Where the Ice Forgot the Sea

The kingdom of Eirenshade sparkled beneath a blanket of everlasting winter. Towering spires of white stone pierced the pale morning sky, their rooftops dusted with fresh snow that never seemed to melt. Crystal bridges connected the palace towers, catching the sunlight and scattering it into countless shades of blue across the frozen courtyards below. It was said that no kingdom in the world shone brighter than Eirenshade. To its people, winter was beautiful. To Princess Nyra, it was lonely... She stood quietly on the highest palace balcony, resting her gloved hands against the cold marble railing. Snowflakes drifted lazy through the air, settling in her long violet hair before melting against the midnight-blue strands near the ends. A maid passed behind her carrying folded linens. "...Good morning, Your Highness." Nyra turned with a gentle smile. "Good morning." The maid bowed politely before hurrying away. That was usually the extent of her conversations these days. Below the palace courtyard buzzed with excitement. Today was the Annual Frost Exhibition — the day every royal house of Asterion demonstrated their mastery over ice magic before the kingdom's nobles. Every Royal. Except for Nyra. She watched servants roll out sapphire carpets across the courtyard while musicians tuned their instruments. Nobles in the elegant white cloaks gathered along the balconies eager to witness another display of the royal family's legendary power. She had attended every exhibition since she was a little girl. Always from the audience. Never from the stage… "There you are." A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts. Nyra turned just as a thick royal cloak was draped over her shoulders. "You'll freeze standing out here." She smiled before she even looked up. "I think everyone forgets I'm cold long before I do." She said softly. Ace sighed. "They don't forget." His voice carried the calm confidence expected of the future king, but his expression softened the moment he looked at her. "They're just too busy." Nyra laughed quietly at what he said. "That's your polite way of saying they're avoiding me." Ace didn't answer.. Sometimes silence admitted more than words ever could. He brushed a few snowflakes from her hair. "You've been hiding since breakfast." "I wasn't hiding." "No?" She glanced towards the courtyard then spoke softly again with a hint of sadness in her tone. "I just... didn't want to interrupt." He followed her gaze. Below, their younger siblings practiced intricate sculptures of shimmering ice while courtiers applauded every successful spell. "You never interrupt." "I know." "You belong down there too." Nyra looked away. "I don't think they would agree." For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The wind carried laughter from the courtyard below. It never seemed to reach the balcony. Ace rested his elbows against the railing beside her. "When we were little," he began, "you asked me why snow never fell in summer." Nyra blinked, confused. "I did?" "You were four." "I barely remember what I did yesterday." He chuckled. "You were convinced winter was lonely because it never got to meet the flowers." A smile tugged at her lips, "...That sounds like something I'd say." "I told you spring always came eventually." She looked up at him. "And you believed yourself?" She asked. "I still do." Nyra wanted to believe him. She really did. But spring never found its way to her. A palace bell echoed through the castle. The exhibition was about to begin. Ace straightened his uniform and, with a sigh he said, "Duty calls." Nyra nodded. "Go make father proud." He frowned at that. "I'd rather make my sister smile." Without another word, he reached into his pocket and produced a small sugar-dusted pastry, her favorite kind. "You skipped breakfast." "You noticed?" "I always notice." Footsteps echoed down the corridor. "Your Highness!" a knight called. "The King is waiting." Ace glanced toward the hallway before looking back at Nyra. "I'll see you afterward." "You'll be busy accepting congratulations." "I'll make time." "You always do." He smiled. "I always will." As Ace disappeared down the corridor, the balcony fell silent once more. Nyra watched the courtyard below as cheers erupted the moment the royal family stepped onto the grand stage. One by one, towers of brilliant ice bloomed into the winter sky. The crowd applauded. The king smiled. The queen watched proudly. Nyra remained where she had always been. Just beyond the edge of the celebration. Watching. Waiting. Wondering if there would ever be a day when someone looked for her before they looked through her. The applause echoed across the palace grounds as Nyra made her way inside. She didn't stay to watch. She never did. The marble corridors were quieter than the bustling courtyard below, lined with towering windows that overlooked the snow-covered kingdom. Portraits of past kings and queens adorned the walls, each one bearing the unmistakable features of House Asterion — Golden hair, diamond-blue eyes, and proud smiles. Nyra slowed as she passed the newest portrait. The entire royal family stood together upon the grand staircase. Her father sat proudly upon the throne. Her mother stood beside him with effortless grace. Her siblings lined either side in matching white and sapphire attire. Ace rested one hand lightly on the back of her chair. It was the only reason she hadn't looked completely alone. She reached out, brushing her fingertips over the painted image of herself. Even the artist had softened the violet in her hair. "...They tried to make me look more like them." "You noticed too?" Nyra turned. An elderly man approached with careful steps, carrying a stack of weathered books beneath one arm. "Master Edwin." The royal historian smiled warmly at her. "I told the artist not to alter Your Highness's likeness." That made her tilt her head slightly. "He said the portrait would 'look more harmonious.'" Nyra let out a quiet laugh, "I suppose harmony is important." Master Edwin frowned. "I've always believed honesty is more important." For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. "You know," he said, "when you were little, you used to hide in the library every afternoon." "I still do." "I know." He smiled knowingly. "Books don't stare." "...No." "They simply welcome whoever opens them." Nyra returned the smile, grateful for the old historian's company. "There you are." The warmth of the moment vanished when she heard her voice. A noblewoman approached with several younger ladies trailing behind her. Their expensive gowns shimmered like freshly fallen snow. Lady Celestine offered a shallow curtsy. "Princess Nyra." "Lady Celestine." "What a shame you couldn't participate in today's exhibition." Lady Celestine said with a hint of mockery in her tone disguised as something polite. Nyra remained silent. "I'm sure watching from the audience is... enjoyable in its own way." One of the younger ladies giggled behind her fan. Another whispered just loudly enough to be heard. "She doesn't even look related." "I heard she still hasn't awakened any magic." "Poor thing..." Nyra lowered her gaze. Master Edwin took a step forward. "My ladies." His voice was gentle, but firm. "The princess has somewhere to be." Realizing they'd lingered too long, the women offered hurried curtsies before disappearing down the corridor, their whispers fading into the distance. "I'm sorry," Master Edwin said softly. Nyra shook her head. "You don't have to apologize for them." "No." He sighed. "But someone should." She gave him a reassuring smile, though it never quite reached her eyes. "I'll be alright." Master Edwin looked as though he wanted to argue. Instead, he bowed. "I'll have fresh tea waiting in the library later." "I'd like that." As he disappeared around the corner, Nyra continued alone through the palace. The cheers outside grew louder. Another sibling must of finished their demonstration. She didn't need to look to know the crowd was applauding. They always did. As she rounded the final corner toward the eastern wing, voices drifted through the slightly open doors of the council chamber. "...She should stop attending these events altogether." Nyra froze. "It only invites more questions," another voice agreed. "The people are beginning to notice how... different she is." A pause. Then her father's voice. "We'll discuss Nyra after the exhibition." Nyra stepped away from the council chamber before another word could reach her ears. She didn't wait to hear the rest. She couldn't. Her footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor as she hurried down the empty corridor, one hand clutching the fabric of her cloak so tightly her knuckles turned white. The palace suddenly felt far too large. Far too quiet. She told herself not to cry. Princesses weren't supposed to cry over whispered conversations. Especially not conversations they'd never been meant to hear. By the time she reached the eastern wing, the cheers from the Frost Exhibition had become little more than distant echoes carried through the windows. The library doors stood just ahead. For the first time that day... There was somewhere she wanted to be.