Chapter 4: Sleeping

JACKSON looked up at the night sky with a frown on his face while he is sitting comfortably at the window sill of the large window of his messy room. A series of disappointed sighs came out of his mouth from time to time while his mind was wandering. Then, he pouted. Afterwards, his gaze went down the first floor just underneath his room.

Should he find her? Should he escape again?

"How could you leave me there alone without even giving me your name? You're so cruel, my lady," he muttered in a disheartened tone.

"I wonder, how is she now?" He sighed as he irritatedly messed up his hair.

"I didn't even know her name. Damn it!" the man said disappointedly as he looked up at the sky again.

"How long are you going to sulk there? Why don't you fix your room first before anything? Your whole room stinks, you know?" he heard his sister said.

"Shut up, Paris!" he roared like an angry beast as he glanced at the direction of his sister.

"No! You shut up, shitty brother!" his sister roared back with much greater intensity that made him shut up immediately before rounding his eyes in bewilderment after realizing what just happened.

"SISTER, why did you come out?" Snow asked Zeiden.

"[I just felt like leaving you all alone...]" Zeiden paused upon realizing she replied using the imperial tongue. Then, she shook her head.

"That's a family moment and an intruder like me shouldn't interrupt," she answered without looking at the kid.

For some reasons, Frost's eyes felt something to her that she couldn't erase them in her mind. It felt like every time she tries, the image of his eyes keeps on appearing in her mind whenever she closes her eyes. They were cold and... They were simply cold... But they also felt warm for some reason she couldn't completely understand. They were like the first batch of snow that falls in the beginning of winter. Although they were cold, once they reached a person's warmth, they will heat up and turn into liquid. They were like a pile of snow in someone's yard during the end of the winter—once the spring comes, it will melt.

"You can speak using imperial tongue! You also cured my brother. How many things can you do? You're so talented! I'm so envious," Snow said with enthusiasm. Her eyes were filled with admiration despite of saying she is envious of Zeiden and she is genuinely happy for her.

Zeiden smiled and looked at her.

While holding Snow's two fat cheeks, she replied, "Nah. It's just a coincidence and I'm not. It just—poof!" she insisted as she laughed.

"Anyway, sister!" Snow tried to change the subject upon realizing it won't reach anywhere.

"Yes?" Zeiden replied while her hands are still on the child's face.

"Here! I drew you earlier! I found you beautiful like an angel that's why you had wings!"

She smiled proudly while showing Zeiden her drawing. The receiver's face was immediately filled with surprise upon seeing the mesmerizing drawing of the kid. It was an angel descending down from heaven with a golden long hair and a pair of wings that are widely spread on her back. The heaven in the drawing looked as if it split open to give the angel a way down. Around the wings, a few fallen feathers could be seen.

"This is so great. You are an amazing artist, Snow! Thank you. I'll make sure to keep this precious art of yours carefully. I'll treat it like a treasure," Zeiden replied happily as she took the art inside her space ring. Afterwards, her hands went back to Snow's chubby cheeks; squeezing them as if they were a stress ball.

Because of what she had done, Snow pouted yet she didn't complain.

When Zeiden grew tired of Snow's cheeks, she left them with a satisfied smile on her lips. After that, silence fell between them.

"Sister!" the kid exclaimed before pulling the girl into the living room so they could sit down.

"Yes, kiddo?" she asked.

"What do you think of my brother? He is handsome, isn't he?"

A light grin is plastered on Snow's face. Her face was filled with pride while mentioning her beloved brother.

With the thought of him, her lips twitched before pressing into a thin line. Remembering his cold eyes made her feel clueless at something she couldn't pinpoint.

Why does it feel like she wants to know the reason behind that?

"Yup. He is indeed a beauty. There's no point to deny that," she answered with honesty.

"Do you like him?"

Zeiden was stunned by the kid's question. Her eyes widened before she managed to reply.

"Just a crush maybe? I mean, you know, he got an attractive face like the guy I saved while I'm on my way here. I like attractive faces," she said casually.

Even though it was just a little crush, Snow suddenly squealed while jumping on her place. Then, Zeiden covered her mouth, embarassed at the kid's reaction and clueless to why is Snow reacting like that. She only told her that she might be crushing on her brother like how she had a fleeting crush to someone she saved during her journey but why did she have to act like a worm that was sprinkled with salt?

Snow giggled like a teenager and screamed so loud when Zeiden was lost in her thoughts.

"I think my brother likes you, too!"

Now, it is her turn to laugh, that made Snow's forehead to crease.

"How can you say that, kiddo? Did you watch too many dramas and read many romantic books? That's so unrealistic," Zeiden straightforwardly said.

But the smile still lingered on the child's lips.

"When he opened his eyes earlier, they immediately got stuck on you!" she exclaimed.

"Then?" Zeiden stated in a flat tone.

"That's it, right? What if your older brother is just going crazy or having a seizure in the first place then you're still thinking about something that has no sense at all instead of caring for his wellbeing?"

Zeiden stood up.

"Okay, okay!" Snow surrendered sadly with a sigh.

"Kiddo, lead me to where I can sleep," Zeiden said before she yawned and stretched her arms.

Snow gladly led her to their guest room and as soon as her body landed on the soft bed, Zeiden fell asleep soundlessly.

EARLY morning while everyone inside the cold castle is still in their deep slumber, Zeiden was already awake. She was about to leave the grand castle when she decided to check on Frost first to make sure that there are no other complications.

When she reached Frost's room, Zeiden expressed a genuine smile upon seeing the young man sleep comfortably with his breathing that is already in its normal state. Hah! Her blood is really amazing, but she wonders, who does she take after?

After having a silent discussion with herself, she decided to check his temperature. However, before she could even do that, the young man unexpectedly opened his eyes. That is why before her hand could even land on his forehead, it immediately froze like an ice statue on the air.

They stared at each other for a while before the girl woke up from her shock.

In a blink of an eye, Zeiden swiftly made her way out of Frost's room as if a thief that was caught stealing, with a heart that is beating so loud.

Outside the room, the girl placed her hands on her chest while listening to its sudden change. Afterwards, she started walking slowly while trying to calm herself down.

"What's up heart? What are you doing? Calm down," the girl said as if she was talking to an actual person.

CYCLONE Worcestershire is a young good-looking prince from the Kingdom of Mintoq who liked being alone and has a hobby of reading since he was a kid.

Right now, Cyclone is at the back of the Mintoq Palace, his usual spot at the garden. He is currently sitting on the grassy ground, leaning against the trunk of the bushy tree next to him without care for the world while quietly reading another book about spells and potions.

Then, in the middle of his absorption to reading, he suddenly heard a faint crackle coming from the top of the tree. Although it was suspicious, he did not pay attention to it because his books were more important to him than anything else so, he paid no heed and continued reading. What if it was just a bird? Why would he have to take his eyes on his book just because of some bird?

However, only a few minutes passed by when the weak crackles suddenly got louder. Cyclone clicked his tongue in annoyance as he glanced upwards, after that, a very beautiful woman with a green pair of eyes and green long hair suddenly fell from above.