Felicity turned to face Henry with a smile. "Yes, I did," she replied. But he already knew that. She was Felicity Myers, aka the Ice Queen, commander of the Glacial Order Faction, and Matriarch of Arcadia. The largest and most beautiful city in the world.
But unlike the other cities and nations, she didn't inherit Arcadia or win some kind of election to become its leader. She built it all by herself from the remnants of a forgotten continent, which is why it was extremely large… so large it was sometimes considered a nation.
But Felicity didn't want Arcadia to be a continent. She decided to place it under Atlas Nation as a city, and develop it as her kingdom.
This fact made Henry understand that Felicity wasn't just your average celebrity… she was something else.
"Wow, that's so cool," Henry said with genuine admiration. "I think you're amazing."
Felicity chuckled softly. "That's the first time I'm hearing you say that," she said, staring at him deeply. "It makes me happy."
Henry nodded, but didn't say another word. Better not to overdo his act and blow his cover. They spent the rest of the trip in silence, gazing out the window and admiring the city below.
Finally, they arrived at their destination. The aircraft descended smoothly, landing on a private platform atop a massive estate at the heart of the city.
As the ship hatch lowered and Henry stepped out, he was hit by a wave of cold air… not uncomfortable, but refreshing. Clean.
And then he saw it.
A mansion.
But calling it a house would be an insult. This was a crystal chateau… a frozen monument to power and elegance that seemed to defy the laws of architecture itself.
The entire structure appeared to be carved from ice and crystal, its surfaces gleaming in the afternoon sunlight with an ethereal, blue-white glow. Massive spires jutted skyward like frozen flames, their tips sharp and impossibly delicate. The walls were smooth and translucent in places, revealing intricate patterns etched into the ice… snowflakes, abstract designs, and what looked like ancient runes that pulsed faintly with a cold blue light.
The main entrance was framed by towering columns of crystalline ice, each one perfectly sculpted and refracting light into dancing rainbows across the polished stone courtyard. Above the entrance, a massive crest was emblazoned into the ice… a phoenix wreathed in frost, wings spread wide, its eyes glowing with an inner light.
The grounds surrounding the mansion were equally breathtaking. Gardens of frost-covered trees lined the pathways, their branches sparkling like they'd been dipped in diamond dust. Fountains carved from solid ice stood at intervals, water flowing through them despite the freezing aesthetic… except the water itself seemed to shimmer with an unnatural cold, mist rising from its surface.
Everything about the place screamed: wealth, power, and cold beauty.
Henry stood frozen, his mouth slightly open.
"Holy shit," he whispered.
Felicity glanced at him, amused. "Language, darling," she scolded gently.
"Sorry, but…" Henry gestured wildly at the mansion. "…this place is really cool. You live here? 'I' live here?"
"We do," Felicity said simply, as if living in a palace made of literal ice was the most normal thing in the world. "Welcome to the Glacier Palace. Our home."
Henry couldn't help but smile. In his previous life, he'd always wanted to live in a mansion… who didn't? But that was nothing more than a dream for a poor teenage orphan like him.
But now, it seemed that dream had become reality.
Felicity led the way toward the entrance, her heels clicking against the polished courtyard stone. As they approached, the massive double doors slid open automatically, revealing the interior.
And if Henry thought the outside was impressive, the inside was on another level entirely.
The grand foyer was cavernous, with ceilings that stretched at least three stories high. Chandeliers made of pure ice hung from above, each one glowing with a soft, cold light that bathed the space in an otherworldly blue hue. The floors were polished white marble veined with streaks of frozen blue, so pristine that Henry could see his reflection in them.
Staircases curved up on either side of the foyer, their railings carved from ice in intricate, flowing patterns. The walls were lined with massive windows that offered panoramic views of Arcadia City.
And yet, despite all the ice and cold aesthetics, the temperature inside was perfectly comfortable. Not warm, but not freezing either. Just… balanced.
"Woah… it's really an ice castle," Henry muttered, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. "Like Elsa's."
Felicity raised a brow. "Elsa?"
Henry's eyes widened. He'd unknowingly slipped. "Oh, crap," he thought, his mind racing. "I have to think of something quick."
"Oh. Um… I think it's a name from a movie I watched a long time ago," he voiced out, pretending to be just as confused as her. "I can't really remember… it's a bit fuzzy."
Felicity studied him carefully, then she smiled. "I see," she said. "Perhaps seeing the house jogged your memory a bit."
Henry nodded quickly. "Yes, perhaps," he repeated with an innocent smile. But inwardly, he sighed in relief. "Whew! That was a close one."
Felicity strode forward, watching as he admired the floating lights drifting overhead. "So, what do you think of our… ice castle?" she asked with a chuckle.
Henry turned to her. "I think it's beautiful," he replied with a smile. "I like it here already."
"That's funny. You used to say this place felt like a prison," a voice suddenly said from the top of the left staircase.
Henry's gaze snapped upward.
A girl stood there, one hand resting casually on the ice railing. She looked to be in her late teens… older than Henry by a couple of years. She had the same white hair as Felicity, though hers was shorter, cut just above her shoulders in a sleek, no-nonsense style. Her eyes were a cold, piercing blue, and her expression was utterly indifferent.
She wore a simple black turtleneck and fitted pants, practical and elegant. But it was the way she carried herself that stood out… relaxed and detached, like she couldn't care less about anything happening around her.
Henry inhaled sharply. The memories he'd received earlier flashed in his mind. This was Emily.
His sister.
And like every other unusual siblings out there… they did not get along.
The first Henry had ignored her for years. Never spoke to her. Never played with her. Never even looked at her. He treated her like she didn't exist. And in return, she'd grown cold toward him. Indifferent. Because she thought: why waste feelings on someone who had none to give?
Emily descended the stairs slowly, her gaze fixed on Henry. There was no warmth in her eyes. No relief that he was safe. Just… apathy.
She stopped a few feet away, crossing her arms. "So. You're back. How wonderful." she scoffed with disdain.
Henry opened his mouth to respond, but Emily continued before he could.
"Y'know… mom's been losing her mind for three days. Jane and Xavier have been running all over the forest. And you…" She tilted her head slightly, studying him like he was a mildly interesting specimen under a microscope. "You don't even remember running away, apparently."
Henry flinched. He saw more of his predecessor's memories about Emily; she would knock on his door and try to talk to him, only to be ignored, year after year. And back then, it always hurt her.
Henry sighed. Guilt twisted in his chest. Even though he hadn't done those things. He didn't know what to say. Didn't know how to apologize for someone else's actions.
"Um… I—" he started.
"Save it," Emily said flatly. "I don't care."
The bluntness hit harder than Henry expected.
Felicity sighed softly. "Emily, please be nice to your baby brother," she pleaded.
Emily glanced at her mother, then back at Henry. "What? I'm just being honest. He's the one who spent his entire life pretending I didn't exist. Now he suddenly gets amnesia and I'm supposed to pretend I care?" She shrugged. "Not happening."
Henry exhaled slowly. He hadn't done all these things she laid down. But the previous Henry had. And now he was paying for it.
"Fair enough," he said quietly.
Emily blinked, clearly not expecting that response. "What?" she muttered in confusion.
"I said fair enough," Henry repeated. "I don't remember what I did, but if I really treated you like that… I'm sorry."
Emily stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she scoffed. "Yeah, sure." She turned and started walking toward one of the hallways. "Whatever. I'm going to my room."
"Emily, wait," Felicity called out in concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Mom," Emily said without looking back. "Just exhausted."
And with that, she disappeared down the hall.
Felicity sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, Henry. Emily's been… grumpy since you left. I was hoping seeing you again might soften her, but…"
"It's okay," Henry said quickly. "I get it. If I truly did all those things to her… she has every right to be mad."
Felicity looked at him, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "You really are different," she said softly.
Henry forced a smile. "I guess it's one of the… features of having amnesia," he replied.
Felicity studied him for another moment, then nodded slowly. "Come. Let me show you to your room," she said, already walking up the stairs.
Henry nodded and followed behind her. She led him through the mansion, pointing out various rooms along the way… the dining hall, the library, the training room, and many more.
Finally, they arrived at a set of double doors on the second floor.
"Here we are," Felicity said, pushing the doors open.
Henry stepped inside and froze in awe.
The room was massive. Easily three times the size of his entire apartment from his previous life. The walls were the same crystalline ice as the rest of the mansion, glowing faintly with soft blue light. A king-sized bed sat against the far wall, its frame carved from what looked like frozen silver.
There was a desk, a sitting area, a bookshelf filled with untouched books, and even a small balcony overlooking the gardens.
"Wow. This is… mine?" Henry asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Felicity smiled. "Yes," she replied. "You've always preferred solitude, so I made sure your room was comfortable."
"This is comfortable alright," Henry thought. "If I lived in a place as luxurious as this… I would never wanna leave."
"You should get some rest," Felicity said gently. "We'll talk more at dinner."
She turned to leave, but Henry called out. "Wait."
Felicity paused, glancing back.
"Thank you," Henry said. "For… everything."
Felicity's expression softened. "You're my son, Henry. I'd do anything for you," she gave a warm smile. And with that, she left, the doors closing shut behind her.
Henry stood alone in his massive, beautiful, lonely room. He walked over to the bed and sat down, his mind racing.
"Okay. So. Emily hates me. Felicity's suspicious but loving. I'm living in a literal ice castle. And this world completely freaks me out."
He flopped backward onto the bed, staring at the glowing ceiling.
"What the hell did I get myself into?"
And then, from somewhere deep in his mind, that cold voice whispered again:
"You're not going to survive this, you know…"
Henry shot upright, his heart pounding. "Who's there?" he asked.
But there was only silence.
He scanned the room, but there was no one. Just him and the faint hum of the mansion's systems.
He had been hearing that strange, spiteful voice all day. And at first he thought it was the voice of the system's Ai from earlier, but it wasn't. That one was a female… sarcastic and somewhat stoic.
But this voice was more cold and hoarse.
"I must be imagining things," he told himself. "It's probably just stress. That's all."
But deep down, he wasn't sure he believed it.