Laurence Verkin is the first son of Duke Rian Verkin and Duchess Vanessa Verkin of Verkin Dukedom. Their family's wealth rival that of the Royal Family, they also have a long, prosperous and rich history known throughout the whole Betania Kingdom but when it comes to military power, the Royal Family stood atop everyone else. Their family also produces several Queens in past. And so, the King and the Duke wants their first born children to marry each other to continue the tradition.
But, sadly, unfortunately, Ultear doesn't have the slightest bit of interest in fulfilling her father and the Duke's ambition.
"How's your winter going, Princess?" Laurence ask Ultear who is doing her entire best not to show any sign of boredom infront of her guest.
"It's going well so far not until..." she intentionally trail her words and stared at him with a meaningful eyes.
"Until?" Laurence tilted his head and acted as if he didn't notice the meaning behind Ultear's word that she's trying to subtly convey.
"Until I was bored of it. Everything's been repetitive. I want some thrill but the snow's not stopping."
"I see," Laurence mumble whil nodding. "I understand Princess. I understand your desire for adventure, I, myself also been itching for some thrill. Then, how about you go with me?"
Julia suddenly become alerted when she heard what the young Duke said but she couldn't do anything for the moment without the princess's order since she's a mere knight. All she could do is to remain vigilant and watch the young Duke if he dares to do something to the princess, and even if she don't receive order, she'll act and protect her.
Ultear's brow raises. "Go with you, you say?"
"Yes, I know something good to quench this thirst for adventure, princess."
"How brazen."
Laurence burst out laughing as he heard her said that with a venomous innocent smile. He's amuse with how tough and clever the princess acts. Laurence become more interested with her the more she act tough. In the first place, Laurence also couldn't care less of his future wife is the princess not as long as they look interesting in his eyes, anyone would suffice. He's not finding some sick, useless, fragile love, instead his whole being craves for thrill and adventure. Only that can make Laurence Verkin's heart thump in excitement.
"Alright, I'll go with you."
"Oh, man, I guess next time is it...wha..t?" Laurence laugh came to a halt as soon as he realized what the princess just said. He couldn't believe Ultear just agreed to his invitation. Normally, she would blatantly and mercilessly decline him with a pure and innocent smile plastered on her face. But now...she agrees in her own volition just like that for the first time since they were young.
"...you're not the princess." Laurence mumble in disbelief.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Her words didn't match her smiling face.
"Are we going or not?"
"Oh, right."
Julia tried stopping the princess since she's worried about her being stuck with a person like the young Duke. But she couldn't even stop the strong willed Princess she's protecting. If only Rita is here around, maybe she can stop the Princess. I'm really am useless.
Poor Julia. She thinks she's useless when in fact Ultear is just that stubborn. Even Rita couldn't stop her sometimes if she sets her mind into something.
Ultear on the other didn't understand herself why she agrees. She doesn't actually dislike Laurence and just finds him annoying because...he's just plain annoying.
They put on their expensive thick winter coat before walking out the palace. Julia stop them for the tenth times but failed again. Laurence took Ultear's hand and guided him carefully as he cast a high level teleportation magic.
"Magic is it, huh." Ultear commented as she held tight in Laurence's arms.
"You're not surprise?" Amusement was lace in Laurence's voice as he set the coordinates high above in the sky. Ultear was startled for a moment when she saw that they suddenly appear in the middle of the sky.
"You fiend!" Ultear cried out. Laurence burst out laughing after seeing Ultear's reaction. It was priceless.
"Stop struggling too much, Princess or we'll fall. Do you know how high we are in the sky, hmm?" Laurence tease. His grin not leaving his face.
"And who's fault is it? Why did you even teleport us here? If you plan to commit suicide, do it alone! I should have not come."
Laurence burst laughing again when Ultear punch him in the shoulder with a pissed off countenance. Yet his face contorted painfully after receiving the punch.
"Why don't you look down first, Princess?" Laurence suggested while pointing his index finger below. Even if she's confuse, Ultear stared down below her. She squinted her eyes to see the things that's moving down below. They're too high in the sky that everything's below looks like ants. The snow has stop falling but it was still freezing cold.
"We're in Yunuia, Betania's coldest region." He inform.
"What? We're in the North?" A sudden thought cross Ultear's mind. If they're in the Yunuia, it means Kurtis is also near them. She scan her eyes below, searching and looking for a familiar tall guy with black hair.
"I know you'll be interested coming here," Laurence meaningfully muttered as if he knows something. Slowly, Ultear turn her eyes to him. "Don't worry, I'm not telling anyone. I find you interesting enough, so, who knows. I might end up helping you. What do you think?"
Ultear stared at him for a moment. "Keep your nose out of my business, you piece of shit."
Laurence burst out laughing. He even wipe his imaginary tears from his eyes.
"I'm serious, though."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Then, how about I prove it?"
"Prove what?" Ultear still doubted his intentions. Laurence probably know something if he's acting up like this. What does he want, anyway? And how much does he know?
"This," before Ultear knows what was happening, they teleported again. This time Laurene sets the coordinates just below them. They appear behind a huge, old tree that's covered with snow. It no longer have its leaves.
"I don't know who, but you probably know someone over there," Laurence pointed a group of knights not so far from their position fighting a group of monsters. There were already dead bodies of both human and monsters lying on the snow covered ground. "If you don't act now, they might end up being the monster's food, you know?" Laurence eyes glows mischievously.