Chapter 4: The Summer Palace

The Summer King led the little party through his lands, and he had rarely spoken to her throughout her entire journey. Except to introduce himself. "I am King Casimir of the Summerlands," he had said simply. "Welcome to the Summerlands, you and yours are now under my protection." His gold eyes flickered to hers for a moment as though to see her reaction to his words. She remained emotionless. Under his protection, she thought, not under his care or his rule, his command. Princess Caroline was not sure if she should have found comfort in what he said or proceed with caution, after all, he was their enemy. Her back stiffened as they reached the gates of Solter, the capital, her knuckles taut by gripping the edge of the window as the wheels of her carriage jostled against the uneven road. The closer they drew to the palace, the more she felt like a wanted prisoner being led to an uncertain fate. No,o she thought these feelings would help her genowherere, she needed to act like the queen she would become, for the welfare of her people depended on it. Elise, her maid, whispered to her. "I imagined them to look more barbaric." She said, casting nervous glances at the mewhoat accompanied them through the palace gates. Princess Caroline followed her gaze, and she thought to herself, what a stark contrast the hunters were to the knights of the Winter Court. Where her father's soldiers were armed with weapons of steel and postures of hard ice, the king's men wore lighter armor, and their movements were more fluid. Most were tan from being in the sun, some had braids woven with gold threads, and some carried spears and knives instead of swords, weapons that were meant for precision rather than brute strength. "Looks can be deceiving," the princess murmured as her gaze settled on King Casimir's back. She had heard the stories and knew the titles he carried, The Sun Warrior, The Storm of the South, and The Fiery Lord, none of them comforting, and yet he had spared her men. Surely the man possessed some reasoning and was not a complete brute. In the evening, they reached the Summer Palace. Princess Caroline stared in awe at the palace, which was atop a hill with towers of rubies and white marble glowing under the setting sun. Where her homeland was covered in stone and snow, his lands were covered with lush greenery, which she thought had been impossible. The streets seemed to come alive as people played music, and laughter was heard ringing in the air. "This is her, the Winter Princess." "She is white as snow, with silver hair." "Do they ever see the light of day?" Princess Caroline refused to acknowledge them; she merely kept her gaze on the palace in front of her, and she would not let them see a weak princess. She refused to shrink under the stares and judgments of her. King Casimir dismounted from his stallion and handed the reins to a stable boy. He turned towards her carriage and opened her door. He extended his arm for her to take. She took it and climbed down from the carriage. "Welcome to your new home, princess. You must be tired. Let us escort you to your chambers first." He said before the heavy doors to the entrance opened. "This is Marta, she will ensure your stay here is pleasant. I trust she has everything in order?" He asked with one eyebrow raised. "Yes, Your Majesty." She quickly replied with a bow of her head. "Welcome, Royal Highness Princess Caroline, to the Summer Palace," she said, greeting her with a warm smile. Princess gave her a cool smile in return and replied. "Thank you." She followed the King as he led them up the grand staircase and to the east wing of the palace. As she took each set, it echoed across the polished ivory marble floors, which drew attention and made her feel all too aware of how she looked like an outsider here and seemingly out of place. As she passed the halls and corridors, servants bowed, but their eyes lingered on her. The courtiers whispered behind her, some even dared to smirk at her, for their curiosity was thinly veiled. She could almost guess what they were thinking the peace offering had arrived to plead for mercy. The pale princess from the Winter Court. Their enemy's daughter. She could only feel disgust with herself for being there and utter dislike for the glee they openly greeted her. Yet, at the center of it all was King Casimir, who had slowed his pace to walk beside her as if it were a normal stroll; she could feel his eyes on her, and his presence was impossible to ignore, even try as she might. "I thought you would have fainted by now," he finally uttered, his tone casual as if he were discussing climate change. Princess Caroline replied to him, doing her best not to be sarcastic. "Disappointed?" "Merely impressed." He said mildly amused. She remained silent. She lifted her chin and continued to walk her back straight, but her walk was graceful as she glided across the floor. She refused to be intimidated, and she would meet every challenge he posed head-on, even if she felt unwelcome here. King Casimir sensed the sudden shift in her posture, and he commented on it. "You carry yourself like a queen already." "Yet I am merely your bride and prisoner, an offering of peace." She replied He stopped walking as though her words slapped him in the face. Princess Caroline stopped walking and met his gaze. Then, his face was an unreadable mask. The King tilted his head to the side and asked her. "You think yourself a prisoner here? How unambitious of you. I was expecting more from a Winter Court Princess." "Perhaps you should have no expectations, Your Majesty," she answered back. He chuckled at her then. A low, deep chuckle like a slow-burning fire over frozen wood. How dare he, she thought to herself. This was amusing at the least. Princess Caroline hid her irritation. King Casimir leaned in ever so slightly closer to her that she got the scent of him, a mixture of spices, wine, leather, and cedar. "Your father warned me regarding your sharp tongue." He murmured, his voice laced with amusement. "I think I will rather enjoy it." He said, picking up a strand of her hair and gently giving it a playful tug. Princess Caroline's stomach twisted in knots, but she refused to show it. "Perhaps he was sparing you disappointment," she replied coolly. King Casimir smirked. "Perhaps he underestimated you." He strode forward, leaving her no choice but to follow. The corridors were lit with torchlights on either side, and the air was fragrant with the smell of warm spices and sandalwood. When they turned a corner, the palace chatter had quieted down, and the presence of the guards became more prominent, their figures in black armour. He stopped before a great set of doors that were made of dark brown wood and carved with the Sun and its flares in the center, where two gold knobs were in place. King Casimir then turned to her, his eyes aglow. "Your chambers, Princess." Princess Caroline gave him a small smile before he pushed open the doors. He pushed open the doors. "It's beautiful," she whispered. The ivory walls had tiny gold flowers scattered everywhere and a large four-poster bed in the corner of the room next to the great big windows framed by dark brown wood with carvings of the sun, overlooking the palace gardens. The sheets were white with red silk, a nd the thick curtains were crimson with gold edgings. The elegant gold carpet that was in the center contrasted with the crimson marble floors. She slowly took a step inside and touched the smooth marble of a nearby table and chair. "I'm glad you like it," King Casimir said with a smirk. "It is very grand," she added. "It used to be mine," the King whispered. She turned to him and asked. "Where will you reside?" "In the room just down the hall from here." He answered, pointing in its direction. "So close?" she murmured distractedly. "If you ever need me," he said with a cheeky smile. A slight blush tainted her cheeks as he said this. She turned to look away, but he had already seen i,t and he chuckled. "The air is a little too hot," the princess quickly sp, trying to find anything to change the subject. He gave a command, and the flames vanished from the fireplace. Is there that better?" He asked. She nodded her head. King Casimir stepped closer to her then. "The cold runs in your veins, doesn't it?" "Did you expect me to melt?" She asked him sharply. His gaze glowed as he replied, "Not just yet, princess". A slow smile spread over his handsome features. Princess Caroline ignored the strange pull in her stomach and stroked the silky sheets of the bed. Sitting atop the bed, she looked at him and asked. "Will I be locked away here till our wedding day?" King Casimir leaned against the bedpost with his hands folded against his chest. He looked at her, then with a mischievous smirk, he replied. "Perhaps only on our wedding night." Princess Caroline felt as though he had released a dozen butterflies through her system. Her face became so red that she had to look everywhere except at her hat. Determined not to be flustered. "That is not what I meant, Your Majesty." He could not keep it within himself anymore, and he let out a hearty laugh. "I will let you decide,e princess. Tomorrow you will meet the nobles and dignitaries of state in the Solarium." "A demand then?" She asked. "A request," he corrected. "I leave you to settle in then, princess." He said before leaving her new chambers. Princess Caroline waited until the doors had fully closed before releasing a breath she had not realised she had been holding. This was a new world to her, and she had to choose whether she would melt in its heat and pressure or remain strong in her resolve to see that peace was preserved between the lands.