The palace photographer clicked the final picture, capturing a candid mont of Alie, Gabriel, and Noah for their pre-Christmas portrait. At his invitation, the family gathered around the small digital screen to review the shots. They scrolled through the images, finally selecting the perfect poses that balanced royal elegance with the warmth of their small family.
"I’ll need these finalized as soon as possible," Gabriel noted, his gaze lingering on a shot where Noah was mid-giggle.
"Of course, Your Highness! I will prioritize the editing imdiately," the caraman assured him with a respectful bow.
Noah, fascinated by the shiny lens and the clicking sounds, babbled loudly. He lunged forward from Gabriel’s side, his tiny, uncoordinated hands reaching high as he attempted to snatch the expensive equipnt for himself.
Laughing, Gabriel scooped the restless pup securely into his arms to prevent any royal property damage. With a nod to the photographer, he and Alie turned toward the grand corridor, heading out.
"Noah certainly enjoyed the lilight," Gabriel said, a tired but fond smile tugging at his lips as he glanced over at Alie.
"He really did. He looked so genuinely happy," Alie agreed. She paused to adjust the small knitted cap on Noah’s head, which had slipped sideways during his attempt to conquer the photographer’s cara.
"Tomorrow is the full family photoshoot. I only hope Nick decides to return in ti for Christmas," Gabriel sighed. "So far, he hasn’t shown the slightest interest in coming ho. Dad was trying to get a hold of him all morning, but he’s staying completely out of reach."
Alie stayed silent for a mont, her gaze fixing on Gabriel. "Doesn’t that sound familiar? Isn’t Brother Nick just becoming exactly like you used to be?"
Gabriel let out a chuckle, realizing she had hit the mark. The stubbornness ran deep in their bloodline.
"My reasons were entirely different," Gabriel muttered, a flicker of defensiveness crossing his face as they walked the gilded hallway. "Nick’s relationship with Mom and Dad never soured the way mine did, at least with Mom. Last Christmas, I was out there searching for my mate, there’s a massive difference between us."
"The reasons might change, but the result is the sa," Alie countered, undeterred. She shifted Noah to her other hip and crossed one arm over her chest. "Brother Nick is deliberately staying away, Gabriel. Just like you did."
Her expression softened before a genuine concern took its place. "I’m worried for Carlos," she murmured, her gaze drifting toward the tall palace windows. "I have no idea how he’s fraying."
"I told you I could go and check on him myself," Gabriel suggested.
"There would be no use, Gabriel. Carlos never told us where he was going," Alie replied with a heavy sigh. "He went back to his family ho, but we have no idea if he’s even there. I did call Mona but she’s not responding either. It’s better to simply wait for his return and hope for the best."
Noah, whose small face had been resting comfortably against the warmth of Gabriel’s chest, looked up just in ti to catch the flicker of sadness in Alie’s eyes.
Sensing the shift in the air, his brow furrowed and he pouted his tiny, rosebud lips. Even in his innocence, he knew his mother was upset.
~~~~~
In the quiet of the late afternoon, Dominick checked his phone, only to find a long list of missed calls from his parents. A heavy sigh escaped him as he ran a hand through his damp hair, finally relenting and dialing his mother’s number.
"Good afternoon, Mom," he began with the greeting.
"Good afternoon. I see you finally decided to rember you have a mother," Mabel’s voice crackled through the line. On her end, she gestured for Raidan to join her on the bed, signaling that she finally had their elusive son on the line.
"Mom, I’m sorry. I haven’t been checking my phone as often as I should," Dominick apologized, leaning back against the cool stone wall of the palace. "How are you and Dad? Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine, but you must co ho for Christmas, even if it is only for a day," Mabel insisted.
"I can’t make it to the palace this ti, Mom." Dominick lowered himself into the chair beside his bed, his fingers wrapping around a half-filled wine glass. He watched the liquid swirl as he spoke.
"Is it because—"
"No," he interrupted. "I’ll be there for New Year instead. I’ve already made up my mind."
"It would have been better if the entire family were gathered for Christmas," Raidan’s deep voice broke in. Mabel had clearly handed over the phone. "Especially since Gabriel has finally joined us again this year. It feels incomplete without you."
Dominick closed his eyes, the weight of his father’s disappointnt hitting harder than his mother’s nagging. "I understand, Dad. Fine. I will be there for Christmas Day," he promised. "How does that sound?"
"Better," Raidan replied, though he wasn’t finished. "We will be waiting. But you should try to arrive tomorrow as well. We are taking the official family portraits, and Noah will be in them. It’s only right that both of his uncles are present for his first royal photograph. And if you miss this, you may feel guilty about it in the future."
Dominick humd, assuring his father he would be there. Finally, the call disconnected. He stared at the darkened screen for a mont.
"It seems I’ll have to buy those suppressants after all," he murmured to the quiet room. "Jeniva can’t stay here alone. I’ll take her back with and suggest she spends the holiday with her sister."
He set his wine glass on the table with a definitive click and strode out of the room. However, his montum vanished the mont he reached the grand staircase. Below him, Jeniva was draped in a tangled web of golden fairy lights, stretching precariously atop a wooden chair to reach the upper branches of a towering Christmas tree.
Dominick’s breath hitched as he tracked her movents. Her focus was entirely on the lights, leaving her dangerously unaware of how close her heels were to the edge of the seat. Just as he took his first panicked step toward her, her foot slipped past the edge while the chair wobbled.
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