Christmas Visit

Long Chapter :)

You know, I am supposed to be on vacation. Seriously. I mean, this is my winter break! That means having fun and mentally recharging on this upcoming semester at Alfea… which isn't going to be easy. But in reality; I have to finish my lessons from my cousin, Siera, who is awesome when she wants to be, and attend some Christmas Eve ball that my parents are hosting. Though I would rather be up in my room and taking a long well-deserved rest.

My friend Jayden tried to cheer me up by saying, "Well at least you're lucky enough to spend Christmas in a castle where people wait on you hand and foot. I have to go home to all of my little sisters.." And he was given a punch by his sister Karen, which made me laugh. Well, first of all, there is nothing so great about living in a castle.

I have to wake up at a certain time, my hand-maids are annoying, I can't choose what I want to wear, I have a terrible curfew, and I barely have enough time to hang out with my friends who I'm missing so badly right now… But If I listened to Blaire correctly, all I have to do is a puppy pout for my father to give in. How lucky would I be? But I guess I'm not alone really. My baby nephew, Thomas(or Tommy), is offered the same service..though he's as cute as a freakin' button! And Tommy's 3rd birthday is on December 27, which is very close by.

And that'll explain all the wrapped presents coming to my home from almost every Mongolian, and neighboring kingdom.

It was December 22, the day cousin Seira finally stops with her lessons to go back home. THANK GOODNESS! I think I was going mad with all things I had to remember; like which fork to use, what dress to wear at the proper time and event, and even how to properly speak to people. Don't get me wrong, I love Seira. She's only older than me by 4 years but she's very beautiful. Sitting up in my newly built room, I slammed my alarm clock down to stop it's head-aching ring. It was 7:30 and I knew it was only a matter of time before my two hand-maids, Arabella and Isabella, came knocking on my bedroom door. Knock-knock. "Ugh.." I groaned to myself as I fell back into my pillows. "Come on in.." I spoke as awake as I could.

In comes rushing the twins, holding a tray of breakfast, though I could easily tell them apart. Arabella is a redhead while Isabella is a blonde. "Come now princess," Isabella said as she stood next to my limp body on my white canopy bed, her blonde hair draping around her shoulders. "Duchess Seira will be leaving before noon, and your parents want to talk to you. You have to eat quickly." she said, I slowly sat up.

"Can't I take a longer nap? I won't tell if you don't.." I tried with a smirk as I tried to lay back down. Arabella sat the tray of food beside me.

"Sorry your highness, the king and queen will not be happy with your absence." she said. The two began to pull me out of bed and I followed Arabella to the dresser where she began to brush my hair.

I sighed as I looked at the redhead in the mirror. "You know, I can do this by myself. You guys can go check on Tommy while I can get dressed on my own." I told them, I heard Isabella snort.

"It's our job, princess. And Prince Thomas hasn't woken from his sleep yet."

Arabella finally dropped the brush back on the dresser and fluffed my black hair, which I quickly put into a long ponytail. Turning around to see the outfit of the day: A black cashmere tank top and a pair of jeans. I told my parents that I'm not into wearing dresses that much, finally they agreed.

The french door of my bedroom opened up to a tall figure with brown hair, smiling as she leaned on the door to close it. "Ladies, I'll take it from here." said my sister Blaire with a soft smile. I sighed with relief as Arabella and Isabella followed one another out the door.

When the door closed I flopped back down on the bed and bit off a piece of the toast on the tray. "Blaire, I don't know how much more I can take..." I spoke tiredly. I heard her chuckle as she sat next to me on the bed. "Chris, what are you talking about? I thought you would've loved the life of a princess.." she said as she stroked my bangs out of my face.

"I do, I just want to sleep in for once." I told her. "Without anyone setting my alarm clock to eight am in stead of eleven." I sat up.

"If you wake up that late, you'll miss mom's surprise for you." Blaire said as her brow knit up, making me crack a smile on my face. "What surprise?" I asked her.

She stood and walked towards the door. "You'll have to get dressed to find out." she said as she looked back, her hand on the door knob.

"Blaire just tell me!" I tried. she closed the door behind her. "Meanie.." I murmured.

"I heard that!" she said from outside, making me giggle.

...

After a while of getting ready and finishing up breakfast, I walked outside of my room and saw Blaire standing there with Tommy beside her. She looked at me up and down with a smirk on her face. I slowly stepped closer to her. "You look so pretty, Chris." She smiled.

"Thanks," I blushed back. "Now what's the surprise?" I asked, I can't stand not knowing things... sometimes.. Blaire snickered and said, "I only told you that so you'd get up." she admitted. I stomped my flat at her, a smile was on my face because I couldn't believe she tricked me.

"That was mean and I going back to bed.." I said as I turned. "I'm kidding Christene, come on." Blaire giggled. I turned back around with a smirk on my face. "You are not funny at all Blaire." I told her, I felt tiny hands grasped my legs and I heard Tommy say, "Morning!." I saw him looking at me. Dang it, why is he so cute? Tommy had deep brown eyes like his father, and dark brown(almost black) hair. I bent down to him and squished his face until he made fish lips. "Good morning Tommy, you're up really early." I told him. He nodded. There are only a few words Tommy knows how to say and one is, Morning!, but it's still cute.

On the way to the throne room, I saw how decorated everything looked. There was thick red garland strips hanging all around the spacious area, two round garlands on the entrance doors, a huge Christmas tree in the far corner. Just waiting to be decorated, and the chandelier shone brightly above the room. I saw my mom talking to Seira as her servants went to take her bags outside. Tommy scurried from us over to them shouting, "Morning!". Seira giggled and pat his head. Mom turned to me and smiled. "I see you're up bright and early this morning." she said.

"Yeah, I'm such an early bird." I said sarcastically, Blaire snickered as she picked up her son. Mom chuckled. "I know, but you know the ball is in two days and there is still much to get done." I nodded, Seira came up beside her. "So a while ago, I've had a dress made for you. And it's finally done, I really want you to see it." she said, I smiled and followed her down the hall.

We stopped when we made to her guest room. She pushed the doors open and walked me to the closet. "Close your eyes please.." she said politely. I slowly closed them and cracked them open a bit to peek. "No peeking." she said sternly. I sighed and fully closed my eyes. I heard her rummage through her closet and finally the noise stopped. "Okay you can open them now." she said, awfully cheerfully.

I opened my eyes to see a gown. A white strapless sating gown. It was beautiful, I really loved it. "Wow, this is beautiful." I said, shocked. She giggled. "I'm glad you like it." she said.

"I love it!" I hugged her, didn't I mention she's awesome? Then there was a knock at the door. Walking in was Arabella, guessing that she came to take more of Seira's bags. "Duchess Seira, everything is ready." she said. I looked back at her. "Aw, you're leaving now?.." I said. She hugged me once again. "Don't worry, I'll be back in 3 months for your lessons."

And just like that, I can't wait for her to leave. "Oh..yeah.." I smiled awkwardly. Seira walked out of the room and Arabella came closer. "And there are visitors for the princess." she said and took the dress from my hands. Visitors?

I walked out of the room and made my way back to the main room. Seeing my four friends standing with smiles on their faces, especially Mallory. "What are you all doing here?" I asked them as I came closer. "I thought you guys went home for winter break.."

"We did but then your mom gave us a call and told us about the Christmas Eve ball," said Karen. "You seriously thought we'd miss it didn't you?"

I giggled. "So you all are staying here?" I asked, they moved aside to show a pile of bags sitting behind them. "Yay, we can have a sleepover! I've never had one before." said Emma. Emma is a witch-turned-fairy. When we first met her, she was sort of evil but now we accepted her as part of our group since she helped us defeat Merdelia. "Oh my.." gasped Mallory. "You have so much to learn child.." she said, trying to do a voice like Miss Faragonda.

I cracked a bigger smile. "And even better, we get to get ready for the ball together!" Melissa cheered. The rest of us cheered with her and ended in giggles. I helped them carry their bags to my room, where we immediately began to talk about everything that happened since winter break started. We're so eager to see each other a lot because our boyfriends are stuck at Red Fountain. They've already graduated a month before us and we haven't seen them lately after that. And with Derek becoming king, we haven't had much time together either.

And to past time, we even started writing down our New Year's resolutions. And I think mine was the longest because I tend to screw up... a lot.

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS, BY: Christene, Age 19.

I will stop playing with my hair.

I will practice keeping my tiara from slipping.

I will never fall asleep in Griselda's class again.

I will stop getting so distracted during lessons at home and in class.

I will try my best to walk properly in heels.

I will stop trying to be so lazy in the morning.

Okay, the last one I'm seriously trying hard at.

After a while it was getting late, and we've already changed into our pajamas. I would seriously love to see the twins wake me up early tomorrow morning, because one of us (Mallory) hates being woken up. Not to be mean, but it would seem slightly funny to me. Plus, in the morning my father would be back from his meeting at the royal court and he promised that we'd decorate the Christmas tree.

I don't know how but I can already feel that this year is going to be great.

Please review an honest opinion on this first chapter, thanks.

~WM