Chapter 121
The convoy slowly climbed the final stretch of the mountain road.
The last rays of the setting sun painted the snow-covered peaks in shades of gold and crimson.
Below...
The lights of Frostgard sparkled like countless stars scattered across the mountainside.
Princess Flora quietly watched the city from her sleigh.
The higher they climbed...
The more breathtaking the view became.
Finally—
The horses slowed.
Standing before them were enormous palace gates carved from pale stone and blue crystal.
Elegant silver banners bearing Frostgard's snowflake crest fluttered gently in the evening wind.
The gates opened without a sound.
Rumble...
The convoy entered.
---
The royal palace was unlike any Flora had seen.
Rather than towering above the mountain...
It had been carved into it.
Ancient pillars of white stone supported vast halls illuminated by crystal lanterns.
Frozen waterfalls flowed beneath transparent sheets of ice along the palace walls, creating a constant, soothing melody.
Everything felt...
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Almost sacred.
The sleighs came to a stop.
Servants immediately stepped forward to welcome the guests.
Before anyone could speak—
One of the palace maids hurried toward Vendetta.
She respectfully lowered her head before whispering something into her ear.
Vendetta listened silently.
Then...
She gave a small nod.
"...I understand."
The maid bowed once more before stepping away.
Vendetta turned toward the group.
"Your Highness."
She inclined her head toward Flora.
"The palace has prepared guest chambers for you and your companions."
She looked toward Marco, Guinevere, Chris, Esabell and Captain Bochy.
"You'll all be staying inside the royal residence."
Captain Bochy nodded.
"...And the soldiers?"
Vendetta turned toward the Lumivale troops waiting behind them.
"The palace barracks have already been prepared."
"Our Royal Guard will escort them there."
Several Frostgard officers stepped forward and respectfully saluted.
"We'll ensure your men are well cared for."
Captain Bochy glanced toward his soldiers.
The men looked tired after weeks of travel.
A proper barracks would be far better than remaining outside in the cold.
He nodded.
"...Very well."
The Lumivale soldiers followed the Frostgard guards toward the military quarters built along the lower section of the palace grounds.
---
The remaining group entered the palace.
Their footsteps echoed softly through the vast corridors.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the halls with a cool blue glow.
Servants moved quietly from room to room.
Despite the palace's size...
Very few voices could be heard.
Chris leaned closer to Marco.
"...Why is it so quiet?"
Marco looked around.
"...Even the servants barely make a sound."
Vendetta answered without slowing her pace.
"The people of Frostgard value silence."
"It is considered respectful within the palace."
Chris immediately lowered his voice.
"...Good to know."
---
Before long...
Each guest was shown to their room.
The chambers were warm despite the winter outside.
A fireplace burned gently in every room.
Thick fur blankets rested upon neatly prepared beds.
Fresh winter clothing had already been arranged inside polished wooden wardrobes.
After weeks aboard a ship...
The rooms felt almost luxurious.
---
Nearly an hour passed.
Princess Flora stepped onto the balcony outside her chamber.
A cold breeze brushed gently against her cloak.
Below...
The city stretched across the mountainside.
Lanterns glowed warmly beneath the gathering night.
People still walked through the streets.
Children laughed as they hurried home through the snow.
Smoke rose peacefully from countless chimneys.
Flora smiled softly.
"...How strange."
She rested her hands upon the stone railing.
"So many kingdoms believe Frostgard is little more than frozen ruins..."
Her eyes wandered across the lively city.
"...Yet it's full of life."
She thought quietly for a moment.
"...Perhaps..."
"...they wanted the world to believe that."
If outsiders believed Frostgard was isolated...
Forgotten...
Lifeless...
Then few would ever bother looking too closely.
A kingdom hidden...
Not by walls alone.
But by reputation.
---
Flora turned to return inside.
The moment she opened her door—
THUMP!
Two small figures crashed into her.
"Oof!"
Flora instinctively steadied herself.
Before her stood two boys, no older than nine.
Both had soft blond hair.
Both wore elegant white winter tunics.
But their crimson-red eyes immediately caught her attention.
One looked startled.
The other crossed his arms defiantly.
"...Watch where you're going."
The rude one huffed.
His brother immediately tugged on his sleeve.
"L-Lior..."
"We bumped into her..."
Before either could say anything else—
Several maids hurried around the corner.
"There you are!"
One gently took each boy by the hand.
"We're terribly sorry, Your Highness."
"The young masters escaped their lesson again."
The polite boy lowered his head.
"...Sorry."
The other simply clicked his tongue.
"...I wasn't running away."
"You absolutely were."
The maids quickly led the twins away.
"...Wait!"
"I wasn't finished talking!"
His voice echoed down the corridor until they disappeared.
Flora watched them leave with mild surprise.
"...Who were they?"
Vendetta had quietly approached during the commotion.
"They are the Crown Princes of Frostgard."
She watched the twins disappear around the corner.
"The elder is Lior."
"The younger is Lucien."
"They are ten years old."
Flora blinked.
"...Twins?"
Vendetta nodded.
"Lior is... spirited."
A faint smile appeared.
"Lucien usually apologizes for whatever his brother has done."
Flora couldn't help smiling.
"...They seem close."
"They are."
---
After another moment...
Flora looked toward Vendetta.
"...Lady Vendetta."
"...Yes?"
"...Where is Lord Dev?"
"I had hoped to greet him today."
Vendetta's expression softened.
"Our Lord has already entered his nightly prayer."
"He remains in meditation until dawn."
"No one disturbs him."
"...Not even the royal family."
Flora looked slightly surprised.
"...Every night?"
Vendetta nodded.
"For many years."
Flora lowered her head respectfully.
"...Then I'll wait until tomorrow."
---
Vendetta remained silent for a brief moment.
Then she spoke again.
"...Your Highness."
"...May I ask everyone to gather?"
"There are several matters that should be discussed before tomorrow."
---
Not long afterward...
Princess Flora, Marco, Guinevere, Chris, Esabell, and Captain Bochy gathered inside one of the palace's private meeting rooms.
A warm fire crackled quietly in the hearth.
Vendetta stood before them.
Her expression became more serious.
"Before meeting Lord Dev..."
"There are several precautions you must understand."
Everyone listened.
"First..."
"Do not speak of the Guardian Gods."
She looked at each of them in turn.
"These walls are secure..."
"But not every ear within this palace belongs to the Justice Worshippers."
"If rumors spread..."
"It could attract the attention of our enemies."
Everyone nodded.
Vendetta continued.
"Second..."
"When meeting Lord Dev in public..."
"You will address him only as His Majesty, the King of Frostgard."
Chris tilted his head.
"...Yes."
Vendetta answered calmly.
"To everyone outside this room..."
"He is only the King."
"Nothing more."
"The fact that he leads the Justice Worshippers must remain hidden."
Marco folded his arms.
"...So the real discussion comes later."
Vendetta nodded.
"Tomorrow night."
"When no outsiders are present..."
"You will meet not only the King..."
"...but the Leader of the Justice Worshippers."
Silence settled over the room.
Tomorrow
At last
Vendetta remained silent for another moment.
Then she spoke once more.
"...There is one final matter."
Everyone looked toward her.
Her expression grew noticeably more serious.
"The Kingdom of Frostgard is protected by an invisible barrier."
Chris blinked.
"...A barrier?"
Vendetta nodded.
"It was gifted by the God of Justice Himself."
"It cannot stop people from entering..."
"But it tells His Majesty whenever someone crosses into our kingdom."
Marco's eyes narrowed.
"So the moment we entered..."
"...he already knew."
"Yes."
"But the barrier's detection does not distinguish between friend and foe."
"It simply announces that someone has entered."
Esabell looked surprised.
"So... if enemies secretly enter Frostgard..."
Vendetta nodded.
"His Majesty knows immediately."
Captain Bochy frowned.
"...That's an incredible defense."
"It is."
Vendetta's voice became lower.
"However..."
"It also means His Majesty sensed someone besides our group."
The room instantly became silent.
Marco's expression hardened.
"...Someone else entered the kingdom?"
"We cannot confirm it."
Vendetta replied honestly.
"But the barrier reacted more than once today."
Chris's smile disappeared.
"...Meaning..."
"...there is a possibility an enemy has already entered Frostgard."
Nobody spoke.
The warmth of the room suddenly felt much colder.
Vendetta looked at each of them.
"So until we discover the truth..."
"...be extremely careful."
"Trust no stranger."
"And avoid discussing anything related to the Guardian Gods."
Everyone nodded.
"...Understood."
Only then did Vendetta allow herself a small smile.
"That concludes everything."
The meeting soon ended.
Everyone quietly returned to their rooms.
Outside...
Night had completely settled over Frostgard.
Snow drifted peacefully beyond the palace windows.
Princess Flora walked alone through the quiet corridor.
Crystal lanterns bathed the hall in soft blue light.
Her footsteps echoed gently.
"...Lady Vendetta."
Vendetta stopped and turned.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Flora hesitated for only a second.
"...May I ask something of you?"
"Of course."
"I'd like to use the training courtyard."
Vendetta blinked.
"...At this hour?"
Flora smiled apologetically.
"I'm afraid I can't sleep unless I practice."
Vendetta noded.
"...Then please follow me."
A few minutes later...
The palace training courtyard.
Snow had already been cleared from the stone floor.
Torches burned quietly around the walls.
The cold air carried only the sound of the winter wind.
Flora slowly unsheathed her sword.
The silver blade reflected the firelight.
Vendetta watched with quiet curiosity.
"...Do you always practice before resting?"
Flora nodded while adjusting her grip.
"Ever since I first learned the sword."
"It became a habit."
"No matter how tired I am..."
"I always pick it up one last time before sleeping."
Vendetta smiled.
"I've rarely seen a princess so devoted to swordsmanship."
Flora laughed softly.
"My tutors used to complain."
"They would tell me to study etiquette."
"And I'd disappear to the training grounds instead."
Vendetta chuckled.
"So you've always been like this."
"...I suppose so."
She stepped forward.
Taking her stance.
The courtyard fell silent.
Then—
Clang—
Her sword cut cleanly through the freezing air.
One strike.
Another.
Smooth.
Precise.
Years of discipline showed in every movement.
Vendetta watched quietly.
"...Beautiful."
Flora didn't answer.
Her body continued moving on instinct.
Step.
Turn.
Swing.
Then...
Without realizing it—
A familiar voice echoed inside her mind.
"You're holding back."
Her sword stopped for the briefest moment.
John...
She could still see him standing across from her.
A wooden practice sword resting on his shoulder.
That irritating little smile on his face.
She remembered rolling her eyes.
"Maybe you've just gotten slower."
John had laughed.
"That's unfair."
...
A tiny smile appeared on Flora's lips before she even realized it.
The next swing came naturally.
Lighter than before.
But after only a heartbeat...
The smile slowly faded.
Because that voice...
Existed only in her memories now.
The courtyard became quiet once again.
Only the sound of steel cutting through the falling snow remained.
...CHAPTER 121ENDS...