Elara laughed again, giving her daughter a warm bear hug.

"Oh, come now Little Yvanna, you're too old to be pampered."

Yvanna scowled, but her shoulders dropped slightly.

'Time to deal the finishing blow!'

She snuggled into her mother's bosom and looked up at her while pressing her bear ears flat on her head, trying to appear as meek as possible.

"Does that mean Mama doesn't love me anymore?"

Elara's eyes softened as she looked down at her daughter, who was putting on the most convincing display of vulnerability.

"Oh, sweetheart, you know Mama loves you no matter what. You're my little cub, lazy and all."

She tightened her hug to such a degree that Yvanna started to suffocate but she endured, after all, her plan was working perfectly so far.

'All... according to the plan!'

"But Mama, Papa's sending me off to Frostspear, I won't be able to see you again!"

Yvanna's eyes began to water, not from sadness but from being suffocated, but her mother thought her dear daughter was sad to part with her.

"Don't worry sweetie! I will talk to your father about it!"

Elara's hug became tighter, to the point that Yvanna was starting to run out of breath. Still, she endured this one last hurdle, knowing the reward would be worth the pain.

"I love you too, Mama!"

She hissed between gritted teeth, not even sure if she could speak much longer.

"Why can't I just stay here with you?"

Yvanna's mother, Elara, finally released her from the bear hug, chuckling at the dramatic display. Yvanna, gasping for breath, managed to regain her composure and grinned sheepishly, realizing that her plans had failed big time.

"You're still quite the actress, my Little Yvanna,"

Elara said with an amused twinkle in her eyes.

"But don't worry too much. We're family, and distance won't change that. Besides, it's an opportunity for you to grow and learn."

*Sigh*

Yvanna sighed, her theatrics momentarily forgotten.

"But Mama, Frostspear is too far away, and I'll have to deal with the stronghold and the finances and everything. It's just... overwhelming."

Elara gently cupped Yvanna's face, looking into her eyes with a reassuring smile.

"You're stronger than you think, my cub. The Rochelot blood runs in your veins, and with the skills you've acquired and your determination, you'll face challenges head-on. Plus, I believe in you, and so does your father."

Yvanna sighed, feeling a bit relieved that her family was so loving and a bit annoyed that she couldn't bail out of the banishment.

"I know, Mama. It's just that... I'm worried about the finances and running the stronghold efficiently. Papa promised ten gold fangs, but it doesn't seem enough."

Elara's expression shifted to a rather helpless one,

"I understand, my child. It's just that when a 'Human' goddess granted you a gift, your father had to take measures to prevent unrest among the northern nobles. As you know, we are different from the other noblemen, in the North where only strength matters. For this reason, your father has the responsibility to maintain peace in these frozen lands."

Yvanna nodded, it's not like she didn't understand the complexities of her father's decision. The political landscape in the north was quite different from the southern regions, her father had to keep them all in line, or by now this place would have been deserted ages ago. But,

'Why Frostspear!'

"I understand, it's just a lot to take in, you know?"

Elara patted Yvanna's head, her touch comforting. Thankfully she didn't exert too much strength or her head would have burst open like a watermelon.

"I know, my dear. But remember, you're not alone. You have the support of your family, and you can always rely on us for guidance. And about the finances, don't worry too much. We'll find a way to make it work."

Yvanna managed a small smile,

"Thanks, I'll do my best."

"That's the spirit, my Little Yvanna! Now, rest up. You have some tediously long days ahead of you."

Yvanna nodded, and with the help of her mother, took off her armor and laid down on the bed to laze away like usual.

Elara sighed at her antics and walked out of her daughter's room, making her way to her husband's study.

*

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

As Elara entered Eustace's study, she found the towering man sitting hunched in his chair, engrossed in various maps and documents. The room was filled with the scent of aged parchment and the dim glow of candlelight.

"Dear, don't you think straight up banishing Yvanna is a bad idea? She seems troubled even thinking about her new responsibility. Perhaps you should show her a bit more leniency."

Elara suggested, taking a seat opposite her husband.

Eustace sighed, running a hand through his snow-white beard.

"I know Elara, I know, but it's not that simple. The Northern Nobles respect strength over all else, they won't easily accept a young lady, much less one blessed by a human goddess. Banishing her to Frostspear is a way to avoid unnecessary conflicts and it also allows her to live a normal life."

Elara leaned back, her expression thoughtful.

"I understand the necessity, but she's still our daughter. She's not just a pawn on a political chessboard."

Eustace nodded, his eyes tired but determined.

"Elara, I love her just as much as you do. But our responsibility is not just to our family; it extends to the entire Rochelot Barony. Yvanna had the potential to become a great leader, but she went up and destroyed her reputation by acting like a fool. Even then things could have been remedied had she awakened a powerful gift but instead she was blessed by a human goddess."

Elara nodded, her gaze softening.

"I know, but she's still our little cub. I worry about her well-being, and she seems to be struggling with the financial aspects."

Eustace leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.

"The finances are indeed a concern. Ten gold fangs may not be enough to sustain the stronghold and its inhabitants. I've been considering some options, but I need to tread carefully."

"What do you have in mind?"

Elara inquired.

Eustace glanced at the maps on his desk.

"I was just looking through some of the reports from around that area, looks like they found a Permafrost Iron vein in the nearby hills."

Elara raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.

"Permafrost Iron? That's a valuable metal. But how can it help with Yvanna's situation?"

Eustace explained,

"If she can secure a mining outpost there and trade the Permafrost Iron ores with us, it could significantly boost her income and fill the resource gap in the Barony. We are currently facing a shortage of metal to forge weapons, especially since we will be going to war with the Coyote kingdom soon."

Elara nodded in understanding.

"That sounds like a viable plan. It could not only provide a solution to the financial issues but also strengthen our military capabilities. But convincing Yvanna to undertake such a task won't be easy. She seems overwhelmed already."

Eustace sighed, acknowledging the problem.

"I'll have to talk to her and make her understand the gravity of the situation. Frostspear is not just a punishment; it's an opportunity for her to prove herself and secure the future of our barony."

Elara placed a reassuring hand on Eustace's, offering silent support.

"Yvanna is resilient, Eustace. I believe in her, and so should you. We'll guide her as best we can, but she needs to find her own path."

Eustace nodded, grateful for his wife's wisdom.

"Anyway, her entourage's living expenses can be compromised till she gets the mining outpost up and running. Me and Ursus used to dig a hole to sleep in when were stationed there."

Elara sighed, she knew convincing her husband would be a challenging task but never in her wildest dream would she have imagined him to be such an idiot.

"You know, a woman's living expenses are much higher than that of a man. They need a lot of stuff to be up and ready to work or fight."

Eustace shrugged as he began to pile up the maps lying scattered around his desk,

"Then I will simply send only men in her entourage."

Elara glared at her husband,

'This idiot, really?'

"So you will send your beautiful, blossoming daughter off to some isolated place with a bunch of men. To think she called you 'papa' some time ago, maybe I should tell her what you mean to do with her entourage."

Eustace froze,

"How dare you?"

He shouted, turning red in the face.

"How could you suggest that I would tarnish the honor of my own daughter? No matter the distance to Frostspear, my authority reigns supreme! We are a noble family, and any man in her retinue who dares to insult or mistreat my daughter will face consequences beyond imagination. In fact, upon further reflection, I decree that her entire entourage must consist solely of women! No man is to come within ten meters of her, or I shall personally wield the blade of retribution!"

Elara turned her head in shame... or not,

'Hehehe, got him! He fell for it hook, line, and sinkers.'

Eustace froze and realized that he had overplayed his hand. After a long moment, Elara cracked a smile, knowing that she had won this silly war of words.

"Fine, you win. Let it be women, then."

She was enjoying this game a little too much.

"But mark my words, that stronghold is in the middle of nowhere, and it's cold enough to freeze the hairs on a yeti's arse! How is our Little Yvanna supposed to survive that? She's more suited for an office job in your office rather than managing a distant frozen island!"

Eustace sighed, getting tired of his wife's antics,

"What do you want? I will try to fulfill your request, as long as you don't ask me to not send her there."

Elara's eyes glinted with mischief as she took in her husband's words.

"Why, thank you, dear. If you must send our daughter to that hellhole, then please remember to give her proper financial resources to face the harsh climate. Let her be well-prepared for anything, including the worst."

"Very well, I shall make sure she has every copper she needs to keep that stronghold up and running."

He agreed. No matter what the cost was, the banishment of Yvanna to the isolated stronghold was a necessary decision to preserve the status quo of the Northern political climate. If he didn't, well let's just say a civil war would be the least of his problems.

Eustace smiled, hoping to gain his wife's gratitude for the concession he just made. But instead, what greeted him was the icy smile of his wife when she was pissed off.

"I believe we have one more issue to resolve."

"And that would be what?"

Eustace asked, his eyes twitching from the premonition that he was in a lot of trouble.

"I believe someone just shouted at me."

Eustace's eyes widened as he realized that he had just dug a hole for himself. The towering Tundra Knight-Commander had faced some particularly vicious foes on the battlefield but going against his wife? Na-uh, not unless he wants to wake up tomorrow with all his hair trimmed off.

"Oh, come on now, honey. Do you think you can get away with yelling at me like one of those dumb Yetis? Think again."

Elara's tone was sickeningly sweet and the glint in her eyes was starting to get ominously thunderous.

"I... I didn't mean to..."

Eustace stammered, attempting to salvage the situation, but he already knew... he messed up!

"No excuses, love."

Elara vanished from her seat and appeared right behind Eustace, her arms wrapped around his collar in a loving embrace but he could still feel the icy chillness of her true intentions.

"I am sorry, Elara. I shouldn't have raised my voice like that."

Eustace's apology sounded more like a defeated sigh, but Elara wasn't one to let things slide easily.

"Try again, and this time, make it sincere."

Eustace cleared his throat, realizing that there was no escaping this predicament.

"I'm sorry, Elara. I should have controlled my temper, and I shouldn't have shouted at you."

Elara's icy expression softened, and she nodded in approval.

"Good. Now, make sure you think twice before raising your voice again, especially at your wife."

Eustace nodded, realizing he had just escaped another encounter with baldness,

"Understood. I'll keep that in mind."

Elara's demeanor shifted from stern to playful, a mischievous glimmer returning to her eyes.

"Now, since you've apologized, how about you take me out for a nice dinner, hmm? Oh, and since Yvanna would be gone, I would be so lonely! So let's try our best to give her a younger sibling alright."