Elysium remained blanketed in snow, though its winters were far gentler than those of the Malgrave Mountains.
The kingdom's barrier and ever-present mist shielded it from the world, offering a serene, untouched beauty even in the cold.
Claude had the power to alter the weather through Keira, but she had warned him—it would require an immense amount of energy, that could only be obtain by sacrificing another race soul.
That was precisely why the Lord of Calamity, Donovan, sought to conquer the world—to ensure the daemon race could thrive beyond this hidden sanctuary.
Despite the season, the garden party was a success. Honorable Houses, both main and branch families, arrived in small numbers—Claude had deliberately kept the guest list exclusive, both for the sake of the budget and because he despised unnecessary extravagance.
But even so, he didn't see this gathering as wasteful. Not when he saw the way Dalia's face lit up.
