A month passed just like that. Winter couldn’t get any colder than it was. Everything was frozen and most of the forms of transport had been stopped except for teleportation.
And despite everything that had happened over the previous months, the investigation reached nothing. Everything remained a mystery and every lead or trail eventually disappeared.
Even Lilith’s intelligence network, normally capable of uncovering almost anything, had found itself chasing ghosts. The only certainty was that someone had removed the councillor, someone close enough to move beneath their notice.
The realization bothered both rulers, though neither admitted it often. Life continued regardless; court meetings still happened, trade still required management, and moon crystal distribution plans moved forward.
The Demonic Continent continued exchanging letters. Prince Lucifer had eventually left, after a lot of convincing with the first batch.
What had not stagnated, contrary to their hopes, were the reports regarding corrupted creatures arriving from the Blood Sea, which had become increasingly common.
That development concerned Atheline more than almost anything else. The corruption they had encountered before was dangerous enough, yet these reports described something different.
Still nowhere near the level of the creatures they had fought within the darkness sovereign ruin. But slowly and steadily moving in that direction as though something was changing. Unfortunately, nobody knew what.
For an entire month, Atheline and Lilith worked through reports, investigations, and preparations.
And during that same month, a certain white fox completely took over their lives. The tiny creature had grown slightly, not much.
Its fur remained brilliant white, its eyes remained bright blue and its favorite hobbies included stealing attention, sleeping in inconvenient locations, and somehow appearing wherever food existed.
Lilith had attempted to maintain her dignity, for approximately two days but after that, she gave up. Contrary to her fears, the fox followed her through the palace whenever she wasn’t actively working.
Atheline found the entire thing hilarious but she disagreed. The little thing seems to spend more time with her than with her owner, mirroring some of Atheline’s behaviours.
The fox had become a much-needed chaos in their now monotonous lives, especially with everything going on. But it also came with its disadvantages especially when denied snacks, which happened often.
Apparently, magical foxes could be surprisingly dramatic. One evening Atheline found it pretending to be dead because it hadn’t received a second serving of roasted meat.
Lilith had nearly laughed which he considered a victory. Still, even amidst peaceful moments, a certain thought never truly left his mind.
He needed to go home.
Eventually, the desire became impossible to ignore. Which was why one snowy evening he found himself standing beside the fireplace in their private chambers.
Lilith sat nearby reviewing documents. The fox naturally occupied her lap.
Atheline shook his head and smiled.
’Traitor.’
He came to a stop in front of her. She glanced up at him confused.
"Is something the matter?" She asked.
Atheline looked at the fox then back at her," Why won’t you give it a name?"
She rolled her eyes.
"It’s yours not mine, stop trying to put that responsibility on me."
He shook his head.
"I don’t have the best naming sense, I don’t want to come up with something it will hate," he pleaded his case," we can go with One or..."
"Winter..."
"What?"
"We’ll call her Winter," she repeated.
His smile widened. Atheline sat beside her. The fox immediately abandoned Lilith and climbed into his lap instead. The betrayal continued, unconsciously.
Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly but Atheline smiled victoriously at her. She rolled her eyes.
He then returned to the actual topic.
"I want to visit home."
The room grew quieter, the tension could be cut physically. Lilith didn’t answer immediately. She already knew what he meant because she had been putting it off for some time. It seems he had broken first.
Lilith closed the document she had been reading.
"How long will that last?"
He smiled.
"Three days."
She quietly considered that. Three days wasn’t unreasonable, most immediate threats had stabilized and the investigations had slowed.
The kingdom wasn’t currently facing war and despite what many people believed she understood family, perhaps more than most.
She gently scratched behind the fox’s ears. It immediately collapsed into bliss since it was its weakness. Atheline noted it for future use.
Eventually, she nodded.
"It will only be for three days," she said her tone cold while pointing a finger, "Not longer. I will forcefully pull you out of your kingdom if I must."
Atheline raised a hand.
"I promise."
She looked unconvinced which was fair. His promises occasionally became suggestions.
Still, she trusted him, more importantly, she understood why he wanted to go. The reports from the Blood Sea had been increasing. There had been more sightings, attacks, and unusual activity.
The roots of the World Tree extended beneath the ocean itself. If anyone knew something unusual was happening, it would be the High Elves.
She stood, stretching slightly.
"I’ll send you directly."
The fox startled when Atheline lifted himself but sat down after remembering she was on his lap.
"You don’t have to."
She raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. He immediately stopped speaking, he knew when to pick arguments.
.
.
.
The next morning arrived faster than both of them expected. Lilith stood within the private teleportation chamber.
Atheline carried only a small travel bag, with enough contents for three days.
Winter, the fox, sat on his shoulder, refusing to be left behind. Both had tried to make her stay but had lost that argument. Like usual Winter won.
Atheline adjusted his cloak and then looked toward her. He was already missing her.
"You’ll be fine without me, right?"
Lilith looked completely unimpressed.
"I ruled before you arrived."
Atheline laughed.
"Fair," he quietly said, " I’ll miss you."
She stepped closer without responding. For a moment neither spoke each enjoying the last comfort enough to last them three days.
Lilith eventually reached up and tightened his collar. Atheline smiled and leaned down for a quick kiss.
"You only have three days," she repeated.
He nodded.
"Three days."
The teleportation circle activated and silver light filled the chamber. He waved then took her hand as she rolled her eyes. Then the world vanished.