WINTER UPON THE SUN

CHAPTER IV

They decided to stay at the library, as it's getting chilly outside to for them to stay at the garden. "Prince?" Skyler called out, blowing at his hands before trying to warm it up against the heat of the fire. Ethan hummed, not looking at him.

"You know about my real gender, right?" His voice is shaky. Maybe from the cold or from nervousness. Or maybe from both.

"Yes."

Skyler looked at him in shock this time. "And it doesn't bother you?" to which Ethan shook his head, closing his eyes.

"Why?" The prince acting like a princess turned his body this time to look at him now, his black gown looking like a beautiful curtain that surrounds him.

"I don't mind both genders." He said, looking back at Skyler. His eyes illuminating the light of the fire. "And also.." he examined Skyler's body up and down, smirking a little. "You are quite a view, princess."

The younger blushed furiously at that, before crossing his arm on his clothed chest. "What are you looking at?" He asked, frowning with a pout at Ethan's perverted looks. The prince chuckled a little, before turning at the fire again.

Skyler just examines how beautiful this guy is, despite his young age. His defined jaw, which is making a beautiful shadow underneath it, his pinkish lips, sharp nose, and how his eyes can change just depending on his emotion.

"Don't stare, princess. I might melt, and I don't think you'd like to marry someone who is a liquid, don't you?" Ethan mumbled teasingly, smiling sweetly at the fire.

"Sorry." He mumbled. "You're just so surreal, prince." He unabashedly said. Despite how confident Ethan talks, he can't help but blush at that.

They're quiet for a moment, with the fire crackling noise accompanies the silence. Skyler then look back at him again, smiling. "What kind of songs do you play?" He asked, remember what the queen said earlier.

"It depends." He answered, turning his head to show that he's listening.

"I see.. then, do you read books?" Skyler asked again, truly curious. If he was to be wed to this man, at least he should know him better.

"When I needed to."

"What's your favorite color?" At that question, Ethan turned to him with a raised eyebrow, smiling a little, truly interested now. "Why are you questioning such things, princess?"

"Well, we're going to be wed someday at some point. I want to know more about you!" Skyler explained. "So, will you answer my question?"

"White." Ethan answered, but he's not looking away this time. "Oh, such a pure color!" The younger chuckled, trying to sit more comfortably with his black gown still on.

"How about you?" Skyler looks up at that. "What?"

"What's your favorite color?" Ethan repeated what he asked earlier. "Blue!"

The elder hummed at that. That's how their night's go on, until Skyler starts yawning.

"You're tired?" He smiled at the older prince, nodding. "Kind of."

"I understand." He stands up, with Skyler looking at him with a confused face. Ethan gave him a hand to help him stand up. "I'll bring you to your room."

"Aww.. can't we just stay here and talk a little and then just sleep here, act as if we just fell asleep here?" The supposedly princess is enjoying the moment a little too much to leave yet. Ethan laughed and shook his head. "We're not married yet my prince, it would be inappropriate."

"Prince, we're teens. I don't think anyone would think that we'll do something we shouldn't do. Please, I can still talk for a little-" he stood up but stumbled because of his numb knees. Ethan's holding him up with his arms around Skyler's more petite body. Having to pretend to be a girl, Skyler must eat less and no exercises to have that healthy petite body. "I'm sorry.." he mumbles, trying to stand up straight using Ethan's broader shoulders.

"Thank you." He said, when he can stand up straight now. That shutted him up for now.

"It's nothing. Let's go." Ethan let go of his body and kept a distance. They walk quietly while Skyler's getting sleepy.

"Is this your room, princess?" He nodded at the question, smiling gratefully. "Thank you for today, prince Ethan. I hope we'll have time to talk tomorrow again." He smiled widely. The elder grinned back at him again, touching the skin of his cold pale cheek, before taking his hand and kissing the back of it. "I'll see you tomorrow, my lady."

They parted ways with Skyler blushing at the unexpected touch and Ethan, who cannot wipe the grin on his face but also neither can he.

The young prince/ss Skyler can't believe that earlier this morning, he was just saddened and scared knowing he'll get married to someone with the same gender as him. 'I guess I also don't mind any genders.'

When Ethan found his mother, he helped her go to her designated room with his father still talking to Skyler's parents. "Where's Acacia?" His mother asked while Ethan's waiting for her to change into her nightly clothes, before tucking her to sleep. "In his room."

"I see. So how is she?" She asked, walking towards her son. "He's fine." He answered.

Charlotte pouted at that, wanting to know more about the two. "Give me details! I want to know more! Is she alright with you two being engaged? Is she alright marrying a guy? Did you even talk??"

"Yes, he's alright with the engagement. Yes he doesn't mind getting married to me, the guy. And yes, we talked. Now, can you please get some rest, mother? Oh and yeah.. when we're alone, can you refer to him as his real gender?" Ethan frowned, patting his mother's hair, trying to soothe her to sleep. He does call Skyler with female titles but that's because he doesn't know exactly if he'll be comfortable with his real gender. That's something they should talk about soon.

"Well, yeah of course.. but it's hard when he's that beautiful. And ohh, did you like Acacia? I know she's your type of person!" She teased him, making her child blush.

"Yeah, I do." He admitted and flinched the next second, hearing his mother squeal with the information. "I'll tell this to Eliz."

Ethan just smiled, kissing his mother's forehead and standing up. "I'll go to bed now, mother."

They bid their good nights before he left the room. When Ethan's on his bed, ready to sleep, he can't help but remember Skyler's beautiful face. How he smiles, how he laughs, how he walks, and how delicate that kid is. He really doesn't mind marrying that guy.

"Good night.. my prince."

~TBC~