She had been confined to her room.

The lack of her presence was obvious and easy to recognize. It felt as if the small warmth that had been able to gather in the throne room suddenly vanished.

The guards had not even realized until several days passed without her, how much they had all found entertainment in watching her.

She seemed like a miniature sun, the embodiment of the warmth that she had been born into from her place of birth, wrapped securely and personified.

There were endless hours of silence, nothing but the small noise of paper as the King read through documents and consulted quietly with members of his council.

Even those who came to the throne room were subdued, as if they were unconsciously aware that something was wrong, and voices should not be raised.

They had been standing in silence. It was a silence that made Marcos want to inhale deeply, but the cold bit into his lungs sharply, causing pain every time he looked at the lonely figure of his king.

It was in this silence, several days in, when her voice could be heard.

Her song was faint...distant.

Marcos was sure she wasn't even aware of just how far the sound was actually carrying. Maybe she was in her room and had left the balcony doors open.

Several minutes of this passed, a stiffness coming over everyone as the song surrounded them and the melody continued.

Wilmot hesitantly approached the King, "My King should I-,"

"Ignore it."

That was all he said.

And for another hour they could hear her. She would stop and then suddenly start, pause halfway or at random change into a different song.

Marcos never was able to recognize the language of her songs. They were all foreign, but at times, he thought he could identify what the songs might be about.

There was one song- just one- that made him almost stop breathing as the pure sorrow etched in every line, filtered through his awareness.

He dared not turn to fully look at the King, but in this song, from the corner of his eye, he watched as the head dropped in emotion that matched with her words.

It did not rise until the last few notes drifted into the silence.

That had been her closing song.

* * *

Lumi knew there were many reasons why they were not letting her out.

At first she thought it was because of her actions from the hunt, but as the days passed, she realized something else was occurring within the palace.

She watched from her balcony as various carriages came, and the activity increased daily.

Soon she heard noises constantly outside her door- people moving often and the opening and closing of doors down the hallway.

Lumi had to rely on Macy to find out what was happening.

"The annual Winter Kingdom summit...it's called that but many people refer to it as the Winter ball..." Macy stopped to stare at Lumi in the mirror, "I think they are allowing you one day to attend. Just the first day. After that..."

Lumi nodded.

Macy felt worried about Lumi's behavior. She had been very subdued these past few days. Normally she would be playfully complaining about wanting to go outside or would have already gotten into some form of trouble.

But she had obediently stayed in her room.

Macy wondered if it was because of the balcony she now had. But there had been whispers in the castle that the King came to visit her every night.

Macy had tried to stop any such rumors, but she herself had even seen him enter just two days ago. The guards were tight lipped, but the servants who saw the unused bed of the King every morning were not.

Macy had often wondered if they had really put themselves in the Princess's position. She had tried to think about Lumi's situation and what she might have felt if she was in it. Her heart ached when she fully processed the enormity of it.

Every morning she worried she would walk in and see an injury on Lumi. She never forgot the whispers that ran wild through the castle when she was struck down by the King and tossed into the prison.

But so far, Macy was not able to see anything. At least...nothing visible to her eye.

And there was another piece of information that was circulating around the castle. Macy debated within herself if Lumi should know this or not. But in the end, as she looked at the Princess, Macy felt enormous fear of what effect her words would have.

She regretted not saying anything when she left. She regretted it so much that she almost turned back to tell the Princess the actual truth of what everyone in the castle was waiting in anticipation for.

But she didn't.

Macy knew she was being a coward.

But she did not want to become involved in the political strife and disputes that would happen because of this.

So she never did tell the princess that the King's fiance would be in attendance at the Ball.

* * *

Marcos would tell anyone who listened that he had not signed up for so much drama and political mess when he was assigned to the King's guard.

He thought it would be the opposite.

His King was a very...undramatic person. It was obvious he did not like it, and he did not want it. But it still came to him.

Marcos concluded it was inevitable, and something that could never be avoided. But he had never expected to be in front row seats as a witness to all of it.

The announcement preceded her that Elowen Juniper Paloma's carriage had just pulled into the receiving courtyard.

If the King seemed interested in this news, he didn't show it.

The guards and King's council men all took a deep uneasy breath however.

Marcos had only seen Lady Elowen a handful of times. She did not stay at the palace, nor did she like staying in the palace. It made the question of what she was going to do when actually crowned Queen difficult, but no one wanted to broach that topic yet.

She had been the King's fiance for two years. It had been settled in a meeting between the King and his council when examining possible candidates.

The Paloma family was an old one. If someone traced far enough, they would even find a connection of it to the royal Hellebore family. They were a proud, wealthy clan, and no one was surprised that the eldest daughter who was the same age as the King, was chosen.

It didn't hurt also that she was considered a legendary beauty in the North lands.

She came into the throne room with all the grace and prestige that had been awarded to her. Her skin was like snow, her hair flowed down in breathtaking elegant curls of matching color.

She reminded Marcos of a canvas. Entirely pure and white, without a stain- the only colors present were the splashes of dim purple from her traveling cloak she wore now, to paint her frame.

In the few times Marcos had seen her, he had found her breathtaking. But now...now he saw something different. He frowned, wondering why he no longer thought her like a winter goddess. The image of Lumi in her bright colors of blue and gold came vividly to his mind. He had to repress his smile at the fire that the Princess would be next to this woman.

Lumi would probably melt her and leave her in a disappointing puddle.

Elowen ignored the guards and those around her. She brushed past them, her eyes focused on the King.

He stood from his throne, meeting her halfway in the room.

She extended her hand, watching as he took it and brushed his lips faintly against the top.

"Hello Theros."

He stood straight, nodding to her. She watched him closely, waiting for any response. When she knew none would come she pushed it aside, taking a step closer to him. As she looked around the room she asked, "So...where is this summer princess I've heard so much about?"

* * *

There was a knock on Lumi's door.

She opened it cautiously. Theros did not knock and Macy's knock was never done with so much authority.

Standing before her was a beautiful woman.

Lumi knew immediately who she was.

Without a word she stepped back, allowing her access into the room.

The woman smiled, her lips catching Lumi's attention as the pink color stood out so vividly against the paleness of her skin.

There was a strange silence that followed as the two women stared at one another.

Each looked at the other, evaluating and searching for something.

Finally the woman spoke, "I am Lady Elowen Juniper Paloma."

Lumi gave a short bow, "Lumikki."

There was another stretch of silence before the woman turned and walked towards the nearest chair. She sat gracefully down, her pale blue eyes darting everywhere across the room.

"I'm sorry to suddenly invade your space so late at night...but I wanted to introduce myself. And...see who you were..."

Lumi still remained standing. She knew who the woman was, but the shock of having her mind jump to such a connection, and it still being unconfirmed, was making her feel dizzy.

Without warning, Elowen announced, "I am Theros' fiance."

Theros.

She said his first name so easily.

To Elowen's surprise, the Princess smiled. It was a sad knowing smile that suddenly made the woman feel uneasy.

"I know many are already aware of your presence here. And they are aware of my...presence here. But I do not want this to reflect badly upon either of us."

Lumi watched as she gracefully moved her hair away, the long silver strands almost reaching the small of her back.

Elowen continued, "It's inevitable that we meet face to face at the ball. So I've come to introduce myself."

She stood, her eyes suddenly turning into ice. Lumi was still unable to say anything. She was processing each word, trying to catch up to what was being said.

"I will allow Theros this time before our marriage. But please be aware that that is where I draw the line. Our marriage is scheduled within this year, and a month from it taking place, do not be surprised if you are permanently placed elsewhere."

At Lumi's silence, Elowen fully turned on her. She expected to find tears in the girl's eyes. After all, even she had heard of the rumors that Theros visited this room every night. But Lumi shocked her again by doing nothing else but smiling sadly in her direction.

The sight made Elowen feel even more uneasy. She did not want to think of herself as a bad person. But she did not want to think of herself as a weak one either. Having a lover now...she could tolerate that. It was the King after all. But having a mistress in full sight of the world when she was Queen. That would be inexcusable.

Some small part of her felt sorry for the girl. She had heard of how she came to be at the castle and knew it was not from her own choice that she had been made a prisoner in this way. Elowen had had a fierce debate with herself on the way to the palace, and in the end, acting the part of future queen won out. She could not show weakness and she would not.

This was her position, and this girl was endangering it.

"Are we clear?"

Elowen took a step closer, danger coming to the surface of her eyes as she stared down at Lumi.

Lumi nodded, "I was given to him. But he wasn't given to me. I know my place."

There was a shared understanding between the two women. For a second Elowen almost broke her icy exterior. She almost reached out to the girl to promise her that she didn't mean it. It was just the way life worked. It was just the way of politics and how a kingdom was run. And that she loved Theros, and even saying the words of letting him be with her now made her chest feel tight.

But Lumi understood.

And because she understood, Elowen was able to breathe a deep sigh of relief.

It could have passed peacefully, however, in that moment Theros decided to walk in unannounced.

Elowen stared at him in shock at the boldness that he came in with. But the King only froze in place, a darkness coming over his face as he took in the two women.

"Elowen." His voice was a dangerous whisper. He stepped to the side- a clear message as he showed her the open doorway.

Elowen stood with all the grace she possessed. She had a flicker of hesitation- of maybe stopping in the room and yelling at him that she would not leave unless he came with her. But she did not. She only walked out of the room, hearing the door shut soundly behind her.

* * *

Lumi watched his back, taking note of the tension that ran through it.

She went to the chair Elowen had just been sitting in, something close to pity coming to her as the thought of the look in the woman's eye when she had left the room.

"You shouldn't be in here," Lumi whispered.

He quickly turned to her, the fullness of his anger hitting her head-on.

"It's my palace. And my room. I can be in here."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

He stiffened, before exhaling deeply, "what did she say to you?"

Lumi shrugged, "That she was your fiance. I could tell that the moment I opened the door though."

He eyed her curiously, "How could you tell?"

Lumi smiled, "she looks like someone you would choose."

He glared at her. Lumi felt bewilderment at his anger. "She did nothing wrong. I would have done the same thing if I was in her place," Lumi stated.

Theros only took his boots off and sat down on the bed.

Lumi cautiously approached him. He reminded her of a small child. Someone who was unable to let something go. The more people told him no, the tighter he grabbed onto it. But she didn't know how to make him see this. She didn't want to bluntly say it. He wouldn't have liked that, and would outright deny it.

Instead, Lumi only sighed and laid down on the bed with him.

"Macy told me I can attend the first day of the Ball."

"You can attend all."

Lumi shook her head and smiled. His back was still to her- so he couldn't see the knowing look she gave him.

"I only want to go the first day."

He turned around to narrow his eyes at her, "You are going every day."

"I don't think-,"

"Yes."

She stopped talking, realizing that any word she said would provoke him at this point.

So instead, Lumi rose to her knees, encouraging him to turn around and face her. With a soft smile, she crawled into his lap, tucking her head under his chin, and letting it rest there.

His arms immediately encircled her.

She fingered the silver buttons on his uniform, looking at the elaborate design that each one held.

Silently, his head lowered, letting it be at the same level as her.

He had been coming every night now.

Lumi couldn't put her finger on it, but she wondered if she was being used as a pillow. Like something you held onto in your sleep. There were days when he came in, gathered her up in his arms, and immediately shut his eyes.

A sharp pain hit her when she remembered that that role would soon be handed to Elowen. Or maybe they had already been trading off.

But he was a King. She had been raised among royalty. Lumi was used to the fickleness of their minds and the feeble attachments that a man and woman could make.

Her grandfather alone had two wives at the same time- a custom she doubted would be welcomed in the winter lands. Even in her homelands it had been looked down upon, but that perspective had made Lumi examine the concept of marriage and what could take place before and after, more openly.

His lips pressed harder against hers. He always seemed to be able to tell when her mind was wandering away in thought. He always seemed to be able to press her, and bring her back to him and the moment they were sharing.

He pulled back, taking her dress and slowly pulling the straps down.

Lumi looked up at him. He had never done this before.

"You're mine," he whispered.

Lumi closed her eyes, but the gentle stroke of his hand against her cheek prompted her to open them.

"Prove it."

Lumi examined his words, trying to identify what emotion was on his face.

"Prove it to me," he whispered again, "Prove to me who you belong to."

Slowly she pulled back from his arms, letting her legs straddle him as she ran her fingers through his hair.

His blue eyes watched her closely.

She curved her body to fit his. In many ways, she knew this moment would eventually come. Some parts of her had been expecting it, while another wished it would never happen.

She pushed him down, holding herself over him. Numbly she started to undo the buttons she had been messing with just seconds ago.

"I will," she promised.

His chest was exposed to her now. She leaned over, kissing the hollow indent of his throat. A soft noise escaped him, one that had her glancing up to meet his gaze.

His hand rose to tangle within her hair. She let her head fall back into it, allowing for him to rise and meet chest to chest with her.

His breathing was deepening, speeding up in anticipation.

"Lumi."

It was just her name. He continued to repeat it over and over again as he kissed her lips, her neck, and further and further down. Lumi stared at the ceiling, looking at the beautiful silver that lined its edges. She felt her grip upon his hair tighten, and she knew there would be no going back from this.

But she was glad in this moment, that it was her name he said.

Hope everyone is safe and doing well! Thank you for reading!