Chapter 7.5 : Seeds and Small Storms
The snow had finally ceased when Xebec's small entourage entered the lower forest that led toward the royal plains. Though they were not yet out of danger, for the first time in days, the sun peeked timidly through the clouds. The horses' steps felt lighter, and the atmosphere slowly began to thaw… including Xebec's heart.
Astrid rode right beside him. She hadn't said much since they left the Temple of Artheon, but every movement of hers—calm, graceful, and alert—made it harder for Xebec to look away.
Unfortunately, just as he was daydreaming about "the majestic waves of Astrid's silver hair," Xebec's horse stumbled over a tree root.
"Argh—!"
THUMP!
The prince of the Kingdom of Phillipe toppled gently into the snow. His ceremonial cloak flared open as frost greeted his face with an icy welcome.
Astrid dismounted quickly and approached. "Are you alright?"
Xebec slowly lifted his head, his expression frozen and… a little ridiculous.
"I believe this was… a surprise attack by a tree root."
Aelra, riding behind, chuckled softly. "That root must be an infiltrator from the demon forces, Your Highness. Shall we interrogate it?"
Astrid held back a laugh and offered her hand. "Shall I help you up, or would you prefer to reflect on life a little longer in the snow?"
Xebec accepted her hand. At once, a strange warmth pulsed in his chest—perhaps from the touch, or perhaps from the gentleness in Astrid's eyes, the first he'd seen.
"Thank you," he said shortly, trying to rise with elegance. He failed. His foot slipped, dragging Astrid down with him.
Now both of them lay side by side in the snow.
Silence.
Aelra cleared her throat loudly from afar. "I don't think this was part of the diplomatic strategy."
Astrid rose slowly, brushing snow from her gown. A faint blush colored her pale cheeks.
"If this is your attempt at royal courtship… I'm not overly impressed," she said flatly, though the corner of her mouth curled upward.
Xebec patted snow from his shoulder. "Well… diplomacy isn't exactly my strength. But falling beside you doesn't feel all that bad."
Now it was Astrid's turn to fall silent.
Aelra smirked. "Stars above. Do you two need a room—or a tent?"
That day ended with light laughter amid the snow, and their small campfire conversation that night felt warmer than ever. For the first time on their arduous journey, Xebec felt his heart beating not just from danger… but from something slowly blooming.
Something that couldn't be explained by magic, war, or noble blood.
---
That night, they rested in an old hunter's cabin Aelra found not far from the main path. A fire crackled in the cracked hearth, and the evening mist hung between the trees outside. Inside, it was warm enough… but the mood was a bit awkward.
Astrid sat reading an old notebook she had brought from the temple, while Xebec sat near the window, supposedly sharpening his sword. But in truth, the only thing he'd been sharpening was his attention to how Astrid brushed her hair from her face.
Aelra stirred root stew in the corner and glanced at them. "If you look at someone more than five times in ten minutes, it's not a duel… it's the early symptoms of love."
Xebec rolled his eyes. "I'm just being cautious. She could chant a spell and fling me to the moon."
Astrid replied without looking up, "If I wanted to send you to the moon, I would've done it when you pulled me down into the snow."
Aelra laughed heartily and handed Xebec a bowl of stew. "Don't worry, Prince. If love doesn't kill you, this dish might."
Xebec took a sip and instantly coughed.
"Aelra! Did you put rocks in this?"
"Not rocks. Argel root. Its spice can make your ancestors dance."
Astrid stifled a laugh, but one glance at Xebec struggling to swallow made her smile fully—for the first time that night.
"I can cook something better, if you'd like to not poison yourself," Astrid said, standing.
"And is that… concern, Lady Astrid?" Xebec asked, half-teasing.
Astrid walked over slowly and leaned in. "It's concern for the kingdom's stability. If you die from food poisoning, who will take your place? Bastian?"
Xebec chuckled softly. "That's… probably the best reason to stay alive."
Astrid finally laughed—light, like fresh snow on a winter morning. Xebec looked at her for a moment and realized something he could no longer deny.
Behind Astrid's sharp gaze, behind the bloodline of curses and secrets—was someone fighting a battle just like his. And Xebec knew, his heart was beginning to waver. Not from weakness… but from understanding.
As Astrid turned toward the cabin's kitchen, she glanced back.
"And, Prince…"
"Hm?"
"If you fall again… make sure you fall to the right. So I can brace for it better."
Xebec grinned. "You've calculated my fall trajectory? That's… either affection or attempted assassination."
Astrid replied only with a small smile before vanishing behind the curtain.
Aelra patted Xebec's shoulder. "I think you've already fallen, Your Highness. In a way not even a grand mage could reverse."
Xebec only sighed—but did not deny it.
The night deepened. The fire dimmed, and Aelra was already snoring softly in the corner, wrapped in a fur blanket like a giant cocoon. The cabin was quiet… but not silent. Because Xebec couldn't sleep.
He stared at the wooden ceiling, thoughts spiraling—from the kingdom, to Baal, to Bastian… and somehow, to Astrid's silver hair gleaming in firelight.
Suddenly, he heard quiet footsteps.
Astrid emerged from behind the kitchen curtain, wearing a light cloak, her hair now untied and loose.
"Can't sleep?" she asked softly.
Xebec gave a faint smile. "Hard to sleep wondering if I'll wake with a demon standing on my chest."
Astrid sat across from him, crossing her legs gracefully. "Relax. If there's a demon here… it's sleeping and snoring like a drunken mare," she said, gesturing to Aelra, now hugging a pot.
They both chuckled.
Astrid looked at Xebec for a long moment, then asked more quietly, "Did you really come to Castle de Malefic just to see my face?"
Xebec paused, then answered honestly, "At first, I wanted to see the girl my father tried to betroth me to. But now… I want to know more than that."
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "More than my face?"
"More than what you're hiding. More than your curse. More than your family name," Xebec said softly.
A strange stillness followed, as if even the air held its breath.
Astrid stood slowly. "Then you'd better prepare yourself. Because the more you know… the more dangerous it becomes."
Xebec looked up at her. "I've lived my life in danger. But this is the first time… the danger feels enchanting."
Astrid stifled a laugh and threw a pillow at his face.
"Stop talking like a drunk poet! I was almost moved!"
"Almost?" Xebec pushed the pillow aside with a grin. "So you're saying there's hope?"
Astrid rolled her eyes dramatically and walked back to her bed, calling over her shoulder, "Go to sleep, Prince. We return to the palace tomorrow, and I don't want you limping like a heartbroken youth."
Xebec leaned back and smiled at the ceiling. "Don't worry… I only fell a little."
And so the night ended with the soft rustle of leaves outside the cabin, while inside, two hearts from different worlds began to turn toward one another—even if still at a distance.
(tobecontinued)