The Ancient Army finally made its move, assassinating people without distinction, whether they were innocent or criminals. Byanka was furious, but Varenka was strangely different. She remained quiet and distant, as though her mind were somewhere else.
"Varenka, are you alright?" Byanka asked.
Varenka seemed to return to herself and answered, "Yes, I'm alright. I just want to go to the Winter Blossoms Grounds."
Byanka was worried as a mother, but as the Queen, she had state affairs to attend to. Thus, she could only allow her daughter to pursue what interested her.
"Your Highness, why do you want to go to the Winter Blossoms Grounds?" Varenka's secondary handmaid asked.
"I am the Princess of both lands, the symbol of their unity. I do not need to answer everyone's questions. I only answer to the Ice Queen and the Fire King."
The secondary handmaid was embarrassed by the Princess's response and decided to remain silent.
The Winter Blossoms Grounds was part of the Ice Palace and was owned by the Ice Queen. It was one of the places where royals, nobles, and selected commoners could meet and visit. Varenka had often visited the Winter Blossoms Grounds and the Frozen Fire Pavilion during her childhood, and even now, she still enjoyed going there.
However, Varenka was now known as the Princess of both the Firelands and the Icelands. With that title came danger, and she could no longer afford to be as carefree as she once was.
She put on her white cloak and blue mask before traveling to the Winter Blossoms Grounds. Upon her arrival, her carriage looked no different from that of an ordinary noble, allowing her to approach the entrance without drawing attention.
Naturally, the guards stopped her.
"Entry Seal, Your Highness," one of the guards said.
Varenka's maids searched for the seal but could not find it. Seeing this, Varenka stepped closer to the guards and quietly whispered, "Does the Princess truly need a mere Entry Seal to enter her mother's valued Flower Yards?"
The guards immediately realized their mistake. They quickly stepped aside and allowed Varenka to enter.
The commoners who witnessed the incident were surprised, and word quickly spread throughout the city. Some nobles, unaware of the Princess's involvement, did not bother investigating and instead turned the incident into a laughingstock. They mocked the Ice Queen's Winter Blossoms Grounds for being so easily threatened and entered.
However, the more curious and intelligent nobles investigated further. Eventually, they discovered the truth.
It was the Princess who had entered.
When Varenka returned to the Ice Palace, Byanka had already heard the report and summoned her daughter.
As a mother, Byanka scolded Varenka firmly, making sure to discipline her for her reckless behavior.
Varenka, however, remained composed.
"Mother, it was only a mere incident. Why stress yourself over it? If they knew I was the one who forcibly entered, they would stop spreading the gossip."