Snowland woke slowly beneath a pale winter sun.
The castle courtyards carried the echo of celebration from the night before. Banners still hung from the stone walls, their colors fluttering lazily in the cold wind. Servants moved through the halls clearing wine cups, folded cloths, and the scattered signs of a feast that had stretched deep into the night.
Sonia's seventeenth birthday had been celebrated with great ceremony. Music had filled the grand hall.
Nobles from nearby provinces had arrived with gifts. Soldiers toasted her name. Bianca had smiled proudly as guests offered congratulations to the girl who would one day become queen.
Everyone spoke of the future. The wedding. The throne. The glory awaiting the Woodland bloodline.
But inside Sonia, something else had grown quietly.
Something dangerous was still brooding. Her love for Newton had not faded. If anything, the fire had grown stronger.
Newton had begun keeping his distance from her after that morning in her chamber. He no longer entered her room. He avoided long conversations. Even in the great hall he chose seats far from hers.
At first Sonia thought time would cool her feelings. Instead, every moment he stepped away made the ache sharper.
The distance did not kill the forbidden fire. It fed it.
Morning light slipped softly through the tall window of Sonia's chamber.
The girl was already awake. She sat upright in her bed, staring quietly toward the pale sky beyond the glass.
Her face looked calm at first glance. But her fingers twisted slowly into the blanket resting across her lap.
A knock came at the door. Before Sonia answered, the door opened gently.
Monica stepped inside carrying a small basket of fresh cloth and perfume oils. "My lady," the maid said with her usual warm tone.
She paused. Sonia hadn't moved. "You have to take your bath and come out for the day."
Monica set the basket on the nearby table. "Your husband-to-be will be visiting."
Sonia's eyes flickered faintly. She shook her head. "I do not want to go out."
Monica exhaled sharply. She walked over and sat beside the bed. "What is wrong with you?" Her voice softened slightly. "You can talk to me."
Sonia hesitated.
Her eyes drifted toward the window again. "What is wrong with me," she murmured slowly, "is something forbidden. It is not something i think another ear should hear."
Monica's brows lifted slightly. But she forced a smile. "I swear on Odin." She placed a hand over her chest. "I will not share it with anyone."
Sonia raised her head. Her eyes studied Monica carefully. For a moment she seemed to weigh something inside her mind.
Then she spoke. "I do not want to marry the Prince."
Monica froze. The room fell silent. "The Crown Prince is handsome," Monica said slowly. "And he will soon become king of the kingdom." Her voice carried honest confusion. "Every maiden out there wants him."
Sonia exhaled quietly. "I guess I am not every maiden." Her eyes lowered again. "I do not want him."
Monica shifted uneasily on the bed. "Why?".Her voice dropped.
"If you reject a king in waiting…" She leaned slightly closer. "...who then is good enough for you?"
Silence stretched across the chamber.
Sonia's fingers tightened against the blanket. Then her voice came out almost like a whisper. "I am in love with another man."
Monica's shoulders stiffened. Her eyes searched Sonia's face. "Your heart chose another." Her voice carried both curiosity and concern. "Who is he?"
The silence returned. Longer this time, and heavier.
Finally Sonia spoke again. "Newton."
The name barely rose above a whisper.
"My half brother."
Monica's breath stopped. She jerked backward slightly without meaning to. The movement caused the bed frame to creak. For several seconds neither of them spoke.
Sonia watched her quietly. "I told you," she said softly. "My problem is forbidden, and not meant to be told."
Monica pressed a hand against her chest. She forced herself to breathe slowly.
Then she gathered her composure. "But you know the both of you cannot be together." Her voice turned firm now. "You are siblings."
Her gaze hardened slightly. "And incest is a taboo in the North." Sonia lifted her face. "But he is not a Woodland by name."
Her voice gained a fragile edge of hope. "He is an Ice."
"The custom permits it."
Monica shook her head immediately. "Your father loves and raided him like a legitimate son." Her tone sharpened. "He does not treat him like a bastard."
She leaned closer. "And you are sworn to the Crown Prince."
Her words carried the weight of law. "Breaking that oath is treason."
Her eyes locked with Sonia's. "It will earn you your head on a spike."
Sonia's lips trembled. "But I would rather die than marry him."
The words fell from her mouth before she could stop them.
Monica reached forward quickly and held her face. "Even if you are prepared to die…" Her voice softened again. "Have you considered Newton?"
Sonia blinked.
Monica continued. "He would also be killed."
The room felt colder suddenly.
"His life would be cut short." Her voice dropped into a quiet question. "Is that what you want?"
Sonia shook her head immediately. Tears formed in her eyes. "Of course not." Her voice cracked. "I want him to live." A tear slid down her cheek. "And be happy."
Monica nodded slowly. "Then you must kill these feelings." She wiped the tear from Sonia's face. "It will be considered incestuous."
Her voice lowered. "And treasonous." Sonia's shoulders trembled slightly. "I will try," she whispered.
More tears slipped down her cheeks. Monica wiped them gently. "You have to bathe now." She rose from the bed..Sonia nodded weakly.
Monica slid her arms carefully beneath the girl and lifted her from the mattress. The morning routine continued. Water. Clothes. Perfume. Yet the air inside the room had changed.
The secret now lived between them.
But Monica and Sonia were not the only ones who had heard the conversation. Outside the chamber door, someone had paused.
Lady Bianca had come to deliver a message earlier that morning. Her footsteps had slowed when she heard voices through the door.
At first she intended to knock. Then she heard something that made her stop. The door remained slightly open.
Bianca stood quietly in the corridor. She heard everything. Every word. Every confession. Every forbidden name. Her face slowly hardened.
"The bastard caused my daughter to be born a cripple." The thought moved through her mind like poison. Her fingers curled slowly into fists. "And now…" Her lips tightened. "He is about to jeopardize my only chance." Her eyes darkened. "My only chance of seeing my offspring on the Golden Throne of Astarous."
Inside the room Sonia and Monica continued preparing for the day. They did not notice the silent shadow standing outside.
Bianca remained there for a long moment. Then she slowly turned away. Her steps moved quietly down the corridor. But the calm mask had disappeared from her face.
Her jaw clenched tightly. "This ends now."