Chapter 13

“You want to freeze someone? Why? Is someone sick?”

Sethna moved to sit closer to Ivnes. She glanced at him, puzzled, as she scooped up more potato salad — amazed that, even in this rundown place, he accepted food so elegantly, like someone who shone with dignity no matter the setting.

“No. I don’t want to kill them, but there’s someone I’d like to freeze.”

She saw his expression turn indifferent mid-bite, but when their eyes met, he smiled again.

With the two moles under his right eye, Sethna already had a foxlike face, but today, his smile seemed even more vulpine.

“I’ll help. But in exchange, could you dry my hair for me? I’ve never done that by myself.”

“Sure, I will.”

Ivnes smiled in response.

Of course, she knew what kind of person he was.

Sethna might seem sloppy and sensitive on the outside, like a temperamental cat, but in reality, he was a predator. When someone showed him interest, he acted sweet — only to toy with them afterward, bending them to his whims.

Those who fell for him were dragged along by his mood swings and ended up giving him their whole heart.

It was natural for Sethna to sit above others, to dominate.

The problem was that even someone like him had been broken and tamed by Edwin’s madness.

“Ah.”

As Sethna opened his mouth again, silently asking for more, Ivnes fed him another neat spoonful of salad.

Even in this dark basement, devoid of chandeliers, his silver hair seemed to shine. Like sunlight glinting off fresh snow — smooth, clean, radiant. His eyes were a clear sky-blue, like the cross-section of a glacier.

Even his eyelashes matched his hair — when he blinked, it reminded her of butterfly wings fluttering.

Oddly enough, despite his delicate appearance, his body was solid with muscle like a beast’s. He obediently accepted her food, but it was hard to believe his wrists actually hurt.

“The clothes you brought last time were a bit small.”

“I can bring new ones later today.”

“Whose were they?”

“They belonged to my eldest brother, Abelon.”

“Get one size up next time.”

“Okay.”

Ivnes flinched unconsciously at the mention of Abelon. Of all things, to hear that when they’d crossed paths again.

Run away, he’d told her. The words still unsettled her.

Not that she needed to be told — she was already planning to run.

“And come by more often.”

At the unexpected request, Ivnes stared at him, unable to grasp his intent. Sethna grinned brightly.

“It’s boring here alone.”

“I’m not exactly free myself.”

“Still, promise to come once a day. It’s too dark here. No one to talk to.”

He lowered his gaze with a melancholic look.

Watching his massive chest rise and fall with a sigh, Ivnes didn’t think he looked melancholic at all. If anything, he resembled a sharp beast crouching low, ready to pounce.

Besides, Sethna was being dramatic. Awakened ones could go a whole week without even a sip of water and still not die.

“Also, without stabilizers, I hurt everywhere. Feels like there’s a thorn in my heart.”

“I’ll try to solve that problem soon.”

“Mm.”

When he rested his head on her shoulder, Ivnes tensed.

“You must have a lot in your head.”

She was surprised by how heavy it felt. His face was small, so she hadn’t expected it — the weight dragged her shoulder down.

“Or you could lean on me, Iv.”

He had shifted to using a pet name, but Ivnes didn’t object.

Somehow, she understood why he was acting like this.

She even found herself pitying him a little.

Imagine being kidnapped one day, locked in this dark place, eating only salad. Anyone would be scared and full of doubt.

“I’ll lean on you, then.”

Because my shoulder’s about to give out.

She swallowed the rest of the sentence and smiled. Sethna gave a bashful grin and sat up properly.

When she shifted to lean against his shoulder, the bed creaked softly — the sound echoed strangely in the basement.

Still, she gently rested her head on his firm shoulder, as she intended, and he gave a deep smile.

That’s when Ivnes noticed a flicker of light on the restraint around his neck.

Though pretending to be affectionate, he was trying to use his power.

The neck restraint reacted to magic.

He couldn’t see the light from where he was — but Ivnes could.

“It’s a little cold in here.”

“Really? I don’t feel anything. But if Iv says she’s cold, I guess I should be worried.”

There’s no way someone who controls cold couldn’t sense the temperature. Still, Sethna feigned ignorance, testing if he could freeze Ivnes to death right then and there.

But the magic inside him failed to merge with his power. It simply dissipated, releasing only cold air.

Ivnes shuddered as though cold water had trickled down her spine, but she forced a smile, pretending not to notice.

“Your Highness, what’s the first thing you’ll do when you leave this place?”

She knew he wouldn’t answer truthfully, but she asked anyway. Predictably, Sethna replied smoothly, as if he’d been waiting for the question.

“I’ll wipe out House Rosmond. Ah, but I’ll spare the young lady. I can even arrange for the title to pass to you.”

As he spoke, the restraint around his neck glowed faintly.

Ivnes knew he was lying — especially the part about sparing her — and gave him a sweet, naive smile, leaning her head against him again.

“Your Highness, the ends of your hair are stiff.”

He had emitted so much cold that his still-damp hair had frozen solid.

“Oh no. My hair’s going to be ruined.”

Frowning, he withdrew his power.

“Now, will you brush my hair?”

“Yes, of course.”

But the frozen strands wouldn’t comb through easily. Ivnes had to wait until they thawed completely before she could finish and return to her room.

* * *

“Thank you for having me, Duke Rosmond.”

Ivnes was now hosting Tesis Renold alongside her father, Duke Rosmond.

They were in the same parlor where Ivnes and Tesis had spoken before. Tesis seemed quite pleased, as if he were fond of this room.

“Not at all, young marquis. I’m pleased to see you again,” the duke replied cheerfully, reaching out for a handshake.

Watching her father grin shamelessly, Ivnes felt something sour rise in her throat — an overwhelming sense of revulsion.

Because now she knew the truth about her mother’s fate in that basement.

When her father said he wouldn’t turn her mother into a puppet, Ivnes had hoped for a proper death.

She thought he’d let her die young, preserve her in a portrait — something dignified.

She never imagined he’d freeze her alive and display her like that.

“Iv?”

“Ah, yes. I’m truly glad to see you again, Young Marquis. We had a lovely conversation here not long ago, didn’t we?”

“Ah… yes, that’s right. It was… really nice.”

Tesis blushed and responded with a smile, momentarily forgetting the seriousness of the meeting. He gave Duke Rosmond’s hand a firm shake.

Ivnes glanced at him, wondering if he had used his power — but his eyes remained green.

“I heard you had something urgent to discuss.”

The reason Duke Rosmond had invited Tesis was because he claimed he had an urgent matter to convey.

Ivnes took a sip of the crimson tea in front of her. Tesis, who had been gazing at her with a dazed look, quickly turned to the duke when their eyes met.

“I heard talks of marriage between Lady Rosmond and my father, the Marquis.”

“Indeed. I believe we received a favorable response from House Renold.”

“That’s correct.”

Tesis gave a pleasant smile, meeting the duke’s gaze.

“However, my father’s health is failing. He may not have long to live.”

“Oh dear. I’ll send healers at once.”

“We’ve already tried dozens. It’s an issue of lifespan — no progress can be made.”

Ivnes widened her eyes in surprise, finally understanding why Tesis had been so certain of his father’s death.

Healers could treat injuries, but not time. Lifespan couldn’t be extended — and illnesses needed a physician to cure.

In short, Marquis Renold truly was dying — and soon.

“My father’s life is nearing its end.”

“That’s unfortunate,” the duke sighed, pretending to sound sincere — but his mind was consumed by thoughts of the magic stone mine slipping from his grasp.

“So please, let Lady Rosmond marry me! I’ll make her happy!”

At this unexpected windfall, Tesis’s eyes gleamed like a madman.