The frigid winds, brought by the unending snowflakes falling from the weeping sky, were nothing more than yesterday's nightmare.
Gloomy days turned gold as the sun rivalled the grey haze that carried sorrow and mourning. At eventide, the lovely moon glowed, forbidding the might of the malevolent winter from tormenting ordinary people as they gradually emerged from the suffering they had endured throughout the years.
Spring, summer, and autumn returned with delicate tenderness, like ethereal beings who gently wiped the sorrows away. They rejoined their sister, winter, kissing her with mercy, for she too no longer felt the burden of misery on her shoulders as she emerged for her distinct months with kindness and solitude she once chanted before malice bedevilled her.
The Kingdom of Erdestea finally gained serenity—the hopeful tomorrow they had always prayed for before The Most High. After Prince Seigmund and Princess Maria Blanca vowed before the Holy Altar, King Arnulf, proud and elated, hailed them as heirs to the throne, raising their hands as the crowds cheered. "By the grace of God, I present to you the successors to our beloved kingdom!" The king declared as a jovial toast roared inside the large courtroom.
When the stars aligned, the Elk Prince and Edelweiss Princess were now crowned as the new monarchs of the land. Cheers reached the heavens as the new king and queen waved at their subject. Blessing after blessing, after months when crowns found rest on their heads, King Seigmund and Queen Maria Blanca welcomed their bundle of joy, their little prince who was as beautiful as the sun and moon combined—hair rich like the sessile oak in the summer, eyes glimmering in silver like his father's, and pale skin much like his beautiful mother. He was perfect, the heir who would soon rule in their vast land. Later, when the infant was several days old, he received the Christian name Wolfgang, bestowed in honour of a dignified teacher and Bishop of Munich renowned for his unwavering commitment to his pious responsibilities.
The Kingdom of Erdestea was now far from what it was—
From snow and ice…
From greed and envy…
Those were no more as it morphed into paradise where prosperity flourished. King Seigmund ruled his realm with wisdom and fair judgment, while Queen Maria Blanca, his whole heart, bestowed compassion and charity to their subjects. In return, the people gave them loyalty and admiration, along with the bounties they harvested from their humble homestead. Even good tidings and well wishes were blessed upon their newborn son, for the ruling monarchs never faltered in their responsibilities.
By a wide window, beside the beautiful tapestry. centring on the Holy Family, Queen Maria Blanca gazed at the beautiful summer scene, cradling baby Wolfgang in her bosom. The sky was clear blue with fat white clouds floating like a sleeping flock of sheep. Birds flew and sang as flowers bloomed, welcoming bees and butterflies for their feast. A sigh escaped her lips—indebted to all the Godsend she, her family, and her beloved people received. Reminiscing of cold and unending wishful thinking of brighter days, she curved a sweet smile while brushing the little hairs of her baby, and she whispered thanksgiving, understanding that she had countered malice, especially from her Aunt Gertrude, with benevolence that she promised she would pass on to her son and to more of her future children in God's time. "I shall soon tell you of the perpetual winters that ravaged our land, my sweetheart." She blew into her sleeping son's ear. "I cannot wait to share with you that, against all odds, being kind will always be the best weapon. To have a good heart and a wise mind, I pray you will grow up to be like your father."
"I wish more than anything that he will have your kind and sweet heart." As King Seigmund approached his wife and son, he interjected with a playful grin that augmented his already notable handsomeness.
Surprised that not a single footstep echoed, Queen Maria Blanca turned to face him and graciously received his compliment with a smile. "Oh, mein herz…"
King Seigmund kissed his loving wife tenderly on the lips and planted another on his son's head, who remained asleep despite his father's tight affection. "How is our dyllydowne?"
"Better than alright. Peacefully in the land of dreams on this fine summer day." The Edelweiss Queen enlightened him.
"Thank the Lord… Your seven little fathers all wanted to hear how their grandson is. All we can say is nothing but in good health and growing day by day."
Queen Maria Blanca giggled in agreement.
The Elk King, with his queen and son under his loving embrace, gazed at the peaceful scenery outside. He exhaled, satisfied, knowing the whole kingdom was at last functioning with vitality, liberated from the malevolent curse that had previously contaminated them.
Truly, it was a happily ever after for the Elk King, his dearly beloved and beautiful Edelweiss Queen, and their little prince, Baby Wolfgang, for many tomorrows might be of storm and gloom; the sun, moon, and stars no longer adrift, ready to blow the sorrows away to welcome the hopeful rainbow, much like Noah's tale once the ark had moored.