The great halls of Thorneveil were rarely silent—but today, they trembled with tension.
Three carriages emblazoned with gold lion sigils stood outside the estate gates. The Royal House of Valcian had arrived, bringing thunderclouds of scandal with them.
Inside the chamber of council, Alaric stood beside his mother, Empress Lysandra Thorneveil, who sat upon the highest dais. Her golden eyes burned like a goddess awakened from slumber.
"Explain it again," she said, voice sharp as a blade against glass.
Duke Damar Valcian did not falter, though his words wavered under the weight of her gaze. "The engagement between our children was made when they were five. Times have changed. We've reassessed our lineage's future. Seraphina's potential—"
"Has blossomed beyond your expectations," Lysandra finished coldly. "And now that her Ice Pulse has awakened, you wish to marry her off to the Crown's Chosen."
The words struck the air like a lash.
Whispers buzzed among the surrounding nobles. The "Crown's Chosen"—Elric Solmere. The original protagonist. The boy bathed in divine prophecy. Holder of the Solar Noble Element. Everyone saw him as the destined ruler of this generation.
Alaric watched the political dance unfold with a quiet, unreadable smile.
Duke Valcian lifted his chin. "We believe this is what's best for Seraphina's growth. Marrying the Crown's Chosen ensures her bloodline flourishes with equal greatness."
"You believe," Lysandra said softly, rising to her feet, "that my son is lesser."
Her words hung heavy.
"Be careful, Damar. There are whispers of war—of monoliths rising in every corner of Elyndra. Betraying a pact with Thorneveil is not the wisest hill to die on."
The temperature dropped. Not from her, but from Seraphina Valcian herself.
The girl stood tall, silvery-white hair cascading like snowfall over her back, frost blooming beneath her feet as her emotions stirred. She didn't speak—but her narrowed gaze flicked briefly to Alaric.
She didn't hate him.
She… pitied him.
And that stung more than betrayal.
Alaric stepped forward. "Let it be broken."
Lysandra's head snapped to him. "Alaric—"
"I said let it," he repeated, voice steady. "If they believe I'm unworthy, let them walk."
Gasps rippled. Seraphina's expression faltered.
But Alaric wasn't done.
He approached her slowly. "You've grown powerful, Seraphina. They see you as a weapon. Not as a girl. You'll become a trophy passed from hand to hand."
She blinked, surprised.
"Just remember who warned you first."
Before she could answer, he leaned close—just enough.
[Binding Target Identified: Seraphina Valcian – Consent not required due to latent emotional trust]
[Binding Successful – Bonus Multiplier: 100x]
New Skill Acquired: Sovereign Ice Domain – see system for details.
She gasped as a chill swept over her soul—so faint, so intimate, she didn't fully comprehend what had happened. Her hand reached instinctively to her chest, confused.
Alaric had already stepped away.
Lysandra tilted her head, golden curls shimmering. A smirk tugged her lips. "Damar. I suggest you leave before I decide to test how well frost and flame blend."
As the Valcian delegation turned and exited, silence returned—only for a moment.
Then Lysandra turned to her son.
Her smile stretched, too wide.
"Oh, my sweet sun. You are brilliant, but so reckless. You let them insult you. You let them touch your worth."
"Calm down," Alaric muttered.
She advanced like a storm.
"I will burn the Valcian estate to ash. No, better—I'll turn their blood into glass, freeze their lungs with song, teach their next five generations exactly what it means to spit on Thorneveil—"
"MOTHER."
Lysandra paused, blinking. Her yandere haze lifted just enough for sanity to peek through.
He sighed. "It's done. I didn't need her title. I needed her power. And I got it."
A beat of silence.
Then, Lysandra chuckled. "Oh, you are your father's son."
He didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at the retreating carriages beyond the stained-glass window.
---
That night, Seraphina stared into the mirror in her family's estate. Her heart raced. Something felt different.
She remembered Alaric's eyes—sharp, cold, but somehow... sincere.
Was that pity?
No. That was a challenge.
She touched her chest again. The cold remained.
What had he done?
---
Back at Thorneveil, Alaric finally opened his system panel in private.
> Binding System: Active
Bound: Seraphina Valcian
Skill Acquired: Sovereign Ice Domain
Control and suppress all ice within a wide radius. Anti-fire, anti-speed, anti-teleport. Can summon frost beasts. Ice Queen herself would bow.
Bonus: Passive – Eternal Winter Heart
Immune to emotional interference. Amplifies tactical clarity. Grants +500% cold elemental output.
A slow grin curved his lips.
He remembered reading about this ability in the original novel. Seraphina was supposed to awaken it at fifteen, then fall in love with Elric after he saved her from a magical outburst. Her power would become one of his greatest weapons.
Not anymore.
Now, it was his.
And Elric Solmere?
He just lost his future queen—and didn't even know it.