Dungeon of Niflheim
Chapter 805 - 805: A tour of Niflheim

Frost and Khione quickly made their way to a dining hall, one that was reserved for small or private gatherings as Khione didn't think she'd be able to stand hearing her the chatter her siblings would drum up the moment they saw the two of them together.

Within the room was a medium sized dining table that could seat six people comfortably, four if the individuals were of a larger build i.e. Khione.

The materials used were still of the highest quality just smaller and fewer in number which fostered a cozier atmosphere, a setting that was reinforced by the lack of statuesque guards lining the walls.

The only people present were a few servants, two who were in charge of cleaning and preparation and a third who greeted and served the guests.

"Welcome Princess Khione how can we be of service to you today." Seeing Khione walk in the third servant smiled from ear to ear and greeted her in a polite yet friendly manner, clearly experienced in dealing with the youngest Princess

"The usual but double please." Khione casually answered, holding up two of her fingers as she took a seat at the table.

"Of course Princess, we'll have it ready in just a few minutes." Khione always ordered the same thing at this time therefore the servants had her request memorized and would usually start preparing it in advance of her arrival, shortening her wait time.

Taking note of the second individual, a man who'd they'd already been informed of earlier the third servant lightly bowed in greeting before leaving for the kitchen.

'So that's Prince Frost…how handsome.' Like Khione much of the servants had been spoiled when it came to beauty thanks to the many Queens, Princesses and Princes but mostly because of the big man himself, the Primordial Ice King someone who had few equals…Frost now being one of them.

"It may not be as glamorous as what we ate last night but it'll still be better than what you're used to." Seeing the servant leave after giving Frost a couple extra glances Khione suddenly felt a little irritated therefore she lightly teased him.

"Yes, yes my palette is lacking, my wealth is vastly inferior to yours and I have to drink slop for potions whenever I'm injured, you've made your superiority clear." Replied Frost, his nose scrunched up in annoyance. He was used to the occasional teasing and normally he'd simply let the words roll off his back but for some reason when it came to his lack in wealth he always felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Khione may be a spoiled Princess who might struggle in the real world but that didn't stop him from envying her life. The food he ate last night had completely destroyed his view of luxury.

"Oomph hit a nerve did I?" She asked bringing her left hand to her mouth so as to cover the small mischievous smile that was forming.

"..." In response to her jest Frost merely glared at her in silence, refusing to admit anything. His silence however was an answer in itself.

Seeing how grumpy he got Khione decided to change the subject while they waited for this 'usual' that she'd ordered.

"Last night my mother helped me create a little checklist for our outing, noting down some of the more popular and more unique aspects of the city for us to visit, hopefully you'll enjoy the experience."

When it came to planning a tour Khione was practically useless, her hobbies and most thoughts being about training, training and more training therefore she was delighted to have her mother take charge, trusting in her wizened judgement.

Though she had a couple of her own inputs the vast majority of the list was designed solely by Frejya and unbeknownst to her with a specific goal in mind.

Khione pulled out a small notebook from her storage ring that contained the aforementioned list but in addition to that there was a plethora of suggestions, advice and even warnings filling practically every single page. Her mother really went to town with her help, far too much in her opinion, it was just a simple outing after all, but she wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, accepting it with a grateful and smiling expression before she escaped to her room to sleep.

"We've got the winter solstice botanical gardens, I went there a few times when I was younger, quite a sight even if you're not much of a botanist." Some of the places on the list Khione had never been to or even heard of before but there were some like the gardens which she visited many times in her youth and had rather fond memories of.

'I remember playing hide and seek with Bianca, Lumi and Angelo.' Though she was the youngest of the bunch -at least for now- there wasn't much of a gap between her and the next three, Bianca and Lumi who were 25 years old, twins born from the same mother and Angelo the youngest son who was 26.

Years ago the four of them were taken to the gardens and allowed to roam freely -to a degree- exploring the endless botanical wonder in fascination before eventually doing their best to hide from their chaperones, good times.

"There's a range of restaurants and cafes to visit depending on when and how peckish we get." Khione flipped through the pages, the first time she'd actually read the full the list and accompaniments.

"Niflheim rapids, the wild oceanic cruise, the Primerio hall where there's either a play, ballet or orchestra on, we'll find out when we get there I guess." The first two options actually quite appealed to her but the latter not quite so much but then again this tour wasn't just about her.

"We've also got the realm's prided moonlight gallery, home to Niflheim's greatest artworks and if you really want to learn the down and dirty of how the realm formed the national history museum which has archives dating back over a million years." Again neither option really appealed to her, far too boring for her liking but for Frost the museum sounded like a treasure trove of usable knowledge.

Khione's list continued to roll off the tongue without end noting far more than a day's worth of activities even if they used the teleportation system reserved for those with status to quickly move through the city.

"Stop, stop that's far too much stuff." Frost had to put his hands up and stop her as he only had a finite amount of time to spend on relaxing and touring.

"Oh...it is quite a lot isn't it." Replied Khione as she scrutinised the list her mother came up with. There was enough activities here to last them a week perhaps two.

'I forgot, he's going to leave soon.' Suddenly Khione felt sad and a little lonely. Without Frost, who would trade barbs with her without fear, who would tease her playfully and in turn be teased by her and most of all who would be willing to train alongside her, keeping up with her strict regime with a smile on their face.

Despite only knowing him for a couple days Frost had become closer to her than even some of her siblings, a confidant who she was happy to be her true self with and a friend, her first friend who she shared a great many similarities with. Thinking about him no longer being nearby caused frustration to brew in her heart, hating the idea so much that she unconsciously started to frown.

"If you don't want to do it it's fine I won't force you." She practically spat, feeling annoyed for a reason she didn't quite yet understand.

"Huh? That's not what I meant how did you even come to….never mind it doesn't matter just hand me the list I'll pick a few and you pick a few, the rest we can do the next time I visit." Frost was caught unawares by Khione's sudden shift but didn't dwell on it, people weren't always so easy to understand after all. Maya would occasionally become huffy for no reason and Daki would get a certain glint in her eyes when they were talking normally, promising him pain if he didn't stop whatever it was he was doing.

"Next time?" Khione lit up like the night sky on a stormy night the moment Frost mentioned coming back.

"Yeah next time, you think I won't come back here, this place is awesome. Great food, great sights and of course great company." He replied with an obviously flirtatious wink which caused Khione to beam with joy.

"Mmn mmn the best." She knew well how amazing she was, who wouldn't want to spend time with such a bombshell.

'Her confidence in her own worth rivals mine.' Frost thought internally finding her attitude endearing rather than off putting. He even found himself smiling and feeling warm when he saw the joy in her expression.

Khione had him hook line and sinker….perhaps the time apart would be harder on him than her.

Rip!

Feeling eager Khione ripped out several pages from the notebook and handed them to Frost.

"Here." She said curtly before diving into the parts she kept.

"Thanks." Frost thanked her awkwardly thinking that they'd just take turns reading it not literally split the contents in two.

Thus while waiting for their first meal of the day Frost and Khione studied the recommendations written by Freyja for their little outing.