4 - Chapter

After that day, I realized that I was not in the Archduke's main palace at all, but only in one of his many possessions. The Palace of Mystery was only a stop on our journey. The main residence of the Archduke and the place where the legendary Winter Ball is held is called "Ians".

It's a strange name, but as they later explained to me, it means "winter" in translation. Perfect for a land of eternal cold. And I also learned that the Winter Ball is not just a celebration, but a New Year's Eve party that takes place here on December 31st.

However, the simple "New Year's Eve" was not majestic enough. Instead, the ball is called "The Great Day When the New Year Begins! Sure, it sounds pompous, but in the spirit of local tradition.

I've heard that this ball will be very different. This time, His Majesty the Emperor and the Great Chief Athanasios himself would be present. This event took on even greater significance, for it was not every day that such great personalities gathered in one place.

I was curious to know what brought Chief Athanasios to Siletium. This people has always been a mystery to other lands. The Athanasiosians avoid unnecessary attention. They rarely leave their lands, let alone travel so far. The question was simple: what could have motivated him to leave his homeland and attend such a social event as a ball in Siletium?

It's really all so nice and comfortable here, it's hard to believe it will be over soon. Agatha and Michelle have become good friends, and they really care about me. I feel like I'm in a fairy tale, and so many people here go out of their way to make me feel like a princess. But... I know I can't get used to it. I can't relax because I know that it could all disappear in an instant.

December 31st is the day when everything will change. The ball, which will be the most important event of the year, will be attended by the Emperor and Grand Chief Athanasios. I can't stay here. I will not allow myself to be part of a game that others have already played for me.

I will flee. While everyone is engrossed in the festivities and merriment, I will slip away. I've already planned everything down to the last detail. Far away from everything, to Vivet, to the elves. Their lands are only fifty kilometers from Ian's palace, and I'll manage to get there before it's too late. This is my chance. No more crowns, no more lavish halls, no more manipulation. I will be free.

December 10th.

I've already tried all the local sweets, but I still want more! The people in the kitchen are so kind. The cook keeps giving me scones and muffins and I can't resist. Sweets are my weakness. Covered in powdered sugar, I leave the kitchen with my hands full of goodies.

But how I hate winter. Why wasn't the kitchen built inside the palace? Why does it have to be in a separate building? To get to it, you have to wade through the snow-covered garden. And then back the same way, in the bitter cold. It's so uncomfortable! Every time I walk through the snow, my feet freeze to the bone.

This time, I decided to run faster, wishing to be in the warmth sooner. But as soon as I accelerated, I slipped and fell into the snow with a thud. The treats flew around. I was about to get up when I suddenly noticed something - no, someone - lying next to me.

It was a boy. He was lying there in the snow, his face contorted in pain and his hands clutching his chest as if his heart was about to stop.

- Oh my God... - I whispered in horror.

Has he been hurt? Why is he here, alone, in this condition?

I stood up quickly, trying to get a better look at him. I had to do something, but the confusion made it impossible for me to think.

- Hey, are you okay? Are you hurt? - I blurted out, even though the answer was obvious. Man, I could tell he wasn't okay! Why did I ask such a stupid question?

I leaned closer and placed my hand gently on his forehead. He was hot as a burning coal. The temperature.

- Don't... don't touch me. Get out... - he gasped and pushed my hand away.

What? Rude!

- Look, I don't like messing with you either, – I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. - But I can't leave the baby alone like this. I just want to help.

He tried to answer, but his voice trailed off and he just gasped, clutching his chest even tighter. I felt my irritation give way to fear. He might not make it through the night if I left.

I took off my warm cloak and covered him. There, that felt better. But now I was freezing and a shiver ran through my body. We have to call the adults or he won't make it.

- Boy, I'm going to call the adults right now, and while you're... don't die, okay?

- NO! - He shouted suddenly, opening his eyes sharply. - Don't... don't call anyone. Just go...

I froze, trying to figure out what was happening to him. He's delirious now, isn't he? He has a fever. Or maybe he really wants to die, but he's doing it in a "heroic" way, trying to make me hysterical?

- You know, I'd like to go, – I said, trying to stay calm. - But, you see, I have a conscience. And if tomorrow everyone knew that a poor boy's body had been found in the garden, my conscience wouldn't survive it.

I leaned closer and continued, – So bear with me. I'm going to help you whether you want me to or not.

- I said no... - he gasped, barely looking at me.

Why is he so adamantly against it? What the hell is going on? Has he done something wrong? Or is he just afraid of being found out?

I bit my lip, wondering. Whatever it was, he clearly didn't want anyone else involved. And oddly enough, I thought he sounded desperate, not stubborn.

- Okay, – I murmured quietly and sat down next to him. - But just this once. If you don't want me to call the adults, then I have to stay here with you.

I'm probably doing something really stupid right now. But for some reason, I just can't leave.

I have to do something to keep him warm. But I don't have anything else, and it's too far to walk to the palace. I'm afraid he won't make it.

I looked at him lying in the snow and sighed. It seemed I had only one choice. I'd heard somewhere that during the war, soldiers slept in each other's arms to keep warm. It sounded strange, but I guess it was time for me to become a soldier.

- Well, army duty calls, – I muttered, pulling off another layer of clothes to cover him better.

I lay down carefully next to him, trying to cover him with my body and transfer some of the warmth. The snow was icy and the cold chilled me to the bone, but I decided to ignore it. The important thing was to keep him warm.

- You're going to regret telling me not to call the adults, – I said softly, my teeth chattering from the cold.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze blurred.

- Stupid... - he gasped, struggling to move his lips.

What the...? I froze, staring into his face. Was it just me, or did he really have sapphire eyes? So bright, so deep. Unusual for a mere boy.

But maybe I'm just fooling myself. I don't believe that the son of an archduke would be lying in the snow like this, alone and unguarded. It's impossible. Or is it possible?

I felt a shiver run down my spine, but not because of the frosty air. Maybe I'd just gotten into something I didn't understand.

At times like this, it's especially frustrating that I'm still young. If I were older, I might have more strength and ideas about how to save him. But now all I can do is endure and... stay awake.

I shook him lightly by the shoulder, hoping he wouldn't pass out completely.

- Hey, kid, let's talk. We've got to hang on somehow or we're screwed.

My voice was shaky, but I tried to keep it cheerful.

- My name is Emilia. I'm nine years old. And you are?

I froze, waiting for an answer. Talking was the only thing that could distract us both from the freezing cold and keep him from fainting.

- Louis... 12 years old, – he said slowly, as if struggling with each word.

- It's nice to meet you, Louis. - I tried to smile, though it was hard to see through the frost. - I like books. Do you?

A little conversation might lighten the mood a bit, though I wasn't sure how important that was right now. But maybe if he calmed down a bit, it would help his condition.

That's what I thought until I felt my own temperature start to rise. Shit. What the hell am I doing? Why am I lying in his arms when I could have just called the servants and taken care of this faster?

I tried to ignore the heat coming over me, but my chest tightened with worry. We were both in this situation now, and if I didn't call for help, it could end badly. But... I couldn't just get up and leave him here, freezing in the snow.

With an effort, I lifted my head and tried to concentrate again. I had to make a decision.

I hugged him tighter, trying to warm him up a little. But... oh, no. My eyes are closing by themselves. I can't do anything about it. The cold takes its toll.

Before I finally fall into the darkness, I mutter weakly:

- If I never open my eyes again... and die here... it will be your fault.

I felt my body grow heavy and the world around me begin to fade away, swallowed by the fog of cold.

Could this be the end? Maybe I'll die like this here in the snow, freezing next to a strange boy? Although, to be honest, it's still better than dying at my mother's hand.

I tried to think that I at least had a chance ..... but somehow fatigue and coldness had already taken over my thoughts. If I don't wake up, maybe it won't be so terrible. Just end it all, leave no more pain.

But before I fell into total darkness, I wanted someone to know that I hadn't given up.

Here's the final version:

At least in the aftermath, I'd like to know, will anyone remember the princess? I do.

I thought about how quickly people forget, how quickly those who weren't there fade from memory. I never asked to be great or important, but . a little recognition, a little caring - is that too much?

And now, in this moment, I couldn't help but feel a growing darkness engulfing me, as if I had never existed.