The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 42 Decorating Day

"We're seriously taking the day off from practice to decorate for Christmas?"
I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I thought you had servants for that."

"We do, but it's a family tradition for us to partake in the decorating of the palace."
Ranen replied with a shrug.

"My mother orders the servants around and complains that things aren't perfect while my father buries himself in his study with a bottle of scotch. My sisters and I, spend the day together decorating, drinking hot cocoa, and eating an unhealthy amount of sugar cookies. I'd like for you to join us."

"I'm flattered, but it's hardly appropriate. People might talk. After all, I'm your Keeper, not your family."
I chided him.

"Since when do you give a crap about what people might say?"
He taunted me.

Since your best friend made me feel like a scumbag who's trying to take advantage of your good nature.

I bit my lower lip, before burying my conflicted feelings and pulling out a half-smile.

"You're right, I'm sure it will be lovely to decorate with your sisters. It'll be nice to be out of the cold anyways."

Now that December has arrived, the temperatures had dropped and the snowstorms had become more frequent. I couldn't even imagine how frigid it was in the mountains right about now.

"Wonderful! I could use your help pulling Navia out of her shell and well, Cymber's always a handful."

"Do I have permission to smack her across the behind if she gives me trouble?"

"You'll have to settle for a good tongue lashing."

"I can work with that."

We sauntered side by side to the library, our first room on the Christmasafying list.

"It looks like a forest exploded in here."
I exclaimed as we stepped through the doorway.

There were piles of fir branches, holly, and mistletoe scattered about the room and a massive pine tree that stood solemnly at the center. The smell was positively heavenly, even if the floor was chaotic. In the corner by a crackling fire sat the young princess Navia, holding a sparkly golden star and staring into the flames. She was dressed in a soft-looking green sweater with matching leggings, making her seem less like a princess and very much like a normal little girl. Ranen took my hand and led me across the floor, avoiding buckets and boxes full of decorations. We came to a halt in his sister's line of view and the young girl's head popped up. Ranen knelt down, a warm smile on his face.

"Hey, little sis."

She smiled half-heartedly in return and held up the glittering star.

"I see you found the tree topper."
He spoke a little slower than normal, annunciating his words clearly.

Navia nodded and glanced towards the pine tree.

"Are you ready to decorate and eat lots of cookies?"
Ranen asked.

Her brow furrowed and I noted she hadn't been able to read his lips straight on. He repeated himself patiently. She shrugged noncommittally.

"You love Christmas."
Ranen told her, seeming puzzled at her reaction.

She shrugged again.

"Do you want to hang the mistletoe?"
He suggested.

She shook her head.

"What about the lights? Do you want to help with hanging the lights?"

Once again she shook her head no. Ranen's brow furrowed and he glanced up at me, clearly at a loss.