It was a refreshingly crisp morning in Winterbraun, a hometown he had left behind four years ago to lead a reform. But today, he woke up to the sweet aroma of snow carried by the clean and comforting air.
His decision to return to Winterbraun had been abrupt, stirring questions and concerns across the palace, especially from Glenn, whose frustration was apparent whenever Etien insisted on returning. The Emperor's irritation was written all over his face, unable to hide his displeasure at Etien's refusal to remain longer in the capital.
"Good morning, Your Grace, the Duke. Did you rest well? Breakfast is ready in the dining room, would you like to eat now?"
Bastian, the head butler of the mansion, greeted Etien with deep respect, bowing so low that the roots of his thin, white hair were exposed.
Etien scratched the back of his neck, walking past Bastian, who remained bowed in front of him. "I slept like a baby, much better than in the capital."
Upon hearing Etien's response, Bastian, who had cared for the man who now ruled Winterbraun following his late father—chuckled.
"You've lived your whole life in snowy lands, then suddenly had to endure the capital's heat, which is sharper than even the summer here. It's no wonder you felt uncomfortable."
"You have no idea, I nearly melted every day there! Why did you stop me from whipping up a snowstorm when the heat got unbearable and made me feel like I was dying?" Etien grumbled. With his frosting powers, he could have easily eased his suffering—not just by cooling his water but by blanketing all of Eryndaul in frost to bring himself some comfort.
"If you had done that, Eryndaul and its surrounding regions would have been struck by a weather catastrophe, Your Grace," Bastian reminded him calmly.
Etien Carter was the heir to Winterbraun, the coldest and frostiest land in the Zarakand Empire. It was also the wealthiest, thanks to its abundant Palatina mines. As the sole successor of the Carter family from the South, Etien possessed a power that mirrored his birthplace, the ability to turn everything into ice. It was a wondrous yet terrifying ability, for when Etien lost control, nobody could predict the destruction that would follow.
Similar to the destructive might of the dragonborn lineage, the Carter family's powers were equally dangerous and fearsome. That's why Etien had been trained to harness his abilities from a young age. The previous Duke tirelessly kept him away from triggers that might set him off. Yet, growing up in a military environment and participating in battles for the empire meant that Etien occasionally unleashed his power during chaotic situations. Over time, he became known as the 'Beast of the South'—a nickname born from his strength and the piercing purple eyes that symbolized the overwhelming dominance and cruelty of his abilities.
Such power turned Winterbraun into an untouchable domain. So, when he grew sick of the old imperial regime, Etien rallied fellow nobles and amassed the strength to lead a successful reform, crowning Prince Glenn Lancaster as the new emperor.
"But after everything, I must say, it's a relief to see you back," Bastian said with a smile, pouring tea into a cup and offering it to Etien.
The tea carried the delicate scents of jasmine and chrysanthemum, Etien's favorite. Slowly, he sipped the tea, his gaze drifting over the dining room, where he now sat for breakfast.
"Yeah, you're right. Honestly, I'm surprised I made it out alive after pulling off something so crazy."
"Actions like that aren't born from trivial motives, Your Grace. You've done something remarkable," Bastian replied calmly, while the maids prepared plates and dishes for breakfast.
"If only that foolish Emperor had stopped oppressing his people, I would never have had to do such a thing. It's far more comfortable sitting here, away from the capital's drama."
"This is unlike your behavior as a child," Bastian teased with a gentle smile, refilling the Duke's now-empty cup of tea.
"What are you talking about?"
"When you were younger, you'd sneak away from the previous Duke's watchful eyes, slipping through the palace portals to wander the capital alone, leaving the mansion in chaos because no one could find you in Winterbraun."
Etien swallowed hard, recalling the ridiculous escapades of his youth. "That was before I knew how rotten they were in the capital," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing as he hid his embarrassment behind the teacup.
Seeing Etien flustered over his past antics, Bastian smiled warmly. The butler couldn't help but find it endearing, remembering the mansion's frantic search when young Etien had gone missing.
With his morning tea finished, Etien began his breakfast, accompanied by Bastian. His morning felt far more peaceful than any day spent in the capital. Truly, this was the serenity he'd been longing for.
But just as he was enjoying his meal, a servant approached Bastian, handing him an envelope, which he then passed to Etien.
"This is from the palace. The seal indicates it was written by the Emperor himself," Bastian explained.
Setting aside his utensils, Etien accepted the envelope, noting its elaborate seal—a dragon's head in the center, a mark used exclusively by the Emperor himself. It confirmed the sender was Glenn—the Emperor.
"The Emperor? Why would he send me a letter on my first day back in Winterbraun?" Etien wondered aloud.
"Could it be an urgent matter?"
"What, after everything's finally calm?" Etien muttered skeptically. Nevertheless, he opened the letter and began reading.
As he read, Etien's eyes widened in shock, the letter revealed the Emperor's intention to personally oversee the selection of a bride for Etien.
"Wha—What is this nonsense?!" Etien exclaimed loudly.
Amid his confusion, Bastian, equally curious, took the letter Etien nearly dropped and read it, furrowing his brow.
"Did you tell to His Majesty that you intended to marry?" Bastian asked cautiously.
With his head in his hands, Etien stared in horror at the letter from the palace.
Yesterday, with pride and confidence, Etien had told Glenn Lancaster he planned to marry once he left the palace and returned to Winterbraun. Little did he anticipate this would lead to the Emperor organizing a bride selection on his behalf.
Etien had assumed he would choose his bride independently, like any typical proposal. But now, this, why would the Emperor do this to him?