Snow

A Deal With the Prince

I woke to the sound of water.

For a moment, I didn't remember where I was.

The sound was soft.

Constant.

Almost peaceful.

Then I opened my eyes.

A pale strip of morning light slipped through the curtains, touching the polished floor.

I stared at the ceiling.

The room was silent.

Too silent.

There was no sound of Daniel coughing.

No creaking mattress beside mine.

No neighbors arguing through thin walls.

No carts rattling over the road outside.

No smell of smoke from someone's cooking.

Nothing.

I sat up slowly.

The sheets slid against my skin.

They were softer than anything I had ever slept on.

I ran my fingers across them.

Silk.

I had never owned anything made of silk.

My feet touched the floor.

Cold marble sent a shiver through me.

I looked around the room again.

Everything was enormous.

The bed alone could have fit three people.

Heavy curtains hung from the ceiling.

A large wardrobe stood against the wall.

There were candles everywhere, though I couldn't understand why.

The room smelled faintly of roses and something colder underneath it.

Something metallic.

Blood.

I swallowed.

Even here, in a beautiful room surrounded by expensive things, I could still smell it.

I got out of bed.

My stomach growled.

On the table was a tray of food.

Fresh bread.

Fruit.

Meat.

Soup.

A glass of milk.

I stared at it.

Back home, Daniel and I had sometimes split one piece of bread between us.

Here, someone had prepared enough food for an entire family.

I didn't touch it.

it was my second day but I was still scared

Instead, I walked toward the window.

I pulled the curtain aside.

My breath caught.

The palace grounds stretched farther than I could see.

Gardens.

Fountains.

Tall trees.

Stone paths.

Beyond them were enormous walls surrounding the estate.

Guards stood everywhere.

There was no way out.

Beautiful.

Perfect.

Trapped.

I let the curtain fall.

Then I remembered Daniel.

My heart began pounding.

I had to find him.

---

I opened the door.

A maid standing outside nearly jumped.

She immediately lowered her head.

"Good morning, Miss."

"Where is my brother?"

She hesitated.

"Miss—"

"Daniel. Where is he?"

Her eyes moved toward the corridor.

"The infirmary."

My heart dropped.

"Is he okay?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

She shook her head.

"The palace physicians took him there during the night."

"Why?"

"His breathing became worse."

I felt cold all over.

"How bad?"

"I don't know."

"Take me there."

The maid looked frightened.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"His Highness hasn't given permission."

I stared at her.

"He's my brother."

"I know."

"Then take me to him."

She lowered her voice.

"Please don't make me choose between helping you and keeping my position."

I went quiet.

Her fear wasn't an act.

She was genuinely terrified.

"Fine," I whispered.

I turned away.

Then I heard footsteps.

The maid immediately stepped aside.

I didn't need to turn around.

I already knew.

Felix.

---

He walked past us without saying anything.

I watched him disappear down the corridor.

The maid waited until he was gone.

Then she whispered,

"Please."

I looked at her.

"Don't anger him."

I wanted to ask why.

But I already knew.

---

I found the infirmary later that morning.

Or rather, I found the corridor leading to it.

Two guards stood outside.

I approached them.

"I'm here to see Daniel."

One guard crossed his arms.

"No."

"He is my brother."

"No."

"He is sick."

"We know."

"Then let me see him."

"You need permission."

"From who?"

Neither answered.

I knew.

Felix.

I turned around.

My hands were shaking.

I hated this.

I hated that every answer led back to him.

Every door.

Every decision.

Every breath my brother took.

Felix.

I returned to my room.

I barely had time to sit down before the door opened.

Felix entered.

I stood.

"Where is Daniel?"

"In the infirmary."

"I know."

"Then why did you ask?"

"Because nobody will let me see him."

Felix removed his gloves slowly.

"He's receiving treatment."

"Is he getting better?"

"Not yet."

My heart sank.

"What does that mean?"

"It means his condition is serious."

I felt my knees weaken.

"How serious?"

"His lungs are struggling."

I covered my mouth.

"No."

Felix watched me.

"The physicians believe they can stabilize him."

"Then let them."

"They will."

"Can I see him?"

"No."

I stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because you're not a patient."

"He's my brother."

"I know."

"Then why won't you let me see him?"

Felix's expression remained unreadable.

"Because you are emotional."

"I have every right to be!"

My voice echoed through the room.

He looked at me.

I immediately wished I hadn't shouted.

But I was too angry to take it back.

"He's the only family I have."

Felix said nothing.

I wiped my eyes.

"If he dies..."

I couldn't finish.

Felix finally spoke.

"He won't."

I looked up.

"You don't know that."

"No."

His voice was calm.

"But I know my physicians."

I swallowed.

"How much will it cost?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"The treatment."

"You're concerned about the cost?"

"Yes."

I laughed bitterly.

"Of course I am."

He stared at me.

I continued.

"We couldn't afford his medicine before they took us. We couldn't afford the pharmacy. We barely had enough money for food."

I looked down at my hands.

"So how much?"

Felix walked toward the window.

"You don't have to worry about the cost."

I looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because I'll pay it."

Silence.

I didn't understand.

"You will?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

He turned toward me.

"Because he's under my protection."

The words sounded strange.

Almost kind.

But I knew better.

There was always something behind Felix's words.

"What do you want?"

He looked at me.

"I want you to stop working."

I frowned.

"My job?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you won't need it."

"I do need it."

"Not anymore."

I shook my head.

"My job is mine."

Felix's eyes hardened.

"Was."

I swallowed.

"You can't just decide that."

"I already have."

Anger burned through me.

"You bought me. You didn't buy my life before this."

His expression changed slightly.

"You are in my palace now."

"Because you bought me."

"Exactly."

I hated him.

I hated his calm voice.

I hated how easily he could make me feel powerless.

He continued.

"You give up your job."

I stared at him.

"And in exchange?"

"I will personally see that your brother receives treatment."

I didn't speak.

"The physicians will have whatever they need."

I looked toward the door.

"And if he needs medicine?"

"He'll receive it."

"If he needs to stay in the hospital?"

"He will stay."

"If he gets worse?"

"I'll make sure they do everything possible."

I looked back at him.

"Why?"

Felix's expression remained cold.

"Because I can."

That answer somehow frightened me more.

He could do it.

He had the money.

The physicians.

The palace.

The power.

And he knew I had none of those things.

I thought about Daniel lying somewhere behind those walls.

Alone.

Unable to breathe properly.

I thought about the three doses of medicine we had left at home.

The pharmacy refusing to help.

The auction.

The wagon.

Everything.

I closed my eyes.

"Fine."

Felix said nothing.

"I'll give up my job."

"Good."

"But I want to see him."

"Later."

"Promise?"

He looked at me.

"You have my word."

I didn't trust his word.

But I had nothing else.

---

That afternoon, a maid brought me clothes.

They were beautiful.

A pale dress.

Soft fabric.

Delicate embroidery.

I stared at them.

"I can't wear this."

"You can."

"I don't want it."

The maid lowered her head.

"His Highness ordered it."

Of course.

Everything came from him.

The clothes.

The food.

The room.

The medicine.

Even my new name.

Snow.

I touched the fabric.

It was soft beneath my fingers.

Almost comforting.

And somehow that made me feel worse.

Because comfort could become another kind of cage.

I changed reluctantly.

When I looked into the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

The girl staring back at me looked like she belonged in this palace.

But I knew better.

I was still the same girl who had shared a mattress with her brother.

The same girl who had counted his medicine doses.

The same girl who had walked into a pharmacy with coins in her hand and been told they weren't enough.

The same girl who had promised Daniel we would get out.

I touched the mirror.

"Sia."

The reflection stared back.

I whispered it again.

"Sia."

Then, from somewhere behind me, a voice said,

"Snow."

I turned.

Felix stood in the doorway.

I lowered my hand.

He looked at me for a moment.

Then he said,

"Come."

"Where?"

"To meet my family."

My stomach tightened.

I glanced once more at the mirror.

Sarah.

Snow.

Sia.

Three names.

One person.

And I had a feeling that by the time I left this palace, I might not recognize myself at all.