On their way to the marketplace, Byanka wore the Amulet of Night, which concealed her true appearance and allowed her to move through the city without being recognized. Even so, Aamon remained slightly worried. Byanka, however, could barely contain her excitement. After spending far too long within the Fire Palace, she was eager to see the outside world again, even if only for a short while.
Before they arrived at the marketplace, Aamon handed Byanka a card containing 50,000 gold.
"Here. In case you see something you want to buy."
Byanka looked at the card with surprise before accepting it. She smiled faintly and held it carefully in her hand.
When the carriage finally slowed to a stop, they prepared to step down. However, before either of them could leave, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. Voices shouted over one another, followed by the sounds of struggling and frightened cries.
"Vyenka, stay here."
Aamon immediately stepped out of the carriage.
Byanka bit her lip. She knew Aamon had ordered her to remain inside, but something about the commotion made her uneasy. After a moment of hesitation, she followed him.
The sight that greeted her made her heart sink.
Several Icelanders were being abused and restrained by a group of people. Their clothes were disheveled, and some were visibly injured. Byanka stared at them, a strange feeling stirring within her chest.
Something was connecting.
Something was awakening.
And something inside her was beginning to rage.
Before she could react, Aamon stepped forward and revealed himself.
"You evildoers!"
His voice carried an unnatural darkness, silencing the entire street.
The people responsible immediately froze. The moment they recognized him, they dropped to their knees and bowed their heads in fear and reverence.
"His Majesty..."
"Aamon!"
Aamon suddenly heard Byanka's voice.
He turned around.
But the carriage was empty.
His expression changed instantly.
"Byanka?"
She was gone.
Aamon's anger erupted.
"Find her. Search every street, every alley, every building. I want her found immediately!"
His guards scattered in every direction, desperately searching for her.
Meanwhile, Byanka had already been taken far from the marketplace.
The people who had abducted her were Icelanders, and among them was someone she recognized.
Her own cousin.
"Who are you?! What do you want from me? I have nothing to do with any of you!"
Byanka struggled against her restraints, but she could barely move. A Cold Rope had been wrapped tightly around her body, its freezing magic weakening her with every passing second.
Her cousin, the Noble Ice Ladyguard Bella, stepped closer.
Her eyes suddenly fell upon the necklace around Byanka's neck.
The Amulet of Night.
Bella's expression changed.
"Why do you have the necklace owned by the Lady of Night?" she asked suspiciously. "What's your relationship with her?"
Before Byanka could answer, a sudden, agonizing pain pierced through her head.
She grabbed her temples and screamed.
"Agh!"
The pain was overwhelming. Her vision blurred as memories and sensations seemed to collide inside her mind. Her knees weakened, and the Cold Rope only made the agony worse.
Far away, Aamon stopped.
He had heard something.
A faint scream carried through the distance.
"Byanka..."
He immediately followed the sound.
Meanwhile, Bella watched Byanka carefully. At first, confusion filled her expression. Then realization slowly replaced it.
The necklace.
Her appearance.
The strange familiarity.
And the way she reacted to the pain.
Bella's eyes widened.
She finally understood who was standing before her.
"Your Majesty..." Bella whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "You're alive?"
Byanka could only shake her head weakly. The pain had drained most of her strength, leaving her barely capable of standing.
"No..."
Her voice was faint.
She could not explain anything.
Then Aamon arrived.
His eyes immediately fell upon Byanka, who was bound and struggling to remain conscious.
His expression darkened.
"How dare you touch her, you Icelander!"
Aamon moved with terrifying speed. He struck Bella aside, sending her crashing away from Byanka.
He immediately turned toward her and knelt beside her.
"Byanka? Are you alright?"
He carefully held her, trying to ease her trembling body.
"Byanka, look at me."
But there was no response.
Her eyes slowly closed.
Byanka fainted in his arms.
Bella stared at the scene in disbelief. Despite everything, one question remained in her mind.
"Is she your queen..." Bella asked quietly, "or is she mine?"
Aamon remained silent.
He gave Bella no answer.
Instead, he carried Byanka away and returned to the Fire Palace.
But his silence was enough.
Bella's suspicions had been confirmed.
Byanka was alive.
The missing heir of the Icelands had returned.
And now that Bella knew the truth, she had only one choice.
She returned to the Icelands to report everything that had happened and begin planning their next move.