“Oh my—you 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—especially 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—they 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 narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
The nobles below smile and sway as if their world isn’t teetering on the edge. It must be nice—to 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—my sister, my people—rest 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—and 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—my 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—once my childhood rival—is 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. "Just like your ice and electric powers."
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—like 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.