I've been in love with Alfred F. Jones for years.

It started out by accident. I'm just unlucky that way. I'd sneaked out of the castle early one morning to see the border between our kingdoms, where the bright green grass meets the blindingly white snow. I've never crossed into the Red's land, though I've wanted to for years. At times it feels like it's killing me, the wanting to cross growing stronger and stronger. Sometimes it feels like I'm suffocating, being surrounded by the cold and snow when the warmth is so close. I guess I'm teasing myself, in a sense, but I can't quit. It's like an addiction.

I found him while he was on a hunting expedition, tracking a buck that was nearing the border with some of his knights by his side. They managed to gun it down before the creature crossed, landing a sharp bolt right between the eyes. I don't like the idea of killing or seeing it happen, but he looked so graceful and calm. The death didn't even catch my eye. Those beautiful blue eyes of his, the color of the sunny sky, were what captured me, ensnared me. The knights dragged the deer back to the castle, grinning widely as the prince looked smug at his newest victory.

They didn't even notice me, as I was hidden among the  treetops, hidden by the white cloak that surrounds me as it blends into the snow covering the ground and tree branches.

That was back when I was fourteen. I'm seventeen now, and my feelings about the enemy prince haven't changed. The only thing that has is my height and skill level. Our kingdoms are still on the verge of war, the brink of death and destruction. 

Needless to say, I don't appreciate war. I can fight, and I can do it well. But the idea of taking another human's life when it can be avoided is something that disgusts me.

Sneaking out of the castle through the kitchen, I breathe a sigh of relief as I make it into the forest that inevitably leads to the border. Because I'm the youngest, the least needed, no one really cares about the things I do. They don't like my habit of leaving the castle so often, but no one really cares. They just don't want me to do anything stupid, and by "they" I mean my father, the king.

He was a good man, a good leader, for a very long time. He helped us overcome struggles like lack of food and water and similar problems, but he's too focused on fighting. He's obsessed with war, power hungry and deranged, and my brothers are no better. They want to fight, not even caring whether or not there are other options.

Leaping into the barren treetops, I dash across the branches, hopping from tree to tree with practiced skill. I may not be the best fighter out of my brothers, but if one needs someone to do something quickly and quietly, I'm the one to come to. I don't mean to brag or anything. I'm just good at sneaking around and such. It's come in handy with avoiding my brothers, who are insistent that I spar with them to become better.

The wind, bitter and rough, stings my cheeks, biting at my skin. It's annoying, but I'm used to it. It used to be painful, but now I'm just numb. The only thing I want anymore is warmth. Even in my room, surrounded by furs and sitting near the fire doesn't provide what I crave.

I near the border within a few minutes, lightly panting as I catch my breath against the large tree I'm in.The border is a few feet in front of me, stretching out as far as the eye can see and tantalizingly beautiful. The border cuts part of the branches of this tree in half, as they hang over into the territory. It's a rather amusing, looking at the branch being half dead and half alive. I'm not entirely sure how it's possible, but it's still amazing.

Bright green leaves hang from the branch, poking out of the rough bark adorably. Folding back the hood that covers my face, I lean closer, studying the leaves intently. Why are they so green? Why do I feel so compelled to touch it? My crown weighs heavy upon my head, though it's a small golden band that wraps around my cranium. It's a reminder of the fealty I'm sworn to by birth, a weight that stops me as I reach for the small, green leaf.

Sighing, I pull my hand away, feeling defeated. I can't even bring myself to touch a leaf. What am I going to do if our kingdoms go to war? Not to mention, it feels like someone is watching me, studying me, and I definitely don't like it.

Looking around, I find no one to be there and cautiously jump down from my tree, landing with almost no sound in the plush snow. Studying the landscape for movement, I breathe heavily, scared out of my mind.

Refusing to show my fear, I draw my sword, summoning it from where it is held within my aura. Everyone in the Blue Kingdom knows how to use magic, so this isn't exactly anything special. There are spells far more difficult.

I see...footprints. The first set is a deer's, round and stumbling. It must have been wounded. The four pairs of footsteps are human, hunters judging by the position of their feet. They were sneaking across the snow. They suddenly disappear as a strong gust of wind blows through, unsettling the snow around me.

Sighing in frustration and at the fact that I've never been a good tracker, I follow where the footprints were leading, finding the collapsed body of a large buck. It fell in the middle of a small clearing, an arrow sticking out of its neck. It doesn't look very deep, but in our kingdom, the cold alone can cause any foreign animal to pass out. Its breathing is shallow and weak, and my heart aches at the sight. 

Forgetting the fact that there were four sets of human prints, which were probably from the Red Kingdom, I kneel beside the helpless creature and shed my cloak, draping it over the deer carefully and covering its beautiful brown fur. The fabric is enchanted to keep the wearer at a comfortable temperature. That should help with any hypothermia he may be experiencing. 

I grow wary as I near the arrow. I don't have much experience when it comes to medicine or dealing with blood flow, but I'm very advanced in the area of healing magic. It should have the same effect as it would on a human.

"I'm going to pull it out," I say quietly, putting a hand on his slender neck as I grip the arrow firmly. Why I talk to the animal, I have no idea. It makes me feel better, as if they understand what I'm trying to do, because this isn't the first time I've healed a wounded animal.

I hear it whine pathetically, making my heart sink. Biting my lip and mustering up the courage, I pull it out, immediately placing my hand over the wound to try and slow the bleeding. It cries out loudly in response, whining in a way that makes me wince.

Trying to block out the noise, I breathe deeply, feeling my power start to trickle out of me as I mutter the healing spell, body growing weaker as the deer's grows stronger.

When the spell ends, I open my eyes again, watching as the glow from my skin fades. Whenever I use magic, my body takes on a blue glow. I'm not sure why it happens, but it doesn't hurt. So I don't mind.

Its oak brown eyes flutter open, and he scrambles away from me, eyes wide and panicked. In the process, my cloak falls to the forest floor and its limbs start to shake with the cold. Without so much as a glance, the buck takes off, running back into the sunlight and further on. 

I sigh, standing up and gathering my thick cloak. I drape it around my shoulders, looking around as the feeling of being watched refuses to leave.

"You always did have a soft spot for animals," a familiar voice mocks.

The sudden intrusion causes me to gasp and spin around, meeting the gaze of an old friend of mine. "Bloody hell, Vladimir! You can't just sneak up on people!" Panting from the shock, I exhale heavily before raising a brow at him. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

The knight, my friend, grins hopping down from the tree and strutting over to me. "I noticed a certain someone was sneaking out of the castle, and I decided to follow," he says simply, giving me a playful shrug.

"Don't be creepy," I say, laughing softly as I nudge him. He stumbles a little bit before returning the gesture harshly and sending me to the ground. 

"My apologies, your highness," he mocks, helping me to my feet as I give him a dry stare.

"Did you just shove a member of the royal family?" I ask, pretending to be appalled by the idea. 

He grins, ruffling my hair. "Oh, shut up, you." Sighing, he lifts himself onto a branch that's hanging low and starts swinging his feet. "So, are you still too scared to cross the border?"

"I'm not scared per se..."

"Yep, you're scared," he concludes, lying down on the branch and looking up to the sky.

I sigh, shaking my head and glancing back to the sunny place that's not too far away. "I'm just scared I'll get caught, or it won't turn out what I'm dreaming it will."

Vladimir flashes me a sympathetic look. "You're going to have to find out eventually."

"Why do you say that?" I ask, raising a single thick brow. 

His red eyes become cornered and sad. "You don't know..."

"What don't I know?"

He sighs, looking upset as he runs a hand through his white-grey locks. "Arthur, it's been made official..."

"What has?" I ask, feeling my heart drop to my stomach.

"We're going to war."

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Heylo, my lovely little nuggets! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave any comments or suggestions if you have them. They make my day :) Anyway, I'll see y'all nuggety readers in the next update! Until then, have an absolutely fantastic and fabulous day! Bai!!! >:3

-IggyScones