Shirayukihime （白雪姫）

"Shirayuki," he mumbled to himself. "That's a beautiful name."

I could only look at him as he contemplated, his sake cup in font of him untouched. The snow outside had turned into a blizzard, the howls of the unforgiving wind blaring, clattering against the terracotta roof. The chill pierced through the wood-and-paper walls, but he seemed indifferent, his gaze still focused on the snow through the wooden shutters.

"Thank you," I replied nervously.

He finally brought the cup to his lips, and sipped in silence.

"Sometimes," he said, his eyes getting slightly hazy, "I wonder how things could come down to this."

"Didn't you yourself tell me not to question His Majesty?" I said, giggling.

"Indeed I did," he chuckled, smiling at me, "But sometimes you can't just help but wonder."

After a short silence, he spoke again.

"What about you?" he asked me, "What do you think of all this?"

"In my time with you, I have only come to understand so much," I replied, "So I don't really know."

He seemed satisfied with my answer, and fell back to watching the snow through the window.

I lied. I had lied straight through my teeth. Indeed, I do understand.

In an empire of lies, there is no virtue. In a nation of delusions, there is no rationality.

-cover edited by me-