Expression gradually faded from Espen’s face.

“Yeah. It’s the way of the world that you can’t have everything you desire.”

Although his tone sounded like he was venting futile desires, it was evident, just by looking at Espen’s brilliantly shining eyes, that it wasn’t the case.

Espen spoke in a cold voice.

“Then let’s just fall asleep together.”

“What?”

At that moment, the cold surrounding us intensified dramatically. A blizzard swept through the seemingly cloudless palace, and in an instant, windows and doors froze.

“Ah! The door won’t open because it’s frozen!”

“We need something to break it! Bring something to break the door!”

“Ah! My leg!”

In an instant, as the temperature dropped, people without means to resist the cold collapsed. The places with open doors were no exception. Someone who turned blue collapsed, blocking the entrance.

If there were an ice hell, would it look like this?

Beside me, Hadel was emitting flames, preventing snow accumulation, but the surrounding temperature dropped similarly.

‘Hadel’s flames aren’t this weak.’

And was Espen’s mana always this powerful? It was even more potent than during my past life’s mana explosion.

Curious, I quickly found the answer. The secret was within Baekok Palace.

‘So, this is why he installed magic circles throughout Baekok Palace!’

The mana amplification magic circle and the cold were activated simultaneously!

“Marian!”

“Hadel!”

Hadel spewed flames, melting the ice from my shackled feet.

While his flames were powerful, the speed at which Espen created ice matched the speed at which it melted.

‘At this rate, everyone will freeze to death!’

I grabbed Hadel’s arm. It was the worst for everyone to freeze to death as Espen wished.

‘Moreover, he suggested falling asleep together.’

This ice wasn’t ordinary.

‘Not only mana amplification but also maintenance.’

Even after Espen died, the ice filling Baekok Palace wouldn’t melt.

‘It’s truly to create an eternal ice prison.’

The name Baekok felt wasteful.

But I didn’t have time to dwell on such thoughts. I shouted loudly to Hadel.

“We need to get out of here! Even if you have strong magic power, it’s impossible on the magic circles surrounding this palace!”

“I can’t escape alone!”

Hadel tried to melt my legs, but it seemed more likely that the entire Baekok Palace would be trapped in ice faster. And.

“Hadel, even if the ice melts, my leg…”

My arm, frozen and thawed repeatedly after being held by Espen several times, and even the foot bound by ice chunks, had no sensation.

The blood vessels that had frozen once couldn’t perform their function.

“Escaping with this leg is impossible anyway. You should leave first.”
I was scared too. It was naturally comforting to have Hadel by my side, and it felt right for him to be there with me.

But.

“If Espen dies here, you’re the only one who can rule this kingdom.”

The current moment, where the life and death of the king and queen, as well as the princess, were uncertain.

To ensure the country didn’t fall into chaos, Hadel was the only one capable of ruling.

“You can’t die here. So, even you should leave.”

“Marian.”

Hadel’s red eyes trembled, and he tightly held my hand.

“Marian, I…”

Hadel didn’t intend to leave me. Despite his deep love for me, it wasn’t suitable as a member of the royal family.

When I tried to persuade Hadel again, Espen’s voice calling me overlapped with a distant ancient memory.

Back then, during Espen’s mana explosion, he called my name. He regretted not calling me sooner.

This time, the words didn’t pass by like before. I stared at Espen, who now looked like a snowman with a pale face.

“Could it be that the last explosion was intentionally chosen?”

“Yeah.”

That day was the last battle. Until the day before, we were excitedly discussing what we would do when we returned to our hometown.

I thought Espen would return with us.

But then the mana explosion happened, and as his explosion was dangerous to others, I stepped forward to stop him.

But it was all intentional.

“Why do you keep making foolish choices? Why!”

Espen answered my questioning, seemingly unable to understand even though I was filled with anger.

“Because you can’t be mine.”

“Idiot! Fool!”

Angry and pitiful at the same time, I couldn’t bear it.

Repeatedly asking foolish questions, even in a situation like this.

“Marian.”

Hadel called my name. His large hand stroked my eyelids. The corners of my eyes stung.

Even the tears shed for Espen froze and scattered like glass shards.

Hadel’s hand was warm. I pressed my cheek against his palm.

And in a situation that didn’t suit the occasion, I realized an important fact I hadn’t told him.

“Hadel, since this could be the last, I’ll tell you something.”

I closed my eyes. Even my eyelashes felt heavy from the freezing wind. Even in this harsh cold, Hadel’s hand was warm, wrapping my heart warmly.

“I might be pregnant with our baby.”

“… What?”

Hadel’s eyes widened at my words. I felt his heart pounding through his hand, beating vigorously.

“So, I didn’t change into a pheasant… Hadel?”