The Ice Princess ( Ryeji )

Prologue

10 years ago

Winter has arrived, and we know how much the kids enjoy it. They are unaffected by the heavy snow on the tree branches or the cold breeze in the air. Children are running around, chasing one another, and throwing snowballs. They're having a great time.

One child sat alone on a bench, while her butler stood beside her at the playground's corner, watching other children run around. Because it was her first time outside, she was fascinated just watching them. She's wearing a cap and mask because the butler told her to. In her jumpsuit, she appears to be a boy.

"Master,  do you want to go play with them?"

She shook her head while still watching the other kids play.

The butler simply hummed and also watched the children on the playground.

The girl was still looking far away when her view was suddenly blocked by another girl who was smiling at her.

"Hello."

The girl waved in front of her face, and she was so taken aback that she fallen down onto the bench. The butler assists her in standing while laughing at her.

"You okay master?"

The child simply nodded and gazed at the girl. The girl smiled broadly, revealing her adorable eyes and whiskers dimples.

"Hi, my name is Ryuddaeng, and I'd like to play with you," she said, holding out her hands to her.

She looked at her butler, who simply smiled at her.

"Go ahead, I'll wait for you here."

She took the girl's hand in hers and was dragged to the playground.

She was amazed by the playground full of children when a snowball landed on her.

"Haha. Fight me," the girl said, but she hesitated to throw a snowball back.

"Come on, it's fine."

She made a snowball and a throw it back when her playmate persuaded her.

They kept flinging snowballs and chasing each other. She was so engrossed in the girl's company that she forgot time had passed so quickly that they were disturbed by her butler.

"I'm sorry, Master, but your sisters are waiting for you."

She just nodded to the butler and turned to face the girl.

"I'm sorry, I have to leave. Take this," she said, taking off her necklace and handing it to the girl with whiskers.

"It's my first time playing with someone else; I'll cherish these memories with you," she added, bowing to the girl and beginning to go to her butler.

"Wait, what's your name?"

She returned her gaze to the girl who was racing towards her.

"My mother calls me Yeddeong," she explained.

"Take this. It's not as nice as this necklace, but I'm glad I met you. My mother made this; please take care of it." handing her a handmade bracelet with the letter R. The girl slipped on the bracelet and grinned broadly.

"I'll wait here every day to see you, okay? Promise me," the girl pleaded, her pinky finger poised to be linked with the latter's.

"I promise," she murmured, locking her pinky finger and kissing the little girl on the cheeks before sprinting to the automobile that was waiting for her.

"Annyeong Yeddeong!" said the girl.

She just returned the gesture and entered the car. She checks the bracelet given to her by the whisker girl, her first friend and smiled widely.

A phone call interrupted her, which was handled by her butler.

"Ahjussi, don't call while driving," she murmured, clutching her bracelet.The butler ignored her and continued to talk on the phone.

She felt the automobile scream to a halt, followed by a loud collision.  Following the crash, the automobile flipped upside down. Her head ached and she felt dizzy. She touched her head, feeling damp and saw her palm full of blood. As time passed, she became drowsy and began to close her eyes as she heard sirens blaring. She can hear a lot of footsteps all around her.

A voice near her yelled, "Hey! There's a kid here! Get some stretchers!"

"Ryuddaeng...". is all she can say while holding her bracelet tightly.