notes: This is an AU historical Christmas one-shot. This doesn't really have any correlation to my other story ('A beating heart'). I was just super inspired to write something lighter and Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year (I mean who doesn't love Christmas, right?).
Please note that the Christmas traditions here are mostly taken from my country's way of celebrating the holiday. I know everyone does it differently so for none Central-Europeans it might be different.
Also this is in no way historically accurate, not at all. The traditions are fairly modern and the song I use was composed in the 19th century.
I wish all of you a very very Christmas and happy holidays. I hope you can enjoy the days with your family and loved ones!
(disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and no copyright infringements intended)
She could feel the weight of his body on hers as she woke. They had melted together as so often with her head nuzzled against his chest and his arm around her middle. She kept her eyes closed and took in a deep breath of the relatively cool air. The fire must have died down by now. Only now did she rememberer that today was Christmas, the one evening she had been anticipating for weeks. She could see it before her closed eyes, the decorated tree and all the people she held dear in life gathered around it. It would be perfect, she smiled to herself.
It was only when she felt him move against her, that she realized what had woken her. His hand was rubbing against her back, drawing small circles against the thin fabric of her night shift. She sighed, finally opening her eyes, only to find his looking straight at her.
„Morning" he mumbled, tugging a loose strand of her hair, which had fallen into her face, behind her ear. „I though you would never wake."
„How late is it?" she groaned, stretching out her arms and legs as best as she could, still pressed against him.
„Late enough." he gave her one of his cheeky smiles. „Your ladies are eagerly awaiting your assistance with that horrid tree."
„Oh stop it, the tree will look absolutely wonderful." she protested and reached for a pillow to lightly smother him with.
He let go of her and ducked, narrowly escaping the approaching cushion she had hurled his way. Laughing he ran his hands through his hair in an effort to calm his messy head of curls.
She bit her lip, marveling at the sight of her husband. They had been married for years now and still it felt like yesterday. He was as handsome as ever and his ever uncombed hair simply made him even more endearing.
Before she could lose herself even deeper in her memories, he scrambles out of bed with a determined speed. Now that she could see his whole body, she noticed that he was fully clothed. His doublet for the day was already in place. He had already been up for what must have been hours, she deduced.
„Where are you going?" she quickly scrambled out of bed trying to catch him before he reached the door. „I thought we would decorate the tree together?"
He stopped in his tracks and shot her a half apologetic look, his hand already on the handle.
„I am sorry dear. The council is already waiting and we have some urgent matters to discuss."
„On Christmas?" she looked at him, the disappointment blatant in her slightly furrowed brows.
„I am sorry, I will see you later." he quickly pressed a kiss to her forehead and hurried out the door.
She was left there standing utterly confused. What in god's name would be important enough to take him away from here, today of all days. She sank back against the bed, huffing with disappointment. Somehow her whole body suddenly felt very tense. She could feel the tightness deep down in her stomach and clenched her fists ins response. They had been looking forward to this day for weeks and for him to drop her like that, was more than unusual.
She bit her inner lip and decided to drop by the privy chamber later today to inquire to just what had been this urgent. When the maids helped her pick out and put on her dress for the day, a dark red gown that complimented her pale complexion, she did her best to push her worries far away. After all, there was still the decorating of the tree with her ladies to look forward to.
„Leith" Greer squeaked when his blond head suddenly appeared around the corner.
„Now, don't act so surprised." he smirked at her.
She was pressed against the corridor's wall and his hands trapped her at either side. Her eyes searched for an exit route, finding none. She was already late for Mary's annual tree decoration and whatever Leith had in mind, surely wouldn't make her more punctual. Her eye narrowed at him in warning but he just grinned like a little naughty boy, caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
„I am late, Leith. We can't do this now." her hands were nowhere near strong enough to push his away. „This hiding game is ridiculous. After all we are engaged, incase you should have forgotten."
„Well yes, you're right. And I just wanted to wish my lovely fiancée a good day, is all." his smirk turned into a genuine warm smile.
„Really, I'm supposed to believe that?" she answered in disbelieve, well aware that her cheeks were blushing and there was nothing she could do to rectify the situation.
„Of course, what else would a respectable man do with his fiancée in an empty corridor?" he faked a tone of outrage and she couldn't keep the smile from her lips any longer.
His face was moving closer to hers and the sound of his breaths filled her ears. Her eyes fluttered closed and her lips lightly parted. She could feel his hand moving to her face and just when his lips touched hers she heard another voice.
„Greer" the two bolted apart.
Greer hastily tried to hide the alarming shade of red her face had taken on and Leith bit his lip, staring to the ground.
„You're supposed to be in the drawing room by now." Kenna strode towards them with a knowing look on her eyes. „Mary has sent me to look for you."
In no way did Kenna look ashamed for what she had just disturbed. On the contrary, the corners of her lips had twitched into a smirk as she eyed Greer and Leith, her eyes remaining on his slightly disheveled hair. Greer pursed her lips, feigning annoyance. Kenna truly did have an unnerving habit of alway finding the worst moments to bulge in.
Before she could say anymore to Leith, her friend had already looped her arm though hers and nearly dragged her to the opposite end of the hallway. Leith remained standing alone in the middle of the corridor, gaping at the to women in disbelief.
„And there I though you were the up-tight one." Kenna mused and Greer only rolled her eyes. „You must tell me everything later, promise?"
„I don't think you would actually give me a choice, would you?" Greer sighed but smiled at her friend. „Enough about me, how are things with Bash? How is the baby?"
Kenna smiled and her free hadn't automatically flew to her expanding belly.
„She is good. Although she has taken to kicking her Maman during night hours. But other than that it's gong wonderfully." she gushed.
„So you're sure it's a girl?" Greer questioned.
„Well I am, and a mother always knows." she caressed her belly. „Besides, Bash desperately wants a daughter and I can hardly deny him that wish."
„I'm sure she will be absolutely gorgeous, just like her Maman." Greer smiled at her friend.
She had told them more than five months ago and the midwifes thought her to have no more than a month left. But Kenna looked better than ever. Her slim figure, besides her huge abdomen, had kept its usual size and she seemed to have only ever gained weight in the right places. It was unfair, how one could be pregnant and still look so impeccably stunning at the same time, Greer mused. She had heard the countless tales of pregnant women ballooning to the size of horses and just hoped that she could only be half as lucky as her dark haired friend.
Thankfully, by the time they arrived at the drawing room, the tree was still empty. Mary was off in a corner sorting through the numerous trunks of ornaments, waiting to be hung. Lola was right beside her and both turned at their arrival.
„Greer, I'm glad you finally made it." Mary smiled at her, though her usual enthusiasm at display on Christmas, was missing.
Mary took her hand and let them towards the tree, signaling for everyone to start decorating.
„Where is Francis?" Greer only know realized that he was missing.
„He's busy. Some urgent matters apparently." Mary quickly let go of her hand and reached for a deep red ornament.
She definitely didn't seem joyous and her husbands absence was clearly partly responsible. Normally, Francis would have never missed this, as it had become tradition in the past years. She furrowed her brow, not sure what to say to help her friend.
Kenna and Lola where over in another corner, happily chatting and laughing. Mary stayed silent and wouldn't even take the glass of champagne, she usually so loved, when the servants offered it. Greer silently followed her queen's example and secured several straw stars onto the rich green branches of the freshly cut tree.
„I am sure, he will join us soon." she tried to offer.
Mary only nodded and sat down on one of the nearby chairs. She definitely looked tired and she could see her hands clenching the fabric of her skirts. Normally Mary loved this part of the Christmas' festivities and it was utterly unlike her to be so low spirited.
Before Greer could do anything further, an already slightly wobbly Claude, drink securely in hand appeared before them.
„Whatever is the matter with you two?" very unsurprisingly she sounded tipsy, even this early in the day. „Is my dear brother not here yet? I wanted to talk to him. He has to stop working so much, he's always off doing some kingly tasks." she snorted.
She had evidently struck a nerve and Mary flinched in response. Claude peered at her for a moment, trying to assess the situation, before laughing at he queen's annoyed look.
„Claude please." Greer shot her cold glare but the girl simply shrugged her shoulders and set her eyes on the nearest servant.
Both Greer and Mary watched as the king's younger sister, notorious for her escapades and scandals with various noble men, shamelessly flirted with the young kitchen aid. The boy's face took on an impossibly dark shade of red and Claude simply snatched another glass of champagne of his tray.
„She is quite something to behold, our dear princess." Greer chuckled and Mary smiled in accordance.
„I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so depressed today of all days. I just don't feel very well." Mary tried to explain, her voice lacking any trace of enthusiasm.
„Don't apologize. You have ever right to be exhausted and I'm sure Francis won't be very long." Greer reached for Mary's hand, gently squeezing it. „After all, he always spends the Christmas afternoon with Anne."
„Yes" Mary nodded and her face seemed to instantly brighten at the mention of her daughter.
Thank you so much for reading! Merry Christmas again and the second part should already be up :)