Oh, Your Majesty So Cruel - Part I

It had been quite some time since that night—perhaps weeks or even months. The people of IceStorm still tried to protest against the authoritarian and cruel government of Fraizen Rosenmary, but their voices remained unheard.

Slady and Ferinish had managed to settle in that cold region, temporarily renting a house in a secluded area of the kingdom so they could do what they wanted without being "visited."

Ferinish was becoming less distant and more intimate with Slady, who felt increasingly connected and close to his friend—someone who didn't need words to understand what he felt. That was impressive to him, someone so expressionless.

But of course, the presence of two notably powerful individuals would not escape the watchful eye of Fraizen.

---

It was just another day. Slady had managed to reestablish a connection to speak with his adopted daughters from afar, considering the fact that Internet connections didn't reach IceStorm due to its weather conditions.

Ferinish was in the kitchen, preparing lunch for the two of them. She was tired from waking up early, since any movement from Slady stirred her from sleep.

But that didn't go unnoticed by Slady.

"Need any help?" — Slady asked in his naturally neutral tone.

"No... I need to learn how to cook... better..." — Ferinish replied, drowsily.

Her body swayed slightly. Slady quickly stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist. Ferinish simply allowed herself to collapse into his arms, exhausted from sleepless nights filled with training.

"Sorry…"

"Don't apologize. I'll take care of it."

He gently laid her on the bed. The coldness in Ferinish briefly faded, revealing a small, sweet smile. Slady simply stroked her face with his bionic hand in a gesture of care that felt entirely natural—almost automatic—to him.

Then he left the room, preparing to cook in Ferinish's place. After all, she had spent so much time inside a simulation, fighting nonstop, that she never learned to cook. He picked up the apron she had put on and tried to understand the cloth and its purpose. Once he got the hang of it, he began his work in the kitchen.

The smell, of course, was delightful. It reached the bedroom they shared and drifted into Ferinish's nose, waking her up. She sat up in bed, her muscles aching.

"I didn't know I had trained that much..." — she murmured to herself.

A few minutes later, Slady arrived in the room and placed a plate of food on Ferinish's lap. She looked at the food, then at him.

"My arms and wrists hurt. Can you…?"

She opened her mouth, clearly requesting to be fed. He studied her expression for a lie. Realizing she was sincere, Slady simply sighed and began filling the wooden spoon, gently placing the food on Ferinish's tongue. Trusting her friend, she closed her eyes and chewed, swallowing soon after.

"Thank you, Slady."

She opened her mouth again, waiting for the process to repeat. Slady did what was necessary, wanting his friend to get better as soon as possible.

After being fed by Slady, Ferinish laid down on the bed and loosened the neckline of her kimono-style dress, exposing part of her chest to the cold air. She didn't mind Slady seeing this—by now, their intimacy allowed such things.

Slady simply left the room to eat alone, picking up his phone to chat with Elisa, who kept the most frequent contact with him due to her experience using cell phones. After all, she was a teenager.

---

"We miss you, Dad." — Elisa sent a heart emoji.

"I miss you too, but I want to know if you're taking good care of yourselves. I've been really worried about you." — Slady replied.

"Shaphira and I are taking care of ourselves. Victoria and Faller helped a lot, but we preferred to be alone so we could learn to be independent."

"That's great. But don't be stubborn—I don't want anything bad happening to you."

"You taught us well, Dad. We won't get hurt or go through anything worse. And when you're able to come back, let us know—we'll welcome you with all our love. We love you, Daddy." — Elisa sent another heart emoji.

Before Slady could reply, Elisa went offline. So, he turned off his phone.

---

Suddenly, a loud knock echoed at the door. Slady and Ferinish stood up at the sound and went to open it...

"Fraizen requests your presence at her castle."

It was Carolina Silver, standing at attention, her spear striking the ground as she stood with legs together and chest raised.

The two exchanged a brief glance, then looked at Carolina.

"No need to be formal, Carolina. What does Her Majesty want?" — Slady asked.

Carolina sighed and relaxed her stance.

"Since you arrived in IceStorm, you've shown outstanding performance during the Inférius invasion—especially in collecting Renkatas. Fraizen wants to see you for something." — Carolina answered calmly.

"And do you know why?" — Ferinish asked.

"No." — Carolina replied truthfully.

Slady and Ferinish looked at each other for a few moments, then turned back to Carolina.

"Just a second..." — Slady said, closing the door in Carolina's face.

She clearly didn't appreciate that but decided to wait patiently. Seconds later, Slady and Ferinish opened the door again, now equipped with their battle gear. Ferinish had her sword at her waist and a serious expression. Slady carried two pistols and a spool of razor wire in his pocket.

Carolina widened her eyes at their readiness, thinking to herself:

'They're definitely ready for anything.'

"Let's go…"

Carolina turned around and began walking, expecting Slady and Ferinish to follow. They discreetly concealed their weapons to avoid drawing attention from the soldiers likely present at the castle.

---

In the IceStorm kingdom, near the towering ice castle, Slady and Ferinish observed the structure carefully, knowing that facing a queen known for her cruelty would not be a pleasant experience...

The soldiers bowed in Carolina's presence, showing respect for her high rank as Fraizen's direct guardian. Entering the ice castle, Carolina led them to the chamber where the queen awaited.

As they neared a grand door, Carolina looked at Slady and Ferinish.

"Speak in a low tone and with respect."

When she pushed the door open, they saw a luxurious and beautiful room, much of its decor made of ice. Beside the queen stood another soldier to her right. Upon locking eyes with Carolina, the two rolled their eyes—they clearly had some kind of rivalry.

In the center of the room, seated on her throne with legs crossed and chin resting on her hand, was a woman with hair like frozen crystals. Her eyes were a deep blue, and within her irises sparkled crystal-like fragments. Her dress radiated authority, majesty, and power.

Carolina took her place to the right of the throne in silence. The crystal-haired woman stood from her throne and approached them. The air around her became so cold it was nearly suffocating for those unaccustomed to it.

"So, you are Slady and Ferinish?"

"Yes." — they replied in unison.

"Perfect. Allow me to introduce myself first."

She leaned slightly forward and placed a hand on her chest.

"My name is Fraizen Rosenmary, queen and ruler of IceStorm—and the Glacial Destroyer."

After her introduction, Fraizen sat back down, crossing her legs elegantly.

"Now then, I'll get straight to the point. I want you two to become my subordinates."

Carolina Silver and even the male soldier were surprised by her proposal. Slady and Ferinish didn't hesitate for even a second to respond.

"No."

"Why? You'll have everything you want: money, power, respect, authority—and, of course, serve me." — Fraizen said arrogantly, as if serving her wasn't a duty, but a divine privilege.

Slady and Ferinish frowned as they responded.

"I just want to go home." — Slady said in an indifferent, emotionless tone.

"I will not serve someone as despicable as you, Your Majesty." — Ferinish said coldly, her hand resting on her sword's hilt.

Fraizen Rosenmary was stunned—how dare someone defy someone as powerful and beautiful as her? The insult ignited a deep rage in her heart, wounded by beings she considered… inferior.

"How dare you… you humans... you should be grateful to be alive in this land!" — Fraizen said to Ferinish.

"And you…"

Fraizen pointed at Slady, a large ice spike forming from her temple's bulging vein.

"You want to go back home, man? I'll send you there."

She hurled the spike at Slady. He didn't move—because the spike was split in two by Ferinish, who shielded him with her flaming blade.

Suddenly, from behind Slady, Carolina and the male soldier attempted to attack. The woman wielded her ice spear while the man aimed three icy arrows at him.

Slady opened his other, mechanical eye. With his bionic arm, he made a swift motion—pulling the razor wires.