Fresh snow covered the ground in a sparkling white blanket, illuminating the otherwise dark night.
Noelle watched from the window as a pair of carriages pulled up to the house, lined up behind each other. Her gaze fell to a magnificent white carriage pulled by two large, gorgeous black horses, watching closely as a young woman stepped out, covered in luxurious furs.
The sound of footsteps approaching alerted her that someone was coming, and she quickly began wiping down the windows with a cloth in the hopes that it looked like she was working. Technically she wasn't supposed to be here, she should have been in the kitchen prepping food, or down in the servants quarters with the rest of the staff, celebrating the holidays, but Noelle was nothing if not nosey, and would often found herself listening in on the dinner parties held by the Doyle's.
Tonight was much bigger than a plain old dinner party, tonight was her favorite night, Christmas eve. She just couldn't resist eavesdropping on the festivities.
"Clarissa!" called as she made her way to the staircase, looking for any sign of her absent daughter. "Please come down and greet our guests!"
"Oh but mother-." The sound of dainty footsteps coming down the stairs could be heard before Noelle saw her, glancing over her shoulder at Clarissa who wore a beautiful purple dress, her ringlets tied back with a matching bow, and makeup impeccably done. She looked like a doll. "I'm a mess, I can't enter the party like this. My hair is all wrong!"
"Nonsense dear, you look like a princess."
Noelle had to agree, she looked like a painting brought to life, perfect in every way.
"Now please go join our guests, your father is waiting for you."
The girl huffed as she walked past her mother towards the parlor. Noelle quickly looked away as she walked by, pretending like she hadn't just been admiring the girls outfit just moments ago.
She sighed at the realization of an all too familiar feeling welling up inside of her: envy.
Clarissa and her were about the same age, yet Noelle was mopping floors and polishing silverware, while Clarissa was waited on hand and foot, being pursued by a fair number of suitors who wanted her hand in marriage.
All to often she'd fine herself fantasizing about receiving lavish gifts, attending parties in high society instead of just washing the dishes after the fact.
'What I wouldn't give for just one night of luxury'. She thought to herself, looking back out the frosty window as more carriages began to arrive. Snow drifted gently down from above, it seemed like it was an ideal Christmas eve.
As the night carried on sounds of the party could be heard throughout the household, music and the chatter of guests filled the air, creating a sense of warmth that Noelle craved. She listened in, peeking over the edge of one of the rarely used entry ways at the back of the room. The hallway it lead to wasn't even currently lit, the only light leaking in from the ballroom party as guests ate, drank and talked, wishing each other a merry Christmas. A towering pine tree with dozens of gifts around it was displayed proudly next to tall windows which showed the snow falling softly outside. Wreaths and holly were strewn along the walls, and decorative stockings had been hung by the fireplace, which was currently home to a roaring, cozy, fire.
Noelle gripped a broom tightly in her hands holding it incase anyone asked just what she was doing there.
Over the years she'd learned that one could get away with almost anything as long as they looked busy. No one tended to pay much attention to maids, not that she hadn't been caught in the act once once or twice but having a cover story always helped regardless.
Currently her eyes were fixed yet again on Clarissa, who was sitting on the canapé with another girl beside her. They were both surrounded by a small group of young men attempting to talk to them. One of the men-a nervous looking gentleman handed her a drink, which Clarissa graciously accepted. They exchanged a few words that Noelle couldn't quite make out over the noise of the party, but she giggled and he smiled.
She felt her heart flutter at the sight, imagining herself in the same scenario, surrounded by handsome, well educated men with money in their pockets, who hung on her every word, fighting for her affection.
"No." Noelle muttered to herself, shaking her head. "That's not for me, don't get caught up in that delusion again."
And yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep herself from dreaming.
*CRASH*
The loud, sudden sound of breaking glass could be heard across the room, causing Noelle to jump back a bit with surprise, moving her out of her hiding spot. It seemed like one of the ornaments had fallen from the tree, smashing into tiny pieces on the floor below.
The guests murmured to each other before spotted her in the entryway.
"Noelle!" She called, startling the girl even more.
"Oh! Uhm y-yes ." She stammered, hoping that no one knew she'd been standing there watching the event play out.
"Please sweep this up before someone gets hurt."
Still frazzled, it took a moment to remember that she was holding a broom. "Oh! Of course ma' me!" She said, rushing over to the tree, zig zagging between guests who had since turned their attention away from the minor event and continued on with their conversations.
"Don't think I didn't know what you were doing Noelle." The woman said sternly, crossing her arms. "Eavesdropping is such a nasty habit."
"But I wasn't-." Noelle attempted to lie before held her hand up, cutting her off.
"Perhaps I'd believe that if this wasn't the third time I've caught you doing this exact thing. I've fired maids for far less than this."
The young girl looked down in shame, attempting to appear small. If she was removed from the Doyle's employment she had no where to go, no one to stay with, and the streets were not kind, especially in the winter. "I apologize Ma' me, it won't happen again."
"Seeing how it is Christmas I don't think it would be proper of me to let you go, so instead I'm going to ask that you alone clean up after the party."
"That will take all night!" Noelle exclaimed, shrinking back when the woman gave her a furious look. "So...I'll have plenty of time to do it."
huffed and turned away. "See to it that everything is ready for Christmas morning, and don't let me catch you sneaking around again, or I will have no choice but to end your employment in my household." The woman threatened, before walking off to socialize.
Noelle sighed, blowing a stand of her messy blond hair out of her face as she turned back to continue sweeping up the broken ornament which had shattered into several large pieces and scattered across the floor. Her broom had barely touched the floor before a warm voice suddenly greeted her.
"Merry Christmas."
"Hhm?" Noelle turned around to see a man with a scruffy red mustache and large nose behind her. He fixed his glasses before introducing himself.
"Hiriam Flaversham, pleasure to meet your acquaintance Noelle"
Noelle blinked, It was near impossible to hide the sudden shock on her face. "How do you know my name?" She asked, puzzled why this man was even bothering to speak with her, the people that visited ussually never bothered speaking to the staff unless they needed something.
"I overheard the conversation."
"Oh, you heard all that?" She forced a nervous chuckle, realizing that a number of people had probably caught the embarrassing exchange between her and . She'd no doubt get scolded by the head maid as well once morning came, word traveled fast between the house staff.
Realizing that she was being far to casual with a party guest gave the man a proper response one would expect to receive from a maid. "I'm very sorry for interrupting your night , please return to the party. I will take care of this mess right away."
"Oh please, you didn't interrupt anything my dear. I thought you could use some Christmas cheer after all that."
"Christmas cheer and me don't quite go together I'm afraid."
"I'm sorry to hear that, I suppose this time of year isn't pleasant for everyone, perhaps this will cheer you up." told her, presenting a narrow green gift box that she could have sworn he hadn't been holding before.
"O-oh! I couldn't." She replied, gently pushing the box away. "I doubt this was intended for me."
"Nonsense lass, I'm a toymaker by trade, I brought plenty of gifts for all the young boys and girls here, but this-." He placed the giftbox in her hands. "Is for you."
Noelle raised an eyebrow, looking between the man and the box, unsure what to make of this unexpected present, before carefully tugging at the bow, watching it slowly unfurl. She carefully lifted the lid away, and peeled back the decorative wrapping paper. Lying inside was a wooden figure of a little brown mouse, dressed in a red coat with golden embellishments, a tall black hat, and matching black trousers. She noted the little wooden sword placed neatly under his belt and smiled, gently removing him from the box. "How cute, a little solider."
"He's a nutcracker." looked around them to see if anyone else was listening, before leaning in slightly whispering: "And a prince."
"A prince?" Noelle giggled, finding the whole idea rather cute. "Where is his crown?"
"Long gone I'm afraid. Taken by the Rat King."
"The Rat King?"
nodded, and sighed. "You see our nutcracker may have been a prince, but he had no love for his kingdom. He toiled away in his study for days on end in the pursuit of knowledge, while his loyal advisor: lord Ratigan plotted to take the throne for himself."
"Doesn't sound like a loyal advisor to me."
"Aye, but the prince didn't see it like that. He was more than happy to let someone else take on the responsibility for him, and perhaps things may have turned out better if the rodent in question had not been Ratigan. The most dastardly, cunning, and wicked rat to have ever lived. For you see, Ratigan had been studying dark magic, and on the night of the prince's coronation he demanded that the prince abdicate the throne and declare him the new monarch of the land. When the prince refused, he cursed no only him but the entire kingdom, turning them all into nothing more than children's toys. Ratigan crowned himself the new king, and our prince went on the run."
"...And?" Noelle inquired, waiting for the man to continue.
"And?"
"Is that it? That's the end to the story?"
'Unfortunately." sighed heavily. "It is, for the moment at least."
"I don't mean to offend you sir, but I'm not quite sure I like that story very much."
Flaversham sighed and smiled softly. "I don't think I like it either, perhaps you can find a better ending."
"I'll do my best to think of one." Noelle giggled, looking back down at the nutcracker in her hands, studying him. There was something about the little wooden doll that she couldn't quite shake, a glimmer of life in those eyes that called to her. "Thank you again for the gift, but I really do have to get back to work or will have my head." She told him, placing the nutcracker in the pocket of her apron, and turning around to continue sweeping up the mess.
"Of course, Merry Christmas Noelle, and happy birthday."
"Thank y-." She froze. "How did you know it was my-?" Noelle began to ask while turning back around, only to be greeted with an empty space where had once been.
It was as if he had simply vanished.
