FROZEN SOVEREIGN: THE ICEBOUND OVERLORD

Making Up For Past Mistakes

CHAPTER THREE

 Zane arrived at a sophisticated restaurant tucked away at the quiet end of the estate. Normally, he would never step foot into a place like this. Not because he couldn’t afford it—which, to be fair, wasn’t entirely wrong—but because of his past behavior. He had arrogantly spoken harsh words to the restaurant owner and her daughter… All because they had once spoken ill of Madelyn and Ruby. Back then, Zane believed he was defending the people who mattered to him. He thought Alina was jealous after he rejected her.

 He believed she couldn’t accept it and resorted to badmouthing Ruby out of spite. But now—He knew the truth. She had been right all along. Even at the moment of his death… She was the only one who rushed toward him. The only one who tried to save him. But it had been too late. He had already frozen to death. Zane’s gaze dimmed slightly. This time… He would make things right.

 “Welcome, please come in.” A male waiter greeted him with a polite smile and gestured toward a table. “Please, have a seat.”

 Zane nodded and sat down. The waiter handed him a menu and bowed slightly. Zane returned a small smile. Margaret’s restaurant had always been like this—Humble. Respectful. Treating everyone equally, regardless of their status. Perhaps that was why… They managed to survive three whole years into the apocalypse without scavenging. They even shared supplies occasionally—Something Zane himself had benefited from.

 Zane glanced at the menu and quickly placed his order. Egg fried rice. Vegetable salad. Peppered chicken, and a fruit drink. He would enjoy this meal. Because soon… Food like this would become nothing more than a distant dream. Less than ten minutes later, the food arrived. Zane looked up and froze slightly. It was her. Alina. For a brief moment, their eyes met.

 Zane tried to smile… But the weight of guilt pressed heavily on him. All the harsh words he had said to her in the past—They came rushing back. Alina gave a small, polite bow. “Nice to see you,” she said softly as she set the dishes on the table. Then, without lingering, she turned and left.

 Zane’s hand tightened slightly. He immediately regretted staying silent. “…Later,” he muttered to himself. He looked down at the mouth-watering dishes and exhaled. For now—Food came first. Zane picked up his utensils and began eating. Minutes passed. He finished everything. Not a single grain of rice remained. He even chewed on the last piece of bone before setting it down. A deep, satisfied sigh escaped his lips.

 It had been so long… So long since he tasted something this good. “This really is…” he murmured quietly. “…worthy of a restaurant that held three Michelin stars for four consecutive years.” Zane waved for the waiter. “Bill. I’m done.”

 “One moment, please,” the waiter replied as he cleared the table. A few seconds later, Alina returned with the printed bill. “Three hundred and fifty dollars,” she said, placing it in front of him. Zane picked up the slip and nodded. “I’ll make a transfer. Call the account.”

 Alina hesitated, as if she wanted to say something… but held back. “The account number is on the wall,” she said, pointing behind him.

 “Oh, thanks.”

 She paused again before adding quietly, “You can pay less if you don’t have enough. My mom won’t mind.” Zane stopped for a second… then smiled faintly. He lifted his phone slightly. “Done. Thanks for the offer though.”

 Alina nodded and quickly walked away. Zane leaned back in his chair, his gaze following her retreating figure. For a moment, he hesitated. Then, he stood up. His steps were slow as he walked toward the service counter. Alina was there. Arranging dishes quietly. Her expression was calm and distant. Zane stopped a few steps away.

 “…Alina.” She paused—but didn’t turn immediately. A second later, she resumed her work. “Yes?”

 Zane felt a tightness in his chest. “I…” The words refused to come easily. For someone who had faced death, this felt far more difficult. “…The food was good,” he said finally.

 Alina nodded slightly. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

 Silence followed. Zane clenched his fist. No. That wasn’t enough. “…I’m sorry.” 

 This time, Alina stopped completely. Slowly, she turned to face him. Confusion flickered in her eyes. “…Sorry?” Zane met her gaze. For once, there was no arrogance. No pride. “I shouldn’t have said those things to you before,” he said quietly. “You were right… about them.”

 Alina stared at him, clearly caught off guard. “…Did something happen?” she asked cautiously. Zane shook his head. “A lot of things,” he replied. “Things I should’ve realized earlier.” Her expression softened—just slightly. “You used to defend them like your life depended on it,” she said. “Especially Ruby.”

 Zane let out a faint, bitter chuckle. “…Yeah.” If only she knew how that ended. “I was blind,” he admitted. Alina studied him carefully. “…You’re acting strange today,” she said. “I probably am,” Zane replied. He paused, then added— “But I mean it. The apology.”

 Alina held his gaze for a few seconds… then sighed. “…Alright. Apology accepted.” Zane felt a small weight lift from his chest. “But don’t expect things to suddenly go back to normal,” she added firmly. “I don’t,” he replied immediately.

 Alina nodded faintly and turned back to her work. “Anything else?” Zane hesitated. Then— “…Yes.” She glanced at him again.

 “Stock up,” Zane said quietly. “Food. Supplies. Heaters. Water. Medicine. As much as you can.”

 Alina blinked. “…What?” Zane’s expression remained calm. “Just do it.” Her brows furrowed. “Why?” He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to leave. “Just trust me this once,” he said over his shoulder. Alina stood there, watching his back as he walked away. Her grip tightened slightly around the plate in her hand.

 “…What happened to you?” she murmured.

 Zane stepped out of the restaurant. The evening air brushed against his face. He looked up at the sky. “This time…” he muttered, “…at least one person won’t be caught unprepared.”

 His gaze landed on an advertisement poster on the wall. He pulled out his phone and dialed the number on it. “Hello, is this the agent of Nova Domicile?” There was a brief pause on the other end. “…Yes. Are you interested?” Zane smiled faintly. “Yes. I’d like to purchase it. Can we meet now?”

 “Now?” the voice asked, surprised. “Yes. Now. Creamcastle Estate café. A short silence followed. “…I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

 The call ended. Zane lowered his phone and looked away from the advert poster. Just moments ago, he had been wondering where to build his fortress. Now, the answer had come to him. In his previous life, after Nova Domicile was sold, it was discovered that the property had an underground military heat bunker—A hidden sanctuary that allowed its owner to survive deep into the apocalypse.

 From the surface, it looked like nothing more than a worthless, isolated house on a vast piece of land. But beneath—was a lifeline. Zane’s eyes darkened slightly. “This time… That place will be mine.”

 Zane walked out of the Creamcastle Estate Café thirty-five minutes later, a document folder in his hand. Inside it—The ownership papers of Nova Domicile. He had just paid two hundred and eighty thousand dollars for the seemingly worthless one-room apartment sitting on a vast stretch of land adjacent to his current residence. Now, he had less than ten thousand dollars left. Zane exhaled softly. It was worth it.

 “Zane! I’ve been looking for you all over town. Where did you go?” The moment he arrived home, a sweet, cherry-like voice rang out. Ruby. In the past, his heart would have fluttered at that voice. But now, it only made him feel sicken. The door swung open, and Ruby rushed toward him with open arms. Zane stepped aside. Thud! She tripped on her heels and fell face-first to the ground. “Zane!!” she screamed.

 “Ruby, are you okay?” Edgar rushed forward, quickly helping her up. He tried to dust the sand off her face, only making it worse. “Stop!” Ruby snapped, pushing him away. If not for the money Edgar showered her with—If not for how he indulged her every whim, she would have never settled for someone like him. Short. Unattractive. Nothing like Zane. Still, she didn’t mind playing both sides.

 “Zane, why did you do that?” Ruby complained, her tone turning coquettish as she stepped closer again. “Look at me—I’m covered in sand…” She reached out to hold him. Zane pushed her hands away without hesitation. Edgar immediately pulled her back protectively. Zane’s lips curled into a cold smile.

 “Look at the two of you,” he said mockingly. “Anyone watching would think you’re the real couple.”

 “What are you talking about?” Edgar snapped. “You just don’t know how to treat a lady. How can you be so harsh? Don’t accuse me of treating her well when you clearly don’t.” He smirked. “Besides, I’m doing far better than you. I don’t see anything wrong with her being with me.”

 Zane felt nothing but disgust. And Ruby—She said nothing. For a moment, Zane almost laughed at himself. He had once worshipped her like a goddess. How ridiculous. “You want her?” Zane said flatly. “Fine. Take her.” He shrugged. “Saves me the trouble of thinking of a breakup message.” Without another glance, he walked past them and headed inside.

 “Stop right there!” Ruby shouted, her voice rising sharply. Zane paused but didn’t turn.

 “How dare you discard me for your cousin?” she cried, her eyes instantly filling with fake tears. “Do you really have no feelings for me? I love you, and yet you treat my love like this…”

 Zane let out a cold scoff. “Love?” He slowly turned around. His gaze was icy. “You call that love? Sleeping with him behind my back?” Ruby froze. “Did you think I didn’t know?” Zane continued calmly. “You only got together with me because Edgar told you to. I was just something for you both to use. Something to humiliate.” His voice dropped colder. “So don’t stand there pretending to be loyal… weak… or pitiful.” Zane’s eyes darkened. “It’s disgusting.”