It had been three days since I made the decision—to take Lyra to EverFrost, the place where her story had begun and, perhaps, where it could finally find peace.
She had been through too much… far more than someone her age should ever endure. And even if she hadn't yet awakened her domain, I believed she would find something there—something not just powerful, but meaningful. A shard of closure. A piece of her lost past. Maybe, even a promise for the future.
Trust and Support.
Two things she was never given. Two things I could now offer. I had taken her hand that night, and with it, her burden.
I wasn't sure what would happen when we returned to that frozen land. Would it break her again? I prayed it wouldn't.
It had taken the entire night just to calm her the last time—her head resting on my chest, her breath trembling, her voice barely a whisper between sobs. I held her close, stroking her black hair in silence, not saying a word. Just staying there.
Scarlett and Layla had entered the room once during that night. But they didn't say anything. They didn't stop us. They simply gave us space. Gave her space.
In that moment, I was more grateful than I could ever express. Their understanding wasn't spoken. It didn't need to be. Love doesn't always come with words—it's often found in what's left unsaid.
From the very next morning, Lyra withdrew completely into my Soul Space. She hadn't come out since.
Inside that realm, time held no sway. Only the soul could wander there—and the soul, unlike the body, was eternal. I created a frozen landscape within it, mimicking the glacier she remembered.
I even left several of my clones to assist her, while she devoted herself to mastering the spell her mother had shown her in that dying memory—an ethereal art of frost and sorrow.
Scarlett stayed by her resting body whenever she could, always making sure Lyra was okay. And Layla? Well, she was with me as usual, clinging to me at every possible opportunity. Mischievous and affectionate, like always.
This time, I didn't want us to travel cramped like before. With all the money we now had, I arranged for a large, elegant carriage. More than just a ride—it was a small home on wheels. Thanks to spatial enlargement magic, the inside resembled a cozy suite: soft cushions, warm lights, and a small kitchen Layla was all too excited to use.
The carriage was pulled by two majestic mana beasts, faster and stronger than any horse. They could even fend off low-level monsters if the need arose. This journey to the far north—toward the edge of the continent—was no small venture. But we would arrive before nightfall.
"Noah~ Here, eat this!" Layla said cheerfully, holding out a plate.
A pancake, shaped like a heart. Slightly lopsided, but warm and golden.
She had been experimenting ever since she found out the carriage had a kitchen.
"Hmm… it's good," I said after taking a bite.
"Of course it's good! I made it with love," she replied with a proud smile, puffing her chest.
"I thought you used sugar and flour," I teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Ah—you—! Tsk, not romantic at all!" she huffed, turning away.
But before she could walk off, I caught her wrist gently.
Pulling her close, I leaned forward and took a large bite of the pancake, then fed it to her mouth while it was still slightly open.
"Is it romantic now?" I asked with a smug grin.
She blinked, stunned—her cheeks slowly coloring a soft pink. She chewed in silence, eyes darting away.
Bold one moment, flustered the next. Our Layla was as predictable as she was endearing.
She may always act wild, but once I got serious… she'd turn into a blushing little bride.
I've grown used to her rhythm now. And I've learned how to handle her with just the right touch.
Time passed, quietly. The skies grew darker. The wind turned colder.
And finally, it appeared.
A mountain—tall, pale, and draped in glistening snow. Its peaks shimmered beneath the moonlight like a castle of glass and frost. The very air around it grew heavy with silence.
This was no ordinary mountain.
That was EverFrost.
The place where time froze and the past never died.
I looked out of the carriage window, my heart steady, my hand tightening slightly.
"Lyra… we're almost there."
To be continued...