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—no, 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—this was even more unexpected—General 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—real 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—detached, 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—'Sky' for your right eye, the pale blue one, and 'Mint' for the light green left."

His expression faltered. "Yeah... Did you find it—awful?"

"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.

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His voice dropped, quieter. "But I always wished they'd both be the same—either 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—tease 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—enough 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—though mostly from my fellow Polarmen. Or should I say Polarwomen?"

I snorted, surprised by the joke. "I thought men wanted to be princesses now—before 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—he'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—well, 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—

"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—too 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—Princess. 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—faint 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—maybe 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—" 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—then 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—it'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—but only for a moment—before 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—

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—whispered in hushed tones by Lady Collfumes when I was young.

The Ice Monster's Lair.