WINTER UPON THE SUN

CHAPTER V

"You haven't tried riding a horse?" Ethan asked, eyes wide from the information he just learned again. Skyler confirmed his question with a shake of his head.

They are currently at the garden, deciding it'll be nice to eat breakfast outside for the day. It's actually Ethan’s idea, thinking that the garden is the most beautiful part of the Martinezs’ whole palace. And now, they're just talking about random stuff. Such as their hobbies, favorites, childhood stuff. They want to get to know each other better.

"Never ever.."

"How come?" The elder asked once again, picking the last bacon he had and popping it onto his mouth. "I'm a princess.. well, suppose to be." He whispered the last part.

The elder almost choke, remembering Skyler’s true gender. Well he can’t help but forget that the princess is actually a guy since he's always in a dress or gown and has this beautiful, shoulder length hair but since he knows the truth, he shouldn’t forget that information.

He took a gulp out of his glass of water, before looking back at the supposedly princess. He cleared his throat before talking. "I can't see anything wrong with that.. in my palace, women and even princesses can ride a horse." Ethan explained.

"Do you want to try?"

Skyler looked up at that question with wide eyes. It's the first time someone offered to teach him something out of the ordinary in their palace. He bobbed his head, desperately.

"Then let's go." The elder helped him up before walking towards the stable. He already knows where it is as the Walton horses that they use were guided there. "But prince... I'm not really dressed appropriately, and I have to ask permission from my parents." Skyler reminded the elder, trying to keep up with Ethan’s big steps.

Ethan abruptly stops walking, realizing that the other's right. He, she's, still in his nightly gown only covered with a heavy fur and yes.. they still need to ask permission to use any horses at the stable.

"Right.. let's ask for permission now."

There's some servant who bowed their way after seeing them, Skyler tried smiling politely at everyone of them while Ethan’s just looking straight ahead, trying to arrive at the library as soon as possible. They knock at the wooden door where the two royal parents are.

After hearing a confirmative 'come in' they did as they were told. The oldest between the two went in first, still holding Skyler’s hand. The supposedly princess of the two is blushing, realizing he's meeting his parents while holding hands with the guy he's betrothed. "Good morning, your highnesses." The prince greeted, bowing. The princess followed.

"Darlings, do you two need anything?" The prince stood straight back after hearing his mother's voice. He walks closer towards the two couples with Skyler getting more flushed, still holding the prince's hand.

"I would like to ask for permission to teach princess Skyler to ride a horse." He turned to Skyler’s parents, pulling the younger gently beside him before letting the shorter one go and resting his palm on his back..

"Is there any particular reason as to why you want to teach her these kinds of stuff?" Simon asked, looking at them sternly this time. It can't be helped. His son, who lived as a daughter, had been living a princess life his whole life. This kind of stuff feels like a little too much for his delicate prince.

"None at all, your highness. I just thought that maybe, me and my betrothed could bond on something she still hasn't tried in her life." He explained to both pairs of parents, still confident as earlier. Skyler admires him for that. ‘SaluteTT’

Skyler’s father is quiet while his mother's trying to convince him that it'll be alright to let him do that, at the very least. "Father, can I? Please?" He looked at his father with a cute expression, joining to convince him too.

The older prince can feel his breath hitch at how cute the delicate prince was.. if only he can keep this boy inside his arms forever and keep him from every worst thing in this world! He pulled the other a little closer to his side, wanting to feel his warmth more.

"I can assure you, Simon, that my son can take care of the princess. He trained for quite a long time." William, Ethan’s father, proudly exclaimed with a fatherly smile. That's all the push they need, as Skyler’s father seemed to lose every doubt as the other king already talked.

Simon hummed "Then, please do keep my child safe, young Ethan." He gently gave the permission. Skyler smiled widely at that, trying to keep his composure in front of the two pairs of parents, while Charlotte clapped her hands excitedly.

When they are out of the room, the younger one starts hopping towards his room with a huge grin on his pretty face. He's going to ride a horse! He used to envy the general's children, Marlene and Angelo, as they can ride horses whenever they want, especially at training.

When he's inside his room, he lets the door open so that Tutor can come in but when the other didn't walk in, that made Skyler confused.

"Prince? Are you coming?" He called out, peeking at the side of his wardrobe. Ethan stayed, looking nervous and fidgety.

"Well, you're changing clothes, aren't you?" Skyler nodded at the question.. he has a screen divider that he can use. "Yes.. but I do have a divider." He explained.

"It's also inappropriate to go inside a princess's room when they aren't your wife.. Or still isn't." Ethan mumbled, trying not to sound like he's a p*****t as his princess is still quite young. Skyler being a few years younger than him, maybe he's still not interested with intimate education or not at all interested. Still should be innocent for this world.

"Is that so.. I understand, but I would feel bad for you to stay-" he was cutted off by a chirpy voice.

"Princess.. oh. Good morning, your highness." Angelo greeted, with Marlene following suit, bowing. "How about they come in and wait, too? That wouldn't be too inappropriate, yes?" Skyler exclaimed, as if he just thought about the best decision he made.

"I suppose so.." Ethan mumbled back, walking inside the other’s quarter with his two friends following next. When the three got inside, the princess closed the door and looked at his clothes. Realizing he doesn't have any clothes for horseback riding.

"Um Angelo, do you have any clothes that I can borrow for a horse ride?" He asked, removing his crown and putting it on top of his table.

Angelo and Marlene were both shocked, as this is the first time their princess would ride a horse. The called boy looked at the prince of Summer’s way before nervously answered. "I do have something, princess. Do you want me to get it?"

"That would be appreciated.." Skyler smiled. "And oh, let me introduce you two first. Angelo, Marlene.. this is the prince of Summer kingdom, prince Ethan. Prince, these are my friends, and the general's children, Marlene and Angelo." He exclaimed seeing his two elder friends nervous around the other royalty.

"Glad to meet you Marlene, Angelo." Tutor smiled their way, which made them relax just a little. They both bowed back at the Prince.

"Ah, well.. I'll just get the clothes you need, princess." Angelo stood up and walked outside, excited that their friend’s going to finally ride a horse. Something he had been wanting to do since he was young.

"Why did you two visit me Marlene?" Skyler asked, sitting at his bed with the prince beside him. Marlene sat on his couch. "To check on you.. Enzo was supposed to come with us but the younger one is currently studying how to take care of different kinds of plants." She explained, voice a little strained.

"We didn't know you're with your betrothed right now.. I apologize." She whispered. Skyler blushed as he could hear the hidden teasing tone from his friend's voice. "It's nothing Marlene. You and the two won't ever be a bother to me." He chuckled awkwardly to which Marlene laughed.

"So.. umm, you're finally going to ride a horse?" She’s still hesitant with her questions with another prince she doesn't know in their presence.

Skyler nodded excitedly, his grin becoming wider. "The prince's teaching me. Do you have anything to do today?" He asked back.

"Uh, none. I guess, me and Angelo’s free for the whole day. Why?"

"You can come with us!!" Realizing he still hasn't asked permission from the prince, this might be something he wants to do together alone with him, so he stops for a moment and turns to his right. "Can they?"

Ethan, having the attention of both friends, gulped and nodded a little before smiling a little. "Of course. Whatever you want, princess." He smiled gently. He really likes this innocent boy he's getting married to. Adorable.

That same time Angelo came in with the needed clothes and gave it to Skyler. He sat beside his older sister as the princess went behind the screen to change, leaving the three of them once again. The two siblings expected to feel awkward around the prince but instead got proven wrong when he started talking to them.

"You two are the princess's friends, yes?" He asked, trying to make them comfortable. He knows that when the time comes and Skyler will meet his friends, he also wants him to be friends with them.

They both nod, shocked that the other was talking to them. Royal families are sometimes too proud and mighty to talk to them.. the so called 'peasants'. Ethan nodded in understanding, looking at them again.

"How old are you two again?"

"I'm currently 18 and Angelo’s turning 15 this winter." Marlene answered for both of them.

"How about you, prince?" Angelo asked, leaning forward, looking interested. "17.. a few years older than the princess."

After answering that question, he can see that Angelo still wants to ask another question but something's preventing him from doing so. Ethan understands his hesitation, as most royalty don't really interact with people who aren't royal themselves. He deeply disagrees with those kinds of attitudes.

"Come on.. you can ask more, if you want." At that being said, Anglo’s eyes shine, smiling widely. "What is it like in your kingdom? I heard it's warmer there compared to here."

Ethan sighed out of relief. With a smile, he answered. "It is a lot colder here. Our kingdom is actually at a lower place, and rarely has a flood with rain rarely coming. Drought is also quite prominent but with the winter kingdoms help and the people's hard work it works just fine." Angelo nodded, understanding. That is quite amazing to say the least.

"Excuse me, prince but do you know how to ride a horse?" Marlene asked, looking serious. The prince was taken aback, not expecting the way she asked the question. "I don't mean to offend you nor doubt your ability, but our princess doesn't have any experience at riding one. I don't want anything happening to her, as a friend and the general's oldest daughter and child, it is my duty to protect her." She explained.

He nodded, understanding the concern. "I do.. actually, I had been doing it for the past 4 years of my life. I wouldn't have offered the princess if I wasn't sure." He answered back. Hearing those words from him made Marlene smile sweetly before nodding. "That's good to hear, your highness."

"Angelo, can you come here and help me tie this corset?" Skyler requested. Angelo immediately stood up to help his friend. Marlene and Ethan were left behind, talking about random stuff after the awkwardness had vanished.

"Your prince passed Marlene’s weird mind test." Angelo chuckled lowly while whispering to Skyler, tying his corset. He blushed before smiling slightly. "The prince is kind. I know you all will like him eventually." He whispered back before walking around the screen to call Ethan and Marlene to start his lesson.

"Prince, Marlene.. we can go now." He called Angelo beside him.

The two siblings don't need to change for they're always ready for their practices. "Do you still need to change, prince?" Angelo asked, walking down the corridor beside Ethan and the other two in front of them. The elder shook his head, looking at the other two before smiling a little, looking at the princess. The practice clothes suit him, especially the corset. Maybe he can gift him new clothes another time.

Angelo and Marlene were trying to hold their snickers and chuckles as they saw their beloved friend being shyly cute.

In the end, Ethan decided to sit behind Skyler and started riding it slowly, while teaching him slowly throughout.

"You just have to make sure you're always in the middle." Ethan gently said beside his ears, chest flushed against the young princess' back. It made him blush at their close proximity. "I am doing just that, but I was still slipping." Skyler said, turning a little to look at the other.

"I don't think I was born to ride horses." That statement of his pulled out a low chuckle from Ethan. "Hey, that's not true." The young prince tried to reassure Skyler by just playfully rolling his eyes.

As night comes by, the two siblings leave them again to attend supper with their parents.

"So, how was your day? Both of you?" William asked, looking at them with interest. "We had fun, your highness. Although riding horses isn't for me, Prince Ethan taught me a lot." Skyler chuckled.

"Hey.. you were great. You just need a little practice." The prince comforted him, smiling warmly.

Not really noticing them, but both their mothers were trying to stop the smile. They expected that they won't actually be this close as they're betrothed to each other with the same gender, but guess they don't really mind. Or maybe they're just still too young to understand.

Hoping for the best of these two boys' futures was their mothers only wish.

Ethan brought him back to his room again, but this time, he was shocked with what Skyler did. He hugged him.

"Thank you for today, Ethan." He whispered to his ear, making him shiver and heart beat wildly. Slowly, he hugged back, resting his face between the gap of his neck and shoulder. "Anything for you.. my prince."

After a few more seconds, they slowly let go of each other. Happily parting ways..

~TBC~