6. Raymond Vincent

MELANIA…..

Norway felt unreal the moment we landed.

The cold air had bitten my skin the instant I stepped out of the airport, sharp and clean, as if it were stripping away months of heaviness from my lungs. Tromsø looked exactly like the pictures, snow-covered streets, glowing lights, and mountains standing tall in the distance like silent guardians.

After checking into our hotel, exhaustion finally caught up with us.

“Hot showers first,” Livia groaned, dragging her suitcase inside.

I agreed wholeheartedly. The three of us separated and headed to our respective rooms. I threw myself on the bed after putting aside my luggage in the room. It was a long journey and I was exhausted.

Suddenly my phone started to ring. I pulled out my phone from my bag and looked into it only to find Adriel calling me. I answered the call.

“How can you do this to me, Melania Lombardi? I'm your best friend. Your buddy. And you just abandoned me."

Before I could even say hello, he started complaining through the call.

"Stop your drama, Adriel. You were busy. Your Mom told me you went on a business trip. Then how can you expect me to bring you along with me?” I scolded him and he huffed through the phone.

"You are really bad. You could have waited for me. Or if you would have told me about your plan then I would have left all that for you."

“I know. That's why I didn't tell you about our plan. And I told those two little fools not to tell anything to you either. Because I know you very well, if I had told you then you would have left everything just to accompany me. And I don't want this. We can go another time. Now go handle your business and let me have some rest.”

“You're so cruel, girl. You don't love me at all. Let alone missing me. I hate you."

I rolled my eyes at his words.

“Stop throwing tantrums like a wife, Adriel. You make me cringe. I'm hanging up.”

He was saying something but I hung up the call and tossed it beside me.

I rested for a while before going to freshen up and getting ready to have lunch. Before leaving my room I had a last look into the mirror and my heart tightened.

"After a long time, I am wearing red clothes today. Cyrus hated bright colours so he never allowed me to wear one after I married him. I'm wearing bright colours after three long years. Now I'm free to do what I want. There are no restrictions. Even though I'm hurt, this freedom makes me feel alive." I smiled at myself and walked out of my room grabbing my handbag.

As soon as I walked out of my room I found Livia and Simona walking out of their room at the same time. “Whoa, girl! You're looking fabulous!" They both chimed happily.

"Thanks for the compliment. But for now, let's go. I'm starving. I need to put something in my stomach before I pass out." I groaned. And they laughed.

We walked to a cozy restaurant nearby, its windows fogged from the warmth inside. The smell of food wrapped around us the moment we entered, and for the first time in days, I realized I was actually hungry.

We talked, laughed, and ate slowly, simple conversations, light teasing, and no heavy emotions weighing us down.

"Mela, I wanted to ask you something for a long time. I don't want to hurt your feelings but I'm worried for you girl." While eating suddenly Livia became serious.

"What is it? You can ask anything. I won't mind.” I assured her.

Simona and Livia exchanged looks before facing me. “What did you think about your future? Are you going to live single forever?" Simona asked with a fearful expression.

“I don't know. I haven't thought about it for now.” With that saying I put a full stop on the topic.

They also understood my situation and didn't push it anymore.

After lunch we went on an outing. We walked along the harbor, watching fishing boats sway gently in the water. The snow crunched under our boots as we explored the nearby streets, stopping occasionally to admire the Arctic Cathedral glowing in the distance and the quiet beauty of the city wrapped in winter.

Eventually, Simona and Livia decided to head toward the shopping district.

“Souvenirs won’t buy themselves,” Simona announced.

I smiled but shook my head. “I’ll catch up with you later. I want to look around somewhere quieter.”

They didn’t question me, just exchanged knowing looks before heading off. “Don't get lost. I'm afraid someone might kidnap you. Be careful." Livia didn't want to leave me alone but I insisted so they let me go.

That was how I ended up inside a small, tucked-away library. The warmth hit me immediately, along with the familiar scent of paper and wood. The place was peaceful, almost timeless.

I didn't realize when time passed as I kept reading books. It was almost evening. The sun has already set. I rose from my seat and put the books back.

I wandered through the aisles, my fingers grazing book spines as I searched for a particular title that one Papá had once mentioned, something about northern legends and celestial lights.

I finally spotted it on the shelf. Relief flickered through me as I reached for the book. At the exact same moment, another hand reached for it too. And our fingers brushed.

“Oh sorry,”

“I…”

I looked up and froze. The person who was standing before me was the least person I expected to run into here.

“Raymond?”

He stared at me, just as stunned. Snow still clung to his dark coat, and his expression softened the instant recognition dawned in his eyes.

“Melania,” he said quietly, as if the name itself carried weight.

Raymond Vincent. Alpha King’s second son. We weren’t friends. He's one of Adriel’s friends. We had barely spoken over the years. But I knew him, everyone did. Calm, observant, never seeking attention, always standing just a step away from the spotlight.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, still trying to process the coincidence.

A faint, warm smile curved his lips. “I could ask you the same question.” He glanced at the book between us.

“Seems we were looking for the same thing.”

I loosened my grip slightly. “You can take it.”

He shook his head gently and withdrew his hand instead. “No. You should.”

I hesitated. “Why?”

“Because,” he said simply, meeting my eyes, “some books find the right reader.”

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.

“Thank you,” I murmured, taking the book fully.

For a brief moment, we stood there in silence, the world outside forgotten. “Umm, you came here alone?" Raymond asked curiously.

“No, I came with my friends.” I said shortly.

He looked here and there as if looking for something. “I don't see those two she devils friends of yours here. Where are they?” He asked and I chuckled.

“So you were looking for my friends just now?”

“Yes, they are always around you like obsessive lovers. Especially Livia.” He said dramatically, making me laugh, throwing my head back.

“You're hilarious. Don't talk about my friends like this Raymond. They love me too much and are very protective of me.” I defended my friends. And he nodded in understatement.

“Well, as you’re alone for now may I have the honor to have a coffee with you, Princess.” He bent to my eye and asked with his charming smile. Who could say no to such a charming man.

“I just had lunch a while ago.” His smile faltered and face turned gloomy.

Then I added. “But you can accompany me to enjoy the place here. I don't know much about this place. Since you're here you can be my guide.” I looked at him to observe his expression and soon his face lit up.

“Sure.”

We left the library after paying for my book. “What about you? You came here alone?” I asked, walking beside him.

“Umm, no. I came with my friends too. We separated because I had to buy a book from the library.” He explained.

“Huh! But you didn't buy any.” I exclaimed then the realization hit in.

“Wait a second. You wanted to buy this one.” I held out the book I bought just now and asked him.

He quickly shook his head. “No, I didn't find the book.” He looked down at my book. “And about this book. I didn't want to buy this book, I just wanted to have a look.” He explained and I nodded.

We were walking through the side market and suddenly I stopped at a shop to have a look. There were many fancy things there.

Christmas Eve had transformed Tromsø into something straight out of a fairytale.

The entire city shimmered under countless lights, glowing softly against the snow, as if Tromsø had dressed itself like a bride, elegant, radiant, and breathtaking.

Strings of golden lights hung across the market streets, shop windows sparkled with festive decorations, and the air buzzed with quiet excitement and warmth despite the cold.

Raymond and I wandered through the Christmas market side by side, cups of hot chocolate warming our gloved hands. The scent of cinnamon, roasted nuts, and fresh pastries filled the air.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, looking around.

“It is,” Raymond agreed but when I glanced at him, I realized he was looking at me instead of the lights.

Before I could say anything, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.

“Well, well… am I seeing things or is it really your highness here in front of me?”

I turned to find Livia and Simona standing a few steps away, both grinning far too knowingly.

“Speak of the she Devils and there they are,” Raymond muttered under his breath. And I had to bite back the laugh that was about to break through.

Livia crossed her arms, eyes narrowing playfully. “Still breathing, your highness?”

“Unfortunately for you,” Raymond replied calmly. “Yes.”

Simona burst out laughing. “Every time you two meet, it’s like watching swords clash.”

“That’s because she starts it,” Raymond said smoothly.

“Oh please,” Livia scoffed. “You’ve been annoying since birth.”

I shook my head, smiling despite myself. Somehow, their bickering felt oddly comforting, normal, familiar, alive. Livia’s father is Alpha King’s childhood friend. So they are basically family friends. But Raymond and Livia never get along well with each other.

“Don't tell me you stalked us.” Livia asked him, squinting her eyes at him in suspicion.

Raymond rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Oh, please! If I knew you were coming here then I would have never come here.”

“Then stay away from my friend. I don't want you anywhere near my precious friend.” Saying that Livia pulled me against her while throwing daggers at him through her eyes.

“Livia, stop bickering like a child. He's a nice guy. Don't talk to him like that.” She snapped her head at me, giving me an unbelievable look.

“What have I done to earn the honor of meeting Miss Moretti?" A voice came from behind us, making us look at the source of the voice.

It was Kael. Raymond's friend.

"Oh my Goddess! Now I’ll have a bad day after seeing your face.” Livia said in annoyance.

“Please, don't start now, Livia. We are here to have fun. The more people, the more fun. Can't we invite them to enjoy it with us. Won't you listen to me?" I tried to change her mood and she nodded.

“Only for you." She gave it a thought then agreed. Then she looked at Raymond.

“I'm letting you join us only because Mel requested. So be grateful to her." Pointing her finger at him she said and he bowed, placing his hand on his chest.

“It's an honor for me, Princess Melania."

I smiled but Livia scoffed at his action.

The groups blended naturally, laughter echoing through the market as we shared food, stories, and harmless teasing.

For a while, I forgot everything else.

Later that night, we drove outside the city, chasing darkness and silence, the perfect conditions to witness the Aurora. Snow crunched beneath our boots as we stepped out into the open, the cold biting sharper now.

We waited. Then suddenly, the sky stirred.

Soft ribbons of green light unfurled above us, dancing slowly across the heavens. Gasps filled the air. Simona clasped Livia’s hand, speechless for once. I stood frozen, overwhelmed by the beauty.

Raymond moved closer, not touching, just close enough to shield me from the wind.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

I nodded, though a strange dizziness washed over me. My head felt heavy. The cold suddenly felt unbearable.

“Melania?” Raymond’s voice sharpened with concern. “You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine,” I whispered but the words barely left my lips.

The lights above blurred. The world tilted.

The last thing I felt was Raymond’s arms catching me as my knees gave out, his voice calling my name, urgent, panickedbefore darkness swallowed everything.