Third Person’s POV

’I am not shallow,’

She told herself firmly, and her wet hands cupped her breasts under the water as she spoke to her own reflection in the dark pool.

’I am not cheap. Instead, my mind and body recognized quality.

I chose the perfect romantic partner I could have hoped for and the partner I deserve.’

The thought made her blush, but this time, the blush was not born of uncontrolled hormones. It was something else, something almost like pride.

And the best part about everything that had happened was the fact that he had reciprocated her attraction and had transformed it into something so major, so fast that she had nearly lost herself in processing it.

If she had wanted, she could have gone back to him again and continued their secret activity, which she eagerly wanted to do even now, but she controlled herself as she wanted to preserve her value in front of him.

’He finds me beautiful, and he desires me. He especially loves my breasts...’

Her inexperienced mind latched onto that thought, replaying the way he had looked at her chest, the way he had sucked and teased and bitten until she thought she would lose her mind.

She looked down at her own body, at her white breasts floating just beneath the surface of the water, at her pale skin and curved hips, and at the dark green patch of pubic hair visible through the clear water, making her feel a fresh wave of hotness that had nothing to do with the cold.

Her mind filled with thoughts of him and only him.

She was awestruck by the realization that had been growing in her heart as she thought that she had fallen in love.

’This must be what love at first sight feels like, she mused, her lips curving into a small, dreamy smile as her fingers unconsciously traced circles on her inner thigh beneath the water.

’This must be how those princesses in the old stories used to fall for the heroes.

The irresistible pull that those heroes must have had on their hearts and the way everything else must have faded away in their minds of the princesses until only they remained.’

As she lost herself in her thoughts of love and desire and continued replaying every touch, every kiss, every wet sound, and her every moan, the night passed without waiting for her.

The sky outside her window slowly shifted from deepest black to pale gray, then to soft blue.

The first rays of morning light crept across the horizon, painting the snow-covered spires of the Ice Emperor City in shades of gold and rose.

In his room, Ethan was already dressed in a fresh set of black robes.

The dark fabric fit him perfectly and contrasted sharply against his pale skin and long violet hair, making his already striking appearance seem even more distinctive. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

He stood silently before the enormous window, his hands resting loosely behind his back as he gazed into the distant city beyond the palace grounds.

His expression remained placid and unreadable while his crimson eyes reflected the snowy landscape outside.

However, despite his calm exterior, his mind was far from peaceful.

Countless thoughts continued to move through his head as he silently pieced together everything he had learned since awakening from his long slumber.

He had not bothered cutting his hair and had instead tied it into a simple ponytail.

The style was plain and practical, yet it somehow suited him perfectly.

Combined with his cold demeanor and unusual appearance, it gave him the aura of someone who had little interest in appearances despite naturally attracting attention wherever he went.

Suddenly, a sweet and familiar voice sounded from behind him.

"It’s time to go, Young Master Eryndor."

Ethan turned around and discovered that it was none other than Elis.

The wood elf stood near the doorway with a faint smile resting upon her face.

She was dressed in her usual attire consisting of a short hunting skirt, transparent emerald woolen stockings that covered her white thighs, wooden sandals, and a fitted hunting jacket that covered her upper body.

Over it all rested a green cloak whose hood currently lay against her back instead of concealing her face.

Her bright emerald eyes carried an energetic glimmer as she looked directly at him.

Those eyes slowly moved over his figure, carefully inspecting him from head to toe.

Seeing her behave so naturally after everything that had happened between them the previous night, Ethan couldn’t help finding it somewhat amusing.

There was no embarrassment, no awkwardness, and not even the slightest trace of hesitation in her behavior.

It was almost as if their confrontation had never happened, or she had accepted all of yesterday’s events so fast.

Ethan also didn’t comment on anything about last night’s activities.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded towards her and gestured toward the corridor.

"After you, Miss Elis."

Elis nodded casually before turning around and walking ahead.

Ethan followed behind her at a leisurely pace.

His eyes lingered briefly on her figure, noticing occasional glimpses of her hips and legs beneath the folds of her cloak as she moved.

Though most of her form remained concealed, it was enough for him to understand why so many young men would lose their composure around her.

The moment they stepped outside the room and into the high white corridors of the palace, Elis suddenly stopped beside a seemingly ordinary section of wall.

Reaching out, she pressed her hand against one of the countless white bricks decorating the corridor.

The brick sank inward slightly.

Immediately, a series of mechanical sounds echoed through the walls.

Unlike magical mechanisms that produced fluctuations of mana, this system operated entirely differently.

Ethan heard the grinding of gears, the turning of hidden levers, and the clicking of metallic components concealed deep within the palace walls.

Yet despite paying close attention with his soul sense, he detected no magical fluctuations whatsoever.