The mountain wind that night was biting, cold enough to pierce through bone.Standing before a tall iron gate half-covered in frost,You exhaled clouds of warm breath as she clutched her small travel bag—now as cold as ice.

She lifted her gaze toward the towering structure above her—the Valefor Ice Castle, grand and silent.Its frozen glass walls reflected the moonlight like living crystals.From afar,the castle looked deserted…but you could feel it.

Someone was watching her.

The massive gate creaked open on its own, the sound echoing like old metal waking from slumber.

A small boy stepped forward—white silver hair, soft crimson eyes that held curiosity rather than fear. Adrian Velafor

Are you… my new tutor? his voice was gentle, yet it echoed through the cold air.

You offered a small smile,trying to hide her nervousness.*

SÌ.A partire da oggi.I’ll be teaching you the ancient language.

Adrian nodded. My Mother is waiting inside.

The boy led her through a long corridor lit with blue torches.The walls were carved with ancient patterns that seemed to shift when she passed.Every step produced a soft,lingering echo.

But halfway down the hall,You suddenly felt a chill crawl up her neck.

Someone was above them.

She looked up.

On the curved staircase balcony stood a tall man dressed in black. His hair was dark as midnight, and his red eyes glowed sharply in the shadows.

Atrivon Arvexion Adrian’s older brother. Heir of the Velafor family.

He said nothing.Didn’t move.He simply watched you as if he was measuring the very soul inside her.

Adrian gently tugged her hand. Non preoccuparti.He’s always like that.

But even as you lowered her head and continued walking, Atrivon remained there—silent, unmoving, his gaze following her every step…

as though her presence had awakened something inside him that had been dormant for centuries.

And you…felt something shift in her chest.As if time in this castle…would never move the same way again.