Zara's expression turned dark the moment she locked eyes with him. She stared at Nox approaching from the end of the corridor and her heart skipped a beat.
Nox paused, then offered a faint smile. "Good morning."
She didn't answer. Instead, she spun on her heel as if to walk away.
Nox blinked, confused. "Wait."
Her steps slowed—but she didn't stop.
"I just wanted to ask…" he continued, walking slightly faster to catch up. "How do I get to the throne room? I need to speak with the king."
That was the only reason he'd been wandering through this maze of glittering halls and towering arches. If not for that, he would've returned to his room and gone back to sleep.
Zara stopped at last. Her back remained turned, and he couldn't see her face.
"…Follow me," she said stiffly.
Without another word, she turned right and began leading the way.
Nox kept pace beside her, watching the side of her face.
She refused to meet his eyes.
He had no idea what had gotten into her.
The walk was long. The halls of Frostpire Castle were crafted from mana-infused froststone, each wall lined with runic torches that emitted no heat, only soft blue light. Dragons embossed into the pillars watched them pass, eyes gleaming with frozen essence.
As they moved, Nox noted her steps were heavier than usual—like she didn't want to be here… as if holding something back.
"Hey, are you okay?" Unable to hold back any longer, he asked.
"I'm fine," she replied stiffly.
He wanted to ask more questions but clearly saw she wasn't in the mood, so he decided to keep quiet. The walk continued in silence, and by the time they neared the throne room's outer gates, he was ready to thank her and go inside alone. But then—he stopped.
He recognized the voice immediately. It belonged to none other than the Frost Elder.
Where are you? he asked.
I'm currently in your chambers.
Huh? How did you get into my chambers?
His footsteps slowed, though outwardly he looked calm.
The Court has eyes everywhere, Master, the Elder's voice echoed in his mind. Though we weren't able to monitor all activity in the castle due to Dracos' constant interruptions, we at least knew where your room was.
Nox didn't know how to feel about this information, but he realized one thing: it would be hard to sever the Supreme Dragon Court's influence in the Dragon Realm. Just like in Frostpire, he was sure they had eyes on the other eight kingdoms as well.
Alright, just wait there. When I'm done here, I'll come meet you, he said and entered the throne room. As he did, he couldn't help but glance at Zara, muttering,
"I wonder what's wrong with her."
Even after he left, Zara remained standing there for some time.
She pressed a hand to her chest, eyes lowered.
"…What is wrong with me?" she muttered.
She had faced Scourge beasts in the skies, held the line with wounded soldiers, slain enemies twice her size.
But around Nox… she felt like an untrained child.
And the way her heart had raced when she saw him this morning—completely oblivious and nonchalant—it was infuriating.
"It's not like I kissed him," she tried to convince herself. But then she flushed again, even worse than before.
A soft cough echoed from behind her.
"You okay?" he asked, noticing her tense posture.
Zara sighed. "I'm fine."
After a moment of silence, he said, "You know, it's kind of funny."
"The way you look at him."
Drake smirked. "You're falling for the guy who made half the Court nervous just by standing still."
Drake tilted his head.
"Just be careful," he added quietly.
Zara blinked. "Of what?"
"There's never been a union between a dragon and a human," he said without looking at her.
A thoughtful expression appeared on her face, but then a frown took shape. "Hmpf. Who told you I want to have anything with him?"
Before he could respond, she walked away.
Drake watched her disappearing back before shaking his head.
Meanwhile, inside the throne room—
"You want weapons?" Dracos asked.
The Frost Monarch's voice echoed through the crystalline chamber, low and calm.
He sat high on the frost-carved throne, one arm resting lazily on the armrest as his pale eyes regarded Nox. The room was wide and spacious. Above, floating crystal lanterns gave off a soft blue glow, lighting the chamber without casting a single shadow.
"All right then. Follow me," Dracos said simply.
They moved through the eastern corridor of the castle—past rune-sealed gates, dragon-tooth statues, and enchanted sentry totems. Eventually, they reached a narrow spiral stairwell curling downward into the earth.
They descended in silence.
And at the base of the stairwell—
It was massive—twelve meters tall—formed of pure ice and lined with sigils of the Frostpire language. At the center was a single, pulsing glyph: the royal sigil of the Frostpire Monarchs.
Dracos approached and pressed his palm to the glyph.
A deep hum vibrated through the floor. The runes glowed blue. Then, with a grinding hiss, the gate split open down the center, revealing a narrow hall that led into—
Nox stepped in slowly, eyes narrowing.
It was colder here. Not physically—but magically. Floating pedestals hovered across the wide chamber, each holding a single weapon, artifact, or scroll.
Everything was preserved .
Nox was impressed by the sight.
"This," Dracos said, gesturing to the chamber, "is where Frostpire keeps its true legacy... I will allow you to choose two items from here. Go ahead."
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