Ice had never warmed Han the way it did after that journey north.

The coronation ceremony was quite lavish — almost all the important people of the kingdom had gathered. Almost all, because Lino was not among them.

However, a northern delegation arrived, consisting of Felix, Jeongin, and Jaekwan. The new king welcomed his guests warmly, especially Felix. Christopher later admitted to Han that the boy’s smile shone brighter than a thousand stars, and the scatter of freckles reminded him of the flowers in his mother’s beloved garden.

Seungmo behaved more absent-mindedly at the ball than usual, but the changes were subtle enough not to draw much attention. Han and Christopher noticed anyway, exchanging knowing smiles.

Their suspicions were confirmed when Jeongin dragged Seungmo straight into the center of the hall under the watchful gaze of the nobility. “Little Min,” as Christopher called him, was embarrassingly flustered, though he still didn’t show it — only the reddened tips of his ears and eyes shining to the point of dizziness gave him away.

— Do you think Lino would be very angry with me if I stole that wonderful snow mage from him? — the king asked after all the ceremonies were over, washing down the heavy days with red wine.

He and Han sprawled on burgundy sofas in the former king’s study. Christopher planned to turn it into a music corner with various instruments. The young lord was passionately fond of music and art in general. Perhaps that was why he had taken such an interest in the northern wind mage — Felix looked like someone who had stepped straight out of a painting by the kingdom’s finest artist.

— I think you wouldn’t survive after saying that, — Han squinted, popping another grape into his mouth.

— What if I ordered it? — Christopher added more seriously.

— He couldn’t care less what you order. In that sense, he’s far too free. — Jisung calmly endured the heavy gaze of brown eyes.

— And in what sense is he not free? — the former prince softened his tone and slightly arched a brow, watching his friend’s reaction closely.

— He will never leave the North. It’s his silver cage. — Han smiled awkwardly and lowered his gaze to the floor. It hurt too much to remember that man, too painful to keep his warmth inside. But it would pass. Han Jisung was considered the best mage in the kingdom not for nothing — he would handle it.

By tradition, Christopher was to travel across all the lands of his kingdom and meet the heads of each region. But before that, he intended to finish what his father had not.

It took half a year.

Felix and Jeongin came a couple more times under the pretext of delivering gifts from the North. And on their final visit, Felix handed Jisung a note sealed with the northern lord’s personal crest.

Han frowned and stared at Felix in confusion, but the latter only shrugged and coughed nervously.

Under the cover of night, the envelope was torn open. Black ink sprawled across the page in curling lines.

I will become burning torment

In your faintly beating heart.

Do not confuse me with others —

Only I may warm myself there.

I will become your breath,

Slowly poisoning life itself.

Let Urania steal us away,

Let her learn what warmth is.

I could leave with you

My native land, my homeland dear.

I beg the spirits in quiet prayer

To weather this storm of the soul.

I will become burning torment,

And you became my icy prison.

I will never forget you —

I gave my promise to the sky.

Jisung hadn’t known he was capable of shedding such bitter tears. They burned through the letter, leaving scars on it — just as the verses left scars on Han’s heart.

The new king and his retinue eventually set out along the planned route. First they traveled south, where they learned of the people’s suffocating conditions. There were very few mages in those lands — mostly ordinary folk surviving through backbreaking labor.

Christopher could only sigh heavily at all the complaints, once again issuing real orders and mentally scolding everyone who had served under his father. He would punish all those responsible for this misery as soon as they returned home.

In the western and eastern lands, they were welcomed more warmly. That was understandable — the people there lived well. The West was known for its magical influence, the East for its trade routes.

Han dreaded the journey north until the very end. He knew they would welcome him more warmly there than anywhere else.

Once, Jisung thought he knew where his home was. He had been born in this kingdom, in this capital; as a very young boy, he befriended the then-prince. At the academy, he met Hyunjin and Changbin, and later Seungmin joined their group.

Han always reached for new knowledge and loved magic with all his heart. Once, their professor had thrown out the thought that magic is life, and life is love. It etched itself into the young mage’s memory.

Finding one’s person is very difficult, but Han hadn’t burned with the desire to find one — what he had was enough for him. However, having tasted northern berries, he would hardly forget their flavor. He would most certainly stop eating his beloved strawberries.

And so Han Jisung was here again. He was home again.

Lino hadn’t changed at all — the same straight posture, confident gaze, and the occasional sly smirk on his lips. He still disliked southern people, but tolerated them for the sake of his most important guest.

In the evening, they were left alone, yet neither could bring themselves to start the conversation. Han only offered a consoling look into the eyes opposite him.

Christopher, who had stepped out in search of Felix, secretly observed the scene.

— And what do you think about all this, Your Majesty? — a voice sounded right by his ear. The king melted at the velvety tone of his beloved sun.

— It’s rather reckless of Lino to steal my best friend, — Christopher replied quietly, burying his fingers in the mage’s blond hair.

They stayed in the North a little longer than planned, and no one objected.

Lino spoke with Jisung as if nothing had happened, carefully ignoring the fact that he had sent that letter.

Han didn’t raise uncomfortable topics and tried to enjoy the moment. He just wanted to stay a little longer. He just wanted the chance to keep seeing this terrible miracle.

Suni, Duni, and Dori constantly circled around Jisung, which Christopher eyed with mixed feelings.

— They’re incredibly affectionate clingy creatures, — Han joked, but right after that Dori desperately smacked the king with a paw, trying to drive him farther away.

One day, the lord of the northern lands invited the king to go fishing with him. One-on-one.

The guards quite reasonably protested, but Christopher cut them off, stating that he was not made of powdered sugar. Lino merely snorted in response.

— I’m amazed at how close you’ve become with my advisor, — the king began, already seated by the ice hole.

— You’ll scare away all the fish if you keep talking so much, — Lino threatened playfully, though his eyes made it clear he would tear out a soul.

— You know, we could make a deal. You give me Felix and Jeongin, and I give you Han Jisung, — Christopher whispered almost teasingly.

— No. — a clear, final answer.

Departure day arrived.

Hyunjin and Changbin cheerfully hummed an old song while packing their things.

Jeongin sat by the fire with Seungmin, expressionless, internally preparing for a serious conversation.

Han raised pillars of fire in his favorite cave.

A familiar pair of ink-dark eyes watched the spectacle.

— Are you just going to stand there? — he addressed the expected guest.

— I’m afraid of getting burned.

— Frost burns too, but I wasn’t afraid. — Jisung turned and looked straight ahead, holding the thoughtful gaze.

— You have beautiful eyes, — the other said, smiling wearily.

— I can’t leave the kingdom without its support. I won’t leave Chris without help. — Jisung justified himself, slightly furrowing his brows.

— And I won’t leave this place without a master. — a pause. — But no one ever said it had to be me. — a sly smile bloomed across the handsome face.

Jisung’s eyes widened as he stared at the man before him in disbelief.

At that moment, Seungmin knocked Jeongin off his feet — the mages tumbled into a snowdrift, continuing to fool around and embrace each other there.

— I think you’ll become a worthy lord of the North.

— Not without your help, — Jeongin whispered somewhere into his neck.

Christopher smiled brightly at the mages brimming with life.

Felix stood pressed against him, silently sending waves of good fortune to their friends.

Han Jisung could never have imagined that in the kingdom of eternal frost he would find his fire.

Lips softly covered another’s. Lino smoothly slid one hand to Han’s back, the other resting on his crown. Fingers threaded through hair, nails lightly tracing along shoulder blades. Jisung stood frozen for a few seconds, then returned the kiss and closed his eyes. He ran his tongue over the upper lip, licking away the juice of northern berries, slipped a leg between Lino’s thighs — drawing out an inviting moan. His heart pounded wildly, threatening to burst from his chest.

It’s frightening to step into the unknown, frightening to think about the future. Freedom of action is terrifying. Lino made his move — now it was Han’s turn.

The lord of the northern lands turned out to be a true volcano by nature. But Han Jisung was considered the best mage in the kingdom not for pretty eyes — he was capable of taming fire, especially when it so willingly reached for his hands.

Translation checked: meaning, structure, tone, and details preserved; nothing omitted.