The horizon presents a beautiful blue hue, but the sky above dons a different shade, resembling the glowing snow that foreshadows the imminent change in weather. The wind begins to howl, whispering of the approaching climate shift. Its icy touch makes one's hair stand on end, reminiscent of the chilling coldness of floating icebergs in the ocean, forcing people on the streets to cross their arms, seeking warmth, even if wrapped in long, multi-layered fur coats.

     The frigid air causes horses to neigh, shiver, and sneeze, their hooves tapping anxiously as they pull carriages. Meanwhile, men brave enough to venture out in the North Pole-like atmosphere can't help but feel their bodies tremble. It is as if a cold blade is stabbing their skin, bringing them a stinging sensation.

     Carriages with galloping horses occupy the centre of the streets while bustling crowds strut along the sidewalks. Laughter erupts from ladies outside cafes as they indulge in the latest gossip while children giggle and play, chasing one another through the street flooded with vehicles, causing horses to neigh and rear up on their hind legs. The tolling of a church bell reverberates through the alleyways, its vibrations rippling through the air. Smaller bells chime with every opening of an establishment's door, and the sound of feet stomping on cobblestone and concrete roads adds a rhythmic thumping to the orchestra of sounds.

     Oliver and his companions walk against the current of battling crowds, deftly manoeuvring left and right to avoid stumbling upon other pedestrians. They sternly fix their gaze on the path ahead. However, their minds urge them to steal swift glances at the awe-inspiring buildings above them, tempting them to tilt their heads.

As the group walked, they turned to each other and began a conversation.

"Wow, these buildings are..." Edgar's eyes widened as he spoke, "...huge!"

"Keep your eyes on the road, Ed," Sarrah told Edgar. "You might bump into someone."

"Well, I wouldn't blame him if he stumbles upon someone," Sophia said, her eyes fixed on the towering rooftops above. "This city is so populated."

"And I wouldn't be surprised if I end up lost in these crowds," Gregory's eyes shifted between the towering buildings above his head and the path ahead as he walked. "Right, Oli?" Gregory suddenly realized Oliver was no longer beside him. "Oli??" Gregory halted and shook his head, scanning the crowd for his spouse. "Oli!?"

"I'm here," Oliver poked Gregory's back.

Gregory turned around. "Oh, there you are—"

Oliver couldn't help but giggle, placing a palm on the tip of his mouth. "Mhmh."

As the group pressed onward, navigating through the bustling crowds, their conversation continued.

"Where can we find some food?" Sophia asked as they marched through the crowd.

"I'm not sure yet," Oliver responded, shaking his head from side to side as his eyes searched for signs of food establishments. "Do you spot any restaurants?"

"All I see are cafes," Sarrah observed, her gaze sweeping the area.

"Oh, not me looking at the boutiques," Sophia admitted, stealing glances at the stores lining the sides of the street.

"Am I the only one on the lookout for weapon shops?" Bethany asked as her eyes darted to the massive stores on the ground floors of each building.

"Hey, guys, come on! Focus," Oliver interjected with a laugh, trying to reign in their attention.

     Suddenly, the crowd's murmurs grew louder, gradually transforming into a deafening roar. A wave of urgency swept through the street as people around Oliver and his companions rushed and raced towards the end of the road. Amidst the chaos, Oliver and his group remained calm, standing their ground.

"What's happening?" Gregory looked around.

"I have no idea," said Oliver.

"Should we follow them?" Sophia suggested, pointing in the direction where the crowds were sprinting.

Oliver paused, contemplating the suggestion before offering a response. "Hm..."

"Maybe there's a new restaurant opening?" Bethany speculated, trying to make sense of the commotion.

Upon hearing the mention of the store they were looking for, Oliver's hesitation dissipated, and he strode forward. "Alright, let's go!"

     Oliver and his companions plunged into the surging crowd, following the thronging mass of people. Despite having no clues, they ran alongside men and women—as if they were in a race. Soon, the crowd came to a sudden halt, and bodies leaned backwards, allowing Oliver's eyes to peer through the sea of heads ahead.

     Unexpectedly, the crowds dropped to their knees and closed their eyes. Everyone knelt, bowing before something unseen. However, Oliver and his companions remained upright, hesitant to submit before an entity they couldn't perceive.

     Confused and uncertain, Oliver and his companions stood still, exchanging glances with raised brows. Instead of joining the bowing crowd, they kept their gaze fixed forward. Yet, their view revealed nothing but another group of people bowing in their direction. Amidst the hundreds of individuals, however, a wide-open door beckoned.

     From the doorway emerges a tall young woman with dirty blonde hair interwoven with shades of gold and brown. As she steps into the sunlight, her glistening diamond eyes sparkle with light, reflecting the brightness of the world around her. Her skin, fair and luminous, holds an inner radiance as the clouds above mirror her beauty.

     The woman wears a high-waisted dress painted in the colours of the sunset. Layers of heavy petticoats swirl beneath her skirt, and a matching sash encircles her waist, accentuating her curves and bestowing her an almost hourglass-like figure. Resting atop her head is a golden tiara, catching the light in every direction.

     As the woman makes her way forward, two men positioned outside the doorway eagerly open the doors of a sleek black carriage. Trailing behind her back, two younger ladies wearing pristine white gowns move with a similar grace. The onlookers, unable to resist the allure of her beauty, maintain their bows, their eyes irresistibly drawn to the captivating sight before them.

     The woman's gaze falls upon a group of young men and women standing apart, choosing not to bow in her presence. Her graceful smile remains undeterred, emanating an aura of welcoming warmth. Her eyes then fixate on Oliver, and with a subtle tilt of her head, she locks eyes with him. Seconds seem to stretch into eternity as her expression transforms from curiosity to utter astonishment, and her hands rise to cover her jaw-dropped mouth.

The woman gasped as her eyes widened with surprise and hope. "My goodness," she uttered, barely able to contain her excitement. "Could it be?"

A hint of alarm flickered in Gregory's eyes, alarmed by the woman's reaction. "Oli...?" Gregory's gaze darted towards his spouse.

"Excuse me?" the woman politely called out to Oliver as she made her way through the bowing crowds.

"Oh, greetings," Oliver finally bowed in response to her call, acknowledging her presence.

Observing Oliver's gesture, his companions followed suit, mirroring his bow to show their respect to the woman.

"May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, kind sir?" the woman asked, her eyes locked on Oliver.

"Oliver Podeshire," Oliver introduced himself.

"...You're the Remaining Podeshire?" a smile tugged at the corners of the woman's lips as recognition sparked in her eyes.

"I am."

The woman then introduced herself. "I am Queen Regina," she stated. "The Queen of Auxgaurrde."

Oliver's eyes widened in realization as he discovered that he had not been bowing to an ordinary person but to a monarch. "Oh," he gasped. "Forgive me for not bowing earlier," Oliver swiftly knelt before Regina, bowing once again.

"There's no need to apologise," Regina smiled and reassured him. She then paused for a quick moment and took a deep breath. "To be honest, I am truly grateful that we have the opportunity to meet in person," Regina said. "This is a moment I have dreamt of, imagining the day our paths would cross. And here we are, brought together by chance. I even considered sending you a letter, but I was concerned it might not reach you. So, I patiently awaited your visit to Auxgaurrde instead, hoping for this fortuitous encounter on the streets!"

"If our meeting has occurred by luck, against all odds, then... hm... it seems we're destined to meet."

"And now that we have met," Regina's grin grew wider. "May I invite you to my palace? Please?"