Chapter 3

But before she could get any closer, Ilona stepped in front of her.

"Mother, Lucia is so spoiled. If you don't teach her a lesson this time, she'll do something even worse to me!" Ilona sobbed.

Mother tenderly wiped away Ilona's tears and shot me a resentful look. Then she called two sprites over. "Go get the 10,000-year-old ice stone sealed in the cold spring. Let's see how long she can keep this up!"

Elves love light and fear the cold. During my punishment in the cold spring, the chill had sunk deep into my bones. The pain had been unbearable, and even the memory still frightened me.

When I heard Mother say that, I curled up in terror. "No, please don't, Mother..."

She couldn't hear me. Even if she could have, she might not have stopped.

When the ice stone was brought in, Mother wrapped her arms around a shivering Ilona. "Sweetheart, get out of here. You can't handle cold like this."

Ilona hid her delight as Mother led her away. Before leaving, Mother called back, "Lucia, whenever you're ready to admit you were wrong and help your sister get her wish, I'll let you out."

After they left, I watched frost spread over my body. For a moment, I felt a little relieved that I was already dead.

What a relief. I'd never have to suffer that cold again.

Time flew by. The next day, the Forest Festival was in full swing.

But Ilona was restless. She quietly approached Mother, who was chatting happily with the other nobles, and whispered, "Mother, why hasn't Lucia given in yet? Why hasn't she begged to be let out? It's been so long. Nothing's happened to her, has it?"

I knew she didn't care about me. She was just afraid that if something had happened to me, no one would be left to make her Queen of the Elves.

Mother's expression changed too. It really had been a long time.

But then she shook her head and patted Ilona's shoulder to reassure her. "It's fine, Ilona. I know you have a soft heart, but you don't need to feel sorry for that rebellious sister of yours. Her healing power is very strong. She can take care of herself."

Mother went back to laughing and chatting with the noble ladies. She forgot all about me until a sprite arrived with news. "My ladies, Lord Theoden Ashwood has returned from his travels."

Father. Father was home!

Father was very strict with me too, but of everyone in the family, he cared about me most.

Mother and Ilona were both thrilled and hurried over to welcome him.

As usual, Father had brought back all kinds of rare treasures from his trip.

Ilona went up to him and turned on the charm. "I want to pick first. I get to choose the ones I like."

Father stroked her hair. "All right. You're the younger one, so you pick first. Your sister can have what's left."

Then Father seemed to realize something. He looked around, puzzled. "Where's Lucia? Why hasn't she come out to see me?"

Mother huffed angrily. "That girl is jealous of her sister. She won't help our Ilona become Queen of the Elves, and she even ruined the gown Ilona was going to wear to the Forest Festival. I locked her up so she can think about what she did."

"Father, Mother... I really didn't do it. Why do you only ever believe Ilona? Why won't you ever let me explain?" I whispered.

Father seemed a little angry too, but he said, "Come on. Let's let Lucia out. I haven't seen her in so long. The whole family's going to be together today, and we won't bring up the past."

Together...

I smiled, and my eyes filled with tears again. I'd never be with my family again.

Mother led Father and Ilona toward the cell. As soon as they got near, waves of freezing air rolled out and forced them to stop. They didn't dare take another step.

Father's face turned grave. "Why is it so cold?"

Ilona smiled. "Father, Lucia never learns her lesson, so Mother brought in the 10,000-year-old ice stone to punish her."

"That's insane! Elves can't handle the cold. That'll kill Lucia!" Ignoring everything else, Father rushed forward and undid the seal on the door.

"Father, be careful!" I stepped in front of him without thinking, afraid the blast of cold air would hurt them. Only then did I remember I couldn't protect them at all. All I could do was laugh at myself.

"Lucia, Lucia!" Father ran to me, scooped up my ice-cold body, and rushed out of the frozen cell.

The moment we came out of the cell, sunlight fell on my bluish-purple face.

Ilona screamed, and Mother stumbled back two steps in horror. They finally saw it. I wasn't breathing.