Chapter 15: The Dress
Alex
Christmas Eve morning broke over the kingdom, feeling cold and very bright.
From the tiny, narrow window of my cellar room, I watched the palace grounds come alive with movement. The snow had fallen heavily during the night, covering everything in a soft layer of white that looked untouched and perfect. I saw families bundled up in their thick, expensive furs. They were laughing together as they crossed the wide stone courtyard. Children ran around chasing falling snowflakes, and their shrill sounds of joy echoed loudly against the heavy stone walls. Even the regular maids, girls who usually looked tired and stressed, were wearing bright red ribbons tied into their hair today. They carried large silver trays of hot cider through the halls without being shouted
