After Ilya has graciously been rid of Edric Azer, it seemed to deflate a little. Not negatively, no no not at all. I’m a positive way only. Elites stopped marrying just for status and power, children ran around the streets causing all sorts of chaos, especially as the twinkling lights of the season that follows the browning of maroon leaves that fall to the ground and land as small perfect little flakes that glitter in the street lamp light.

Doors were flung open, the scent of spices, candied peppermints, sticky buns with nutmeg, peppermint, and even extra cinamon hogged almost every other stall on the market in the Slums. Yeah, that’s where you decided to host Ilya’s first official Christmas market. Wooden toys sat beside candlelight as the elderly tell stories with the figurines, parents sip spiced wine, and watch fondly while gossiping - sometimes there’s no chancing the inevitable nature of Elite’s.

Back in the castle, you were pulling your coat of cream and a sort of pale grey, with a gorgeous crimson scarf and boots. You fix your hair beneath your earmuffs and spy Kitt in the background, whispering to Kai. Paedyn - the Silver Saviour and you had become increasingly close as of the late few months, both dating the Azers’, it couldn’t have worked out better. Pae was grinning, and shaking her head as she pulled on her woolly hat, and her fingerless gloves and caught your inquisitive look to her and just shook her head.

You’d find her later.

“Shall we get going?” Kitt claps his hands together and smiles gently at you in the mirror, approaching and kissing your cheek gently. “You look wonderful, bundled up and cosy, wonderful nevertheless.”

“And you look., regal.” You sigh, “Somehow a royal even in coats and scarves.” The walk to the Slums is short but you make the most of the increasing amount of laughs, music and lights you spot and hear, and the delicious aroma of cinnamon and wine as you near the market.

“Oh, it looks lovely.” Paedyn sighs, looking up at the white and colourful blinking lights strung between buildings of the once so gloomy part of Ilya. “Not as lovely as you, darling.” Kai murmurs against her hair, pressing a fond kiss after.

You’d find travel up a little of one side, horrendously overwhelmed by the sheer choice! Red wine spiced with star anise, or cinnamon? Two teaspoons of peppermint in the hot chocolate or three? A white bauble with a star or with a snowman? Oh, the choices.

It’s not until Kitt, pulls you away, slipping your arm around his, to an area that remains perfectly intact with the mornings’ snowfall, that surely shall be topped up in at least an hour. “What do you think of it?” His voice is that same gentle one he always uses with you; curious, patient and loving.

“I think it’s everything Ilya needs to fully embrace its new king.” You smile up at him. “I mean it, Kitt. You’re doing so well.” Indeed he was, anyone on the streets was rehoused, food was donated, so was money, charity balls for actual charity, and that horrible Plague destroyed to good - another thing Edric Azer almost blamed his son for.

He stops before a few trees and some sparkling warm white lights strung between them. “My love, darling,” he lifts your hands to his lips as he kisses them there tenderly. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I-I’m ready, and I believe we are too.” He reaches into his pocket, dropping one hand momentarily and retrieving a black velvet box.

Then he gets onto one knee, and your hand flies to your mouth, doing a weak job at masking your gasp.