Invitation to Ice Castle [Bonus Chapter]

 Two days had passed since the dramatic turn of events at the engagement ceremony, yet the entire Golden Bamboo City still buzzed with talk of the golden goose incident.

The lavish celebration, intended to unite the Mintleaf and Silver Stokes families, had ended in scandal and disappointment. The streets were filled with whispers and speculations, dividing the populace into two camps: those who blamed Lana for her perceived bad fate and those who pitied Spurgeon for missing out on a beauty.

"Did you hear? Poor Spurgeon, losing such a bride," one merchant murmured to his neighbour.

"Yes, but imagine the disgrace for the Mintleaf family," the neighbour replied, shaking her head. "All that wealth, wasted on a ruined ceremony."