We struggled through the crowds, each person was eager to chat. Finally, we reached the end of the lengthy hall and arrived at the small circle where my parents chatted. Their eyes averted from the small crowd as we stood patiently. My mother's gaze carefully fell onto Wynter's form. She was eager to inspect each part.

"Your...majesty" she curtsied respectfully, "Hello pleased to meet you." she smiled and stood to shake their hands. My father looked at me then at my mother. I knew he had no wish to be caught in the crossfires of my mother's tongue.

"Nick has never told us about... you" my mother hinted.

"Well as a huma—"

"Humble princess!" I interrupted her abruptly. She looked at me, confused at her falsified title. I only nodded for her to get the clue and continued. "As a princess, Wynter was always so busy...with her duties" I lied.

"Yes...yes...you do know the rules. A princess's duties never cease" she smiled awkwardly. I knew she was masking her anger when she tightened her grip around my arm. My parents beamed as they heard her title and looked at me with peace.

"Oh a princess? Wonderful!" my mother sighed with relief and instinctively went to hold my hands, "Nick has sworn off the human race but your brother Lewis has been telling us about your new fling"

"Oh? And what rumors were he spreading" she smiled suspiciously.

"That you might have been human or something silly" she dismissed the rumors and turned to hold her arms with glee.

"What's so wrong with humans?" She pouted impatiently but I held her hand signaling her to remain silent.

"Mother father not now, in front of Wynter." I sighed, desperate to calm them down before an argument ensued. Wynter looked to me with confusion but I nodded to assure her it would be fine.

My parents stepped to the main hall to start dinner while Wynter and I trailed a distance behind them. "Are you crazy!" she whispered into my ear.

"Wynter relax" I coaxed her to lower her voice.

"Nick do not tell me to relax! You told me you were going to introduce me as a human! Now they think I'm a princess! Great" she sighed, pulling away from me.

"Wynter the plan is still the same! What difference does it make"

"ALOT!" she scoffed, pushing her palm over her eyes.

"Look, I needed to say princess because... being Santa is the most important thing to me right now. I need this plan to be perfect...before it falls apart" I admitted. She stared at me with her beautiful eyes and glared. My palm found its way to her cheek, gently caressing it so that she would calm. She shifted nervously, not keen on my forward affection and nodded. "Fine but no more secrets or change of plans" she vowed.

"No more...I promise" I whispered gently and led her to the dining table.

——

Just as the band finished performing, I stood and banged my glass. "Attention! Everyone! I have an announcement." I yelled, trying to quiet the room. The loud murmurs of the crowd finally silenced and all eyes were on me.

"Wynter," I turned to face her. She pretended to act shock and smiled.

" ...Nicholas... WHAT! WHaT...is GOing On?" she exclaimed rather quickly. She was a horrible actress but I decided to disregard that.

"These past few months... have been blissful to say the least. Wynter, when I first saw you, I didn't know what to expect. I've been falling in love with you every day. The way you smile, the way you laugh. The way you light up a room when you walk in. You're like a fresh breeze of frosty air when it snows; every time I am with you, it's like...walking in a winter wonderland" some people in the crowds chuckled as they heard my play on words.

She rested her chin on her palm and grinned. I slowly took out the ring from my pocket and went down on bended knee.

-Gasp!!!-

The people sounded.

She pushed a palm over her mouth and turned her head away, pretending to cry at the sudden proposal.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?"

"Yes! Yes! I do Nick!" she nodded and I slowly placed the ring against her finger. She hugged me freely and kissed my cheek. I couldn't help but grab her jaw and forced her to stare into my eyes.

"Nick..what are you doing?" she whispered confused at my prolonged hold. I pulled her in and kissed her, selling our excitement until the cheers of the crowd broke us apart. She looked into my eyes then down to my lips as I held her waist tight. She wiped off the traces of gloss that stained my bottom lip and pouted, biting her cheek to hold her tongue. Slowly I let her go and moved to raise a glass to toast.

"To love" I yelled. She lifted her glass and smiled ingenuously as she looked to the people; I could tell something was bothering her.

____

The night continued on with people pulling us aside to congratulate us. My mother only pretended to like her just to save face but I knew she was disappointed with the rush of everything. I had purposely left her out of the loop. Wynter snapped me out my gaze and pulled me into an empty hallway, pushing me against the wall. "Nick what was that!" she muttered as we each nodded our head to another guest that passed.

"We had to sell it. I knew you would never do it if I asked."

She furrowed her brows and pushed me away, gently running a hand through her hair. "Santa doesn't get to go around and kiss girls without their permission" she pouted.

"Why the long face? It seems as if you enjoyed it" I shrugged, reaching to grab her wrist to halt her departure. She blushed and turned her head away, pulling her wrist away to separate from my grip. "Take me home. NOW!" she fumed, crossing her arms above her chest.

"My pleasure," I answered and pulled her arm to lead her through the crowds. Just before she could offer a rebuttal, a familiar voice sounded behind me.

"Congratulations!!! To the happy couple!" a voice chimed with resentment. Hesitantly, I turned around, apathetic to see the face that matched the voice.

"Samantha" I whispered coldly. She revealed her pearly teeth and turned to Wynter, grimacing at her features, staring her down with jealousy. "Samantha, pleased to meet you" she held out a palm to introduce herself.

Wynter looked at me then at her with annoyance.

----

Wynter

"Oh.." I hummed disapprovingly as I shook the cold palm of the girl. She had wispy red hair that curled at her ends. She was nothing to write home about compared to some of the women I had seen at the ball. I wondered what she had done to capture Nick's heart. I had no idea who she was but her jealous gaze clued me to believe she was an ex.

"So this is Samantha" I smiled and grabbed her palm, "I've heard so much about you." I lied.

"I pray it was not all through Nicholas. He has nothing but mean things to say" she pouted, looking at Nick with thirst.

"Samantha." he frowned, warning her to behave.

"Well! I'm curious to know how you two met!" she smiled warmly, but her eyes showed hostility.

" I think that is a story for another time," Nick interjected, leading me to the exit of the ball.

"No Nick! Tell them!" I giggled, gently kissing his neck. It was his payback for fabricating my title and kissing me in front of the crowds.

"Well... umm.. I was called on urgent business to her land. My parents told me...I needed to talk to the king."

"What land?" Samantha chimed knowingly.

"Yes, Nick! Tell her" I smiled, intertwining my hand with his. He stumbled on his words as he tried to think of a name and for the first time since I had met him, he reddened.

I rolled my eyes at his pathetic display and turned to face her. "My family and I reign over the Eastern province of the Cringle region. Nick was always the charmer. A little desperate for my taste" I shrugged, "he practically begged me to be his girlfriend. You know how he is?" I winked at her, maintaining my cool. She squinted her eyes and frowned.

"Nick... I'm tired" I pouted, resting my hands to his face, "Take me home" I demanded, placing emphasis on my words, making sure to be suggestive in front of his old flame. He bit his lip, trying to hold his tongue and rolled his eyes; I knew he was already planning his payback.

"Samantha it's been..... yea" he muttered excusing us and holding my arm to escort me out.

___

"You sneaky little elf" he whispered into my ear.

"It's what you deserve. We're even" I smirked.

"Not even close. You do realize I am in charge of Christmas?"

"So" I smiled, waving to an unfamiliar face as we passed through the crowds again.

"And I have connections to the rest of the holidays! The Easter bunny, the headless horseman, and the leprechauns. I can make your year miserable" he bragged.

"You wouldn't do that to your beloved fiancé, now would you Nick?" I brushed off his empty threat, "Now take me home Nicholas" I mocked him, imitating Samantha's sultry voice. He tried to hide his smile and nodded. "Let's just say goodbye to the family then I promise I'll take you home," he spoke.