It had been only a few months since the family's life had changed forever. For two, time seemed to stand still. Milori and Clarion grew closer and closer as the days passed. Though Princess Clarion was up to her ears in paperwork. She always found time to have tea with Milori. The month was December twenty-fourth, the Hollow was shining brighter than ever. The Christmas lights could be seen from space, they have shown so brightly. The Hollow was decorated from root to branch with holly and mistletoe.

"Princess!" Clarion was walking to the garden for lunch with Susan when Alfred called her name. Alfred ran up to her, panting for breath.

"Alfred! what is the matter?" Clarion helped steady the old man. Once he had a chance to breathe, Alfred stood tall.

"Princess Clarion, I would like to wish you a merry Christmas Eve. I have also sent to inform you that, you are needed in the ballroom."

"Thank you, Alfred, Merry Christmas Eve, to you as well. What time do they require me?"

"Now." Alfred leads Clarion to the ballroom, hand in hand they strode through the halls. Each year the Hollow had the most enchanting Christmas party. The entire kingdom came every year, it was the one day everyone could enjoy the magic of the hollow. The day rode on, Clarion was needed here and there for the decorating. Then the time came... The party was to start in four hours and Clarion's ladies maids had a Princess to dress up.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the castle, Milori was cleaning up and helping with all the preparations. His day has going great! This was the day he was finally going to ask the woman he loved to go on a date with him. Nothing fancy, just the two of them for tea. He did not want to over do anything... Just as the clock struck six, Milori's life turned inside out.

"Milori, may I have a word?" It was Alfred, Milori became worried.

"Yes, of course." Alfred led Milori to a private room so they could talk.

"I know." Those words...Milori swallowed hard. How on earth did he know?

"I don't know what-"

"Save it, son." What everyone didn't know was that Alfred was Milori's father. Alfred had always wanted a wife and family, but he could never find the right woman. He had been coming back from the market one cold winter night. When he had found a five-year-old boy with strange white hair and brown eyes, shivering in an alleyway. From that day on Alfred cared for Milori and when he was old enough he came to work at the Hollow.

"I know you love Clarion... We are only servants...It can never be."

"But father, Clarion doesn't care about titles! She says everyone is equal."

"SHE says that, but she must marry a royal man. It's Genova law... I am so sorry son." Alfred's head hung low, small tires rolled down his warm face. Milori gave his father a hug, wiping his tires away.

"Please dad, do not cry. It was too good to be true anyway."

"Now what kind of a father would I be if I had my only son thinking like that?! NEVER give up hope my son... Things are never what they seem. For now... Let her be." Milori tightened his hug, he loved his father so much.

The Princess was almost ready, her ladies-maids ran around giggling. They were having so much fun dressing her up and doing her make-up and hair.

"O-o-o! Use this! It will go amazing with Clarion's dress." Jade had been invited to help. She was going through all of the Princesses things trying to find the perfect necklace for her to wear.

"That is perfect Jade! Thank you, dear." Clarion put the simple but elegant necklace around her slender neck. The chain was solid gold and hanging on the end was a small ruby. She was wearing a long red and green dress. The sleeves were to her elbows, the dress went to the floor. The shirt of Clarion's dress puffed out around her waist and continued down until the fabric ended. Around her breast was the same red soft red fabric, but at the front was small green gems. She wore small green heals that could be seen when she walked. Clarion's hair was curled and put up in a curlily puff. Her Christmas crown was placed atop her head. It was golden iron swirls, alike her other crown, but this crown had emeralds and rubies all along the top.

"Done!" Both Mary, Jade, and Dove screamed excitedly. Clarion had met Mary and Dove the day after she had arrived, but soon they all became the best of friends. Clarion stood up from her make-up table, her dress fell perfectly, and she looked beautiful.

"OH, Clarion! You look like a shining star." Mary beamed at the three girls work.

"Thank you, Mary." Clarion was not blushing immensely. I wonder if Milori will like my dress, Clarion thought. Her thoughts these days were only of him.

"I am sure a certain Milori will love are work." Dove winked at Mary, she choked when she said 'Milori'.

"DOVE!" Mary and Jade yelled.

"What?!" She laughed, looking slightly embarrassed at their outburst.

"Milori?" Clarion asked, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"Well yes! He loves-" Before Dove could finish, there was a knock on the door. Jade went to answer it, a guard told her that it was time. The guests had arrived and it was time for the Princess to make her entrance.

Clarion made her entrance, her beauty stole the show. She had the first dance with a nice royal man. He was very handsome, but Clarion was only interested in one man. The only man that seemed to not be at the party. The night went on, time seemed to stand still for Clarion. Where is he? Clarion was searching around the ballroom trying to find Milori. The clock struck ten, it was time for Anna and Elsa to go to bed. When Clarion finally found them, they shared one last dance before going to their room. The three walked hand in hand, to the young girl's room. Once Anna and Elsa were dressed and ready for bed, they started jumping up and down on their bed. They screamed, "I don't wanna go to bed!". Clarion tried to get them to calm down but it was no use. Outside of the twin's room walked a lonely man. He had not gone to the party, he knew if he saw the woman he loved… Well, it would mean disaster. Milori could hear Clarion trying to calm down her children. He had put them to bed before and knew how to calm them down. Breathe, just breathe. Milori took a deep breath and entered the room. Clarion turned to look at who had just entered. Her eyes locked with his.

"You look beautiful, Princess." Milori bowed to his superior. Clarion's eyes filled with sadness at his words. Why will he not call me Clarion? He must not love me… Unless…

"Thank you, Milori." Clarion bowed back to Milori, stunning him. No one had ever bowed to him before! A smile forming on his face his attention returned to the Twins.

"Anna, Elsa. Princesses, if you would like to go out into the gardens and play tomorrow. You will need your beauty sleep." Almost instantly the twins jumping once more, then under the covers, they went! Clarion gave Anna and Elsa a kiss goodnight. She kept wondering how on earth Milori was able to do that! Clarion closed the door and turned to Milori.

"Why are you not at the party, Milori?" Milori loved the way Clarion said his name. So soft, yet full of love.

"I am but a servant."

"That is no excuse. Come with me." Clarion placed her hand on his strong jaw, letting their eyes meet again. Clarion took his hand and led Milori to her secret balcony.

The snow fell slowly, yet with grace. The red and green lights were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the lights were gold and the most beautiful light blue. The balcony was uncovered, letting the snow fall on the lover's heads.

"Your majesty I-." Clarion placed a figure on his soft lips. What she did next would astound Milori. Clarion gently took off her crown, placing it on a small table nearby.

"There." She said in the most tender loving voice. "Now I am just Clarion. A normal woman, not a Princess."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what, Milori?"

"Being so… perfect." That had done it… Clarion's heart melted in two. Clarion knew where this balcony lead, she had been asking herself if she was ready to share this with… anyone. She knew now, after this that Milori was the one she wanted to share this place with.

"Follow me." Before Milori could even think, Clarion grabbed his hand and lead him to the end of the balcony. She moved her hands behind the falling ivy. The Ivy was covered from top to bottom with white snow. Milori looked away for but a moment, when he looked back Clarion was gone!

"Clarion?!" Milori whisper-screamed her name. Where did she go? I lost the queen to be! I will have my head chopped off for sure! Milori's thoughts went in ten million different directions at once. He heard a silenced giggled from behind the ivy. What? Milori parted the ivy to expose a secret door. He slowly walked through the ivy and through the door. What he saw amazed him, the secret door leading into a room that he had never seen before! Lying everywhere where boxes and music CDs. He searched around the dimly lit room for Clarion, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Do you like it?" Clarion's voice came from behind him, scaring the life out of him. Clarion let out a sweet giggle at the way he jumped.

"What is this place?"

"My Secret." Clarion turned and flipped the light switch on the wall closest to her. The lights fluttered on, as the room lit up, Milori could see that the entire room was filled with party dresses, music devices of all kinds, and in the back was a cleared out area for a dance floor. "When I was little, my father used to… He uses to hit me when I did not do what he wanted. One day I found this place. This was my safe haven. Now, it is both of ours." Clarion opened Milori's hand and placed an iron key into his palm.

"Clarion I can't…"

"I have a feeling you need this place more than I do." Clarion smiled as she closed his fingers around the key. Milori could no longer hold his love inside. He embraced Clarion, pulling her into a giant bear hug. Clarion hugged back, Milori had never felt so loved in his life. I must do something for her… but what? Then it hit him. Releasing her from his grasp, he held out his hand.

"Would you care to dance?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Milori." Clarion could feel her cheeks blushing, but she did not care. Milori leads her to the dance floor. Before they began to dance Milori picked out a song and placed it into the CD player. He returned to Clarion, pulling her closer they began to slow dance. Clarion was with the only man that made her feel young again, nothing could make this any better. That was when Clarion leaned her head in. Placing it on Milori's strong shoulder, Milori then started to sing.

"Greeting cards have all been sent

The Christmas rush is through

But I still have one wish to make

A special one for you

Merry Christmas darling

We're apart that's true

But I can dream and in my dreams

I'm Christmas-ing with you

Holidays are joyful

There's always something new

But every day's a holiday

When I'm near to you

The lights on my tree

I wish you could see

I wish it every day

Logs on the fire

Fill me with desire

To see you and to say"

Milori's deep accent made his soft sings the most beautiful sound Clarion had ever heard. She was so much in love that night, she decided to make it a night to remember. She too began to sing to the person she loved.

"That I wish you Merry Christmas

Happy New Year, too

I've just one wish

On this Christmas Eve

I wish I were with you

Logs on the fire

Fill me with desire

To see you and to say

That I wish you Merry Christmas

Happy New Year, too

I've just one wish

On this Christmas Eve"

"I wish I were with you"

"I wish I were with you" Clarion and Milori's eyes meet, the whole world melted away around them. It was perfect, but Milori looked up and right above their heads. Was none other than mistletoe.

"Mistletoe…"

Clarion and Milori's returned to stare at each other. When… They leaned in, closing their eyes slowly as they neared closer. They kissed, slowly at first. Then they didn't want to stop, they deepened the kiss. Nether parting until they needed to gasp for air. They stood there speechless. Milori was about to speak, but someone was calling Clarion's name.

"I have to go… Thank you Milori."

"For which part?" Milori said breathless, he could not believe the love for Clarion he had. The love was so great he thought he might explode.

"For this…" Clarion whispered, leaning up she placed a gentle kiss on his lips once more. Leaving Milori speechless, she left the secret room.

Milori stood in a daze, what just happened? Did I just kiss the princess?! Milori seemed to be in shock, all he could do was touch the spot were Clarion's soft pink lips had been. Still, in a daze, Milori made his way out of the secret room. He locked the door behind him, the Ivy fell back around the door. It looked as though nothing was behind, no secret door, and no secret room. Milori was about to leave the balcony when he heard a faint noise… The snow fell faster than before, the wind started to pick up as if something was about to happen. Milori steadily made his way off the balcony and back into the warmth of the castle. His head was spinning so much he didn't see the door to his right slowly open. Before Milori could react, he was forcefully dragged into the closet. The door was slammed behind him. A light clicked on, he was face to face with none other than Clarion's sons Alex and Dalton.

"Why did you do it?!" Alex asked, rather mean even for him. Milori looked at him, a puzzled look plastered on his handsome face.

"Do what? Dalton, would you care to explain to me why I was just dragged into a closet?!"

"Don't play stupid, Milori! We have it all on video." Dalton crossed his arms, feeling rather pleased with himself. That's when it hit Milori, the kiss, was playing over and over through his mind.

"Okay boys, I can explain…"

"No don't bother! We saw it all. My mother thought that room was secret?! HA! We found it our first week here."

"Okay, what do you want? I kissed your mother, I know." Milori was starting both boys dead in the eyes.

"Stay away from her… We are the only men she needs in her life! No one is going to hurt our mother." Dalton and Alex left the hall closet before Milori could react. Slamming the wood door behind them, almost breaking the door in the process.

"Can this night get any weirder?!" Milori whispered to himself still in the small closet. He placed his head in his hands and rubbed his eyes just to make sure he was not dreaming. I can't stay away… I love her.