Exiled Prince: I'm the Unexpected Extra in the Novel-Chapter 171: Heart of Frost

The War for The North [58]

Chapter 171: Heart of Frost

As the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the icy walls of the Winter Castle and gave way to twilight, Cassian entered through the castle’s massive gate.

His little stroll through the city, breakfast with the witches, and the emotional conversation with Cordelia on the roof had distracted his mind a bit.

He climbed the stairs with quick steps, almost running. Cassian’s destination was clear: Fredrinn’s room.

When he arrived in front of the room, he didn’t hesitate. Putting aside etiquette or the custom of knocking, he opened the door noisily.

"Yooo partner!" he shouted as he entered, his voice cheerful and high-pitched.

He spread his arms wide. "Are you ready to watch the historic moment when the Great Cassian, the magnificent ’Prince of Nothingness’, shines and saves the North? Did you get your popcorn?"

However, the weary answer of "Shut up" he expected did not come.

The room was empty.

Cassian frowned, lowering his arms. "Hmm... Where is he?"

He was surprised. Just a few minutes ago, before entering the castle, he had asked the guards downstairs and a maid he met in the hallway about Fredrinn.

As if they had all agreed, they said Lord Fredrinn was resting in his room. This guy couldn’t have teleported, could he?

"Maybe he’s in the toilet?" he muttered to himself. Then he shrugged.

As he turned his back to leave, perhaps preparing to look for him in the dining hall, the air in the room suddenly turned ice cold. The mist on the windows froze, his breath turning into a white cloud of vapor.

In front of Cassian, a silhouette appeared among the ice crystals floating in the air.

The Mystic Beast, the Queen of the North, Cryomara.

She had her usual all-knowing smile on her face, both affectionate and infuriating. Her blue dress seemed to ripple in the windless room.

"Little lizard..." said Cryomara, her voice sounding like crystal glasses clinking together. "So you decided to stop flirting with the witches and entertaining your little harem, and finally return to the nest, to your main duty."

Cassian rolled his eyes. "I wasn’t flirting!"

"Anyway, where is Fredrinn?"

Cryomara ignored Cassian’s question. Her blue eyes were focused not on Cassian’s face, but a little higher, on the small detail on his temple.

She extended her elegant, cold hand. Her fingertips grazed Cassian’s cheek and entered his hair, catching the small braid Cecilia had woven with great care last night.

Cassian flinched, wanted to pull back.

After gently tracing the braid with her fingertips, a meaningful smile appeared on Cryomara’s lips.

"You have a beautiful braid, little lizard," she whispered.

"I am sure a girl who is madly in love with you, who opened her heart to you, did this. In her craftsmanship... I feel a great love."

Cassian felt his cheeks warm up slightly. He pushed Cryomara’s hand away gently but firmly.

"Yes," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Someone I love very much made it?"

Cryomara’s laughter echoed in the room.

"Ahaha!" she laughed with pleasure.

"It’s just... Until yesterday you were avoiding your feelings like tsundere teenage girls. I guess you finally decided to act like a man and accept your feelings."

She narrowed her eyes, her gaze deepening.

"I honestly didn’t expect you to fall in love with my little butterfly... so quickly. I expected more resistance from you."

Then she shrugged.

"But I guess I can’t blame you for this. A man who has the attention of my precious Cecilia, looks into those blue eyes and doesn’t reciprocate... is either blind or seriously troubled."

Cassian huffed. "Are you done? If your emotional analysis is over, I’m going to go find Fredrinn."

"What’s the rush?" said Cryomara, cutting off his path. "We haven’t come to the most important part yet."

She brought her face close to Cassian’s.

"Anyway... You really need to start calling me ’Mom’ now. After all, you count as a son-in-law."

She winked.

"Come on, let’s try it. Say it once. ’Mom’. It’s not hard. Purse your lips, touch your tongue to your palate..."

Cassian’s patience was running out. "Don’t you have anything else to do?" he snapped. "Or did you come to mess with me because you’re bored?"

Cryomara pulled Cassian’s cheek, which was red from anger, just like pinching a child’s cheek.

"Maybe," she said laughing.

"Fredrinn isn’t here because everyone, all the lords and that sullen friend of yours... have gathered in the castle’s backyard and are waiting for you."

After a while, Cassian and Cryomara arrived at the private garden behind the castle. This place was like an oasis in the middle of the snow.

Even in the cold winter, endemic flowers still persisting with their ice-blue leaves and silvery stems created a fascinating view in the middle of the white snow cover. There was a sharp but pleasant herbal scent in the air.

Further ahead, the crowd formed by the lords, generals, and soldiers could be seen. However, Cryomara took Cassian not from the main road, but through the path passing between the flower beds.

"Do you like flowers, little lizard?" asked Cryomara, touching the plants around her as she walked.

Cassian shrugged. "Not really. I mean, they aren’t edible, they don’t work in war. But... I can’t deny they are beautiful."

"Hmm..." Cryomara stopped. "From now on you should be more knowledgeable about flowers. Because Cecilia loves flowers very much. Especially those in this garden. They are her mother’s legacy."

Cryomara suddenly bent down. She picked an elegant flower extending its head through the snow, its petals drawing halos from blue to white, shining like crystal in the center.

She straightened up and extended the flower to Cassian.

"The name of this flower," said Cryomara, bringing the flower close to Cassian’s nose. "Heart of Frost."

Cassian looked at the flower. It looked cold but delicate.

"Its meaning is Frozen Heart," said Cryomara. "But not in a bad way. It means the eternal love of cold hearts, love that flourishes in difficult conditions. And most importantly... loyalty."

She gently extended the flower to Cassian.

"Take this."

Cassian looked at the flower, then at Cryomara. He raised a single eyebrow.

"Sorry," he said with a mocking attitude. "But I’m not interested in you, old butterfly."

Cryomara’s left eye twitched. The maternal smile on her face froze for a moment.

Cassian instantly felt an ice-cold chill enter down his back, towards his spine.

"HIIII!"

He flinched, jumped in place. He checked his back with his hand. Cryomara had shoved a handful of snow down his back with her invisible wind again.

"Take these flowers!" said Cryomara, her voice not so gentle anymore. "Or I will bury you here and won’t thaw you until spring comes!"

Cassian took the flower, shivering and grumbling.

"Ehh... Okay, I took it. What am I going to do with these?"

Cryomara rolled her eyes. "Isn’t it obvious, stupid boy? You will give it to Cecilia."

She pointed to the crowd ahead with her finger. Cecilia was standing among the lords in her fur cloak.

"Go to her," said Cryomara. "And tuck this flower into her hair, in front of everyone. I’m sure she will be very happy."

Cassian’s eyes widened. He looked at the crowd with horror.

Fredrinn was there. Liora was scanning around with her sharp eyes. Marquis Aldren, Count of Amberfield... Everyone was there.

If he did such a thing next to the other lords, serious soldiers, and especially Fredrinn... He could die of shame right there. Fredrinn would never forget this, he would mock him for the rest of his life.

Even thinking about it made his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"No way!" replied Cassian firmly. "Never! I wouldn’t do it if you killed me. This... this is too embarrassing!"

Cryomara leaned over Cassian. Her aura grew heavy.

"No way?" she whispered in a dangerous voice. "My little butterfly took time for you, dedicated her own heart, put aside her pride and braided your hair... And you are ashamed to tuck a tiny flower into her hair? Are you that much of a coward?"

She hit Cassian’s shoulder.

"Be a man! Don’t be afraid to show your feelings. Or that girl’s heart will freeze like this flower and never thaw again."

Cassian turned his face away. He scratched the back of his neck hard. Cryomara was right. But that didn’t make the job any less embarrassing.

"Ahhh..." he groaned. "Okay! Okay, shut up! I’ll do it."

"Good," said Cryomara with a victorious air. "Now walk. The stage is yours."

When they finally arrived next to the lords, Cassian had put his hand in his pocket, trying to hide the flower in his palm without crushing it. His walk was tense, alert as if infiltrating enemy lines.

After the lords and Cassian greeted each other, Fredrinn broke away from the crowd and approached Cassian.

"You finally honored us," said Fredrinn, crossing his arms. Then he looked carefully at Cassian’s face. "Why do you look tense? You’re pale. Is there a problem?"

Cassian flinched. "Huh? Who? Me? I’m not tense or anything! Don’t be ridiculous! Just... trying to get used to the weather."

Fredrinn was surprised by this strange, panic-filled reaction. Normally Cassian would have a comeback ready.

"Hmm..." said Fredrinn. "I guess you are tense about the great purification process you will do soon. Don’t worry, you can do it. We trust you."

He patted him on the shoulder and left him be.

Cassian took a deep breath. His eyes searched for Cecilia.

The girl was standing next to Cryomara, waiting wrapped in her fur. Her blue eyes were locked on Cassian, or rather on the small braid on Cassian’s temple.

When their eyes met, Cecilia immediately looked away, her cheeks turning pink.

Cassian swallowed. It was now or never.

He turned to Fredrinn. He asked in a whisper.

"Partner... Can you keep what I’m about to do a secret? I mean... can it stay between us? No making fun."

Fredrinn frowned. He thought it was an important matter. He nodded seriously.

Cassian took a deep breath. "Good." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

And he headed towards Cecilia. His steps echoed on the marble floor.

All eyes turned to him. The lords thought Cassian would make a speech or start the magic.

Cassian stopped when he came in front of Cecilia. The girl looked at him with surprise.

"Cassian?"

Cassian didn’t speak. He just put his hand in his pocket and took out the blue-white flower.

The lords’ eyes were on Cassian’s hand. Seeing the flower, there was a curious silence. Was this part of a ritual?

Feeling his heart beating in his ears, Cassian suddenly extended his hand. And with a gentle but hasty movement, he tucked the flower next to Cecilia’s ear, amongst her silvery hair.

Time stopped.

Cecilia froze. Her hand went involuntarily to the flower. Her eyes were wide open. She was looking at Cassian, then at the weight of the flower in her hair.

The lords’ mouths were agape. The Count of Amberfield dropped his goblet.

Even Liora, watching from the side with arms crossed, was left open-mouthed by this unexpected, bold romantic move. "No way..." she whispered.

Fredrinn blinked his eyes. Was this what Cassian meant by "keep it a secret" just now?

Cassian couldn’t stand the silence around him and the dozens of surprised eyes on him any longer. His face was burning. This shame was heavier than fighting an army.

"Okay, that’s enough!"

Suddenly, a pair of massive, pitch-black dragon wings sprouted from his back.

He flapped his wings powerfully and, kicking up dust, rose into the sky like a rocket. He was running away.

As he rose, he called out in panic to the crowd below, still in shock:

"I am starting the purification process!!"

And leaving everyone on the ground surprised, admiring, and a bit amused, he disappeared into the clouds.

Below, as Cecilia touched the flower in her hair, she had the brightest smile ever seen on her face.