Anna’s eyes moved up. High. And high. Till her neck was all the way back and she had to take a few steps back before she snapped her neck.

She hadn’t slammed into a wall. No. Walls didn’t wear clothes and have...

Oh my fucking hell ! It’s a man!

Anna’s jaw hit the ground.

The man was tall, well past six foot seven, and exuded a cold and powerful aura similar to a wall of pure ice. He wore dark warrior clothes, with a thick white fur coat hanging from his massive shoulders. His hair was long and silver, flowing all the way to his waist, beaded and braided with bright gems. And his eyes were blue, a kind of blue that reminded Anna of winter skies and frozen seas.

On top of his head were two white, extremely fluffy polar bear ears.

I want to pet his ears! They look so soft!

He was handsome, in a heart arresting manner. The kind that made people take a double look whenever he walked past. Snowflakes floated in the air around him, dissolving fast in the warm air.

"He must be fun to cuddle with," Anna whispered under her breath.

"Your highness," he said, before going down on one knee in front of her and bowing.

Anna’s brain stopped working.

Even kneeling, he’s still massive! What his height? Seven feet? Nah, that can’t be right...

Her thoughts ran helter skelter, as she was completely stunned by his beauty and size. His voice was handsome too, like the rest of him. Deep, with a resonant quality that made Anna sigh and want to close her eyes and listen to him forever.

"Oh..." she squeaked, realizing that he had spoken. "Um...nice to meet you?"

He looked up, sharp eyes boring into hers. She noticed that his eyes were empty. Like a sea without any life inside. Beautiful, but desolate.

"My deepest apologies for my extended stay away from the palace. I should have sent word much sooner. How have you been faring?"

Anna blinked.

And again.

He tilted his head slightly to the side, his left ear twitching.

So cute! Anna squealed in her head, almost reaching out to touch them.

She quickly snapped out of her thoughts,m. "Right! And you are...pardon me, I’m having a bit of trouble remembering things lately."

"Azul, your highness."

Ahhhh shit! He’s my fourth...I mean Princess Orchid’s fourth husband!

Heat rose to Anna’s cheeks. She felt ashamed, even though Ray had informed her about him just two days ago. "Azul. Welcome home! Did you um...did you travel well?"

So this is Azul. Damn, that wicked Princess sure likes handsome men. He’s so big and cuddly. And his hands...woah, they’re bigger than my head!

She shamelessly checked him out, nodding and humming to herself in appreciation. Azul remained calm, if he noticed her actions, it didn’t reflect on his face.

"I’m well. I got news of Leon’s misguided actions. Are you still injured?"

Anna’s happy thoughts fizzled out. She sighed and shook her head. "No. I’m fine. Everything is good."

He rose to his feet slowly. Despite his bulk, he was silent. The only thing that moved was the still air around him. Anna subconsciously took a step back, something inside her warning her to keep her distance.

Azul bowed, smooth hair swishing over his shoulders. "In that case, I shall take my leave."

She nodded, her breath caught in her throat.

He left, his footfalls silent and lethal. He turned down the corner and vanished, taking the cold with him.

I didn’t get to touch his ears,

Anna wondered what kind of relationship he had with Princess Orchid. He didn’t seem to hate her, and he even spoke to her with respect.

[You can use your plot reveal to figure it out~] The System dinged.

"Huh? I got two memories. Why can’t I use those?"

[The memories don’t work that way, hostie. You don’t get to choose which one you get~]

Anna pursed her lips in annoyance. She was starting to believe the System was a faulty and useless one.

"So you’re saying they’re random? And I can use them and get what? A memory of Princess Orchid choosing a dinner dress?"

[Exactly~]

"Fuck you."

[So harsh~]

"I think I’ll just—" Anna paused. Her ears twitched, and she heard something in the distance. "What’s that?" She muttered to herself, taking a step down the corner.

It sounded like commotion.

Anna’s heart jumped. The last time she’d heard commotion and rushed forward, it ended in her nearly torn to shreds.

Her feet froze, and fear overcame her heart.

I’m sure it’s none of my business anyway. She sighed. About to walk away, she heard someone shout a name.

Azul!

She turned and rushed down the corner before her brain could catch up with what her feet did.

And then she saw it.

Right in front of Princess Lotus’s door was Leon and Azul. Azul had Leon by the collar of his shirt, his other hand raised in a fist.

"You hurt my wife," Azul said, his voice cold and measured.

"She’s my wife too." Leon spat back. His hair had come undone, and it flared around his head, the edges sharpening as they glitched.

Anna gasped, her eyes widening. She was right. Azul was formidable. The size difference between he and Leon was there. Azul was a full head taller than the General, and much more muscular than him too. The way his fur coat swirled in the wind made him look even more menacing.

"Did that matter when you drew your sword on her?" Azul said coldly.

Leon scoffed. "What are you doing now? You’re defending her? Like she doesn’t deserve to be locked up!"