❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ Two ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

A Simple Bet

The majestic estate, candled with icy spires, was the grandstanding backpiece of the Regalian Kingdom. The Lotus castle was engulfed in noise: noise from the construction going on outside and noise from the babbling royal court within. Snow found herself engulfed in the saws of wood, picking of stone, and ramblings of people just below the study room window.

Clack!

A stick slapped at the wood of Snow’s desk, startling her and making her nearly fall from the seat. An aging man with a book of texts hovered over her.

“Snow, dozing off again, are we? How about you give us the answer to the question then?” The mentor questioned.

The royal children were being mentored on nobilic politics and logistics. Mentor Ruba, a retired banker and family friend, led the monotonous teachings. Each student had their own desk, with Snow in the back left, Lussuria in the back right, Gravis in the front left, and Lilly in the front right. These lessons have served as the foundation of their political knowledge. So it was of great importance. But, As usual, everyone looked dreadfully bored.

“I already know the flags of all the major holds and kingdoms….” Snow rolled her eyes.

“Knowing a kingdom’s flag is not the only necessity for a high noble. You must know how each of the five realms operates: politically, culturally, and morally. That leads me to your question Snow. How are the five realms governed, and who leads them?”

Snow sighed, “Well, first, you have our kingdom, run by Queen Deamonia, our mother. Next, you got the Elves in the great forest up north, a non-hereditary monarchy headed by Elf Queen Lourissa. Third, you got the council of the mountaineer kingdom in the east, run by a republic integrated with King Raden. Fourth is the angelic dictatorship of the west, led by Archangel Michael. Fifth and lastly, the villages and tribes of the insects and moths, located in the southern marshes, each with their own separate rules: from anarchy to war chiefs. All realms yield to Mom’s decrees, policies, and taxes.

“hm.. very good... But still, don’t doze off in here!” Mentor Ruba scoffed before he started flipping through the pages of his book of texts.

“Why is the insect swamplands even considered a country if they aren’t unified, they are just a bunch of barbaric clans.” Gravis leaned back, arms crossed.

“Gravis, watch what you say! The insect peoples are a competent race who became our greatest ally in the war. They may be small and composed of separate groups, but their ability to unify together when the time calls is astonishing. Also, their battle prowess is respected by even your mother. So have respect.” Mentor Ruba very much disliked Gravis’ comment.

“These lectures are so boring. I’m sorry, mentor, but I think we should learn more interesting things.” Lussuria chimed in, leaning against her palm while watching the ticking clock in the front of the room.

Mentor Ruba shook his head, “Knowing everything about every kingdom, how everything operates, is a basic necessity of a noble and an heir. Swinging a sword may give you power, but being able to hold onto it is a different story.” The mentor flipped through more pages of the large text before stopping near the end of the book. “Let’s move on to the next topic; guilds.”

A collective sigh filled the room.

The mentor sucked his teeth at the ‘elated’ response.

“Fine,” The book was shut. “How about we speak about the wardens.”

“Wardens?” Snow repeated; the memory of how Warden Isabella rounded up those mercenaries during the Vulcas rebellion came to mind, on top of the fact that she had that incredible strange power to read memories.

“Ah, so that has gotten your attention, Snow. Let us speak about the strongest tool your mother has at her disposal; The Wardens.”

“Yaay! Wardens! Pow pow! Better listen, or the big bad warden will punish you!” Lilly exclaimed as she punched the air.

The mentor looked to Gravis, “Gravis, this question is for you; can you please share everything you know about the uses of the wardens.”

Gravis grew jittery before giving her answer.

“Well, wardens are mom’s way of enforcing her laws in places that are not under her direct control. They are the strongest frostblooded warriors alive, and each realm has one. Not only are they veteran warriors, but each has unique frostblood abilities honed over a decade of training and-” Gravis was cut off when icy pellets bounced off her shoulder.

“Pow Pow, you break the rules, then I break you! Pow!” Lilly declared as she started her icy assault on Gravis from her chair.

“Stop playing around, Lilly. Mom said no shooting ice indoors!” Gravis shouted while swatting away Lilly’s ice pellets.

“I’m a big bad warden. I’m going to get you!” Lilly hopped out of her seat and launched icy shells with each stomp forward.

“No, you won’t….” Lussuria muttered. Lilly’s advance was stopped when two feint strings hooked into her clothes and began dragging her back.

“Oh no, she got me! Please, Ms. Warden, I’ll follow the rules, don’t freeze me!” Lilly got pulled up to Lussuria’s desk before Lussuria smothered her head. “Noo! Ah, I’m frozen!” Lilly gave off a playful cry before lying still on the ground. Then, she and Lussuria started laughing.

“Make all the fun you want. Any warrior strives to be at the level of a warden. They are an inspiration to anyone picking up the sword. I will be just as strong one day, and you won’t be laughing!” Gravis stood up in anger.

The mentor hit the leg of Lilly’s empty desk with his trusty stick. “Back to your seat Lilly!” Lilly hopped up and scurried back to her seat. Once order had been returned to the study room, Mentor Ruba continued, “Now, some of what Gravis said is true. The Ring of Wardens are notably the strongest warriors your mother has; their strength is unparalleled. However, their job as such force is merely a last resort. There are more than five of them, and when dealing with the holds they are assigned, their primary jobs are investigating and guarding essential assets. They are not meant to enforce laws as everyone thinks. Suppose your decrees and guidances are not culturally accepted or highly unpopular. In that case, they most likely won’t be implemented; therefore, having knowledge of the country is vital, hence these lessons.

After lessons ended, Snow was summoned to the throne room. She descended the curved steps into the snowflake hall. The guards that dotted the pillars stood at attention as she passed them. Upon reaching the regal doors, the guards opened them for her. The High Queen’s room of command was long and elegant. There were huge glass windows on the east side and a beautiful dark blue rug mended with real gold that rolled atop the pristine floor up to the icy throne.

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“Clear the room until called….” High Queen Deamonia motioned her hand once Snow was halfway to the throne.

The guards turned in sync and marched out from the sides of the room.

Once the room was cleared, her mother’s confident and proud demeanor melted into that of a serious one.

“What’s the issue, Snow?” The Queen began her questioning when Snow was at the bottom of the icy dais.

“Good question; what is the issue? You did summon me after all.”

There was a pause, then the Queen shook her head.

“I was informed about your last training with master Keine and was told it went less than satisfactory.”

“Mom, I don’t know what to tell you. I am trying.” Snow took stock of the empty room as her nostrils flared in anger. “Mom, I’ve been trying! Really, punishment is unfair!”

“Who said anything about punishment?” Her mother said innocently. The Queen of Frost opened her palm, and tiny flakes descended upon it, rapidly growing into an elegant dagger that radiated an intense cold. “Come here.”

Snow bit her lip. Any excuse she could have come up with immediately dissolved when faced with her mother. Her heart began to beat faster and faster at her mother’s cold face.

“What are you waiting for? Come here, dear.” Those words, spoken softly and clearly but overly intimidating.

Snow’s legs moved on their own. As she stepped up the icy dais, right up to her mother, she tried to strengthen herself for what would happen.

“Give me your hand.” Her mother demanded.

Snow did as she was told. Her mother grabbed her hand and lifted it up to the blade.

Snow didn’t know what felt colder, her mother or the blade. She winced as the sharp dagger ran across her skin for an inch before her mother pulled it away.

The cut only stung for a moment.

“Look.” Her mother wiped away the blood with her finger. The cut was just a standard small cut, then suddenly, the blood within turned white. “Do you feel it growing in you or changing you?”

Snow tried, but she felt nothing.

The cut formed an icy scab before dissolving away like nothing had happened.

“I don’t know, not really.”

“Maybe, we should make a bigger cut.” Her mother said thoughtfully, the dagger growing much, much longer

“uh no, no, I think it’s alright!” Snow quickly retorted.

Snow’s mother chuckled a little bit. “I’m just kidding. It’s clear you have the frost. You are just unable to command it for some reason. I have my suspicions, but to be completely honest, I hope you wouldn’t have to resort to using our blessing.

Snow’s mother got up and sat at the topmost throne stair, beckoning Snow to sit next to her. The sharp dagger she was holding melted into water that clung and disappeared into her arm.

“Listen, Snow, I’m hard on you because I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

Snow raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in her mother’s softened tone.

“The fact that you have it but can’t use it is probably a blessing in disguise, and perhaps best that the frost stays that way… But, I don’t want to sound selfish by saying if your weakness affects my rule, like if someone kidnaps you for ransom or gain, that would be a significant problem for me. It could also be even more sinister, just being who you are will put you in great danger. Since you are a frostborn, it is hard to kill you. But, I don’t want the worst to happen, that you end up in a situation where you wish for death, but your body won’t allow it. There have been frost veterans who were tortured for years on end only because their bodies were strong enough to live through it. I don’t want you to ever experience something like that just for someone to get back at me. “Her mother hunched over in exhaustion.

“I see what you’re saying, mom. I do. That’s why I’m asking for help.” Her mother wasn’t angry but genuinely worried.

But this conversation wasn’t over just yet.

“Snow, I’ve run out of mentors to teach you. I can show you how to use the frost, but bringing it out is an obstacle everyone needs to pass on their own.”

“I’ll figure it out. I just need more time.”

The Queen shook her head.

“Snow, threats are growing every day, it’s only a matter of time until something happens, and you need to be ready. We are at a crucial time, and I can’t have you like this here. It’s too much of a risk.”

Snow was confused. What was her mom trying to say? Risk?

“What are you trying to say, mom?” Snow said aggressively.

“I have received several arrangements for you. Of course, I don’t believe in arrangements because of how unbecoming they are. But I’ve received one for which I have decided to make an exception.”

“Arrangement?”

“Now, it may seem like a cause for alarm, but trust me. I looked into this for close to a year now.”

Snow stood up, nearly slipping off the steps.

“No…”

“Not even to the Mountaineer king himself?”

Snow stumbled to the bottom of the stairs, looking back up at her mother. Who responded to the gaze by continuing.

“Snow, you have an opportunity here to do more good than any of your sisters with absolutely no effort at all. You have worked well with Vulcas. After saving King Raden, you managed to clean up a lot of their corruption, set their finances straight, and exponentially increased their trust in us. Even getting laws passed through their consul seems to be something you are very competent in managing. Marrying Raden would practically assimilate that country into our society. It is a ginormous deal.”

“I’m not going to be married off!” Snow shouted, “How could you even consider that!”

“Snow, I’m not ‘marrying you off’ to some nobody here. We are speaking about the mountaineer king; he holds the largest realm, is around your age, and has a kind heart. Not to mention, you would become Queen of the mountaineer kingdom.”

“That’s not what I want.”

“You will be safe, well taken care of, respected, and loved. This is in your favor completely!”

“Why? Because I am none of those things here?! Do you really think I am in better hands in the mountaineer kingdom?” Snow could feel the blood rushing to her face. She squeezed her fist and stomped back up the throne’s steps, leveling with her mother’s face. “My answer is no!”

The Frost Queen slowly rose and returned to her seat.

“You will be mad at me, and I will accept that, but you will marry King Raden.”

“All you care about is me activating my frostblood. It has nothing to do with anything else!”

“It is, as I said, you are not safe.”

“I can handle myself.”

“Maybe against the common folk. But as a frostblood, you need to be even stronger. You need to be better.”

“I am! Just give me a chance to prove it!”

“And how will you do that? Win the nobles skirmish?” The Queen sarcastically inquired.

“Yes, actually. How about that? I bet I could win the whole damn thing!”

“Snow, come on, let’s be realistic here.”

“I’ve made you bow once before; did you forget? Let me fight in the skirmish, and when I win it, you can’t tell me what to do anymore!”

There was a long silence as mother and daughter locked eyes.

“Very well, Snow, I will enroll you in the nobles skirmish. If you somehow win, then I will rescind your engagement. If not, you will fully accept and marry the mountaineer king without complaints. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”