The Night the Ice Melted

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[Thanks to Yangyang Who Loves Chili Sesame Sauce for the inspiration capsule qwq]

Inside the ice-crystal corridor, the cold was biting, as though it could penetrate to the marrow.

Baichen stood where he was, his body trembling slightly, as though the chill had frozen him in place.

His gaze was fixed ahead, yet he seemed to see nothing.

His thoughts had long since wandered, and the two words Ei had left him with echoed endlessly in his mind: "Wait for me."

Those words, like the stillness before a thunderstorm, weighed heavily on his heart, leaving him unable to breathe.

He raised a hand instinctively, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the burning Electro Archon's talisman against his chest.

The patterns on the talisman rose slightly beneath his fingertips, offering a faint trace of warmth.

Yet that warmth seemed so insignificant before the endless cold, utterly unable to dispel the unease and fear in his heart.

But aside from the increasingly intense cold and those two words, he could feel nothing.

[Emergency system notification]

[Powerful energy fluctuations detected]

[The Raiden Shogun is using spatial jump technology]

[Estimated arrival: within 24 hours]

Twenty-four hours?! Baichen exclaimed in his mind. Is she really coming to Snezhnaya?

[Warning! Bronya's affection: 53%]

[A meeting between the two powerful women may have catastrophic consequences]

[Recommendation: improve self-preservation capabilities immediately]

Suddenly, the faint sound of ice crystals breaking came from behind him.

Though quiet, the sound was unusually clear in the stillness.

Baichen's heart tightened as a sense of foreboding washed over him, and he hurriedly turned to look.

The moment he turned, he saw Bronya.

At some point, she had come back and was leaning quietly against an ice pillar at the corner of the corridor, beautiful and cold as an ice sculpture.

She was toying with an exquisite ice rose, which looked especially clear and translucent in her pale hand, as though it were giving off wisps of cold.

Bronya's eyes glowed a dim blue in the low light, a deep and mysterious color that made her thoughts impossible to read.

Her gaze rested on Baichen without the slightest ripple of emotion, simply watching him in silence.

"Why are you still standing here?" Her voice was huskier than usual, with a languid hint of drunkenness. "Are you waiting for someone?"

Baichen instinctively covered the talisman on his chest. "N-no..."

Bronya approached slowly, her ice-crystal heels tapping out a crisp rhythm on the floor.

As she walked, the slit in her backless gown rose higher, offering glimpses of her slender legs.

As the distance between them narrowed, Baichen could clearly smell the sweet fragrance of ice wine on her breath.

"Liar." She suddenly reached out and pinched Baichen's chin, her grip gentle but impossible to escape.

Her icy fingertips slid along his jaw to his Adam's apple, where they traced gentle circles.

Bronya moved close enough for them to feel each other's breath, her lips almost touching his. "That little Electro Archon girl sent you a message?"

Baichen's heart suddenly raced. How did she know?

"Don't be nervous." She chuckled, her thumb brushing over his tense lips. "The entire Zapolyarny Palace is within range of my elemental senses... including that cute little bolt of lightning."

Her other hand suddenly pressed against the talisman on Baichen's chest. Cryo met Electro with a faint crackle.

"How interesting." Bronya narrowed her eyes. "She actually went so far as to expend divine power to send a message from afar..." Her voice suddenly turned cold. "Is she really so reluctant to part with you?"

[Bronya's affection changed: -1%]

[Current: 52%]

[Note: jealousy and possessiveness intertwined]

Before Baichen could answer her question, she suddenly shot out a hand like lightning, without warning, and seized his tie.

In that instant, Baichen felt a powerful force, as though the whole world had fallen under her control at that moment.

Her movement was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Then she gave a sharp tug, and Baichen's body was pulled along toward her bedchamber, as though dragged by an irresistible force.

The sudden move caught Baichen completely off guard, and he had no time even to react.

He felt his feet stumble and his body lose its balance, and could only struggle to keep up with her pace to avoid falling.

She, meanwhile, seemed completely unaware of her own actions, still pulling tightly on his tie as though he were a piece of her personal property.

The ice-crystal corridor they walked through extended of its own accord under the empress's powerful will, like an enchanted passage leading them to her bedchamber.

The walls on either side had originally been smooth sheets of ice, but as they went on, exquisite frost patterns gradually formed across them.

The frost patterns took countless forms: some resembled blooming flowers, others birds in flight, and still others dancing fairies. They were so lifelike against the ice that they seemed ready to come alive at any moment.

"Y-your Majesty..." Baichen stumbled along after her. "Where are you taking me?"

Bronya did not look back. "To correct a mistake."

The empress's bedchamber was practically a luxurious palace in its own right!

Compared with the guest room, its furnishings were worlds apart.

Upon entering the bedchamber, the first thing that met the eye was the enormous ice-crystal chandelier.

It hung in the center of the domed ceiling like the brightest star in the night sky, its dazzling light illuminating the entire room as brightly as day.

The northern snow bear furs covering the floor were soft and thick, making it feel like walking on clouds.

Their fine texture could be felt with every step, making one want to take a few more.

The great ice-silk bed in the very center was even more astonishing, large enough to hold five people.

Exquisite ice sculptures adorned the space around it, making the whole bed look like a work of art.

With a casual wave of Bronya's hand, the door slowly closed behind them without making a sound.

At the same time, a thick Cryo barrier descended, completely sealing the bedchamber off from the outside world.

"Now." She turned and pushed Baichen onto the bed, bracing her hands on either side of his head. "Let's talk about that little Electro girl."

Her long, ice-blue hair fell beside his face, carrying the cold fragrance peculiar to ice and snow.

When her fingers reached his right ear, the Electro Archon's bite mark was already almost invisible.

Bronya hummed in satisfaction and bent down to lick the spot lightly with the tip of her tongue. "Now it's mine."

[Warning! The Raiden Shogun's mark is about to disappear]

[Current strength: 12%]

System! Do something!

[Analyzing...]

[Option one: activate Electro to resist (success rate: 15%)]

[Option two: comply and gather information (affection +5%)]

[Option three: feign illness to escape (acting skill required: advanced)]

While Baichen was hesitating, Bronya had already undone the first button.

"Did you know?" She nipped lightly at his collarbone. "Snezhnaya has an ancient tradition... when the empress takes a fancy to someone, she uses Cryo to inscribe an oath upon him."

Her fingers traced circles on Baichen's chest, and Cryo condensed into intricate runes. "What kind of oath would you like? Eternity? Loyalty? Or..." Her lips brushed his earlobe. "Exclusivity?"

[Bronya's affection +3%, current: 55%]

[Warning! Danger level increased]

Baichen abruptly caught her wandering hand. "Your Majesty! Please wait!"

Bronya froze, a flicker of displeasure passing through her eyes. "What is it?"

"I... I want to know why you treat me so differently."

Baichen thought quickly. "There are so many talented people in Snezhnaya..."

The unexpected question caught Bronya off guard for a moment.

She pushed herself upright and studied him thoughtfully. "You really don't know?"

When he shook his head, she suddenly chuckled and reached out to stroke his cheek. "Because you're special... a unique wielder of two elements, a pure soul, and..." Her thumb pressed against his lips. "This innocence of yours that makes one want to destroy it."

She suddenly rolled over and sat up, snapping her fingers.

The ice cabinet in the corner of the room opened of its own accord, and a bottle of ice wine and two crystal glasses flew into her hands.

"Since you want to have a heart-to-heart..." She elegantly poured two glasses of wine. "Let's start with the basics."

Baichen carefully accepted a glass, tiny frost patterns forming on its cold surface.

Bronya took a small sip, her pale lips taking on a faint pink tint.

"Five hundred years ago, when I had just inherited the throne..." Her gaze grew distant. "Snezhnaya was still a barren, bitterly cold land.

"I used Cryo to transform this land, making it what it is today."

She poured herself another glass of wine. "But great power always comes at a price.

"The more I used Cryo, the more my emotions froze..." Her fingers tapped lightly against the glass. "Until I met you."

Bronya suddenly leaned forward, her long, ice-blue hair brushing Baichen's arm. "Your Electro... is like a fire, letting me feel warmth again."

[Bronya's affection +2%, current: 57%]

The unexpected confession left Baichen unsure how to respond.

Bronya, however, had already finished her third glass of wine, the coldness in her eyes replaced by some burning emotion.

"Now..." She set down her glass and cupped his face in both hands. "It's your turn to tell me.

"That little Electro girl... what did she do to you?"

Her thumb pressed against Baichen's lips, Cryo flowing around her fingertip. "Did she kiss you here?"

Her finger slid to his face. "Did she touch you here?"

"Or... has she already possessed you here?"

[Warning! Danger level: high]

[Recommendation: answer carefully]

"N-no..." Baichen stammered. "Ei... the Raiden Shogun only taught me swordsmanship and elemental control..."

Bronya's eyes lit up. "Really?" Her voice suddenly turned sweet. "Then I'm the first person to touch you?"

Before Baichen could respond, she swiftly bent over him again, like an agile leopard.

This time, her kiss was more passionate and deeper than before, as though she meant to swallow him whole.

Baichen could clearly feel the softness and warmth of her lips, and the faint fragrance of ice wine spread between their mouths.

The sweet fragrance was intoxicating, as though he were in a dreamlike world.

The tip of her tongue lightly touched Baichen's lips, bringing a hint of Cryo's coolness.

That coolness flowed through his whole body like a clear spring,

The sensation was both unfamiliar and captivating, making him want to explore it further.

(It got banned, sob sob sob)

[Bronya's affection +4%, current: 61%]

[Status obtained: emblem of ice]

[Effect: Cryo affinity +35%, duration: 24 hours]

Just then, an urgent knock at the door interrupted them.

"Your Majesty!" It was the voice of Arlecchino, "The Knave." "Urgent military news!"

Bronya frowned in displeasure. "What's so urgent?"

"Inazuma's Raiden Shogun..." Arlecchino paused. "She canceled all her diplomatic engagements, but our spies have discovered that the Tenryou Commission's fleet is gathering at Snezhnaya's border."

The sudden news was like a bucket of ice water poured over them.

Bronya immediately got off Baichen, the lust in her eyes replaced by icy killing intent.

"Just as I thought..." She sneered. "That little Electro girl couldn't keep her composure after all."

She snapped her fingers, and her nightgown instantly became a military uniform. "Pass down the order: strengthen the border defenses, but do not provoke them."

She glanced at Baichen, who was still lying on the bed. "Prepare a fast ship to send him back tomorrow."

[The Raiden Shogun's affection +5%, current: 52%]

[Note: possessiveness rebounding in response to a crisis]

After Arlecchino left to carry out her orders, Bronya sat back down on the edge of the bed.

Her expression was complicated as her fingers gently combed through Baichen's hair. "It seems we have less time than expected..."

"You're going to... send me back?"

"Mm." She bent down and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. "Though I'd love to possess you right now... I'd rather see that little Electro girl furious and helpless."

Her fingers traced circles over the ice patterns on Baichen's chest. "These marks will last three days... long enough for her to find them."

Bronya gave a mischievous smile. "Imagine the look on her face... it should be very entertaining."

[Bronya's affection +2%, current: 63%]

[Note: subtle provocation of a rival]

Baichen opened his mouth to say something, but she pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't worry, we'll see each other again."

A determined light shone in her eyes. "Next time... I won't let you go so easily."

Bronya rose to her feet, her imperial dignity restored. "Get some rest. Someone will come tomorrow to prepare your things for the journey."

When she reached the door, she suddenly turned back. "Oh, right... there will be one of my people on that ship. If you want to come back... you're welcome anytime."

After she left, the temperature in the room seemed to rise a little.

Baichen sprawled on the bed, his mind in chaos. The system immediately popped up to make its presence known:

[Host! Host!]

[We narrowly escaped disaster!]

You call that narrowly escaping disaster?

Baichen pointed at the ice patterns on his chest.

What about these?

[Analyzing...]

[Emblem of Ice: composed of pure elemental energy, harmless]

[Effect: enhances Cryo affinity]

[Side effect: may trigger a jealous reaction from the Raiden Shogun]

What's going on with Ei's fleet? Didn't she say she was coming in person?

[Latest scan shows...]

[The Raiden Shogun did prepare for a spatial jump]

[But changed her mind at the last moment]

[Reason: unknown]

Baichen wearily rubbed his temples.

It had all happened so fast-from nearly being possessed by Bronya, to the sudden announcement that he was being sent back to Inazuma, to Ei inexplicably changing her mind...

[Severe emotional fluctuations detected in host]

[Recommendation: redeem a reward to calm down]

The system brought up a new interface:

[Available rewards:]

[1. Cryo Resistance (advanced) - requires 60% Bronya favorability]

[2. Electro Resonance (intermediate) - requires 55% Raiden Shogun favorability]

[3. Dual-Element Balance Technique - requires both conditions above]

I have 63% Bronya favorability and 52% Ei favorability right now...

[Recommended plan:]

[First redeem Cryo Resistance (can hide the emblems)]

[Consider the others after Raiden Shogun favorability rises again]

Redeem the first one.

A cool surge of energy instantly spread through his body.

The ice patterns on his chest glowed faintly, then turned transparent. Only by touching them could he feel they were there.

[Redemption successful!]

[Cryo Resistance (advanced) activated]

[Remaining favorability: Bronya 3%]

What?! It deducted 60%?

[It's an advanced reward, after all~]

[But don't worry, actual favorability won't decrease]

[Only the amount available for redemption]

Baichen let out a long breath, got up, and walked over to the full-length mirror.

His clothes were disheveled in the mirror, his lips were slightly red and swollen from the intense kissing, and there were several conspicuous ice-crystal hickeys on his neck...

I'm done for. If Ei sees these, she'll definitely kill me...

[Be more optimistic!]

[Maybe it'll trigger a yandere storyline?]

...Shut up.

Outside the window, Snezhnaya's aurora still danced across the night sky, beautiful and mysterious.

Tomorrow he would return to Inazuma, to Ei's side... but the marks and promise Bronya had left behind lingered like the aurora.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong...