The Frostborn Princess The royal palace of Valeria had finally grown quiet. Most of the servants had retired for the night, and the corridors were illuminated only by the soft glow of magical lamps. Inside one of the private chambers, King Aldric stood beside a large window. Queen Elara was sitting nearby, reading a report about their upcoming journey. Aldric suddenly spoke. "Elara." "Hmm?" "I've been thinking about something." She looked up. "What is it?" Aldric folded his arms. "Our friendship with the Frostborn royal family has lasted for generations. Their empire and ours have stood beside each other through difficult times." Elara nodded. "That's true." "I was thinking..." He paused. "Perhaps we should take that friendship one step further." Elara raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Aldric smiled. "What if, in the future, Liam and Princess Rose were to marry?" Elara's eyes widened. "Liam and Rose?" "Yes." She remained silent for several seconds. Then she smiled. "That's certainly an interesting idea." "Rose is the same age as Liam. Their families are close, and a future union between them could strengthen the relationship between our empires considerably." Elara thought about it. She had heard plenty about Princess Rose. Rose Frostborn was eleven years old and had already awakened an extraordinary SSS-rank talent: Frost Spirit. She was also said to possess remarkable magical potential. And according to everyone who had seen her, she was exceptionally beautiful. More importantly, she had reportedly inherited the gentle personality of her mother, Queen Julia. Elara smiled. "Perhaps we should first see whether Liam and Rose even get along." Aldric laughed. "Agreed." Neither of them knew that their children were about to meet for the first time. Two Weeks Later The day of departure finally arrived. A massive imperial carriage stood outside the palace. Several royal guards surrounded it, while magical beasts pulled the enormous vehicle. Liam climbed inside with his family. He was more excited than anyone. "The Frostborn Empire!" He had spent years reading about it. Now he was finally going there. Mira laughed. "You've said that at least twenty times." "I've been waiting for years!" Lyra leaned toward him. "Do you think Princess Rose is pretty?" Liam shrugged confidently. "I don't care." Mira immediately grinned. "Oh?" "I'm going there to see the empire, not some princess." Elena laughed. "You're only saying that because you're embarrassed." "I'm not embarrassed!" Mira leaned closer. "Rose is apparently incredibly beautiful." Liam crossed his arms. "Beauty doesn't matter to me." Lyra giggled. "You're definitely embarrassed." Liam turned toward the window. "I won't be impressed." His sisters exchanged amused looks. They knew their little brother far too well. The Journey The journey lasted two days. As the royal caravan traveled farther north, the landscape gradually changed. The green forests of Valeria slowly disappeared. The temperature dropped. Mountains appeared in the distance. Then, on the morning of the second day— Liam saw snow. His eyes widened. White covered everything. Mountains. Trees. Fields. Rivers. The sunlight reflected from the snow like thousands of tiny crystals. Liam pressed his face against the carriage window. "It's beautiful..." Even his sisters were amazed. Lyra had never seen so much snow before. "It's like the entire world has been covered in clouds!" Liam smiled. "So this is the Frostborn Empire." He couldn't wait to explore it. The Frostborn Capital By evening, they reached the capital. Liam stared in awe. The city was magnificent. Towering white buildings stood along enormous streets. Bridges made of blue crystal crossed frozen rivers. Magical lamps floated above the roads. Huge statues of ancient Frostborn heroes stood throughout the city. And overlooking everything was the Frostborn royal castle. It was enormous. Its towers were made from what appeared to be crystalized ice, yet magical barriers kept the structure from melting. Liam's eyes sparkled. "That's incredible." Aldric smiled. "Welcome to the Frostborn Empire." The Frostborn Royal Family By the time the Valerian family arrived at the castle, evening had already arrived. King Gerald Frostborn and Queen Julia personally welcomed their guests. The adults exchanged greetings while Liam and his sisters stood behind their parents. "King Aldric." "King Gerald." The two kings embraced like old friends. "It has been too long." "Indeed." Julia warmly greeted Elara. "It is wonderful to see you again." "The feeling is mutual." After the long journey, everyone retired to their respective rooms to rest and prepare for dinner. But someone in another part of the castle was taking considerably longer than expected. Princess Rose Princess Rose Frostborn stood before a large mirror. She looked at herself. Then at the dress laid across her bed. Then back at the mirror. She had heard for years that many royal families wanted to form an alliance with the Frostborn Empire through her. Several princes and young nobles had been introduced to her. She had politely rejected every suggestion. She had never cared about such things. But today was different. Her father had told her that the Deamonheart family would be visiting. And there was one particular guest she was curious about. Liam Deamonheart. She had heard stories about him. The youngest prince of Valeria. A child who had awakened an extraordinary SSS-rank result. A talented young prince who trained constantly. She had never met him. But she wanted to make a good impression. Rose looked toward the balcony. The evening sky was beautiful. She quietly wondered what Liam would be like. Then she returned to the mirror. "Maybe this dress..." She considered another one. "No." She changed it. Then changed it again. Time passed. Her mother, Julia, eventually knocked on the door. "Rose?" "Yes, Mother?" "Dinner is about to begin." "I'll be there soon!" Julia smiled outside the door. She's taking an unusually long time. Normally Rose was ready within minutes. Julia didn't think much of it. She simply walked away. Rose finally took one last look in the mirror. Then she smiled nervously. "Let's go." The First Meeting The dining hall was enormous. A long table had been prepared for both royal families. King Aldric sat beside Gerald. Elara sat beside Julia. Liam sat with his sisters. But one chair remained empty. "Where is Rose?" Gerald asked. Julia sighed. "She said she'd be here soon." Gerald looked surprised. "Rose is never late." Aldric laughed. "Perhaps she's simply tired." Then the doors opened. Everyone turned. Rose entered the dining hall. For a moment, Liam forgot what he was about to say. He simply stared. Rose wore an elegant white-and-blue dress that matched the colors of the Frostborn royal family. Her silver-white hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and her eyes were a clear icy blue. Liam had seen beautiful scenery throughout the Frostborn Empire. But somehow, this was different. So this is Princess Rose... He had confidently told his sisters that he wouldn't be impressed. He was now regretting that statement. Rose noticed Liam. Their eyes met. She stopped for a moment. She had heard about Liam. But seeing him was different. He was taller than she had expected, with dark hair, bright eyes, and the confident bearing of a young prince. Rose felt her face becoming warm. She quickly looked away. Neither of them spoke. But their families noticed. Aldric exchanged a glance with Elara. Julia glanced at Gerald. The two couples quietly smiled. They understood immediately. Something interesting had begun. Dinner The dinner proceeded pleasantly. The adults discussed politics, trade, magical research, and the friendship between the two empires. The children mostly talked among themselves. Liam and Rose gradually began speaking. "What do you think of the Frostborn Empire?" Rose asked. "It's incredible." Liam's eyes lit up. "I've read about it for years." "Really?" "Yes. I've read about the Frost Mountains, the magical beasts, the ice temples, and the northern mage clans." Rose smiled. "Then perhaps I should show you around." Liam looked surprised. "You would?" "Of course." "That would be great." Their conversation continued. They discovered that they both enjoyed magic. They both loved exploring. They both enjoyed reading. And neither particularly enjoyed sitting still during long formal ceremonies. From across the table, Mira noticed something. She nudged Elena. "Look." Elena glanced toward Liam. He was talking enthusiastically with Rose. "And?" Mira smiled. "He said he wouldn't be impressed." Elena laughed quietly. "He certainly looks impressed." Liam suddenly noticed them staring. "What?" Mira grinned. "Nothing." Liam narrowed his eyes. "Why are you smiling?" "Nothing." Rose looked between them curiously. Liam immediately became embarrassed. His sisters laughed. A Private Conversation After dinner, the children were allowed to spend some time together. Rose showed Liam part of the palace garden. Snow covered the trees, and magical flowers glowed beneath the ice. Liam looked around in amazement. "This place is incredible." "You really like it?" "Very much." Rose smiled. "Then you should come back." "I will." They continued walking. Their friendship grew naturally during those days. They talked about magic. They trained together. They explored the palace. Sometimes Rose taught Liam about Frostborn culture. Sometimes Liam told her stories about Valeria. Neither knew what their future would become. For now, they were simply two children who had discovered that they enjoyed each other's company. The Garden Meeting Later that evening, after the children had gone to their rooms, the four parents gathered privately in the royal garden. Gerald looked at Aldric. "You were thinking the same thing I was, weren't you?" Aldric laughed. "Perhaps." Julia smiled. "Rose has rejected every proposal we've ever discussed." Elara nodded. "Liam has never shown interest in such matters either." Gerald looked toward the castle. "But they seem comfortable together." "Very comfortable," Julia agreed. Aldric became thoughtful. "I don't want to force them into anything." "Neither do I.," Gerald replied. "Then perhaps we simply allow their friendship to grow." Julia smiled. "I agree." Elara nodded. "When they're older, if they still feel the same way, we can discuss the future." The two kings shook hands. "Agreed." No contract was signed. No child was forced into anything. For now, it was simply an understanding between old friends. The future would be decided by Liam and Rose themselves when they were old enough. The Birthday Celebration The following days were filled with celebrations for Rose's eleventh birthday. Royal families from different territories arrived. Nobles gathered. Magicians performed. Knights demonstrated their skills. And magical creatures were displayed throughout the capital. Many guests were surprised to see Liam and Rose together so often. Some whispered among themselves. "Is that the Valerian prince?" "That's Princess Rose." "They seem unusually close." "Their families have always been close." Others were shocked by Liam's presence alone. After all, rumors about the mysterious SSS-rank awakening of the youngest Deamonheart prince had already begun spreading among certain circles. Liam ignored the attention. He was much more interested in exploring the Frostborn Empire. And Rose was happy to show him around. Their friendship grew stronger with every passing day. They occasionally held hands while walking through the crowded festival streets so they wouldn't lose each other. Their families noticed. Their sisters noticed. And Liam's sisters never missed an opportunity to tease him about it. "You're holding her hand again." Liam immediately let go. "I was just making sure she didn't get lost!" Mira laughed. "Of course." Rose giggled. Liam's face became red. "Stop teasing me!" Farewell Eventually, the celebrations ended. The time came for the Deamonheart family to return to Valeria. Aldric and Elara prepared to leave. Elena, Mira, and Lyra would soon depart for the Magic Academy. But Liam remained behind. Gerald had suggested that Liam stay in the Frostborn Empire for some time. The reason was simple. Liam and Rose had become good friends, and staying would allow the children to understand each other better without pressure from their families. Aldric looked at his son. "Are you certain you want to stay?" Liam nodded. "I'd like to learn more about the Frostborn Empire." Elara smiled. "And spend time with Rose?" Liam became embarrassed. "Mother!" She laughed. "All right, all right." Rose stood nearby, smiling. Liam looked toward his family. He would miss them. But he was also excited. This was his first real adventure away from home. Aldric placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Train hard." "I will." "Study hard." "I will." "And don't cause trouble." Liam smiled innocently. "I won't." Mira immediately whispered, "That's a lie." "Mira!" Everyone laughed. Soon the royal carriage departed. Liam stood beside Rose and watched his family disappear into the distance. He felt a strange mixture of sadness and excitement. For the first time since his second birth, he was truly on his own. Rose looked at him. "Are you all right?" Liam smiled. "Yes." He looked toward the vast frozen mountains. "Let's see what the Frostborn Empire has to offer." Rose smiled. "Then let's go." Neither of them knew that their simple friendship would eventually become one of the most important relationships in the history of the two empires. And neither knew that, beneath the peaceful surface of the Frostborn Empire, an ancient secret was waiting. A secret connected to the Frost Spirit. A secret that would eventually draw Liam into a conflict far greater than either child could imagine.

The beginning of love