Chapter 7 #2
“Hey… do you have any update on the Red situation?” He asked.
She glared back at him giving him a look loaded with meaning.
He stared back blankly. Whatever she was trying to convey, he couldn’t grasp it.
His dependence on his gift was becoming embarrassingly obvious, exposing just how underdeveloped his social instincts really were.
“Wow, you really can’t read me,” she leaned closer, her voice firming.
“Rain, listen; I need you to be more careful. You can’t keep getting caught up in things like this.
I’m worried about you and I know how hard it is for you, but it’s just as hard for me to watch you destroy yourself—and kill so many people. ”
He flinched at the bluntness of it. She sighed, softening.
“I’m not trying to scold you. I love you and if anything happened to you…
if you were truly gone…it would destroy me.
” Her last words trembled out in a whisper.
She paused, swallowing hard, fighting back a tear.
Snow was the steadier of the two, the sensible one, less likely to express vulnerability.
Seeing her like this twisted something in his chest.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “Are you okay? Truly? And what were you even doing in the Red Kingdom in the first place?”
Rain increased his pace on the pedals, searching for a way to answer without dragging himself back through the horrors of Verday. Snow watched him intently, waiting for the truth.
“I’m fine— or I will be, once my power comes back.
” He exhaled sharply. “I won’t pretend I haven’t had moments where I wished someone would just…
put me out of my misery and end this mess before I make things worse.
But I feel a little less suicidal today.
That counts for something, right?” He forced a tight-lipped smile, trying to reassure her even as her expression tightened with deeper worry.
“I wish you wouldn’t say things like that,” she whispered, her voice low and aching.
“I could lie to you, but you’d hate that even more.” He shrugged, trying for nonchalance. “So… how bad is it?”
“I see what you’re doing.” She folded her arms. “Can you really not admit that you recklessly crossed into Red territory to visit that Red boy?” Her sigh was heavy with exasperation.
Rain remembered Ivy using similar phrasing.
Although he knew the information originated from Snow, he decided it was best not to pursue the matter further.
“Whatever! You know you messed up; I won’t make you feel worse about it.
The situation with the Red Kingdom is terrible.
They’re out for blood.” She met his eyes, both of them knowing exactly whose blood she meant.
“Last I heard, they’re evicting every citizen who migrated from Blue, anyone born on our soil, anyone with ties to us on their identifier.
Think of their families, Rain. We’re not exactly the most welcoming kingdom.
What happens to the blended households?”
She shook her head. “You’re going to have to use your influence with the armed forces.
They listen to you. Respect you. Just… be careful.
Father cannot find out.” Another sigh escaped her.
“Speaking of Father; he’s manic. Thriving on the political chaos.
I suppose that means you’re spared his wrath, at least.”
“If I’m being spared anything, that’s a bad sign for the war brewing.
” Rain rubbed his jaw. “You’re right. I’ll speak with the General first thing tomorrow.
They trust my command more than Father’s.
I can push for defensive strategy instead of an attack; depending on his current orders.
I might still have time to intervene. If he sees this as a real threat, he’ll be focused on alliances anyway. ”
He straightened slightly. “I’ll also ask the General to organise safe relief for those being sent back to us. Can you get the council to coordinate with the guard? They’ll need housing, supplies, and a plan for the influx.”
“Yes, of course—excellent idea!” Snow brightened, already shifting into action.
“I’ll speak to the Ladies of Ribbon and organise a series of charity events.
It’ll boost morale and raise funds for the returning families.
And it’ll help sway the more stubborn council members; you know the three who refuse anything that touches government finances. Fundraising will shut them up nicely.”
She hopped off her bike, practically buzzing with purpose, and rummaged through her bag for a notepad.
The princess had inherited her seat on the High Council; a tradition for those second in line to the throne, ensuring the ruling family had influence in every corner of governance.
She had taken over the role from their second cousin a few years earlier, and she excelled at it.
Organised, sharp-minded, unflappable in the face of ambitious men. Snow held her own with ease.
Her work with the council had earned her recognition from the Ladies of Ribbon, an elite collective of human and Aetherial women responsible for orchestrating the kingdom’s major events; royal births, weddings, funerals, and everything in between.
In Blue Kingdom high society, a seat on their committee was a profound honour.
“Right. I’ll start drafting a proposal immediately. Eleanour! Come, we have much to do!” She tapped her pen against the page, summoning her personal assistant, who had been waiting patiently in the hall.
Snow paused at the doorway, turning back to him. “I love you,” she said softly; a deliberate moment, making sure he heard it, felt it. She needed him to know he mattered, that she was grateful he was still here. Without him, she would wither; he was her anchor as surely as she was his.