On the seventh morning after her coronation, Snowrest City received an uninvited guest—a vanguard messenger from the Northern Border, who knelt below the royal dais bearing a sealed missive.
"Turmoil has engulfed the Northern Border's lesser houses," the messenger looked up, face ashen. "The wasteland clans have raised the rebel banner, proclaiming themselves Lords of the Ice Plains and rallying forty-four tribes."
Aveline stood before the throne, her expression unflinching. "Why launch this uprising now?"
The messenger bowed his head. "They worship the Ice Cult and have colluded with the Southwestern Clerical Order. My liege, I fear this matter... extends beyond the Northern Border."
A hubbub swept the council chamber.
Kalia said coldly, "We've just quelled internal strife—must we wage war immediately?"
Lucian frowned in thought. "This isn't about starting war; it's about being drawn into it. With the Regent fallen, old religious powers refuse to concede. They need a new 'proxy'—and the Northern Border court has always itched for action."
Aveline turned to study the snow-wall map, where the ice-blue border now seemed veined with scarlet cracks.
"Send word to Northern Border Commander Renault," she ordered in a low voice. "Tell him to muster troops for defense and hold off on offensive action. I will depart for the border within three days."
The councilors were aghast.
"Your Majesty, you've just ascended the throne—how can you leave the capital so soon?"
"Precisely why I must go," her gaze burned like flame. "If royal power is to truly take root, it must be tested with blood on the frontier."
That night, Aveline dressed alone in her inner chamber. When Lucian pushed open the door and saw her donning riding gear and braiding her battle hair, he gave a rueful smile. "You just sat on that throne."
She turned to him, stepping closer. "You know it's not what I truly want."
"What do you want?" he asked.
Her eyes met his, resolute. "Peace is won by blood. I will make them see that Snowrest's queen does not merely sit in her hall—she leads campaigns."
He sighed, offering a jade medallion. "Take this. If you die, I will neither rule nor live."
Instead of taking it, she gently clasped his hand and buried her face in his chest. "I will return."
As snow fell again that night, royal flames reignited.
Three days later, Aveline led three thousand Snow Cavalry to the Northern Border, embarking on her first frontier campaign as the "Snowflame Queen."