Conquering His Cold Heart

"Uncle Oscar" Avira loudly called out with a voice filled with affection and repressed pain. After travelling for so long in secret, hiding from her brothers' eyes she'd finally found solace. The image of Duke Runak's tall muscular frame and his battle hardened appearance broke the dam that guarded her emotions.

The strong, brave young woman that faced off against the dreaded iceborne huntsman and endured the hunting of Bella and her frost giant subordinates instantly turned into a bawling child.

Wet tears streamed down her cheeks and her body visibly trembled greatly shocking the man sitting at the head of the table.

"Little V!" The war hardened Duke rose from his seat and dashed forward taking the trembling Avira in his arms.

"Wah wah uncle hic hic my mom and dad.." Avira completely broke down in his arms, revealing all the repressed pain that she'd hidden so well from Frost and Borris.

"I know child, I know… let it all out." Duke Runak tightly pressed Avira against his chest and allowed her to let out all her frustrations, more than willing to act as her rock.

Avira's loud wailing and Duke Runak's now warm and gentle expression destroyed the once tense atmosphere.

"Sit with uncle, V, I had Icethorne's best chefs prepare a glorious banquet for your arrival."

"Umu" Avira meekly mumbled and nodded her head before Duke Runak carried her to the head of the table. He sat down and gently placed her on his lap before reaching out to grab a piece of fragrant monster meat.

After having a few bites Avira's tears stopped and her emotions calmed down slightly, the meat was very tasty.

"Sir Frost, Lord Darksteel please take a seat and partake in the feast before it goes cold." With Avira now calmer Duke Runak turned to face Frost and Borris.

"Thank you Duke Runak." Frost and Borris both respectfully bowed their heads before taking their assigned seats. The Generals seated nearby eyed them both with interest, keen to strike up a conversation.

"Frost was it? It's good to finally put a face to the name." General Katrina Orwell wasted no time in striking up a conversation with the handsome young man, her eyes even analysed every inch of his body as if attempting to grade his potential.

"You know of me?" Frost expected them to have done some kind of background check, but Katrina's tone seemed unusually warm and friendly. Continue reading on empire

"Hahaha that brat Jared brought you up frequently, going on and on about your potential…seems he was onto something. What do you say young man fancy enlisting in the War Ursa Battalion, I promise to train you personally." Katrina's eyes were well trained, even without the use of a skill she could perceive a great many things about a person through a single glance.

"Hahaha I'm certainly honoured to receive an invitation from someone as strong as yourself but unfortunately I'll have to decline. I have no intention in joining Northrend's military." His response was respectful but firm, allowing for no negotiations.

"…I see." Katrina was obviously disappointed, but she didn't hold anything against Frost in fact she respected his staunch refusal. "Well if you ever change your mind please come and find me, I Katrina Orwell would love to have you in my platoon."

"Tsk he's already refused your advances Katrina stop pestering him…young Frost why don't you sit over here and discuss the world with this big sister." Immediately after Katrina spoke General Jessica Tunray, the War Ursa Battalion's pre-eminent mage appeared next to Frost and wrapped herself around his arms, purposefully pressing her ample chest against him.

"Ha big sister more like grandma." Katrina glared daggers at her shameless colleague, finding her approach despicable. Jessica was of the same generation as her, her looks were only a façade formed by magic and expensive make-up.

The other Generals, Maximus, Vox and Astra internally sighed, choosing to ignore their antics. It was common for Katrina and Jessica to trade barbs whenever they were in the same room.

Frost was slightly troubled by the situation as both women could easily kill him with a flick of their wrists, he couldn't risk offending either one of them. Thankfully someone came to his rescue.

A few seconds after Jessica wrapped herself around Frost a deadly burst of killing intent and bloodthirst was sent her way. The two Generals being at the peak of military strength immediately honed in on the killing intent and found that it came from Avira. The presence was lacking in strength, but the quality was certainly there.

"Let go." With a chilling gaze Avira ordered Jessica to leave Frost's side. An action that stunned everyone in the room bar Borris and Frost.

Duke Runak who was focusing all his attention on Avira couldn't help but gawk as he saw the fragile bawling woman suddenly unleash such a chilling glare at one of his most trusted Generals. He looked at Jessica and then at Frost before once again looking back at Avira.

'Well shit!' Being a wise man Duke Runak instantly understood his darling niece's mood, she was marking her territory.

Not wanting to upset her nor diminish her status he gestured for Jessica to back off which caused the woman donned in sleek purple robes to hmph and return to her seat. She just wanted to play around a little.

Like Katrina she had quite the eye for talent, particularly in regards to magic. Not only was Frost incredibly handsome but his natural mana levels for his current rank were off the charts, a true diamond in the making. One she desperately wanted to get her hands on even if it wasn't through enlistment.

So what if her current appearance was supported by magic, what difference did it make? Sexy and beautiful was sexy and beautiful regardless of the means plus as long as she had mana she would retain her early thirties appearance indefinitely, so it was basically permanent.

But if the Princess, soon to be Empress of Northrend had already laid her claim then she being a loyal soldier of the empire couldn't throw her hat in the ring, regardless of how tempting the prize may be.

"Frost it seems we need to have a proper chat don't you think?" Duke Runak said with a smile but there was something ominous in his tone, something that made Frost shiver in his seat.

"I…it would be my honour."

'Dammit why did I have to draw this monster's ire.' Frost suddenly regretted teasing Avira during their journey.

"Everyone eat up, we'll move on to official talks in an hour…Jessica, Vox once your done replace Jared and Danielle."

""Yes Duke"" Jessica and Vox performed a military salute before quickly digging into their meals. Hardly anyone talked after that, everyone was completely focused on eating.

An hour later Duke Runak, Avira, Katrina, Astra, Maximus, Frost and Borris left the hall where the feast was prepared and entered into a highly defended and magically sealed war room.

"Please sit." Duke Runak gestured for his guests to sit down at the large metal table where a 3d model of Icethorne was displayed with frightening accuracy.

Maximus, Astra and Katrina didn't sit, instead they stood directly behind their War Marshall in an intimidating manner. This time they were truly acting in an official capacity. Frost could feel his every muscles tremble and scream as he was subjected to their pressure without mercy. He could barely even look the Duke in the eye.

"Princess Avira please tell me everything, I want to know exactly how our stalwart Emperor and noble Empress were deprived of their lives and by whose hand….tell me who took the lives of my friends!" Duke Runak couldn't restrain his fury as he viciously slammed his fist against the metal table, forming a deep dent at the point of contact.

The 3 Generals did their upmost to protect Borris and Avira from his leaking aura and bloodlust, but Frost was left to endure it alone, a sort of test and perhaps sign of respect on their part.

For Frost however he felt as though he was faced with an unsurmountable mountain, a foe that he couldn't even hope to survive against. In his short but experienced life he'd only felt such an intense level of power twice, once when he first mentioned the Church of Light to Maya and the second during his father's outburst wherein all the guardians swarmed to restrain him and failed.

Though Duke Runak was far weaker than both Maya and his father he was certainly not a run of the mill A-ranker. There was a presence there that could only be found in those at the S-rank or those half a step away from it.

Feeling the depth of Duke Runak's aura and killing intent he remembered a lesson Maya gave him several months ago.

"What's the difference between B-rank, A-rank and then S-rank?" Frost who had be floundering around the entry stages of B-rank wanted to understand the upper levels a bit more, so he asked his Guardian who at the time was still at the S-rank.

"It's not wise for you know everything as that may in fact limit your own path but I guess I can reveal the basics."