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The sounds of children playing can be heard from the castle windows, young Prince Dimitri enjoying his company. Another magical day spent with his lovely Adrestian Princess, Edelgard. His innocent face beet red from being pummeled by snowballs. Only now does he begin to regret teaching her how to pack them so tightly.
“El,” he chuckles out her name, his name for her, “don’t think you’ve won just yet!!” The two of them huddled behind makeshift barricades made of snow, their little bodies filled with tremendous energy.
He continues to call out to her, “Any moment now my army will arrive and hear my call,” bright blue eyes look back to his teenage retainer, Glenn Fraldarius. The older boy was assigned to watch them, standing under the overhang of the courtyard door. A motion is made for the teen to join his prince in their assault on The Empire but he just gives him a knowing smile and shrugs. The prince’s lip pouts as he’s rejected, turning to face his adversary once more, “You might as well giv—” SMACK! Another snowy cannonball hurdles in his direction. It hits the side of his head, blond hair covered in white fluff, his groan can be heard from her position.
Edelgard giggles and laughs… Quite the actor the young prince is, Glenn thinks. Shaking his head from the sidelines, rolling his eyes.
“I’ve been wounded! She’s taken my eye, I’m blinded. I need help!!” His normally timid voice was so lively and filled with childish glee. He pretends to be grievously injured; the teen continues to refrain from becoming involved.
“Surrender now Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd or face my wrath!” Her little head pops out from behind her barricade, cheeks pink from all the yelling and carrying on. When they play like this it keeps her mind from wandering, filling her days with happiness over the dreadful anxiety of what lingers back home. A part of her never wants to leave Fhirdiad, wishing to remain here in the comfort of Dimitri and his family. The princess is happy.
Before their climatic battle can come to an end they are interrupted. A servant pokes their head out from the courtyard door and informs Glenn it’s time to collect the children and bring them inside. Night blankets the skies too quickly for Edelgard’s liking, the sun sets past the horizon.
“Alright, alright… break it up, you two. It’s dinner time—” the teen glances down at Dimitri who lays defeated in the snow. Glenn’s smile cracks over his face, this little crush his prince has got really brought out a new side of him.
Those sweet blue eyes blink, staring up at his future brother in arms. A smile crosses his lips as well, “You didn’t come to rescue me,” he pouts playfully, mimicking how Felix does it. He doesn’t get an answer as Glenn pulls him from the snowy ground.
“Come on. You too, princess—”
She takes the chance, chucking a tightly packed snowball at the teen. Unfortunately for her highness, he dodges it easily. You never can leave your guard down around these imperial types. The two of them soon find each other in Glenn’s arms, one in each and they’re forcefully carried into the castle. Violet eyes glance up at the starry sky as night encapsulates the crystal clear canvas, she says goodbye to another day with Dimitri in his Kingdom of Faerghus.
Inside the children are quickly tended to, their boots removed along with articles of wet clothing. The evening had only just begun, too early to run them baths. They are placed in front of Dimitri’s father’s grand fireplace, the one meant for family — not guests. A large warm blanket thrown over them, tea mugs in their tiny palms. Dimitri blows the surface, lips chapped from the lack of moisturizing. His throat hums in delight at the taste of the sweet liquid, black tea with marmalade jam.
He laughs, “Do you like yours, El?”
Finally alone with her: no Glenn to stare at them and embarrass him, no Felix to seeth in jealousy, no Sylvain or his brother, not even Ingrid or his parents. Just a prince and princess, warming themselves by the fire. They make stories like this, Dimitri thinks. Fairy Tales that have happy endings. His little heart yearns for her, unable to keep his eyes off her pretty face. Edelgard— El —was his first love. The prince of her neighboring country is falling madly in love with her. Like father, like son. The two young lords paired together almost by design.
His lips press to the edge of his mug, blowing once more to cool the warm liquid.
“I wouldn’t know, I haven’t drinken any yet. Mine's too hot,” she says, staring down into her beverage. There was something floating in the cup that seemed foreign to her, “What did they put in this tea, Dimitri?” She breaks their distance and scoots even closer, showing him a visual. Her pink fingers curled tightly around her cup.
He wasn’t sure what she was referring to right away, curious eyes glance down into her mug, “ Ohhh ! Do you mean the jam?” It was almost unbelievable to him, but that must be it. Otherwise it tasted like regular black tea.
“Why is there jam?” Her brows arch, unsure, “That’s gross!”
“It isn't gross, El! It's good!” Quick to defend anything his father originally showed him, a Faerghan tradition he wasn’t willing to give up on, “Do you want to try mine first?”
Dimitri’s young eyes are hopeful as he offers his mug forward, cheeks warming at the thought of how close they’ve become. She presses her mouth to the same spot his had sipped from.
An indirect kiss.
“Mmm—!” A smile over her cheeks, the sweeter taste is unlike the tea she’s accustomed to, “That is really good!” Hungry, she wants more. Edelgard lifts her mug, this time to his lips. “Blow on mine, too.” An order from her imperial highness.
He does as he’s commanded, loving the way she pines for his attention. The young prince enjoys her bossy attitude. They finish their tea, keeping close to the dancing fire. He thinks about her again, happiness washes over his little soul. Her head finds his shoulder and Dimitri might burst. Her soft brown hair against cheek as he slowly relaxes into her offer. The two of them… cuddled up, getting warm, tea in their bellies.
“El… I hope you’ll always be my friend.”