The royal guards of Fresha accompanied me back to Grizzly Forest. Through the winding vineline, I spotted a familiar silhouette by the riverbank.

  "Let's stop here," I told the guards.

  We descended to the earth, soft leaves crunching beneath our boots. There, standing at the edge of the water, was Skymint, fishing, like he always did back in the snowy island. He looked up as we landed. The sunlight caught his face, white fur gleaming like snow under dawn.

  "Skymint," I called, stepping toward him. "I thought you'd like some honey."

  I offered him the jar. He took it with one hand, quiet. By his boot, a tin bucket brimmed with salmon. I noticed his fishing rod was crusted with a thin layer of ice.

  "I'm sorry... about last night," he said, eyes on the water.

  "I know it wasn't you," I replied softly. "We'll get through it."

  He turned his head toward me and managed a small smile.

  Then his gaze flicked to the three guards behind me.

  I turned too, then spread my hands. "Guards, this is Skymint. He's my companion."

  "Could you give us a moment?" I asked, unsure if they'd oblige.

  They didn't budge. Their stern faces reminded me of the guards I'd always been assigned back in Glacia: older men, chosen carefully. Not just for discipline, but because they were less likely to notice me. Or worse, fall for the idea of me. I was young, royal, and unfortunately pretty enough to be a problem.

  "We are ordered by King Callum to escort you directly to the Grizzly King," one of them said.

  "But you'll leave after that... right?" I asked, hopeful.

  "No," they said in unison.

  I sighed. Skymint and I walked on together, a quiet truce hanging in the air. He kept a slight distance, his fishing rod slung over one shoulder, the metal bucket swinging from his other hand.

  "Have any of you heard of the robbery dove?" I asked, hoping one of them might offer something useful.

  "No," they chorused again.

  I wished Carrie could help. I'd forgotten to ask her about it, and the mystery still gnawed at me. Maybe she'd want to meet Skymint too.

  We slipped into the backyard of the Grizzly King's fabulous den, avoiding the main paths to stay out of sight. There, beneath a beam of golden sunlight, King Berard was washing a brown horse, its coat gleaming like roasted chestnuts.

  "King Berard!" I called.

  He turned, eyes lighting up. "You're back... with Skymint." His deep voice warmed. "I'm glad, truly."

  Without glancing at the guards, he focused on Skymint. "This one's yours. Our fastest, and handsomest: Golde."

  The horse neighed as if he understood the compliment.

  Skymint stepped forward, curious. With a graceful motion, he mounted the horse.

  "Go on, try him," Berard encouraged.

  Skymint gave the reins a gentle tug, and Golde took off into the woods. Moments later, they burst through the trees at full speed, Skymint grinning wide.

  "He's a good boy," he said, stroking the horse's mane.

  The guards left with uninterested expressions, signaling the end of their duty in escorting me.

  "We've got a capable horseman now, but that won't be enough to win the competition," the Grizzly King said, his tone firm as his gaze settled on Skymint.

  Skymint remained mounted on the horse.

  "Fresha Kingdom is rather... complicated," King Berard said. "It covers all three forests resting on this mud." He tapped a boot against the ground. "Grizzly Forest, Mystical Forest, and Gloom Forest."

  "The Grizzly Forest, as you know, stretches from here to the Plant Palace," King Berard added. "Mystical Forest lies beyond it, home to fairies and talking animals."

  His words stirred something warm in me. My eyes lit up before I could help it. I'd been there years ago during a visit, thanks to Uncle's permission, but...

  "They don't allow trespassers," King Berard continued, glancing at me. "They only make exceptions during the Horse Racing Competition, and only for contestants who have permission from the Plant King."

  He paused. "The Gloom Forest, on the other hand, is still a mystery. Just like the Doppelganger Lake."

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  The mention of the lake drew an uneasy silence. Skymint and I both avoided each other's gaze. I exhaled quietly as the tension passed.

  "You shouldn't have mentioned that if it's unnecessary," Skymint said, his voice low and edged.

  "I'm just warning you," King Berard replied. "You might get caught in one of those rare moments... but I'm positive that won't happen." His expression shifted as he looked at me. "Well, you've got your lucky girl here! So I hardly think you'll lose."

  My fingers twitched at his words. I wished it were true, that I was lucky. But the events of my life told a different story.

  "We're talking about the Gloom Forest," Skymint said, his tone cool as he kept his eyes on Berard.

  ***

  The scent of roasted salmon still lingered on my fingers as I wiped them clean with a cloth napkin. The fire crackled in the hearth behind us, but my thoughts were already beyond the backyard, toward the forests King Berard had spoken of.

  "Skymint," I said quietly, standing from the table, "can I come along with you? I'd like to explore the forests too."

  His eyes met mine with a flicker of hesitation. Despite his nervousness, he still nodded.

  "Sure, I'll take you," he said, already moving to prepare his horse.

  "Yay!" I blurted out in happiness. I probably sounded childish, but I couldn't contain this nostalgic excitement.

  He helped me mount behind him with surprising ease, as if he'd already played out this moment in his head. I settled in carefully, my arms instinctively wrapping around his waist. The warmth of his back against me was steadying in a way I didn't expect.

  "I'm coming too," King Berard said. "Can't let you two get into trouble again."

  We emerged from the clearing into the trees of the Grizzly Forest, the sunlight casting an orange glow across my hooded face in the late afternoon. It wasn't long before a gust of wind blew back my hood, whipping my sky-blue bob around as we descended deeper into the dense forest.

  A butterfly drifted by, blue as the sea, and paused right in front of my nose, maybe mistaking my shimmering eyes for another butterfly. It tickled slightly, making me shake my head. Too bad. I'd wanted it to follow us.

  We paused when two pathways greeted us: one leading to the Plant Palace, the other to the river winding through the woods. I spotted Carrie on a balcony, and she moved the moment her eyes met mine.

  King Berard spoke, "We ain't going to the Plant Palace, so we're heading to the rive..."

  "Arie!" my cousin yelled, leaping down from the large bouncy leaves.

  "Wanna come with us?" I asked.

  "Yes, yes!" she giggled. "I can run as fast as a horse!"

  "Nice to meet you, Plant Princess," Skymint said politely.

  "Bless the plants, so you're Skymint?" she asked, even though she clearly already knew.

  "Indeed," he answered.

  "Are you sure you won't mount my horse?" King Berard asked.

  "No need, Grizzly King," she said.

  Then she leaned in close to me. "Don't forget your hood. They shouldn't be able to recognize you."

  I tucked my fur-lined hood back over my head, and she smiled.

  With a flick of her finger, Carrie coaxed a vine from a nearby plant. It uncurled and gently fastened itself along the inner seam of my hood, hidden from view.

  "There. My plants will keep it in place," she said with a wink.

  She darted toward the river path, and we followed her, my hands still gripping Skymint's waist. The river beside us shimmered beneath the bright sun, and we passed by Freshan fishermen on wooden boats, greeting their princess warmly. She reminded me of my life back in Glacia, though I was never quite as loud or vibrant as her.

  The atmosphere suddenly shifted as I spotted a black, aesthetic gate veiled with vines across the river. It must be the welcome gate to the Mystical Forest. It would've been better to cross from there. Unfortunately, horses wouldn't be able to make it across the river.

  Carrie stopped running, and Skymint and King Berard's horses came to a halt as well. I dismounted, my boots sinking into wavy bushes that brushed against my ankles.

  A waterfall loomed ahead, towering and magical. Trees surrounded it, framing its beauty perfectly. The berries hanging from their branches glowed faintly, as though pulsing with life, and harmless fireflies drifted lazily through the air. A breeze whooshed past, ruffling Skymint's white fur and hair.

  "Woah, this place is wonderful," Skymint gasped, his round ears twitching.

  "It must be your first time here," Carrie giggled, placing her hands on her hips.

  "Yes," he answered with a nod, still gazing at the scenery.

  "Just gonna warn that we can't go beyond the waterfall, if Arie hasn't told you yet," she said, glancing over at me.

  "I kinda miss the fairy that I talked with some time ago," King Berard admitted, his eyes scanning the trees wistfully.

  "I haven't seen a fairy yet in person," I blurted out, the longing in my voice clearer than I meant it to be. "It's why I wanted to come again."

  Carrie turned to me with a grin. "I remember when we visited long ago. The moment I told them I'm with the Ice Princess, they hid," she chuckled, stealing a glance at Skymint.

  "Oh no, now that you mentioned they could have heard and would hide again..." I said, my voice tinged with disappointment.

  "Maybe if we show them we come in peace," Carrie said, cupping her hands. A soft pink glow bloomed between her palms, a tiny flower forming and releasing a sweet, earthy scent.

  The two bears both looked tense, as though sensing something from afar.

  From the treehouse nearby, a figure landed in front of us, barefoot, with one hand braced against the ground. He rose, and I quickly recognized who the boy was.

  Luceran Pieverel, the Plant Prince, and Carrie's cousin. She didn't have any siblings, so her mother's nephew had earned the title. His light green hair waved gently, and he looked at her with his seafoam eyes.

  "Carrie, stop that scent. Its fragrance is too distracting," he said, his tone sharp and commanding.

  "It's not for you, it's for the fairies. For a moment I thought you were a fairy," she replied, a delightful look on her face.

  Luceran dismissed her and turned to me. "It's really true that you're still alive."

  Then he looked at Skymint and King Berard, who were still mounted on their horses. "I suppose he's your new weapon?"

  "Well, my most handsome racer ever," the Grizzly King said with a smirk. "Also, we came here to explore."

  He approached Skymint. "I'm Luceran Pieverel, the Plant Prince. And you are?"

  "Skymint Polarion. Uhh, the Polarman Prince," he said uncertainly.

  We all laughed, except for the Plant Prince, who always wore a stoic expression despite his otherwise polite demeanor.

  He reached out a hand. "Let's do our best in the competition."

  Skymint accepted it and was suddenly yanked off the horse, swung backward, and landed face-first in the mud.

  "What was that for?" Skymint asked, confusion and irritation laced in his voice.

  "You trust too easily. I don't think you'll last in the competition for more than five seconds," Luceran said, his tone calm and unreadable.

  "Ah, he means you'll be able to surpass most racers in the competition," Carrie said with her usual bubbly tone.

  I wanted to help Skymint myself, but I worried they might assume something between us. He pulled himself up and faced the Plant Prince.

  "Come to the palace with us later," Luceran said with a faint smile. "I don't poison my opponent's food."

  I quietly admired his nonchalance.

  We didn't stay in the Mystical Forest for long. I failed to meet a fairy again, and in just a few days, the competition would start.