Raegar stood frozen, his breath catching in his throat as Duchess Eva stepped out of the carriage. She wore a tight-fitting blue dress, clinging to her seductive curves. The dress shimred under the morning sunlight. Her platinum-white hair was swtied ept into a high ponytail.
Her large blue eyes sparkled, scanning the square. Landing squarely on him. The mont their gazes t, a beaming smile blood across her face, as though she had discovered a long-lost friend in the sea of strangers. Raegar’s heart stirred. He had always known the Duchess was drop-dead gorgeous.
In that mont, her smile held a spark of mischief, a hint of the spirit that had made her both beloved and hated in the court. Unable to resist, Raegar returned her smile, his own expression infused with a roguish charm. He inclined his head slightly as he marveled at the woman walking toward him.
’’Morning, Raegar Blackwood,’’ Eva greeted him with a warm smile. ’’It’s a beautiful morning to go out.’’
’’Just call Rae or Raegar,’’ he answered. ’’And I agree, at least the cold hasn’t descended on the capital.’’
The older woman giggled and questioned. ’’So what’s the plan? Breakfast? A walk?’’
’’There’s a nearby cafe we can go to,’’ Raegar responded, glancing at a nearby street. ’’Dahlia told they cook delicious breakfasts.’’
’’How does Her Majesty know that?’’ Eva asked, a curious glint in her blue eyes.
Raegar shrugged in response. ’’I don’t know, maybe one of the maids ntioned it?’’
The white-haired Duchess Eva let out a soft giggle, her breath forming clouds in the winter air. With a playful glint in her eyes, she reached for his arm and held it. The gesture was bold, pulling him into step beside her as they began to stroll down the snow-covered street. He noticed the cobblestones were blanketed in a fresh layer of snow.
It crunched beneath their boots as they trekked down the street. It was nearly deserted; the townsfolk tucked away in the warmth of their hos. Candlelight flickered in the windows of the surrounding hos, casting a soft glow across the snow and bathing the scene in an almost magical warmth.
The world seed to shrink around them, as if the snow had muffled not just the sounds but the very presence of others, leaving only the couple. Her ponytail swayed with each step as they walked. Eva’s laughter lingered in the air, light and unburdened, a stark contrast to the weight of her recent decision to step down.
Raegar stole a glance at her, struck anew by the way her beauty seed to glow against the wintry backdrop, her cheeks faintly flushed from the cold, her eyes alive with a curiosity that seed to drink in the world around her. He felt the warmth of her arm linked with his, making his pulse quicken.
They continued walking for a while until he spotted a cafe situated on the corner, prompting him to point it out. ’’There’s our first stop, I’m sure we’ll like the food,’’ he said.
’’Good, because it slls delicious,’’ she responded, smiling. ’’And looks quiet, only a few couples in there.’’
Raegar nodded in agreent as the duo walked toward the cafe. Eva turned to him and asked in a curious tone. ’’What made you protect from the consequences of hitting them?’’
’’Because I liked it?’’ he replied, his grin growing wide. ’’Not every day a beautiful villainess punches the empress’s brother.’’
Eva gigled at this and gave him a knowing look. ’’So you think I’m one?’’
’’Even if you were, I’d still be interested,’’ Raegar answered honestly before holding the door open for her. ’’In you go, Duchess, ti to get to know each other better.’’
Just before the older woman walked through, she leaned in under her lips brushed against his ear. ’’Maybe we could get to know each other in a more primal way?’’ she teased/
Raegar felt his cheeks go red, but he ushered Eva into the cafe. ’’Stop with the teasing, woman,’’ he said, smirking.
Once the couple were inside, they spotted a well-decorated shop with booths so people could sit in private. Eva led him to one in the back and sat down before asking another question. ’’So, where do you think this will go? A man at least twenty-five years younger than myself, with no lands, no permanent ho, and still in school, I assu?’’
’’All that you said is the truth, but does that really matter to you, Duchess?’’ Raeger shot back.
Eva’s sweet smile grew wider. ’’Maybe so, considering our ancestor married an older woman, twenty-five years older than himself, and gave him many children. Strange isn’t it?’’
’’Yes, I heard the Vaelthornes and Westfalls are connected through marriage, but that doesn’t affect us. Your Aether doesn’t feel like mine, despite being similar at the sa ti?’’
’’Family link,’’ the older woman revealed. ’’Once you get strong enough, you can feel the connections you have with your family mbers.’’
’’That explains the feelings for my parents and siblings,’’ he muttered, then changed the subject. ’’I assu you’re traveling back to the Western Islands after this?’’
Eva nodded. ’’I am, I have a Duchy to run and without there, chaos will surely befall the place.’’
’’I need to travel there to explore an uncharted dungeon,’’ Raegar explained. ’’May I stay in one of your inns? A more private one?’’
The older woman glanced at him with an unknown expression for a short while before speaking. ’’Of course. Even better, you can rest in my manor. It’s on one of the private islands with a single bridge to the mainland. It should keep the news people away.’’
Raegar smiled at this offer and quickly accepted. ’’Sounds good to , I’ll be with a Dark Elf, but the others are returning to Drakenwood for classes.’’
’’Are you not returning?’’
’’I am but not yet,’’ he said, noticing a server approaching them holding a notepad.
As the young woman approached, she offered a graceful bow to the pair. ’’Good morning, Duchess, Prince. How may I serve you?’’
Raegar blinked, puzzled, prompting soft laughter from Eva and the server. The white-haired woman smiled warmly. ’’Word spreads quickly, Rae. Everyone knows you’re engaged to Her Majesty. And with that white hair, you’re hard to miss.’’
The server chid in with a grin, "Not to ntion the bodyguards."
He looked outside only to notice several figures lingering around, only to vanish when seeing him looked. Raegar sighed, making the won as he decided to order. ’’Give two of your breakfast specials and so tea, please.’’
’’Of course!’’ the young woman exclaid, writing it down in the notepad before rushing off.
Following that, they continued their conversation, turning to the Western Island. Raegar learned it was made up of twelve distinct islands forming the Duchy. Dungeons dotted the region, but one island stood out, a dangerous landmass ho to a volcano and jungle, teeming with high-tiered creatures.
’’That’s fascinating,’’ he replied, an excited expression appearing across his face.
This made Eva’s smile grow wide. ’’Maybe I can co on your journey? It shouldn’t be that dangerous, considering I’m Tier Ten?’’
’’You can co, Duchess,’’ Raegar reassured. ’’I love exploring new lands, especially a bunch of islands.’’
The older woman nodded. ’’Good, then it’s a date!’’
When Raegar heard this, his red eyes lit up, prompting Eva’s cheeks to go red thanks to the embarrassnt. Just then, the server reappeared holding a tray with two cups on it. ’’Your food will be coming soon,’’ she warmly said. ’’But I brought you the tea, the cold is picking up and seeping into the cafe.’’
As they sipped at their steaming tea, the heat cutting through the chill, Eva leaned forward, her eyes glinting with excitent. ’’The Western Islands are full of mysteries, Rae,’’ she began. ’’Each one has its own secrets. So say the dungeons hide ancient relics from a lost civilization, guarded by traps and riddles no one’s fully solved.’’
Raegar was instantly captivated as she continued. ’’There’s an island with glowing caverns, lights that pulse like heartbeats, but no one knows why. And that volcanic island I ntioned? Legends claim a slumbering beast lives deep within, older than the empire, stirring only when the volcano rumbles.’’
Raegar’s grip tightened on his cup, his curiosity piqued. ’’And the high-tiered creatures in the jungle?’’
Eva nodded, swirling her tea. ’’They’re unlike anything on the mainland. So hunters swear they’ve seen beasts that shift forms, blending into the trees. Others talk of plants that move, snaring anything that gets too close. The island’s so dangerous, even seasoned adventurers rarely return.’’
’’I should go check it out,’’ he said, excited about the prospect of finding more Fusion Soldiers or knights.
’’That doesn’t surprise ,’’ Eva replied, smiling. ’’With that army of yours, you can find any secret the islands are hiding.’’
Following that, the duo continued drinking their hot tea as the wind picked up, rattling the windows and sending the people outside rushing for cover.
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