Frostberry

***

Arielle had finished her very delicious lunch. Assisted by a maid, Arielle wore a fairly thick robe with very warm fur wrapped around her neck.

"Lucas, can you walk beside me? I'm not used to walking in front alone."

"It is an honor for me, Your Highness."

The two of them walked down the hall of the palace. Arielle's eyes traced the various paintings hanging on the palace walls. As seen, there were several statues of wolves standing proudly along with statues of soldiers in armor adorning the hallway they passed.

Arielle's steps stopped in front of a window to see the magnificent building in front of her. The building was not visible from Arielle's room because of its back to the building.

"That is the Blackthorn palace, where King Ronan spends his days on duty. While this building is the Whitethorn palace, a place reserved for the queen or the concubines of the future king."

Arielle turned around quickly.

"Princess, don't worry. King Ronan has never been married. Whitethorn Palace is still empty."

Arielle breathed a sigh of relief again. Lucas continued walking while explaining.

"Northendell Palace is square-shaped. To the north is the Blackthorn Palace, to the west is Whitethorn, to the south is the Cathedral where the priests reside, and to the east is the Colosseum, where the soldiers train."

Coming out of the western palace, Arielle found a palace garden that was much wider than the palace garden in front of her room. Arielle left Lucas to dip her feet in the snow. The princess continued to walk towards the pool of water. The hot air made Arielle sigh comfortably.

Lucas came closer and pointed at the rows of glass windows in the Blackthorn Palace. "That is where King Ronan works."

"He was strategically positioned to paint the entire palace scene."

"Can you paint, Your Highness?" Lucas asked.

Arielle nodded enthusiastically.

"Maybe I'll gift you a pair of painting equipment," suddenly, a deep and dark voice came from behind them.

Arielle and Lucas immediately turned around. Both bowed respectfully at the appearance of King Ronan D. Blackthorn. Ronan had just returned from his trip to the eastern border. He didn't know what Arielle had been doing for the past two days.

"Your Majesty."

"Going for a walk?"

Arielle still looked down. "I… asked Lucas to show me the Frostberry tree."

"Ah, I see…" Ronan extended his arm to Arielle. "I will show you more places. Lucas doesn't have many permits to explore the palace."

Arielle clung her hand to Ronan's arm hesitantly. She turned to Lucas, who just stood there smiling.

"Didn't Your Majesty just come back?"

Ronan continued to walk towards the Cathedral.

"Then?" he asked indifferently.

"Aren't you tired?" asked Arielle doubtfully.

"Absolutely not."

As Ronan and Arielle entered the Cathedral gates, both were greeted by an old man with a white beard. He is one of the leaders of the Cathedral, Reverend Elis, who is responsible for religious activities as well as research related to the forces that exist in Foresham mainland.

"I just wanted to show the Frostberry tree to Princess Arielle of Nieverdell. You can go back to your place."

"Very well, Your Majesty. Allow me to resign." Priestess Elis took a few steps back then turned to leave Ronan and Arielle.

In a cathedral garden, four large trees filled with small white spheres are striving. Ronan invited Arielle to come closer. He then pulled the lowest stem and plucked the five white spheres.

"Eat. They are ripe enough to enjoy."

"Is this the famous Frostberry?"

Ron nodded. Arielle could see the faint smile the man gave. That day Ronan's mask looked different. Only half of the face was covered so Arielle could see the lips of the man in front of her.

Arielle took a bite of a fruit and the liquid from the fruit immediately stained her lips. Although the Frostberry fruit looked white, the contents inside were dark red. It tasted really sweet, like fresh honey. Arielle put in one more fruit. Her feet moved with enthusiasm as she enjoyed a new taste that pampered her tongue.

The five fruits that Ronan took were immediately gone. Arielle was reluctant to ask again, but Ronan, who kept watching Arielle, knew what was on the girl's mind.

"You like it?" the man asked calmly.

"This is the most delicious fruit I've ever tried." Arielle nodded shyly.

Ronan smiled, then went back to the Frostberry tree and picked up more fruits. The enthusiastic Arielle took all the fruits that King Ronan had picked up with her robe.

Sometimes she just put it in her mouth. The dozen or so fruits that Ronan picked were gone in no time, making the man wonder how could the girl eat so fast?

"You should not consume too much if you don't want to get a stomach ache. Maybe tomorrow, I'll bring them for you again. That is enough for today."

Arielle, who had been hoping to get another berry let out a disappointed sigh. Seeing that disappointed face made Ronan couldn't have the heart to say no. He took another fruit and placed it on Arielle's lips.

"This is the last one for today. Eat it," he said.

Arielle slowly opened her mouth and let Ronan put the Frostberry in her mouth. As the two's eyes locked, the man's big fingers halted on Arielle's chin.

His thumb brushed the Frostberry nectar that fell on the corner of Arielle's lips. He then licked his own thumb, making Arielle freeze in place.

"Sweet."