How to Make the Ice Prince Fall

Inside the carriage Katherine was sewing. She knew it wasn't the ideal task for sitting in a carriage, but reading books while riding made her nauseous and she didn't have anyone to talk with. The only one who could talk in her entourage was riding at the very front and didn't really seem to be a nice character. But what could she expect with her cousin selecting them? At least he assigned her a maid - a mute one, of course - and let her choose her own clothing. Not that that was worth anything, as clothing wouldn't help her get out of his claws and the maid apparently had a crush on Ethan, so she would be more of a hindrance than anything else. Naturally, that was all within his calculations. Sighing, she wanted to set another stitch as the carriage rocked and she pricked her finger instead. The sixth time today. It was a wise decision to take the pricey red cloth, otherwise the blood would've already ruined it. Three whole weeks of travel and she didn't get

The butler closed the door behind the last maid carrying the remains of the dinner out. With only him and the Earl left, the tension vanished as well. The Earl seemed to deflate like a balloon, sinking deeper into his chair. The red eyes looked tired, as if he was dragging on with pure willpower earlier. A hint of desperation showed, before he closed them, leaning his head of white hair back against the wooden chair. Nothing was left of the person the maids deemed a demon. Only a tired youth overpowered by his fate. Silence lingered in the corners of the big dining hall, so present, that it seemed to slow time itself. The room stilled, while the wind in front of the windows whispered of times long past. The Earl though didn't remember any better years. There was no memory of the time before struggling to live. No good times, no sweet words, no smiles. Nothing. Why did he hold on still? He didn't know. Hope is the worst demon. It makes us try and try again while all common se

The symptoms were exactly as Hazel had described them. All seven of them were unconsciousness, sweating and had black veins under their skin. What confused her though, was the location and spreading of the veins. Six people only had few black veins in the abdominal area, while the seventh… it was hard to find places were he hadn't any. Not that she'd seen their whole bodies herself, but the doctor, an old man with glasses, had described it to her and he had taken off the seventh man shirt to let her see. She blushed looking at the bare skin. It wasn't right for a proper Lady to see this. Well, she had always been a bit to wild to be a 'proper' Lady anyways. And, oh my, he was such a magnificent piece of art. Starting from his perfect face over all this smooth naked skin down to his slender hips she couldn't find any flaw. Well, maybe his upper body was a bit haggard, but that was all. Somehow the black veins, like a confusing pattern on his slightly pronounced abs, m

Slowly, Katherine lowered her spoon. She didn't think her question would touch such a sore spot in Hazel. To be exact, she thought nothing about it while asking. It was just curiosity. Now, however... Had the mistreating Hazel experienced something to do with sexual harassing? Rightful outrage filled Katherine's soul. Whoever dared to bully her maid, she would squash them. But before that... "Relax, Hazel. I won't force you to talk about it. But if you need help with something or someone to talk to, tell me. I hope you can see me as a friend some day." Surprised but still wary, Hazel blinked up to her. "... Thank you, Milady." "You're welcome." Katherine started eating again. "Can you answer the other questions then? About friends and what you like to do in your free time. Are there any nice spots around here?" Relieved, Hazel nodded. "You could say I'm friends with the cook. However, all servants other than me are past their fifties, so real friendsh

"Do you know the sound of a pig being slaughtered?", Frey asked and scooped the soup into his mouth. "I think I head one tonight. Couldn't sleep because of the squealing." Some heads nodded approvingly. Frey hopefully made puppy-eyes at the girl by his side "C'mon, Lady Kathrine, let's look for the corpse. It might still be out there!" He always had the weirdest hobbies. Or maybe he just used every possible way out of boredom. Katherine raised her head, her face uneasy, but serious. "I'm sorry, it is too dangerous. I can't let you into the forest…" Into the forest… into the forest…, the leaves whispered back. There was a clearing with a creek flowing between the weed. It was a hot summer day and birds flocked in the higher branches of the trees all around, singing mourning melodies. A little girl in a white summer dress played the flute to accompany them. She sat on a stone near the water, her black hair swaying softly with the wind.