A few days ago,In the Queen's Palace, Frostwyn North, in the realm of Varidianth.It was Elios Silverlake's first visit to the Queen's Palace in the northernmost region of Varidianth. Just a year ago, before the tragedy of Umbravale unfolded, Queen Varidianth still resided in her palace in Remirer. A classic-style palace with numerous towers and surrounded by high walls, earning it the name Ruby Citadel. It was within these walls that Seraphina and Dravon spent their childhood.However, since the tragedy in Umbravale, Queen Varidianth decided to relocate part of her government to Frostwyn, the furthest region from the Kingdom of Valorthorn. Not only in Frostwyn, but specifically in the 'north' part of Frostwyn, which consisted of icy mountains. Thus, the palace was built right at the foot of the mountain, in a position seemingly impervious to attacks from the Kingdom of Zyronox and other realms. However, according to Elios, such a position only made it easier to be cornered."Her Maj
A few days earlier, in Frostwyn.In his life of not yet twenty years, Will had never set foot in a prison. But the prison in Frostwyn was the coldest he knew. With floors and walls frozen, the air was so dry it was difficult to breathe. From distances that felt too close, Will could hear someone's groans and the sound of their breath. But he couldn't see anything except the dim lights far away.Will tightened his formal cloak, trying hard to maintain his expression as Dravon turned towards him. Whatever he felt at the moment, all the fear and discomfort he felt now, Will wouldn't show it. Because he knew Dravon was more hurt by being in this place.Nevertheless, Will's poker face wouldn't deceive anyone. Without a word, Dravon took off his torn cloak and draped it over Will's shoulder."Sorry," Dravon finally said. "For putting you in this position.""Well," Will shrugged on Dravon's formal cloak onto his back, grateful that at least the cloak was warm enough for him. "Given how dire
One day earlier, in Frostwyn.The dark sky outside his spacious room window revealed streaks of green aurora, resembling a veil from heaven.Elios gazed at the sky for a while before letting out a long sigh. He promptly shrugged off his thick coat, leaving him in a thick black sweater.The room heater had just been turned on, so the temperature in the room was still too cold. But within a minute, it would soon warm up. That's why Elios opened his wardrobe, intending to grab a comfortable T-shirt to wear. It was then he found a piece of paper on top of his neatly stacked clothes. Written in rough and messy handwriting, all in capital letters."TONIGHT, I WILL ALSO SLEEP IN THE SERVANTS' DORMITORY, YOUR GRASS. YOU CAN CALL ME BY PRESSING THE BELL BUTTON ON THE NIGHTSTAND. REGARDS, LANA."Elios chuckled at the possibility of misunderstanding the affectionate letter. But only for a moment. Because the next second, he remembered Lana's gaze on him in the Council Chamber.After twenty-nine
The room Fey referred to as Kieran's turned out to be a large chamber once occupied by his parents. With a heavy heart, Kieran walked down the corridor, inevitably reminiscing about how he used to pass through this place as a child, awake in the middle of the night due to bad dreams.Standing in front of the grand wooden door, Kieran clenched his fists. He used to knock on this door and call out to both his parents. "Pa... Ma..." Two words that would never feel the same unless he said them to summon both of his parents.After steeling his resolve, Kieran pushed the door open. A strange scent of blueberries immediately greeted him, accompanied by the dim light from the bedside lamp on the nightstand. The room was spacious, with three walls lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. On one side, devoid of bookshelves, lay a large, freshly made bed adorned with satin drapes.Approaching the nightstand, Kieran switched on the lamp atop it, casting a bit more light into the roo
Rain cascaded heavily in the skies of Valorus. The temperature plummeted outside, causing the windows to be veiled with a thin layer of mist. Yet, Dravon remained fixated on the droplets clinging to the glass before trickling down. It seemed easier than absorbing the stifling atmosphere pervading the room.His foster father, the King of Valorthorn, sat slouched on his throne, weary, observing the experts elucidate the events that had unfolded. Meanwhile, his foster brother, the Crown Prince, simply savored his wine, lost in thought."In short, Your Majesty, although both patterns drawn in Rainvale failed, they will remain active if His Highness completes the next two magic patterns," said one of the pattern magic experts, quoting from a book even children could read. Dravon struggled to stifle a yawn."Two patterns," the King reiterated after yawning. "But shouldn't there only be one magic pattern allowed to be drawn in a year?"Another expert interjected greedily. "Absolutely correct
Gently grasping the mane of his large, white steed, Dravon relished the raindrops trickling down his face. As they journeyed down the quiet roads towards the distant hill, Dravon lost track of time spent on horseback. Perhaps around three hours. Yet, he felt no weariness. For it was the first time he had ridden in a year.Though Dravon's current mount was but a large white horse rumored to be frail and short-lived, he held a deep affection for the creature. He even bestowed upon it the name Hope, aligning it with Will's name, though Will need not know. Silently resolving to ride alone more often to foster a closer bond with Hope, as he had grown too accustomed to traveling by carriage.For what seemed like an eternity, Dravon finally caught sight of Star Hill. The hill earned its name for its round, modest size, crowned with garden lights and fairy lights adorning its trees. One of the grand estates, a source of pride for the Zephyr family, the oldest and most respected lineage in Val
After two days staying at Manor Nyxshade, Kieran appeared at the breakfast table the next morning looking disheveled. His hair was tousled, with dark circles under his eyes. A foul smell emanated from his unwashed body since yesterday."Oh my, are you alright?" exclaimed a startled Julian. Meanwhile, Serena looked equally weary beside him, absentmindedly tracing her fingers over the soft ham sandwich."I'm alright, Jules," Kieran replied. The next moment, he coughed. However, Kieran simply sat in his chair, at the end of the table. As he passed, he gently stroked Lunabelle's head, who was quietly finishing her sandwich."I feel utterly drained realizing I'll end up like you in the future," Serena muttered wearily. "Imagining I'll become exactly like my father—ugh!""You're all too soft," Seraphina commented sharply. Serena glared at the woman, but Seraphina simply ate her sandwich calmly, using utensils. Yet, Seraphina was right. This morning she was even neat and fragrant in a beauti
"Thank you so much, Fey," Julian expressed gratitude as Fey kindly handed him several cleaning tools he needed to tidy up his father's house. "Let me be the one to move all of this into the car.""Make sure you use all these tools carefully," Fey cautioned him. "But if any of them get damaged, please let me know. So I can call the equipment repairman right away.""Alright, Fey," Julian nodded, watching Fey's back as she walked away from the kitchen and pantry. With no one around, Julian let out a sigh of sadness. He quickly grabbed a large vacuum cleaner and a mop stick, along with a small basin to hold cleaning cloths, floor soap, and other supplies, carrying them all out through the glass door in the kitchen.As Julian crossed the backyard of the manor towards his car parked in the narrow parking lot at the edge of the yard, he thought about how much he didn't want to do this. Cleaning the house and ice cream shop for the last time and selling it, was like saying goodbye to his fathe