CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: Edward Frost

                                    

                                          

 
Glace found himself in the park before the arena on the left side of the palace. He would know if he was in the second park of the school because it was located before the playing field on the right side of the palace. The school was huge, and one day wouldn't be enough to explore it entirely. Perhaps that was why he didn't visit the school's parks more often. The school's front and back yards were large enough to accommodate more than a hundred children. He and his friends usually stayed in the garden. If they felt like walking, they would head to the lake.
But today, Glace was in the park, a little upset that Madam Victoria's hazy portal had brought him there. Now he would have to look for Eirwyn.
The woman wasn't even surprised when he mentioned speaking to Eirwyn instead of Edward Frost. Before he left with the Sword of Death, she had warned him again not to let her see him, especially since Madam Victoria used to be a teacher at the school while still managing her tailoring shop.
Glace spotted a teenager on one of the park benches, reading a scroll. The boy wore a blue coat, and Glace recognized him immediately by his icy white hair.
"Hey," he called as he approached.
Eirwyn looked up from his seat. His eyes widened when he saw Glace. For a moment, Glace worried that he had arrived at the wrong time. 
Eirwyn jumped from his seat and glanced around, relieved to see no students nearby. Most of the students were loitering or strolling beyond the park. Glace noticed some leaving with suitcases.
"Why do you appear so suddenly?" Eirwyn scowled. "You're not even wearing a disguise."
"Do I need to schedule an appointment or make an announcement before coming here?" Glace asked. He turned to watch the students heading for the gate. "Why are they leaving?"
"Summer break," Eirwyn replied.
"So, are you going home too?"
"Obviously."
Glace sat beside him on the bench while Eirwyn rolled up the scroll.
"Why are you dressed like that? Are you going to a party, or..." Glace's gaze fell on the two brooches pinned to Eirwyn's jacket. One was a gold dragon curled in a circle, resembling the emblem of the school and the kingdom of Brighia. The other was a blue and silver snowflake ornament, identical to the one Madam Victoria had given Glace when he first arrived in Brighia.
He wasn't sure if he was upset or relieved by the realization. "You're Edward Frost."
"Who told you?" Eirwyn asked after a brief silence.
"That's the only clue we had to find Edward Frost," Glace said, glancing at the brooch on Eirwyn's jacket. Glace had his own brooch in his pocket but didn't pull it out. Eirwyn had already seen it when they first met in the forest during the hunt.
"Let me guess," Eirwyn said. "Aunt Victoria?"
"Aunt? She's your aunt?"
"Well, not really," Eirwyn said. "She and my mother are sisters, but Aunt Victoria is adopted. She's also my godmother." Eirwyn touched the brooch pinned to his garment. "Of course, she's the only one in Brighia with time-traveling abilities. She's a rare seer."
Glace stared at him. Eirwyn was the reason Madam Victoria had given him the jewelry—he reminded her of him.
"Why didn't you tell us you're him—that you are Edward Frost?" Glace finally asked. Now he realized he was upset—maybe just a little upset.