*Sam's P.O.V.*

A late spring snowstorm blows in that weekend, to Sam's utter delight. Everyone bundles up and stays indoors, and as a result petition hours at court are decreased, and he takes the opportunity to spend some time with Deanie, Charlie, and Kevin. He's known them for years, and he's thrilled that Paige gets along well with the three of them, too!

"If we're not going to be able to go out," Paige says thoughtfully, "and the end of petitions is cancelled, does that mean we just have free time right now?"

"Yes," Kevin answers. "Do you have something in mind that you want to do?"

Paige ponders, and Sam watches her as she adorably taps her chin in thought. Then she stands up. "Well, I kind of want to cook?"

Sam perks up immediately. "What kind of cooking?" he asks. "Is it that beef dish your mother made when I came to visit? That was divine."

Paige beams and Sam's heart sings because he was the one who just said something to put that smile there! "Yes!" she says. "It's called Filet Mignon, and it's not actually that hard to make. I just hope we have all the proper ingredients."

"Well, it can't hurt to go look!" Charlie points out. "C'mon, we can go hang out in the kitchen. It'll be warmer in there, anyway."

"Ugh," Deanie mutters, wrapped in a red plush blanket and glaring at everyone. "This is stupid and I don't want to come," he adds, which translates roughly to 'oh boy, that sounds fantastic and I can't wait!'

Around an hour later, Sam watches smugly as Deanie puts the first bite in his mouth and then has to pretend his face didn't just light up.

"You're not a half-bad cook, Princess Snap Pea," he mumbles into his bowl.

"Princess Snap Pea?" Paige repeats, adorably confused (everything she does is adorable and it's not fair).

Deanie shrugs. "Well, I'm not calling you by your stupid given name anymore."

Paige blinks, surprised, and then laughs. "Alright," she says. "So I'm Snap Pea?"

"That's cute," Charlie says shamelessly, and Sam has to laugh at the look of pure indignation on Deanie's face. The five of them spend the next few hours together, staying warm by watching a movie and drinking hot chocolate to celebrate the unexpected time off. It's nice, and the frigid temperatures outside fill Sam with joy. The ferocious dance of the snowstorm calls to him, tugs on his magic and beckons him out.

He's sorely tempted to answer that call, to walk outside into the howling wind and swirling snow and to let his magic billow around him like a cloak, letting the ice seep into his soul and letting him command it as an extension of himself. He could, if he wanted, test his strength against the storm, could conduct the winds like an orchestra of gales, could possibly even force it to change direction. He's trained a lot. He's strong. He knows he is.

But there's no need to exhaust himself now. So he stays indoors and watches from the windows, sometimes, when he isn't at his desk keeping tabs on the news or playing board games with Deanie, Charlie, Paige, and Kevin. (They don't get through more than a few turns in Monopoly before Deanie threatens to light the board on fire, so that ends quickly.)

And then the evening comes and is followed by night, and he goes to bed, humming along with the howling wind. It's a good night.

*-*-*

[9:46] Paige:

hi Maddy i know you're busy today but can i call?

[9:53] Madison ( •⌄• ू )✧:

hey sorry, babe – I've got meetings for the next 2 hours

I can call u as soon as they're done?

[9:54] Paige:

yes of course that's fine, i'm sorry i know you have a lot to do

[10:01] Madison ( •⌄• ू )✧:

dw abt it sis, r u ok?

[10:01] Paige:

Mmmmm.......................................

[10:03] Madison ( •⌄• ू )✧:

did smth happen?

[10:04] Paige:

no not really. just. really really anxious today. idk. hard to explain via text??

[10:09] Madison ( •⌄• ू )✧:

ok. ill call as soon as im free

r u gonna be ok for now?

[10:10] Paige:

yeah i can manage, have fun at your meetings

[10:12] Madison ( •⌄• ू )✧:

yea lol super fun. ill ttyl. hang in there, ok?

[10:12] Paige:

haha ill try

***

The next day brings with it clear, blue skies and still frigid temperatures, and if the snowstorm had Sam pleased, this is positively exhilarating, because this kind of weather is perfect for an ice mage to enjoy himself to the fullest. He can feel the pulse of his magic power thrumming below his skin, running in his blood, and he itches to break free of the walls confining him inside to relish the cold air and fresh snow.

Which he absolutely plans to do!

First order of business, though: finding his fiancée. After several seconds waiting outside her door for an answer to his knock, Sam figures Paige must not be in her rooms and sets out to look for her. He finds his prize in one of the sitting rooms nearby, the one with a huge, plush rug and one of Sam's favourite sofas in the entire world (a velvet affair with supremely soft cushions). Paige is curled up on it, her phone in her hands and her back to the door. Sam takes a moment to admire her, illuminated by the bright sunlight streaming in from the windows along the far wall.

"I don't really know," Paige sighs, and Sam realizes she's on the phone with someone. "I just—I woke up today and it was just... bad. And—no, they're running really low so I've been saving them for when I really need them, and by that I mean I haven't been using them even when I do need them, and I still haven't told anyone about it and I'm scared to, even though I know I have to soon. I'm just—I'm scared. I know it's stupid and I shouldn't be, but I am."

This... seems like a private conversation.

On the one hand, he really shouldn't eavesdrop. But on the other, what is Paige scared of? It seems important that Sam should know these things if he's going to be able to help his fiancée. Did Ivanovich or someone else say something to her again? Is she worried about the alliance? Was there an assassination attempt? What's the something she's almost out of?

Paige laughs humorlessly into the phone. "No," she says. "Don't. You can't tell them, it'll only make them worry. They worry about me enough. No—no, I know it's because they care, I just—I don't want to cause them any more stress than I already have, okay?"

This is too much. The guilt for snooping is definitely starting to override his curiosity. He should make his presence known.

"Paige!" he calls, standing in the doorway, and his fiancée jerks in surprise before she looks up with wide eyes before she smiles. She's been talking to her sister? Yes, the person on her phone screen is Princess Madison Mains. Sam offers a cordial wave from the background of Paige's camera.

"Oh, Sam. Did you need something?" Paige asks, and Sam frowns slightly, peering at her. Now that he looks more closely, that smile looks a little bit... pasted on, fake, not happy at all, and again, he can't help but wonder what Paige and Madison were talking about.

'It's none of your business,' he reminds himself, except that Paige is his fiancée, and things that upset and frighten someone's fiancée are usually fair grounds for being that person's business. But no—he's trying to strengthen their relationship like his mother said they should, and that means he isn't going to snoop.

But he can try to cheer her up!

"I didn't need anything," Sam shrugs slightly, "but I would like it if you would accompany me."

"Accompany you where?" Paige asks and is she ... alarmed? What's she afraid of? Sam isn't going to take her anywhere dangerous or anything like that!

"A surprise," Sam says, frowning slightly, "but a good one. There wouldn't be really anyone there, and I think today is perfect for it."

Paige hesitates, glancing back and forth between the camera and Sam.

"I... guess," she says uncertainly. In Pandorian, she bids her sister farewell and then hangs up, putting her phone in her pocket. "Are we going out? Should I get a heavier coat?"

"Yes," Sam says. "I can walk you back to your rooms if you wouldn't mind me tagging along!"

"Ah, no, I don't mind, that's perfectly alright," Paige says. "But you-you don't have to, or anything," she adds, and Sam frowns. Paige is acting a lot like she did when they first met when she was a jittery mess hiding behind three tons of manners and etiquette rules. Is something wrong?

They start to walk back to Paige's rooms, arm in arm just like they always walk, but Sam can't quite shake the feeling that something is wrong. He's just about to ask, delicately, if Paige is alright when someone approaches them as they pass the exit to the courtyard, and he slips back into court mode as soon as he recognizes Baroness Miloslavskaya.

"Your Highness," she greets, stopping in front of them. Sam raises one eyebrow coldly—she only addressed him. For a baroness to snub a princess is a bold move and a rude one. Paige stiffens ever so slightly next to him. And that's another sign something is wrong; normally, Paige's composure is unflappable.

"Baroness," he answers neutrally. "Is there something we can do for you?"

Baroness Miloslavskaya's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "I'm here to extend an invitation to you, Prince Winchester—several of the lords and ladies are planning to go out for lunch today, and Lord Sokolova thought we should invite you, Your Highness."

Sam knows those names and all he has to say on this is... Really? He's being invited out for lunch with Ivanovich's gang? He smiles back, apologetic without being apologetic at all. "My sincerest apologies, Baroness," he says, very insincerely. "But I already have plans with my fiancée." He casually places his hand on Paige's shoulder.

She laughs a tinny and fake sound. Sam resists the urge to roll his eyes. If Ivanovich wants to talk to him, he should do it directly, not through a proxy. "Oh, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind giving you up for one afternoon! You are supposed to be spending the rest of your lives together, what's a few hours apart?"

'Lord Ivanovich must really want to talk to me without seeming desperate,' Sam thinks to himself, dryly amused. Either that or Miloslavskaya is banking on getting him to come with her, so she's the desperate one. Whichever it is, they're going to be disappointed.

"Let's drop some of the pretences," he suggests, keeping his voice light and continuing to smile, with absolutely no warmth behind it. "If I come talk to Lord Ivanovich, who I know is the reason you are talking to me at all outside of court, I already know what he will say. Do you not think he has tried to say it to me many times before?"

Miloslavskaya frowns. "I'm not sure what you mean," she says. "If we're dropping pretences, then I'll let you know I was only asked to bring you to the luncheon, nothing more."

"Don't play stupid," Sam says loftily. "This is about the fact that an alliance with Pandora favours new trade avenues and further global expansion of our influence in the East rather than reinforcing the trade corridor that leads to Víteliú." Which would benefit the Winchester house and which would stand to lessen income for those houses with an investment in old trade.

"Yes," Miloslavskaya agrees. "That's the big picture of it."

Paige is curiously silent. Sam can't help but wonder why she isn't saying anything in defence of her own presence here.

"How about this," Sam says, smiling coldly. "Run along now and tell your betters that I continue to stand with the Queen on this and all other matters, hmm?"

Miloslavskaya, to her credit, looks uncertain, and for a moment Sam thinks maybe this ridiculous farce of a conversation is finally over, but then she forces an incredulous laugh and he groans inwardly. "You expect me to tell him that you honestly are fine with marrying her?" she asks, looking at Paige for the first time. Sam bristles.

"And just what is that supposed to mean Baroness?" he asks, too softly to be anything but deadly. She's treading on thin ice here. Tiptoeing her way around insulting her is one thing. Directly insulting his fiancée is another, and both Sam the Crown Prince and Sam the friend of Paige Mains are displeased.

"Just that there are certainly... stronger choices," she says delicately as if she doesn't want to outright say she's prejudiced against Paige because she's bitter that the Winchester family will join with the Mains and both will benefit.

Sam draws his most frigid demeanour around himself like a cloak. "I suggest you revisit your tutors, Baroness," he says, dropping his smile as he glances down at her as though she's utterly beneath him (she is). "Your respect to those who outrank you could use some work. Princess Mains is far stronger than you know, and if she wasn't what I or what Ruritania wanted, I would have already broken off my engagement. Now, shoo. My fiancée and I have places to be."

Without waiting for a response, he links his arm through Paige's again and sweeps past Miloslavskaya, imperiously gliding down the hallway and around a corner. Paige follows wordlessly. Sam waits until they're a little ways away to turn and look down at her.

"Well! That was an unpleasant encounter, but—Paige?" He stops, alarmed. Paige is pale and trembling, shoulders hunched in on herself and her free arm wrapped around herself as if to hold herself together. "Paige, are you alright?"

"You said—you said I'm strong enough and if I wasn't, you would send me back," Paige whispers, her wide, frantic eyes fixed on the wall behind Sam. "Why did—why would—"

She breaks off, and Sam furrows his brow, confused, as Paige pulls away from him to clutch at her head. "You're hyperventilating," he observes, perhaps a tad unhelpfully. "Do you need to sit down?"

Paige fumbles at one of her pockets for something that is apparently not there, because her hand comes out empty and she just stares at it for a moment, still trembling. "Shit."

"What is happening," Sam mutters, half to himself because it's almost like Paige isn't hearing him. He places his hands on Paige's shoulders in what is hopefully a steadying gesture, helping her stay in place. "Paige. Paige, look at me. What's wrong?"

"Do friends—do friends send each other back if they stop being good enough? Strong enough?" Paige wheezes, and good lord, she's shaking hard enough that Sam is kind of amazed she's still on her feet instead of collapsed on the floor. Sam blows out a breath.

"No, of course not," he says, confused. "But you're perfectly fine the way you are, so I'm not going to try and break it off or anything—why is this- what's upsetting you? I said that because I was trying to defend you from what she was saying about you! Did none of that matter?"

Paige laughs, a breathless and desperate sound that's uncomfortably close to tears, and Sam has the selfish flash of the thought 'oh god, please don't start crying, I don't know what to do with people crying in front of me,' before Paige takes a shuddering, shallow breath and says, "I'm not good enough, though. I'm—I'm a fucking disaster and I've been pretending to be a functioning human being this entire time! And I guess I f-fooled you t-too! But now I—I can't keep faking, you saw me, and now I'm—I'm not good enough! That's—that's the funny part, though. I have never been, I was j-just good at lying," and she chokes on a sob, though no tears fall yet. "I guess it's over now," she adds, half-hysterical. "I failed. You'll get rid of me now."

"Paige, what—" Sam starts, utterly bewildered because where does he even start with this, but apparently Paige isn't planning to have any more conversation anyway, because she gasps out a choked sorry and ducks away from Sam, and before Sam can say a word, she flees back the way they came. Sam is torn, absolutely clueless as to whether he should go after her or not, and he hesitates, standing uncertainty in the hallway until he hears a sound that sends ice down his spine:

The big, creaky door to the courtyard just opened, audible even from here, and then slammed shut again like it does on windy days.

They were walking back to Paige's room to get her into proper clothes for being outside.

They never made it there.

Shit.

"Paige!" he calls, breaking into a run back down the corridor. Doesn't she know it's below freezing out there? What just happened? "Paige, come back!"

He shoves the heavy door open and is immediately greeted by a blast of freezing air and a snow-and-ice-covered courtyard. Swearing under his breath, he scans the ground, but plenty of people have walked through here today, and the snow is largely compacted already and he can't tell which of the three paths in here Paige must have fled down.

"Paige!"

Paige doesn't answer.