A colossal castle finally came into view—its white marble walls rising tall and gleaming beneath the afternoon light.
Unlike the stern gray fortresses of the North, built to withstand needle-sharp winds and relentless demon raids, the capital’s walls shone with an almost theatrical brilliance.
A place built more to impress than to survive.
"Oho... so this is human architectural taste?"
Velra leaned slightly forward, her crimson eyes roaming over every carved pillar and polished surface with genuine fascination.
"I assumed humans had abandoned culture entirely. But this—this has a certain charm."
Alice shot her a sidelong glance, her tone colder than the northern frost.
"...I can clearly see what you think of our family."
Velra gave a light, indifferent shrug.
"Then what kind of resonance did you expect me to feel from those dark, gloomy walls of yours?"
"Both of you," I cut in before Alice’s temperature dropped further, "please calm down. We’re almost there."
Ahead of them, the entrance plaza bustled with activity—handcarts full of supplies, official escorts, banners fluttering in crisp winds.
And carriages.
Rows of them.
Handcuffs, bluefish, gold coins...
I let out a small exhale.
"All four duke families are gathered... I suppose I’ll be seeing those faces again after a long time."
Alongside the familiar polar bear sigil of the North, several other emblems decorated the luxurious carriages—symbols belonging to noble houses famous throughout the Solhaven Empire.
Velra’s eyes glimmered as she scanned the surroundings, clearly fascinated.
"So these are the strongest pillars of the human realm... interesting."
I pretended not to hear her and focused on Alice, who sighed under her breath.
"It’s going to be a tiring day," she murmured, already sounding done with everything.
Alice, who avoids noble gatherings like the plague, was—unsurprisingly—not thrilled.
"You seem rather cheerful for that," I said.
Her brows didn’t move at all.
Of course. Classic Alice.
No matter how irritated she was, her face stubbornly refused to show it.
"Haha. Did you notice? Indeed, Julies, that’s some sharp observation."
She brushed her hair back behind her ear with practiced elegance.
...Wow.
That was the only thought that echoed in my mind.
Her ear, shaped like it had been carved with delicate precision.
Her slender white neck, framed perfectly by the richer color of her dress.
Her skin looked even smoother—almost glowing—beneath the violet.
I swallowed without meaning to.
Despite the northern chill, Alice usually dresses conservatively, always mindful of noble etiquette.
But today...
today she had clearly put in more effort.
And I, thankfully, had the same expressionless face as always—one of the few blessings in my life.
"Today’s dress is quite... er, um," I muttered, making excuses even to myself.
Honestly, I was doing my best to react like a normal person.
But the shy way she adjusted her sleeve—subtle, barely noticeable—carried its own destructive power.
If Amelia were here, she’d be squealing.
’What’s different today?’ I wondered.
"It’s because today is worth that exception," Alice replied.
The social gathering?
Since when did Alice look forward to anything involving nobles?
But she genuinely seemed... not just calm—almost excited.
Even through her usual expressionless mask, I could feel it.
A subtle lightness in her movement, a faint rhythm in her gaze.
"That’s surprising," I said. "You usually act like these events drain your soul."
Alice didn’t respond immediately.
Instead, she looked ahead—toward the plaza where nobles stepped down from their carriages in shimmering waves of silk and jewels. Her eyelids lowered slightly, not in annoyance, but in something closer to anticipation.
"...There are people I want to meet today," she finally admitted, voice barely above a murmur.
That stopped me for a moment.
Alice? Wanting to meet someone? Voluntarily?
Velra’s ears twitched in amusement as she leaned closer.
"Oho? The ice doll has acquaintances she actually likes? I thought humans from the North survived solely by glaring."
Alice didn’t rise to the provocation this time.
"That’s rich coming from a vampire who knows five human words," she replied flatly.
"I know plenty." Velra’s smile sharpened. "Like ’property,’ ’ownership,’ and ’obedient.’ I’m sure Julies can confirm."
"Do not—!" Alice bit down on her own temper and inhaled through her nose. "...Julies. Please control your... whatever she is."
"If you find a good label for her, let me know," I muttered.
Velra clasped her hands behind her back, humming contentedly.
Ahead of us, the castle gates opened wider as another line of carriages rolled in, the banners fluttering proudly—azure lions, crimson roses, silver wings, and black serpents. Each one represented a duke family whose influence stretched across the Empire.
Alice’s gaze sharpened with clear purpose.
"...So they’ve all arrived."
Her voice carried something unusual—something between resolve and restlessness.
I gave her a curious look.
"Are you sure you’re not nervous?"
"Why would I be nervous?"
She brushed nonexistent dust off her skirt, forcing her tone back to its usual calm.
"It’s simply been a long time since I last saw them."
"Them...?"
She turned her head and met my eyes for the briefest moment.
"People who knew me when I was still growing. Before I became the North’s representative."
A small pause.
"And before I met you."
That last line hit harder than it had any right to.
Even Velra blinked, surprised by her rare openness.
"...I see," I said quietly.
Alice turned away just as quickly, hiding the faintest hint of color touching her cheek.
"But make no mistake." She straightened, posture flawless and regal. "I am attending because it is necessary. Not because I enjoy meaningless noble chatter."
Velra leaned in with a teasing grin.
"And because you want to show off that dress to him."
"Vampire," Alice said without even looking at her, "please cherish your unlife while you still have it."
Velra only laughed softly.
I exhaled and rubbed my temples.
"Both of you... behave. This is a diplomatic event."
But I know that this is more then the deplomatic matter.
The purpose of Alice coming here was to meet crown prince.
Her fiancé.
The one who will betray in the original game.