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A gust of cold wind whipped through the air, sending dry red leaves flying. Princess Céline yelped in surprise as several leaves flew into her face, then blinked to see her girlfriend suddenly standing right in front of her and dramatically blocking the leaves and wind.
“Agate!” Céline said, laughing. “You don’t need to protect me from those, even if this is my first Brodian autumn!”
“I know,” Princess Agate said sheepishly as the wind died down. “I’m sorry… being protective of you is a reflex…”
“And I love you for it,” said Céline. “I was just surprised.” She pulled her new coat more tightly about herself. “I might like to go back inside, though. Perhaps have some hot tea.”
“All right,” said Agate, taking Céline’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “It does look like we’re in for a windy evening.”
The two princesses hurried back into Brodia Castle, then brushed their windblown hair out of their eyes. Agate readjusted the silver hairclip in her bangs while Céline brushed some stray leaves off her dress.
“Brodia is invigorating!” said Céline. “Though it does take some getting used to.”
People sometimes called Brodia “the country of autumn,” since the climate had a near-perpetual autumnal chill and so much of the kingdom was as red as autumn leaves. (And right now, it actually was autumn, at that!) It was quite an adjustment for Céline, who was used to the warm and mild Firene.
“Are you warm enough?” Agate asked. “I don’t want you to catch a chill, especially when you were kind enough to come here for my birthday…”
“I’ll be all right, though the fireplace in the sitting room sounds very appealing right now,” Céline replied.
Soon, Céline was sitting on a couch by the lit fireplace, with some tea steeping nearby. Agate had just run off saying she needed to get something, and Céline immediately missed her girlfriend’s company.
I wonder where she’s gone. I hope she returns soon… Her presence will make this room even warmer.
A few moments later, Agate hurried back in, carrying a thick red blanket in her arms. “I’m sorry I took so long,” she said. “I thought you could use this…”
Agate sat down beside Céline and wrapped the blanket around the two of them, Céline helping out a bit. Once the two were snuggled up together, Céline felt much warmer.
“You look so pretty in Brodian red,” Agate murmured, blushing just as red.
“Thank you,” said Céline, smiling. Then she knew there was something she needed to ask. “My love?”
“Y-Yes?” said Agate.
“Is something wrong?” Céline asked softly.
Agate’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
Céline reached out and squeezed Agate’s gloved hand under the blanket. “We’re always protective of each other, but you’ve been especially so during my visit,” she said. “Is something on your mind?”
“Oh,” said Agate, shyly looking over at her. “I’m sorry I worried you. I just… I want you to like Brodia. Even though it’s so different from Firene. From what you’re used to.”
“I understand,” said Céline. “But you don’t need to try so hard. I chose to come here in the autumn for your birthday. Besides, being here with you is what makes me happy.” She ran her thumb over Agate’s hand. “Why don’t you take off your gloves, now that we’re inside?”
“I would, but my hands are always so cold,” said Agate, looking embarrassed.
“I don’t mind, especially now that we’re by the fire,” said Céline. “And as it happens…” She smiled. “My mother used to tell me that people with the coldest hands have the warmest hearts.”
Agate turned bright pink and sat up straight. “Um… I’ll take them off, then…”
She pulled off her gloves and dropped them to the side before wrapping herself back into the blanket and taking both of Céline’s hands in her own. “Is this all right?”
Céline leaned up against Agate and blissfully closed her eyes. “It’s perfect. Happy birthday, my love.”
Agate squeezed Céline’s hands and kissed her forehead. “Thank you. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Then all was silent except for the gentle crackling of the fire.