“Are you excited?” Embla asked. She turned around and leaned forward. Red’s facial expression was all she needed to see. She grinned upon seeing his blushing face. “You spent all night consulting me about flowers. I thought you were going to give them to me of all people.”

“Ahem, you know that these flowers were for her. And… you’re still teasing me about that,” Red said, coughing into his hand.

“Red, she’s right. You’ve been looking at the right flowers to put in your bouquet for her all day. I mean, at this point, you might as well rent a room at a nearby inn so the rest of us can sleep at ni-” Cal coughed as Embla dug her elbow into his ribs.

He glared at her. She had an innocent, unassuming expression on her face.

“Well, at least Yuki’s back,” Pandora said.

“Yeah, as fun as Red was, I missed Yuki. And I bet Red missed Yuki too huh? Huh?” Embla teased.

“Alright you guys. I get it. I get it. The Knight is dating the Princess. It’s just another cliche romance story,” Red said, laughing it off. “By the way, Em, is your sister receiving them?”

“Yeah, she and Koji are acting as guards to Kvasir. He’s receiving this delegation. They’re only here temporarily. After a few days, they’re going to head to Muspelheim to try and open up relations with that country,” Embla said, crossing her arms. “Also the reason why Val flaked on me this morning for training!”

The group stood on the side street, watching alongside the massive crowd of overexcited citizens as they waited for the Alf Delegation to come. It was a big event. Not as big as the Grandmaster coming home from an expedition but big enough to halt all activities. Embla sat on a tower of boxes next to Cal while Red and Pandora stood next to the stack.

“Muspelheim? That country?” Red asked.

“You know what’s going on?” Cal asked.

“Muspelheim is the country of fire… as it’s popularly known. The Fire Nation to put it loosely. It’s run by Dragon-Kin. Mostly dragons from the Black Dragon Tribe. They’re dragons with the ability to become a Tyrant,” Red explained.

“Tyrants? Aren’t Tyrants just old ghost stories from the war? Teacher tells me a lot about surviving against one before,” Embla said.

“No, Tyrants are Dragons… or rather, we call them True Dragons. There are seven of them that exist but only six are known popularly through the world. The Seventh is said to reside at the roots of the Divine Tree in the far away land of the Gods. There’s also a myth that all the Dragon-Kin Tribes are descended from the Tyrants in a way. The Black Dragon Tribe, the main dragon tribe in Alfheim, is descended from the Tyrant Dragon, Abaddon. Or so the story goes. Anyway, if you see a Black Dragon Kin, just know that they’re all arrogant pricks,” Red said, nodding his head at every word.

“That’s kinda racist,” Cal said.

“Not necessarily. It’s just the truth. The ruling family of the Black Dragons were one of the causing factors of the Great War over hundreds of years ago. The last Abaddon was slain at the Tragedy of the Blood Lily over two hundred years ago. My Mom said there hasn’t been a Tyrant Abaddon since,” Red explained.

“Thanks for the history lesson,” Embla said. She scanned the streets and saw an unfamiliar flag heading down the street. “I think I see them. I see a flag.”

“What’s on it?” Red asked.

“A pink flower,” she answered.

“You dumbass, that’s the Sakura Blossom of the Alfheim Imperial Family,” Cal corrected.

“Well, I’m sorry. I’m not a… what are those called? The people obsessed with Alf culture?” Embla asked.

“A geek?” Pandora offered.

“A Alfile?” Red asked.

“No, I think it was a geek,” Embla said.

“Oi! I’ll have you know that people from Alfheim write really good books! Like uh… Here’s one! ‘That Time I was reincarnated as the Sage Australis so I married Sage Eschamali and Scheat!’” Cal said.

“Oh… Freya. I hope Yuki doesn’t see you with that book,” Red said.

“What Yuki doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” Cal said.

“Em, can you see Yuki?” Pandora asked.

“No… wait, yeah! Middle carriage! She’s dressed like a posh princess and she had a crown and everything! Yuki! Yukiiii! Hey!” Embla waved her arms.

“I don’t think she can see you,” Cal said.

“No, I think she sees me! She just did the cut it out thing with her hand! And Kaguya’s there too! Yuki! Hi! Hiiii! It’s us! Do you reme- oof!”

“Cut it out. She’s busy apparently,” Cal said.

“Red, have you been on delegations with Yuki or is this her first?” Pandora asked.

“Hmmm, I’ve been on none. This is probably Yuki’s first. I think Lady Mizore and Lord Jun grilled her for the entire two weeks she was back in Alfheim on what to do or say. Come to think of it, before we got involved in the whole plague and Draugr thing in Alfheim, I overheard from Lady Lilia that they were already planning on sending Yuki as part of a delegation to strengthen connections with Vanaheim,” Red said.

“Must be a political marriage, if anything,” Pandora replied. “Hey, Em?”

“Yeah?” Embla replied. She had been watching their conversation the entire time. Arguing with Cal and watching the parade were on her to-do list in addition to giving their captain a warm welcome back to Midgard.

“Did your sister say Yuki was going to stay?” she asked.

“Well, I know that sis said that the Alfheim Delegation was going to stay at the Sage’s mansion since Lady Eschamali left. Uncl- I mean, Teacher and Auntie are staying at a house they have in the city by the Valhalla District if you’re gonna ask,” Embla replied.

“So basically, we meet her there right?” Red asked.

“You’re the team captain. What do we do? Wait at home for her or go meet her there?” Cal asked.

“Well, I don’t want to stress Yuki out after her travels but it would be nice to see her,” Red said.

“Aw, come on, Casanova! For the love of Odin, did Freyja not give you a dick and a pair of balls? Let’s go see our captain and your girl! She probably misses you to the point where all we’ll hear after Em, Cal, and I leave are her screams of passion and ecsta-” Pandora’s sentence was cut off as Red clamped his iron claw grip around her mouth.

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Red said. “Come on. We need to give her a warm welcome.” He let go of Pandora’s mouth and began walking in the direction of the Sage’s Manor.

“Oh, she’ll get a warm welcome alright,” Cal said, nudging Embla.

“Hehe,” she giggled. The two hopped down from the crates and followed after Red and Pandora.

“My Lady, are you happy to be back?” Kaguya asked.

Yuki opened her eyes. She smiled. Seeing Embla’s antics on the street had refreshed her to face the duties she decided to take on since her exile. Her mother had been more than supportive of her if she ever wanted to go back to adventuring during or after this mission. It was something that she, her brother, and father found odd.

“I am. While I do like Alfheim’s climate and scenery, I miss the northern, rustic feel of Midgard. Especially the city of Yggdrasil. Plus, I can’t wait to see my party again,” Yuki said.

“Are you sure that it’s wise for us to-”

The carriage came to a stop, cutting off Kaguya’s sentence. The annoyed Fox-Kin looked out the window and saw that they had arrived.

“Kaguya, are we here?” Yuki asked.

“Yes, My Lady,” Kaguya said.

Yuki sighed and straightened her kimono. She adjusted her hairpiece multiple times before turning to her retainer. “How do I look? Princessy enough?”

“You look rather regal and elegant today, My Lady,” Kaguya said, bowing before her.

Her answer satisfied her. If she met the bare minimum for this talk, then she’d be fine.

“But My Lady. I have some concerns. Are you sure you’re ready to go in your parents’ place regarding Muspelheim? Wouldn’t discussing the current treaty with Vanaheim be better?” Kaguya asked.

“Well, it would be but… Muspelheim would be a better opportunity to see if I can perform under pressure. I’ll be doing this for a living one day if Ryuusei ever decides to do something else,” Yuki said. She reached for the door and opened it. Outside, several Alf warriors were lined up, standing ramrod straight and saluted her when she stuck her head out the door.

“Allow me to help you off the rampl, My Lady,” Kaguya said, getting off the carriage first. She held her hand out and helped Yuki down.

Yuki sighed. She hated formalities and everything to do with them. And despite being known as a girly girl, she never once ascribed to things that her peers did. Not that she had any normal peers but still.

Her red eyes caught sight of the Valkyria and the Einherjar standing up ahead. Each stood on the side of a man she had seen before. Her eyes drifted to the two standing next to him. Valentina Feuerdrache, Embla’s older sister, and Kojiro Komatsu, a Dragonkin whose family left Alfheim ages ago during the war. Both are the Valkyria and Einherjar respectively. And that man is Kvassir, the current Prime Minister of Midgard.

She made no changes in her facial expression and bowed deeply before Kvasir. “I greet you, Prime Minister. I am Shirayuki Honokami, First Princess of Alfheim and the one representing Alfheim today. I wish to thank you for allowing me and my entourage to stay at the Sage’s Mansion prior to our trip to Muspelheim.” She raised her body and straightened herself.

The man before her had yet to bow in return. He was analyzing her. Looking for mistakes. She smiled inwardly. From the growing look of annoyance on his face, Yuki deduced that her manners were impeccable and he could find no fault in it.

After a few moments, Kvasir bowed but not as deeply as she had done. Yuki bit back a growl at such blatant disrespect of her pride and position.

“Greetings and thank you for gracing us with your presence, Your Highness,” Kvasir said. His voice grated against her ears and sounded the same way oil felt.

“We will only be here for a few days so we won’t be here for too long. As you know, the ocean between Alfheim and Muspelheim are still uncrossable due to it being monsoon season. I’d rather cross through the temperate, far less calamitous weather patterns of Midgard’s area of the Ran Ocean,” Yuki said.

“I see. Well, I hope that we can make your stay in Midgard as comfortable as possible, Princess,” Kvasir replied.

“Thank you, Prime Minister,” she replied.

“Since you are heading to Muspelheim, shall I send one of my subordinates to escort you?” Kvasir asked.

Yuki smiled. “Allow me some time to think. As you know, I am young and inexperienced so I would like to discuss this with my cabinet,” Yuki said.

Kvasir’s smile fell slightly. “Very well, Your Highness. I shall leave you to your rest. The Einherjar and Valkyria shall help you get settled,” he said.

“I thank you,” Yuki said.

She looked up and watched with some annoyance as Kvasir walked towards a carriage. Yuki sighed, lamenting at already having to deal with an annoying politician.

“Princess Shirayuki. Please follow us,” Koji said.

She nodded and beckoned for Kaguya and the other soldiers to follow.

“I'm sure you are quite acquainted with the Sage’s Mansion?” Valentina asked, looking over her shoulder.

Wow, she looks like a white-haired Em!

“Princess Shirayuki?”

“Huh? Oh, yes! I am. I visited my mother here during the tournament,” she replied. “Sorry about my dozing off, the trip was long and I want to rest.”

“Then we’ll be out of your hair, right Koji?” Valentina said.

“Yes, I just need to get the door unlocked. I assume your Knights will do the rest?” he asked.

“Yes, they can just leave the stuff at the front though. Most of my clothes are back at the house so I’ll be making the trip after I rest for a couple of minutes,” Yuki said. “By the way, I heard from Red that you had dinner at our house?”

“Ah yes. You have a nice Party. A solid team that can cover each other’s weakness. It’s nice to know that there are people who have my sister’s back,” Valentina said.

“Aw, well, Em’s saved us a couple of times too so you can call it… mutual saving,” Yuki said, smiling.

“Here we are!” Koji said, unlocking the door.

“Great! You guys can just leave everything in the foyer. We won’t be here for that long. Probably five days at most,” Yuki said to her Knights.

“If you need anything, just call Em and we’ll come running here,” Koji said.

“Will do-”

“Princess!” A knight rushed up to her.

“What is it?” Kaguya asked.

“There are some people at the gate. One of them is claiming to be Red Magdaros?” the young bat-kin said. “What should we-”

The soldier was knocked aside as Yuki ran out of the house towards the gate. She smiled. They really were here. She swung the gate open and jumped into Red’s embrace, planting her lips on his and kissing him deeply.

She missed this. His warmth spread like fire into her body, melting the ice that was growing inside her veins. Her frigid mana gave way to his warm, flaming mana.

“Ahem.”

Yuki cracked open an eye and saw the rest of her party smiling at her. She realized what she was doing in public of all places and got off the dazed Dragon.

“Wow, are you going to kiss us like that too?” Pandora asked.

“Jeez, and I thought you were an ice queen,” Cal said.

“Yeah, Yuki, that was cute,” Embla added.

“You idiots… come here!” she ran over and wrapped the three in a hug.

“Welcome home, Yuki.”

She smiled, feeling Red’s arms wrap around her from behind.

She was. She was truly home.