Skymint's POV

  It has been two days since I started waking at dawn to check on Arie in my igloo. The sun hadn’t yet spilled its light across the horizon, the frozen world still cloaked in quiet shadows. Slowly, I opened the door, careful not to disturb her if she was still asleep.

  But she wasn’t. Arie was already awake, wrapped in the fur coat I’d given her the day we met. For a moment, I almost admired her serene beauty. Almost—until I noticed the white cardboard mask covering her face, painted crudely to resemble a polar bear.

  “Arie,” I said, confusion gnawing at my calm. “What are you up to?”

  She turned to me, brimming with energy, her voice light and playful. “Isn’t this the perfect disguise? Now I can go outside, and the Polarmen won’t recognize me!” She punctuated her declaration with an exaggerated snarl, mimicking a wild animal.

  I sighed, pressing a hand to my face. “They’ll recognize you in two seconds. You’re not even walking like a polar bear.”

  She laughed, utterly unbothered by my lack of amusement. “Oh, Skymint, you haven’t even seen me try yet—”

  “Arie went out,” came Chillbi’s chime from the corner.

  I frowned, raising an eyebrow at her. “You did?”

  Arie froze for a moment before slumping theatrically. “Chillbi! I thought you’d cover for me!” Even with the mask obscuring her face, I could picture the frown tugging at her lips.

  Chillbi, unfazed, replied, “Me don't lie.”

  Arie groaned, pulling the mask off with a huff. “I didn’t mean to go out. It wasn’t intentional, I swear.”

  “But you did go out,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “And who knows what might’ve happened if I didn’t know about it?”

  Her shoulders drooped further. “I’m sorry, Skymint. I won’t do it again. I promise.”

  I sighed, reluctant to scold her further. “I’ll let it go. Just this once.”

  Her expression softened, and she nodded earnestly. But I knew the truth—if she defied me again, I wouldn’t be able to stop her. She was the Ice Princess, after all. Protecting her wasn’t just a duty. It was a necessity.

  “Did anyone see you?” I asked, my voice carefully measured.

  She hesitated before answering, “Just a cub. He ran off back toward the housing area.”

  A chill crept into my veins. “What did he look like?”

  “He had a brown beanie and a jumpsuit.”

  Relief washed over me as I connected the description. “Flake,” I murmured. “Mr. Puffin’s late son.” The boy was mute. He couldn’t tell anyone what he saw. Still, I couldn’t help but worry.

  Arie’s voice was soft, regretful. “He looked so cute. Too bad I scared him.” She stared at the cold floor beneath her feet.

  “It’s not you,” I said, stepping closer. “It’s Felipe. He declared you dead, and now your very existence feels like a ghost story to them.” I managed a small smile, hoping it would lift her spirits.

  "Besides," I continue, "I have good news. I’ve scheduled a meeting with the Guardian of Polarmen. We’ll talk to him tomorrow—he’ll help you."

  She lets out a dry chuckle. "Help me? He might faint if he realizes the Ice Princess is still alive."

  "He won’t," I say firmly. "He’s charismatic. A good man. He’s helped countless people."

  "Where will we meet him?"

  "On the nearby island. His mansion is there." I set the pouch of bread down on the desk.

  "I see," she muses. "Then no need to go to Fresha Kingdom… for now."

  When I turn back to her, she suddenly leans forward, wrapping her arms around me.

  Her warmth seeped into my frozen frame, melting the layers of my resolve for just a moment. I held her in return, letting the quiet stretch between us.

  When she pulled back, she gave me a faint smile. “See you again at dusk, Skymint. Be careful.”

  “Always,” I promised.

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  ***

  The snow-laden garden is quiet. Too quiet.

  I scan the familiar scenery—silver-dusted bushes, oak-colored benches, tables sprinkled with fresh snow. My usual morning spot. Llanova should be here.

  He always is.

  He’s like a brother to me. A sibling in all but blood. We’ve weathered hardships together, stood side by side through thick and thin. Like me, he doesn’t fit the mold of an ordinary Polarman. But for him, the difference is starker—born of a Polarman and a Sandwoman, a living testament to a love that defied rules and tradition.

  My fingers curl.

  True love. The kind that risks everything. The kind that builds a home despite the weight of laws pressing down like icebergs.

  A gust of wind carries the scent of untouched snow, but Llanova is nowhere to be found.

  Llanova, where are you?

  An unease coils in my chest. I was just with him yesterday. But now, his absence feels suffocating.

  Ice engulfs my boots. I use it to propel myself forward, sprinting toward the village, toward Llanova’s home.

  He never lets me visit. Not unless absolutely necessary. His uncle isn’t a kind man—short-tempered, rigid, still carrying the burden of a scandal that changed their family forever. Llanova’s father fell in love with an outsider, and though neither of us blame him, society did.

  I reach the door and knock.

  No answer.

  I knock again. Harder.

  Nothing.

  The snow crunches behind me.

  Turning, I find myself face-to-face with a tall, broad-shouldered Polarman. His thick eyebrows furrow, suspicion laced in his gaze.

  "Skymint," he says, voice tight. "Have you seen Llanova?"

  A chill seeps through me. "I was about to ask the same thing."

  "He’s been gone since sunset," he continues. "I thought he might’ve stayed at your igloo."

  The word igloo sends a jolt through me. My mind races, a dozen possibilities flashing at once.

  No. It can’t be.

  "Maybe he volunteered for house transportation?" I say, forcing an incredulous smile. "He’ll probably show up later, exhausted but bragging about how much he carried."

  The man folds his arms. "I didn’t assign him to volunteer."

  I swallow.

  "And," he adds, his gaze piercing, "I ran into your sister this morning. I asked her to check your igloo. If my nephew is there, she’ll find him."

  The ice in my veins thickens.

  No.

  Llanova can’t be missing.

  My thoughts spiral, clawing through every plausible explanation—every best possibility—because the worst is unthinkable.

  I don’t have time to process.

  "Tell me everything you know," I demand, already turning on my heel, ice forming beneath my boots as I bolt away.

  ***

  Arie’s POV

  I thought of the ice crown that once rested on my mother’s head, the jagged diamond spikes glistening above her fine white hair—a snowy landscape beneath the crystal. It wasn’t impossible for a princess to be put on trial, but a queen? Banished from her own kingdom?

  Felipe must be lying. He has to be.

  Lady Collfumes, my mother’s most trusted advisor and the Dream Seer of Glacia, never spoke ill of her. Even my brother, who always described her as the best woman in his life, never hinted at anything disgraceful. The only trait they ever mentioned—something neutral rather than good or bad—was that she was cold. As harsh as the unforgiving winter.

  Whether she was banished or vanished, did it even matter? The kingdom had been left in the claws of a tyrant Wolf King. His empire had already fortified its stronghold, expanding its rule over nearby territories, but why ours? Why go so far to seize Glacia?

  The lack of knowledge gnawed at me. I wished there were books about the Wolf race in our kingdom.

  The way my brother died—it was a cruel echo of my grandfather’s fate. Burned to death by Felipe. The stories of the Glaciouso Massacre lived only through the accounts of those who served under King Aether. None of his siblings survived to tell the tale.

  I bit into my bread, but it was dry, tasteless against the whirlwind of emotions in my mind. Chillbi, usually interested in my food, was staring at me instead, tilting his head.

  "Do you think I'll be able to handle the role of Ice Queen?" I asked, my gaze fixed on him.

  "Me think yes," he said, his voice small but certain.

  Before I could ask why, he suddenly leapt off the desk and scurried toward the door, sniffing intently. A moment later, the door burst open, shards of ice scattering across the floor. Chillbi yelped as he tumbled backward.

  I shot to my feet, my breath catching in my throat.

  Standing in the doorway was Skymint’s sister. Her wide eyes were locked onto the ground as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

  "Parasite!" Snowgale hissed.

  "No!" Chillbi spat back, scrambling upright.

  Then, she finally looked up—and her gaze met mine.

  I was still holding my half-eaten bread.

  "Holy Glacia!" she gasped, slamming the door shut. Then, as if trying to test reality itself, she yanked it open again, hoping I’d disappear like an illusion conjured by a phantom user.

  But I remained.

  Trembling, she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. She looked like she had just seen a ghost. Chillbi bared his teeth, growling, but I raised my hand, signaling him to stop.

  "Ice Princess? I—I thought you were dead," she breathed.

  "Almost," I said calmly. "But Skymint saved me."

  She blinked rapidly. "Really? Him?" She still looked dazed. "This seems like a dream. But at the same time, it isn’t."

  "Yes. He’s my rescuer. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him."

  "I'm not saying it's impossible," she muttered, pacing. "But of all people—Skymint? And he didn’t tell me?" Her voice rose, laced with frustration and concern.

  She turned sharply to face me, her expression hardening.

  "You know what’s at stake, right?" she said. "If Felipe finds out about this, my brother will burn. Not just him, but this whole village."

  The words sent an icy chill through my veins. My fingers went numb, and the bread slipped from my grasp, landing on the floor with a soft thud.

  Snowgale exhaled sharply. "I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you." Her cheeks flushed, as if realizing how harsh she’d been.

  I swallowed and steadied myself. "Snowgale, I should be the one apologizing. You just found out your brother has been hiding a presumed-dead princess in his igloo." I attempted a light tone, hoping to ease the tension.

  She studied me, then sighed. "How do you know my name?"

  "Skymint mentioned you once," I said with a small smile.

  "Just once?" She raised an eyebrow.

  I chuckled.

  Chillbi scurried toward the dropped bread, about to pick it up, but I beat him to it.

  "Wait—no, not that bread anymore," Snowgale blurted.

  I blinked. "Lord Aalto would agree with you," I mused, recalling his obsession with cleanliness.

  "I’ve been taught the importance of hygiene," I continued, "but also not to waste food."

  She looked at me like I’d just sprouted wings.

  "I don’t want Skymint thinking I’m careless with his ice bills," I admitted, my smile faltering.

  Her mouth parted slightly.

  "Wow," she murmured. "You're... kinder than I expected. I admire that."

  Warmth bloomed in my chest.

  "Thanks," I said softly. "Also, call me Arie. I’m no longer a princess."

  And then, I told her everything—how Skymint rescued me, how I ended up here, and what little I knew about the kingdom’s fate. Everything… except how I ended up frozen. That secret, for now, would remain buried beneath the ice.