Creatures of the Ice

Sixteenth Ice

Sixteenth IceCreatures of the Mist

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##### Sixteenth Ice #####

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Frozen,

Ice runs through the veins.

Tearing melt,

Frost and snow that cannot compare.

All that is well, ends well. Although killing is not really such a good end from the majority’s perspective, it was the best thing I could do to release Abel from his timeless contract.

After his death, we stay for a while in the forest until the season even has the perfect timing to change. The area, which is a different dimension from Earth, is well-known for its drastic climate change. Fall passes as a breeze, and the snow starts to fall soon in beautiful drops.

I take time to stare at the snowing white sky for a while before I can feel a presence near me. And I know that I have to find another burial place soon.

But when I do not move, a wave suddenly washes over me, sweeping chill and a very unpleasant nausea to my skin, which eventually reaches my whole body. I look around and find nothing, although I have a hunch that I should be staring at something at some point. It is there, though, and it is getting near. And I have an idea why it is here.

It wants the dead body of a demon, which is the one I am holding right now. I cannot see it, perhaps because it does not want to be seen or maybe it is just not there. But I cannot ignore this empty feeling either, which is exactly what the constellation of fog makes me feel.

It is dark.

It is thick.

And it is hungry.

Without waiting for another moment, I pick Abel’s corpse up and flee the forest.

A month passes and it comes to the day of celebration ─ my birthday.

Out of formality, I have to throw at least a party as the Queen of Darkness. And even though I like to keep it down for the last two years, I need to make a change just for this year, since this is the first birthday I have after my marriage, which is still very much a big secret to everyone other than me and Valline.

We have discussed this before ─ about when we are going to make the announcement. This news will bring too much of a shock for both sides of the family. It can be considered as rather harmful either, especially since Noirmelns and Blancort are never really in good terms for once.

“Are you ready?” Valline asks with a smile on his lips, his one covered white glove hand hanging in the air in front of me.

“Let’s do this,” I say, accepting his hand and let him guide me towards the grand stairs of the Noirmelns Castle, which leads to the front hall where everyone is waiting.

A few nights ago, we have sent the invitations to our most important guests. This morning, we are wearing the opposite color to what we usually wear daily.

Valline garments in an all black tuxedo suit, which includes a necktie, a button up shirt underneath with a long sleeve blazer on top, a long pair of pants and a pair of glossy shoes, all obviously looking specially expensive for today. Looking at him in all black kind of gave me a new perspective of him. But perhaps it is not just me, that the guests might have already noticed themselves. Nevertheless, that brilliant aura of his still circles around him, making him visibly angelic yet possibly dangerous. And also more mature.

For me, he already specially ordered a gown as a birthday gift. It looks like a weave of white diamonds to me, with small white crystal shards on the top and complicated ornaments following down. It is also sleeveless. Around my waist, there is a silky bubble belt with a pearl in the middle. Below my waist looks like a giant flower crowns, combined with a thread of sparkling nets on top growing from the belt and pointing at four directions, diagonally for each.

The gift also comes with a pair of transparent, sparkling slippers with a few butterflies’ ornament. But that does not stop there. Valline also gave me a hair accessory, which is actually a necklace that is placed around the crown of my head with my hair being let loose and combed straight. The necklace makes my hair looks like I have small stars on it.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Queen Arsene and King Valline,” an announcer says our name as we start to go through the stairs one by one.

All eyes are on us instantly. Some look excited, some of their eyes ignite curiosity, hidden or obviously shown hatred, while some just look at us blankly. But we see through welcoming smiles out of manners anyway.

The front hall is filled with mostly members of mine and Valline’s family, although he has to force his family to come for them to be here in the present. I also invite Banri, my friend, and Trace, my apprentice, to come. Although it is a little risky to invite Crease and Shrade, but I did it nevertheless. They come, of course, and can easily spot them standing near Banri.

Although having a royalty here is considered an honor, I did not have much hope of him coming when I sent an invitation to Lelouch. But I am not seeing him anywhere.

As for my parents.... it will be very impolite to not invite them. Though they definitely love their freedom. I think they will drop by for a few minutes to wish me a happy birthday, at least.

Once Valline and I reach the end of the stairs, I stop so that I can make a short speech.

“Thank you all for coming to my birthday party today. Please enjoy your day as this party will be held from morning to midnight. For those who are too tired to make their trip home can also stay overnight at our guest rooms if you like later on. I hope you all have a good time here. And....” I intentionally trail off to sneak a peek at Valline with a knowing smile, “at the end of the party, I will also make an announcement. So please make sure that you are still joining the party until the very last minute. Thank you again for your attention and have fun.”

After that speech, we chat with the guests, letting them having the opportunity to wish me a happy birthday, which I kindly accept.

“Happy 25th birthday,” Banri says when he approaches us, bringing his usual cheerful mood along.

“Thank you.”

“I give something that you might like. I brought it from my home dimension, and kind of have the rare factor too,” he says, giving me some hints.

Could it be.... a fire stone? Fire stone is one of the most beautiful stones in the universe. It has the highest art value for any collector. And it is only available in the fire dimension, where Banri was born. But not anyone can find it at just anywhere. The stone can only be found at the deepest abyss of magma sea. Only the strongest fire element wizard can get to there.

“Thank you. I’m sure I will love it.”

“But not as much as you love my presents, don’t you?” Valline asks in a half-joking manner.

“They are all very beautiful. Hmm.... This will be hard to judge,” I reply seriously while trailing off, trying to think which present I like the most so far.

At that moment, I catch a glimpse of Shrade and Crease from the direction where Banri came before. I wave at them as they walk towards us. Something warm and tight are definitely building up inside my chest.

“Happy birthday,” they congratulates me almost at the same time.

“Thank you for coming. It has really been a while.” I almost cry at the sight of them, right in front of me.

“Wow, no need to cry like that, Arsene. We don’t want to be the cause of the birthday girl crying,” cheers Shrade, a little bit surprised at my reaction.

When he says that, I cannot control the tears that are threatening to fall out anymore.

“Of course I have to. You are my friends and ex-team mates. It has really been such a long time since we last saw each other. And I am not even as young as a girl anymore,” I respond.

They all laugh a little bit by my last words.

“Well then, don’t you think this deserves a group hug?” Crease asks, which is kind of out of the character since she is not the type that really fancy hugging.

Nevertheless, we do it anyway.

“Thanks again for coming. I didn’t really have that much of a confidence when I sent you the invitations. I didn’t know that you guys will actually come or not. We have been through a lot ever since we were small. And yet after that incident, I was even really that sure─”

“Oh, shush, Arsene. Don’t need to get that sentimental at all. We are still friends ─ good friends. And as for what happened at the Sorcier before, it was an accident. No one can be blamed for that. I mean, who would have known that the kappa was plotting something against you,” Shrade says.

“I should have kne─”

When they throw me those dagger looks, I know that I should stop right there. They already forgive me. And they do not want me to keep sulking.

I sigh. Even the greatest friends can be so forceful sometimes. But I am glad that I met them. So instead, I give them my most brilliant smile that comes from the bottom of my heart.

“Now that is more like it.”

We chat some more to catch up with each other. Turns out the two are currently dating right now. It is unexpected, but the kind that is nice. When I see Shrade looking at Crease, and when I see her look at him back, I know that there is love in their eyes. It is a sweet connection. The kind that is similar to how me and Valline.

I look at him while reminiscing that thought. I stare into his crystal blue eyes, their glow never fails to amaze me. He is looking at my friends while listening to their conversations. But when he notices me staring, he turns to gaze at me and gives me a small yet charming smile.

“─so I’m guessing that you two also have something going on. Am I right?” Crease asks bluntly.

“What?” I snap my head back at her.

“Are you guys dating?”

“Um, yeah. Well, sort of.”

They all stare at me sharply, especially Banri, when I answer her question.

“What do you mean,” Shrade makes quoting gesture in the air with his fingers, “‘sort of’?”

I am going to announce our marriage at midnight, at the end of the party is. I do not think there is any harm on telling them. But when I am about to open my mouth to reply Shrade, a loud, common sound gains everyone’s attention. I think it happens at the back garden area, where most of the outdoor activities are held, since there are so many creatures crowding near the double doors that lead to the backyard.

“What is going on?” Valline asks out of concern.

“Oh, it’s okay. It’s probably just the duel competition that is going on,” I reassure him.

“What? Is that alright?”

“Of course. The competition is run by safety rules. And besides, my family always held it every time a celebration comes up.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ve heard of that competition. Then that means there is going to be a prize, right?” Banri asks sounding interested.

“Yes. It is one of my latest artworks ─ a combination of blackstone's trophy and a giant garnet ruby. It will be the kind of trophy that you will want to show off in your glass case.”

“How does the competition works?” Valline asks.

“Well, whoever who wants to join can enter the competition. And then that someone may challenge whoever he or she wants to duel with. The one who is challenged may either accept or decline the challenge. If the opponent agrees, the two will duel in the fighting zone. The rule for the duel is that no one is allowed to either kill or permanently injure the opponent. Other than that, every other attack is allowed. The one who wins may challenge someone else or be challenged for another duel until no one else does.”

“Sounds interesting. Perhaps I will join,” Banri comments.

“I want to enter the competition as well,” Crease states.

“Duel? Fight? I’m not gonna miss it. I’m joining in as well,” Shrade exclaims enthusiastically while clenching his fists up.

I chuckles by their words. “Well, it’s not surprising coming from you guys. Come on, then. The registration is at the backyard garden.”

“Backyard garden?” Shrade snorts. “It’s more like an endless field, the last time I went there.”

Banri chuckles. “Yeah, no kidding. It can definitely fit twenty football fields.”

I can only smile by their comments.

We are entering the back garden when I hear voices arguing, with one of them I have a bad feeling on.

“What kind of savages fight like that? And in a party, even. Some wizards that do not have manners, I see,” Carvel declares without even trying to conceal his true intentions.