Chapter Text
ONCE UPON A DECEMBER
CHAPTER 1: THE DAY WINTER ARRIVED
A cold morning made itself felt across European lands; the golden light of autumn had shifted into a beautiful, enigmatic blue.
A small boy with golden curls peered out the window.
—Noah, come here so I can finish dressing you —his mother called softly.
—But, Mommy —the little boy frowned.
—Noah, listen to your mother, or we’ll be late to see the kings —a male voice added.
—Fine, but I hate winter. You can’t play, and I always get sick —the boy said reluctantly, stepping down from the red cushioned stool.
As soon as he reached the floor, Liv wrapped an arm around his waist.
—Look at what the snow has brought us —she whispered in his ear— winter knows how to draw, too.
Liv took her son’s slender finger and began tracing a star in the frost on the glass.
Noah let a small smile slip through.
Rafael, who had just finished adjusting his wide tie, soon joined them.
—Liv, that’s not a star —he said with a touch of arrogance.
—Oh, so now the royal counselor of Ancora is going to teach me how to draw —she replied playfully.
—Yes, behold Sir Rafael Barba, the shark of the royal courts.
Rafael pressed his finger, along with Noah’s, against the icy glass.
—See? Frost keeps paths… like secret maps, and our star is better than yours.
—Oh, really?
Liv began tickling both Noah and Rafael.
The boy burst into laughter, twisting his body as he reveled in the affection of his parents.
Until the peace was shattered by a loud crash at the door. A royal guard burst in, flinging open the white door to the chambers in urgency.
—Lady Olivia and Sir Rafael —the soldier said, panic in his eyes.
—We are entering a state of emergency. Their Majesties require you. Wheatley is attacking us.
Rafael’s face hardened at the news. Olivia tightened her grip on Noah’s green jacket, while the boy began to tremble.
—Mommy —he whispered.
There was a brief silence, but their exchanged looks said everything.
—Quickly, this is an emergency! —the soldier shouted.
The Barba–Benson family hurried across the carpeted floors of the palace; both held important positions at court: Rafael as the second royal counselor of the realm, and Olivia as a member of the queen’s secret guard, hidden beneath the façade of a lady-in-waiting.
As they moved through the palace, they were enveloped by the atmosphere of emergency. Servants rushed from one side to another, pale-faced, their hands trembling.
Noah could only turn his head back and forth, never letting go of his mother’s hand.
Soon they reached the royal chambers. Because of the urgency of the situation, the kings barely noticed the child’s presence.
—Your Majesties —Rafael attempted a bow before King Peter and Queen Alexandra.
—That won’t be necessary, Sir Rafael… not anymore.
—Wheatley is attacking us. He has been spotted very close to our border; he will arrive soon.
Rafael met the king’s gaze.
—We must secure the royal family and the most important nobles.
—You can count on me —Liv spoke firmly and bowed.
Noah clutched the purple fabric of his mother’s dress.
—Sir Rafael, we need your strategic mind. I regret that you cannot go with your family.
Olivia raised a hand to her mouth to steady herself. Rafael clenched his fists and held his breath.
And Noah began to cry, his voice rising:
—No, my daddy, no!
—Noah, silence. Do not defy the king —Rafael said through clenched teeth.
—Daddy —the child let go of Liv’s dress and wrapped his arms around his father’s legs.
—Noah!
Rafael raised his voice. With trembling hands, he gently pried the child’s small, cold fingers away. He held them only for a moment, then closed his eyes, fighting back tears.
Olivia held her breath as well.
—Do your duty, Olivia. Didn’t you hear His Majesty?
—Yes —her voice broke, and with steady hands she guided the boy away.
King Peter felt guilt flood his chest as he separated a family. He had known Noah since birth, had played with his children; the boy was almost family.
But he could not falter. Facing Wheatley required the sharpest minds, and Rafael Barba, royal counselor, though untrained in warfare, was a powerful ace—one of his best cards.
Queen Alexandra observed everything in silence, weighing what had occurred.
—Come, Olivia. Walk with me.
Both women left the room. Noah was still sobbing, his hand clasped in Olivia’s.
Before the door closed, Liv cast one last glance back; Rafael met her eyes, their looks saying everything.
He lifted his fingers to his lips, as if sending a kiss that could not be given.
The heavy wooden door shut, its sound piercing the ears of everyone present—those who stayed, and those who left.
Down the palace corridor echoed the sound of Liv’s heels and Queen Alexandra’s steps, accompanied by Noah’s small footsteps and his crying, now reduced to a sorrowful whisper.
—I’m sorry, Olivia. It was never my intention to—
—There is nothing to forgive, Your Highness. My husband and I swore loyalty to the Crown, and so it shall be —Liv said with a bow.
Queen Alexandra, ever compassionate, crouched to Noah’s height, brushing the back of her fingers gently.
—You will forgive Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Peter —the blonde woman offered the child a tender look.
Noah turned his face away, eyes closed.
—I’m sorry, Queen Alexandra.
—No, I am the one who is sorry, Olivia.
Olivia took a deep breath, setting aside the vulnerable woman she had been moments before.
She spoke with several generals; her voice as captain of the royal secret guard rang out—strong, precise, fearless, brave.
The envy of the most conservative members of the court, who still doubted her abilities simply because she was a woman, a wife, and a mother.
Yet her audacity and sense of justice silenced them all, along with the unwavering support of the royal family.
Noah sat nearby, tucked into a corner on a large wooden chair.
The child marveled at how his mother—the gentle, sweet woman from that morning—had transformed. She no longer looked like his mommy; she commanded respect, yes, but never fear.
A map of Ancora lay spread across the table. Olivia traced the routes.
—I’ve assessed it. This is the safest route to evacuate the royal family —her voice carried authority and certainty.
—But, Lady Olivia—
—If anything happens to the royal family, you will be held responsible —said Jacob, one of the elders.
—And I will answer for it with my life.
—We depart in fifteen minutes. That is an order. Now!
Olivia quickly informed the queen and, after that, hurried to her chambers. Together with Noah, they would pack lightly, but it was necessary to dress warmly in order to reach the border safely.
Liv worried about Noah; his health was somewhat fragile, and the separation that loomed ahead was slowly becoming a more tangible reality.
She moved swiftly around the room. They would take only a small carry-on bag: a few warm, practical clothes—no luxuries—and that family photograph taken the previous summer, Noah’s stuffed bear Eddie, and the old storybook, a family heirloom from Rafael, now belonging to the boy.
A maid appeared at Liv’s doorway.
—I’ve been sent by the High Magistrate of the realm, Lady Rita.
—I’ve come to sew the jewels into your dress.
—Jewels? What is your name?
—Lucy, my lady.
—Lucy, that won’t be necessary. Pack instead—find thick clothing.
—But, my lady… —she said, frightened.
—You’re coming with me —Olivia handed her an expensive coat—. This will do. You’ll say you’re my niece.
The girl froze.
—Come on. Now.
Olivia took a deep breath. She trusted that they would return to the palace, though a small doubt crept through her thoughts: Wheatley was a dangerous man.
As her only piece of jewelry, she took the engagement ring Rafael had given her—a green emerald that reminded her so deeply of him.
Meanwhile, unnoticed, her mother took Rafael’s silver tie pin—the one he had been wearing that very morning. A tear rolled down the boy’s cheek.
As Olivia packed, Rafael, alongside King Peter and the brightest minds of the realm, was mapping out the strategy to confront Wheatley.