It was a quiet afternoon. People were sleeping longer than usual, the snow quietly melting near the newly lit fire and snowflakes falling from the sky, landing on the playful children's faces. It was an hour past lunch as everybody decided to take a break and find a way to relax in the freezing cold. Evan decided to try out his new winter coat and explore the kingdom.
He wrapped himself in the hardwearing, but comfy coat and slid into his boots. He comfortably slipped his hands into the delicately designed mitts and had his tail wrapped in an individual cloth, thin enough for movement and enchanted to keep it warm. He began to walk out his room, then down a flight of stairs. There he saw Roland, walking towards his own room.
The man waved at him and said, "Hey Evan, I like the coat. Are you going out?"
His tail wagged behind him and replied, "Oh yes! I really wanted to use this coat and explore the kingdom as they prepare for the celebration."
"Yeah, it's really looking like a white Christmas." he commented as his arm leaned on the door frame.
Evan's ears twitched as he turned back to him in a puzzlement, "Christmas?"
"Ah, I forgot it's different here. To make sense of it, it's a celebration me and my people would celebrate by the end of the year. It involves gift giving, putting gifts under trees, decorating your neighborhood from top to bottom and a guy named Santa Claus. He's in charge of giving all the good kids presents, but only a few believe he exists."
"Golly, that sounds like a wonderful tradition. What I, and most people here, celebrate is something called the Winter Star Feast. I does involve a lot of gift giving and holiday cheer, just like your 'Christmas'. Just without this 'Santa Claus'."
Roland crossed his arms and dropped his gaze, "Well that sounds great too. Be careful while you're out, and spread your holiday cheer."
He fluffed his coat and beamed back, "Of course I will! I really would like to thank you again for doing all this work for me in the meantime."
"It never is a problem at all, good-bye, Evan."
Roland began to walk inside his room as Evan trotted his way out of the castle.
The streets were covered in snow with little higgledies popping up now and then. The snow crunched with each step he made. He greeted all the people with fervor as he passed each street. He turned around the corner to see an unfamiliar looking tree. It was quite smaller than an average tree. It's leaves, small and thin with its ends having a triangular end. The berries looked like the size of his thumb, the colors varying in combinations that included pink, blue, purple and teal.
He saw Tani next to the tree and began walk towards him as she stuffed something into her coat pocket. She waved with glee as she came closer to greet him, "Hey Evan! You have to check this out, it's such a pretty tree, don't you think? And I really love the new coat, it suits you!"
Evan smiled back and shook off the snow from his shoulders. "Golly, Tani! Thank you for saying that. I am going to it this moment, have you seen it before?"
She shook her head as she quickly threw something in her mouth, "No, it really looks new to me.", she bit down and swallowed, "-and the fruits do taste pretty sweet."
Evan noticed something in her eyes that moment, as if a light had flickered in them. He squinted in curiosity and decided to shake his head.
Tani was puzzled as well but quickly shook it off. "Well, I'll meet you back at the castle. Have fun!"
They waved goodbye as he looked back at the tree, seeing how a person was next to it once again.
"Halimede!" Evan cried at the girl the moment he recognized her.
She stood next to the tree holding a small pouch. She glanced at Evan and greeted him, "Good afternoon, King Evan, What brings you here? Me and Hipponoe are busy preparing the floral decorations for the feast, and what a wonderful coat you have."
"Oh, thank you! I'm just taking a walk around to see how everything's going. I'm quite surprised you were able to get into the gardening arts and," he pointed at the tree in interest and asked, "mind if I ask what kind of tree this is?"
Halimede looked up the small tree and responded with slight pride in her tone, "Oh! It's a 'Frochivito' tree! It's quite a rare plant, based on the things I've read. It used to grow back on the islands near Hydropolis when I was much younger. It grows in the cold weather and doesn't really last long. The fruits it bears are very unique and quite small, but should not be eaten. Having a handful of it including the branches make unique decorations."
She continued as she looked back at the boy, "Hipponoe managed to find a few seeds a few months ago and we began to plant it immediately, seeing how it was the perfect weather. We do plan to sell it for a profit, would you think that's a good idea, Your Majesty? I say our practice truly has bore quite the fruit, ehehe."
Evan fixed his sleeves and beamed, "It's a great idea, if this plant wouldn't bring harm. You just have to request a business permit then you would be more than allowed to sell these! I'll go have one drafted the moment I'm back at the castle. I am quite curious of it myself."
Halimede smiled and tied the pouch she held closed. She passed it over to Evan and gleefully proclaimed, "Why thank you so much, Your Majesty! Have this, it has a few fresh clippings for you."
"You're very welcome, Halimede! And thank you for this."
He began to walk away, in excitement to share with his fellow friends as she beckoned before he completely turned around the corner, "I've given Mistress Tani a sample, so you wouldn't have to worry about her!"
Evan looked back and nodded in understanding. He continued to trot back to the castle, his tail wagging left and right in excitement.