Without Orman’s control over the celestial phenomena, sunlight naturally peeked out from the layered mountains. Once her gaze shifted to the vast expanse of lush greenery and vibrant flower seas surrounding the Evil Dragon Domain, it shone down without hindrance.
It sprinkled across an elf’s face.
“Ugh…”
To be precise, this was not within the palace but several gardens away, in a cluster of small buildings erected by the Maid Corps as “guest rooms.” Yet their splendor rivaled the most opulent hotels—even the cups were crafted from gold and silver.
The guest room lay silent and empty. Icy winds still whistled outside the window, and the teacup on the table, which should have steamed with heat, had frozen into a solid block of pure ice. If someone could extract it intact and carve it into a flawless bar-quality ice sphere, it would be entirely feasible.
Nina lay on the immaculately made white bed, clutching the covers and murmuring something indistinct. Her thin white nightgown, light and airy as flower petals, breathed easily against her skin and the plush bedding, enveloping her in the world’s finest fabrics. Her two smooth legs extended from beneath the covers, the picture of relaxed comfort at home.
A faint rime of frost clung to the corner of her eye, glittering brilliantly in the sunlight—evidence of a chill even deeper than the outdoors.
“Ugh… Mom…”
Knock knock knock—
The sudden rapping at the door snapped the girl awake. She bolted upright, instantly alert. The unfamiliar surroundings jolted her, but the exhaustion weighing on her body dredged up memories of the moments before she blacked out.
“What… happened to me…?”
As those recollections merged with the fragments of her dream, Nina half-knelt on the bed, sighing weakly again and again. She stared blankly at her hands, utterly untroubled by the strange environment.
For whether she lived or died hardly seemed to matter anymore…
“What do I even have left?”
If only she could traverse time itself—how wonderful that would be. If only she had accepted Isabella’s proposal, even forced a smile, even owned up to her unforgivable sins—how perfect. But harsh reality brooked no regrets. The path she had chosen led inexorably to her own destruction.
“If you don’t open up, I’m coming in anyway!”
The voice—familiar yet distant—belonged to the girl at the door.
This was no Elven Northern Border, nor even the warmer Southern Border. Somewhere like… the East? Yet the flower seas and trees visible through the window clashed with her preconceptions. Shoving aside fanciful notions like arriving in paradise, Nina lifted her head toward the door and murmured softly:
“…Please, come in.”
The girl who entered was breathtaking.
Nina’s first thought was how stunning she was—beautiful beyond words.
Realizing this was someone she had crossed paths with once before, she managed to speak:
“Hello… Is this the Evil Dragon Domain?”
“Yes.”
Xuefei tilted her head.
The adorable maid outfit clung to her petite frame, accentuating a delicate figure with hints of mature allure. The white apron swelled gently at her chest, inviting flights of fancy. Her legs, sheathed in white lace thigh-high stockings, traced perfect curves, complemented by a crisp white maid headdress and long, satin-smooth hair. Together, they evoked a harmonious gentleness.
Blue ribbon bows tied into two locks of her hair amplified her cuteness. Her diamond-shaped pupils, which might have seemed oppressive, instead added to her charm—a lingering glance set the heart itching unbearably.
“…”
Noticing Nina’s stare fixed on her face, Xuefei muttered under her breath:
“I knew it.”
Her looks had somehow blossomed into something impossibly striking. This beauty held little appeal for men’s tastes, yet drew women like moths to flame… Well, Xuefei couldn’t quite explain why her “charm” left men cold, but she cherished it all the same.
She far preferred admiration from girls to advances from men—the very idea sent shivers down her spine. Of course, anyone foolish enough to try would meet a swift end at Leia’s hands.
“You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”
Xuefei’s gaze returned to the girl kneeling dejectedly on the bed. The other merely glanced up at her once more before nodding silently several times.
“Jeez…” Xuefei brushed aside the lock of silver hair veiling her cheek.
Wasn’t this the Queen? The legendary Winter Queen, who had seared such a deep impression into her mind during the First Playthrough, now looked so utterly lost she couldn’t muster even an expression.
“…”
Xuefei remained silent. She wheeled the meal cart over, lifted the insulated lid, and set a bowl of steaming soup on the bedside table along with several slices of bread, butter, and cheese.
“Eat something. It’ll lift your spirits.”
“It won’t happen again…”
Nina kept her head bowed, her voice so faint it was almost inaudible.
Even Xuefei had to strain her ears to make out what she’d said.
Moments later, Xuefei noticed the beef soup cooling from scalding hot to merely warm, then cool, and finally ice-cold, turning into unremarkable chunks of ice right alongside that cup of tea.
Xuefei settled onto the nearby sofa, her legs pressed neatly together. It was a pity Leia wasn’t there to admire that refined posture—she’d missed one of the prime chances to “defile” pure, innocent Xuefei.
“This isn’t our first meeting, Nina. Actually, we… er, crossed paths once before, back in the Northern Border of the previous timeline.”
“Mm…”
Nina gave a slight nod.
Leia had already filled her in.
About how she herself, during the first playthrough, had nearly killed them all…
“Let’s skip that topic,” Xuefei said. “This place is safe. If you need anything, ask for Laer—she’s the Head Maid. Want to get in touch with Dragon King? She can help with that too. Tea’s downstairs on the first floor; help yourself. Head out and follow the stone path to the Newly Opened Monster Market. I’ve put in a good word, so take whatever you need. Oh, and don’t pick fights with the monsters. It wasn’t easy for them to relocate here. Any questions? Talk to Miss Qingdie… That covers it.”
Xuefei rattled it all off in one go, the words gliding through Nina’s mind like a leaf passing unscathed through a thicket of flowers.
“Mm. One more thing—we need to talk about Isabella…”
The name “Isabella” hit Nina like a spark. She snapped her head up, stealing glances at Xuefei’s face from the corner of her eye, as if desperate for her to say more. A flicker of hope softened her rigid expression.
“I think we can save her.”
In a flash, Nina swung her bare feet off the bed, slipped into her bunny-ear slippers, and rose to her feet. She hurried toward Xuefei, step by urgent step.
Xuefei braced herself, wondering if the girl had lost her mind and was about to do something reckless.
Thump!
Nina dropped to her knees, her eyes brimming with raw desperation.
“You… do you have a way to save Isabella?”
