I came for Christmas not Chaos

Aurora, 

December 1, 2025 

My heart froze for a second, and instinctively, my hand flew to the side of my neck where Leon had bitten me that night.

I had always assumed it was just a bite and nothing more, but the mark hadn't healed, and recently, it had taken on a more defined shape. It was sharper at the edges, almost like a crescent with tiny branching lines spreading outward. I had no idea what any of that meant, and when people saw it, they told me they loved my tattoo, which was why I didn't bother hiding it.

"I have no idea what you actually meant by that," I told her.

Rina's eyes widened, and she immediately apologized. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to assume. Forget I said anything. There is a small house prepared for you, and everything is already arranged, so I hope you enjoy your stay in our beautiful city."

I nodded quietly, but my mind was spinning with so many thoughts. I tried to focus as Rina began explaining my schedule—daily shots, evening events, private royal sessions, the theme for this year's Christmas festival, the central installations I would document, and the important people I'd need to photograph.

I listened carefully, memorizing details while Noel suckled peacefully, his tiny fingers curled into the fabric of my sweater.

While listening to Rina, I lifted my gaze to the window and stared at the city that opened around us in a swirl of white flakes dancing across the skyline.

A massive billboard hung over the main avenue, glowing brightly even in the snow. It displayed the Aerne Christmas Festival in all its grandeur. There were lights, royalty, even wolves on the billboard. It was the kind of spectacle people talked about all year long.

Aerne City was breathtaking. There were ancient stone architecture mixed with modern glass buildings, all of which were covered in a soft blanket of snow that made everything look like a living Christmas card.

Through the car window, Aerne unfolded like a dream painted in snow and lights—wrapped in garlands, streets dusted in white, shops lined with glowing lanterns, and banners announcing the upcoming Christmas festival fluttering like ribbons in the wind. It was beautiful in a way that made my breath catch, and I still couldn't believe I would be spending my Christmas here, working and living throughout the Christmas season while trying to rebuild my life for Noel's sake.

The rest of the ride passed in silence except for Noel's soft breaths and the occasional shuffle of his tiny feet against my chest. I kept my hand on his back the whole time, partly to soothe him and partly because the reality of everything still felt overwhelming.

"We are almost there," Rina said, her tone polite but efficient as she typed something on her tablet.

I nodded and held Noel a little tighter, watching as the car pulled into the large circular driveway of a building that looked far too expensive and far too official to be anything I should usually walk into. It was enormous, sleek, decorated with gold-trimmed wreaths and winter lights that draped the exterior like a crystal curtain.

When the car stopped, I stepped out carefully with Noel strapped to my chest, adjusting his blanket as cold air brushed against his face. "This building belongs to the royal family," Rina explained as she guided us toward the entrance, "but it's primarily used for festival operations and is directly managed by the Crown Prince."

I blinked, startled. Royal family? Crown Prince? What did any of that have to do with me or a photography job? Before I could form a question, she added,

"His Highness won't be joining us today. He has other matters to attend to in the company."

I didn't know why a strange pinch of emotion hit my chest. Maybe it was nerves, or perhaps exhaustion, or maybe it was something I didn't want to name—but I just nodded and followed her through the pristine glass doors.

Inside, the lobby was warm and breathtaking—filled with polished marble floors, towering Christmas trees, garlands draped along balconies, and staff members dressed in coordinating winter uniforms. People glanced at me—well, at Noel mostly—as we followed behind Rina.

She walked briskly toward the elevators, expecting me to follow, and I stepped in beside her, trying to shake the uneasy feeling tugging at me. Just before the elevator doors closed, something made me look back into the lobby.

A figure was standing near the far windows—tall and broad and familiar enough to punch the air out of my lungs.

Golden hair, straight posture, hands in his pockets, and talking to someone. For a heartbeat, everything inside me stilled, and my first thought was of him.

Leon, or someone who looked so much like him that my mind couldn't separate the two for a full second.

My throat tightened, and I shook my head quickly. No, it was impossible. There was no way. I didn't know where he lived, what he did for a living, or anything about him at all, because I had run away and chosen not to look back. The man I met that night could be anywhere in the world. He wouldn't just… appear here, not in this place, not in this city, and not now.

The elevator doors slid shut before I could look back again. By the time we reached the top floor, my pulse hadn't fully calmed, and Noel stirred against my chest again like he sensed something hanging around us.

Rina led me down a hallway decorated with portraits and sparkling lights before pushing open a large conference room.

"Everyone," she announced with cheerful professionalism, "our lead photographer has finally arrived."

Every head in the room shifted toward me. I smiled and waved at them, looking at their faces until my eyes landed on her.

Among the group standing near the front with her arms crossed and her expression tightening the instant she saw me was Clara, my former best friend. The person who ruined last Christmas. The last face I wanted anywhere near my new beginning.

Her eyes widened in utter disbelief before narrowing into something sharp and ugly. She lifted her hand and pointed directly at me, her voice cutting through the room like glass.

"You!" she nearly spat the word. "What are you doing here, Aurora?"

A shiver went down my spine as every gaze snapped between us, and in that moment, Noel probably sensed the tension and began to fuss softly against my chest.

I held him and rubbed his back as my eyes didn't leave clara’s. Out of all the people in the world, Clara was the last person I ever expected to face here.