"So, what do you plan to do when we return, young master?" Gideon asked as he held on the reigns attached on Snow.
"Hmmm? What do you mean?" Pier asked as he stretched a little bit.
They were now inside a small room that they have rented for the night in Stone City.
"The whole kingdom will be in chaos now that you have returned after going missing for a few months, young master" Gideon reminded him and Pier turned his head to look outside the window.
The winds were now starting to get cold and he knew that it was the time of the year where snow would soon fall on the ground.
"In chaos huh" Pier spoke as he leaned on his right arm while he lazily stared outside.
"Is it bad if I cause one?" Pier asked randomly while he was pulling on his partially long white hair that hadn't been cut in months.
Gideon kept quiet as he listened to his master's words.
Gideon Woodlock was a commoner knighted at the age of nineteen.
He had astounding talent when it comes to swordsmanship and was the eye of envy for a few.
However, in front of the Belmiunde's, he was still a novice swordsman who quickly rose in ranks because he had been personally trained by the Headmaster himself.
He was a knight who would've taken a lot further to grow if he did not became acquainted with his young master.
All of his gratitude was directed for Pier since the latter had saved his life and had given him new heights to reach.
Now the question was, will Gideon Woodlock remain by his master's side even if Pier wanted to cause chaos at the kingdom?
He would.
His loyalty now all belonged to Pier and whatever his master's orders would also be his deeds.
"It wouldn't be if it is you, young master" He spoke and Pier turned to look at him before laughing.
"It wouldn't you say?" Pier asked as he stood up from the stool he was sitting on. He wanted to explore more around Stone City but night was already approaching them in a quick manner.
---
"Your Highness!" Asher turned his head to look at Elena.
The noble woman who had copper hair and beautiful face smiled when the Crown Prince's gaze was directed at her.
"My lady" Asher spoke in a soft manner as he approached Elena.
The two had been spending more time together after the Crown Prince was diagnosed with a broken and numb arm. Asher had been stripped off of his responsibilities for the meantime while his hand was healing.
"How is his highness' arm?" Elena asked and Asher looked at his now moveable hand.
"It is still in the process of healing, my lady" The Crown Prince replied and Elena nodded her head.
"If I may be so bold to ask but can I accompany his highness while he takes a walk?" She asked and Asher stopped for a moment.
He observed Elena and soon nodded his head.
"Please do, my lady" the two then proceeded to walk on the palace garden.
"How are you doing these days, my lady?" Asher asked as he linked his left and uninjured arm with Elena's right arm.
While the two walked, Elena was talking about how she was starting to take up more classes especially in the management of their territory.
"It has been going good, your highness. The Marquis had been staying at our territory now for the winter nights and I have been grateful since my father can spare his knowledge about ruling our mines" She spoke proudly in which Asher smiled in return.
The Scotch Household. A family that holds the title of a Marquis and has one of the biggest influences in the kingdom right after the House of Masters and the Sentinio Dukedom.
They own several mines across the kingdom which holds partly a huge source of wealth for the entire land and contributes a big amount to the treasury of the palace.
"Talking about winter nights, I recall it is the time for kingdom's feast, your highness?" She asked midway of her talking with the Crown Prince and Asher had a surprised look on his face.
Elena smiled elegantly as she saw the look on the Crown Prince's face.
She was proud of herself that she was able to recite a certain event that occurs in the kingdom every year when winter comes.
Winter night celebrations are feasts held across the entire kingdom for consecutive days. People would celebrate their good harvest while they sat inside their homes at night and come out in the evening to celebrate on the streets.
It is a celebration indulged by everyone and the Royal Family's announcements will soon be heard throughout the land.
However, something different was running across the Crown Prince's mind.
He clenched his hands lightly as he stared far back at the distance.
The winter night celebrations also made him remember something.
It was the time of the year where Pier Belmiunde would announce his devotion for the Crown Prince and offer him many things.
Asher remembered how embarrassed he was on the previous years whenever the winter nights came because Pier Belmiunde would always disturb him and aimlessly go around the palace telling and showing people about his weird gifts for him.
He chuckled as he remembered a certain memory of a younger Pier holding a knitted sweater that couldn't even be called a sweater in the first place.
---
"Asher!" Pier called to the Crown Prince as he trudged inside the palace holding a bundle of cloth in his hands.
Asher turned his head to look at Pier and he grimaced when he saw the different colors of the threads that were in Pier's arms.
"Asherrr!" Pier called again in a loud voice and every servant who heard the young master's calls turned their heads as well.
Asher quickly scrammed to hide behind a servant who was holding a plate filled with pastries.
They were currently inside the palace's throne room and Asher was waiting for the King since they needed to talk about their preparations for the winter night celebrations.
Asher Lumiere was already trained by the king since he was able to walk and speak.
Language
Academics
Human Relations
Rulership
Economy
All of the things that were needed to be taught for a prince had been given early to him. That made him an outstanding prince even amongst the other princes of their neighboring kingdoms.
"Have you seen Asher?" He heard Pier ask one of the servants that was serving tea on the table.
He sent the servant a very small portion of his magic as the next ruler and the woman immediately knew what the Crown Prince had meant.
"I haven't seen the young master" She replied and Asher paused for a second.
As Pier was also constantly visiting the palace, even the servants started to stop calling Pier by his title as the young master and regarded him as a child alone.
'Whatever' He thought as he peeked behind the servant who was standing still.
Pier had a pout on his face as he hugged the bundle of threads closer to him.
"Aww, I thought we were going to knit together" He spoke while stomping his foot on the floor once.
The servant rolled her eyes at the young master who was constantly bothering their prince.
"Knit somewhere else then since his highness is not here" She spoke while raising an eyebrow and Pier stared at her before giving another pout and marching out of the throne room.
Step
Step
Step
Each step Pier did towards the throne room's entrance made Asher feel relief.
Thud!
Once the door of the throne room was closed and the persistent young master was no longer present, Asher showed himself from hiding behind the servant.
The one who spoke with Pier immediately ran towards him and kneeled.
"Your Highness, I have fulfilled your request" She spoke while her forehead touched the golden floor.
"You have my gratitude" Asher spoke and the servant felt as if she had just won the biggest prize in a hunting competition when the Crown Prince expressed his gratitude for her.
"T-The pleasure is all mine, your highness!" She spoke with dignity and Asher nodded his head before he sat back on the comfortable couch provided by the servants.
"His Majesty, the King has arrived!" The door to the throne room opened and Asher turned his head again to look at the entrance.
There entered King Henry, his father. The red haired king walked with superiority flowing around him and servants bowed one by one when the king was about to pass them.
However, his eyebrows twitched when he saw the thing that was clinging on his father's royalty suit.
"Asherrr!" Pier spoke with a glad expression.
The young master was holding on to the king's clothes tightly with one hand while they walked at the center and he was waving his hands at the Crown Prince.
On the other hand were the bundle of threads that Pier had been carrying since earlier.
King Henry chuckled as he watched the small young master wave excitedly at his son.
"I see you have come to knit with Asher" He spoke as he lifted Pier in his arms.
The young master nodded his head as he clung on King Henry's neck and the threads fell to the ground.
The king eyed one of the servants and they immediately started to pick up and arrange the threads Pier dropped one by one and by color.
The king continued to walk until he sat on the throne with Pier on his lap.
"Asher" He called and the Crown Prince stiffened when he heard his father's voice.
However, what he can do is simply follow what the king is telling him to do.
"I heed your call, your majesty" Asher spoke as he stood in front of the king and Pier's smile became even bigger and brighter as he saw the handsome prince with red hair.
"Go and knit with Pier" Immediately, Asher's eyes widened and his mouth was left agape as he heard the King's commands.
"P-Pardon, your majesty... but aren't we supposed to talk with the winter-"
"Do not defy my orders, Asher" King Henry spoke and Asher bowed his head in shame.
"A-As you wish, your majesty" He spoke with clenched fists.
Pier smiled as he clapped his hands.
"Yey, come on, Asher, let's knit winter clothes!" The young master happily spoke as he hopped off the king's lap down the throne steps and in front of Asher.
"I give my gratitude for allowing us to knit, your majesty!" Pier smiled at King Henry and the latter chuckled before he nodded his head and allowed the two to depart.
"Yes yes, my child. The gratitude has been acknowledged" He spoke and Pier turned his head to look at Asher again.
"Come on, Asher!" He pulled the Crown Prince by his hand and the servants gave silent gasps of surprise at the action.
Asher Lumiere was a royalty and no one could easily touch him.
"Thank you!" Pier spoke as he stood in front of the servant who had gathered all of the threads he was carrying earlier.
However, the servant had a slightly angry expression on her face as she stared down at the young master.
King Henry was not able to see the reaction because the servant was bowing while looking at Pier.
"Uh..." Pier hesitated but the angry look on the servant's face immediately disappeared.
"The pleasure is all mine... young master" She spoke with Pier's title this time before bowing.
"A...Alright" Pier spoke in slight fear with the servant's quick changes of reactions.
"A-Asher, come!" Pier urged the Crown Prince again while holding the bundle of threads and the two departed towards the corner of the throne room where chairs and sofas were placed especially for Pier who liked to visit the king.
Thud
They both sat and Pier started to ramble about his desire of knitting sweaters with Asher.
'This... this is a work for women alone...' Asher gritted his teeth as the noise of Pier talking in the background was doused by his own thoughts.
He stared at the red thread and needle on his hands.
"I wanted yours to be color red and black because those are your favorite colors!" Pier spoke as he happily sat on the seat and he started to knit.
He had his small tongue out and he bit on it while he was focusing on knitting the sweater he wanted Asher to wear.
Hours passed and the two continued to knit with the Crown Prince having a frown on his forehead the entire time.
"Oooh, Asher, you still haven't reached even a quarter!" Pier spoke as he peeked at Asher's works but the Crown Prince only scoffed at him.
"I don't want to do this!" He exclaimed as he threw the needle and the thread on the other side of the long sofa he was sitting at.
Pier watched as the sewing materials he bought were thrown.
"Aww, but I already finished yours!" He spoke as he proudly held the mixed red and black cloth on his hands.
The way the threads were knitted were so bad that it couldn't even be called a sweater or a wearable cloth in the first place.
However, Pier was proud of it. He was proud that he had something he can give Asher for the winter nights celebration.
"That is not even wearable!" Asher spoke with a grimace on his face as he watched the 'sweater' Pier made for him.
"You... you don't like it?" Pier asked with a disappointed voice and immediately, Asher felt a pair of eyes watching him from afar.
'This!' He clenched his teeth as he knew his father was watching them.
"No... I like it... thank you" The Crown Prince spoke as he forced a smile on his face.
Pier's hesitance was immediately replaced with a smile too.
---
"Your Highness" Elena called and Asher snapped out of his thoughts.
"Ah, where were we, my lady?" He asked and Elena lightly laughed at Asher's actions.
"As I was saying, I already have finished preparing my gifts for you this winter nights celebration, your highness" She spoke giddily and Asher nodded his head.
"Ah, I see. I look forward to it, Lady Elena" He spoke and the two continued to walk in the palace garden.
---
"Young Maste- yawn!" Gideon called as he yawned.
knock
knock
knock
"Young Master, pardon me for disturbing your rest but the horse has been looking for you" He spoke as he was tired from their long travel from the Mir Mountains until the Stone City for a few days.
However, there was no response to the knight's call.
Gideon scratched his head as he was wondering if his master might have fallen asleep already.
"I guess the young master already did" He spoke as he yawned again.
Pier sat on the roof of the place they were staying at for the meantime.
"I see my Guardian is wide awake" Melfar spoke in Pier's head and the latter did not bother answering the mythical creature.
"Are you looking back at the Taron Kingdom?" Melfar asked and Pier nodded his head.
He could not see the kingdom but he knew across the distance lies the place where he needed to return.
"It is partially his fault don't you think?" Pier asked the mythical creature but the flaming bird could not comprehend what its guardian was talking about.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Guardian?" Melfar asked.
Pier dismissed the phoenix's question as he kept quiet again.
'You have your own flaws but I am willing to get back at those who wronged you' He thought as he recalled more of the original Pier's feelings.