The Frigid Truth

Chapter 3

As Floe moved through the chaos of the royal kitchen, her sharp eyes scrutinized every detail. The clatter of pots and the hum of chatter seemed distant compared to the thoughts swirling in her mind. Yeti's promotion was the talk of the kingdom, but to Floe, it was a complicated mix of pride and resentment.

She couldn't ignore the pang of jealousy that gnawed at her, despite knowing how hard Yeti had worked to earn his new rank. The way he had seamlessly transitioned from a lower-ranked dragon to a second circle general was impressive, and it stirred a sense of competition in her. Floe had always been ambitious, and Yeti's rise to prominence was a stark reminder of her own struggles to climb the ranks. The tension she felt wasn't just from her own career aspirations but from the undeniable fact that her younger brother was now a high-ranking figure in the kingdom—a place she had longed for herself.

As she snapped at a cook for under-seasoning a dish, her frustration was palpable. She was constantly reminded of her own position and the long road she had taken to achieve it. Yeti's success, while admirable, also felt like a mirror reflecting her own shortcomings and the sacrifices she had made. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness at the fact that he had achieved so much so quickly, while she had toiled for years to earn her place.

Yet, beneath the envy and frustration, there was a thread of genuine pride and affection. Yeti's accomplishments were a testament to his hard work and the training she had pushed him through. Floe's criticism and harsh demeanor were often a result of her deep-seated care for her brother and her desire to see him succeed, even if it meant grappling with her own insecurities.

As the kitchen continued its frenetic pace, Floe's thoughts drifted back to Yeti's promotion ceremony, the proud smile on his face, and the way he had carried himself with a mixture of dignity and uncertainty. She couldn't deny that, despite her frustrations, she was proud of him. Her own ambitions and struggles were intertwined with his success, and she would have to navigate her feelings carefully as she prepared for the evening ahead.

Her mind was set on the evening's events and the upcoming moments she would share with Yeti. Despite the bitterness she felt, Floe knew she had to be there for her brother and offer her support, even if it meant masking her true emotions behind a facade of professionalism. The balcony and the northern lights awaited, and she was determined to set aside her conflicted feelings, if only for a while, to enjoy the celebration with everyone else.

Floe's parents weren't able to come however, they were stuck in the lower circles. Last she heard, the two were moved up in the 4th circle, and it was likely they were still there. She could never flesh out the relationship she wanted with Gregale and Frostine. 

Gregale seemed more sociable of the two parents, taking the two out more often, teaching them about fishing at the docks and being a guiding persona. It was like he was striving to be the father Floe wanted, but he could never quite get it right. 

Frostine was more-so strict with her and her brother. Her rules of them staying safe and not trusting others was stark to what her father believed. Either way, Floe always hated how they never worked to get them to higher ranks. Why didn't they strive for more? For honor? Didn't they want to display their loyalty to the kingdom?

Floe's frustration with her parents lingered in her thoughts as she barked orders in the kitchen. She felt a pang of disappointment every time she thought of Gregale and Frostine. They had always seemed content with their lot in life, never pushing for more, never aiming for the honor and status that she and Yeti had worked so hard to achieve.

In her eyes, their complacency was a betrayal of the very values she held dear. It was as if their lack of ambition was a reflection on her own efforts, a stark contrast to the life she was striving to build for herself. Floe's parents had chosen stability over the pursuit of greatness, and she couldn't help but see that as a failure on their part—a failure she vowed never to replicate.