Christmas in the Four Kingdoms

The Golden Mountain stood against the drab clouds, majestic and covered with snow. Josef's lips tilted up as he watched the snow come down in thick clumps. A peaceful day in the Four Kingdoms was scarce—a peaceful Yule was even rarer.

The people of Goldor were celebrating the lull in battles across the kingdoms. No one would lose a loved one anytime soon.

A soft knock on his chamber door brought him away from his thoughts. He rushed across his room, narrowly avoiding tripping over his desk chair. "Yes?" he asked, a grin immediately brightening his face once his eyes landed upon the Duchess of Geid.

Annis wore a deep burgundy gown, white fur obtruding from the neckline and sleeves. Her raven black hair cascaded down her back in waves and her lips were tinted with scarlet paint. Josef felt his throat constrict and words flew from his mind.

"Captain Garrick?" Annis questioned with a soft chuckle.

Josef blinked once, twice. "Lady Ouises! Please, come in. I would hate for you to stand outside in the freezing corridor." He opened his door wider, berating himself for the blush he could feel creeping up his neck.

Annis took a seat on his sofa, smoothing her skirts out. "You know you can call me Annis, right, Captain?"

"Only if you call me Josef, my lady," Josef said with a smirk. He sat across from her, wondering why she would visit him. The celebratory ball would be held tomorrow, which was when he thought he'd be seeing her. "What do I owe for this wonderful holiday visit?"

"Is it wrong for me to want to visit my oldest, dearest friend?" Annis smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her deep chestnut eyes.

The blush came back full force. Josef chuckled tightly, hating the embarrassment that rose in his chest. He was one of the best men in the Aragannion army; he was twenty-one and a captain—a position that was incredibly difficult for even the most experienced soldiers to gain. But the moment a pretty girl—no, a beautiful woman—looked at him with eyes that twinkled with mirth, he was reduced to a pile of mush.

"Well..." he cleared his throat, "since you are here, I was going to ask." Josef glanced at the hearth, watching the flames lick the sides of the stone walls. Steeling his courage, he turned back to Annis. The smirk playing at her lips almost, almost made him lose his nerve. "Would you accompany me to the ball tomorrow?"

Annis leaned forward, losing a fraction of etiquette. She dropped her voice low like they were conversing about a conspiracy. "I would absolutely love to, Josef."

Josef would have laughed out loud if he weren't so shocked. Allowing a man to escort a woman to a ball, especially one so important to the royals and nobles, was a hint that courtship could be possible. "I—thank you, my lady."

She nodded, her cheeks the slightest bit pink. "I should say thank you for asking. A lady should not have to, but you may have pushed me to be rather forward." Annis stood from her seat. "I must go visit Princess Muriel. She requested help with little Declan and baby Beth."

Josef shot up, rushing ahead to open the door for her. "Of course. I look forward to tomorrow."

Annis smiled shyly. "As do I."

~*~

Annis trekked her way to the royal wing, taking in the smell of fresh pine as maids decorated the corridors with fresh holly and ivy. Yule was such a special time she held close to her heart. At least Yule in Goldor was. In Geid, there were too many memories of her parents and brother. She could barely stand to be there during regular seasons, much less Yule.

She shook her head, knocking on Princess Muriel's door.

A moment later, it opened, exposing a rather disheveled woman. Princess Muriel's auburn hair fell out of its bun in thick strands, framing her round face. The exhaustion cleared up immediately, however, when she saw Annis. "Oh, Lady Annis! I am so thankful you were able to make it. I know how busy you are with preparations and all that." She gestured for Annis to come in and made her way back to a plain wooden crib.