Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 133: Private Collection

Recurring images of a man who resembled Grim standing before what looked like Ao Shun. Though he looked younger than Grim was. Each time Grim felt close to understanding what he was seeing, the dream would change.

He woke to the same crystalline chiming as the previous day.

The servant who entered said, "Lord Ao Shun requests your presence at the evening feast," the servant announced. "Appropriate attire has been provided."

Laid out on a table of ice were formal garments unlike those he’d worn the day before. These were clearly ceremonial—a robe that was a deep blue with silver trimming and a formal overcoat trimmed with the same silvery fur that had lined his bed.

"A formal dinner," Suanni said by way of greeting. "It seems we’ve been upgraded from prisoners to honored guests."

"Or at least, well-dressed prisoners," Bi’an replied dryly.

Their escort led them through a different series of passages than the previous day, ascending rather than remaining on the middle levels of the palace. The architecture became increasingly elaborate, spiraling columns that weren’t touching the ground or the ceiling.

Eventually, they reached a set of massive doors.

"Lord Ao Shun awaits within."

The doors swung open silently, revealing a chamber that would take anyone’s breath away. The Frost Hall was enormous. Larger even than the throne room they’d first seen. Columns of ice rose from floor to ceiling, each carved to resemble a different sea creature caught in mid-motion.

A long table of ice sat at the center of the hall, surrounded by seats for at least fifty guests. Ao Shun sat at the head of the table. To his right sat Xu Wu, and to his left was an empty seat that Grim suspected might be for Lin.

The rest of the table was occupied by what appeared to be the court of the North Sea—lesser dragons and high-ranking ice sentinels. All watching the new arrivals with expressions ranging from curiosity to open hostility.

"Nephews," Ao Shun acknowledged as they approached. "Human. Join us."

Their places had been marked—Bi’an and Suanni relatively close to Ao Shun, with several court members between them. Grim’s seat was much farther down the table, placing him among what appeared to be minor functionaries and lesser nobles.

As he took his seat, Grim felt the cold stares of those around him. The lesser dragon to his left shifted subtly away, as if proximity to a human might be contaminating. The ice sentinel to his right simply ignored his presence entirely.

Servers began bringing out dishes—strange foods that Grim couldn’t tell what they were. Ice goblets were filled with a liquid that changed colors as it was poured.

"First time at a sea court dinner?" asked a voice from across the table.

Grim looked up to see a female lesser dragon watching him with an amused expression. Unlike most of the North Sea denizens, her scales had a hint of green among the blue and silver.

"Is it that obvious?" Grim replied.

"You’re staring at the glow-fish like it might bite you back," she said with a slight smile. "It won’t, by the way, though the frost eels might if you’re not careful."

"Thank you for the warning. I’m Grim van Ambrose."

"I know who you are, human. Everyone here does." She inclined her head slightly. "I am Neri."

Neri’s eyes glinted. "Though I find humans far more interesting than he does. You’re such adaptable creatures. You survive in environments that should kill you, creating tools to compensate for your physical limitations. Fascinating, really."

Before Grim could respond, a hush fell over the table as another figure entered the hall. Lin walked in, wearing an elegant gown. Her hair was put up with two ice picks through her hair to keep it up.

She took her place beside her father, who acknowledged her with a nod before addressing the gathering.

"The North Sea welcomes its children to feast," Ao Shun announced, his voice echoing through the hall. "And extends hospitality to those who come in peace."

His gaze lingered briefly on Bi’an and Suanni, then swept past Grim as if he weren’t there.

"We feast as we have for ten thousand years, in the traditions of our ancestors who carved these halls from the eternal ice."

With that declaration, the meal formally began. Conversations resumed around the table, though notably quieter near Ao Shun himself.

"Your presence has caused quite a stir," Neri commented to Grim as she delicately picked up what appeared to be a still-writhing frost eel with two clawed fingers. "A human at the Dragon King’s table is unprecedented."

"I get the impression not everyone is pleased by this," Grim replied, noting the continuing cold shoulders from his immediate neighbors.

"The North Sea court is... traditional," Neri said diplomatically. "Many here remember conflicts with humans from the human realm that you would consider ancient history."

"How ancient?"

"The first of these disputes would have occurred during the reign of your Empire’s first dynasty," Neri replied. "The oldest happened when life as we knew it began."

Throughout the meal, Grim noticed Lin watching him, though she made no attempt to address him directly. Whenever Ao Shun turned his attention elsewhere, her gaze would find Grim. If it was anyone else, they might get uncomfortable with how much she was looking him up and down.

Similarly, Bi’an and Suanni occasionally caught his eye, subtle glances that suggested they had things to discuss when they were away from the scrutiny of the court.

The final course had been served. It was a dessert of crystallized fruits that dissolved on your tongue with an explosion of sweetness. Ao Shun rose from his seat.

"The court is dismissed," he announced. "My nephews will come with me. The human may return to his quarters."

With that abrupt end to the proceedings, the court began to disperse. Bi’an and Suanni followed Ao Shun through a side entrance, Bi’an giving Grim a quick, meaningful glance before departing.

Neri stood, offering Grim a slight bow. "It was interesting to meet you, human. Perhaps we will speak again before your... departure."

Something in the way she said "departure" made Grim wonder if she knew something he didn’t know about how long they would be staying.

As the hall emptied, Grim found himself alone with the exception of a few servants. He was about to ask one of them for directions back to his chamber when a soft voice spoke from behind him.

"The official tour missed many of the palace’s most interesting places."

Grim turned to find Lin standing there, closer than he expected. Up close, he could see just how beautiful she was.

"Princess Lin," he acknowledged with a bow. "I wouldn’t want to upset your father."

"Even if I’m the one guiding you?" she asked with a hint of mischief. "I think not even my father would object to me showing a guest my personal collection."

"Personal collection?"

"Of human artifacts," she clarified. "Much more interesting than the official exhibits. If you’re curious, that is."

Grim hesitated for a second before agreeing. "I would be honored."

Lin smiled, "follow me," she said. Turning toward a small door hidden behind one of the ice columns. "And don’t worry about getting lost. I know all the palace’s secrets."

She led him through passages he hadn’t seen before, narrower and less ornate than the main corridors. freewebnoveℓ.com

"My father doesn’t approve of my interest in the human realm." Lin explained as they walked. "He believes that contact between our realms should be minimal."

"And you disagree?" Grim asked.

"I find it difficult to fear what I find fascinating," she replied. "Humans create such beautiful, strange things. Your art, your music, your inventions—all so different from ours. How can understanding these be harmful?"

They came to a small door formed from blue ice rather than the clear ice used in most of the palace. Lin placed her hand against it, and the door melted away, reforming behind them once they had passed through.

This room was different compared to the rest of the North Sea Realm. The room had shelves that were filled with objects from the human world. There were books, paintings, musical instruments, clothing, jewelry, and countless other items Grim recognized.

In the center of the room stood a detailed model of a human city, complete with tiny figures going about their daily lives. It wasn’t any city Grim recognized—the architecture was older, perhaps from a previous century.

"My collection," Lin said with evident pride. "Gathered over decades."

"It’s impressive," Grim replied honestly. "How did you acquire all this?"

"Some from shipwrecks, like my father’s official collection. But mostly from trading with surface dwellers who don’t realize what I am." Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I can alter my appearance when I need to."

She moved to one of the shelves and picked up a small music box. "This is my favorite."

She wound it, and a tinkling melody played.

"My father would be furious if he knew the extent of my collection," Lin continued, setting the music box down. "He tolerates my ’peculiar interest,’ as he calls it, but believes I should focus on more appropriate things."

"Like what?" Grim asked.

"Ice sculpting. Water control. Politics." She shrugged, the movement sending ripples through her gown. "All very practical and proper. Nothing as frivolous as human music or literature."

She picked up a book bound in faded leather. "Have you read this? ’The Collected Works of the poet Lian Xi’? It’s from your Eastern provinces, I believe."

"I’ve heard of it."

"The imagery is extraordinary," Lin said, carefully opening the book. "The way he describes water and mountains—it’s almost as if he had seen our realm."

As she spoke about the poetry, Grim realized how isolated she must be in her interests. In a court that viewed humans with suspicion or outright hostility, her fascination with human culture would be seen as inappropriate.

"Why show me this?" Grim asked. "Aren’t you taking a risk?"

Lin closed the book, her expression turning serious. "Because something is happening that concerns both our realms."

"You mean Jiaolong’s actions?"

"Not just that." She moved closer, lowering her voice despite the privacy of the chamber. "My father doesn’t know I saw what Jiaolong took from our archives."

Grim felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. "What did he take?"

"A key," Lin replied. "One of four that were separated after the last Dragon Emperor’s passing. Each Sea King holds one, protecting it as their most sacred duty."

"And what do these keys open?"

Lin’s eyes met his, the swirling patterns within them moving faster. "The Emperor’s Tomb."