The grand throne room of Varethiel was silent, save for the faint crackling of torches lining the towering stone walls. King Aldric sat upon his golden throne, his piercing gaze locked onto the lone figure standing before him—a messenger from the Frostlands, clad in thick furs lined with silver. Cassian stood beside his father, his arms crossed behind his back, his expression unreadable as always. Yet, inside, his mind worked swiftly. It was rare for Queen Seraphina to send emissaries south. Whatever message this man carried would be of great importance.
The messenger knelt briefly before speaking. "My Queen, Seraphina of the Frostlands, extends an offer to the Kingdom of Varethiel. She proposes a union—her daughter’s hand in marriage for Prince Cassian."
King Aldric’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. "An interesting proposal," he mused. "Such a bond would be… beneficial." He turned his head slightly toward Cassian. "We will accept the invitation and journey to her palace.."

The Journey to the Ice Palace
The path to the Frostlands was as merciless as the tales foretold.
By the time they reached the gates of the Ice Palace, It was unlike anything he had ever seen—a kingdom sculpted from ice and white crystal, glistening beneath an eternal winter. At the far end of the hall, seated upon a throne, was Queen Seraphina herself. Beside her stood her daughter. She She was ethereal, as if sculpted from the very ice surrounding her. Pale silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, strands catching the faint light like woven moonlight. Her eyes, the color of a frozen lake. Her face was emotionless, framed by delicate yet fearsome adornments of crystal and silver spikes. She was adorned in a gown that shimmered like fresh snowfall.Upon her head rested a crown unlike any Cassian had ever seen—an elaborate silver piece, adorned with an iron skull. She did not smile. She did not frown. She simply stood there, a frozen doll carved from winter itself. So this was to be his bride.