Zaliyah stood by his chamber windows, watching Harun carefully fix the fur hat on Sylaris's head. Today was the official day of the Great Winter Festival, and the dark sky above the was already glowing with thousands of orb-ignited metal lanterns that drifted upward like a swarm of fireflies, signaling that the festivities had fully kicked off.
Sylaris had been dreaming of this day ever since she first learned about it, and her tiny frame practically vibrated with bubbling, uncontrolled excitement.
She was dressed in layered, flowery patterned sky-blue flowing silks, bundled beneath an oversized fur coat. Her small hands were completely hidden inside thick gloves, and her little legs were wrapped in wool socks. Not a single ounce of skin was left uncovered against the biting chill.
A few paces away stood Talha, who had also fallen prey to the merciless cold. He was dressed in pink flowing silks, layered with matching pink furs, and had wrapped his long pink hair like a thick scarf around his neck, desperately searching for any scrap of warmth.
During the shopping trip just days prior, he hadn't seen the true necessity for all th furs Iruna had insisted upon buying. But now, standing out in the open air, he finally understood why the chamberlain had kept purchasing clothes like a madwoman. He couldn't quite explain it, but the cold in the central town felt completely different—It wasn't as intense and harsh as compared to the castle's perimeter. Was it because the castle sat closer to the mountain peaks? Whatever the reason, he was currently dressed in more than three thick layers of clothes, yet he was still shivering, rubbing his calloused hands together in search for friction.
Harun noticed his distress and asked quietly, "Are you okay?"
Talha quickly nodded his head, his teeth clicking softly against each other.
Harun finally finished strapping the fur strap of Sylaris's hat and motioned for the duo to make their way toward the waiting carriage.
As Zaliyah watched them approach the carriage from his high window, he quickly turned back toward the dark, empty room. There was nothing more for him to watch here.
Harun effortlessly scooped Sylaris up in his arms and placed her onto the cushioned seat. Then, he stepped down, offering a hand to help Talha navigate his way into the high, swaying carriage boardwalk.
Once inside, Harun took a seat on the opposite end, facing Talha and Sylaris.
Breaking the silence of the carriage wheels against the frozen ground, Harun looked across and asked, "Are you hungry?"
Talha smiled politely, saying, "No."
Harun was momentarily stunned. He sat in silence, contemplating whether he should correct the communication error or let it slide. Finally, he spoke up. "Ummm... actually, I was not talking to—"
Sylaris giggled loudly, peering over at Talha with sparkling, mischievous eyes. "He's not talking to you, silly!"
Talha's face flushed a deep crimson. He quickly bent his head down, hiding his face in his hands out of embarrassment.
Harun cleared his throat, guilt hitting his chest. "My deepest apologies. I should have phrased my words much better."
Talha slowly lifted his head back up, offering a small smile to the chamberlain. "It's okay."
Harun gently nodded his head.
Inside his own head, Talha's thoughts raced. Wow... so kind. He's so different from those greasy, arrogant perverts back in the brothel. I suppose Lord Oryon wasn't lying when he said not all demons were mindless barbarians.
Breaking the brief silence, Sylaris piped up, "Where is Auntie Iruna?"
She must really be obsessed with that chamberlain, huh? Talha thought.
Harun smiled softly down at the little girl. "You're going to meet your aunt very soon, little one."
Sylaris pouted, crossing her small arms over her massive fur coat. "I know. I know she's with Thalassa."
Indeed, Iruna was with Thalassa.
Down in the heart of the bustling town square, towering ice sculptures rose like frozen cathedrals toward the night sky, lit from within by glowing magic.
Bright, well-lit stalls lined every single corner, overflowing with roasted meats, steaming spiced wines, and rare northern trinkets. Nearly a thousand iron lanterns floated lazily in the cold sky above, coating the entire territory in a perpetual, warm, golden glow that chased away the oppressive dark of winter.
Out on the frozen lake, a massive crowd of spectators had gathered to watch the infamous glacial gladiators. Two powerful warriors were currently dueling on the smooth, dangerously unstable sheet of frozen water. The fierce clash came to a dramatic, sudden end when one of the warriors lost his footing and plunged straight through a thin patch of ice into the freezing water below. In this brutal sport, a warrior falling into the water meant instant elimination.
Loud, collective sighs and boos rippled through the crowd. Spectators who had placed huge bets on the fallen warrior threw their hands up in bitter disappointment.
Thalassa let out a mocking laugh. "I knew he wouldn't last five minutes out there."
Iruna turned her head, blinking in surprise. "How did you know that?"
"His footwork and stance were wrong the entire time," Thalassa replied.
Iruna's eyes widened slightly. "Wow... I didn't even notice that."
Thalassa sighed, a playful smirk touching her lips. "Don't tell me you're serious? Years under my rigorous training and you still couldn't tell his stance was flawed?"
Iruna looked down, a wave of embarrassment washing over her cheeks. "I'm sorry..."
Thalassa's expression softened. She smiled warmly, reaching out to pull Iruna closer into a deep hug. She pressed a tender kiss directly onto Iruna's forehead. "Don't be silly, my love."
Before Iruna could formulate a reply, Thalassa used a swift flick of spatial magic. In the blink of an eye, they teleported away from the noisy riverbank straight onto a quieter, lantern-lit street. Thalassa stepped up close to a nearby vendor stall, purchasing a small clay cup of piping hot spiced wine. She turned around, holding the cup out toward Iruna with a wicked glint in her golden eyes. "Care for a drink, my lady?"
Iruna shook her head pressing her lips together.
"Don't be such a bore," Thalassa purred. Without waiting for permission, Thalassa emptied the cup of wine into her mouth, she pulled Iruna tightly against her body, parted her own lips, and pressed them directly to Iruna's, smoothly transferring the warm, spiced wine from her own mouth straight into Iruna's.
A few passersby paused to watch the display. True to their nature, demons were notoriously promiscuous beings, so public displays of affection were common, but the tenderness between the two women still drew glances.
When Iruna had finally swallowed all the warm alcohol, Thalassa pulled back slowly, a smile lighting up her face.
Iruna muttered, catching her breath, "It... doesn't taste bad at all."
Thalassa smirked wider. "I know. I'm well aware you just wanted an excuse to taste my lips."
Iruna's cheeks instantly burned a brilliant shade of red. She slapped her hands over her face, squeaking out, "Commander...!"
Thalassa threw her head back and laughed loudly, enjoying the reaction. She immediately reached up, trying to peel Iruna's hands away from her face.
"You need not be so shy around me. Come on, show me your face. Don't hide from me, my darling."
Iruna stubbornly shook her head behind her palms.
From a few paces away, a random voice muttered, "Is that the deputy commander?"
A male voice nearby replied, "Seems like it, yes."
A female voice chimed in with unconcealed curiosity, "Are those two women together?"
The man answered, "Everyone across the territories knows the deputy commander has a very peculiar taste. Are you new here from the Eastern provinces?"
The female replied, "No, I'm visiting from the Capital."
Another random voice whispered, "Wait... wasn't she engaged to Lord Aregon's daughter?"
Hearing the endless chatter, Thalassa frowned. Annoyed that their quiet moment was being polluted by petty gossip, she grabbed Iruna's hand and pulled her away from the crowded walkway.
"Where are we going, Commander?" Iruna asked, blinking through her blush.
Thalassa smiled down at her softly. "Somewhere I know you will love."
Moments later, they arrived at the grand black ice archery grounds. Noble demons and warriors from across the provinces gathered here, riding majestic winter beasts in the sky while shooting blazing, enchanted arrows at targets carved from unbreakable jade ice.
Thalassa stood close, wrapping one arm around Iruna's slender waist to keep her steady against the howling wind.
Iruna looked out across the glittering course, her eyes tracking the soaring beasts. "Who do you think is going to win this tournament?"
Thalassa smiled, her golden eyes fixed on Iruna's profile. "I honestly have no idea. I have never been good at archery."
Iruna sighed, "Is there anything you are actually good at, Commander?"
"Loving you," Thalassa replied, leaning in to press a gentle kiss onto Iruna's flushed cheek.
Iruna turned bright red once more, instantly snapping her head to the side to hide her smile.
Even after a year together, she is still so shy around me. Thalassa thought with profound fondness.
"Pft... So adorable," Thalassa teased softly.
Down on the central platform, the current race came to a halt as the judges blew a resonant horn. A burly, intimidating demon warrior coated in dark black furs was announced as the winner of the preliminary round.
As the surrounding crowd loudly hailed him, Thalassa looked down at Iruna. "Wanna give it a shot?"
Iruna blinked, tilting her head. "What do I get if I actually win?"
"You get to marry me," Thalassa replied without a single second of hesitation.
Iruna blushed intensely, but before she could duck her head to hide, Thalassa quickly grabbed her hand, bringing it up to her lips and pressing a kiss against her knuckles.
"Truthfully, I don't want to marry anyone else in this lifetime but you," Thalassa whispered "so please... win this for me, my baby."
"And if I lose?" Iruna asked, her grey eyes searching Thalassa's face.
"Then I'll just marry you anyway," Thalassa answered with a blinding smile.
Iruna giggled softly, her heart swelling.
When the crowd finished hailing the preliminary winner, the recruiters began calling for the next contestants to step forward. Without asking for permission, Thalassa raised Iruna's hand high into the air, formally submitting her name to the registrar.
The head recruiter stopped writing, his eyes popping out in shock. "Huh? The deputy commander is entering... her?"
The surrounding nobles and high-class demon's immediately turned their heads, bowing in unison out of respect as they acknowledged Thalassa. But the moment their eyes landed on Iruna, murmurs and skeptical whispers broke out across the gallery.
"Isn't she far too scrawny for this kind of sport?"
"Look at what she's wearing—intricate silk robes, a golden fur coat, and flowers woven into her hair? Who brings a delicate ornament like that to a glacier hunt?"
"She looks like a pampered doll, not a warrior. What a joke."
The harsh, mocking whispers echoed clearly through the cold air. They didn't think such a feminine looking woman was a worthy competitor among hardened northern killers.
Thalassa's expression instantly curdled. The playful warmth vanished from her face, replaced by a dark, terrifying smile playing on her lips as her golden eyes began to glow.
"Is that defiance I perceive?"
Suddenly, the ambient temperature around the arena dropped by several degrees. A suffocating wave of pressure rolled outward from Thalassa's body. The surrounding crowd gasped as an invisible weight slammed into their chests. Within seconds, hundreds of demons broke out into a cold sweat, their hands trembling as they struggled to draw a simple breath.
Thalassa had just casually reminded everyone in the vicinity why she was feared in the Northwest territory.
Iruna noticed the tension and gently reached out, giggling. She knew Thalassa was being overprotective and dramatic on her behalf. The moment Thalassa felt the brush of Iruna's fingers and caught her smiling face, the oppressive aura instantly vanished. The pressure lifted from the arena, and the gasping crowd stopped wriggling in pain, coughing and clutching their chests in terror.
Disregarding the staring onlookers entirely,
Thalassa pulled Iruna by the decorative silk strings hanging loosely around her neck. When their bodies collided, Thalassa locked her lips onto Iruna's in a deep, searing, kiss.
It was a passionate, breathtaking collision of lips that ignored the biting wind and the staring eyes of hundreds of high-society demons. Iruna's breath hitched, her fingers automatically tangling into Thalassa's dark garments as the older woman deepened the kiss, tasting the warmth of the spiced wine and claiming her in front of the entire crowd.
Scandalized mutters immediately surged through the gathered crowd.
"So the rumors were true... her engagement to Lord Aregon's daughter really was called off."
"Well, they whispered that Lady Bellatrix was against the match from the very start anyway."
"You know how nobles are—always using their daughters like disposable pawns for political alliances that crumble the second someone stronger walks in."
"Are they seriously going to keep kissing right here? When is the competition supposed to start?" a little boy whined loudly from the back row, rubbing his tired eyes.
Flustered beyond measure, Iruna finally broke away from the kiss, her lips swollen and flushed a deep red. She was burning with embarrassment. Catching her breath, she quickly bowed her head politely toward the glaring crowd. "I... I am deeply sorry."
After that brief spectacle, Iruna quickly hopped up onto the massive, armored winter beast provided by the organisers and took off straight into the sky.
Thalassa watched her ascend, shading her eyes against the glare of the magical lanterns. She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled upward with a bright smile, "Good luck, honey!"
Iruna's heart fluttered when the encouraging voice traveled up to her ears through the whistling wind.
Below, the standing crowd stared at Thalassa with bewildered expressions. But Thalassa was never one to feel shame. They all whispered among themselves, baffled as to how someone who hailed from a prestigious noble Bloodline could act so 'unapologetic' and openly devoted.
High above the frozen earth, the glacier race had officially begun. Jagged blocks of blue ice floated magically through the upper atmosphere, serving as moving targets. The objective was simple: shoot down as many floating ice glaciers as possible with enchanted arrows.
The catch was that these ice glaciers were not static targets—whenever an incoming arrow approached, they possessed spatial defensive instincts and actively dodged, requiring immense skill, timing, and precision to land a clean hit.
As the competition officially commenced, the organisers used advanced rune-casting to construct a massive, glowing floating platform in the central square so the huge crowd could track the ongoing race in real time.
High in the sky, the race was fierce. Whenever a contestant successfully managed to shoot down a floating glacier, the night sky erupted in a brilliant, blinding flash of bluish-white light, and the successful contestant's name instantly blazed across the floating public platform in burning runes.
Minutes ticked by. So far, out of ten elite contestants, only two had managed to land a successful shot. Iruna soared higher on her beast, her brow slick with a light layer of sweat from the intense concentration.
Suddenly, a stray snowflake caught in the flowers woven into her hair, and one delicate blossom broke loose, fluttering down through the freezing air until it vanished into the dark lake below. Iruna let out a quiet sigh, steadying her breathing.
She drew a standard arrow from her quiver, lining up her sights. Just as she released the string, the target glacier abruptly shifted to the left, dodging the arrow. Before she could recover, a veteran contestant named Vael swiftly drew his bow and shattered the glacier with ruthless precision.
A brilliant bluish light erupted across the sky, and Vael's name blazed triumphantly across the platform. Almost half of the crowd below roared in cheers; the majority of spectators had placed huge bets on Vael, who was a three-time reigning champion of the glacier archery tournament.