Novel: Frosted Bonds
Part One – The Last Evening
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Chapter 1 – A Cold Heart in Summer
The summer day had been unbearably hot, pressing down like an unseen weight. But as evening arrived, the cool breeze finally brushed against the city, bringing relief.
Yet for Youshan Grace, the breeze did not soothe. His heart felt colder than any winter frost.
Was it his foolishness? Or the countless years he had spent yearning for someone who would never return his feelings?
Perhaps both were wrong. Perhaps he should never have existed in this world at all.
For as long as he could remember, he knew his place: insignificant, a side character in another's story. And yet… despite knowing this truth, he had still clung to a fragile hope—
A hope that maybe, just maybe, he could hold a small place in his heart.
But now, that hope was crushed.
"Youshan… are you alright?"
Hason Vance Evan's voice cut through his thoughts. His ink-black hair caught the dimming light, his crimson eyes narrowed in concern. "You've been in a daze all day. I thought you had something important to say. If not, I'll take my leave. The preparations for tomorrow's crown-bestowal ceremony cannot wait."
"Hason—wait." Youshan's voice trembled. "I… I do have something to tell you."
Hason paused, half-turned, his gaze unreadable. A complicated light flickered in his eyes, but Youshan's calm expression gave nothing away. A strange unease tugged at Hason's chest, an ominous feeling he could not name. For reasons he didn't understand, it felt as though this might be their final meeting.
But Youshan spoke before he could dwell on it further.
"…I came to say goodbye."