LYDIA'S POV

　　Her lips quivered as she tried to hold back her tears. "I understand your sense of duty, but this… this is too dangerous. Can't you send someone else?"

　　"I could, but they haven't returned. The nobles refuse to send more help. It has to be me. I need to go myself to find out what's happening and provide aid. Our people need answers and hope. If I don't do this, who will?" I explained, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

　　She sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging with resignation. "You're so much like your father. Stubborn and determined. I see his spirit in you."

　　"And that's why I have to go," I said gently. "For him, for you, and for our kingdom. I'll be careful, I promise. I'll take a small team with me and do everything I can to stay safe."

　　"But-"

　　"I am sorry to interrupt but I had to intervene when I realized what was happening here," Oleg said, stepping into the stable. His sudden presence startled both me and my mother.

　　"Oleg, please tell her that it's foolishness to leave like this," my mother pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

　　Oleg looked at my mother with a calm, understanding gaze. "I want to, Your Majesty, but as I am loyal to the royal heir, I can't say those words. Only a true leader can understand the pain of their people, and Lydia is doing the right thing."

　　My mother's eyes widened in surprise and dismay. "But Oleg, she's my daughter. She's all I have left. How can you support this?"

　　Oleg placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Queen Kate, I understand your fear. I understand your desire to protect her. But Lydia's strength and determination are what this kingdom needs right now. She is not just your daughter; she is the future queen. And a future queen must lead by example, even if it means taking risks."

　　My mother looked between Oleg and me, her eyes filled with tears. "But she's so young. So much like her father… I can't bear to lose her too."

　　Oleg gently guided my mother a few steps away from me, his voice low and soothing. "She has the heart of a true leader, just like her father. We must trust her to make the right decisions. I will ensure that she is well-prepared and protected. But please, let her fulfill her duty."

　　I watched as my mother's resolve wavered, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I just… I just want her to be safe."

　　"I know, Your Majesty," Oleg said softly. "And she will be. I promise you that."

　　Oleg then turned to me, his eyes full of quiet support. "Lydia, I will make sure you have everything you need for this journey. You are not alone in this. Your father would be proud of you."

　　A wave of gratitude and guilt washed over me. I felt grateful for Oleg's support but also guilty for having doubted him before. "Thank you, Oleg. Your support means a lot to me."

　　He nodded, a small, reassuring smile on his face. "It's my duty and my honour to support you, Princess."

　　Oleg gently took my mother's arm, leading her away. "Come, Your Majesty. Let's give Lydia the space she needs to prepare."

　　As they walked away, my mother looked back at me one last time, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and pride. "Be safe, Lydia. Come back to us."

　　"I will, Mother. I promise," I said, my voice strong despite the emotions swirling inside me.

　　As I saddled my horse, I couldn't help but feel the weight of her worries on my shoulders. But I knew I had made the right decision. The South Guard Pack needed me, and I was determined to help them, no matter the risks.

　　Brandon and Evan supported me silently by joining me in this journey.

　　The journey to the South Guard Pack had been grueling from the start, but the worsening weather conditions made it nearly unbearable. The sky darkened prematurely as heavy, swirling snowflakes blanketed the landscape. The wind howled like a wounded animal, making every step forward feel like a battle against an invisible foe. The snowstorm was unlike anything I had ever experienced; it was as if nature itself was conspiring to keep us away from the South Guard Pack.

　　I struggled to keep sight of Evan and Brandon as the storm intensified. The biting cold seeped through my clothes, chilling me to the bone. My horse struggled to move through the ever-deepening snow, and the howling wind made it impossible to hear anything but its own ferocity.

　　"Evan! Brandon!" I shouted, my voice barely carrying over the wind. But there was no response, just the relentless roar of the storm. Panic began to rise in my chest as the visibility dropped to almost nothing. I couldn't see them, couldn't hear them. I was utterly alone.

　　The snowstorm continued to rage as I urged my horse forward, hoping to find some sign of the path or my companions. Each step felt heavier, each breath a struggle against the freezing air. My mind raced with fears of being lost in the storm, never finding the South Guard Pack, never finding Evan and Brandon.

　　Just as I was about to lose hope, a dark shape loomed ahead through the swirling snow.