Ch. 1: A Noble Man
Snowphilia, Land of Snow, Month of Shadow…-.
(How beautiful…)
The bridge, the ground, and even the castle itself all sparkled in silver.
After waking Prince Frost, he had invited me to the castle of Snowphilia.
(I accepted his invitation but… I’m nervous.)
The audience chamber that the maid guided me to was heavy with an air of majesty.
(Are those Frost’s brothers…? If I remember, the second eldest was Prince Graysia, and the youngest was Prince Synny…)
Those gathered included the royal family primarily, as well as the various people of authority in the castle and local lords. All of their eyes turned to me.
Then from within the gathered people…
Frost: “Princess of Traumere, welcome to Snowphilia…”
OO: “…!”
The second I saw him, my body froze up as if it were made of ice.
His beautiful silver hair swayed, and his eyes were of a deep crimson that resembled blood…
His cape was bedecked with snow crystal designs, and his already-noble bearing was magnified to dazzling brilliance.
OO: “Th-thank you for inviting me, um…”
The magnificent and composed Frost greeted me, and I frantically bowed my head.
(We’ve met once before, but still… I can’t help feeling nervous.)
Frost: “…”
His glittering red eyes seemed to be ascertaining something from me.
In the span of a few seconds, I wondered if he’d lost interest in me, because he looked away.
Frost: “You may move freely within the castle. You’ll be shown to your room. You may retire now if you so desire.”
OO: “…thank you.”
As soon as I was released from his pressure, I let out a sigh of relief and left the audience chamber as if I were running away from it…-.
…
……
After the audience…-.
Frost was surrounded by his close advisers and thought back to OO.
Frost: “I wonder what kind of woman it is who awakened me…”
His white lashes over his eyes slowly hid his eyes as he looked down.
Frost: “I was careless and didn’t carve out any specific time for her… but the Dream Eaters are making advances… how uncouth.”
Frost spoke over his shoulder, bemoaning the fact, and his eyes seemed to carry a sense of regret.
Aide: “Lord Frost, what do you wish to do about the young lady?”
At those words, Frost placed his strong right hand under his chin and considered the question.
Frost: “I can’t believe a woman like her would have any special power, however… keep an eye on her just to be certain and let me know in detail if anything happens.”
Aide: “Understood, sir.”
Footsteps echoed across the glittering ice marble floor, and the prince and the rest of his associates disappeared deeper into the castle.
Ch. 2: Deep Crimson Eyes
The depths of the castle were filled with a pleasant chill…-.
After the introduction in the audience chamber, I was shown to a guest room by a butler.
Butler: “Here you are, please use this room. Is there anything else you need my lady?”
OO: “Thank you. Um, I haven’t heard about any plans in place for while I’m staying here…”
Butler: “My apologies. I have only been commanded to show you to your room.”
OO: “…then who could I ask?”
Butler: “Later, someone who has been put in charge of your stay will come by.”
OO: “Alright…”
(Is he not going to look me in the eye…?)
Perhaps because of his distant attitude, my words stopped as the conversation ceased to go in the direction I wanted.
Butler: “Now then, please enjoy your stay.”
The butler bowed and quietly left the room.
(…I was so nervous.)
Finally left alone, I felt the relief wash over me and I collapsed onto the bed.
(I don’t think my shoulders have ever felt this stiff…)
Letting out a sigh, I reflected on what had just happened.
Having left the audience chamber, I had once again come face-to-face with Prince Frost in the hallway.
OO: “Um, Prince Frost…”
Frost: “…”
The prince, having noticed me, looked at me with something like annoyance.
Even as I took on that gaze, I smiled at him.
Frost: “…?”
For a moment, the prince looked puzzled, but almost immediately his handsome face tensed.
Not wanting to lose to that gaze of his, I looked straight into his crimson eyes.
Frost: “…your expression says you have something you want to say to me.”
I became aware of a perceptive gleam in his eyes.
Frost: “Do you still have business with me, Princess of Traumere?”
I felt my body stiffening at his deep voice, but I was still able to ask him a question.
OO: “I was just curious as to why you invited me here…”
Frost: “I thought to show proper thanks to the Princess of Traumere for waking me. …was something about it unfavorable for you?”
OO: “N-no, nothing like that.”
Frost: “…then please excuse me.”
Though he was blatantly in a bad mood, he did his best to be courteous towards me.
I had bowed to him and left, trying to run away…-.
(Frost… he sure has a commanding presence.)
The overwhelming personality of this prince was like a thick ice that would never melt…-.
(Compared to that, I’m…)
Suffering from mental fatigue, I sighed as I berated myself.
(I have to make it through this since I accepted his invitation.)
I tightened my hands into fists in front of my chest.
(I don’t have much in the way of self-confidence… but still…)
Thinking that was not enough to simply ease the sadness in my heart.
Ch. 3: Words Whispered in the Ear
The next day…-.
The sun shone incessantly, making the silver castle glitter beautifully.
As a sign of hospitality towards me as a foreign visitor, Prince Frost was going to show me around the country.
(I really am tense…)
It seemed Snowphilia was full of famous museums and art galleries, which even other countries spoke of.
Frost: “Princess, your hand.”
OO: “Y-yes!”
An attendant had prepared a carriage, and Frost held his pale yet strong hand out to me.
Just like he’d been in the audience chamber, his behavior was perfectly polished, and I subconsciously clenched my fingers.
Frost: “…hurry.”
Frost’s voice was quiet near my ear, as if for me alone to hear…
OO: “I’m sorry…”
Frost: “…don’t apologize so easily. Are you not the princess of an entire country?”
OO: “…”
I didn’t say anything as I quickly took his offered hand.
Frost: “Hoh, it seems you are aware of basic etiquette.”
Frost’s lips arched up into a defiant grin and with a fluid movement, escorted me to the carriage.
The carriage headed towards our destination, galloping with ease over the snow-covered road.
Young Woman 1: “Prince Frost… I wonder where he’s going.”
Young Woman 2: “Aah, he’s as gorgeous as always!”
As the carriage continued down the main street, people moved forward to catch a glimpse of Prince Frost.
(W-wow.)
Frost: “…”
To appease the crowd’s expectations, Frost would occasionally give an elegant wave outside the carriage.
The closer I looked, I realized it wasn’t just young women, but men and women of all ages who had gathered.
Village Man 1: “Didn’t the prince put in a great deal of effort for diplomatic relations recently? As expected of the youth being able to lead the country.”
Village Man 2: “Yeah, if we leave things to Lord Frost, this country will be at peace!”
(Frost is supported this much by his people… he really is an amazing person.)
As the people closed in around us, the carriage eventually arrived at the museum that was our destination.
As I moved to get out of the carriage…-.
Village Woman 1: “Oh my… I wonder which country’s princess is so plain looking.”
Village Woman 2: “She doesn’t suit Lord Frost at all…”
The whispers of the people on the roadside reached my ears.
(I must bear it right now…)
I straightened my back and took Frost’s hand, as if trying to keep my heart encouraged as it was tossed about in the waves.
Frost: “…”
At that moment, I wondered if Frost had heard the people’s whispers, because he turned to look at the crowd on the roadside.
I…
OO: “Don’t mind them, let’s go.”
Frost: “…alright.”
I smiled at Frost, not wanting him to make a fuss over it.
Frost: “…”
At that moment…-.
OO: “…!”
Frost’s large hand pulled hard on my own, and it felt like I was getting carried away.
(Frost…?)
When I realized what had happened, his handsome face drew nearer, and I reflexively held my breath.
Frost: “…not very elegant, are you?”
His deep voice whispering into my ear made my heart pound.
OO: “Eh…?”
It was just for a second…-.
That firm expression of his that I hadn’t seen anything else from broke into a soft smile…
(Just now…)
Frost: “…”
Frost’s eyes had immediately gone back to their typical coldness, but…
I thought his form sparkling in the sunlight was very beautiful.
Ch. 4: Talking to Oneself
At Frost’s guidance, we finally arrived at the museum, which was as splendid as its reputation suggested.
The exterior was made of white marble, adorned with a variety of carvings, and the building had an air of dignity to it.
OO: “Amazing… what is that on top of the pillar?”
Frost: “A griffon. It’s a mythical creature, but it’s a piece carved by our country’s best sculptors.”
OO: “It looks like it could fly off the pillar at any moment… and that sculpture too… it looks just like the real thing.”
Frost: “That is quite interesting.”
The prince looked at me in surprise, then looked to the sculpture I was looking at.
Frost: “Do you regularly go around museums like this admiring the fine art?”
At Frost’s question, I…
OO: “Yes, often. I’m not very knowledgeable about it, but I like looking at rare items like this.”
I answered and Frost nodded in admiration…
Frost: “You’re more diligent than you look.”
I was glad to have met Frost’s approval and found myself smiling.
OO: “I don’t have much experience with it… but I like going places I didn’t know about.”
Frost: “What a coincidence, me as well.”
OO: “You too Frost?”
Frost: “It’s because things that are initially unknown to me can offer a new viewpoint.”
I reacted with a smile, happy that Frost and I had the same opinion on this.
Then…-.
Frost: “…”
Though I thought the more casual atmosphere would continue, Frost once again looked serious.
OO: “…Frost?”
I spoke his name without thinking, and he took a breath.
Frost: “Why did you not say anything?”
OO: “Eh…?”
Frost: “Earlier.”
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Village Woman 1: “Oh my… I wonder which country’s princess is so plain looking.”
Village Woman 2: “She doesn’t suit Lord Frost at all…”
————————
OO: “…”
I remembered what had happened, and my chest heated up slightly, feeling heavy again.
Frost: “It wouldn’t be strange for a typical woman to have gotten angry and struck the person who had spoken.”
OO: “S-struck them, I couldn’t…-.”
I shook my head frantically, and Frost looked at me as if he didn’t understand.
OO: “Well… I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel anything from that. But I didn’t want to disappoint you or sully your name further. I am your guest after all.”
I somehow managed to show him a smile, then…-.
Frost: “…”
Frost’s ruby-red eyes opened wide.
Frost: “Somehow, you… no, it seems I will need to change my opinion of you.”
OO: “…?”
Frost: “…I’m just talking to myself. Pay me no mind.”
Frost looked down, and I saw him continuing to nod to himself as if he were convincing himself of something…-.
…
……
Even after that, Frost continued to show me only the most interesting of places.
While Frost was surprised at my curiosity, I continued to honestly express my feelings of wonder and amazement.
OO: “…then, this is a painting of the original founding day of Snowphilia?”
Frost: “Yes, it’s magnificent how the light and shadow are painted with such precision.”
Frost accepted my questions and answered them all with wisdom.
(In the beginning I was really nervous… but now I’m more at ease. Frost is the kind of person who is sincere towards me and responds quickly…)
We spent the entire day going around Snowphilia and enjoying a variety of things while conversing with each other.
Ch. 5: A Sharp Gaze
After being invited to Snowphilia by Frost, soon a week had already passed.
Wanting to take in the air outside, I went out to the castle’s courtyard and saw Frost accompanied by his servants.
OO: “Good afternoon, Frost.”
Frost: “Princess.”
On this day, Frost and I had promised to go to an opera house at the center of the country.
OO: “When do you think you’ll return?”
At my question, Frost looked strangely impatient.
Frost: “Ah, that’s right, we had a previous engagement… unfortunately there’s a luncheon I must attend to this afternoon. I’ll return when business is concluded, so wait at the castle for me.”
OO: “Alright. I’m looking forward to it.”
I replied with a smile, and suddenly Frost’s expression relaxed.
At that moment…-.
One of the accompanying servants beside Frost looked at me and frowned.
Frost’s Servant: “Lord Frost… it is good of you to accompany the Princess of Traumere, however if we do not hurry, your schedule will be in jeopardy.”
Frost: “…alright.”
Frost whipped his cape around as if annoyed and moved to leave the courtyard.
(I wonder what that was…? I couldn’t really hear them, but that one person looked at me then said something.)
I looked at the aide and his sharp gaze pierced straight through me.
I…
OO: “Um… Frost.”
Frost: “…what?”
As I called out, Frost turned back to look at me.
(Well… what should I say now?)
OO: “Um, please be careful…”
Frost: “I will, you as well Princess. Though I doubt anything will happen within this castle.”
His smile was full of confidence, and he took off with a gallant stride…-.
(Did I imagine that…?)
Frost was leaving the courtyard as his servant had instructed, and I shyly waved my hand to him…-.
Frost: “…”
Frost became aware of what I was doing and lightly raised his hand in answer…-.
At some point, the sky had turned cloudy, and a light snow started to fall.
Then I received a verbal message from one of Frost’s servants.
OO: “They’re running late so I should head out on the carriage first…? Alright.”
I boarded the carriage that had been prepared and headed towards the town now blanketed with a thick layer of falling snow.
(I’m looking forward to this…)
At some point, I had come to look forward to spending time with Frost.
(I wonder if the luncheon ended without any problems. It’s kind of unfortunate that he’s been so busy. I want… to be together.)
As I thought that, I looked out the carriage window…-.
OO: “…!?”
The carriage shuddered as it was brought to an abrupt halt.
I was violently thrown forward by the inertia and hit the opposite wall.
OO: “…!”
The pain coursed through my body, and I couldn’t get a sound out when…-.
OO: “!?”
Suddenly the door to the carriage was pulled open and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
A man dressed entirely in black held a cloth up to my face and I could smell something sweet from it.
(Wh-what!? Help…!)
After a short while, I lost consciousness…-.
…
……
(I…? Where am I…?)
I slowly opened my eyes and…
I was locked up in a small, unfamiliar place.
OO: “…!”
I beat against the door several times, but it was solid and held firm.
(What… is going on…?)
Trying to calm the confusion in my mind, I rubbed my numb hands together.
However, the penetrating cold soon had my shoulders shivering.
(I don’t understand…)
I frantically wracked my brain when I remembered…
————————
Village Woman 2: “She doesn’t suit Lord Frost at all…”
————————
I recalled those words that had slipped through to my ears.
Ch. 6: Prisoner
The night deepened, the cold growing more severe…-.
————————
Village Woman 2: “She doesn’t suit Lord Frost at all…”
————————
(Could it be there was something wrong with how I was conducting myself…?)
As the cold froze me, I thought back to all the things that had happened since I’d arrived in this country.
Back to when I’d first met Frost at the castle, and when we’d gone to the museum…
(I wonder if I displayed the proper behavior towards Frost for a princess of a country… maybe I unknowingly did something discourteous…)
The cold that pierced my body had robbed me of all my body heat.
I…
(Frost… I hope he’s alright. Though I can’t imagine anything happening to him…)
I thought of the worse-case scenario and was filled with worry.
(I wish we could have talked more…)
I had come to rely on Frost’s kindness, possibly to the point where I was monopolizing his valuable time.
(I wonder if I was being a bother… I should have thought more about the position he was in.)
I hugged my shoulders, helpless, as I crouched in the small building.
(Still, I want to see him…)
Wanting to pull myself out of feeling so pathetic, I pictured Frost’s magnificent form in my mind.
Even I was surprised at how much of a place he’d come to occupy in my heart…-.
At the same time, back at the castle…
Frost, who had returned from the luncheon, was frustrated as he shouted at the servants.
Frost: “Hey, where is the Princess of Traumere!? Why is she not in the castle? I told her to wait, didn’t I?”
Servant 1: “I wonder where she could have gone to?”
As one of the servants spoke to him, another of the servants who had searched throughout the castle returned.
Servant 2: “Lord Frost, I spoke with one of the attendants and they said that the princess suddenly had something urgent come up and she left.”
Frost: “Did you say… she left?”
Frost crossed his arms and calmly looked down at the servant.
Those blood-red eyes glinted with suspicion.
Servant 2: “…I am not lying.”
Frost: “How suspicious… it’s true that she was a missing princess originally, but she didn’t seem the type to be so lacking in etiquette that she would leave without a word to me.”
As if probing for the truth of the matter, Frost shot a cool look at the servant.
Then…
Aide: “Lord Frost, there’s something…”
Frost: “I believe I asked you to keep an eye on the princess.”
The aide approached Frost and whispered in his ear.
Aide: “Regarding that matter, I have news. …it seems that there is a possibility that the princess was taken captive by one of the local lords.”
Frost: “What did you say!?”
Frost, who never showed agitation no matter what happened, shouted with a harsh voice that echoed throughout the castle.