Evening settled slowly over Snowland. The fortress had grown quiet.
The courtyard that had roared with whispers that afternoon now lay buried under silence and frost. Torches burned along the stone walls, their flames swaying gently in the cold wind.
Inside his chamber, Newton sat alone. The jug of wine rested on the table beside him. It was half empty now. Or half full. He wasn't sure which.
He stared at the cup in his hand. The liquid trembled slightly as his fingers moved. His mind kept drifting back to the courtyard.
The swing of the blade. The sound. The weight of it.
He shut his eyes for a moment and rubbed his forehead. A knock came at the door. Three short taps.
Newton lifted his head. For a moment he considered ignoring it. But the silence in the room had begun to press down on him like a weight.
He stood and walked toward the door..The wood creaked softly as he pulled it open.
Sandra stood outside.
Torchlight flickered behind her, outlining her figure in gold and shadow. She wore her dark cloak again, the same one she had worn when she first arrived at the fortress.
Her eyes studied him for a brief moment. "I will be returning to my fortress by dawn," she said. Her voice was calm. "I thought of letting you know."
Newton leaned lightly against the doorway. For a moment he simply looked at her. Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"I bless the gods for giving you back your home."
Sandra nodded once. Her gaze softened slightly. "It is all thanks to you."
For a heartbeat neither of them moved.
Then she stepped forward. Her arms wrapped around him suddenly.
Newton stiffened in surprise.
The warmth of her body pressed against his chest before his mind had time to react. He opened his mouth, about to say something, about to step back.
But she moved first. Her lips touched his. The kiss was quick, but soft.
And gone almost as quickly as it had come.
Newton froze where he stood.
The corridor seemed strangely quiet. Sandra stepped back and watched his expression.
He blinked once. "What is that for?" he asked. His voice sounded awkward even to himself.
Sandra's lips curved into a faint smile. "It is a thank you."
She tilted her head slightly. "And if ever you feel lonely, or need someone to be with."
Her eyes held his.
"You can come to me at Kalkigan."
She folded her arms loosely. "You will be treated as a guest of honor."
Newton shifted his weight slightly. The warmth of the wine in his chest suddenly felt strange. "I am still a boy," he said.
His voice was quiet. "I do not have a need to be with a woman."
Sandra studied him for a moment. Then she laughed softly. "I am just four years older than you." Her gaze drifted briefly toward the courtyard outside, where the torches flickered in the night.
"And moreover," Her eyes returned to him. "Only men behead men. Boys don't."
The words lingered between them.
"You are no longer a boy," she said. "But a man."
She turned before Newton could respond. Her cloak moved behind her as she walked down the corridor, her footsteps fading slowly into the quiet halls of the fortress.
Newton remained standing in the doorway. He watched until she disappeared around the corner.
Then he slowly closed the door. The room felt different now.
Still quiet, still cold. But different.
Morning came with frost and pale sunlight. By dawn Sandra had already left Snowland. Her banners disappeared along the northern road before most of the fortress had even woken.
But something else had begun moving across the North.
The story.
It spread faster than riders. Faster than ravens. From taverns to marketplaces. From soldiers' camps to noble halls.
Whispers traveled along frozen roads and across snowy valleys.
Newton Ice.
The name began appearing in conversations everywhere.
A fifteen year old boy. A bastard. Sitting on the Ice Throne.
And the tale that followed the name carried weight. And when a lord insulted his father, he beheaded him.
The story grew sharper each time it was told. In some villages they said the boy had not hesitated.
In others they said the sword had moved faster than anyone could see.
But the ending remained the same. Sigmoid Bernett's head had rolled in the snow.
Across the provinces of the North the whispers changed the way people moved.
Voices lowered. Eyes watched the roads more carefully. No one wanted their name to become the next story carried by travelers.
No uproar rose from the provinces. No lord dared challenge the order..Livestock remained in their pens. Goods remained on their shelves.
Markets closed at the proper hour..The roads stayed quiet at night. Peace settled over the North like falling snow.
Not because they loved the bastard boy on the Ice Throne. But because they feared him.
And somewhere deep in the frozen heart of the North, people began to believe something quietly. The bastard might not hesitate. Not even once. To behead anyone who broke the law.
Meanwhile, in Kings' City, the great hall of the Red Palace echoed with the sound of boots scraping against polished stone.
Two guards dragged a young woman through the wide doors. Her wrists were tied. Her hair had fallen loose over her shoulders, and the silk dress she wore was smeared with dust from the palace corridors. She struggled weakly as they forced her forward, but the men held her firmly.
Lord William followed behind them. His cloak swept across the floor as he entered the chamber.
At the far end of the hall, King Robert sat upon the throne. The high seat rose above the chamber like a mountain of carved red stone. Golden lions curved along the armrests, their mouths open in silent roars.
Robert leaned forward slightly as the guards stopped before him.
"Is she the girl?" he asked. His voice echoed calmly through the hall.
Lord William bowed his head. "Yes, Your Grace."
The king studied the trembling figure on the floor. For a moment he said nothing..Then he rose slowly from the throne.
The movement drew the attention of everyone present..His heavy boots struck the stone steps as he descended.
The girl lowered her head even further as he approached. Robert stopped directly before her.
He bent down. His large hand grabbed her chin and lifted her face upward.
Her eyes widened. "Tell me," he said quietly, studying her features. "What is your name?"
The girl's lips trembled. "I… I am Nora Kendrick of House Kendrick," she whispered.
Her voice shook. "Daughter of Theon Kendrick, Warden of Cliffland."
Robert's brows lifted slightly. For a brief moment something like amusement crossed his face.
"Theon," he murmured. The name rolled slowly off his tongue. He released her chin and straightened his back.
Then his gaze dropped down toward her again. "Did your father send you," he asked slowly, "to seduce the Prince?"
Nora shook her head immediately. "No, Your Grace.".Her voice came out desperate now. "The prince and I love each other."
The words had barely left her mouth before Robert's expression hardened. "Shut up." The growl burst from him like thunder.
The girl flinched violently. The hall went silent..Robert stepped closer. His shadow fell across her. "I need you out of Kings' City immediately," he said.
His voice was lower now, but far more dangerous. "If I ever see you here again…"
He paused. His eyes burned into hers.
"I swear on my crown." His words fell slowly, each one heavier than the last. "You and every member of your house will be hanged."
Nora's breath caught in her throat. For a moment she simply stared at him..Robert released her completely..Without his grip holding her upright, her body collapsed to the floor.
She landed on her knees. Her hands shook against the stone..The guards stepped back. No one moved to help her.
She remained there for a moment, trembling violently..Then she pushed herself up..Her eyes were red..She did not speak again. She simply turned and ran.
Her footsteps echoed through the long hall as she fled toward the doors. The heavy wooden gates slammed behind her.
Robert watched them close. Then he turned his back and climbed the steps toward his throne again.
The matter was finished.
The next morning arrived with noise and movement across the city.
Kings' City rarely slept, but that day the streets buzzed with a different energy.
Carriages rolled through the wide avenues. Banners fluttered from balconies..Servants hurried between noble houses carrying parcels and messages.
Word had spread across the capital. A Royal engagement.
Not just any engagement..The children of the two most powerful houses in Astarous would be bound together.
Lords began arriving before noon. Great horses stamped across the palace courtyard as noble families dismounted. Guards opened the gates again and again as banners bearing different sigils entered the Red Palace.
Inside the great banquet hall servants rushed between long tables. Golden cups were arranged carefully.
Silver plates shone beneath the chandeliers. Music drifted faintly through the corridors as musicians prepared their instruments.
Every noble in the capital wanted to witness the moment. Power was being tied together. And no one wanted to miss it.
In a chamber high above the banquet hall, Sonia sat before a large mirror.
Her reflection stared back at her. Lady Bianca stood behind her. The older woman moved carefully as she adjusted the folds of Sonia's dress.
The gown was white silk, embroidered with threads of gold along the sleeves and neckline. Servants had spent the entire morning preparing it.
Bianca smoothed the fabric across Sonia's shoulders. "There," she said softly. She reached for a small silver comb and began arranging Sonia's hair.
"You should be happy."
Sonia did not respond..Her eyes remained fixed on the mirror. Her lips were pressed tightly together.
Bianca continued speaking as she worked.."You are taking your first step into becoming the Queen of the Nine Kingdoms.
"
The comb slid gently through Sonia's hair. "It is a great honour."
She leaned closer, adjusting a loose strand. "One all women would die to have."
Sonia's fingers tightened slowly in her lap. She shook her head. "I do not want to marry Ryli." Her voice was quiet. But the words hung heavily in the room.
Bianca paused. The comb stopped moving. Sonia's reflection stared forward. "He is a monster," she continued..Her voice trembled slightly.
"He is violent. "Her breathing quickened. "He threatened to kill me."