1 Kyra

Kyra sat on the wooden armchair with a carved flowing water design facing the half size mirror at her front, she's staring at her brimming azure eyes that seems to reflect the rich brush of the morning sky in her iris.

Rich crystal white lotus decorated her obsidian black hair, her loyal guard, Lester, had braided her hair and let it fall in one shoulder. Her robe is as white and pure as the lotus that floated in the Silver Lake Pavillion.

Among the rules in Elven Croft Palace, no servant nor stranger can stand side by side with royalty. Kyra is an Elven royalty. A direct descendant to the Fairy Lords, the first race that exist among the fairy realm, the first ruler and the most powerful of all fairies.

Kyra stared at the lotus mark blossoming between her eyebrows. A mark that proves her power attribute is plant type: Lotus vines. Her father cursed and disowned her for that. Fairy Lords are also known as having qualities of demons and gods, which can cast blessing magic and curse magic.

Both she neither can't perform both. It was proven she is a nature fairy, elemental magic controlling trees and forests is her forte, not dark energy manipulation nor light magic.

"It's finished," Lester announced. His figure slightly bend to look at her in the mirror. He studied her small delicate face, the long eyelashes that flutter every second, her soft pinkish lips that pursed when she's dissatisfied, her azure eyes that sometimes reflect nothing but pure deep blue, like an empty dead sea. It was at those times Lester can't discern what's in her mind.

He waited for her to raise her eyes again and look at herself. But she didn't. Instead, she got up, took the pure crystalline white sword sitting idly at the dressing table and walk herself out of the door.

The corridor is silent. Heavy with tense atmosphere that seems to creep at every corner. Lester followed promptly behind, his footsteps echoing alongside hers. At the end of the corridor, two Imp servants are busy wiping the glass windows. Their maid attires reach down their sharp nailed green feet. Their hands are rough with calloused skin and wrinkled fingers.

When they saw her, they immediately bowed so low their circle hairless heads reach their waist. Kyra did not pay them any attention and continued to walk. Her silver boots with silver chains clanking on the floor.

When the two maids confirmed she was out of earshot, they whispered to themselves.

"Princess Kyra is summoned again,"

"What suicidal mission was it this time?"

"She's really amazing, able to survive alone venturing to the demon realm to capture that one horned demon."

"Maybe it's not that dangerous this time. Let's just hope its another realm crossing mission to the mortals."

The other maid was about to speak her mind when a sharp single cough interrupt them. They both shivered and retreated to the farthest corner. Not daring to look at the interrupting stranger. It was obvious from the vibrant red and black combating uniform that its another royal guard like Lester.

The royal guard did not speak a word and went on his way. Taking the left turn where Kyra and Lester disappeared.

When he emerge into the gathering of the Twelve Elders of the High Court, he immediately went to his position. Observing the discussion with a keen eye and sharp ears, sealing his mouth in the whole process.

The High Court is the center of the Elven Croft Palace. Where all kinds of nymphs, goblins, dryads, leprechauns, naiads, korreds and other fairy leaders of their race gather for the morning court gathering.

It was a circular hall with the twelve Elders sitting in their wooden carved chair at the high stairs with the Fairy King in the middle. Below, images that depict snowstorm, tornados, earthquake and other calamities that killed hundreds of fairies were played. Each terrible and disastrous as the next.

Kyra is standing idly below, her eyes staring intently at the beast – made disasters.

"What do you think?" The Fairy King suddenly voice out his question. One Elder open his mouth to answer, only to close it again when he notice the Fairy King's line of sight is directed to the Princess.

"Ice Demon." Kyra promptly answered. All Twelve Elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Their faces paling and frowning to the Princess.

That name is not something to be brought up in the High Court. Not to mention to be used to explain the sinister disasters that many fairies cannot fight.

"Oh?" The Fairy King with his silver fur coat and golden scepter sat in his throne made of glass. One hand propped up to support his chin, he then asked, "What makes you think it's the work of that demon?"

Ava swallowed a small lump bobbing her throat, exhale a sigh as she arranged her thoughts before speaking, "The Fairy History records stated that every five hundred years, the Ice Demon will come to the faery realm to steal the Crystal seal. He will manipulate the weather and nature, to cause snow and sea disasters and kill half of the fairy race before trying to retrieve the Crystal seal. Fairy Lords of the previous generation manage to stop him, so he always return to his lair unsucceeded."

The Fairy king pfft and said in the most unpleasant mocking tone, "And you think YOU can stop him? A weak fragile Elven fairy whose attribute is the weakest among our race?"

Ava bit her lips. She wants to say she's not fragile. That she can fight. That she's not a weakling. She spent five years traveling across realms alone, taking suicidal missions just to prove to her father that she is strong. She wants him to acknowledge her, not to continue to mock and look down at her.

But in the end, she did not say anything. The fact that her father continued to talk to her this way means she has not convince him enough. That her efforts aren't enough for him to acknowledge her.

She needs to do more.

She must prove to him.

That she is his daughter. And he must accept her as one.

The Fairy King waved his hand in mock dismissal. His face obviously displeased when his eyes landed at her.

"Has any of you managed to track this beast down?" The Fairy king shifted his eyes to each one of the Elders. No one speaks up.

"I guess you all are as incompetent as her." He seethe. All Twelve Elders shivered and clench their fists out of nervousness.

The Fairy king is not known for his patience. He was vicious and uncouth. Even the wolves can be considered to have more sense rather than him. At least, wolves can differentiate who is the enemy and who is the ally, unlike him who will bite at everyone, not sparing anyone, even his own daughter.

The images below shimmered before changing into another scenery. This time the place is the Frost Mountains up farther north. The snow is as thick as human fist when it rains down from the sky.

There's no longer visible trees on site or any rock formation. Only blizzards, only white.