"I do not have the liberty to think of leaving. My people need a leader," Sua said.

Yuzan remembered the burden he had as the heir to the Hajime business. He had to be perfect. He had to forget himself and even leave his sister. It was a painful responsibility.

"Are you happy?" Yuzan asked.

Sua shrugged. "I'm alive. My people are alive."

"Yes, but are you happy?" Yuzan asked.

"I . . . dont know," Sua said.

"I think I used to be like you. I was born in a wealthy family and I was the heir. It's heavy, isn't it?" Yuzan asked.

Sua nodded.

"After you get your sister, can you . . . visit here?" Sua asked.

Yuzan tilted his head.

"Why?" Yuzan asked.

Sua looked away.

"Just to talk and I want to meet your sister," Sua said.

She looked quite small at that moment. Even lonely.

"It depends on her. If she wants to visit here then yes," Yuzan said.

Sua smiled.

The two talked until the wee hours of the night. Sua was interested in how Yuzan lived in his original world and Sua shared bits of her life too. Sua enjoyed it a lot. It was like finding someone who was very similar to you. Sua had power because of her parents but because of that power, she also had the burden to lead her people. She couldn't have a normal life even if she wanted to.

Yuzan yawned.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I should let you sleep. I'll give you and your companion horses for your journey," Sua said.

Sua left the tent. Yuzan was about to close his eyes when he heard the tent flap open again.

Argh.

He didn't want to talk with the princess anymore. Couldn't she wait until morning?

"Yuzan, are you awake?"

Oh.

It was Azmir.

"Yes, why?" Yuzan asked.

He didn't bother getting up anymore. It felt too comfortable inside the silk sleeping bed.

"I can't sleep. I think there are bugs in the sleeping bag in my tent," Azmir said.

Yuzan patted the space beside him.

"Come here," Yuzan muttered.

Azmir sat on the space.

"Can I sleep here?" Azmir asked.

"You're already here. Let's just go to sleep," Yuzan muttered.

Azmir laid down beside him.

"I heard the two of you talking," Azmir said.

Yuzan just groaned sleepily.

"What were the two of you talking about?" Azmir asked.

Yuzan groaned.

"You aren't going to tell me?" Azmir asked.

Yuzan opened his eyes and glared at Azmir. He was so d*mn sleepy already. Why won't people just let him sleep in peace???

Yuzan placed his forefinger on Azmir's lips.

Azmir's eyes widened.

"Shush. Tomorrow. I'll tell you. For now, let's just sleep. Please," Yuzan said.

Azmir nodded and Yuzan took off his forefinger from Azmir's lips.

"Good night, Yuzan."

"Good night, Mir."

The two slept together side by side.

*

*

*

Morning made its way on the fields of Faresh, casting its light on the tents slowly, until all of them were no longer under the shadows of dawn. In one particular tent, two young men were entwined with each other. Their arms laid over on top of each other's waist. Their legs hooked to one another.

The young man with raven black hair and skin as white snow stirred awake first. His eyes fluttered slowly, revealing autumn eyes. His gaze fell on the young man beside him whose arm was around him. He reached for his head and ruffled his companion's indigo blue hair gently.

"Mir, I can't get up," Yuzan said.

Azmir groaned and snuggled closer to his shoulder.

"Mir, we need to get up," Yuzan said.

Azmir ignored him.

Yuzan chuckled.

"You can hug me later at night again but now, we need to leave so we can continue traveling," Yuzan said.

"Pillow . . . noisy," Azmir muttered sleepily.

"I'm going to do something to you if you don't get up, Mir," Yuzan warned.

Azmir was still dozing off.

Yuzan was able to sit up a bit but Azmir's arm was still on his waist.

POOF!!!

Yuzan blew on Azmir's ear.

"Ahh!!"

Azmir sat up, his eyes wide open.

"W-what was that? What did you do?!" Azmir asked.

Yuzan laughed.

"Come on now. Let's go. You weren't letting me get up. I know you like hugging me that much but we have to keep moving," Yuzan said.

"W-who likes hugging who?! I don't know what you're talking about," Azmir said.

Yuzan ruffled his indigo blue hair.

"Good morning, Mir," Yuzan said with a refreshing smile.

Azmir narrowed his eyes at him. "Good morning."

Azmir wanted to bury himself in the ground. Why did he have to mistake Yuzan for a pillow??? Argh!!!

*

*

*

The two were served a sumptuous breakfast and true to her word, Sua gave the two of them horses for their travel.

The princess went with them in going back to the village. She also had a few soldiers with them whose tasks were to carry crates full of her compensation for the village.

The villagers were stunned to see the princess of the military kingdom come personally to their village to apologize for what her wayward soldiers did to them. She had the crates distributed. They contained fresh fruits, meat, and even luxurious goods the villagers could trade for like gems and precious metals.

The princess with her most trusted soldiers also talked with the villagers to get descriptions of the soldiers who tried to extort the village. After getting a thorough description from them, she was sure the perpetrators behind the well poisoning belonged to the platoon who was in charge of holding on the corpse seeds. She had some of her trusted soldiers go back to Faresh to inflict punishment on the said platoon. By the time she was back in Faresh, those corrupt soldiers of the platoon would be half-dead by then.

*

*

*

"We're going to leave now. We're truly grateful for your hospitality," Azmir said to the village chief and to his two granddaughters.

Feila and Reika were looking at Yuzan teary-eyed. Even Sua looked sad too. Azmir was kind of offended. Why was no one unaffected by his leaving? They were all looking at Yuzan like he was the only male around!

"Sir Yuzan, can you not stay for a few more days?" Feila asked.

"We really don't mind if you stay longer. Actually, we would be happier if you stay," Reika said.

"Perhaps you would like to stay a few more nights in our camp instead?" Sua asked.

Yuzan shook his head and got on his black horse smoothly.

"Thank you for the offer but I need to find my sister," Yuzan said.

The three women told Yuzan that he could back anytime with his sister and they would be treated as very distinguished guests.

Yuzan and Azmir were finally able to leave the village.

*

*

*

"So, how do we exactly get pass that mointain?" Yuzan asked.

"I think there's a village below the mountain. We can ask for a guide to help us," Azmir said.

"Another village," Yuzan muttered and sighed.

It got colder and colder the nearer they got to the white mountain. After getting past this mountain, he'll finally be in Aderlan where her sister is. It was years since they've last seen each other. Would she even recognize him? He imagined calling out to her and hugging her tight, and he would finally stop dreaming about her cold gravestone.

They had to make a stop to put on fur capes and fur coats which fortunately, Azmir had inside his magical pouch. They also put fur warmers on the horses. Then they continued again.

The land around them was covered in snow. It was a strange sight to see. Like someone had just dumped white paint over the whole landscape. Just a few hours ago, they were in a very warm village and now it was like they had entered a winter wonderland. The land was called White Peaks. It was a place under perpetual winter.

After almost a whole day of traveling by horse, they eventually found structures of houses on the white snowy land. They found a structure that looked like an inn, judging by the half-buried sign outside.

The inn was warm inside. A middle-aged woman wearing fur clothes helped them shake off the snow on them. There was a tavern inside the inn and some villagers were there too, looking at them curiously.

Yuzan and Azmir were given huge mugs of hot cocoa with marshmallows on top. They sipped their drink, still shivering from the cold.

A stocky short man with a long beard and bushy eyebrows joined their table.

"Adventurers?" The man asked.

"Only him. I'm a merchant," Azmir said, still too cold to explain.

"Yer going to cross the mountain, aye?" The man asked in a heavy accent.

"Yes, but we need a guide. Are you volunteering yourself?" Azmir asked.

"No. I'm only a miner here. The name is Sammy. But I can introduce you to one if she likes the two of you. She's a frequent climber. Every year without fail. No one is as good as she. If ye can persuade her, then you're good to go," the man said.

"Where is she?" Azmir asked.

Sammy pointed to a woman sitting by the bar stool. As if she heard them, she turned to look at them.

She was a young woman with ethereal beauty. She had long white hair as pure as snow that gave off a silvery shimmer. She had brilliant violet eyes. Something about her made it look like she was an ice sculpture, sculpted into perfection. She had an impassive gaze, an icy aura, and otherwordly beauty. Anyone would think she was a snow goddess if she declared so.

She titled her head at them. Her long white hair brushing her waist.

Azmir got up to talk to her. Yuzan remained in his seat, sipping his hot chocolate. Azmir was the people person and Yuzan was content in his role as the poisoner.

"Greetings. My name is Azmir and that one there is my companion, Yuzan. We've been told by Sammy that you're a frequent climber of the mountain. If it's not too much trouble for you, we would like to have you as our guide. We're going to Aderlan and we really just need to cross that mountain. We'll compensate you, of course," Azmir said.

The young woman just stared at him with her violet eyes quietly.

"May I know your name?" Azmir asked.

She didn't speak for a while. As though it's been a long time since she had last spoken. Then she did, and it was like hearing the cold winds whisper.

"Sylvia."