"Ugh, what is it?" I groaned groggily, my sleep-crinkled eyes trying to focus.

"Today is the day," said Sheik, rubbing my back coaxingly. "Get dressed."

I looked over at my alarm clock. "…You seriously woke me up at six in the morning?" Normally I'm an early bird but yesterday's tournament really left me tired…

"Please, come before it's too late," she insisted calmly, so I complied, albeit begrudgingly.

Both of us wearing our jackets, we stepped out into the chilly morning air. It was nearly dawn. As I gave a yawn she took my hand in hers, leading the way. She seemed pretty eager about something…if only I had that same gusto, too, yawning again. We walked past the garden where the flowers were growing nicely—pansies, camellias…but what truly caught my attention, once we reached the meadow, were some wild specimens I had never seen before.

"Silent princesses," Sheik smiled fondly.

We waited for some time, and soon enough it began to snow. When the snowflakes touched their petals, the silent princesses, one after another, bloomed beautifully, and when the light of dawn hit them just right, they glittered and shone, causing the whole meadow to light up right before our eyes.

To think I would have missed this… Somehow, just looking at them all made me feel happy.

"This phenomenon only happens during the first snow of winter," Sheik explained. "It is said to grant immense happiness," and she gently squeezed my hand. "Wouldn't you agree?"

I smiled at her, squeezing right back.