The Frost Palace was a masterpiece of architectural endurance, carved from the very heart of the Glacial Peaks. As the heavy doors of the reception hall swung open, the air within was kept warm by geothermal conduits, yet the decor remained as sharp and cold as a jagged icicle.
Riha walked into the hall, her charcoal cloak draped over her arm, revealing a high-collared violet tunic that suited the royal setting. Beside her, Tinker had cleaned himself up, though he still wore an expression of terminal boredom that suggested he'd rather be back in his grove than in a room full of stiff-necked nobles.
The Red Brothers
Prince Kaelen stepped onto the dais, but he didn't sit. He gestured toward two imposing figures standing like twin pillars at the base of the throne. Both were men of significant stature, their presence radiating the kind of veteran mana that only comes from decades on the front lines.
"Empress Riha," Kaelen began, his voice echoing in the vast chamber. "Allow me to introduce the iron backbone of the Frost Kingdom. This is Commander Valerius of the Royal Knights."
The first man stepped forward. He was middle-aged, with hair the color of dried blood and striking gray eyes that looked like they were forged from storm clouds. He bowed with stiff, military precision. "It is an honor to meet the Sovereign who tamed the Void," he said, his voice a deep, gravelly baritone.
"And beside him," Kaelen continued, "his younger brother, General Ignazio."
The second man resembled the first, sharing the same shock of vibrant red hair, but his eyes were a startling, feline yellow. He lacked the commander's stiffness, offering a more fluid, predatory bow. "I've heard you can wield fire in a blizzard, Empress. I look forward to seeing that brilliance in person."
Riha nodded respectfully. "The reputation of the Red Brothers precedes them. It's comforting to know the North is in such capable hands."
Tinker leaned toward Riha's ear, his whisper far too loud to be considered private. "Red hair and yellow eyes? He looks like a sunset with a bad attitude. Are we done with the introductions yet, Noona? My stomach is doing that thing where it tries to eat itself."
Riha stepped on Tinker's foot with the heel of her boot. "He's a bit... eccentric," she said to the stunned commanders, her smile never wavering. "Please excuse my 'little brother.'"
A Taste of Winter
The rest of the first day was dedicated to the simple pleasures of the capital. Riha, true to her word about a "commoner's vacation," refused the formal royal banquet. Instead, she draped herself in a thick, fur-lined shawl and headed out into the streets of the Crystal Spire with Tinker in tow.
The capital was a wonderland of glowing blue lanterns and steam rising from street vents. They stopped at a small stall where an old woman was ladling out bowls of Glacial Bone Soup—a thick, hearty broth filled with root vegetables and tender meat that melted on the tongue.
"Now this," Riha sighed, cupping the warm bowl in her hands as the steam fogged up her vision. "This is better than any palace meal."
Tinker was already on his second bowl, his silver hair dusted with light snowflakes. "It's acceptable," he muttered, though he was practically licking the spoon. "A bit light on the spice, but the heat is good."
They spent the evening wandering through the frost-markets, watching children slide down ice-chutes and craftsmen carve intricate sculptures from "living ice" that never melted. For a few hours, the dream of the ancient waterfalls and the pressure of the Galaxy Level felt miles away. Riha was just a girl enjoying the winter air, her heart lightened by the simple joy of a city at peace.
The Proclamation of the Hunt
As night fell and they returned to the palace, they met Kaelen and the Red Brothers in the war room to plan for the following day's excursion.
"Tomorrow, we head into the Tundra of Whispers," General Ignazio said, pointing to a holographic map of the white wilderness. "The winter monsters have been restless. The Frost-Trolls and Snow-Wraiths are encroaching on the trade routes. It's a perfect opportunity for a hunt."
"I have a condition," Riha said, her voice firm.
The men looked at her, curious.
"We hunt the monsters only," Riha stated, her crimson eyes flashing. "The Frost-Trolls, the Wraiths—anything that threatens the people, we eliminate. But the animals? The snow rabbits, the winter foxes, the white harts? No harm is to come to them. In fact," she added with a small, soft smile, "I want to catch a snow rabbit alive. I've always wanted to see if they're as fluffy as the books say."
Kaelen blinked, momentarily taken aback by the contrast between her "Villainess" reputation and her desire to cuddle a rabbit. "You want to... save the rabbits while slaughtering Trolls?"
"Exactly," Riha said. "Balance is important, Kaelen. Besides, if anyone hurts a cute animal tomorrow, they'll have to answer to my staff."
Tinker let out a snort. "Hear that, boys? Don't touch the fluff-balls, or the Sovereign will turn you into a popsicle. Personally, I agree. Foxes and rabbits have an understanding—I don't eat them if they don't lead me into traps."
Commander Valerius cleared his throat, his gray eyes reflecting a hint of amusement. "As you wish, Empress. We leave at first light. The Tundra is beautiful, but it is unforgiving. I suggest you rest well."
Riha retreated to her guest chambers, which overlooked the jagged peaks of the North. She stood by the window for a long time, watching the aurora borealis dance across the sky in ribbons of green and violet.
"Tomorrow," she whispered to the frost on the glass.
The hunt was more than just sport; it was the first step into the wilderness where the Falls of the First Breath were hidden. She knew that beneath the snow and the monsters, the ancient civilization was waiting. And as she finally drifted into a peaceful sleep, she dreamed of white fur and upward-flowing water.