COURAGE

"Ruby," I said, stretching a hand lazily in the air, "give your full power and make me a teleportation magic to the North. And do it secretly, I don’t want any audience."

Let’s be honest, if I suddenly ride a dragon in front of everyone, their jaws would drop to the floor. Especially since the whole kingdom thinks I’m weak and Angelica is some glowing messiah blessed by the gods or whatever.

Bunch of idiots.

Let’s be real here—dark magic is far more superior than light. It’s just that people are too scared or too stupid to admit it.

Ruby sparkled in midair, fluttering her tiny fairy wings before casting a discreet veil of invisibility around us. The magic she summoned shimmered like a swirling storm of stars, creating a circle that pulsed with dark red energy beneath our feet—completely hidden from human sight.

“Done, Master~” she chimed. “Safe, silent, and scandal-free.”

"Good girl."

Without hesitation, I stepped into the circle.

The moment my foot touched the magic seal, I was sucked through space, like being thrown into a wind tunnel of shadows and frost.

And then...

THUD.

I landed in snow.

Not just snow. More like a blizzard. A glacier of misery. An open invitation to frostbite.

“HECK. YEAH. IT’S. SO. COLD!”

I screamed into the wind.

Ruby let out a tiny whine and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“I'm freezing~” she cried dramatically before poofing into golden mist. She reformed as my necklace—a gold chain with a ruby in the center “I'm gonna rest, okay… good luck…”

And just like that, she was asleep.

“Yeah, sure,” I muttered, clutching the pendant gently. “Rest well, my dragon fairy.”

Everytime Ruby is exhausted she will just turn into a golden necklace.

I took a step forward, the snow crunching under my heels. My arms were bare, and I could barely feel them anymore. But I didn’t care. I had a mission.

The Duke of the North.

I’ve always wanted to meet him. Not because I need his help or anything noble like that, pfft, no. I’m here because he’s handsome. Like stupidly, absurdly, unfairly handsome. The author did not give him enough screentime in the novel and it was crime for me.

He only appeared in Angelica’s wedding, yes, the saint’s wedding and she had a little crush on him.

Girl, even on your wedding day? Your man is right there and you're out here drooling for another man? Tsk.

Suddenly—

"What courage did you have to go here?"

A cold voice struck the air like a dagger.

I turned around quickly, and there he was.

Tall. White hair. Black, piercing eyes. His long coat whipped in the wind like the dramatic man he was and his sword pointed right at my throat.

Oh my.

He must be it.

The Duke.

I smirked, raising both hands slightly. “I'm just wandering arou—”

SLASH!

He struck something beside me in a swift, clean motion. I flinched slightly, but he didn’t even glance at me.

“Run away. Now!” he commanded.

Oh its just some wolves. At least a dozen of them, growling, eyes glowing with temptation to kill.

He must be in the middle of a mission. I looked down at my sleeveless gown and then up at the blizzard storming around us.

This man was insane. He stood like it was summer in the city while Im here I feel im gonna die already.

But hey im also proud of myself because im still standing here.

Let’s turn up the heat.

I stepped forward. Well, let me help him so he'll owe me something later.

His brows furrowed. “What are you doing?! I told you to run! I can handle this...”

Oh, how noble.

Even with blood streaked on his cheek, he looked like a man carved from marble and power.

“I’ll end this quickly,” I said with a wink, “So we can have a tea party in your palace. Sound good?”

“I have no time for your jok—"

Before he could finish his sentence, I lifted my hand.

FWOOM.

Flames erupted from my palm, coiling like serpents in the air before blasting forward. Ten wolves were incinerated in seconds, their howls was silenced by my blaze.

The snow hissed as the fire met ice.

I flipped my hair with pride. “I feel like there’s none of them left now.”

His eyes narrowed. “Who the hell are you?”

I grinned, tilting my head as I touched my cheek. “Let’s say… your future wife?”

He looked absolutely unamused and pissed.

Ugh, come on. That was funny.

“Calm down, handsome. I meant no harm,” I said, voice dipped in playfulness. “I’m just a wandering evil witch. And my hobby? Slaughtering corrupt idiots and maybe also messing with two faced Saintess"

He didn't say anything and still pointed her sword at me.

But then… something went wrong.

My legs wobbled.

My eyelids grew heavy.

Seems like cold was finally catching up to me.

Wait… what…?

My vision blurred.

I tried to speak, but my body gave out.

And the last thing I saw was the Duke’s cold, sharp eyes before darkness took over.

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