Aurora
The moment Noel’s cry echoed through the massive throne room, I froze. The sound bounced off the marble pillars and the glittering garlands, carrying farther than any normal noise should have been able to travel.
For a moment, the room fell silent suddenly, and I could have sworn the Christmas lights paused in mid-twinkle.
Heat rose to my cheeks so quickly that it burned. I removed the headset around my neck with trembling fingers, desperate to calm Noel, and pressed him closer to my chest. “It’s okay,” I whispered, rubbing his back through the carrier. “Please, sweetheart, it’s okay.”
I turned toward the royal family, utterly mortified. “I… I am so sorry,” I managed to say, my small voice shaking with embarrassment. “I apologize, your majesties, Noel is just…” Before I could fi
