushed, as if realizing how harsh she¡¯d been.


    I swallowed and steadied myself. "Snowgale, I should be the one apologizing. You just found out your brother has been hiding a presumed-dead princess in his igloo." I attempted a light tone, hoping to ease the tension.


    She studied me, then sighed. "How do you know my name?"


    "Skymint mentioned you once," I said with a small smile.


    "Just once?" She raised an eyebrow.


    I chuckled.


    Chillbi scurried toward the dropped bread, about to pick it up, but I beat him to it.


    "Wait¡ªno, not that bread anymore," Snowgale blurted.


    I blinked. "Lord Aalto would agree with you," I mused, recalling his obsession with cleanliness.


    "I¡¯ve been taught the importance of hygiene," I continued, "but also not to waste food."


    She looked at me like I¡¯d just sprouted wings.


    "I don¡¯t want Skymint thinking I¡¯m careless with his ice bills," I admitted, my smile faltering.


    Her mouth parted slightly.


    "Wow," she murmured. "You''re... kinder than I expected. I admire that."


    Warmth bloomed in my chest.


    "Thanks," I said softly. "Also, call me Arie. I¡¯m no longer a princess."


    And then, I told her everything¡ªhow Skymint rescued me, how I ended up here, and what little I knew about the kingdom¡¯s fate. Everything¡­ except how I ended up frozen. That secret, for now, would remain buried beneath the ice.