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Chapter 6. The Engagement
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Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 7. Marrying the Prince
A gentle-faced princess stood before me, radiating grace and poise. They said she resembled a goddess. The fate of the meteorite is the same as that of the star. Her silvery hair and prominent ears marked her as a princess. After all, she was a princess."Your Grace," I greeted."Lady Idrish Aeric." As she approached me, she bowed gently. She had the poise and grace of the monarchs I respected as she walked. She offered me her right hand, a smile on her face.I looked at her perfect fingers that missed a callous, then back to her unblemished godlike face. I held her hand and gently gave her a shake. Soft. Warm. "I a—am Idrish Aeric, Your Grace.""House Flos, the second region, the kingdom of vines and agriculture... Princess Lanuza Flos."Usually, I know a kind of elf when I see one. I seldom get a miss on that. I felt a good aura around Princess Lanuza. Apart from her gentle face and very soft-spoken, I thought it was true in the kindness shown."How have you been adjusting, Lady Idr
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 8. Worthy
I felt like I was in the middle of a cold war, where all sides had their own agendas. I realized I was being utilized as a chess piece—a movable piece to help another player achieve their goals.Anytime is good for me, because I may be used at any time... by dying.Either I satisfy the intrigue of the council, or I obey the monarch. The king, after all.Prince Killan, because of his reasoning. It's not just a surface-level concern on his part that I'd be bragging about the powers I have.In this case, what might possibly be Lady Montay's motivation? To what does the council look forward?"Princess Idrish, please step it up a notch. Prove your mettle and you will be sent to the winter arena." Montay's actions were rather oblique. I just didn't click with her. If they make me abandon her in the woods, every bone in her body will be broken.I implore your grace to demonstrate your talents. Another whisper reached my ears.When Killan looked at me, his dark eyes met mine. His jaw clenched
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 9. The Mors Map
A sigh of relief washed over us as the next few days passed. Everything that had been prepared for was about to take place. No authority was interfering with the destiny I had accepted for so long. There's no king keeping tabs on me. No prince or husband would ever risk his life by doing something I didn't give them permission to do.Me, alone, in the weight room. Taking in the season's best from the arena over the past winter, spring, summer, and fall.What I saw was nothing but wounded and dead warriors, as well as a few victorious ones.The arena proved fatal for the vast majority of the delegates.The tournament, which will take place in a week, will take place in the middle of the snow month, just like the winter arena I grew up in.In Mors's woods, ten competitors from ten different regions would square off to determine who would emerge victorious. The group would be split in half, with five players on each side. In Septen, five people would work to defend the city's six towers
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 10. Last Night
The most difficult test ever set before the queen. I was equipped with the queen's gauntlet. Powerful protection for the arms and hands.Throughout the entirety of the journey, I kept paraphrasing what the prince had said to me.I had a sneaking hunch that the former queen of the seventh region had been involved in some sort of covert power transition. Despite the fact that it attracted me, I chose to ignore it because there was no way that a humble elf like myself could ever hope to purchase such a potent artifact from the queen.When an elf is given a power that it is unable to control, the elf's body goes through some kind of change or reaction. It is possible for innocent individuals to become ill, hurt, or even killed when a new leader is unable to successfully wield the reins of power.So why did nothing bad happen to me? What was wrong with me that I only felt my hands get heavier, as if I were holding tons of steel, and nothing else?Why did the queen pick me to be the heir to
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 11. Adieu
The wagon I was sitting on was built with sturdy materials. It looked like there were iron bands surrounding the wheel spokes. All of the redwood used in the wagon was recently cut down, and the best engineers in the mansion used their skills to create it.The mule neighed as we exited the front yard of the home. I swung around for one last look at the Calore homestead. In front of the main door, I saw King Argus, his council, and the maidens and butlers who had served me over the past few days."Idrish, grasp the opportunity. The seventh areas say good-by." Killan, who was standing next to me, advised me. He was clothed in a royal blue suit. He was stunningly beautiful.The elves waiting outside House Calore's castle yelled as the wagon approached. Unbeknownst to them, children were spotted waving blue and white flags with the Calore logo on them. Women throwing flowers lined the street."Nore, Opele, and Alkar." 'House, people, honor,' the throng chanted in unison. Powerful and movi
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 12. Camp Meridio
After breaking through the wall of solid bricks, I had the sensation that I had entered a new dimension. When I arrived, I was greeted by a forest that was a stunning emerald green color, with a shade of almond brown interspersed throughout. I am able to make out the rustling of the grasses and the crackling of the leaves beneath me. It smelled musty and stale at the same time. The odor of decaying wood was produced by broken branches that had been on the forest floor for many years and had been allowed to decompose in peace.So, this is Mors.I heard a snorting coming from behind a thick covering of fluffy moss, and then I saw a boar feeding. There were tiny rats running around in the moss, searching for food in between the bristly strands.Somewhere very close to the ideal state. As I stepped into the newly discovered forest, that was the only thing I could think of to say. This had me in utter thrall the entire time. In this thicket, the trees have taken on the role of strongholds.
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 13. The Team
Pranaiah, a drunken old guy, and a bipolar swordsman. How did I end up paired up with this wacky group of champions?"Healed, healed, healed! Idrish. Idrish. Healed!" Pranaiah, the mischievous Pranaiah who had been strolling over the entire base, repeated himself. On the drinking jar-shaped forehead, his regional insignia sparkles.Meridio's tears had already drawn the attention of the larger man. The creature's hand is still on the huge bottle of wine, which looks like it will never run out.I shifted my focus away from the individual in question. As he hadn't moved or breathed in quite some time, I started to wonder if he was still alive. He hadn't moved or breathed in quite some time. My neck began to give way, and in an effort to protect myself, I buried my face in his chest.It sounded as though his heart was beating quite quickly. In the same manner as the speed of light. Even the tiniest of twitches gave the impression that life was still there.Due to the apparent potency of t
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 14. First Skill
Panic.A taste of thick, warm air.Then a deafening silence.Rouma stumbled directly into the treatment facility. She appeared to have napped because she was very exhausted. She was covered in scars and marks.The three-headed snake symbol etched into her earring was all that could be seen in the waning light. Will she soon die? I can't say for sure. Something was stuck in my throat, and I had to swallow it. The back of my throat was starting to burn—this dread.Fear. Sudden. Really unexpected.The reverberation of the world's motions reached my numb ear. We had the genuine thing here. This is the real deal. This moment felt like it would never end for me.Then I became aware of a set of eyes watching me."I-is she going to be fine?" Yes, I did inquire. While Kenru and I exchanged looks, I sensed Bonbon and Sir Borracho running up behind me.He unblinkingly answered, "Yes. She's on the healing base. The safest area. She will come back after an hour or two.""So what are we going to do
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Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 43. Song of the Winter
I was unsure of what to say when I would finally face Killan. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions. There was a part of me that understood the reasoning behind their decision to fake my death in the eyes of Springgan and allow me to live peacefully with my siblings. It's what I had always wanted. But my heart seemed to protest against the developments between Killan and Princess Lanuza. Didn't he love me? What if I told him that I loved him too? Kenru's eyes had been on me, his gaze returning to me every now and then as we made our way through the underground passage of House Calore. I couldn't fathom how he had managed to secure access to such a heavily guarded area. He was an excellent spy, after all. "Why are you doing this, Kenru?" I finally asked. "It's my duty to present you with all the possibilities and choices," he replied. I remained silent. Kenru often spoke about duty. It was his way. The sound of our footsteps echoed on the old brick floor as we walked. The air grew he
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 42. Loyal Heart
Just before Lady Montay's lifeless body could make contact with the ground, it disintegrated into a shredded dust, instantly scattered by the cold wind.My knees buckled, accompanied by a steady stream of tears and blood from my face. She's gone. But more adversaries are approaching. I sensed it.I inhaled and exhaled, my gaze fixed on the heart of the Septen. This must come to an end. It has to.As long as the foundation of the Septen remains intact, this spectacle will never cease. Rigged or not, this must conclude. In this critical moment, I felt the chilly, tranquil breeze kiss my face.My vision blurred with tears. Tears of pure sorrow. My fate, even if I were to emerge from Mors, would never be the same as before. I am no longer an ordinary huntress. I am no longer the elf who relied on the forest for survival. Everything will change, and the peace I yearn for seems distant.I have to find the other heirs. Perhaps by gathering them, there's still a chance to reclaim the peaceful
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 41. Born Warrior
I had taken several punishing blows from the flaming dark hands of Lady Montay. Her strength was awe-inspiring, catching me off guard. A misjudgment on my part, I admitted.I made desperate attempts to evade the relentless assaults she hurled at me. Rolling and dodging across the ground became my means of avoiding her relentless pursuit. Her hands were relentless, conjuring sharp-edged weapons from beneath the earth and even from the air itself. Swords and daggers shot forth towards her like guided missiles, only to be skillfully parried, shattered, or melted away by her expert defense.All of my reinvented blades were thwarted. She seemed to have honed her abilities as a direct countermeasure to mine. Could she be a gauntlet bearer too?My face was thrust into the dirt, the taste of parched soil mingling with the metallic tinge of my own blood. My left eye swelled shut, and the corneal area became a pool of blood. With just one eye left, I strained to observe her every move.A mockin
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 40. The Great Villain
The clattering resonance of the rock dominus reverberated in my ears as it charged forward, meticulously tracing The Miss's elusive path. The dominus tenaciously followed the lingering scent of Lady Montay, unyielding in its pursuit. No matter where she attempted to conceal herself, I was resolute in my relentless pursuit.From the Meridio base, the cacophonous clash of powers reached my ears. The collision of rocks, the fracturing of the ground as if struck by titanic forces, sporadic explosions rupturing the silence, and anguished cries rending the uneasy tranquility of Mors.Hope surged within me that this battle would conclude without any lives lost on our side. Stay vigilant and secure, camp Meridio, Kenru, and Killan.But the present demanded my attention—a mightier foe awaited. The score demanded settling. After several minutes of intense search, Montay's presence was finally pinpointed with the aid of the dominus. Poised at the entrance of the Septen camp's base, she awaited m
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 39. Chasing Evil
Pain and sorrow, those inseparable companions, wove a tapestry of experience. Arriving hand in hand, they took turns weakening and strengthening the soul. In my case, I navigated the uncertain path of adversity, grappling with its weight.An agonized cry tore from my lips, a primal scream of suffering that seared through me. In an instant, it felt as if my very being was shattering into pieces, only to be stitched back together by some mysterious force. As the ground beneath me lost its pull, I was lifted by an enigmatic surge of energy.The earth trembled beneath my feet. A mighty wind roared, summoning clouds into a furious dance around the sun. Thunder growled, and lightning lanced through the tumultuous sky. Chaos erupted in a symphony of nature's power.Within the gauntlet on my hand, I sensed forces awakening. Each surge of energy connected with my veins, and I alone held their reins. From these minuscule threads, I wove something grander—a hundred blades conjured from their ess
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 38. Single Tear
A surge of intense emotions engulfed me, rendering me powerless to move. My limbs felt like lead, unresponsive to my desperate commands. Inside, turmoil churned and roared, an internal maelstrom of emotions threatening to consume me. Every fiber of my being screamed for release, for a way to vent the pent-up torrent of feelings raging within. But the cruel reality was that I couldn't. I was trapped in a suffocating cocoon of tension, the air heavy with a mix of fear, anger, and anxiety.With a hesitant, trembling step, I ventured closer to Lady Montay and her imposing royal army. Our gazes locked, and it was evident that her disdain for me had only intensified over time. But now, it was more than just disdain; it had blossomed into a fervent loathing. I could practically taste the acrid intensity of her desire for my downfall. Her lips curled in a sinister twitch, as though beholding my presence brought her a perverse pleasure."Hurry up! Before I change my mind!" Her voice sliced thr
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 37. Destined Hands
As my decision echoed through the tense air, I was overwhelmed by emotions. Tears streamed down my cheeks as the weight of the situation bore down on me. The ache in my heart grew with every thought of Killan, of the choices that had led us to that point. The uncertainty gnawed at me, and for a moment, I was frozen by the gravity of it all.Kenru's voice reached me, a soothing presence amidst the turmoil. He knelt before me, his proximity grounding me. "I only want the best for Poras and Cali. I never dreamed of a lavish life. I just wanted to live normally, find peace, and watch them grow. B—but ever since I acquired these gauntlets, w—why does it feel like reaching even the simplest dreams is a struggle? Why is it so hard to attain my modest desires in this world?"Kenru's response was gentle, his words offering a perspective of resilience. "It's all going to be worth it, Idrish. The sweetest triumphs come only when we've worked hard for them. Through blood and sweat.""Idrish, sad.
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 36. Hundred Arrows
The chaos and tension within the camp were escalating rapidly. As Lady Montay and her forces loomed before us, their intimidating presence made it clear that this battle would be no ordinary fight. The atmosphere was charged with danger, and every heartbeat seemed to reverberate with the impending clash.My allies and I stood united, a wall of determination against the approaching storm. The sounds of clashing metals, unsheathed blades, fluttering cloths, sprouting trap plants, and blazing projectiles filled the air, creating a cacophony of preparation. Camp Meridio was ready for whatever was about to unfold.In the midst of the chaos, Kenru's voice reached my ears as he whispered his unwavering support. The sight of him, his sword half drawn from its sheath, his sweat and blood evident, reminded me that I wasn't alone in this daunting moment. His quiet confidence and determination bolstered my own resolve.I had to remain focused, even as Lady Montay's chilling words penetrated the a
Song of the Winter Solstice Chapter 35. Uncovered
Listening to all sides of the story: from Bonbon, Borracho, Rouma, and Kenru was like unearthing the entire trove of secrets held by each member. I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, revealing all the concealed truths in one dazzling flash.They had been harboring this secret all along. All of them, here because of me. Because of the gauntlet. It dawned on me that from the very beginning, they had allowed me to search for the hidden strength within me. They had even let me scavenge for stingers and enhancers, all to awaken the latent power of the gauntlet.They knew I was the inheritor of the winter gauntlet, The Meadanach. Whoever was leading them, they knew my fate was woven into this plot.Hold on.I w—was sent here to die?Who orchestrated my arrival in this place?King Argus Calore sent me here. To meet my demise? Unthinkable! The king, a figure of honor and virtue. He had shown me nothing but kindness during my time at House Calore. Deep within my heart, I knew him to be
