As the last flames in the Far North still smoldered, Snowrest's royal banner fluttered high in the wind.
Aveline led the royal army home without pause. Villages and towns along the way spontaneously tolled bells in welcome. People held candles and burned incense papers—not in worship of gods, but in homage to their queen.
"The Snowflame Queen has returned," they whispered, as if a deity had been reborn.
In the capital, however, the council fell into unprecedented agitation.
Remnants of the Regent's forces remained unpurged, while conservative nobles plotted in secret. Rumors also spread from southern churches, claiming Aveline had succumbed to demonic flames, neither human nor royalty.
Lucian returned to the capital ahead of time, personally overseeing the royal court to suppress rumors and stabilize the regime. Standing alone before the palace hall at night, gazing at northern stars, his only thought was that she must return alive.
Days later, Aveline entered the city through a path of fire.
Still in battle armor, she was followed by a thousand cavalry with silver lances, their banners blazing like fire.
All officials gathered in the court, but fell to their knees the moment she stepped into the hall.
"Long live the queen!"
She did not respond, only ascended the jade steps with sword in hand, planting the flaming insignia before the throne: "From this day forward, Snowrest shall worship no gods and kneel to no false idols. Here stands the throne, sworn by the fire mark."
After a moment of silence, all courtiers bowed again: "We obey only the queen's command."
After reshaping the royal court, she summoned Lucian for a night council.
Palace lanterns hung low, and the snowy night outside the window was pristine.
"You won," Lucian handed her a cup of warm wine, "but you also burned away faith."
"If faith requires blood and bones to sustain, it's better turned to ash," she replied softly, the fire in her eyes fading to weariness. "I'm tired, Lucian."
He drew her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her temple: "Then sleep through the night. Tomorrow, the kingdom will truly be yours."
She closed her eyes, falling into a dreamless sleep for the first time.
When morning came, new bells rang in Snowrest—not the bells of gods, but the bells of the crown.
Thus, the era of the Snowflame Queen officially began.