While Linn and his warriors met with King Felipe at the royal palace, Kara and Brigir took the opportunity to explore the capital. The bustle of the markets, the streets adorned with golden banners, and the murmur of passersby painted a vivid portrait of the kingdom's heart.

  With bright enthusiasm, Kara guided her aunt through the oldest alleys, pointing out fountains, flower stalls, and the shops where she used to sneak off during her free days at the academy. Brigir, fascinated, could not help but smile as she took it all in—though the curious stares of the citizens quickly began to follow them.

  Brigir's northern clan attire drew far too much attention among the capital's refined residents. Even so, no one dared to comment aloud: the duchy's insignia hanging from the guards' uniforms was more than enough to command respect.

  After leaving a jewelry shop, Kara suggested they stop for a meal. She chose a simple restaurant she knew well and decided they would sit in the section where common folk usually dined.

  "You'll love the food here," Kara said with a grin as she approached the counter. "They have the best stew in the district."

  At that very moment, upstairs, Lusian was descending the stairs alongside Emily. They had come from the section reserved for nobles. Behind them, Sofia watched from a distance with quiet satisfaction. She knew that Lusian and Emily would soon be separated for eight long months, and for weeks she had been determined to bring them closer.

  At every opportunity, Sofia invited Emily to the mansion and persistently pressured Lusian to spend time with her—under the pretext of cheering her up, making her laugh, helping her forget her brother's death.

  As Lusian and Emily prepared to leave the restaurant, Kara returned to her table with a smile—but something stopped her. Through the crowd, her gaze landed on the silhouette of a massive wolf standing at the entrance.

  There was no mistaking it.

  "Lusian."

  The name rang out clearly, almost instinctively. Lusian stiffened at the sound; his steps quickened, trying to avoid the inevitable. But Kara was already running. In the blink of an eye, she stood before him, cutting off his path with a defiant smile.

  "Looks like you've recovered," Kara said provocatively. "So I can have my rematch."

  Lusian narrowed his eyes and exhaled in annoyance."Listen, crazy girl," he replied. "We're not at the academy, and I don't enjoy seeing your ugly face. So stop bothering me and go back to whatever you were doing."

  Kara clenched her fists, anger flushing her cheeks."How rude! If you knew how many men are interested in me, you wouldn't say that. My face is beautiful—my mother tells me so all the time. And don't forget what you did to me at that competition. I can't just let it go."

  Lusian looked at her with mounting frustration, forcing himself to stay calm."That's in the past. Just forget it. There's no point dragging it out."

  But Kara had no intention of letting him walk away.

  Before Lusian could move aside, she stepped forward, grabbed him by the shirt, and pulled her face close to his, her eyes blazing with challenge.

  "I'm not letting you escape so easily, Lusian," she said firmly. "Not until I defeat you."

  The murmur of the customers grew louder; several waiters paused to watch. Lusian frowned, uncomfortable with the attention, but before he could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

  A young woman strikingly similar to Kara—though with darker hair and a wilder gaze—approached from the entrance. She wore garments clearly foreign to the kingdom's style: furs, heavy woven fabrics, and leather bracers etched with runic symbols.

  "Kara, is there a problem?" she asked in a firm tone, assessing Lusian from head to toe. "Do you need help with this man?"

  Lusian turned in surprise, studying the newcomer and then Kara.For a moment, he doubted his own eyes. The resemblance was undeniable—but he did not recall Kara ever mentioning a sister.

  Kara released Lusian's shirt with a huff and crossed her arms."It's nothing," she said irritably. "Just an obnoxious guy who thinks he's someone important."

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Emily, who had remained to the side until then, sighed and stepped forward. Her tone was calm, though her expression carried the patience of someone who had witnessed this far too often.

  "Kara, you should be kinder when you greet people," she said gently. "And you, Lusian, could try being more courteous to women. It's not right to call a woman ugly."

  Lusian narrowed his eyes in frustration but remained silent. Before the tension could stretch further, Brigir—the newcomer—stepped forward, her expression openly distrustful.

  Her eyes locked onto Lusian, and by pure instinct her hand moved toward the axe at her waist. The killing intent in her gaze caused several patrons to rise from their seats.

  But before she could act, an enormous shadow stepped between them.

  Lusian's giant wolf planted itself before Brigir, baring its fangs with a low growl that vibrated through the restaurant's wooden floor.

  Brigir stiffened, a hand moving to her chest.It took only one look for her to realize the creature was no ordinary beast.

  "Damn brat…" she muttered, a mix of surprise and respect in her voice. "So you're a beast tamer."

  Kara placed a hand on her aunt's shoulder, attempting to calm her, though her tone remained laced with sarcasm."No, he's just an idiot his mommy takes care of."

  Brigir raised an amused eyebrow."What a waste," she said with a mocking smile. "Using a magical beast to guard someone… seems the children of this kingdom can't stand on their own."

  Lusian regarded her without emotion, his voice low and sharp."And you are?"

  Kara answered before Brigir could speak."She's my aunt. From a warrior tribe feared and respected by many… including the Empire's legions."

  The silence that followed was taut. Even the wolf's growl lowered, as though it understood the weight of those words.

  Lusian narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile curving his lips as he turned back to Kara."Your aunt…" he said dryly. "That explains your crazy barbarian personality."

  Kara frowned, about to retort, but Lusian turned his back dismissively."Come on, Emily," he added with sarcasm as he began to walk away. "Let's continue our peaceful stroll."

  The mocking tone ignited Kara's temper. She stepped forward and shouted,"Hey! Who are you calling a crazy barbarian?"

  Brigir crossed her arms, smiling arrogantly, her voice ringing with tribal pride."Not only are you protected by your mother, now you run from your opponent as well. Pathetic. In my tribe, you'd already have been fed to Galdrok."

  The name fell like thunder amid the restaurant's bustle.

  Lusian stopped dead in his tracks. His expression shifted from mockery to astonishment.

  He turned slowly toward Brigir."Galdrok?" he repeated. "The ice dragon of Mongrul Forest?"

  Brigir tensed. Her smile vanished as she studied him carefully."How do you know it's an ice dragon?" she asked, her tone now serious.

  The air between them grew dense, almost frigid. Emily noticed and stepped back slightly, while Kara stared at Lusian with surprise and curiosity.

  The noise of the market faded into a muffled hum. Above them, the sky was beginning to stain an uneasy violet, though Lusian barely noticed. He spoke slowly, measuring each word like crumbs left behind so others could not follow the entire trail.

  "I've heard rumors," he said quietly, eyes fixed on a distant point. "And I've been researching different monster species after a… strange incident happened to me recently."

  Kara cut in, sharp as ever."You mean the Forest King?"

  Lusian shook his head; a faint glimmer crossed his bandaged hands.

  "Not just that," he replied. "While resting in a nearby village, I saw signs of the demonic cult's actions. They weren't mere fanatics. They spoke of a surge—an increase in mana… something that would make the land vomit its ancient masters back into the world."

  For a brief moment, he weighed how much he was revealing. It was the most important clue he could offer without sounding like a mad prophet. A faint smile touched his lips; the balance between warning and alarming was delicate.

  Emily gripped his arm tightly, concern sharpening her voice."Is that why the cultists were acting that way? Truly… where did you learn this?"

  "From mythology books," Lusian answered, meeting her gaze. "Texts from kingdoms that no longer exist. They describe eras when mana poured down like rain. The echoes of those accounts match what I saw—and what the captured cultists confessed."

  Brigir, silent until then, swallowed, allowing her tribal pride to give way to unease."If what you're saying is true," she murmured, "Galdrok's return and this surge of mana would be a terrible omen for my people."

  Lusian's expression hardened. He was no longer the youth shrinking before nobles; he spoke like someone determined to save what he could.

  "If you remain in that forest when it happens," he said, locking eyes with Brigir, "you will die. It's not a threat. It's a prediction."

  He turned to Emily, and for the first time his tone was direct—almost protective.

  "It will likely happen soon," he added. "According to what the cult members said under interrogation, demons and even older creatures will appear. Tell your father to reinforce the territory's defenses. Increase patrols, seal the mana wells, and prepare shelters."

  Emily nodded, her expression shifting to that of someone accepting a heavy responsibility.

  "I will," she said. "I'll tell him. And… Lusian—thank you for warning us."

  As the conversation faded, a cold breeze brushed the treetops. High above, an iridescent cloud—barely perceptible—seemed to gather on the horizon.

  Lusian did not linger. He resumed his activities with Emily. Kara, still unsettled by what she had heard, watched them walk away. Brigir, her gaze fixed on him, murmured cautiously,

  "Can we trust that boy?"

  Kara nodded firmly."Yes. His family is one of the most influential in the kingdom, and Lusian has been involved in very dangerous events lately. He wouldn't lie about something like this. Aunt, we need to prepare. I'll tell my father—and you… tell your tribe to leave the forest as soon as possible."

  Brigir did not respond immediately. She looked up at the sky, where a thin luminous mist seemed to dissolve among the clouds, and finally nodded.

  "My people would not survive another catastrophe," she whispered. "If what that boy says is true… we must move before the forest swallows us whole."