The morning light came through my window. The wind outside was cold and strong—just like always in the North. I sat up and looked at the painting on the wall. My room was quiet. The whole castle was.
I got out of bed, stood on the soft rug, and stretched. A maid knocked and came in. She helped me get dressed: white blouse, black pants, tall boots. Simple but noble.
I walked through the long stone halls. Silver pillars and family banners with our white wolf beneath a full moon were on the walls. This was House Argento. Cold outside, warm inside.
Down in the dining hall, the lights from the magic chandeliers were already on. The long table was full of food: ham, fruit pastries, eggs, fresh bread, and jam. Tea was ready too—one cup with lemon, one with sugar.
My mother, Lady Elizabeth, was already sitting. She wore a blue dress with silver patterns. Her hair was perfect.
"Good morning, dear," she said.
"Morning," I replied.
I sat and ate quietly. Everything tasted great. The food here was better than the food at Cyran Academy. It felt like home.
"Is Father not coming?" I asked.
"He left early," she said. "Trade meeting in Frosthold."
I nodded. Duke Kazuki Argento was always busy running the North.
I didn't mind. I liked quiet mornings.
After breakfast, I went to the library on the third floor. It was my favorite place in the castle. The shelves were tall and full of books—magic books, history, and stories I'd read before.
I sat near the window with a blanket and opened a book about old magic symbols.
But I wasn't really reading.
I kept thinking about Noah Drakopoulos.
At the tournament, he was different. Strong. Focused. His sword was dark. His flames were black and cold—not normal fire.
I closed the book.
My hands felt cold, even though the room was warm.
I went to the training hall deep in the castle. The room was built into the mountain. It had stone floors, targets, weapons, and magic symbols on the walls.
Mira, my trainer, was waiting. She crossed her arms. "You're late."
"Sorry," I said.
We trained—sword moves, shield spells, and ice magic. I did okay, but not perfect.
"You're distracted," she said after I messed up.
"I'm not," I replied.
She looked at me but didn't say more.
After two hours, I was tired but felt better.
I went back to my room, cleaned up, then met Mother for tea in the garden room. The garden was inside, under glass, with magic plants that survived winter.
She poured tea that smelled like berries and mint.
"You've been thinking," she said.
"Yes."
"About school?"
"…About someone."
She smiled a little. "A friend?"
"Sort of. His name is Noah Drakopoulos."
Her face changed slightly. "Drakopoulos?"
"Yes. I think he's from the West. People say he's sick, but in the tournament he was strong. His fire was black. Not cursed. Just… strange."
"Sounds dangerous."
"I don't think he is."
"Still. Be careful."
I nodded.
"I met him while shopping. He helped me. I could've had a maid do it. But I wanted to go alone."
"That's not like you."
"I know."
She didn't say anything else. She just looked at me, like she was trying to figure something out.
That night, we ate dinner in the grand hall. This time, my father was there.
He looked tired.
"How's the academy?" he asked.
"Good."
"Friends?"
"Yes."
"Anyone interesting?"
I paused.
"There's a boy. Noah Drakopoulos."
He stopped eating.
"Drakopoulos?"
"Yes. He's different."
He waited a moment.
"I heard he's sick."
"He's not."
"I see."
"He's not dangerous."
My father didn't speak for a while. Then he nodded.
Later, I sat by my window and watched the snow fall. The castle was still. Stars shone above.
I didn't know what I felt about Noah.
But I knew he mattered.
And I had a feeling we'd meet again.
Not by chance.
But for a reason.