For those of you who have read chapter 2 previously, please DO (re)read this version.. I've decided to make a few changes and added a part at the end of this chapter. Thanksso much to those who do take care toleave a review.
Chapter 2 – Snow Blossoms
The wind was whistling against the foreign sky, making rattling noises in anger against the grey slate clouds.
Solita had a solemn expression on her pale, young face. Her eyes were carved of stone – stormy flecks of deep blue etching into cloudy grey marbles. They contained no innocence that was expected in a child her age, but were lined with sadness – she was a girl who had seen too much for her years of living.
"Presenting Prince Alaric and Prince Ethel, sons of the late Prince Pedro of Avienal and Queen Napea of Nivalis."
Two boys dressed in expensive finery strutted across the court to the royal throne, and bowed to the queen and Princess Solita. Queen Napea smiled at them, and said proudly, "My sons, the kingdom of Nivalis welcomes you." Solita did not smile, or make any effort to speak until all eyes of the court were turned upon her, waiting for a greeting.
"Daughter of our late King Jethro and late Queen Odessa – " Solita's thin voice trembled slightly, " – Princess Solita, welcomes you to the palace." Her eyes flickered to gaze upon the strangers. They were both tall, boys approaching youth. One had obviously inherited the smile of his mother – but somehow it contained more honesty and truth in its radiating glow. His wavy locks of brown hair fell carelessly at his shoulders, and revealed eyes of the deep ocean. The other seemed a year or two older, a boy of fourteen with a polite, but somewhat cold smile, and the same piercing emerald eyes of Queen Napea. His hair was black as night, falling into his eyes occasionally.
The entire court watched the reunion with polite expressions, and then all in turn greeted the princes. Solita, knowing that she would no longer been needed, faded into the back of the court, and ran to the West Gardens at the other side of the palace.
It had been a month after the death of her father. Solita had not said a word willingly to anyone, and kept to herself when not being educated by scholars and instructors. She knew perfectly well that the kingdom was talking about her, the poor little girl. She was without a father, without a mother, and the kingdom was without a true ruler.
Solita didn't know how long she stood at the fountain. The gentle caress of the waters soothed her, and time trickled away like soft rivers.
"Your highness," said a voice behind her. Solita turned to come face to face with the royal advisor, Lord Castel.
"The queen requests you give the princes a tour of the palace." He motioned towards the two boys standing behind him awkwardly. Forcing a sweet smile, Solita lead the princes through a cobblestone sidewalk, winding through the magnificent West Garden. She lightly pointed at the sighing roses and lovely flowers and said, "This garden is the delicacy, the specialty of the entire West Wing."
Prince Ethel's gaze followed her, although he did not move from his stone-still position. The Princess Solita was young, but she was a stranger who seemed to be able to look through him and see his inner secrets in one glance.
"What is your favorite flower of the courtyard, Princess Solita?" Alaric made an effort to start a conversation with her.
"Snow blossoms, " she said impassively. Her dress rippled onto the cobblestone sidewalk as she bent down to peer affectionately at the blooming flowers below.
"Where is it?" Ethel asked, with sudden interest in his voice.
She pointed towards a fountain near the center of the garden. Sprouting towards the sky were three snow blossoms, petals whiter than real snow and silken to the touch. It looked almost like a white rose, but the leaves and stems were wilder, curling onto itself, and trailing into the waters of the fountain.
"It's beautiful…" said Alaric. Solita nodded and turned her back on the brothers to gaze into the distant mountains which guarded the kingdom.
Ethel seized the chance to spring on top of the fountain with a few light jumps, careful not to cast even a slight ripple upon the waters. His hands were just inches away from the snow blossom when Solita's voice sliced through the air. She had not even turned around.
"Please remove yourself from the fountain, dear stepbrother. There is a reason the snow blossoms are surrounded by water and perched so high." Her tone was cool, and once finished speaking she turned to regard him with an icy stare unusual for a child her age.
"You knew it had magic powers, didn't you?" she said.
Attempting a small smile, Ethel murmured, "Of course. It is a legend, a rumor, back in Avienal, that these flowers were the dead Queen's flowers. And that she possessed magic powers, which were transferred to the blossoms at her death."
"The dead queen, prince," she muttered irritably while turning a heel and walking away, "was my mother."
Snow blossoms aren't a main part of the plot, but a detail of the story which is still nice to be included. Thanks for reading.