Chapter 2: Escape Through the Blizzard

Three days after the promise beneath the winter sky…

The greatest snowstorm in years finally descended upon the Northern Kingdom.

The night sky was swallowed by heavy black clouds. The wind howled violently, like the cries of demons echoing through the frozen mountains.

And that was the night Elara decided to abandon everything.

She stood silently inside her vast royal chamber, where the dim golden candlelight flickered against cold silver-lined walls. At the center of the room hung the wedding gown prepared for her political marriage.

A beautiful white dress.

But in Elara’s eyes…

It looked more like chains than a bridal gown.

She slowly walked toward the small wooden table beside the window.

Upon it rested her silver princess crown — the symbol of her royal bloodline.

Quietly, Elara removed the royal ring from her finger and placed it beside the crown.

In that moment…

She was no longer the princess of Arvendor.

Only a girl who wanted to run away with the man she loved.

A soft knock came from the door.

“Elara…”

It was Lyanna — the handmaiden who had served her since childhood.

Lyanna’s eyes reddened the moment she saw the black riding outfit Elara was wearing.

“You’re truly leaving…?”

Elara gave a faint nod.

“If I stay… I’ll slowly die inside this golden cage.”

Lyanna burst into tears.

She threw her arms around Elara.

“Please… be happy, at least once in your life.”

Elara hugged her tightly in return.

Then, without another word…

She turned and walked away.

The door closed behind her like the end of her former life.

Outside the palace walls, the snow fell so heavily it was nearly impossible to see the road ahead.

Kaelen waited beneath the western wall with two jet-black warhorses.

The moment he saw Elara emerge through the storm, the weight in his chest finally eased.

He hurried toward her and held her shoulders.

“Did anyone see you?”

Elara shook her head.

“There’s no turning back now…”

Kaelen looked at her for several long seconds.

Then he gently pulled her cloak tighter around her body to shield her from the freezing wind.

“Then from this moment on…”

Kaelen rested his forehead against hers.

“I will be your home.”

Elara’s eyes immediately welled with tears.

Before she could speak—

The palace alarm bells suddenly rang across the night.

Kenggggg—!

The piercing sound tore through the darkness.

Torches flared to life atop the watchtowers.

“They found out!” Elara gasped.

Kaelen immediately lifted her onto her horse.

“Go!”

The two warhorses burst into the raging blizzard.

Their hooves thundered across the frozen ground.

Behind them, soldiers shouted in chaos.

“Capture the princess!”

“Seal the gates!”

“Don’t let them escape!”

The snowstorm turned everything into madness.

Kaelen yanked the reins and led Elara deep into the northern forest — a place so treacherous that even local soldiers rarely dared enter during winter.

Snow lashed painfully against their faces.

The freezing wind cut through their thick cloaks like blades.

And yet, Elara had never felt freer in her life.

She wrapped her arms tightly around Kaelen from behind, resting her head against his back amid the endless white storm.

Even if hell awaited them ahead…

At least they still had each other.

For hours, they never stopped riding.

The horses raced through frozen forests, across icy rivers, and along deadly cliffs where a single misstep would send them plunging into the abyss below.

Until just before dawn…

Kaelen suddenly pulled the reins.

The horse reared and came to a halt.

Elara lifted her head.

Before them…

Lay the frozen chasm known as Black Hollow.

One of the most dangerous places in the North.

If they could cross the old wooden bridge ahead, they would finally escape the borders of Arvendor.

Elara barely had time to breathe in relief—

When suddenly, from behind them—

A war horn echoed through the storm.

Uuuuuuuuuu—!