The Heir Of The Grand Duke (Official)

Episode 34 - The North

“Brrrrrr–” A young girl, brunette, and covered in a cloak shuddered inside a carriage. “It's so cold here.”

“I can hear my teeth chattering.” Another girl inside the carriage, this time with straight black hair, fair white skin, and slanted eyes agreed with her. “Aren't you cold, My Lady?”

She addressed the final person in the carriage and the one in front of them. A young woman, with tan brown sunkissed skin, around the age of 19, sitting quietly staring outside the carriage window.

She had her black tied to a clean bun. She wore a furry coat over a comfy blue dress. She turned her eyes towards her two freezing maids. “I’m not cold at all. In fact, I am extremely excited!” She grinned from ear to ear.

“Ehhhh?” Soyeon, the eighteen year old girl with long black hair, gawked at her Lady.

Teresa, the young 16 year old brunette, sighed. “You get used to it. Our Lady is a strange one.” She shrugged. “Lady Alejandra must be hot with excitement.”

The carriage soon came to a stop as it arrived at the castle gates. The Coachman slipped down the reins and knocked on the window. “We’ve arrived, My Lady.”

Alejandra stepped out of the car with a bright smile on her face. She smiled as she was greeted by a bunch of Knights in black armor. They saluted and a horn blew to signal the appearance of someone important.

Alejandra could hear her two maids behind her clamoring to get down but try as she might, she couldn't take her eyes off the scene playing out before her, as a gigantic armored white bear walked out of the castle gates. Riding it, was a woman with short black hair, a cut on her lip, and black armor adorned with a beautiful white cape.

“Good day, My Niece.” The woman spoke, she was massive and her voice was deep. You could tell by her posture mounted on the bear that she was comfortable and in control. “I am the Duchess of the North… Amelia Azarolla. Welcome to the Northern Duchy.”

Alejandra stared in awe at the woman before her. The woman who was called the Spear of the Empire. A woman capable of holding back an army of demons on her own.

More often dubbed, The Woman Atop the Frozen Throne.

Amelia had a gentle but stern smile as she slid off the polar bear and approached the awestruck Lady. “How was your trip, I suppose you traveled through the River Fría?”

“Indeed, Your Grace.” Alejandra knocked back to her senses curtsied. “It took a few days but we’ve arrived at the City of Hielo as you have instructed.”

“It seems you at least know some manners from the Capital.” The Northern Duchess scoffed. “My sister has definitely taught you well.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace.” Alejandra bowed her head. She wasn't stupid, she knew the Duchess meant it as an insult to her mother. What surprised her was the fact that the Northern Duchess had no intent of hiding her malicious spite.

“Listen well, Alejandra,” The Duchess walked forward and tapped the Young Lady’s shoulder, “the North has barely no need for such etiquette. Surviving here means proving your worth.” She explained as she gestured the Lady and her entourage into the city of Hielo.

Alejandra had to ask one thing before she followed, however. “What if I don't prove to be useful then, Your Grace?”

The Duchess came to a stop in her step. She turned her head back with a gaze of overwhelming and freezing apathy. “Then you will simply perish under the snow.”

A lump formed on the Lady’s throat as she gazed at the Duchess’ broad back, unyielding and unmoving, the back that carries the weight of North in its shoulders.