She who held the world

Chapter 3: The cold Gaze

The days following the Grand Assembly passed in a blur of silence and solitude.

Life in the Vane Duchy didn't change for Celestia. She was still the invisible child, eating her meals alone in her room, attending lessons where teachers ignored her, and walking through halls where people stepped aside as if she carried a plague.

But something was different now.

Ever since that night in the garden when Lucien Nightshade had appeared out of nowhere, Celestia felt a strange weight on her shoulders. It was as if invisible threads had wrapped around her, watching, waiting.

‘They are curious,’ she realized as she sat by the window, reading a thick book on magical theory. ‘Especially that Shadow Prince. He saw through my act a little bit. I need to be more careful.’

She knew she had to maintain her role perfectly. Dull. Slow. Weak.

"Lady Celestia?"

The door opened, and an old servant entered, carrying a tray of food. But unlike the other servants who looked at her with hate or mockery, this one looked at her with pity.

"Here is your dinner, Miss. Please eat while it's warm."

"Thank you," Celestia said softly, keeping her voice flat.

As the servant turned to leave, she suddenly stopped and looked back. "Miss... The young masters from the other kingdoms... they are still staying in the guest palace. Please... avoid going near the west gardens at night. It is their territory."

Celestia blinked. "I see. Thank you for telling me."

The servant left. Celestia looked at the food but didn't touch it immediately.

West gardens? she thought. Why are they still here? They have their own kingdoms to run. Why linger in this place?

She didn't know the answer, but her instincts told her it wasn't for politics anymore.

Three days later, an incident occurred at the Magic Training Grounds.

It was mandatory for all noble children to attend, even those without magic. Celestia stood at the very back of the line, wearing a loose training robe that was too big for her, making her look even smaller.

The instructor was demonstrating fire manipulation. Flames danced in his hands, earning gasps of awe from the other students.

"Now," the instructor said, his eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on Celestia. A smirk formed on his lips. "Lady Celestia. Why don't you come forward and try? Maybe today is your lucky day."

Laughter erupted immediately.

"She can't even light a candle!"

"Just give up, Empty Vessel!"

Celestia lowered her head and walked forward slowly. Her steps were dragging, her posture slumped. She stood in front of the instructor, looking at the small pile of magical wood meant to be ignited.

‘So annoying,’ she thought inwardly, her mind calm like still water. ‘If I use even 0.0001% of my power, this entire training ground will turn into ash. But I have to play along.’

"Go on," the instructor sneered. "Pour your mana into it."

Celestia extended her hand. She closed her eyes and focused on sealing everything inside her. She imagined her mana as a deep ocean locked behind massive steel doors.

Nothing happened. The wood remained dark and cold.

"See?" The instructor laughed loudly. "Trash is still trash. Get out of my sight. You are wasting my time."

He raised his hand, not to guide her, but to slap the back of her head, forcefully pushing her away in front of everyone.

Celestia didn't even flinch. She was ready to fall, ready to endure the humiliation like always.

‘Just a little pain. It will pass.’

But the slap never came.

SWISH!

A sudden, freezing gust of wind swept through the entire training ground. The temperature dropped so drastically that frost started forming on the grass and on the students' uniforms.

Everyone gasped, shivering violently.

"What... what is this?!"

"It's so cold!"

Celestia felt it too, but she remained standing. She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head slightly.

Standing at the entrance of the training grounds was Kaelen Irides.

He wasn't even doing anything. He just stood there with his hands in his pockets, his face expressionless. But the killing intent and the sheer pressure radiating from him were enough to freeze the air.

His icy blue eyes were locked directly on the instructor.

The instructor was frozen in place, his hand still raised in the air, but his body was trembling in absolute terror. He couldn't move. He felt as if he was staring into the eyes of a Death God.