Lia's POV

The boutique which had the best cosmetics the city had to offer was fully booked, and Shelby wasn't happy with that.

We couldn't do anything about it though, so we were currently trudging through ankle deep snow down small, slippery roads.

Shelby had decided to find some other shop that sold good cosmetics.

Against my better judgment, we went out into the snow to search for a shop.

Now we are lost.

Shelby was shivering lightly as we searched for a way back home.

I still had a lingering headache, constantly reminding me that Link wasn't around to lead us back home.

Our day off was starting to turn into a nightmare.

"Which way did we come from?" Shelby stared the white expanse that greeted us.

It was starting to snow heavily, and I could barely see a meter away.

"Lia?!" Shelby sounded further away.

There was a layer of ice on the ground, and it was extremely slippery.

I turn around quickly, holding Shelby's wrists before she could fall.

"Wow...nice catch..." She said shakily, exhaling a cloud of breath.

"Yeah... I'm just gonna keep on holding you. I don't want you to get lost in the snow." I tell her.

She nods, slipping her hands into mine.

I navigate the streets, snaking my way over to the town square. Shelby was basically holding my hand and blindly following, as my heightened senses allowed me to see the silhouettes of buildings and scattered debris from someone's kitchen.

The town square was a barren field of white and black shadows, as people rushed from one shop to the next as to avoid the blizzard.

I found the nearest shop and brought Shelby in.

"That weather is great!" Shelby smiled. "It's just that I can't see anything."

I chuckle, looking around. The shop we entered seemed to be a fortune tellers shop.

A scarfed gypsy lady was sitting cross legged behind the counter, humming to herself.

As I was opening my mouth to inquire about her business, she spoke up.

"We are waiting for two more lost in the storm." The lady opened her eyes. "Would you like some tea while we wait?"

Shelby seemed surprised by the offer.

"If you wouldn't mind. Tea would be great." She said, teeth chattering.

"I'll go make some then. Make yourselves comfortable." The gypsy lady gestured at the cushions laid out on the floor.

Shelby dusted snow off her clothing before plopping herself down on the cushion nearest to the hearth.

I settled for a stool near the entrance of the shop. The snow was still falling hard, effectively blocking out any view of the street.

I sigh, turning to watch Shelby shiver by the hearth.

The fortune teller was saying that we were waiting for two more. Who could they be?

As I pondered, the gypsy lady returned with a tray of tea and biscuits.

"Help yourselves." The lady gestured to the tray.

"I am Tia. There is something about you two that stands out from the rest of Zavenu, and we await your familiars." Tia returned to the cross legged position we saw her in earlier.

"Familiars?" Shelby turned to look at her, confused.

"They'll be here soon." Was all Tia said.

I could see Shelby opening her mouth and closing it. She wanted to ask her questions, but Tia didn't seem interested in talking.

And when I felt him. Link is back!

I was ready to throw open the door and hug him, but Tia beat me there.

She had vaulted over the counter like a hare and swung open the doors.

Link leapt into my arms and another figure appeared by the doorway.

And seeing that figure's silhouette stopped my heart for a second.

It was a buck, with an all knowing look in his eyes.

I was tongue tied, and could barely breathe. Shelby came over from the hearth and the buck acknowledged her presence.

And something sparkly, trickled down her face as she wrapped her arms around the buck's neck.

"Welcome back..." Was all Shelby said.

Before long, her moment was ruined by the slamming of a wooden door.

Everyone turned to look at Tia who was causally straightening her ghostly white hair which had slipped out of the scarf she was wearing.

"You guys need stuff for the ball?" She asked us innocently.

The buck bellowed lowly, and Link snorted in half-amusement.

<•=❅❄️❅=•>

Bee's POV

I awoke to a bright, barren looking room. I was under a rather thin woolen blanket, and was rather disoriented.

Before I started panicking, I recalled leaving castle grounds with Will and... Frost.

Speaking of Frost, where was he?

I crawled out of the bed and left the room. I stepped into the living area and looked around.

Parker was in the kitchen, busy making what looks to be...another quiche.

"Morning." I greet him, walking over to the kitchen.

He leapt up in surprise and almost knocked over a cup of coffee sitting by the counter.

"Good morning Princess!" He greeted me.

"Would you like some tea? Coffee? Scones?" Parker turned pink and flustered.

"If I'd ask so politely, I'll have some tea and a scone please." I tell him as I slipped into a seat by the table.

As swiftly as I sat down, Parker had returned with all I asked for.

Before I could open my mouth to inquire, he replied.

"Will told me you'd have all these for breakfast, always."

Will knows my eating habits? I always assumed he'd always be hiding in his room, but I guess that's not true... I smile, thinking to myself.

"So where's Will?" I look around.

"Well, he returned to the castle last night to sort your disappearance." Parker returned to his quiches.

"So...he left me here? On the day of the ball?" I start to worry.

Father will probably talk Will's ear off for any excuse he would give him. The Princess cannot simply not be there when there is a ball to prepare for!

The palace staff and Father would've wrangled Will to death, if not for the fact that he was the Prince and my brother.

"I need to return to the palace right now!" I got up from the seat.

"No. It's alright, I'll take you there. The King will understand. Now help me with the quiches." Parker held out three woven baskets, full of quiches.

"Am I to carry them all?" I question.

"...no? You need a change of clothing. You can't go that gown." Parker frowned.

I stared at my silk gown. I guess I can't wear this back to the castle...

"I think Will left a spare dress in your room...or something like that." Parker placed the baskets on the counter.

"You get changed. I'll grab out the last batch of quiches and I'll get the cheese from the cellar. We'll go to the palace together." Parker shooed me into the room.

So...both Frost and Will decided to abandon me... I sighed.

By the bed, was a chair that I had not noticed earlier.

There was a green dress draped over it, with my fur coat and fur boots on the bedside table.

Making sure Parker wasn't being a creep and watching me change, I slipped off my night gown.

<•=❅❄️❅=•>

When I returned to the living area, Parker had three more baskets at the counter.

"You're done? Great! These are for the ball, grab three and let's go." Parker gestured to the baskets.

I grab three baskets, two filled with quiches and one with cheese. Parker grabbed the other three baskets.

And we headed back to the castle.

<•=❅❄️❅=•>

A bit anticlimactic at this point, but the best is yet to come, I promise!

This chapter was 1298 words.