Before stepping into the carriage, Arlienne turned to the guests gathered at Snowflake Mansion.
She bowed.
Deeply.
"I'm so sorry, everyone… I must leave for the palace. Thank you for coming to my birthday."
People quickly reassured her:
"No, Lady Arlienne, it's okay!"
"Please return safely!"
"We'll stay here and wait for you!"
But Aster clenched his jaw as he watched his mother apologize on her own birthday.
He promised himself again:
*This will be the last time the palace steals our joy.*
The royal carriage sped through the capital with an urgency that made Astra hold tightly onto her mother's arm.
Soldiers rode alongside them on horseback, clearing the path.
Within minutes, the grand palace came into view—golden banners fluttering, lanterns glowing like stars.
The moment the carriage stopped, the guards opened the door.
Aster stepped out first.
Then Astra.
Then Arlienne, in her pale blue dress glistening under the courtyard lights.
Heads turned instantly.
Whispers rose like crashing waves as the three walked together toward the banquet hall.
***
When the doors opened—
The entire room fell **silent**.
Hundreds of nobles.
Foreign dignitaries.
Wealthy merchants.
Famous mages.
Visitors from three kingdoms.
All stared.
Three figures entered:
- A mother of breathtaking grace, long white hair flowing like snow.
- A boy with sharp silver eyes and princely bearing.
- A girl like a soft, luminous star.
Snow-haired.
Snow-eyed.
Snowflake blood.
Aster, Astra, Arlienne.
They looked like a tableau carved from winter moonlight.
Gasps echoed through the massive hall.
"Are those… the Snowflakes?"
"The twins and their mother?!"
"She's even more beautiful than the rumors…"
"No wonder the king fell for her…"
"Why doesn't she live in the palace…?"
Every eye turned toward them.
The queen's face darkened immediately.
Her lips twitched.
Her jaw tightened.
When she saw **Arlienne**—
Her rage exploded behind her eyes.
She stood sharply.
"I told you," she hissed to the soldiers nearby, "BRING THE TWINS.
Not her!"
Arlienne stood with perfect posture, serene and radiant without trying.
And that was exactly why the queen hated her.
Arlienne Snowflake was everything the queen wasn't:
Effortlessly graceful.
Effortlessly beautiful.
Effortlessly loved.
And her children—Aster and Astra—looked **exactly** like her.
A reminder of the king's greatest affection.
A reminder of the children who outshined even the queen's own.
Tonight, the queen wanted to be the star.
But the moment the Snowflake family stepped through the doors…
The entire hall forgot she existed.
***
The king sat on his throne, stunned.
He had forgotten how beautiful Arlienne was.
He had forgotten how much his children resembled her.
How peaceful she seemed.
How gentle her presence was.
He stood slightly, almost stepping toward them—
But the queen shot him a glare.
He froze.
***
Aster, Astra, and Arlienne approached the thrones.
They bowed politely.
"Your Majesty," Arlienne said, voice calm and dignified.
"Happy birthday, Queen Lura," Astra added sweetly.
Aster bowed last, his face unreadable.
The queen forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Thank you for finally joining us.
It seems you have brought… unnecessary company."
Arlienne lowered her gaze slightly.
"I am only here to accompany my children."
The queen's jaw tightened again.
She wanted to unleash her fury in front of everyone.
But she could not—not with foreign nobles watching.
So she redirected her glare at Aster and Astra.
"Very well. You may proceed to the stage. The guests have waited far too long."
Aster nodded calmly.
Astra smiled politely.
Arlienne bowed once more.
The three of them moved toward the front of the hall.
And the entire room turned with them.
***
As they reached the stage, guests leaned forward eagerly.
At least a hundred nobles whispered excitedly:
"They're finally performing!"
"The famous Snowflakes!"
"To see them live… incredible!"
"I heard their rap can shake mana itself!"
"Their harmonies can make people cry—!"
Aster stepped onto the stage with Astra beside him.
But before they began to sing—
He stopped.
He looked at the crowd.
At the nobles who ignored his mother's birthday.
At the foreign guests who traveled so far.
At the queen, smiling like a viper at the head of the hall.
At the king, who looked conflicted and powerless.
Then he took a deep breath.
Mana stirred faintly around him.
"Before we start," he said, voice firm and clear, carrying across the hall.
"I want to say something to all of you."
The entire hall fell silent.
Even the queen froze.
Astra widened her eyes. "A-Aster…?"
Arlienne's heart skipped a beat.
The nobles leaned in.
Foreign dignitaries straightened in curiosity.
The king swallowed nervously.
Aster stood tall, silver eyes unwavering.
He was about to speak—
And whatever he said next
would shake the entire palace.