~ Bonding ~

The mittens in the decorated box looked awfully expensive. Winter picked them up and turned them over in her hands, letting her eyes linger freely over every careful stitch of the beautiful embroidery.

She sighed. "Do I have to wear these?"

"Only when you're cold," The King replied coldly. "I imbued my magic into them, so you'll feel a surge of heat once you put them on. They can only be used a couple of times, so be sure to come to me after that."

Winter hesitated. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The King let out a sigh. When was his daughter going to start calling him 'Father'?

They didn't know much about Winter's condition, but they had to take necessary precautions should she freeze again. The King's magicians had been working relentlessly over the past few days in order to gather information about Winter's awakening. The only thing they were able to successfully deduce was that her body's coldness could be neutralized with a heavy onset of heat magic. The King had the mittens made in case she wasn't able to get to him or Lysander in time.

"Do you know why it keeps happening?" Winter asked him, tracing a small finger along the finely threaded golden pattern.

"Not yet," The King told her. "It's possible that you're affinity is ice. Ice, however, is the water affinity further developed. When you further develop one of your affinities, your body gradually adapts to be able to accompany the backlash of using it. When I first started manipulating lightning I was electrocuted at least thirteen times. Since you skipped over learning how to use water, your body isn't capable of handling ice yet. It's really quite troublesome."

Winter tilted her head, deep in thought. "I'm starting lessons tomorrow, right? Will someone teach me?"

The King shook his head. "You'll have a basic magic teacher, but since only the Imperial bloodline can use affinities there's no one who can help you."

"Not even you or Alexion?"

"I'm afraid not," The King sighed. "Everyones' affinities and the way they use them are different. This is something you'll have to figure out on your own. I'd like you to refrain from trying to use your ice until we can figure out a way to increase your body's tolerability for it."

Winter nodded, still deep in thought.

"What're you thinking about?" The King asked his troublesome daughter.

"What tea Alexion and I should have today," She said, mind running wild with ideas. "I have so much to tell him."

Alexion was the only person she saw as a friend. She could have tea with Ezekiel, but he looked unwell so Winter sent him away to get some rest. Aiden left for his daily lessons as soon as she returned, so she would just talk to him tonight. She supposed she could invite Lysander as well, but she already spent the day with him and she could only tolerate him for so long.

The King cleared his throat. "You and Alexion seem close."

"Ah," She said, still in a daze. "Yes, we have tea together everyday."

The King furrowed his brows. "Then, I'll join you after I clear my schedule for the afternoon."

"Yes, yes," Winter said unknowingly. "Sure."

The King, satisfied with her answer, ordered the maids to prepare for tea time before leaving the room in search of his aide.

Winter snapped back to reality. "Wait, what!?"

~***~

Winter could not deal with the nauseating atmosphere. Somehow she ended up in the greenhouse having tea with the King and Alexion. The greenhouse was beautifully maintained with flowers of all colours amongst vivid hues of green. The carefully planted flowers stretched further than the eye could see, releasing fragrant scents into the air that reminded Winter of the smell of her room. Winter sighed and dropped several cubes of sugar into her tea. No matter how much she added, it still tasted bitter.

"You'll be starting lessons tomorrow," Alexion told her while stirring his drink. "Are you excited?"

Winter smiled. "Yes."

Winter inwardly cursed at the King. She had wanted to tell Alexion about what she saw at the capital and her experience at the academy, but in the King's presence she couldn't bring herself to utter proper sentences. She felt as if she was choking.

"Good," Alexion said, searching the dessert plates with greedy eyes. "You've read a lot of philosophical works and history books, so I've arranged for your tutors to start with a more advanced level of material."

Winter nodded. "Yes, that's good. Thank you."

"I heard you like to read," The King said blandly. "Should I build you a library?"

Winter choked on her tea, letting out several unladylike and improper coughs. Alexion stifled a chuckle and handed her his handkerchief.

"No, Your Majesty." She said as she wiped her mouth with it. "The Royal Palace's library is already really pretty. I don't need my own."

"Is that so?" The King said mockingly. "I'll just have someone build a prettier one."

Winter let out a long sigh, fully aware they could hear her.

Alexion cleared his throat. "Anyways, we had someone from the academy come forward and ask to become Winter's magic teacher. He's a well known magician and scholar, so I think he's more than suitable to help Winter learn how to use mana."

"Ah," The King said while leaning back in his chair. Even without trying, he looked awfully intimidating.

Winter slurped her tea and studied him carefully.

"I hope you've also arranged for an adequate etiquette teacher." He said to Alexion. "Winter's manners are simply nonexistent."

Winter scowled. "Who cares about that stuff?"

"I stand corrected," He smirked. "A Princess should learn to speak properly. I've been far too lenient with your attitude, but since you've been here long enough it's about time you fixed it."

"Seriously?" Winter said with curled lips. "Why should I? I was raised in attic so excuse me for developing atypical mannerisms."

The King and Alexion froze. Winter, who hadn't realized what she said, continued to sip her bitterly sweet tea. She didn't find a need to adhere to noble etiquette. She was mentally a full grown adult, so she didn't need to sit through childish lessons either. The only reason she hadn't opposed already was because she wanted to learn to use magic. She was already well educated on the history of the world because of having read the grimy books in the attic.

She searched the greenhouse for North and Snowflake, who she allowed to roam freely while she had her tea. She sighed and hoped they were behaving.

"Winter." The King called.

"Mhm?" She said, eyes wandering about.

"Don't ever speak about that place again." He said in a tone that sent shivers down her spine.

Only then did she notice the atmosphere changed drastically. She gulped her tea nervously, ignoring the way her stomach churned with anxiety. Winter hoped her tea would stay down.

"Yes," She stammered. "Sorry."

The King sighed. His daughter was truly peculiar. The way she carried herself and the look in her eyes didn't suggest that she was turning nine soon. She moved about in an adult like way with a cunning tongue. She was extremely well spoken and clever enough to trick Lysander into trading off his book collections for her attention. He frowned at the thought of the many mysteries that came to mind when he looked at her.

Winter fiddled with Alexion's handkerchief in her hand. It was a shade of grey with no embroidery or decorations. She giggled. His handkerchief was just like his personality.

"Can I give this back to you later?" She asked him, mind running wild with ideas.

"Of course," Alexion said. "You can even keep it if you want."

Winter couldn't help but smile. She decided that she would learn how to embroider as quick as possible.