When people think of winter, they think of snow. They think of the hot drinks, holidays, and family gatherings. Happy moments where all is kind and softhearted. Never the sharpened icicles or slippery ground that could make your head combust if you fell.
In a small land, hidden from the rest of the world, lay a little village in which no more than 1,000 people lived. It was quant, and homey… but always cold. The type of cold which makes you want to curl up to try and get a bit of warmth; if you can, that is. This little village was ruled by a king, which oddly, no one ever saw. As much as this village was sweet, it was also filled with secrets and vile people who had the nerve to call themselves humans. A king who nobody ever saw was quiet a topic… but people also seemed to not care. He took care of their land with plenty of food, shelter, and supplies needed to not get frostbite.
Rumors of the king had indeed spread along the far corners of the land. He was always hidden in his castle; a fortress of dark brick that was slicked with ice. No one dared to even step close to the gate that blocked the castle. They were afraid of devils and gargoyles who would gauge out their eyes if they did so… Well, they weren't the smartest of people.
But in this village, a young man lived on his own. He hated people with a passion, and knew how to take care of himself (as he thought.) He wasn't even over the age of fifteen; yet, in this town, that was a good enough age to be alone. Striking blue eyes that were deeper than the sea, hair as soft as silk; the color of a midnight blue sky, hinted with a gray ash. He was sharp, and clever. But had an attitude problem… of course, he had to be a brat. He went by the name of Ciel. People thought it was an odd name… still, he didn't mind it. At least he had a name, unlike the others in the town.
Often, he himself would find his mind wandering on about the king. Was he cruel? Why was he alone? Why couldn't he show his face…? Why did Ciel even bother to care.
"Another storm coming?! Christ… it's the second one this week. How are we supposed to keep up the market with all the damned snow!?" Ciel rolled his eyes at the people in the town. Always complaining about the snow and cold. He didn't mind it that much. He grew up with it. It was hard enough to take a walk without others complaining or sobbing about how difficult it was to live.
"Ah yes! We have done something wrong…! Es' we have! The king is making a blizzard come to kill us all! See the dark clouds! We must ask for forgiveness!" Ciel paused at the scene. People were crowded and sobbing, actually believing it was the king who always made it so cold. He tried to ignore the yells and shrieks of their towns speaker; but it was too hard. Why, exactly? He wasn't sure. "Now, now! We must stop him! Before it's too late!" Ciel scoffed, pushing his way to the front. "Are you really this pathetic?" His eyebrow gave a quirk upwards. "Stopping our king? A man who helps you live so you don't collapse onto the ground and shake until you die?"
Everyone grew silent and watched the ashen haired boy. "A man cannot control the weather, can he? He is simply a ruler. Overthrowing him, or going against him, will definitely end in death. I'd like to see you even put a finger passed the gate without having to pee yourself."
The man's mouth was agape before a gravely laugh escaped his dirtied lips and face. "You speak as if you have no fear of him… Why don't you go to him? A challenge to you, from the town. Get passed his demons and hounds, go into the castle… Trick him. Deceive him, as he has done to us."
Ciel just stared blankly. This man was better off dead. Obviously he was a loon. But Ciel wanted to go to the castle… this could be his one excuse to actually see this feared king. Find out why he was alone… and why he never wanted to be seen. With a tilt of his head, he gave a nod. "I accept. I'll head there now, before the storm." With that, the boy was off, trudging through the dirt and rocks. The crowd followed after, mumbling and whispering as they all stood away from the gate. He wasn't doing this for the sake of the town. It was for himself. Something in him ripped into his mind; begging him to step outside the boundary. To go against the kings rule.
Ciel's fingers traced the metal that had rusted, and black flakes stuck to his milky fingers. 'Just open it. There's no such thing as devils. It is only a man.' Gently, his fingers pushed the gate open with a low creak, and he stepped inside. Already it seemed darker, and more menacing. He shut the gate behind him before continuing to walk forward hesitantly; not daring to look back. Soon, he was far enough where the gate wasn't even in view. The lad crossed his arms and tried to rub his skin to keep warm; his breath becoming fogged and icy at the temperature dropping. Goosebumps spread along his little frame as his tongue would slide against his lips to keep them moist.
No devils or gargoyles… no hounds or demons to take him away. "I knew it," he muttered to himself as he continued onto his journey in the darkening sky. He would brush the pieces of his hair that hung in front of his eyes as the castle became clearer and clearer in his sight. Slowly, he stopped in front of the doors to the mansion. A shaking hand lifted to knock the chilled wood. He wasn't sure if he was shaking from the cold, or from fear. "H-hello?" he shivered out. No answer. He knocked again. Yet another time he wasn't answered. "What kind of king won't even answer a door." He frowned as his arms pushed the door open. He slipped and skidded inside; landing on his hands and knees.
"No…" he breathed out quietly at what was before him. The castle was clean, and neat. Seemingly warm, too. Oddly, though, ice hung from the ceilings and spiraled downwards to cast veins onto the floor. He stood on wobbly knees and shut the door with a thud; wincing at the loud echo. "Hello?" he called out once more. Trudging through the halls, he seemed to find different rooms. A library, dining room, kitchen, and even the kings room as assumed. It probably wasn't the best idea to go snooping in a kings mansion… but he hadn't seemed to answer, so why not? If nobody was there, then there was no harm done.
Maybe there wasn't a king. Maybe he was dead and people were too afraid to admit it. No, that couldn't be possible… How would they get fresh supplies? Though, a part of the boy wished the king was dead. Then he wouldn't have to deal with the town constantly trying to please him; as if he was some kind of god. His thoughts were interrupted as a door at the end of the hallway caught his vision. It was a slim door that seemed to be a light blue. The handle seemed to have frost on it, and instantly ciel had a need to go inside. Giving a quick glance behind him, he skidded down the hall, and directly in front of the door. He took in a breath and held it as his fingers began to curl around the cold knob-
"Don't touch that."
Ciel instantly turned away and his eyes widened at the tall man before him. He wasn't what he thought a king would look like. Especially with the dark crimson eyes that stared right back at him.