The falling cascade, the dark veil of night studded with scattered fistfuls of stars covered the vast indigo of the sky. The sun and light were absent as far as the eyes could see. And through the open window, the chill of winter wind rushed in. It caressed everything within the room, running its invisible appendages on every surface. It was gentle, lingering like a perverse lover's prolonged kiss.
Standing by the window, hands folded behind his back and long hair let down, the Crown Prince looked out of the window. His face a mirror of consternation and lips pressed together in a tight line. His silver hair swayed, dancing with the wind to an unknown melody.
Once, he blinked. Then, again and again.
