Chapter 2 — The Ice Queen and the Crown’s Shadow

Prince Cedric stepped out of the royal carriage first, head held high.

Prince Julius followed, calm and confident.

Kael came last, hands stuffed into his pockets, a lazy look on his face.

The crowd of students at the academy gate erupted into whispers.

Girls swooned at the sight of Julius’s golden hair and sharp blue eyes—then at Kael, whose dark hair and calm expression carried a different kind of charm.

Cedric, of course, assumed every whisper was about him.

He straightened his uniform proudly, unaware that not a single gaze lingered his way.

Kael yawned, scanning the crowd. His light-brown, almost-green eyes moved lazily, yet nothing escaped his notice. He observed everyone who looked suspicious. The sword strapped across his lower back was unique—single-edged, without a guard, elegant and deadly.

The trio made their way toward the grand gymnasium, where the entrance ceremony was about to begin.

Today’s speech would be delivered by the top-scoring student in both swordsmanship and magic—Lelia Valium, daughter of Duke Varges Valium.

She was already infamous on campus. The Ice Queen, they called her.

Her beauty was undeniable; her temperament, glacial. Any boy who approached her left humiliated and frozen—sometimes literally.

Julius and Cedric had both heard the rumors.

Cedric had already decided he would win her heart.

Julius was simply intrigued by her frosty demeanor.

Kael, meanwhile, looked like he might fall asleep sitting up.

⸻

“Kael,” Julius whispered, leaning toward him. “Don’t you think she looks stunning? That silver hair, those blue eyes—absolutely radiant!”

Kael yawned. “When’s this over?”

Julius only smiled, amused by his friend’s indifference.

⸻

When the ceremony ended, the students were assigned to their classes.

Cedric’s confident smile vanished as he realized he’d been placed in the Intermediate Class.

Meanwhile, Julius and Kael were both assigned to the Advanced Class.

“Brother,” Julius said with a teasing sigh, “please conduct yourself in a manner befitting a prince.”

Cedric muttered something under his breath and stormed off.

⸻

Kael followed Julius into their classroom and dropped into the seat beside him.

Instantly, half the girls in the room began whispering.

“He’s so handsome!”

“Who’s the dark-haired one with the prince?”

“I’ve never seen him before—he looks mysterious!”

Every guy in the class could feel their popularity plummeting by the second.

Kael rested his head on the desk, already half-asleep.

“You’re drawing quite a lot of attention to yourself, my shadow,” Julius murmured.

“No,” Kael said, eyes still closed. “It’s just the handsome crowned prince of Elarion they want. They all want to marry you, not me.”

Julius chuckled. “No, I think it’s you they’re staring at. Besides, did you just call me handsome?”

Kael sighed. “Don’t twist my words.”

⸻

A noble boy stepped forward and bowed.

“Your Highness, I am Leoric Valemont, son of Margrave Orvendel Valemont. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Julius smiled warmly. “Pleased to meet you, Leoric.”

Before Leoric could finish his greeting, the classroom fell silent.

Lelia Valium entered, her silver hair glimmering in the sunlight streaming through the windows. She took a seat in the front row without a word.

Julius’s eyes practically sparkled. Leoric was forgotten instantly.

“Kael! Wake up—it’s her!” Julius whispered excitedly.

“Then go talk to her,” Kael muttered, annoyed. “Just let me sleep.”

⸻

The door opened again, and their instructor stepped in—a tall woman with sharp eyes and long brown hair tied back in a braid.

“Welcome to the Advanced Class,” she announced. “I am your instructor for Magic and Mana Studies. You will also undergo courses in swordsmanship, teamwork and leadership, and spell-circle construction.”

Kael groaned quietly.

“Ugh… classes already?”

Julius grinned. “Come on, Kael, it’ll be fun.”

Kael closed his eyes again. “I doubt it.”