It was deep into the evening when Princess Ceci was finally done with her club activities. She turned over the book she had in her hands and inspects its cover and design. It was sleek with a cloth-bound cover and the title was embroidered neatly. It was the book the Reading Club had decided on reading as part of their club activities. The title read: 'The Adventures of Hugo Strays, the Cowardly'. If the Princess was to be honest, she wasn't particularly interested.
There was just something about the name that didn't resonate with her.
But she decided that she was going to give it a shot. After all, she was besotted with curiosity and wanted to learn more about the Reading Club, its members, and its odd history that seemed interwoven with Kaleidoscope. Perhaps now, she would be able to get some answers.
By the time she made it back to the castle, the sky was already dark. Bone-deep exhaustion ate away at her and the Princess was ready to collapse into her bed.
January welcomed her back at the front entrance with a strict and stony visage, "Welcome back, Princess." Her hands were folded in front of her and her hair tied up in a neat bun. She was proper, proper in a way that reminded Princess Ceci of bygone times and older women. But January was hardly old. Weren't they the same age?
January helped her out of her jacket. The lords and the ladies were there to greet Princess Ceci in the castle but she was too tired to entertain them. She only wanted to retire to her room and sleep. "Would you like something to eat?"
The two of them traveled along the winding castle halls. The Princess was tired so the servants, lords, and ladies seemed to stop noticing her and didn't bother her anymore. "No, I'm fine. Thanks, Jan." She smiled at her maid and then stopped in her tracks. "By the way, where's December?'
The maid gave her a weird look. "I'm not sure," she answered slowly, "I became rather swarmed with affairs prior to your arrival."
A secret smirk pulled the Princess's lips. Oh, she had a good idea about what kind of affairs January was talking about. Ceci circled her arms playfully around January's, "Oh? Which lords and ladies have fallen for you this time?"
January rolled her eyes and pulled herself out of the Princess's hold. "No such thing." But even though she denied it, there was a faint flush upon her cheeks. January was rather cute in the most unexpected of ways. And though the entire castle would bow and kiss Ceci's feet, January always got the most proposals, the most confessions, and love letters. She was quite a legend. Princess Ceci was almost jealous. Just almost.
January waved her hand dismissively, "Anyways, should December still be around, he should be in the White Room. That was the last place I saw him."
Princess Ceci's eyes lit up, "Thank you Jan!" She chirped, energy instantly replenished at the mention of December's name.
"Remember to do your homework!" She heard January call even as she rushed off towards the White Room. The Princess laughed and sent her reassurance. Don't worry, don't worry January! There's no way the Princess wouldn't become the top of her class. And if she had no time to hunch over her homework, there was always magic!
The White Room was up in one of the towers, accessed through a series of long winding steps. Princess Ceci huffed as she labored up the staircase. But her prize was in reach. High in the tower was a door that matched the name of the room it beheld, pristine and white.
She knocked on the door but there was no answer. Impatience was ripe in her little heart so she pushed through without waiting any further.
In the White Room, everything was suitably white. From the walls to the couch to the pearls that dangled from the hanging chandeliers. White were the lamps that beheld no light and the stained glass that lined in the window, letting in a string of eternal morning sunlight.
For in the White Room, it was only ever day.
She said a head of blonde before anything else and skipped over to the couch. December lay there, like a sleeping beauty with one arm resting upon his stomach and the other thrown over above his head, danging over the armrest. He was dressed in white as well, matching the theme of the room, like he belonged there. His lashes were closed and Ceci found herself inching closer and closer.
She smirked. It was rare that even Princess Ceci had the upper hand against the handsome and charming December. And now he was, lain before her asleep and defenseless. She was feeling a little mischievous and blew a breath against his cheek. No reaction. Giggling now, she prodded his cheek as well.
But it was the wrong move!
Strong arms snaked around her waist and she was pulled off balance! Ceci squealed and fell on top of December. A wild blush rushed her cheeks! "December!"
His laughter was charming and sweet and tickled her from her ears all the way down to her toes. He held her without any intention of letting her go, "What were you doing Princess?
"Ah, I'm innocent!" She pouted at him, his face was dangerously close. Her heart was stuttering and beating madly against her chest! Critical hit! And though she didn't squirm, December seemed to be able to read her heart and tightened his hold around her.
How could she ever hope to win against him?
"It's not very princess-like of you to lie," he huffed below her and shifted so their position on the couch be a little more comfortable.
She pouted and laid her head down upon her chest in surrender. If December didn't want her to leave than she won't. She wanted to know what he was doing there but she was afraid of asking. She was afraid that if she asked, he would remember that there was somewhere he had to be, and that he had to leave.
December should just stay with her forever.
A hand reach up and stroked her hair. There was a feeling of familiarity that resonated in her blood and threatened to lull her to sleep. But Ceci didn't want to sleep. Not yet. "I met some really strange people at school today," she hummed against his chest, trying as she could to keep her lead-heavy lids open.
"Is that so…?" December mused, "Tell me about them."
The princess set her arms across his chest, creating a pillow for herself. "I joined a club," she said, "There was a girl that kept shouting and said very odd things. She said that normality is a construct of society."
December raised a brow, "And do you believe her?"
The princess grinned at him, sly, "Nope."
December laughed and patted her head and then urged her to continue.
Ceci nodded, "And there was another boy who liked to check the color of people's underwear."
This time, December showed a look of displeasure, the hand petting her hair stopped, "That…"
Ceci giggled, "He only did it when he was a kid though."
A small sigh of relief escaped December's lips but his brows were still furrowed. Ceci thought he was lovely. "You still ought to be careful around people like that."
"I will," She smiled at him.
There was also the piano-boy, whose name she learned was November. But for some reason, she didn't want to tell December about November. There was a nagging feeling in her heart that the two of them wouldn't get along. It would be best if they never met.
But before they could continue their conversation, a knock at the door interrupted them. Ceci instantly leaped up to her feet and December was quick to sit up as well, fixing the wayward strands of his hair.
The door creaked open to reveal the usual severe-looking January. Her eyes traveled from Ceci then to December and she took her time before announcing, "December, your wife is here to pick you up."
The mention of December's wife made the mood heavy and sour.
And just when Ceci didn't think it could get any more awkward, April pushed past January to greet her husband, "I knew you were here, December." She sighed but then smiled.
April was a petite woman, with ash brown hair and fell to her waist in waves. Her eyes were the color of a teal ocean and small full lips. She was like a daisy that bloomed on a bright and cheery day, never spoke a word out of turn, and always smiled.
December rose from his seat and took her dainty ivory hands into his. She was so tiny next to him. "I'm sorry, my dear. I had fallen asleep."
She smiled at him and nodded with unwavering understanding. "I know." April was always like that, kind, sweet, and never had a single trait disagreeable her. And Princess Ceci was envious of her in the oddest of ways. She never knew how to speak to April, how to act around her. Princess Ceci hid her hands behind her back, where she tugged and played with her fingers.
She watched as April hooked her arm around December's and watched as the couple waved her off.
"I'll see you later, my Princess," December gave her an apologetic smile.
While April waved pleasantly, "Goodbye, Your Highness. Thank you for taking care of my Dearest."
It was only when they were out of sight that Princess Ceci finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Even in the most perfect of worlds, it was still littered with ghosts.
Now that December her had left, the surge of energy she had earlier also fled. Exhaustion seeped into her bones and she that the hall outside the White Room's entrance was dark. What time was it? But just as she was going to leave and retire to bed January was still around to give her a pointed look.
Princess Ceci locked eyes with her and was overcome with a feeling of uncertainty. Why was January looking at her like that? For some reason, she was afraid to ask.
"Princess."
"Um…yes?" Her voice came out rather meek.
"And what of your homework?"
The laughter that left the princess's lips was a nervous one. Just how was she supposed to get out of this? January's glare was like a tiger's and the Princess was her prey. The answer was rather simple. Princess Ceci would not be escaping this time around, no matter how clever or sly she thought she was.