Ludmilla: Winter Owner/Story

Spoilers!*"Your greatest villain Drake shall warn you, SPOILERS AHEAD!"*The following article or section contain **spoilers!** Viewer discretion is advised.

Overview**Story**VoicelinesGallery

## Behind the Scenes

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Bi Joo-eon

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Lauren Landa

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Ai Kakuma

## Profile

**Ludmilla** wearing her special outfit as the owner of the Snowfield Hot Spring located in the north.

### Nikke Backstory

Ludmilla, who has become the owner of Snowfield Hot Spring, lights the lantern, guiding those who are lost.

## Story

#### Episode 1 - Unsent Letter

In her dreams, a former sovereign was reflecting upon her upbringing. She was taught that to share as a noble was a sacred duty, but knew all too well that being taught and putting what you have learned into practice are two different things. The elites that rule the Ark have lost their way, including her family. While they had donated some of their wealth to help many children, something she feels proud that they have done, she feels she no longer is nor fits the role of a noble sovereign and has no right to send them a letter.

While in her lucid state, a familiar voice calls out to her. Upon waking, she's surprised to see Servant is up so late. He was going to doze off, but happened to find her first. He sensed she was not having a nice rest and decided to wake her up. He was curious about what was causing her so much discomfort, but she remained quiet while fiddling with an old piece of paper. Her attention was shifted to something in the distance outside, as if she was struck by a sudden epiphany. After regaining her composure, Ludmilla admits to being cold, something the protagonist could understand given she left the window open. She did so to help clear her thoughts, but ended up nodding off instead. As he closes the window, Ludmilla offers to share a cup of tea with him given it doesn't seem like he intends to head to bed anytime soon.

As the hot spring owner was busy with her brew, the commander was fixated on the piece of paper she was previously holding. He was able to discern its recipient was Angel Orphanage. Before he could finish contemplating if he should read through it or not, Ludmilla returns with tea in hand. After pouring each of them a cup and reclaiming the paper, the two drink in silence for a bit. The commander was the first to speak by inquiring about the letter in her possession. It was something she wrote long ago and should've been sent much earlier. It was written so long ago, Ludmilla has forgotten when it was written. While she wouldn't elaborate about if it was important, she refused to discard it after all this time. She assures him it has nothing to do with him, but he can still sense her unease and her exhaustion. Since she's been solely running the daily operations of Snowfield, it's reasonable for her to be so tired. To help her relax to some extent and to help get her thoughts in order, Servant offers to handle things for a while. Seeing his point, she agrees to allow him to take charge for the time being. She returns the letter to her pocket.

#### Episode 2 - A Sovereign's Duty

Back in her dreams, Ludmilla remembers a press conference a wealthy pair held regarding the children raised in Angel Orphanage. They appeared sincere in their desire to help the orphaned youths lead long and happy lives. This was something she used to believe, but she would learn the truth.

Upon waking up the next morning, Ludmilla has grown weary after having relived the same dream multiple times now. She discovers a blanket was covering her and a cold cup of tea was placed by her side. She figured Servant was responsible and she would thank him the next time they met. After stretching to make herself limber, the letter in her pocket falls to the ground. She glances at it for a while before deciding to pick it up. Since she has her duties to attend to as the owner of Snowfield, she heads outside to get to work. While on her way, the cold was enough to help her focus, but she couldn't shake the feeling she was forgetting something. Her concerns were quickly ignored and she began her inspection.

Having also woken up early, Servant was ready to cover for Ludmilla. He too sensed the chilly weather and after reading the operator's manual she personally wrote, he heads to the walking trail to start cleaning. However, once he arrived, he was greeted by silence and a path devoid of snow and dry leaves. Confused as to how things could be so tidy, he moves on to the restaurant, only to be greeted by a similar situation. The place was spotless and no one was around. Everywhere he went to, whether it was the bamboo forest or the dormitory, was spick and span and devoid of Nikkes. Now that he was a bit glum that he was unable to fulfill his promise, he heads to the dormitory, only to bump into Ludmilla who was surprised to see him up. He reminds her of what they had agreed upon and figured she took care of everything for him. She apologizes for ignoring his help and for making him wake up so early for no reason, but he's not offended by it in any way. Noticing her condition hasn't improved, the commander offers Ludmilla to join him on a walk. She feels spending some time together would be nice.

#### Episode 3 - Tangled Threads

Even though she was wide awake, Ludmilla's thoughts were fixated on the past. She was instilled with the values the sovereigns were indoctrinated with, but these thoughts were muddled with the reality of what Angel Orphanage had done. The facility was accused of abusing the children in their care and the sovereigns pulled their funding because of it. Her parents did so as well and this was enough to reveal what the nobles truly were to her.

Having been strolling together for over an hour now, The Queen of Snow and her servant have spent their time talking about all that has transpired since arriving at Snowfield. Their conversation was able to lift her spirits and has managed to keep her engaged. Things changed when the focus was placed on The Carronades, Belorta and Mica. Sensing she was lost in her own thoughts again, the protagonist again showed concern for his friend. She admits to wanting to get something off her chest, but suggests the two do so over lunch.

At the restaurant, she had prepared a light soup for him. One sip was enough to warm his entire body. Getting back on topic, Ludmilla questions if he has noticed anything different around the hot spring. After hinting that things are much quieter than usual wherever they went, the commander realizes no one else has been around besides the two of them. Both were confused as to what was going on, but agreed to look around in case they happened to find any other Nikkes.

Despite exploring until dusk, they were unable to find anyone else anywhere. Ludmilla deduces the others are purposely avoiding them. After staring at some bamboo leaves and regaining her composure, she decides that they should return to the dormitory to hopefully get some answers.

Upon their arrival, night has fallen and the two head to the room the Carronades are staying in. Mummering could be heard after she knocked on the door and after a bit of time, Mica poked her head out. With some light questioning from Ludmilla, Mica agreed to share why everyone was keeping their distance. They felt that since Ludmilla has been working so hard for their sake, they have decided to give the two of them space so they can enjoy each other's company. They knew Ludmilla would refuse this if they asked her directly, so they kept this a secret from them. Ludmilla promises not to reveal what Mica shared and she hoped they two would continue to have fun alone together. After Mica quickly returns to her room, the two are left in a daze after learning why things are so quiet. Ludmilla proceeds to take the letter out and offers Servant another cup of tea. This time however, she intends to share what's on her mind and what was written.

#### Episode 4 - Ludmilla, the Nikke

Trapped in her thoughts once more, Ludmilla mulled over what she felt her parents truly were; parasites. Their sense of nobility was nothing more than a publicity stunt so they could retain their "noble" title, not caring how many were hurt to do so. Denouncing her family was the crux of what she had written. After all this time has passed, neither her abandonment of her bloodline nor the accusations she hurled at her parents meant much now.

While in this trance, the commander could clearly see the anguish she was exuding while she was drinking. After the teacup was half full, she began to speak. Before she became a Nikke, she was a sovereign who was instructed to "prove her nobility" from a young age. This sense of pride was evident when she learned her family was regularly donating to an orphanage. This convinced her that her lineage was the noblest of the sovereigns and she was determined to live up to those ideals. She originally sent letters to bring hope to the children accompanied with donations. She eagerly awaited a response heralding her pure and honorable actions. She's embarrassed by the person she used to be. That response never came and Ludmilla's expression became more sorrowful.

About a year later, a scandal erupted surrounding the orphanage in which the children were mistreated and abused, to the point that some had died as a result. This revelation caused Ludmilla's family to respond by cutting all financial aid to them. It didn't matter what happened to the orphans. To them, restoring their reputation was more important. This was enough to shock her into realizing her family was nothing but leeches draining the resources from the poor to flaunt their wealth and status to others. All that time she had spent waiting was for nothing. The rest afterwards he basically knew. After encountering the Goddess Squad, Ludmilla left her family and became a Nikke. The person she once was died long ago and she became the protector of the north base. After handing him the letter, she admits to writing another expressing an apology to let things go, but the orphanage had long gone out of business so sending it would be pointless. She now regrets having prioritized her image instead of helping the children, sacrificing them as a result. The letter itself had become yellow and old and he noticed many instances in which Ludmilla edited it while reading it. It now serves as a cautionary reminder of who she was and it makes her question if she's still doing wrong by others. Their current situation makes her worry that history is repeating itself and though Snowfield was meant to be enjoyed by the Carronades, she fears she's only indulging in self-satisfaction.

Servant reminds her that mistakes can happen at any time, but admitting when you make them is what a strong person would do. He feels Ludmilla has grown from who she was. His advice managed to calm her nerves and she confesses she probably should've brought this up with him from the start. She also figures he knew what was wrong upon seeing the letter. Feeling better than she had for a while, Ludmilla wishes for Servant to stay with her for a while longer.

#### Episode 5 - The Fragrance in Snowfield Hot Spring

The next morning, the two are sharing tea with each other again. The others are still keeping their distance so the two can continue their alone time together. Though she jokes he was in on this from the start, she's more than content having him solely in her company. She feels the time they've spent together will help make Snowfield Hot Spring better. From outside the window, the laughter of the Carronades could be heard loud and clear, which brought a smile to Ludmilla's face. After pouring two more cups, she reveals she no longer intends on running Snowfield alone. She now wishes for the others to help her and is willing to either divide the labor into teams or will accept volunteers. The brew which has a hint of jasmine in it was very tasty, She informs him that a multitude of factors go into how tea tastes like the brewing method, time, and temperature, even if the same leaves are used. She's aware not everyone likes her style so she often takes others' tastes into account. She does this as a means to show that she cares for that person and a similar methodology applies to expressing gratitude. Now that the misunderstanding with the others has been cleared up, Ludmilla took the letter and set it on fire.

Looking at it made her question if she was proving her nobility. Now, looking at Servant does something similar. With no need for the letter anymore, she hopes that its recipients will finally read it. He hopes they will feel it as well.

As the letter burns away, a smile fitting the queen of the northern base runs across her face. He's glad Ludmilla was finally able to find peace. As the two continue to sip their tea, a floral fragrance fills the air.

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