NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30: The Frost Queen’s Trial
"Even a frozen heart remembers the warmth it once held."
📜 Recap from Chapter 29
Jemil conquered the battlefield of betrayal on Floor 6, awakening Kaelara — his tsundere swordmaster, forged from honor and pain. Her blade, once turned against him, now shields his back. With five powerful wives by his side, the Tower opens its next door…
❄️ Main Story
Floor 7 opened to a hush.
Snowflakes drifted in perfect silence. The wind didn't howl — it whispered secrets across icy spires and crystalline bridges suspended in a twilight sky. Every structure gleamed with dangerous beauty, like the home of a forgotten goddess.
Jemil stepped forward, boots crunching the frost-bitten glass floor. His breath curled in the air.
"This one feels… colder. Not just the weather."
Kaelara nodded grimly beside him. "There's no spirit here. Just precision. Emptiness."
The Tower chimed a message into his mind:
"Trial of the Mind: Do not seek her body. Seek what she buried inside."
Suddenly, the palace gates creaked open with a mechanical groan. Frost bloomed across the doorway.
And from within emerged her.
She walked like a monarch — posture straight, steps deliberate. Her ice-blue dress flowed like mist around her. Her eyes were not hostile — just… empty. Distant. A woman who had locked her feelings in a vault long ago.
"Jemil."
Her voice echoed like wind through a glacier. "You were once… important."
He swallowed hard. "You remember me?"
She tilted her head. "Only data. Not affection."
"Then I'll help you remember that too."
🧊 The Ice Palace Trial Begins
With a flick of her hand, ice spires rose, separating Jemil from his wives.
Kaelara tried to leap forward — but the frost walls pushed her back.
"Only the bound one may enter," the Queen said.
Jemil stepped forward into the frozen throne room, where massive ice mirrors surrounded them — each one reflecting memories.
Except… they were blank.
"Your trial is simple," she said. "Restore one of these memories. If you fail… you'll become one."
Jemil narrowed his eyes. "And what's your name?"
A pause.
"…I discarded it."
🔍 Inside the Frost Queen's Heart
The first mirror flickered. It showed an image of a young woman — her — dancing in a field of spring flowers. Her eyes sparkled with laughter, her hands reaching toward a shadowed figure.
"That's you," Jemil said. "Before the Tower."
The Queen stepped forward, eyes narrowed.
"Incorrect. That is an illusion. I never danced."
"You did," he insisted. "I held your hands. We laughed together. You were the most serious strategist in the kingdom—but alone with me, you let go."
Her hand trembled slightly.
"You called me… Lyselle."
She gasped.
The mirror cracked — but didn't break.
"Stop," she whispered.
🧠 Emotional Puzzle
A second mirror activated. This one showed Jemil kneeling before her—placing a silver crown on her head.
"You didn't want it," he said. "But I made you queen of my court. Not for politics. Because I trusted your judgment more than anyone."
She stepped closer.
"I remember… feeling… afraid."
"Yes," he said. "But you were strong. You led. You protected everyone. And you loved me… in your own quiet, perfect way."
The mirror shattered.
The wind picked up.
"Why did I forget?" she whispered.
Jemil stepped close.
"Because the Tower stole all warmth from you. But I'm here to give it back."
🔥 The Ice Melts
Her defenses faltered.
Tears slipped down her cheeks — and froze instantly. Jemil reached out, brushing them away gently.
She flinched.
"I'm not weak."
"You were never weak," he said. "But you deserve to feel."
Suddenly, the throne room began to collapse. The palace cracked, spires falling like glass shards.
"Why is this happening?" she cried.
"Because your heart is waking up. The ice was never real — just armor."
She fell into his arms. "Jemil… I'm scared."
He held her tightly.
"I'm here now. You're not alone."
💠 Lyselle Reclaimed
When the ice cleared, she stood in the snow — not as a queen, but as a woman reborn.
Her regal posture softened. Her once-frozen eyes now shimmered with warmth, confusion, and longing.
"My name is Lyselle," she whispered. "And… I loved you."
Jemil smiled.
"And I never stopped loving you."
She took his hand.
"I… want to feel again. But I'm afraid I'll shatter."
"Then let me hold the pieces."
🎉 Aftermath
As they exited Floor 7, Kaelara smirked.
"Another one down. And this one actually cries."
Lyselle raised a frosty eyebrow. "I can still freeze your tongue, swordswoman."
Jemil laughed.
"Play nice. There's plenty of me to go around."
🔮 Next Time: Chapter 31 – The Beast King's Arena
Jemil must fight not to win a heart—but to survive a savage arena, ruled by a forgotten wife who no longer believes in love… only dominance.
📣 Call To Action!
🧊 Did Lyselle melt your heart?
💬 Leave a comment with your favorite moment!
📚 Add to Library to follow every wife's redemption
🪙 Vote with a power stone if this Tower deserves to keep rising!