Josiah looked down at the invitation.

Well he moves very fast doesn't he?

At the sudden noise, he quickly shoved the letter into his pocket.

Lumi came around the corner. Josiah felt an exasperated breath leave him.

"What are you wearing?"

"I still can't seem to get over it not being that cold here...but we're further north than the winter Kingdom and the sun isn't around...so why is it warmer here? It reminds me of Fall kingdom for some reason..."

"Lumi..." Josiah was becoming used to her off topic remarks. He knew she had heard him.

"It's the same thing you're wearing."

"I know." He looked at the dark pants and shirt she wore. He had been referring to the paint along her eyes- white paint that made her face stand out over anything else.

"I'm going hunting."

He felt his exasperation grow. He had left soon after their arrival and official ceremony- an emergency in one of the city's water constructions had caused panic. That only had taken two weeks to sort out and in the time of his absence, she had somehow managed to win over the entire staff of his palace while he was gone.

Even if he had disliked her, he feared his own people would mob and dethrone him if he said anything against his new wife.

He felt sudden pity for the Winter King if this was even half of what the man had gone through.

"You're not used to the lands yet. And you need to adjust to the darkness also. Are you well enough to hunt?"

Lumi only shrugged, "the best way to feel better is to run."

He didn't think that was actually the best solution and was about the say so when she spoke again, "besides, you're coming with me."

He stopped short, "No I'm not."

She had already started walking down the hall. At his words, she turned back and gave him her own exasperated stare. Really? As if he was the troublesome one?

"Yes you are. You're already dressed for it."

"Take Ramus with you. I have work I need to do."

She stared at him a second more, "alright." She raised her nose in the air, immediately ignoring him after that.

He sighed.

Now he had done it.

* * *

Maybe he should have gone with her. He looked at the clock- the only way to judge the time in this godforsaken place. It had been five hours.

Five hours.

Who hunted for five hours?

And what was there even to hunt? Josiah couldn't say he was the most knowledgeable - having never hunted himself.

He got up suddenly, unable to sit and wait.

She was surprisingly fierce. He had not expected that from someone so....little. At first that fierceness made her seem cute- almost adorable. Before he saw her take down two of his guards when they had tried to hold her down in her fevered state the second day after their arrival.

The elevation and change in climate alone caused many people to be sick. He had only left for the city after making sure she would survive. Once he saw the mighty feat of her hand to hand combat, he knew she would make it.

Josiah sighed. She was still new to him. Still something strange and unexpected. He could see her reluctance to accept him. Despite what she showed to the outside world, he realized with a sick truth that she was the type of person who left pieces of themselves wherever they went.

And the Winter Kingdom was no exception.

The sudden burst of energy at the entrance gate caught his attention.

He walked forward, watching as many of the servants eagerly ran towards the doors. They certainly were not worried about him seeing their excitement.

"Did she really catch something?"

"I think she did."

"Is that Ramus? What...what is that?"

At their words Josiah felt himself move faster towards the window also.

A silly grin spread across his face at the approaching sight. Realizing quickly what he might look like, he covered his grin and tried to control his features as the coming party came into view.

Ramus and two other men were carrying...an elk.

An elk.

An elk?

Josiah had to blink twice at the sight. Maybe he couldn't see it correctly in the darkness.

There was an awe of silence spreading across the room the closer they came.

"Open the doors!"

Josiah positioned himself in front of them, ready to greet the triumphant heroes returning home. No doubt Lumi would be talking about this for days. Maybe she would forgive him with her mood lifted after this.

The doors opened and he stepped towards them.

Ramus held up a free hand, his face flushed red from the effort he and the other male had performed in carrying the great animal.

"Do not panic when you see-,"

"Josiah! Look at what I got!"

Before he could turn, screams erupted from the room. He...was someone vomiting? He turned and stared in stunned horror at his new wife. Her face was covered in blood, her neck sticky in the dried substance. It almost blended in now with her dark skin, but even he could see the shining color as it reflected off the chandelier light.

She proudly patted the animal's carcass, unconcerned with the panicked servants that surrounded them.

* * *

Josiah sighed. He was tired.

His new wife took too much energy out of him. He felt as if his life force was being drained whenever she was around. How did she have so much energy? She was hunting for almost the whole day and now she was....

Where was she?

Josiah sighed again.

He couldn't keep up with her and he didn't even want to try.

The good part was, they both seemed to have a silent understanding that each could go about their day without the constant need to check in or bother one another.

At least..it was getting to that point. Her asking him to hunt had been random. That reminder sent a small twinge of guilt through Josiah.

With a groan, he rose, going to the hallway and looking out to try and find her.

"Do you have any idea where the Queen is?"

One of the guards on duty spoke, "she might be in the kitchen. I think she is..." his voice trailed off, his eyes wandering away as something suddenly occurred to the male to keep his mouth shut.

Josiah ignored it, his mind sighing at the fact that the Queen was in the kitchen.

Without another word he walked to the place, pleading for her to really not be there.

But of course not.

Did he even have it left in him to show horror at the sight of her skinning the animal?

Yes. Yes he did.

"Lumi, there are people who can-,"

"It's my kill. I'm the one who has to clean it."

He sighed.

The other servants seemed completely used to this behavior and with some small suspicion, Josiah wondered if this was not her first time hunting.

"I need to speak with you...can you...?" he motioned out the door. She stared up at him, hesitating as she looked back down at the horrific sight of the dissected animal.

"Okay..."

She glared at one of the kitchen workers, "it's mine."

The worker nodded violently to her, fear showing in his eyes as he watched her exit the kitchen with him.

Outside and a length down the hall, they both turned to face each other. She still had some blood on her face. He felt the sudden urge to wipe it away but thought better of it. Instead he approached the topic that had been weighing on his mind all day.

"I received an invitation- from the Winter Kingdom. It's a request for our presence at the Royal wedding that is taking place in a few months."

He watched her go still.

Her eyes suddenly seemed far away from him.

"No."

Her response took him by surprise.

"No?"

"I...I'm still getting used to the palace life here. I shouldn't leave so soon."

"It's an invitation addressed to both of us. We're in peace negotiations with the Winter Kingdom. I don't think we can afford to turn them down."

"You can go," her eyes seemed so hopeful at the words.

Josiah felt himself sigh.

She made him tired. And now she made his chest hurt as he stared down at her. Pity seemed to be the only emotion he was capable of feeling towards her now. Pity and sorrow.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

She seemed to be having an internal debate in her head. Something was happening- a battle was taking place, and Josiah wondered what side would win.

He had not expected her to meekly say no. To back down at a chance to see him.

Maybe that should have been more alarming. Maybe that should have told him all he needed to know about the connection she seemed to share with the Winter King.

"I'll be with you. You won't be alone there. We'll go, attend, and then leave immediately after."

She searched for something in his face. He didn't know what else he could give her. She had his kingdom, his word, and pledge. She had his safety and he knew that she was aware of all of this. Though she had been a princess, someone whose connection could grant him the needed access his Kingdom desperately desired...he still felt something growing between them...something he had not expected.

She just needed to say yes.

He took a step closer.

"Remember what I promised you? I'll keep you safe. Don't worry Lumi."

She smiled. "I know. Thank you."

There was an awkward pause between them. Josiah felt that it was awkward. She however, always seemed to be able to manage conversations and people with ease.

"I'm sorry for my...." she shook her head and closed her eyes, waiting several moments before glancing back to him, "I'll go. We'll go. I know where my place is and who my loyalty belongs to."

He smiled weakly down at her, watching as she entered the kitchen.

Josiah sighed.

He was tired.

And in his tired mind, his thoughts sluggishly wondered, if Lumi really did know.

So, I've given up on the picture banner that used to be at the beginning of the chapters. But hey... I updated on the right day (for once, for once we are making it people!)

I hope you enjoyed the update. As always, thank you for reading.