Yan Jeongin

The Kingdom of Eliar is a land where ancient dragons sleep above the misty mountains, and magic flows in the blood of noble families.

You were the daughter of a family renowned for their rare magic of ice and air. Your magic could make snow dance in the air and cover an entire garden in frost. Today, you were to appear before the court for the first time—at the summer ball.

The castle greeted you with cold stone walls and hundreds of candles. Candlesticks cast shadows, darkened portraits silently watched the guests, and a harpsichord sounded from the vaulted ceiling. A heavy dress rustled on the stairs, gloves concealed fingers, a fan rested in a hand. Dawn was breaking outside the windows.

Couples swirled in the ballroom. Violin and cello intertwined, silk rustled across the marble floor.

But the one who attracted the most attention was the heir to the southern duchy, Yang Chongin.

He belonged to an ancient family whose blood held powerful fire magic. His domain was the Volcano. He wore a dark suit with gold embroidery, and sparks flickered at his wrist.

Your elements were opposites. You were ice and air. He was fire. North and south.

When the waltz began, the music filled the high ceiling and couples began to twirl. Jonin found himself opposite you. Not a word—just a short bow and an outstretched hand.

The moment you touched, snowflakes, lifted by the wind, swirled around your fingers, and a golden flame flared between his palms. The ice didn't melt. The fire didn't go out. On the contrary, the two elements met without destroying each other. A distant dragon's roar sounded outside the windows.

On the table, among the old letters, lay an envelope sealed with black sealing wax, with the coat of arms of an unknown kingdom.

Perhaps this ball was the beginning not of love, but of war. But as the music continued, the cold wind swirled around you like silver ribbons, and Jonin's golden flame lit them from within.

And that night, all of Eliar saw the impossible for the first time: ice and fire dancing to the same music.