In front of Rose's gravestone, the "Ice Lord" sat as still as a statue carved from frost. His hand gripped her necklace tightly, and his eyes, drowned in silence, told tales of longing that words could never hold. The heavy stillness of the graveyard was broken only by the rhythmic beat of wings from above; it was Sora, the faithful eagle. He landed with grace, extending a leg where a message was bound.
The Ice Lord took the letter, recognizing the handwriting instantly. It was Andre. He broke the seal and began to read:
"I am training with a brutality beyond description. Your friend 'Lao' is not a teacher, but a tyrant who delights in shattering my bones daily with grueling exercises, not to mention the lethal sword drills. To be honest, I've brushed against death several times. But if this is the price to become stronger, I am willing to pay it.
How is the team? Three months have passed, and despite the short time I spent with you all, I've come to consider you my family. Give them my regards. Oh, and there is a young man training with me named 'Ain.' He's a good friend despite his extreme temper. He sends his greetings and says: 'Forget about me joining your team; I have other priorities.'
One last thing... hold onto that 'woman-chasing' eagle and don't let him fly over our tent again. Believe me, Ain will roast him if he sees him there!"
A faint laugh escaped the Ice Lord's chest, briefly dispelling the gloom of the place. He looked at the eagle and asked mischievously, "So... what did you do this time? Confess."
Using a sharp talon, Sora skillfully scratched words into the dirt: «I was flying and saw Ain's mother. I landed to greet her, and she hugged me, saying: 'Sora! It's been so long!' Then Ain saw me, drew his sword, and tried to kill me!»
The Ice Lord gave him a look of mock disgust. "Will you never repent for those perverted facial expressions? Even mothers aren't safe from you?"
Sora shook his head in feigned innocence, but the Ice Lord teased, "It seems I'll have to pluck your feathers to teach you a lesson."
The eagle recoiled in terror, bumping into the feet of Emily, who had appeared suddenly. She asked about the bird's fright, and the Ice Lord recounted the story. Emily initially defended the eagle, saying, "Is his beauty a sin to be punished for?"
The eagle let out a triumphant squawk, mocking his master. But Emily's face suddenly darkened as she added in a bone-chilling tone, "However... if he continues with those lewd expressions, believe me, Sora, there are many ways to cook an eagle... isn't that right?"
Upon hearing this, Sora fainted from sheer terror. Emily remarked coldly, "That will make him think a thousand times before acting foolishly." Then she turned eagerly, "So, did a letter arrive from Andre?"
The Ice Lord handed her the paper. Her eyes scanned it quickly, then reread it slowly, her face growing paler with each word. She whispered with a broken heart, "He didn't mention my name... has he forgotten me? Today is my birthday, and I told him in the last letter. Didn't you tell him?"
The Ice Lord replied regretfully, "Yes, I told him."
The words fell like a heavy stone on her heart. She dragged her disappointment back to the Frost Squad's hut.
As night fell, the hut was lit up to celebrate Emily's birthday. Everyone was cheering and laughing except for her. She was a ghost at her own party, her smile hollow and her eyes fixed on the door.
Iris approached her and whispered, "What's wrong? Don't you like the party?"
Emily sighed, "I do... but I wish Andre were here."
Iris smirked, "Hmm... out of everyone here, it's the absent prince you're waiting for?"
Emily tried to justify herself, "I just wanted to see him! It's been four months!"
Iris corrected her, "It hasn't even been a full four months yet."
Emily snapped back, "Regardless, it's too long!"
The time for gifts arrived. Emily opened the boxes one by one without real enthusiasm. When she finished, she said flatly, "Thank you, everyone."
Suddenly, the Ice Lord interrupted, "Wait... there is one gift left."
Emily was puzzled. "But I've opened everything!"
At 그 moment, the door creaked open. A stranger entered, wrapped in a cloak, with a muscular build that radiated power. He pulled back the hood to reveal familiar features made handsome by hardship.
"There is still your big brother's gift, Emily," he said in a deep voice.
"Andre!"
Emily screamed and didn't hesitate; she ran toward him and threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "Brother! You're here! This is the best gift in the world!"
Andre tried to be humble, saying, "But... I am not the gift."
She interrupted firmly, "I don't care about any other gift as long as you are here."
Her father chimed in jokingly, "And what about your father? Is my gift not important?"
Emily laughed, catching herself, "No, yours is the most important—it's in first place, and then Andre's gift."
Andre pulled out a small box. "Here."
She opened it to find a wooden pendant, an eagle carved with exquisite detail. Andre said shyly, "It's not expensive, but..."
She cut him off, clutching the pendant to her chest, "It is to me... a gift from my brother is the most precious thing."
In the middle of this emotional moment, a young man burst in, shouting, "Let's go, Andre! I hate leaving my mother alone for too long!"
Everyone froze, staring at the rude guest. The Ice Lord grabbed him by the shoulder firmly, "At least say hello first, Ain. You're still as blunt as ever."
Ain replied irritably, "I am who I am. I don't like wasting time. Let's go, Andre."
Emily stood like a barrier and said commandingly, "Andre isn't going anywhere! Today is my birthday and he's staying the night with us!"
Ain gave her a strange, scrutinizing look before saying coldly, "Fine, staying for a bit won't hurt."
The Ice Lord added in a tone that brooked no argument, "And who gave you permission to decide? Whether you stay or leave, today is special and everyone is staying. Do you have an objection?"
Ain answered curtly, "No."
The night passed, and the time for departure came. Andre said his goodbyes to Emily and the team, walking alongside Ain under the moonlight.
Ain suddenly broke the silence. "That girl... is she really your sister?"
Andre replied, "No, but she is like a sister to me."
Ain asked about her father, and then curiously asked, "What kind of magic does he use?"
Andre replied, "Actually, I've never seen his magic."
Ain stopped abruptly, turning to Andre with a deathly serious expression. He spoke in a low voice that carried a heavy weight:
"Listen, Andre... I know you see her as a sister, and I'm sorry to say this... but is Emily a demon?"
Andre was stunned. "Impossible! No, she isn't! What would make you think that?"
Ain replied, staring into the darkness, "Because I didn't feel even a single spark of demonic power coming from her... and that, in itself, is terrifyingly suspicious."
Ain apologized and continued walking, but his words remained swirling in Andre's head like a restless storm, planting seeds of doubt he never knew could exist.