Lord of Winter

"Perhaps fate has a sense of humor. Rah Aerowenlore had a certain talent in making mischief seem more enticing than it ought, and now, Princess Hiraya possesses that particular charm."

Lorenz’s expression darkened. The charged air shrouding the banquet table thickened. Aya, for her part, felt uncertain. It didn’t sound like playful banter anymore, or maybe it wasn’t from the start. Iorwerth continued smiling.

"And if corrupting the better judgment of others were an inherited trait…” His gaze flitted towards Drystan and Aiden. “...I daresay you would make a harmonious household."

Finally, Aya understood. ‘Is he saying Lord Lorenz and I are a bad influence on others?’

"It is indeed a pity that her family cannot come," Ercilia suddenly interjected.

“Truly, it is.”

“To her crowning ceremony, too. I was told that her Anointing was one of a kind.”

“...It was.”

As Iorweth’s assertiveness wavered, Ercilia smoothly added, “Why, her family ought to have seen her perform!” Hearing her repeat her words earlier, Fonseca paused, a faint frown touching her lips. “I myself regret not being there. Apparently, her illusions were unlike anything the world had seen before.”

“It was outstanding,” Drystan commented, nodding along.

Aiden and the other princes, seemingly reaching a quiet agreement, also voiced out, “There were scenes with such great detail that even I almost mistook them to be real.”

“The part with the gods was absolutely incredible.”

“So were the parts with the sea and the vessel.”

‘...Did they really think that? I had no idea.’ Aya blushed, flustered.

Ercilia smiled gently. "Then, I have been deprived of quite an extraordinary sight."

The strain that had drawn taut over the banquet table eventually loosened. Iorwerth let out a cough that came out more awkward than natural. Fonseca's mouth pulled down further in displeasure.

Ercilia ignored them and faced Aya. "I must say, now that I have heard more, I should very much like to see it."

Her eyes rounded. "Now?"

"If it is no trouble."

"Erm… I suppose you can...” She noticed the others stir in excitement. ‘Well, this is unexpected.’

"Might I make another request?"

She blinked. “Y-Yes?”

"Could you indulge us with something new, if only for the sake of our spectators here tonight who have witnessed all your illusions thus far?"

"Oh, uh… What would you like to see?"

Her gaze flickered across the table. She then grinned and leaned forward.

"Your family.”

Aya went still while the entire room seemed to hold its breath. Lorenz appeared to want to speak but hesitated.

"I simply wish to know more about the people who raised such a wonderful young lady." Ercilia’s expression softened. “So, when your family finally visits, I shall be able to recognize them at once, and I believe the others are rather eager to meet them."

That had to be a jab at Iorwerth and Fonseca.

It was a simple request. It would be easy. Her stage performances had been more convoluted. Yet, this felt different. While she had created illusions of herself and of people who didn’t exist, she had never gone this far.

‘My family…’ Ercilia waited patiently, then Aya acquiesced, “Very well.”

She lifted one hand, magic spilling from her fingertips. It’s barely there at first—a shimmer like moonlight upon water. It flowed around until a translucent figure materialized at her right side. The illusion wasn’t perfectly solid, but it exhibited a striking clarity.

It was her stepfather.

‘Ahhh… Dad, I miss you…’

Ercilia watched with genuine interest. "He’s quite handsome."

‘Huh?!’ Aya jolted, taken aback. ‘T-That's just a compliment, right?! Why does she suddenly look like a woman with a plan?!’

Lorenz noticed as well and heaved a sigh. “Are you satisfied?”

"How about the princess’s mother?"

Her mother passed away when she was very young. The only memories she had of her were the stories Roniel shared. Her stepfather had also forbidden her from copying her. Right now, though, there seemed to be no harm, and it brought her immense joy to finally introduce her family to everyone.

This was her chance.

A pale glow spread on her left side. The figure of a woman formed.

Black hair, blue eyes, and a face similar to hers—basically, an older version of herself.

Aya beamed proudly. “So, um… My stepfather’s name is Roniel, and my mother-”

“Vivienne?”

Ercilia sat frozen, looking like a cold hand had gripped her. 

Iorwerth, Fonseca, and Yusuf weren't anywhere near shaken, though. Aya was baffled, and then some as her gaze shifted to the last seat. 

Lorenz’s expression was indefinable, as if everything he ever knew had been upended.

“I-It’s Yvonne…” Aya managed to say despite the building pressure in the banquet hall. “Not Vivienne…”

Lorenz bolted up abruptly. His breathing became shallow and erratic. Slowly, his hand clasped the table until it creaked beneath his fingers. His eyes darted from her mother to her and then back again.

Something in his face frightened Aya more than words could explain.

She had seen him upset and worried. She had never seen him like this.

"...L-Lord Lorenz?"

He did not respond. She was concerned now. Even the others sensed that something was wrong.

“Your Royal Highnesses,” Ercilia spoke once more, though without the same lightness as before. “Might we ask you to leave us for a short while?”

They did as told.

As the illusions disappeared, Lorenz remained eerily quiet. Ercilia and the rest of the adults continued observing him. Aya spared one last glance at them before stepping out of the banquet hall with the other children.

The doors closed, and for a moment, nobody uttered a word.

“What was that about?” Drystan, of course, was the first to break the silence.

Aya swallowed. “Did I do something…?”

“It’s not you,” Aiden assured. “Their relationship has always been frayed at the edges.”

Gabriel nodded. “And we get caught up in it every time.”

Enzo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Perhaps we should summon someone-”

A loud explosion tore the banquet hall apart.

Everyone lurched as the floor trembled violently beneath them. An onslaught of magic spells surged through the doors’ seams, flooding the corridor with blinding light. Drystan and Aiden quickly seized Aya and fled, with Enzo and Gabriel leading. Another thunderous impact followed seconds later.

"W-What’s happening?!”

A third outburst shook the palace, then more, more, and more.

Lanterns swung wildly overhead. Windows rattled noisily. They sprinted down the halls while evading the debris. As they reached the palace gardens, Aya noticed no one else was around—no knights, no servants. It’s as though the people had vacated the place in anticipation of the pandemonium.

“What are they doing up there?!”

“Are they serious right now?”

Hearing those, Aya also looked, then blanched.

High above the palace, against the winter sky, Lorenz was suspended in the air. Dense clouds of snow churned around him, whisking into a huge, white storm illuminated by purple flashes. His hair whipped around his face, and his eyes burned with an intensity that made Aya instinctively step back. Surrounding him at all sides were Ercilia and the others, having also deployed a flight spell.

“Lord Lorenz is losing control,” Aiden muttered vehemently.

Drystan exchanged looks with Enzo and Gabriel. “We can see that...”

“You don't understand. This is dangerous.” Aiden gulped, visibly perturbed.

“Why?”

“It is winter.”

“And?”

“Hiraya, Drystan.” The boy’s face tightened. “I didn’t get to say this to you two, but I read back at the underground temple that, uh… To put it simply, Divine Vessels are unstoppable forces of nature when at the pinnacle of their power.”

“...Lord Lorenz is no longer a Divine Vessel, though?”

They all stood bewildered. Their attention went back to the sky. Right then, Lorenz unleashed a blizzard.

“This is bad,” Gabriel said.

“Very bad,” Enzo agreed.

“Extremely bad,” Drystan added.

Aya thought of an idea. ‘Whatever Aiden wants to say is important, and Lord Lorenz needs to be stopped before it's too late.’

The sky lit up.

A colossal winged serpent emerged, its scaly body winding through the snowstorm. Its howl boomed across the palace grounds, stunning all into silence. Even Lorenz faltered.

The divine beast, Neronaua, made a glorious comeback.

Aya imagined herself speaking through the illusion with the most terrifying voice she could muster. “I HAVE COME TO- Oh?”

The serpent winced. Unfortunately, it didn't work.

Aya's voice came out of the illusion’s mouth at her normal pitch. “Ehem! I have come to…punish bad people who fight…”

A dangerous beast speaking like a young girl was unheard of. Everybody reeled, incredulous. The silence was starting to become painful. 

“Please stop fighting?”  It tilted its humongous head. “Pretty please?”

The illusion was supposed to be daunting. Yet, as it clasped its claws beneath its chin, it resembled a cute, sulking puppy instead. 

Aya cringed. 

She did not intend it to be this wholesome. There's no retreating now, though. She had to pull it off somehow.

It rolled onto its back in midair. “Can we all calm down?”

“Pft!” Someone stifled a laugh.

“While I’m still asking nicely!” Its snout thrust upward.

“Just to be sure…” Yusuf peered at it. “...Are you the princess?”

“No!” It quickly wagged its tail. “I mean- ROARRR!!!”

Iorwerth covered his ears. Ercilia rubbed her temple.

Fonseca shouted, “YOU’RE TOO NOISY!”

"I'M SORRY!"

It immediately tucked its tail between its legs. 

Aya buried her face in her hands. Drystan burst out laughing. The other boys watched with amusement.

“Ughhh…. This isn't how it should go.”

The supposedly mighty divine beast made a tiny, squeaking sound.