The carriage rolled to a stop, and Killua met Gon's gaze. With looks of fiery determination on their faces, they exchanged a nod. They then waited for Nerezza to open the carriage door and pull down the steps. Gon exited the carriage first, with Killua close behind him. They stepped down onto the cobblestones, feet leaving footprints in the light dusting of snow.

"Welcome, Masters Gon and Killua," Isolde said, "To the Ice-Spear Palace! Center of our humble village, and the home of the High Priestess!" Killua was at a loss for words, as per usual when he came face to face with the glorious architecture of this metropolis.

The palace shot hundreds of feet up into the sky, it was enormous. The structure was built in the same color scheme as the rest of the village: dark colors, with dark woods and stones. There had to be at least 20 separate spires shooting up to the heavens like spears (it was no wonder it was called the Ice-Spear Palace). The woodwork was intricate and beautiful, and the stone lining the spires was carved without a single imperfection. Snow lined the carvings, arches, and buttresses, giving it a halo of shimmering white. Ice cycles shot down from ledges and balconies, some reaching 10 feet in length. Paned glass windows seemed to line every outer wall, and the highest of the spires reached all the way up into the clouds.

The palace was constructed in the dead center of the village, and though it was a mere ant compared to the surrounding mountain peaks, it dominated the horizon line like nothing Killua had ever seen. He had thought that Kukuroo Mountain had an imposing castle.

He had clearly possessed not one inkling of the definition of the word "imposing."

"This way," Nix beckoned, and the two boys slowly followed their guides' lead, necks craned to take in the incredible structure before them.

They entered through the enormous wooden doors, and the main entrance was just as stunning, if not more so, than the outer structure itself. While every other interior they had seen in this village had been dark colored just like the outside, the inside of the palace was a shimmering white. White marble floors, quartz lining the walls, crystal chandeliers and candelabras, ice sculptures around every corner.

Light poured in from the enormous windows, and beams of sunlight sparkled against the shimmering floors. Unlike the Hidden Oasis which possessed architecture that screamed "alive," this palace felt like a block of solid ice. Everything was so perfect that it felt as if no humanoid was welcome, it was as if this unparalleled beauty was not for Killua's mortal eyes to take in.

Even though countless Neko-Girls were milling around the palace like ants, constantly cleaning and polishing the various surfaces, the palace seemed dead. Like a dark cave. The aura of the place was that of darkness, a complete opposite from the bright colors all around. As the sun set behind the mountain peaks, the sky stayed gray and white. No oranges or pinks in sight, furthering the icy feeling.

After a long trip through more winding, maze-like architecture (I'm impressed that the Neko-Girls always know how to navigate these crazy places) the group of five arrived at a pair of crystal doors.

"Wow! It looks like the doors are made of ice!" Gon exclaimed in wonder, as he had been doing for the past ten minutes.

Zephyr smiled as herself and Nix opened the double doors.

Isolde led the two boys into a grand dining hall. Everything in sight was made of opaque crystal, and gargantuan windows lined the outer walls, giving a spectacular view of the icy landscape and sunset.

At the head of the longest table Killua had ever seen, sat a woman.

She had golden blonde hair that curled out in every direction like a bed of snakes. Her skin was pale and her eyes were a crystalline blue. Her ears and tail were a delicate white bordering on pink. A crown of what appeared to be ice sat atop her head, and she was dressed in a billowing, painstakingly intricate, pale pink gown lined with white fur.

Isolde, Gon, Killua, Nix, and Zephyr stood in that order in a line at the foot of the table, and all bowed low in unison.

"Her Majesty, High Priestess Camilla," Isolde said in reverence.

"It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance," Gon and Killua said in perfect synchronicity.

"My name is Gon Freecss."

"And I am Killua Zoldyck."

"Arise, esteemed guests," the High Priestess said, her voice was like honey. "Please, sit," she said as she motioned for the seats at her left and right hands.

Killua sat on her right, and Gon sat on her left. The table was rectangular, and they sat directly across from each other in the closest seats at the head of the table where the High Priestess sat.

Once they had been seated, a procession of Neko-Girls entered the room, and took their seats. From Killua down were Circe, Eirisse, Nix, Isolde, Araysh, Opal, Hecate, and Georgina. From Gon down were Radella, Desdemona, Zephyr, Nerezza, Rhea, Orinda, Edana, and Lennon. From there an assortment of other Neko-Girls of whom Killua was unfamiliar with.

Each and every Neko-Girl they had come to meet had attended the dinner.

So it is the second scenario.

Killua met Gon's gaze from across the table, and they shared a silent exchange.

The plan for this situation was for them to answer each and every question the High Priestess posed, and at the middle of the meal Gon would distract the High Priestess while Killua tried to pry information from whoever sat next to him. He couldn't have guessed that it would be Circe, but this was actually the best possible outcome.

Everyone sat in silence as the first course was laid out on the table: a clear colored soup with a sprinkling of herbs on top. Killua and Gon did as the other Neko-Girls did: waiting until the High Priestess took her first bite before eating.

Killua watched Gon with scrutinizing eyes as he daintily sipped a spoonful of soup into his mouth. The horned boy ate in the exact same way. Thank the gods. I was concerned that he'd eat like a heathen like he usually does. I'm glad he listened to me about how to eat.

"Gon, Killua," High Priestess Camilla said as she glanced at each of the boys in turn.

The Valkyrie and the hybrid respectfully gave her their attention.

Gotta be on our best behavior.

The dining hall was dead silent, every pair of ears was honed in on the conversation between the High Priestess and the two heroic travelers.

"I give you my gratitude for your heroics last night, you two have proven to be our saviors. I am in your debt."

"It was nothing, your Majesty, it was our pleasure to step in," Killua said in a sickeningly sweet voice. They had agreed that Killua would do most of the talking, as he was trained extensively in the art of talking to royals. Also there was the fact that Gon was brutally honest no matter who he was talking to. That could prove problematic.

"Tell me, what brings you to our humble village?"

Humble village? This place is anything but. Hell, everything in this room is made of solid crystal.

"Gon and I are traveling through the mountains to Yorknew City."

"We are on a journey, searching for what my blood consists of," Gon finished.

Perfect, just like we practiced.

"A journey of self discovery?" High Priestess Camilla said with a smile, "How valiant, I wish you the greatest of luck."

"Thank you, your majesty," the boys responded in unison.

"Where do the two of you hail from?" she asked next.

Just as I suspected.

"I am from a human residence called Whale Island, it is very far away, and not on most maps," Gon answered.

"I come from Kukuroo Mountain, the land of the Dragonite Valkyries."

A series of inaudible feminine gasps arose from the table.

"Kukuroo Mountain, a place of incredible beauty. Remind me what your last name was?"

"Zoldyck, Killua Zolkyck. I am the third son of Chief Silva and Queen Kikyo, and heir to the throne."

The High Priestess smiled sweetly, however, there was a bone chilling undertone to it.

"It is a pleasure to meet your formal acquaintance, Prince Killua. We are truly honored to have you a guest in our village. I do hope that my handmaidens have been treating you well?"

Interesting. So our handmaids are actually her personal staff. This proves that Camilla has had us under our thumb the entire time we've been here. It is safe to assume that she knows every detail about us that her handmaids found out. This lady is bad news, I can feel it. She reminds me of my mother, and not in a good way.

"Yes, they have been incredible!" Gon said with a grin. Desdemona and Radella blushed at the praise.

"As Gon said, their service has been unparalleled," Killua added, making sure to slip in an undertone communicating that there was no need to punish Circe and Eirisse for not knowing he was a Crown Prince and treating him as such. Camilla just barely flicked her left ear, signaling that she had gotten the message.

Gods, I hate shit like this so much.

The meal continued in that manner, High Priestess Camilla would initiate small talk and Killua would do the majority of the talking, with Gon chiming in every once in a while. The two boys were setting it up so that when Gon led a conversation the High Priestess's attention would be fully captivated at the sudden influx of words from the hybrid, leaving Killua to pry at Circe without Camilla overhearing.

Once the fourth course arrived, the rest of the Neko-Girls at the table began chatting lightly, and soon the dining hall was filled with the light din of courtly conversation. This was their signal to initiate the plan. Gon blinked at Killua, and Killua flicked his ear.

"Your Majesty?" Gon asked Camilla in the most sweet and innocent voice Killua had ever heard.

"Yes, Gon?"

"Your village is so beautiful!"

Camilla smiled sweetly and genuinely, her guard rendered useless against Gon's Gonness. "Thank you, dear. I am touched to find that you think so."

"Would you mind telling me how this village was founded? I'd really love to know!"

The High Priestess's aura changed to one notably lighter than before, and she launched into a monologue detailing the history of the village.

Killua watched and listened to the conversation for a couple of minutes, his lips turned up at the corners. Gon was practically glowing. His eyes sparkled with curiosity and genuine interest as he listened attentively to the High Priestess's words. He was a shadow of black against the crystalline surroundings, matching the now nighttime sky. The black brought out his eyes, making their amber depths even more apparent, and the gold accented them perfectly. The pale atmosphere made him look even tanner, and the speckles across his cheeks sparkled in the clear light cascading down from the chandeliers.

Killua found himself lost in Gon's eyes, even though they were directed at the High Priestess, and not at him. A soft warmth pooled in his chest, slowly growing warmer with each second he spent watching his friend. Suddenly remembering the task at hand, Killua snapped his eyes away from Gon, and got his head out of the clouds.

The Valkyrie turned his attention to Circe, who was cutting the quail breast on her plate.

"Hey, Circe."

The dark skinned girl put her utensils down and respectfully gave him her full attention, "Yes, Prince Killua?"

"You can drop the honorifics, ya know. I don't like formal stuff like that."

"If that is your wish."

"Anyways, I was wondering. Whenever we ask about the monster, no one says anything. What's the deal with that?"

Cirece pinned him with her milky brown gaze. A notably different reaction than those Killua had gotten any other time he'd brought up the subject. "I assume that you already know the answer to that question," she said, devoid of the usual formal air in which she spoke to him.

"Perhaps."

After a thirty second long starting contest, Circe sighed and continued cutting her quail. "You know I can't answer that, Killua," she said as she slipped the knife through the tender meat.

Killua took a bite of creamy mashed potato. "Wow. Wasn't expecting you to drop the formal-speak at my first request," he said with his mouth full. The Valkyrie swallowed, and then continued, "I was fully prepared to have to tell you a bunch of times, and for you to always refuse my request."

Circe gave him a scrutinizing look, more and more of her true personality shining through the handmaid's mask with each passing word of the conversation. "You seem to be confusing me with Eirisse."

Killua smirked at the deadpanned jab at the blonde on Circe's other side.

The two fell into a comfortable silence for a couple of minutes as they turned their attention to their food. The silver haired prince spoke up again, "You sure you can't tell me anything? Not even one sliver of information?" He swished his tail behind his chair mischievously.

"Consider my lips sealed."

"You guys are super weird, ya know that?"

"Uh huh."

For the remainder of the meal Killua chatted with Circe, and once Gon's conversation with the High Priestess ended he joined in as well. Desdemona and Radella joined next, and to everyone's surprise, so did Camilla.

Killua was impressed with how Circe handled entering a casual conversation with her regent. Desdemon and Radella took it in stride as well, but Circe by far took it with the most grace.

Finally they had arrived at the final course: dessert.

Killua's favorite.

A plate with a slice of dense chocolate cake was laid out before Killua. The Valkyrie felt his mouth start to water, and his tail wagged behind him in excitement. He waited impatiently, for the first time that meal, for High Priestess Camilla to take her first bite. The second her dainty lips closed around the fork, Killua sunk his own fork into the moist cake. The texture was flawless, and he even felt pockets of chocolate throughout the layers.

It looks so rich! I know my cakes, and this one is so incredibly CHOCOLATE that the average humanoid wouldn't be able to get even halfway through! Challenge accepted.

Killua rose the cake up to his mouth, but before he could lose himself in CHOCOLATE, an ear splitting roar echoed down from the mountaintops, and shook the palace itself with its jagged scratch. The crystal goblets shook, and water sloshed about. The chandeliers tinkled against each other, and the window panes rattled.

The roar faded off into the distance, leaving a ghostly chill up Killua's spine. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, and he could feel a resounding aura leaking off of Gon.

The Neko-Girls continued their meal as if nothing had happened.

Killua met Gon's wide eyes across the table.

The hell? Was that the-

The Valkyrie looked at Circe for confirmation, she nodded softly, face impassive as she chewed her cake.

That was the monster from last night.

The utterly unbothered atmosphere in the room was chilling. The meal continued as lighthearted and carefree as ever. But rather than being relaxing and enjoyable, now it was chilling and ominous. The air about the Neko-Girls was a complete opposite of what it should have been considering the situation.

Killua and Gon looked at Camilla.

"Your Majesty," Killua said in a serious tone, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. The various conversations stumbled to a halt, as a hint of Valkyrie bloodlust was seeping from Killua in response to the threatening roar.

"Yes, Prince Killua?" High Priestess Camilla asked with an air of condescending nonchalance as to his reaction.

"That thing Gon and I fought off, what is it? And why won't any of you tell us anything about it?"

The High Priestess met Killua's cold, sapphire gaze with eyes a thousand times colder.

"It is just nature running its course, nothing to concern yourselves with," her voice was a warm summer day, not at all matching her eyes, which were a deadly winter storm.

Conversation over.

The Neko-Girls resumed their chatter.

Gon and Killua gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, before returning to their dessert. Circe peeked out the corner of her eye at Killua, and Camilla watched the two boys with a sinister look that spoke volumes about her true nature.

The cake was heavenly, but Killua found himself unable to eat but one bite.


AN: Succession War cameos! I love Second Prince Camilla so much, she's such a queen. so obviously i had to make her THE queen