The return to the Eternal Frost

The wind was howling as ice and snow fell to the ground heavily. The entire land was filled with frost. It was a sea of white all around. This was Duke Cassius's territory, the Eternal Frost where it is winter all year round.

Suddenly, the snow split apart, leaving enough room for a carriage to go past.

The carriage was light blue and the crest on the carriage bore a sword crossing a snowflake, the symbol of the Duke of the North.

---

"The Duke of the North has returned from his demon expedition at the Imperial Academy!" A servant exclaimed.

The other servants of the Duke estate glanced at each other but dared not say it out loud. That their master was finally coming home because he was expelled from the Imperial Academy due to him falling in love with Lucy Belle, a commoner who holds the adoration of the Crown Prince, Axel and his three best friends, Leo the eldest son of the Halon Marquess, Zander the youngest son of the Halon Marquess and Ender, the son of the Royal Knight's Commander.

The doors to the estate burst open and in walked the Duke in all his glory. Although the Duke is only 17 years old this year, it did not stop him from having an aura of authority.

The servants thought that their master would be sad because of his departure from the Imperial Academy but when he walked through the doors, he was smiling.

"I'm back!" The Duke announced with a grin.

The servants silently glanced at each other and felt pain in their hearts for the young man. They have known the Duke since he was a baby so they know that the Duke would always put up a happy front, even if he was sad because he did not want others to worry.

"Welcome back, Master!!!" The servants shouted together as they bowed.

----

"Master, you have four visitors." The butler informed the Duke.

"Alright, let them in." The Duke replied.

The butler nodded and left the Duke's office.

A few moments later, the four guests walked into the Duke's office.

"Why have you come to visit? You could have just written a letter." The Duke said as he looked at the four men which were the Crown Prince Axel, Leo, Zander, and Ender.

Zander glared at the man, and said, "You know why Cassius. I won't stand you trying to steal my woman."

"You act as if she is your possession. I don't even like her. All I did was save her from a wandering demon during our extermination mission at the Imperial Academy. And what were you guys doing at the time? Fighting over who gets to protect her when you guys couldn't even do that in that single moment." Cassius stated.

The Duke felt a jolt of pain in his heart and he frowned, but Leo took it as disgust so he yelled, "I don't care! Don't ever talk to Lucy again!"

The Duke raised his right hand to massage his chest area to try to stop the pain.

Seeing him ignore him, Leo got mad and grabbed the Duke's hand.

"Hey, listen to me!"

The Duke yanked back his hand from Leo. Just then, the Duke felt an even sharper pain in his heart.

"Ughhh..." The Duke groaned in agony as he clutched his heart with his right hand.

The pain was so intense that he doubled over.

The four men's faces instantly grew worried.

"Help! Call the doctor!" Ender shouted.

The butler rushed into the office and immediately went to his master's side.

"Oh no, his illness has flared up again!" The butler exclaimed with worry.

The four unwanted guests looked confused.

'What illness?' They all wondered in shock.