This chapter is a Christmas special! I'm glad that I could post this! This takes place on Bella's first Christmas at the palace. I hope you enjoy it! Merry Christmas! :D
It's my first Christmas at the palace and all that I'm doing is sitting in the Women's Room alone. I'm listening to Pentatonix cover a bunch of Christmas songs. The music is old, but I still like it. I'm thinking about my previous Christmases at home, glad I'm not there for Christmas. I start singing with the songs, adding harmony. I hear someone knock on the door and stop singing immediately. I get up and I open the door. I see Maxon holding a bouquet of red and white poinsettias in his hands. "Maxon," I say, "what are you doing here?" I realize the music is still on and I gesture for Maxon to come into the room while I turn off the music.
"Please don't stop. Your singing is beautiful," he says, sitting down in a chair.
I blush. I turn the music back on and start singing with it again, finishing up the song. I give a small curtsy and Maxon claps. "Thank you," I say shyly. I turn off the music and sit down in a chair. I look at Maxon and see that he is smiling. "What are you smiling at?" I ask, quietly.
"At you, my dear. I had no idea you had musical talent like that. Your singing is beautiful," he says, getting out of the chair and coming towards me. I get out of my chair and walk away. I'm still too shy to be too close to Maxon. "These are for you, Bella," he says as he holds out the poinsettias for me to take.
"Thank you," I say, taking them from him and putting them on the table. "I have something for you, too," I say, going to the corner of the room.
"You didn't need to get me anything, my dear," he says, but I can tell from his face that he is delighted. "The other Selected didn't."
"I know, but it's not much," I say, grabbing the music stand and music book from the corner. I grab the flute and take it out of the case. This flute is my most prized possession. It is open-holed, silver, and has a rose-gold lip plate and crown. It was very expensive, but it was worth it. The quality is excellent and I've had it for quite a few years now. I put the flute together and play a B concert scale to warm up. Maxon looked at me, surprised. He sits in the nearest chair and looks at me.
"Bella, you play the flute?" he asks, shocked.
"Yeah, but I don't like to advertise it that much. It's mostly a hobby because I mostly sing to make money. I'll occasionally play the flute for money, but my parents want me to sing because I usually get more money that way. I mostly play my flute on special occasions or when someone specifically requested me to play it.
"Anyways, I'll play Christmas songs. If you want a specific song, just request it," I say. I notice a guard standing at the door. "Oh, if you have to go…"
Maxon glances up and sees the guard. "What is it?" he asks, standing up.
"Your Highness, the Christmas party that the Selected is hosting is starting soon."
I go pale and gasp. "The Selected is hosting a Christmas party?!"
"Yes, Bella. Don't you have to get ready?" Maxon asks, looking concerned. I feel tears run down my face, and I duck my head, hoping to hide the tears. But Maxon sees the tears and walks over to me. "What's the matter, Bella?" He pulls my head up and he wipes the tears from my cheeks.
"N-nothing, Maxon," I say, too shy to tell him.
"Bella, please tell me."
"Maxon…"
"Bella, you can trust me."
"The Selected didn't tell me that they are hosting a Christmas party. I wasn't even invited," I say, sitting down on the chair. I curl up and start to cry, holding myself tight. "Am I really hated that much?"
"Oh, Bella," he says. He lifts me from the chair. He sits down on the chair which I just occupied and he sets me on his lap. "Darling Bella. Shh…Don't cry…" he rubs my head, comforting me.
"I guess you should go get ready, Maxon," I say, standing up. I walk over to the corner to put my flute away. I start to cry silently, not wanting to worry Maxon. "Thanks for spending time with me. And for the poinsettias."
"Bella, I'm staying here. I want to hear you play. And you shouldn't be alone on Christmas," Maxon says.
I wipe the tears from my eyes and turn to look at Maxon. "But…the Selected…"
"They should've invited you if they wanted me to come," he says with a mischievous smile. "Let's make this our own Christmas party."
I gasp and give Maxon a shy smile. "Really?"
"Yes. Now, go get ready. I'm going to go get ready as well. Meet you back here in an hour." With that, Maxon walks out the door and I smile, rushing out of the room after him.
—-
An hour later, I'm rushing towards the Women's Room. I'm wearing an ankle-length red ombre dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves. It has rosettes going down the dress. The dress is light and bouncy. I'm wearing a fur boa over my arms and I have pieces of holly intertwined in my chignon and I'm wearing big gold hoops. I'm wearing a ring with red and green stones and I have red heels with bows and holly on the side to tie the whole outfit together. My makeup is natural but has a hint of red to it. I make it to the Women's Room. "Is Maxon here?" I ask the guard hesitantly.
"Yes, he's waiting for you, Lady Bella," the guard says, giving me a wink. I blush slightly and the guard opens the doors. I walk in and Maxon turns to face me. His jaw drops in awe and I blush as deep as my dress. "Is this appropriate?"
"It's more than appropriate, my dear. You are absolutely stunning," he says, walking over to me and grabbing my hand.
"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself," I say. He's wearing a burgundy suit and a green tie. His hair has the perfect amount of gel to hold it in place, but yet is still a bit messy. "Now, I hope you're ready for some music." I grab my flute and warm up. I start playing Christmas songs and I'm a bit shy at first, but I gradually warm up to having an audience. Soon I am playing the final song that I have and I make it to the end, gasping for breath. The song was beautiful, but it took a lot of breath to play. I curtsy and say, "Merry Christmas, Maxon."
Maxon starts clapping and walks over to me. He grabs my hand and kissed each one of my fingers. "Bella, that was beautiful. You play perfectly on the flute. Thank you for letting me hear you play."
"You're welcome, Maxon. I hope you enjoyed it." Maxon grabs my hand and pulls me over to the couch.
"I did enjoy your performance thoroughly. I hope I will be able to hear you perform again soon," he says. I lay on him, and he kisses my forehead. "Merry Christmas, Bella. I hope it was even better than you expected."
"Oh, it was, Maxon. I hope I will have many more Christmases at the palace," I say, giving him a kiss on the nose. He smiles. We doze off together, in each other's arms, holding each other tight.