their eyes shone like ice flowers

༻𖥸༺

OBELIA HAD WINTER, THAT MUCH can be clearly said, but because of its warm climate conditions, all it did during winter time was making temperatures drop and people cranky. Rarely did it snow within the empire, the only constant source of it residing in the mountain chain laying in the northern part of the nation.

Athan, in his former life as Ye-Jun, knew what snow looked and felt like, but this new body didn't; not to be said that he missed the semi-solid hydrogenic compound. He'd rather not become yet another collateral victim to multiple snowball fights.

(Though, let's be real, only those foolish enough would try to rope in the Crown Prince of the empire.)

In spite of his indifference towards the cold season (minus the festival一he liked the fireworks) and the several yeast he'd spent in this world without experiencing the joys of snow, it would seem that Felix made it his mission to have the two imperial males have the day to themselves.

"Your Majesty can take today off and spend time with His Highness. The paperwork is scarce at worse and it has been a while since the last time."

Thus, Claude found himself having an armful of ten year old as they walked the gardens in the Golden Palace.

Placind his chin on his father's shoulder, the young prince looked back at the Crimson Knight that followed closely at their heels.

Athan knew why Felix was doing this (he wasn't stupid, thank you very much), but he doubted the effectiveness of his schemes.

With having Lady Diana die barely a few months ago, Calude was still in a pissy poor mood and it seemed that having his son close kept his fluctuating temper at bay.

(He was unofficially dubbed 'The Emperor's Calming Draught' by the scarce staff of the main palace.)

"Your Highness has never seen snow, right?"

He couldn't ignore the beaming smile of the knight's face. He just couldn't. It would have been a crime to do so, really.

Nodding in confirmation to the red hair, that seemed to prompt him in a long talk about the only time he'd seen it, when he was a child and had dragged his father out in the gardens to see.

"一His Majesty was so surprised. He had this wondrous look in his eyes and they just sparkled when he saw the snow. It was really adora一"

"Felix. Ten steps behind."

"Ah... Yes Your Majesty."

Tilting his head to look up at his father, the child offered a warm smile when his eyes met the mirrored ones of the older man. Seeing his son look at him like that, the Emperor's lips quirked upwards in a barely-there smile.

'Well... I guess I'll entertain you.'

"Dad?"

A humm.

"What does snow look like?"

'Would you look at that...?' Athan had a hard time holding back his amusement from showing itself on his face. 'They both stopped walking.'

Sending an innocent look up at Claude, the child tilted his head in a questioning manner that would have had Madam Iris scolding him for his mischief.

"Why are you asking, Athan?" Wow, his father hid his surprise rather well.

"Well," And he was not dragging the word just to be a little shit and increase his father's dread, "I was just wondering; plus, I'm not allowed to go into town for the festival until I'm older." The second part of that sentence had nothing to do with the question, but they didn't need to know that.

"..."

Pursing his lips at that statement, Claude looked down at the child he was holding in his arms and an idea bloomed.

"Would you like to see?"

"?" Curiosity peaked, Athan nodded eagerly, waiting with bubbling anticipation for what was to come.

With mana gathering at his behest, the older of the two royals snapped his fingers and in that one instant, the garden's appearance altered.

On the ground, small ice flowers covered the grass in a small layer of hail, sleet turning the trees a luminous silver and snowflakes falling in a gentle dance around them.

Claude felt quite accomplished as he saw his son's eyes sparkle at the sight, his whole face lighting up in glee.

"Wah!" The wide smile on Athan's face was directed at his father. "Dad! Dad! Dad!"

Smiling softly, the blonde ignored the volume of the overly eager voice in his ears. "Yes, Athan?"

"Can you teach me that?" small hands gripped at his clothes, his body leaning back in his father's hold, and, had it not been for said father's reflexes, nearly falling. "Can you? Can you?"

"Hmm... I don't know... Can I?"

"Please!"

Felix watched, warm eyes filled with fondness at the duo in front of him, as the little prince continued to prod at his father for confirmation.

Another year has passed.

✂------------------------------------------

merry christmas and a happy new year everyone!

i'm currently on holiday, spending time with my family and taking a break from the world and it's insanity.

it doesn't feel like christmas, all things considered, but i am thankful for the opportunity to take things in at my own pace and enjoy a few weeks of just lazing around the house.

this year hasn't been the best, and i honestly don't even know when it passed by so fast一 it seems just like yesterday it was easter and quarantine was just a temporary thing.

(oh, how naive we were.)

while i know that next year will be most likely a sequel to this one, i pray and hope that you're keeping yourself and your dear one's safe and that you're fighting, because there's a lot to be fighting for.

i wish you all happy holidays and i'll see you in january with chapter 9.

peace ✌️😗