Week 2B: Carols
Sailor Raspberry
393 words
She padded down the hallway, yawning and scratching her sleepy eyes. In front of her, a butler led her down a dwindling staircase and out onto the landing.
Serenity squinted against the mid-morning sun that angled in through a window, running deft fingers through a tangle of blonde hair. "What is all this about again?"
The butler looked over his shoulder, pulling to a stop in front of the doors. "I think you should find out for yourself, Your Highness."
She pursed her lips and stepped around him. "Alright then, as long as it's not an assassinator." There was a pause, and she laughed. "You're allowed to laugh, you know. I mean, come on, an assassinator? That's hilarious!"
The butler gave a dry laugh for good measure. "You're truly a comedic, Your Highness."
"Thank you."
She flashed a big, shining smile his way, gripped the crystalline handles and pulled open the doors.
"Merry Christmas, Queen Serenity!"
Serenity yelped and stumbled backwards, grabbing her butler's arm for support. In the threshold stood ten beaming carolers, faces bright and pink against the cold weather. They shifted, flipped open a page in their books, and began to sing.
"Oh," Serenity pressed a frail hand to her heart, eyes wide as the citizens before her glowed in their own spirit.
She couldn't recall the last time she had even muttered a Christmas carol.
But she allowed them to finish, cherishing their powerful, tuneful voices, and she felt herself melt inside. She loved to sing Christmas carols.
The song sputtered and died off, and Serenity pressed her hands against her chest, "That was just wonderful. Truly wonderful." Then, turning to the man at her side, she whispered, "Have some hot chocolate put together for them. I'll be right back."
He was about to question her motives, but his expression flopped into a wince as she took off.
"Endymion!"
Serenity disappeared down a hallway, and there was a second of awkward silence. The carolers looked around as they were ushered into the castle. Someone coughed, another hummed a tune, while all the others simply stared in a wondering amazement at the luxury of being inside a castle.
And then there was a grunt, a crash, and an amused chuckle.
"Yes, dear?"
The guests shared confused glances.
"What are you still doing in your pajamas? Get dressed, we're going caroling!"