CHAPTER ONE: Lady Ingrid
Living in a vast world around us is as complicated as being stuck with something nonexistent. Unseen battles are way too chaotic than the actual feud with a stranger in a street since it is all happening within our minds, but rational beings are designed to adapt to their environment in order to survive. In this case, those who survived became advocates and those who failed were stuck in school with their suffocating white uniform.
In a place located in South Bròn, an eighteen-year-old lady is longing for the feeling of apricity as she is still comforting herself from that traumatic winter storm last night. All she needs this time is that alluring warmth amidst the frost for she cannot do something productive while being locked up inside these four walls. People call her Ingrid.
"Wind beneath the mountains, water flowing without restraints, and fire inside people's hearts. As for the earth, it is a stage where people are fighting for a spotlight. Well, I can stare at the horizon and convince myself that I am aware I'm walking in chains."
At her age, locals are calling her Lady Ingrid since her unusual appearance captivated their hearts. Various rumors are echoing the city about this lady for it is said that she is a prisoner that is sentenced to spend her life away from her mysterious empire in the north.
Ingrid the mysterious lady is trying to live a normal life with the locals under the watch of some undercover agents sent by the government of Bròn.
"I am expecting a cell filled with rats, filth and people suffering, but they instead gave me peace of mind," said the lady Ingrid as she walks past the perplexed locals. Her presence is enough to unleash the warmth amidst the cold winter as the gloomy town rose again.
Royal guards are ordered to prevent civil unrest since this town has a history of revolutions for feared warriors were born and died in this place. However, living in any town within south Bròn will be considered as a complete suicide for life in here is comparable to a mist evaporated by the atrocious sun.
The identity of Lady Ingrid is still unknown in the eyes of the people. They are generous enough to treat her like a visitor even though she is wearing a chain bracelet that is only made for notorious criminals.
Meanwhile, the government of south Bròn is making reports about the true identity of this particular prisoner named Ingrid. The authorities are alarmed of the actions of the locals since they have never seen this kind of aura for centuries.
"This woman was captured running against the tide for she failed to give her identity. Based on her appearance, she might be a noble from the north and her presence within our territory is a national threat." The atmosphere of the room drastically change as the loud words of Machabeth, the supreme leader of the imperial army, are echoing within the corners of the hall.
The terror went straight to soldiers' nerves. The calm environment turned into endless shivering and fainting. However, a gentle majestic voice breaks the stone-cold silence of the room.
His Majesty, Zion the dawn breaker, the acting King of South Bròn, "It is because of the mark on her neck, I suppose. You don't convince your men that she's a threat just because of how unusual she dressed. Your splendid ignorance almost aided your dignity Machabeth, the man with a lion roar ."
"It is, indeed, your highness." Humbled by the acting King in front of his men, Machabeth knelt down emotionless as he tries forget that intricate mark engraved in Lady Ingrid's neck.