I Met The Second Prince Of the Northern Nation!?

“What do you mean by your lake!?” I holler. “This was property of the Sinclair Kingdom!”

“Long ago, correct,” he acknowledges. “But, as I see it right now, you two are trespassing onto the Fenirix Kingdom. State your names now.”

“Didn’t you get them from the ice soldiers you created?” Brendan asks.

“Hardly,” Cassian rejects. “I do not share senses with those dolls.”

“D-dolls?” I stammer.

“They are made of ice and have no life,” he continues. “Surely that’s the proper way to word it, not because I’m heartless and believe they’re inferior? No, never. I’m appreciative of the ice soldiers I can create.”

The argument is surprisingly sound, but I don’t like this guy. He undid all the work Brendan put into thawing and purifying the lake! But I’m quite terrified of him, too! You’re saying everywhere he goes, it becomes barren like this?

“My name is Lucia Velvetora,” I answer truthfully. “I’m the Sinclair Heroine.”

Cassian’s eyebrow is raised. “Oh? How intriguing. Sinclair birthed a Heroine.”

Brendan pulls me to the side. “Lucia! Do you have any idea what you’re doing giving your entire identity to a stranger!?”

“Well, we won’t get anywhere if we remain quiet!” I whisper. “Besides, can’t you see? His powers are terrifying!”

“I can hear both of you,” Cassiasn sighs. “So much for being discreet, right?”

“EEP!” I leap back. Despite his control of the ice and snow, he hasn’t attacked us once. I mean, he did with that icicle, but if he wanted to kill me, he would’ve aimed better. That was clearly a ploy to get our attention.

Brendan clears his throat. “Fine. I’m Prince Brendan of the Sinclair Kingdom. Heir to the throne when he comes of age.”

“Ah, that’s why you looked familiar.” Cassian looks at the winged stallion next to him. “The Sun Phoenix chose you.”

“Y-yeah…” Brendan mumbles. “And anyway, what the hell is a kid doing here!? “Where are your parents?”

“Relaxing in the Capital like yours,” he answers. “Oh wait. King Aurelian doesn’t relax in such a crippled nation on the verge of debt.”

Brendan grits his teeth, nearly falling for the provocation. “Why you!”

“Sorry, just creating a joke about your kingdom’s misfortune.”

Brendan grips his sword tighter. “GRRR!”

“Brendan, don’t let his words get to you.”

“I want them to get to me.”

I slap the boy’s back, making him spiral 1080. He sees some chickens before coming back to his senses.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?”

“I’m saying DON’T LET HIM GET TO YOU!”

“WELL, YOU’RE GETTING TO ME!”

“YOU WANT TO FIGHT!? WATER BEATS FIRE!”

“RUDIMENTARY! I’LL TAKE YOU ON-”

“Quiet,” Cassian groans. “You both are so damn loud. Did you forget why you’re here?”

“Oh, right!” I point at the ice-cold boy. “Thank you for reminding me you’re the enemy!”

“Uh, right…” What an odd bunch of people he must be thinking. It’s written on his face.

“So, do you mind handing over the Northern Lake?” I smile.

“Sure.”

“I knew that wasn’t going to work- wait, WHAT!?”

“The PUNISHING FROST contaminates the Northern Lake, correct?” He gets on his stallion. “So, as long as I stay away from here, the lake should revert to its former state. As much as it’d be great for my father to destroy your nation and turn this lake into an ice rink for skating, that would ruin my plans.”

“Y-your plans?”

For the most random reason, he has a smile plastered on his face. “I feel like we can be good friends.”

“HUH!? IMPOSSIBLE!” WHAT DID HE JUST SAY!? IS HE NOT THE TYPICAL ICE PRINCE ARCHETYPE!?

“Well, bye!”

And thus, the ice-cold prince fled on horseback. As he moved, the Northern Lake reverted to its original state, leaving the barren trees as a reminder he was here. It would take a couple of months to restore their former glory.

“That boy is so weird…” Brendan mutters.

“You’re one to talk,” I smirk.

“Shut it.”

I look at the blue sky. “Well, looks like the PUNISHING FROST won’t touch the Northern Lake anymore. Sounds like a job well done?”

“I mean, surely you don’t believe that crap,” Brendan states, dusting off his clothes. “The Fenirix kingdom is known for being sly.”

“Well…” I look at the depleting trail of snow. “I think maybe he’s just lonely.”

“Lonely…” Brendan clicks his tongue. “You’re so damn weird.”

“Ha, but my mother said it was the best part about me!”

“Uh, hate to interrupt… but… the sun is setting,” Mar sighs. “We must return to the lodges.”

“R-right!”

News of our “victory” spread far across the lands. The very people who were once dying of thirst in our capital now drink water as it flows in every crater it was supposed to be. And…

“PRINCE BRENDAN! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!”

Yup, the Prince took all the credit.

“Hey, come on. I was there, too!” I yell.

“BUT YOU DON’T HAVE THE GOLDEN FLAMES!”

He’s right. I sigh. “B-Brendan, please don’t let the attention get to you.”

His stupid smirk irks me. Of COURSE it did.

However, this small victory doesn’t seem to be the end of our financial troubles. The King’s chair has been upgraded from small to large wood, though! Small victories in sight!

No, that’s not what I should be focused on.

“WHAT IS PRINCE CASSIAN DOING HERE!?” I exclaim.

“He is meeting to discuss the terms of the Northern Lake,” King Aurelian explains. “Transferring of land is an arduous and bureaucratic task-”

“Skip the funny words,” I interrupt. I turn to the ice prince next to us. “So, uh, nice weather?”

“If that was a joke about how I bring snowfall everywhere I go, that wasn’t funny.”

“S-sorry… that’s a conversation starter I learned in a book.”

“What kind of books does this girl read?” Brendan scoffs.

“Good ones,” I snap back.

Cassian turns to both of us and performs an over-the-top bow. “So, my dear friends! We meet again!”

“We’re not your friends,” Brendan and I say starkly in unison.

“How cold! Not that I can speak for being cold!” Despite the exclamation marks, his voice is pretty monotone. He’s a bit taller than Brendan, and his attire is a simple white-and-blue regal uniform. Fit for a prince of a nation.

Except, both princes I’ve met so far have some problems in those small heads of theirs.

Not like I can speak.

“So, did you go to King Manchester for approval?”

“Of course not! Father would reject this outrageous request!” Cassian walks forward and hands a document. “Hence why I shall pay out of pocket with my treasury money!”

“How rich is this boy?” I whisper into Brendan’s ear.

“Pretty damn rich,” he replies.

“So, what do you say, King Aurelian?” Cassian pitches. “Isn’t it a great idea?”

“I don’t get it,” King Aurelian shakes his head. “What purpose do you need just to release the lake your family spent years acquiring?”

“I have bigger plans,” he smiles. “I need those 2 children, too.”

“W-what!?” I exclaim.

He points to both of us. “Oh, fair children of Sinclair. Have you ever been to school?”

“No, our school went out of business very quickly,” Brendan asks. “Huh!? Are you saying!?”

“In exchange for freeing the lake, you must go to Fenirix Academy in the Fenirix Kingdom!”

“There’s no way we’ll accept that, right, Lucia!?”

“SCHOOL! OH MY GOSH! IS THIS MY OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A KINGDOM THAT THE STORIES ONCE SAID!?”

“She’s a lost cause,” Brendan sighs. “Father, you do realize-”

“Signed.”

“And he’s a lost cause, too!” Brendan hollers. He turns to the last pillar of support. “Mar! Surely you don’t think something is fishy!”

“I think it’s an excellent idea that you two go through formal education,” Mar replies.

“Y-yeah, he makes a good point,” Brendan sighs. “Surely it isn’t ice cold over there.”

“Not at all. With our heaters and technology, despite the Glacial Stallion’s intense winds, it feels like summer everywhere we go.”

“So he says… but he’s quite used to the cold,” I remark.

“You’ll get used to it real quick.”

And so the odd prince left as fast as he came. As soon as the Glacial Stallion arrived, he leaped onto its back and flew into the sky, creating a trail of snowflakes with each flap of its wings.

“There are some oddballs in every kingdom,” I say.

“Yeah… huh, what do you mean every kingdom!?” Brendan yells.

I laugh. “Sorry, but I’m not saying a thing about it!”

I prance to my room, skipping through the empty halls. School! School! School! I know Sinclair’s Royal Academy shut down 5 years ago, but we’re given a chance to visit another kingdom, one with preferably more riches than before!

How fun can it be!?

* * * * *

A different scene. Back in the ice-cold Fenirix Castle. The royal hall is home to hanging icicles that show no sign of ever falling. The dim white-and-blue lights hang from them, sparkling on the knights standing on each side of the walkway.

Prince Cassian takes a knee on the red carpet. “Father, our proposal has been accepted. Prince Brendan and Heroine Lucia have agreed to the terms.”

“Good job, Cassian.” The King walks down from his golden throne and hugs his boy tightly. “I love you, my son!”

“S-stop doting on me!” Cassian mutters, a bit miffed.

“Oh, but you always do a job well done!” The King puts himself down. “It’s a shame our Oracle is missing, and his prophecy cannot be fully deciphered.”

“Regardless, we got plenty of information, right?”

He nods. “If what our prophecy said is true, then we must do all we can to assist those two.”

“Why?”

“Because if we don’t, the Fenirix Kingdom will fall with the Sinclair Kingdom.”

* * * * *