Chapter 27: Journey (3)

I had an uncomfortable smile on my face, my thoughts racing at full speed, processing all the information and actions I had taken. Of course, I don't regret my decisions; I accept my mistakes and live with them, just like my good deeds. Besides, she didn't deserve the ending she had. She's a good girl.

But this will undoubtedly create a butterfly effect. I'm not sure how big it will be or whether it will be for better or for worse. As in the original storyline, her older sister focused even more on training, distancing herself from everyone, basically becoming the typical ice queen. But she is very brutal when dealing with men; she is ruthless and sadistic.

But now that her sister is here, alive and well, she won't have to undergo a personality change. Returning to the present, I look again at Elsa, who observes me bewildered by not responding. I quickly take off my mask. Why, you may ask? Well, she has great power over her older sister; she mostly made the decisions. So, if I can create a good image with her, naturally, I'll do the same with her older sister. Also, by showing my true face, I can speak with her more fluently. I'm also curious about why she's here; in the novel, the reason was never revealed.

"Hehehe, how clever. I don't know why I still don't have a Nobel Prize."

I laugh sinisterly as I remove the mask, also making my hair color return to normal.

With a big smile on my face, I say:

"What a surprise to meet the second ice princess. Nice to meet you, Elsa Frostine. I'm Anthony Von Valeriano."

I bow slightly. The reason, well, her family, like mine, is a ducal family. Also, it's basic courtesy.

Opening her eyes in surprise, she looks at me wide-eyed. Well, I can't blame her; who would have thought she would find the heir to a duchy so far from home? Also, my reputation is not very good either.

"Damn it, Anthony, you've made things difficult for me."

I think internally. The truth is, things like this are more difficult for me.

"Wow, you're very handsome. No, wait, that doesn't matter now. Nice to meet you too. My name is Elsa Frostine. I'm very grateful that you saved me, and it's also a surprise to find you in this place."

I couldn't have misheard; she said I'm handsome. Although I already knew, it's good to hear it from others. Swelling my chest with pride, I reply.

"The surprise should be mine. What are you doing in this place, the second heir of the House of Snow, and without the proper protection?"

I suppose she escaped from home some time ago; the information about her disappearance must have reached my father.

"It's a secret," she says with a mysterious smile.

Damn it, I can't believe it. Seriously, I'm very curious, and she responds like this. Feeling anger rising to my head, I breathe to calm myself.

Putting on my best smile, I reply.

"I see, I see. Considering the direction you're heading, it's more than clear that you're going to the City of Beginnings, which is the most dangerous place for a girl with your status. I wonder what will happen if your location information leaks to your family."

Her small smile freezes, and her expression becomes somber.

"Do you really want to know?"

"But of course."

Letting out a deep sigh, she looks at me with her offended eyes, as if I were intimidating her. She responds.

"I want to find the Seven Star Flower. According to what I researched, that flower will help me with my condition."

"Why do you want it?" I ask incredulously. This information was never known in the novel, so I'm lost right now.

"As you know, I'm not very good with magic. According to the priests, the reason is that I don't have the bloodline that my family has. Therefore, my status is always in doubt; some think that I'm not of pure blood."

"So, I found in a book that if you eat a flower, you can get a bloodline. This happens if you don't have one, but also if you're disabled and your bloodline doesn't respond. With the help of this flower, I can awaken my lineage. Naturally, it doesn't remove the restrictions that I have to reach gold to fully awaken it."

The little information about her was that she always spent her time in the library; some readers thought it was because she was escaping reality with books.

But now I know the reason. It was shocking and surprising, but there's one case that is not clear to me.

"Why didn't you ask for help from your family?"

"Because they wouldn't let me come to this place. Also, I wanted to do it myself, to silence all the gossip and whispers about me."

I could see sadness in her eyes. Although she is very strong, everyone has a breaking point. She, who perhaps endured humiliations and thought she might be an illegitimate daughter, carrying on her small shoulders what drove her to embark on this journey, I can't help but sympathize with her. We have almost the same situation.

"Destiny is surely capricious. I'm heading to the same place, so why don't we go together?"

I say with a sincere smile.