Iza pretended not to notice anything, but deep down, she knew she was eavesdropping on a private conversation. She hadn't gotten used to the situation yet, but considering the attachment the Queen showed toward the princess, she knew it was something important. Iza had never fallen in love, but seeing the two women, she thought for the first time that it would be nice to find someone to love. Derek knew more about it than she did, but her pride prevented her from asking her brother for advice.
"Are you ready?" Iza joined the Queen and the princess when she saw them approaching the door. They were flawless and enchanting as always.
"Yes, let's go."
The guests of the Krussgard fortress boarded their carriages and headed together toward the arena hosting the Oyindar games. Snow White looked at the crowd swarming in front of the entrance and her eyes widened: there were truly so many people, and the joy was palpable in the air. The nobles entered from the back of the building and were escorted to the highest tiers. The arena was an open space, surrounded by stone seating already occupied by hundreds of people who had come to watch the famous sporting games. Awnings were scattered along the stands, ready to protect spectators from the sun or sudden rain. The only area enclosed by its own walls and columns was the space reserved for the most important guests. Snow White noticed the long balcony from which one could lean out to watch the arena and its center; around the very large room, she saw tables set for the occasion, various types of seating—including triclinia—and musicians ready to entertain the guests with local and international music.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness! Please have some fine wine with us!" William and Adelina immediately approached the couple from Arran and smiled amiably. Snow White knew she couldn't trust anyone, but she couldn't control the instinctive, positive reaction she had toward them. Unfailingly, she felt relaxed in their presence. They started talking about the competition and the athletes who would be competing, but they were soon interrupted by Enrico Von Deusk, who, strangely, was not accompanied by his sister.
"You look radiant." The man mostly stared at Grimilde, with a glint in his eye that made Snow White's stomach turn. She couldn't stand that man and the way he looked at the woman she loved. Grimilde played the part of a good diplomat and conversed with Enrico, pretending to be interested in what he had to say. Snow White stood by her side, doing her part, but she couldn't ignore the irritation and anger bubbling under her skin every time Enrico made a comment to seduce the Queen and showed off his merits and strength. Within a few minutes, he had made it clear to everyone present listening that he wanted to conquer Grimilde.
"Snow White, would you care to try some apple juice? Umgard grows delicious fruits." Adelina took the goblet the princess had in her hands and swapped it for a new glass filled with juice.
The princess looked around and lowered her voice: "I thought there was nothing but alcohol here."
"That is indeed the case." Adelina winked at her, flashing a mysterious smile. William at her side chuckled and showed Snow White that he too was drinking juice. "We aren't particularly fond of alcohol."
The Princess of Arran was pleasantly surprised: "I'll be honest... I force myself to drink a few glasses for special occasions, but I prefer things that are sweet and delicate."
"Olson has magnificent pastry shops! It would be my honor to accompany you in a tasting of some delicacies." The blond man brought two fingers to his lips, making a smacking sound, to highlight with a gesture the tastiness of the foods he was talking about. Snow White wasn't used to seeing nobles gesticulate: in Arran, etiquette imposed a lot of rigidity in behavior, since the body was an expression of rigor and perfection.
"I would really love that."
"Then it's decided."
"William, you should also consider the Queen's opinion. They have important affairs to attend to in their kingdom; they can't just leave whenever they please."
"I am sure the Queen would do anything the princess desires. Am I right?" William's gaze betrayed nothing, but for some reason, those words made Snow White stiffen.
"The Queen has her own opinions." The princess pressed her lips together but tried to smile. Adelina immediately noticed the shift in the atmosphere.
"Why don't we step closer to the balcony? The event is about to begin."
Before following them, Snow White shot a glance at Grimilde, but saw she was busy with Enrico and other nobles from Umgard. At that moment, the princess noticed the absence of Seorlin Mijavlik, and looking around, she realized that, much like Wandalin Von Deusk, he had never entered the room.
"The Empress seems to be in a bad mood," Adelina whispered when they reached the balcony. William and Snow White looked toward the woman in question, noticing she was off to the side talking with Alex. Zeyana quickly became aware of the attention and looked up, meeting the princess's gaze.
"It's starting." Adelina grabbed Snow White's wrist, drawing her attention toward the arena. The athletes were ready, and the competition officials were making final checks before starting the games. The crowd was already full of life and would become even more animated shortly.
"The Empress's athletes have something peculiar that distinguishes them from the other teams."
"How exactly are they different? Enlighten me." William leaned against the balustrade, abandoning the composure he had shown up to that point. Snow White watched the two conversing like old friends or siblings and let herself be enveloped by that familiar warmth, which reminded her of her friends back in Arran. If only everything were easier: being friends with the "servants" was frowned upon by the nobles. Snow White had contact with the young women from the noble families who supported the crown, but none of those relationships were real to her. She saw through their lies and felt the falseness in their words and attitudes.
"I'm sorry I was gone so long." Warm hands rested on Snow White's hips, and she found herself enveloped in Grimilde's comforting presence. The Queen greeted Adelina and William again, taking a spot next to the princess.
"A nerve-wracking wait, Your Majesty." The blond smiled, noting the exhaustion marking the Queen's face.
"You must excuse me, William. The prince can be quite persistent." Grimilde didn't hide her irritated expression, and Adelina sidled up to her with a teasing smirk: "Weren't you charmed by his great assets?"
"They are assets I fail to appreciate. Brute strength is so inelegant."
"I agree with you, Grimilde. True beauty is something else entirely... like our dear Princess Snow White." William turned his eyes to the young woman and offered her a playful smile, though he genuinely thought Snow White was a wonderful woman. Sweet, sensitive, charming, and intelligent. She surely had other qualities, and William would have been happy to discover them as friends. Adelina also started observing Snow White and showered her with compliments: "You shine with enviable ease. What does the Queen think?" Adelina shifted her gaze to the blonde and noticed a curious expression on her face: her eyes were full of admiration and... clearly, it was also love! Adelina felt her heart flutter and watched the interaction between the two women with great interest.
"Snow White is known as the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom of Arran, but she shines thanks to her great sensitivity and good-heartedness. Her purity is the kingdom's greatest treasure." Grimilde couldn't hide the love she felt for her from her voice, and Adelina exchanged a look with William. The two from Olson had many questions, but before they could continue the conversation, the start of the competition was announced. The scene came to life, and the nobles made even more noise, watching their athletes compete.
In the general commotion, Snow White managed to pull Grimilde aside to speak with her privately. She reported her suspicions stemming from the absence of Wandalin Von Deusk and Seorlin Mijavlik.
"We can't leave, but I feel... I feel something is going to happen." The princess placed a hand on her chest, feeling her heart beating rapidly and irregularly. She was agitated—a reaction she had noticed the exact moment she voiced her concerns. She hadn't been able to fall asleep easily the night before: she hadn't been able to sleep in the Queen's arms and, perhaps precisely because she lacked her comfort, she hadn't been able to quiet her mind. It is known that evening brings reflection, and unfortunately, the thoughts kept at bay by daily tasks also gather. Deep down, the princess wondered what she could do to prevent a catastrophe. Probably, the visions that had terrified her had caused a tear in the barrier separating her from the demonic world. Now she could feel a constant, unknown agitation: it was an alarm bell without clear directions. What was about to happen? What plan would bring the citizens of Umgard, a soul-starved demon, and foreign nobles to the same place?
Grimilde had tried multiple times to contact her tribe but had received no answer. For some reason, Snow White was convinced this detail was tied to the situation they were experiencing. The Empress had appeared relatively calm, but this only made the Princess of Arran more anxious. They were standing before their enemies stripped of protection, not knowing where the fatal blows would come from. Iza and Derek had vanished along with Zeyana's team: apparently, unknown stones had been brought inside the Krussgard fortress, and they were investigating to find the culprits and get some explanations. This further confirmed Snow White's theory: if the demon's goal is to devour a massive amount of souls, and if he is truly starving... then he will surely strike during the Oyindar celebration. In that moment, Snow White wished she could speak with Astrael to clarify her doubts about Golujef, but the lust demon hadn't been heard from since he disappeared. Grimilde's mirror couldn't pinpoint the demon's location, and Alex's magic couldn't communicate with evil. The only lead they could follow was that of the black stones, and it was a treacherous one.
Meanwhile, as Snow White reasoned through the situation, the team investigating the origins of the mysterious stones found themselves at the edge of Krussgard, near the bridge leading to the fort's entrance...