It was finally summer break.
After almost dying, fighting in a big tournament, and getting slapped by my cousin, I was honestly ready to sleep for a week. But life had other plans. Of course it did.
I was heading home to the east. Liora came along with me since her house was in the same direction. Nurse Vivianne joined us, like always, mostly because there were more monster attacks lately, and she didn't trust me not to faint at the sight of danger.
She wasn't wrong.
We traveled in a comfortable carriage. The kind with soft seats, fancy curtains, and wheels that didn't rattle like they were about to fall off. Guards followed behind us on horses. The Drakopoulos crest gleamed on their armor.
Halfway through the trip, we stopped in a city called Wuhan. It sat near the eastern border and was famous for its clean streets, tall buildings, and very expensive places to stay.
Vivianne checked us into a noble suite.
They gave us fresh towels, fruit water, and little snacks shaped like birds. Fancy.
I headed straight for the bathroom. That's when it happened.
[STATUS WINDOW]
⚠️ URGENT WARNING
ELIZABETH ARGENTO WILL DIE IN 20 DAYS.
CONSEQUENCE: YOU WILL ALSO DIE.
REASON: NORTHERN DUKE WILL BLAME YOU.
I stared at the screen.
"…What."
I read it again. And again.
I sat on the bathroom floor and cried into a rolled-up towel.
"Why me, God? Why is it always me? I just wanted soup."
I splashed water on my face and walked out, trying to act normal. On the outside, I looked calm. On the inside? I was screaming.
The dining room was full of food. Roasted duck, creamy potatoes, glowing blue fruit drinks, and some dessert that looked like clouds.
Vivianne sat down first.
Liora sat next to me and reached for some bread.
I asked, "Hey… just wondering, how much does it cost to stay here?"
Vivianne answered while sipping her drink. "Twenty gold coins an hour."
I nearly dropped my fork. "TWENTY?!"
She nodded calmly. "Of course. It's one of the finest inns east of the capital."
Liora giggled. "What's the matter, Noah? That's not even pocket change for us."
After dinner, Vivianne cast a small healing spell on me before bedtime. Her magic glowed faintly. I could already feel my body getting lighter.
I went to my room. It was nice—soft pillows, silk blankets, and a window that showed the whole city.
Then the window popped up again.
[STATUS UPDATE]
IF ELIZABETH ARGENTO DIES, YOU WILL DIE TOO.
THE NORTHERN DUKE WILL ASSUME YOU KILLED HER.
SUGGESTION: DON'T LET HER DIE.
Great.
I groaned into my pillow.
"Cool, cool. Save Elizabeth or I get murdered by her dad. Good night, Noah. Sleep well."
The next morning, I walked into the hallway and saw Vivianne sipping her tea.
"Change of plans," I said.
She raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
"We're going to the north."
Liora, who was half-asleep with toast in her mouth, blinked. "Huh? Why?"
"I gotta see Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth Argento?" Liora asked, now wide awake.
"Yup."
Vivianne sighed deeply. "You're going to have to explain this to your father later, you know."
I nodded. "I'll lie really well."
Vivianne looked like she wanted to throw her teacup at me.
Liora stood and crossed her arms. "If I don't come along, you'll probably do something perverted."
"What kind of image do you have of me?!"
She didn't answer. Which hurt more than if she had.
The driver was already brushing down the horses when Vivianne told him the new direction.
"To the north," she said.
The driver looked confused but nodded.
The guards got into position behind us.
We climbed into the carriage.
I leaned back against the cushions, watching the road as it curved away from the city.
I sighed.
"Elizabeth Argento," I muttered. "Please don't die before I get there."
Liora raised a brow. "What?"
"Nothing."
The trip to the north wasn't quick.
Even with the best horses and a fancy carriage, it still took days. And the closer we got, the colder it became. I could actually see my breath every time I talked.
Liora, of course, said I talked too much.
On the second day, we stopped at a small town halfway to the northern capital. The wind bit at my face the moment I stepped out of the carriage.
"Okay," I said, teeth chattering. "We're getting winter clothes before I freeze to death and become a noble-flavored popsicle."
The shop was warm inside. It smelled like cinnamon and wool.
I didn't wait. I grabbed fur-lined coats, thick pants, boots, gloves, scarves, and even hats. One for me, one for Liora, one for Vivianne, and even some extra for our guards.
"Don't worry," I told the cashier. "Put it all on my tab."
He stared at me.
"I said I'm rich," I whispered like a secret.
Vivianne rolled her eyes and paid before I could embarrass myself.
Once we were all bundled up like warm burritos, we got back in the carriage.
One day later—we finally made it.
Snow was everywhere. It clung to the trees, coated the roofs, and fell gently from the sky like feathers. Even the air looked cold.
But the buildings? Huge. Fancy. Built strong to hold back blizzards. My family owned a house here—a winter mansion we rarely visited.
The gates opened when our carriage rolled up.
Guards bowed.
"Lord Noah," one of them said. "Welcome to the north."
"I already miss the east," I mumbled.
Inside, the mansion was warm, clean, and full of staff moving around like clockwork. Someone took our coats. Someone else offered us warm drinks. I said yes to everything.
Then, as soon as I got the feeling back in my fingers, I turned to Vivianne.
"Can you set up a meeting with Lady Elizabeth for me?"
She paused. "You want to see her today?"
"Yes," I said quickly. "As soon as possible."
That's when Liora spoke up.
Her voice was sharp. "Why do you want to see her so badly?"
I blinked.
She stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
I laughed nervously. "It's not like that."
"Oh really?" she said.
"Totally."
"Then explain."
"I just… need to talk to her. It's important."
Liora didn't look convinced.
She turned to Vivianne. "Is this part of some secret plan?"
Vivianne just sipped her tea and didn't answer.
Liora looked back at me. "If this is about her pretty face—"
"Liora!" I said, waving my hands. "It's not! I swear!"
She huffed and walked away, her boots crunching on the soft carpet.
I sighed and sank into the nearest chair.
"Great," I muttered. "I'm going to freeze and get yelled at."