On the third dawn in the Snowflame Capital, ten thousand flags hung low above the royal palace.
The sky had yet to regain its color, and faint traces of rifts from the Flame Realm still lingered on the distant horizon. The bell tower had been tolling without pause since the fifth watch of the early morning.
"The King's Flame has extinguished."
"The Flame Queen has fallen."
"The Flame Realm has collapsed."
These rumors, like a cold tide, had submerged the entire imperial capital overnight.
Yet when the morning light pierced the Eastern Gate—beneath the Snowflame Royal Banner, that scarlet flame warhorse slowly trod onto the royal avenue. The court officials looked up in shock.
She had returned.
Evelyn, Queen of Flames, stood barefoot on the horse's back. Unarmored, she wore only a flame-woven robe, with the royal flame curling like flowing fire from her shoulders. Her bronze-gold pupils blazed with a long-absent majesty.
Her left hand rested on Eira's shoulder, her right arm clasped tightly around Lucian's waist. The three stood atop the horseback, like deities descending to earth.
The Flame Queen had returned.
And in that moment, the entire capital fell silent.Before the Throne: Old Ministers BowThe Snowflame Palace Council Chamber.
The throne had stood empty for seven days, with affairs handled by an interim council of ministers. Now, as Evelyn walked slowly into the hall, all officials knelt in submission.
Eira stood to the throne's lower left, clad in silver armor and holding the flame banner, her gaze cutting like a blade across the array of councillors.
Lucian stood behind Evelyn, still in his royal flame-gilded armor, exuding authority without a word.
Evelyn slowly took her seat.
She scanned the hall, flame patterns emerging from her forehead, and spoke in a low voice:
"In the battle for the Flame Realm, I burned away my very soul."
"But I did not die."
"Now, hear my orders—"
"Silver Oath Shield, garrison the Eastern Border."
"Thirteen Fire Cavalry Battalions, reorganize and fall under direct royal command."
"The entire council shall revise the laws. The Flame Queen's seal shall no longer symbolize church decrees, but royal flame sovereignty."
With each command, not a soul in the hall dared to.
All present knew this was no longer the Evelyn who had once negotiated and compromised in council.
She had emerged from the abyss of soul, returning with the ashes of the Bone King and the vow of flame—this queen was now the incarnation of flame itself.Flame Breath in the Private ChamberAfter nightfall, deep within the Snowflame Palace, Evelyn returned alone to her Flame Heart.
Barefoot, she stepped onto flame-crystals, her robe slightly askew, holding a soul shard leftover from the Split Moon Altar.
Lucian entered quietly without knocking.
He paused behind her, a fleeting, veiled desire flickering in his eyes.
"You know, the moment I saw you walk out of the Flame Realm..." he said, his voice hoarse and low, "I almost forgot I came to protect you, not to... kiss you."
Evelyn chuckled, turning slowly. She took his collar in one hand, pressing him against the flame-stone wall.
"And now?"
Lucian's gaze burned: "Now I remember—I want you."
Their lips and teeth tangled, flames sparking from their fingertips. Bodies pressed together like clashing wildfires, their breath mingling in a dance of control and abandon.
He kissed her neck; she bit his shoulder.
Just as he reached to loosen her robe, a silver shadow swept through the door, a cold voice snapping:
"Are you in the Flame Heart—or on the throne itself?"
Eira stood at the door, still in silver armor, her eyes icy, though her tone held a hidden edge of jealousy.
Evelyn turned, her gaze softening: "Have you come to share the bed—or share the flame?"
Eira hesitated, then a faint smile tugged at her lips. She approached the flame-bed, removed her chest plate, and leaned down.
"Share the flame."
That night, the fire never died.
Beyond the,wind and snow whispered, while the queen's flame rekindled—amid desire and soul.The Capital ShakesThe next day, the flame banner rose again. News that the Bone King's residual soul had been sealed shook all kingdoms.
The church remained silent for seven days; no envoy dared enter the Flame Capital.
But before noon, a secret messenger from the Split Moon King's faction appeared quietly at the capital's Eastern Tower.
He delivered a final letter, containing only one line:
"Now that the Flame Lord has returned, Split Moon submits. The Flame's heir shall awaken at the border of snow and fire."
In that moment, Evelyn leaned between Lucian and Eira, eyes closed in repose, slowly twisting the soul shard in her hand.
She murmured—
"Then the old gods are dead, but the split god lingers."
"This is far from over."