Northerly Winds

Ariel was acting weird --- Astrid von Prutia thought to herself.

The humble, but by no means any less noble daughter of Viscount Hortensia was a precious friend of the free-spirited Imperial princess. Kind, polite and gentle, if not a bit weak in spirit, the Viscount’s daughter was absolutely devastated when her best friend, the heir of Schwarzregen, left her without a word. Being the diligent girl she was, Ariel still went to lectures and attended her student council duties, even if she had to cover her true feelings with a fake smile. All too much for a noble girl who had yet to experience her 18thsummer.

But the Ariel today was different. Not only did she miss lectures, lose track of time and interrupt someone mid-sentence, Astrid also felt that something else about Ariel had changed. The Hortensia lady’s adorable light pink eyes, usually filled with abundant joy or melancholic tears, instead emanated a silent determination. While by no means cold and emotionless, her voice lacked her characteristic optimism, one that used to border on naiveté.

…It was as if her heart had been frozen solid by the winter winds of Schwarzregen, that came all the way down to the capital.”

Viola. At least you could’ve left a letter… Astrid thought, as an actual spell of cold wind grazed her, making her long, silver hair swirl in the air. Autumn was over and the northern winds were getting strong; Astrid prayed in her heart that her precious friend, the precious lady of Hortensia, would not be chasing the northern winds.

…Chasing the northern winds?

“…Thanks for everything, Astrid.”

Astrid suddenly remembered what Ariel said to her, and that harmless remark now sounded like ominous words of farewell. “You are crazy,” Astrid turned around, shouting into the frigid wind, “you are f**king crazy, Ariel. I won’t forgive you if you, too, disappear without a word---”

Trying to chase your friend into the northern wilderness? Who are you, the protagonist of a third-rate romance novel? What if you get in trouble? What if you get hurt? What if we never get to meet again? But maybe I am overreacting. Maybe she didn’t mean anything. Maybe she’s just quietly eating her meal, or maybe I could stop her before she does anything rash---

With those thoughts in her mind, Astrid rushed through the many-pillared hallways of the Academy.

She was too late. Where the young lady of Hortensia once was, only a letter remained.

--------------------------

“Is it snowing…?”

I reached out my hand. Northerly winds carried a tiny white flake onto my palm; it soon melted without a trace, leaving only the coldness behind.

“Miss, is this the first time you’ve seen snow?” The coachman, who was sitting next to me, asked.

“Not really. Why?”

“No wonder. You came from the south, right? Most southerners are fascinated by snow since they have never seen it before. At least, they won’t be frowning at the snow as hard as you do.”

“…I don’t really care for snow. I’ve seen it before. It’s always the same: it gets everywhere, obstructs vision, and blocks roads. It is pretty, but it’s a massive pain in the back side. People who like snow are either idiots that don’t know better, or assholes who never had to deal with the pain themselves.”

“Ha! Miss, you sound like one of us already.” The coachman laughed. “To be honest, I thought a high-ranking noblewoman from the south would be more stuck up and arrogant. I guess not all nobles are the same.”

“I am not a high noble, though. I am just a countryside noble’s daughter.”

“You jest, milady! You can cover yourself in plain clothing, but you can’t hide your behaviour. I’ve seen plenty of nobles, but none of them were as elegant and regal as you are. I’d even believe it if you say you were a princess! …Your speech aside, that is.”

…Close, but not quite, I thought. Even so, it was a surprise that the coachman thought I was a high noble, despite that I was definitely an innocent young lady of an insignificant household at this point. Perhaps, decades of life in the royal palace left its mark, in a way that couldn’t be concealed. Or perhaps, I didn’t want to conceal it. I did not want to deny my past life --- I did not want to deny what made me the way I was.

…Did the princess of Prutia realise something was off back then? She probably did, given how even a stranger was able to tell. She must be worried sick by now, but there is no way I could tell her the truth…

“But what are you doing here, milady?” The coachman continued to speak. “It’s difficult to travel through those mountains in winter because of the snow. If you had to go to the Ducal capital Schwarzstadt, you could’ve gone around the mountains through the main road---”

…He’s right. In my past life, the Schwarzregen Duchy closed its borders to outsiders for two years, but that shouldn’t happen for half a year at least, and the journey to the Duchy will take two months at most. I did not need to go through those mountains, nor did I need to run away from the Academy on the day of my return.

Still, I felt as if I was compelled by a mysterious force to go on this reckless journey. I had to meet Viola as soon as humanly possible, and scaling those mountains are the fastest way since the only faster way --- Viola’s airship --- was not available. Was it the desire to see someone who was your best friend? Or was it guilt, as I was the one who put the end to her life? I did not understand myself.

“For there is a path not taken.”

…But for some reason, I remembered God’s words.

“I don’t know what drove you to such a decision, but a young, defenceless lady shouldn’t travel alone in those mountains---”

I suddenly sensed something. In those snowy, northerly winds, we were not alone.

“I am not defenceless. Before you worry about me, you should worry about yourself. We are surrounded.”