CHAPTER 525: SEBASTIAN’S ARRIVAL

Sebastian and Ava had travelled to Heliosa to visit Sebastian’s twin sister, Adeline, during Aurelius’s coronation. Sebastian used the opportunity to send a message to Abrielle.

Unfortunately, Rebecca, despite wanting to meet Abrielle, could not make the journey due to political reasons and the complicated relationship between Rebecca and Abrielle.

The air outside was crisp and biting, the cold that clung to the skin and seeped through every layer of clothing.

The courtyard stretched wide, cloaked in a blanket of snow so pure it seemed to glow beneath the pale winter sun. Each step crunched softly underfoot, the sound echoing faintly against the stone walls. The

Wintermoore flowers, hardy blossoms that thrived in the frost, were scattered along the edges of the path, their white petals shimmering like tiny stars against the snow. Their faint fragrance lingered in the air, sweet but sharp, almost like chilled honey mixed with frost.

Abrielle inhaled it deeply, the scent weaving into her chest with a strange comfort, though the cold still nipped at her nose and cheeks. For a moment, the world felt too still, as though the snow itself hushed every sound but the beating of her heart.

She turned back to Sebastian, whose presence seemed warmer than the weather around them. His coat was dusted with snowflakes, his silver hair almost blending into the snowy landscape, yet his piercing blue eyes carried that same glint that made him unmistakable.

"Welcome to Emberlynx," Abrielle said softly, her voice gentler than she intended. "It truly has been, I never knew this day would come soon."

Sebastian’s gaze flickered, his expression filled with concern. He hadn’t been able to communicate with Abrielle since the night she fled the Nightshade estate.

It never once occurred to him that the girl who technically grew up as his cousin and playmate wasn’t related to him by blood.

She was an actual princess, the same Abrielle who loved pulling pranks on him and Adeline.

Sebastian’s smile widened, his breath clouding faintly in the cold. "It has. Winter in Emberlynx feels a bit warmer than Vesper or Vitalis, yet familiar. I am glad you seem well."

Abrielle held his gaze, but a heaviness pressed against her chest. She forced herself to smile as well, though it wavered slightly. "I am glad you came." Abrielle chimed.

When she received word from Sebastian that he was paying her a visit in Heliosa. She started looking forward to seeing him. Her mind had been weighed down a lot, she was hoping his company could help her.

Sebastian’s smile faltered for the briefest second, his eyes narrowing as though he sensed the unease behind her words. And then, as if he could not stop himself, "Where is Cedric?" He asked.

His eyes darted around trying to find Cedric’s tall figure. There was no sign of the first prince. Was he in hiding? Sebastian wondered.

The question pierced her like a sudden chill. Her throat tightened, and her smile faded. Abrielle’s fingers curled into the folds of her cloak as though the fabric might shield her from the truth that haunted her. She lowered her gaze, her breath catching faintly in the cold air.

She could not speak to him here. Evelyn’s ears perked. She was also curious.

Sebastian noticed. His eyes softened, his voice dipping low, gentle. "I understand. You don’t need to answer."

Evelyn felt her chest tighten, noticing Abrielle’s reluctance to answer the question.

Abrielle forced a small laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes, brushing past the discomfort. " The weather is pretty cold, let’s get some warmth. Aurelius went to the palace." She brushed past the question then turned beckoning Sebastian to follow her

Sebastian walked up to her side, his gaze trailed around her face, noticing her red nose from the cold. Her eyes were a bit hollow and her cheeks sunken

Sebastian’s Chest tightened. Abrielle must have had a hard time. How long was her journey here? How were things with Cedric? He could already deduce that something was wrong with Cedric.

Abrielle, from Sebastian’s gaze, lingering on her. She forced a smile. Without asking she knew what was going through his mind.

She looked up again, her tone shifting quickly, almost too quickly. "Tell me about your mother. She must have given birth by now." she inquired. Ava’s pregnancy was already in her second trimester when she left Draconia, and for her to take the journey to Heliosa alongside Sebastian, she must have given birth.

Relief flickered in Sebastian’s expression, though he studied her a moment longer before indulging the change of subject. "Yes," he said with a quiet pride, "a boy. They went to Adeline’s place. Mother was excited to meet her grandchildren."

Abrielle nodded, her lips curving a soft smile, though her thoughts lingered elsewhere. The cold bit at her skin, but it was the unspoken weight of Cedric’s absence that froze her from within.

Still, she held on to the small comforts, the scent of wintermoore blossoms, the sight of an old friend standing before her, and the promise of fleeting warmth amidst the snow.

They made their way inside the castle through the main entrance. Sebastian was telling her the details of the journey. Listening to his voice was soothing.

They eventually stopped in front of a door. Their destination, "your journey must have been long. Try taking some rest. Once Aurelius arrives. I will inform you." Abrielle informed him. Sebastian nodded.

Abrielle was ready to leave when Sebastian stopped her. "I have a letter for you." He mentioned. Her heart skipped a beat knowing who it must have been from.

Her eyes meet Sebastian. He pulled out the letter. Her eyes spotted the Nightshade seal. It was indeed from Rebecca. "Thank you. " She muttered

His fingers gripped the letter. Her hand was silently trembling. Abrielle stood at the door until Sebastian went in. After which she released a breath then walked away. Her footsteps faded down the hallway.

Abrielle arrived at her room with Evelyn.

"Please let me know when dinner is ready," Abrielle informed Evelyn.

The sun was already close to the horizon, spreading its orange hue across the sky. Abrielle stood before Evelyn at the doorway.

Evelyn’s gaze was tender and filled with concern. She was greatly disturbed by how frail Abrielle was. She looked like she hadn’t eaten a proper meal in a long while, and Abrielle still trained rigorously despite her physical state.

Her heart felt heavy, filled with worry for Abrielle and Cedric. A scary thought popped into Evelyn’s mind.