WINTER UPON THE SUN

CHAPTER II

The next day, the prince was called by his mother, the queen of the Hibernal kingdom. He was in the middle of his private class when he was summoned upon, so it must be really important for his class to be disrupted like that. Although, he doesn't really mind. He already knew what they're going to teach anyway.

"Mother?" Little Skyler smiles at the guard who opened the royal parents door, something the older guard smiled at. His mother looked at their interactions with a proud face with how respectful her son is despite being a royal child.

When her son looked her way, she grinned more widely and patted the space beside her, indicating for her child to take a seat. Skyler walks towards her with slow steps as that is how girls and princesses should walk, slow and elegant, not wanting to upset nor offend her mother in anyway. "So, how was your classes?"

"It was fine, mother. Although, I think it'll be useless as this was something I already learned in the books I’ve read at the library." He mumbled, trying not to sound ungrateful, but he really doesn't like all those classes. The queen chuckles, which made her son mesmerized with his mother's graceful beauty.

"I understand but you still need to know a lot of things. Something you can't learn on your own." She explained, caressing the prince's soft, plush cheek.

They were quiet for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence as this is a very rare moment. "Mother, why did you ask for me?"

She breathed through her nose, trying to think of a way to break the important news to her beloved son. "Listen, my child.. you know that you have to hide your real gender, right?" She asked softly, holding his son's hand. When he nodded, understanding why they needed to do that, his mother continued talking. "And we are sorry for that." Skyler smiled, holding his mother's hand tighter. He thought that's what this is all about.

"It's alright, I understand. You don't have to apologize, mother." He reassured his mother, kissing her hand and looking to grace her with a happy smile. He really actually don’t mind dressing and acting like a princess, in fact, he’s quite satisfied with doing so.

"Is this why you asked for me?" The queen looked up at that question. She's looking at him with guilty eyes.

"No. You see, my baby, the royal Walton, is coming today with their child." Skyler smiled at that, he heard a lot of things about the loyalty of the Walton’s to their kingdom and the same goes to them. Although, he hasn't really met them personally. "That's great, mother! How do you want me to dress for tonight?" He asked, excited to meet the next in line of their neighboring kingdom.

The queen looked away from him, which made him lose his smile. "What's the matter?" He asked, freeing his hand from his mother's grip and resting his hand on his mother's still soft skin.

"I have to tell you something, Skyler." She looked at him, guilt still showing. "But, please, understand us."

"I'm listening."

"We had an agreement with the Waltons to marry off our daughter to their son for our kingdom’s peace, but as a surprise for all of us, you were born." She explained. “And I do not want it any other way.” She added. Skyler just looked at her with no emotion showing on his face.

"That is why they're coming for tonight?" He whispered, he can't breathe. His mother nodded, confirming it. The young prince was tearing up. "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, voice shaky as if he was betrayed, but more so afraid of what to expect.

"I'm sorry. I was about to tell you but your father asked the Waltons to give us a longer time before introducing you to your betrothed. He said that you might not understand it well enough since you’re quite too young, but this is as far as they could give." His mother explained, she felt like a bad mother. First she forced her son to be a princess for the throne and now she's also forcing him to get married to the same gender.

"It's okay, I understand." Skyler mumbled, still teary. He doesn't like this one bit, but he really doesn’t have much choice. The royal mother smiled, kissing her son's forehead, which has another different kind of flower. She's proud of how smart and understanding her son is.

"We're not getting married after, right?!" He asked cutely but panicked. The queen laughed and shook her head. "It'll still be a long time before that."

"And oh.. you don't have to worry about your gender to your betrothed or the Waltons. They already knew, although we won't get to have biological grandchildren, we'd like it if you two get to adopt little babies!"

"Mother!" He whined, he's still a baby himself. And he knows it. “But.. they’re fine with my gender?” The queen nodded, smiling a little while she caress the soft hand of her child. “The queen there is my childhood friend.” She explained, proudly explaining it.

“It’s just.. before they were crowned, the current kings’ father was a greedy king. Only way for us to have peace was to agree to marry my future daughter to his grandson.” She explained, terror etched upon her face as she remembered the cruel king. Skyler looked at his mother with , already knowing that he wouldn’t be able to say no now.

The queen then laughed and hugged her child in a warm hug. "I love you, you know that?" She whispered, which he nodded at with a small smile, looking at his mother. "I love you too, mom."

Tonight, he'll meet the guy he has to marry, hopefully, he'll be able to befriend him.

Young Skyler wore a more enthralled gown than what he was used to. The gown is pretty much all black except for the silver laces around it, defining his still growing, teenage body. This is the type of gowns that he really despised.

It's more than beautiful, yes. But it was way itchier and heavier than his normal ones are. He can't complain to anyone but his three friends.

"You look gorgeous, princess." Enzo smiled, bowing in front of Skyler with their two other friends, Angeloz and Marlene. Skyler doesn't like it when they bow but they need to do it, to show respect. Just at least, when they aren't alone.

"I actually preferred my normal attire." He explained, smiling at the woman who helped him change his clothes. She knows his gender, she had been the one who changed his clothes when he was still younger.

"Well, it really does suit you." Marlene compliments him, smiling widely at her friend. "Yeah, princess! You looked like a whole new different person." Angelo said, turning the prince around, checking the gown.

Skyler’s blond, curly hair was tied up into a small bun with his silver crown on top of his head, short baby hairs defining his face shape. The lady who helped him dress actually put a little color on his lip to define the plump more.

"Thank you." He whispered with a shy smile, before a guard called for the so-called princess, to tell him that the Waltons family had arrived. He turns to his friends, still smiling but because he's nervous as hell. "Wish me luck." He mumbled before turning around and followed the guard out. His friends smiled, encouragingly at him.

'You can do this, Skyler.' And that's where his night starts, before meeting the one betrothed to him.

~TBC~