🖤💛❄️:

Kael stands before his mirror, meticulously dressing himself for breakfast. Despite knowing he'll be sent back to his room afterward, he's determined to make a good impression on Santa. For as long as he can remember, Kael has yearned for acceptance and approval.

As he smooths out his clothes, his mind wanders to the questions that have haunted him since childhood. Who are his real parents? Where did he come from? The uncertainty has always lingered, but he's learned to push it aside and focus on the present.

With a critical eye, Kael examines his reflection. His almond-shaped brown eyes, fringed with long lashes, sparkle in the morning light. His full lips curve into a subtle smile as he adjusts his collar. He re-curls his black, curly hair, making sure every strand is in place. He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for the breakfast ahead.

Downstairs, the clattering sound of cutleries against the plate fills the awkwardly quiet dinning room. An awkwardness that has always been there for years. Along with an oddly cold atmosphere.

Santa, Mrs. Claus, their son and Kael sit silently and try to enjoy their breakfast.

Kael folds his napkin neatly in his lap, acutely aware of every sound in the room. The clinking of forks against plates, the occasional rustle of clothing-it all feels amplified in the silence. His gaze flickers between the Claus family, who seem to carry on with their breakfast as though nothing is amiss, and his own plate, where the food sits untouched.

Mrs. Claus is the first to break the silence. "Kael," she begins softly, her voice kind and sweet. " I hope you're enjoying your breakfast darling ."

Kael glances up, startled. "Thank you, Mrs. Claus," he replies politely, his voice steady despite the flutter in his chest.

" Good!," she said with a wide smile. " Because I put a big, green, squishy bug inside someone's food cause they behaved naughty," she said with a satisfied smile. She's quite the prankster.

Santa and Edward, their son, gag and cough in shock and disgust. Kael folds his lips as he tries not to burst into laughter.

He catches Santa's gaze briefly-a stern, unreadable look that makes Kael shift uncomfortably in his seat.

"Have you thought more about your studies?" Santa asks abruptly, his deep voice cutting through the fragile warmth Mrs. Claus had tried to create. "You're getting older. It's time you consider your place in the world."

Kael's fingers tighten slightly around his fork. This conversation again. He nods, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Yes, sir. I've been thinking about it."

"Good," Santa says, his tone heavy with expectation. "A young man must have purpose."

The room grows cold again, and Kael feels the weight of unspoken words pressing down on him. He glances at the Claus's son-an older boy with white hair and a confident air that Kael has always envied. But as usual, the boy avoids Kael's gaze, offering no support or acknowledgment.

Kael forces himself to eat a few bites, the taste of the food lost to the tension. His mind drifts back to the mirror, to the questions he doesn't dare voice at this table. Who am I, really? Why do I feel like I don't belong here?

"Kael?" Mrs. Claus's gentle voice pulls him back to the present. Her blue eyes are filled with concern. "Are you all right?"

He nods quickly. "Yes, ma'am. Just lost in thought."

"Good thoughts, I hope," she says with a small smile, but there's a hint of sadness in her tone.

Kael doesn't answer. Instead, he focuses on finishing his meal, determined to make it through this breakfast with his composure intact. Whatever answers he seeks, he knows he won't find them here-not yet.

" Father," Edward called as he drops his fork and places his hands on the table as he savors the flavor of the chewing food in his mouth.

" Yes, son?," Santa answered.

" It's about the crowning ceremony," Edward said.

Kael looks up from his plate as the question raises by Edward reaches his ears.

Santa's expression completely changes the moment he and Kael lock eyes. You could see some sort of fear in Santa's expression. It's like he was seeing something monstrous...or perhaps, someone monstrous.

" We'll discuss that privately," Santa gulped down the fear that was creeping up his spine.

Edward glances at him with a raised eyebrow and a snark face. He rolls his eyes which made Kael tensed, scared.... nervous.

Mrs. Claus countenance falls. She feels pity for the innocent boy. The mistakes on the past placed heavily on him.

Everyone's done with breakfast. In an awkward silence, they disperse and head to go about their day to day activities.

As they head to do some work, Kael follows after Edward who's walking gallantly. His chest out, his hands behind his back, his steps precise and straight.

" Um, hello!," Kael greeted as he jogged beside him.

" Ugh!," Edward scoffed and rolled his eyes.

" How are you doing?," Kael asked nervously.

" What do you want?," he quickly asked with a tone of disgust in his voice.

" Um, I just wanted to like ask a favor," Kael said nervously.

" What could you possibly want that you disturb me at this time?," Edward asked coldly.

And Kael felt pain from the Edward's words. But he shuned those heartbreaking words.

" So, you're about to have a crowning ceremony where you will be officially titled as Santa," Kael said.

" So?," Edward asked with disinterest.

" I was wondering if you could make me a toymaker?," Kael asked with uncertainty.

Edward chuckles. " No" he said with a serious tone and face.

" No!? Why!?," Kael asked in confusion.

" Simple... you're not just fit!," Edward said bluntly.

" Not....fit?," Kael stopped and said sadly.

" Yes, not fit!..."

A grand emotional mood is set. A soft piano, dramatic tune starts to play.

---

Edward:
🎵 "Kael, there's a world in the making,
But not all hands can guide the clay.
Your heart's aglow, yet it's breaking-
A weight your past won't let you sway.

The toys we craft bring cheer and wonder,
But joy needs roots, it's not just play.
Your shadow whispers what you ponder,
A truth your parents made that stays." 🎵

Kael:
🎵 "What truth? What shadows do you see?
Why must my past decide for me?
This dream, it burns inside my chest-
I'll prove I'm worthy of the test!" 🎵

Edward:
🎵 "Kael, your spirit, bright and striving,
I've watched it spark through nights and days.
But some dreams bloom, and some stay hiding-
Not all are meant to light the way.

Your parents, shrouded in their silence,
Left marks too deep for you to heal.
The echoes of their quiet violence
Have caged your heart, though it won't yield." 🎵

Kael (desperate):
🎵 "You speak in riddles, Edward, why?
What did they do? What did they hide?
The world you build, I long to share,
Yet all I find is cold despair." 🎵

Edward:
🎵 "To build with love, you must be steady,
Each piece a gift, not just a task.
And while you try, your hands aren't ready-
Not till you face the truth at last.

Ask the snow where silence lingers,
Ask the winds that howl through night.
Your parents' tale, their icy fingers,
Hold answers buried out of sight." 🎵

Kael (defiant):
🎵 "Then I will ask the snow, the storm!
I'll tear through shadows, face the cold!
If I'm to break this twisted norm,
The truth will shine, the truth be told!" 🎵

Edward (softly):
🎵 "Kael, I hope your heart can bear it,
For truths can weigh more than they free.
But should you rise, should you repair it,
Perhaps one day, a toymaker you'll be." 🎵

💛🖤❄️

Kael trembles. What could have possibly happened?