The chilly morning air was a harbinger of the approaching snow season. When she was a child, Lucia loved the snow seasons. It was a season of warm blankets, furry clothing and cozy indoors. Those warm things delighted her nights.

But now she found something warmer- Timothy.

"I know you're awake" Timothy said.

Lucia pretended to be asleep. She was resting her head on Timothy's chest with her body wrapped in Timothy's arms. She wanted this to continue.

"Yeah. You are indeed awake"

Timothy pushed her hair from her neck, exposing the skin. He then blew on her neck.

It was cold. Lucia covered the back of her neck with her hands. She glared at Timothy who was laughing.

"Funny is it" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"Of course"

Lucia retaliated and also blew on the side of his neck. Timothy curled his neck and it was Lucia's turn to laugh.

"Serves you right"

"Ohoho are you challenging a King?"

Timothy pinned her down and nibbled on her neck. Lucia's neck was her weak spot and Timothy knows about it. His warm damp breath, coupled with his tiny bites tickled her.

"Tim!" She giggled.

Timothy didn't stop. His nibbles went from her neck to her cheek and eventually he bit her lip. Lucia did not hold back as Timothy's actions flooded her with an ecstatic feeling. She also bit his lip and they ravelled in a deep kiss. Timothy was a little forceful this time, with occasional bites included. This somehow made the experience more exciting for Lucia. She felt that she was losing control of herself so she parted her lips with his.

"What? Losing your control because of my technique?" He grinned mischievously.

"Oh so you were doing that on purpose?" She lifted his chin with her finger.

"As a matter of fact I am. What are you going to do about it?"

"No smooches for the rest of today" Lucia winked

"Lucia….don't"

Lucia laughed and wrapped her arms around Timothy. "It doesn't matter anyway. You will again become busy with hundreds of defectors coming to our camp each day. We don't have time for private cuddlings."

Timothy sighed. "As much as I want to stay like this, you are right. Our camp has become a den of defectors lately. Knights, Castonians, Castonians, Knights- even Henry is complaining about their influx"

"Isn't that your plan? You positioned our camp in such a way that it will cause a stalemate because you knew that a stalemate would benefit us. You seem unhappy"

"I am not unhappy. I'm worried. There is a saying that if a tree is brimming with fruits, people would throw stones at it. The more powerful we get, the more enemies we make. Sometimes, it's better to be underestimated. The mass defection to our camp is a show of force that will surely gain us some enemies"

"You're talking about our allies right?" Lucia guessed but she already knew that was the case.

"Yes" Timothy said with pursed lips. "They may soon attempt something. Especially that Magistrate Chen. I believe I can leave this matter to you?"

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There was genuine worry in his voice. Timothy was not the sort of person who could immediately notice betrayals. So it was Lucia's job to protect him from behind.

"Don't worry about it. I got this okay?"

"Okay" he nodded.

Timothy was the first one who exited the tent. To avoid rumors of indecency, Timothy was forced to exit through the back. Even though nothing indecent was happening between them, Lucia wanted to avoid rumors. She knew that even those who were loyal would still gossip about them. Now that Timothy was a King, she wanted to protect his public image.

After washing her face, Lucia went out of her tent. It was already late in the morning. Although there was a stalemate going on, the camp was busy. Several skirmishes between foraging parties happen every day. This translates to the steady arrival of wounded soldiers in the infirmary. If the increasing number of sick soldiers due to the cold weather was also to be considered, Lucia's day was as busy as Timothy's.

With composed strides, she walked towards the infirmary. Her boots became wet of the dew that clung to the grass. Soon these grasses will be covered by snow, she thought. Everything will be covered with a white shade. Before then, they should win and end this war. With how things were going though, Lucia wasn't hopeful that the war would end before the snow season. Timothy plans to retreat to Solon a week prior to the first snow.

When she was halfway through the infirmary, she saw Arthur who was walking towards her direction. Ever since that night, she hadn't talked with her brother.

"Arthur? What happened to your eyes?" Lucia asked, noticing Arthur's swollen eyebags. His face also reeks of exhaustion.

She put her palm on Arthur's face to check for fever "Are you well? Tell me if you are not well. I have medicine"

Arthur, on the other hand, showed signs a surprise and a hint of fear. His eyes widened and he pulled his face from her hand.

He was sweating and clearly trying to compose himself. "I… I am well."

"You don't look like it. Tell me what happened Arthur."

"I told you it's nothing" He said. Arthur then looked down as if pondering "Lucia?" he asked.

"What?"

"Am I really inferior to Timothy?"

Lucia did not expect his question. Why would he ask about this out of the blue? "You have your qualities Arthur"

"Don't try to sugarcoat it. Tell me the truth. Tell me what you truly think"

Lucia was about to lie to him that he was just a little bit inferior to Timothy. She did not want to hurt her brother's feelings. But she stopped and changed her mind. Arthur had been spoiled by his mother for a long time. He needed to hear the truth because hearing the truth would be the first step in changing for the better.

"You are" Lucia said directly. "He is smarter and kinder. He is a great leader and he knows how to inspire loyalty. But comparing yourself to him is not fair Arthur. He is one of a kind. Rather than compare yourself, it's better to follow his steps. You can improve. You can be like him"

"I see" Arthur slowly nodded "So that's the truth huh? I've made up my mind then" he smiled. "Thank you for being honest"

Arthur put his hands inside his pockets and continued walking. Lucia was left staring at Arthur's back. It was weird. Their encounter was weird.

**********

He was spinning his cane as he watched Lucia and Arthur talk. Leaning against a tent, he whistled a song. It was an old song, composed by men of old. The ancient melody rang inside his ears.

Would this be the time they'll need his help? He asked. He hoped not. Although he promised King Timothy that he will protect Lucia, the others will not be pleased with his interference. This was still not the time to interfere. The two were still unripe. That's what he and the others had decided.

But he promised King Timothy. Although the schemers' target was Timothy, letting Lucia get captured doesn't sit right with him. So even though the others might get angry with him, he decided that he will help if Lucia fails to notice the impending crisis.

They were done talking and Arthur looked upset. Foolish prince, he thought. In fact all of them were foolish. They thought that petty betrayals would be enough to topple Timothy and Lucia. They were wrong.

Well he shouldn't complain. They just hastened the ripening. They are digging their own graves. Especially that Magistrate Chen. Using Arthur to capture Lucia? He had no idea how incompetent Arthur is.

Rickard, Skall, Sachi, Qilo and Chen. Foolish little men who will leave little marks in history. He wondered what their reactions will be if they only know the truth.

Lucia walked forward. He fastened his helm and followed her. He had a sudden longing for his hat. Observing Timothy and Lucia required him to dress as a soldier and the experience wasn't pleasant. Helms and armors that stink of sweat wasn't his thing.

But then Lucia suddenly stopped. She was thinking.

He smiled. It's good that she was thinking. In fact he shouldn't be surprised. She is smart so of course she will notice that something was weird with Arthur.

She then turned the other way and walked towards a certain tent. He knew to whom that tent belongs to and he was amazed. It seemed she noticed after all.

He again smiled. It looks like they won't need his help for now.