The remainder of their winter festival celebrations passed quickly and easily.
The cold weather had Isabelle's nose perpetually red, which Phoenix insisted upon constantly teasing and kissing better.
They'd had hot chocolate delivered to her in every room, even as she attempted to attend her court session and try and make some progress on Nevremia.
Julia smiled at her as she sat at the table. Snowball ran back and forth on the floor next to them, pouncing on a little toy rope, rolling on the floor, and then dragging it around. When she laughed at the antics, Snowball picked up the toy rope and presented it to her.
"Thank you for giving me that, but I can't play right now."
He meowed as if to say 'why not?' before running off and batting it around.
Isabelle shook her head and watched the tiny kitten run around the floor with his toy before turning her attention back toward Julia.
