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Chapter 12 - chapter

(In the icy training courtyard, Selina continues to push Agnes and her companions to their absolute limits. Each exercise is harder than the one before it. Ice dominates everything—from the ground beneath their feet, to the weapons they wield, and even the targets they train against.)

Selina (in a stern voice, pointing at Agnes): Your stance is weak. If you face an opponent faster than you, they will crush you before you even realize it.

Agnes (sighs, trying to focus): I understand. I'll try again.

(Agnes re-enters her fighting stance and launches an attack at one of the ice targets, but Selina suddenly steps forward and strikes her with her ice sword, forcing Agnes to stumble back a few steps.)

Selina (coldly): Attacking alone is not enough. You must be flexible—anticipate incoming attacks.

Diana (speaking angrily while undergoing her own training): Is she training us, or trying to kill us?

Tarkan (laughing quietly): That seems to be the Ice Empire's style.

(Despite her harshness, a trace of admiration appears in Selina's eyes as she notices Agnes's persistence. Agnes begins to show clear improvement in her use of power and coordination of movement.)

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[After hours of training]

(One of the knights announces that it is time for a break. Everyone sits on the benches while servants bring warm drinks to fight the cold.)

Diana (sitting beside Agnes, speaking softly): Tell me, how do you endure this kind of training?

Agnes (smiles lightly, looking at Diana): I think I've grown used to challenges.

(Before anyone can respond, the icy courtyard doors open, and a girl enters wearing a loose white coat. Her short white hair and calm blue eyes reflect an unmatched serenity. She holds a book in one hand and wears delicate glasses that make her appear far more intelligent than her childlike appearance suggests.)

The girl (in a gentle voice): May I join you?

(The conversations pause for a moment as everyone stares at the newcomer. Selina stands and replies coldly, yet respectfully.)

Selina: Misha, I didn't expect to see you here today.

Diana (whispering to Tarkan): Who is she? She seems far too calm for this place.

Tarkan (with a faint smile): She looks like another princess.

Misha (stepping forward with a gentle smile): My name is Misha. I'm Selina's younger sister.

(Agnes and the others are surprised—Misha looks nothing like Selina.)

Misha (looking at Agnes): I've heard a lot about you, Princess Agnes. I'm here to help with the training.

(Selina steps beside Misha and places a hand on her shoulder.)

Selina (calm, yet as firm as ever): Misha doesn't share my style, but she knows a great deal about combat strategies and practical use of powers.

Diana (sarcastically, to Agnes): Finally, someone who looks less intense than her sister.

(Misha smiles lightly but says nothing. Instead, she takes out a small book and begins jotting down notes as she observes the group.)

Agnes (whispering to Diana): I feel like she's more dangerous than she looks.

(A faint laugh escapes Selina, as if she heard Agnes's comment, but she doesn't respond. Training resumes after a few minutes, now with Misha participating—demonstrating her skill in guiding powers with calm, precise movements.)

(After several more hours of training with both Misha and Selina, a guard finally announces that the session has ended. Agnes, Diana, and even Tarkan feel relieved at last.)

(Everyone heads to their rooms to rest. Agnes intends to do the same, but Misha stops her and asks if they can walk through the city together. Agnes doesn't refuse—instead, she feels happy that someone wants to grow closer to her.)

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[At the market]

(Agnes and Misha walk through one of the markets. The air is bitterly cold, and people go about their daily lives cautiously, fear hanging heavily in the atmosphere.)

Misha (looking around, her voice calm): This market was always peaceful. But recently…

Agnes (looking at her with interest): Recently?

Misha (stops, sighs, pointing to the sky covered in dark clouds): There are rumors of powerful demons appearing near this area. The residents are frightened, and things seem to be getting worse.

(Suddenly, a thunderous roar shakes the ground. People scream in the streets as heavy footsteps echo from afar. A massive demon, the size of a building, emerges—its skin like frozen rock, its eyes burning with blue flames.)

Agnes (in shock, stepping back): What is that?

Misha (grabbing Agnes's hand and pulling her back): An Ice Demon! One of the most dangerous demons here.

(The demon begins destroying houses and terrorizing civilians. Children cry, mothers try to shield them, and men flee in search of shelter.)

Agnes (looking at the crying children, her eyes full of worry): We can't let this continue!

Misha (thinking quickly): It's far too strong. We can't confront it directly.

Agnes (firmly): There's no time to hesitate!

(Agnes and Misha launch their attack. Misha uses her ice powers to form sharp weapons and hurl them at the demon, but it remains unaffected. Agnes uses her wind to restrain its movements, yet it breaks free easily and attacks them violently.)

(The demon strikes Misha with great force, sending her crashing to the ground. Agnes stands and tries again to use her power, but all attempts fail. She looks at the terrified people and the children hiding behind their mothers.)

Agnes (with a trembling voice, staring at the crying children): I won't allow this!

(Light erupts around Agnes as she enters a state of intense fury. Powerful winds surround her—stronger than any she has ever used before. She thrusts her hands forward, unleashing a devastating storm that slams into the demon.)

(The storm tears the demon apart, and it explodes into a blinding light. Everything suddenly falls silent. The city becomes calm once more. The people stare at Agnes in awe and gratitude.)

(Heavy footsteps approach as Emperor Ronald enters the battlefield. He had been watching from afar. He stands before Agnes and studies her closely.)

Ronald (in a deep, calm voice): You have shown rare courage and power, Agnes. Well done.

(The people now feel safe and begin cheering for Agnes. Misha watches in silence, her eyes filled with anger and jealousy. She looks at her father, who has never shown her such attention.)

Misha (thinking, turning away): Why? Why does he see her as strong, yet never shows me any recognition?

(Ronald places a hand on Agnes's shoulder in appreciation. Misha tightens her grip on her book, her face remaining calm as ever.)

(Diana and Tarkan arrive to check on Agnes and Misha.)

Diana (approaching Misha, noticing her tension): Are you alright?

Misha (coldly, with a small smile): Of course.

(But inside, she is boiling with jealousy and disappointment.)

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(Location: The vast corridors of the Ice Palace. Silence dominates the halls. Agnes walks calmly toward her room after a long day of training and adventure.)

(Suddenly, she hears soft footsteps behind her. She slowly turns to see a tall young man with white hair shining like ice, tied into a ponytail, and clear blue eyes glowing with kindness. His smile is calm and reassuring—it is the Crown Prince, "Nain.")

Nain (warmly): Good evening, Princess of the Wind.

Agnes (slightly surprised by his kindness, smiling softly): Good evening, Prince Nain.

(He stands a few steps away, tilting his head slightly as he observes her. His features are gentle and calm, yet he radiates an inner strength.)

Nain (calmly): I heard about your confrontation with the demon in the city. You showed great bravery.

Agnes (blushing slightly, lowering her gaze): I only did what I had to do. The children were scared… I couldn't stand by.

Nain (smiling gently): Sometimes, true strength lies not in skill, but in the heart. It seems you possess both.

(Agnes tries to remain composed, yet she feels Nain's unique presence. His strength is not merely physical, but spiritual as well—unlike his sisters, he seems more balanced and composed.)

Agnes (hesitantly, changing the subject): Were you training today as well?

Nain (laughing lightly): Of course. Training is part of our lives here. But I prefer to train during quiet hours, away from the noise.

Agnes (studying him briefly, curious): Do you possess the same power as the Emperor and your sisters?

(Nain pauses, gazing at a large window overlooking the falling snow.)

Nain (mysteriously, yet kindly): You could say my power is different. Not as direct as Selina's or Misha's—but effective in its own way.

(Agnes senses mystery in his words, yet sees determination and calm in his eyes, hinting at unique abilities.)

Nain (turning back to her with a faint smile): If you need anything during your stay here, don't hesitate to ask.

Agnes (smiling sincerely): Thank you, Prince Nain. I will.

(Nain nods gently and walks away, leaving Agnes lost in thought. She feels he carries a quiet secret she has yet to understand.)

(Agnes reaches her room, sits on the bed, and suddenly finds herself thinking about Nain—wondering about his true power and how his presence will affect her journey.)

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(Location: Emperor Ronald's office. Dark wooden panels line the walls, and a wide window reveals heavy snowfall outside. Emperor Ronald sits in his grand chair, focused on documents. Suddenly, Misha enters hesitantly, her blue eyes filled with sadness and anger.)

Misha (softly, with sorrow): Father…

Ronald (raising his eyes coldly): What is it, Misha? Haven't you learned to knock before entering?

Misha (standing before his desk, lowering her gaze briefly): I'm very sorry, Father, but I… I was there. I fought alongside Princess Agnes against the demon. I did everything I could, yet you said nothing—not even a word of praise.

(Ronald remains silent for a moment, then sighs and leans back in his chair.)

Ronald (calm but firm): And did you expect praise?

Misha (looking up, shock and hurt on her face): Why not? I fought with all my strength. Why am I always lesser in your eyes?

(Ronald looks at her directly with his cold blue eyes.)

Ronald (harshly): Because you always cause trouble, Misha. Instead of focusing on improving yourself, you waste time comparing yourself to others.

Misha (hurt, her voice trembling): I'm not comparing myself to anyone… I just want you to see me the way you see others.

Ronald (narrowing his eyes): The truth is, Agnes is better than you. Her power is greater, and her courage surpasses yours. Instead of envying her, learn from her.

(Misha feels as though his words strike her heart. She tries to hold herself together, but tears gather in her eyes.)

Misha (softly, filled with shame and sorrow): Alright… I'm sorry for entering without permission.

(She turns and leaves the office quickly, slamming the door behind her. Ronald remains seated, frowns slightly, and returns to his work as if nothing happened.)

(Misha walks through the corridors in anger and sadness, stopping before a window. She stares at the falling snow and whispers brokenly.)

Misha: Why do I always feel like I'm nothing to him?

(She takes a deep breath and lifts her head with renewed determination.)

Misha (firmly): I will prove to him that I can be the best.

(She turns and walks away with steady steps, determined to improve herself—and to make Agnes nothing in comparison.)

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(Location: The training hall. Selina sits on a stone bench wearing her usual black armor, while Diana sits beside her in comfortable clothes, slightly stained from training with Tarkan. The atmosphere is tense, but Diana tries to lighten it.)

Diana (eyeing Selina's armor): You know, Selina… I think you live inside that armor. Do you sleep in it too?

Selina (coldly, without changing her expression): Are you done with your foolish jokes?

Diana (grinning): No, I have a serious question… Do you wash armor? Because honestly, I can't imagine you taking it off to clean it.

Selina (calm but sharp): Armor isn't washed. It's polished. There's a big difference.

Diana (mock surprise): Oh! And do you polish it yourself? Or do you have an army of assistants?

Selina (sighing): I am a knight commander. I don't have time for childish questions.

Diana (laughing loudly): Right, because you're always busy being the "coldest" person in every empire.

Selina (staring at her, colder): And you? Busy trying to find a new mirror to discover just how annoying you are?

(Diana laughs even louder and claps her hands.)

Diana: Alright, alright—I admit it. That was a good hit!

Selina (unmoved): If you're done wasting my time, I have training to attend to.

Diana (standing and grabbing Selina's arm theatrically): Fine, I'll let you return to your meditation with your ancient armor.

(Selina pulls her arm free and walks away with firm steps. Diana watches her and laughs, then mutters.)

Diana (softly): I bet she smiled the moment she turned her back.

(Indeed, Selina walks across the courtyard with a faint smile—only to return to her usual cold expression as soon as a knight notices her.)

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(Location: The Ice Empire's library, unusually quiet. Agnes sits at a round table, books on imperial history spread before her, while Tarkan browses the shelves curiously. Diana bursts in, holding a piece of bread drizzled with honey.)

Diana (loudly): Agnes! Tarkan! How can you sit in all this silence when the world is full of fun things?

Tarkan (poking his head out between shelves): Do you mean "fun things" like eating every two hours?

Diana (proudly): This isn't just food—it's honey bread! Fresh from the kitchen.

Agnes (smiling lightly, pointing at her book): Diana, we're trying to learn something new. The Ice Empire has a rich history.

Diana (sighing and sitting beside Agnes): Why do you need history? We're here to fight, aren't we?

Tarkan (sitting across from Diana): Fighting without understanding our environment leads to losses.

Diana (taking a bite): True, true… but do demons care about history?

Agnes (seriously): Maybe not, but understanding the past helps us predict their actions now.

Diana (playfully): Or maybe we just need to hit them hard enough until they run away.

(As they talk, Nain enters the library silently, takes a book from a shelf, and approaches them.)

Nain (calmly): Demons are not random creatures. They have goals and plans.

(Everyone looks at him. Diana pauses mid-bite, raising an eyebrow.)

Diana: And how do you know that? Did you attend their weekly meeting, Your Highness?

Nain (smiling lightly): Let's just say I read more than I speak.

Tarkan (curious): Do you have any useful information about them?

Nain (sitting beside them, placing the book down): The demons we face now are different from those of previous generations. There's a pattern to their attacks—as if they're searching for something specific.

Agnes (intently): Searching for what?

Nain (mysteriously): That's what I'm trying to find out.

Diana (cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood): Maybe they're just trying to figure out why Selina is so cold, Nain.

(The group chuckles softly as Nain smiles faintly. Their conversation continues, the characters speaking with renewed energy.)

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