After separating from Northern, Aria stepped into her carriage and signaled the coachman. The horses neighed softly before moving, their hooves clicking rhythmically against the stony road. She rested her head against the cushioned seat, her expression unreadable as the carriage rolled through the bustling streets.
The evening air outside was cool, yet her thoughts were burning. So he doesn't remember? Or is he pretending not to? she wondered, her fingers brushing against the silver pendant hanging on her neck. The memory of his confusion replayed in her mind again and again.
Soon, the carriage passed the high, towering gates of the Voss estate—a grand palace gleaming with ice-blue tiles and crystal spires that caught the sunlight even in twilight. Guards bowed as the carriage entered through the wide courtyard.
As it came to a stop near the entrance, a familiar figure stood waiting by the marble steps. His red cloak shimmered faintly under the last traces of daylight. His hair, the color of smoldering embers, and eyes that burned with faint golden sparks made his identity unmistakable.
Nathan Kim.
The youngest royal from the House of Kim—a family of fire mages known for their destructive flames and fierce tempers.
Seeing him, Aria narrowed her eyes slightly and descended from the carriage.
"Aria," Nathan called as he made his way towards her.
"What are you doing here?" Aria asked him.
Nathan was surprised by the question but he didn't get upset. If anything, he smiled calmly and decided to explain. "I came to see you concerning what we talked about —the Ice valley."
At first Aria was stunned but she quickly replaced her surprise with a frown. "What about the Ice valley?"
"Haven't you always cared about the Ice valley?" Nathan asked, hiding his surprise.
"Well, I am no longer interested," Aria said curtly, brushing past Nathan and heading toward the large crystal doors of the palace. Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.
Nathan turned, watching her back as she moved away. "No longer interested?" he repeated, his tone calm but sharp enough to cut through the chilly air. "That's strange. You were the one who kept insisting I help you gain access to it. You even said you'd risk anything to get there."
Aria stopped at the base of the stairs. The wind stirred her long silver hair, sending a few strands across her face. Slowly, she turned her head just enough for Nathan to catch her cold, blue gaze.
"I changed my mind," she said quietly. "There's nothing there that I need anymore."
Nathan studied her carefully. The Aria he knew was stubborn, ambitious, obsessed with power... She would never simply lose interest in something like the Ice Valley. Something had changed.
He took a few steps closer, lowering his voice. "Did something happen, Aria?"
Aria's lips tightened, and for a moment, it looked like she would ignore him. But then, her tone shifted—soft, almost mocking. "Nathan Kim, son of the Fire King. Since when do you care about what happens to me?"
He gave a small chuckle. "Since the moment you challenged me to a duel and burned froze half of my body," he replied. "You made it impossible not to notice you."
Aria turned fully to face him now, her expression unreadable. "Then consider this my apology—stay away from me, Nathan."
He raised a brow, slightly amused yet concerned. "Is this about that boy?"
Aria froze for half a second. Nathan caught it—her subtle reaction, the slight clench of her fists. His grin faded. "So it is about him. The one you dragged out of the fight earlier. Who is he?"
Aria's voice dropped, colder than the frost spreading along the edge of the marble floor. "That is none of your business."
"Everything concerning you is my business," Nathan replied, his voice rising slightly, the air around him warming. "You're playing with fire, Aria. Whoever that man is—he's not worth your time."
Aria's eyes glinted. "And you think you are?"
Nathan went silent. For a long moment, they just stood there, the fire in his gaze meeting the frost in hers, the air between them thick with heat and cold.
Finally, Aria turned away and climbed the stairs. "If you came here to talk about the Ice Valley, then let this be your answer—I want nothing to do with it anymore. Now leave, Nathan."
Nathan's eyes darkened as he watched her disappear through the palace doors. "You're hiding something, Aria," he muttered under his breath. "And I'm going to find out what it is."
Inside, Aria walked through the long, glistening halls of the Voss estate. Her footsteps echoed faintly as she reached her room and closed the door behind her.
Her chest rose and fell as she leaned against the door, whispering under her breath. "That fool better not fail me or I'll bury him alive!"
Her fingers brushed once more against the silver pendant around her neck—its center glowing faintly, as though responding to her words.
While she was still battling with her thoughts, a knock came at her door.
"Who is it, come in!" She replied and the door was opened. Seeing the person at the door, she smiled faintly. "Brother?"
"My dear sister," the man said as he walked inside the room. He walked over to the bed where Aria was sitting and sat beside her.
"Brother," she mumbled and gave him a hug. "When did you return?" She asked, still hugging him.
"A while ago," he replied. "Have you missed me?" He asked her.
"No!" Aria responded and broke the hug. She turned away and folded her arms, pouting.
"Hahahah," the man laughed. "But your expression says a different thing."
Aria scoffed.
"Fine, fine..." The man paused and dipped his hand into one of his pockets.
Aria didn't turn around fully but from the corner of her eyes, she saw him bring out a little cat with white fur and silver eyes. The cat was so tiny that one could squeeze it with one hand.
Seeing the little creature, Aria turned around fully. "Brother..."
"This is what I brought for you from my journey. She's a divine beast, I saw her wandering around inside a misty forest... The mother must have been killed so I thought of bringing her back."
"She's cute," Aria looked excited as she caressed the cat's fur. "Does she have a name?"
"No, not yet."
"Then I give her name. I'll call her... Silver because she has silver eyes."
The cat as if liking the name wagged her tail in response.
"Brother, let me have her," Aria said and carried the cat from him.
Seeing how his usual cold-face and proud sister was acting like a child in front of him, he could not help but smile.
"Brother, thank you so much," Aria said to him.
"You're welcome, sister... But aside from this, there is something else I'd like to discuss with you."
Aria hearing this, dropped her playful attitude and became serious. "What is that?"
"It's about the only son of the Hilton family — Lucas."