Niall POV

The next few weeks had gone by extremely fast. Everyone was busy preparing for the Christmas Ball, leaving me with barely any time to get to know better the mystery that is Gracey.

In my spare time, I messed around with my guitar, however, Reeja eventually invited me to spend some time with her and Gracey. We took Adrian and Christian outside in the snow and had snowball fights, built snowmen, and made snow angels.

It was satisfying to feel like a kid again, with not a care in the world.

I was surprised Melody didn't kick out Reeja or fire Gracey. Wherever they went, there was disaster involved. There had been lamps broken, water spilled, Christmas trees knocked over, and a lot of frustration on Melody's side. It was thrilling to wake up to a new story each day.

Reeja sadly had to depart since her brother was visiting from university, however, she would be back a few days before the Christmas Ball. As sad as it was to see her gone — for the palace was awfully quiet without her — I'm quite excited to have some time with Gracey.

A lightbulb went off in my head as I thought of somewhere I could take her.

Gracey POV

The palace was quite dull without Reeja here, I'm not sure how I ever survived without her. I had nothing to do but stare at the ceiling in hopes that Adrian or Christian would get tired of their video games, or that Niall would have some spare time.

I checked the time to see it was about time for dinner. Eager to finally eat, I dashed down the corridor to pick up Adrian and Christian and headed off to the kitchen.

I could smell the heavenly scent of lemon.

"What's for dinner today, Juliet?" I asked the chef, who had become a good friend of mine over my time of being here.

"Lemon chicken, with a side of rice!"

She handed me my plate and I dug in. This was Reeja's favorite thing to eat, and I had it many times at her house. She's going to scream if she finds out they made it without her. It didn't take me very long to finish it, I wolfed it down like a child eating all their candy on Halloween.

"Boo!" I whipped my head around to see Niall standing there with a smirk on his face. "Did I scare you?"

"You're an idiot, Niall Horan." I smiled and shook my head. Niall and I had gotten closer over the past few weeks, all thanks to Reeja. Without her, I never would've gotten the courage to invite him to hang around with us.

"You haven't figured that out already?" He laughed. "There's something I want to show you. Follow me."

He gave me a coat and a blanket and led me outside. Now that it was wintertime, it got darker a lot quicker. The stars were shining brightly against the night sky.

"Where are we going?" I asked, curious as to why he would take me outside when it was so dark.

"You'll have to see," He replied.

"But I can't see, it's too dark outside,"

He burst out laughing. "Patience, you must have, my young Padawan," He gave his best Yoda impression, leaving me doubled over in laughter.

He led me through the forest until we came to a small clearing.

I gasped when I saw it. In the center of the clearing was a blazing campfire — complete with marshmallows for roasting, chocolate, and graham crackers —, a bench with some cushions, and some fairy lights strewn around the trees.

"Take a seat!" He said, beaming at my reaction.

"Did you do this?"

"Yeah, it's where I come to think — aside from the roof,"

"It's so . . . peaceful,"

"Yeah, it's where I get inspiration for my songwriting." He smiled. "Now, let's make some s'mores!"

"Me and my mom used to make s'mores all the time!" I beamed. "Until she — she —" I couldn't finish the sentence without choking on the words.

Niall looked at me with knowing eyes. "You don't have to finish that sentence, I'm so sorry."

I shook it off, faked a smile, and hoped no tears would fall. "Let's not think about that, let's get roasting."

Niall POV

I know how hard it is to lose a mother. The emptiness you feel, the frustration of feeling there was something you could've done to help; life just wasn't the same anymore. I'm okay now, but it still hurts that she's gone. I look back at her with loving memory and feel her spirit still with me. But it seems Gracey isn't over her yet.

Is that what happened at our walk a few weeks ago? Is that why she's so quiet? But who's Vic? Gracey was still a mystery yet to be solved. But I'm getting there, piece by piece.

I shook it off, wanting to live in the moment — not live in my thoughts.

"Can I ask you something?" Gracey spoke up, hoping to change the conversation.

"Sure," I replied.

"How come the press doesn't talk about you much?" She asked with a mouthful of marshmallow. "I mean, it's strange since the paparazzi are very determined people,"

"Well, I grew up with my mum teaching us that privacy is important. After she passed, I wanted to keep her wish of privacy, despite becoming a prince." I pondered for a moment. "My good friend, Zayn, his parents own the press. My father asked them to keep out any big stories about me and Greg. I really appreciate it."

"That makes sense, I always pity the famous; the paparazzi are ruthless." She laughed. "You really are lucky."

"I really am, and I'm very grateful."

We were silent for a moment before Gracey asked: "Sooo . . . what do we do at the Christmas Ball?"

"Well, it's a Royal Christmas party pretty much. There's food, music, dancing — which I'm not very good at, you'd think I would learn how after living at the palace for 4 years — and at the end, we sing Christmas carols, the family gives gifts to each guest, and then we're free to be alone with our Christmas dates or other friends. It's quite thrilling — the thing I look forward to every year."

"It sounds magical," She said in a dreamy voice.

"It very much is," I smile. I look over at her and laugh, "You have something on your face." I wiped some melted marshmallows off her cheek as she giggled.

"Stop, that tickles!" She squirmed around.

"Almost gone," I laugh.

She squirmed away from my hand and smacked my arm. "I'm not a kid, I can get it myself!" She laughed.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," She gasped in awe. I turned over to look at her again, seeing the sparkle in her eyes I saw that night on the roof.

Just like you; I couldn't help but think. "They really are."

Seeing Gracey in the moonlight was one of the most beautiful things anyone could see. I had written a song with her in mind a few weeks ago. I pulled out my guitar and began strumming.

"She closed the door, she hides behind the face nobody knows. She feels her skin touch the floor,"

Gracey jerked her head around, surprised to see me playing. A small smile formed on her lips as I continued playing.

"She wants to fight, her eyes are tired, nobody's on her side. She wants to feel like she did before,"

The words seem to have more meaning now that I know her mother has passed.

"She looks into her mirror wishing someone could hear her, so loud,"

I let my voice grow quiet as it dropped lower.

"And I need love, to hold me closer in the night, just enough,"

I took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh forest air.

"I need love to hold me closer in the night, just enough, to feel my body come alive,"

I belted out, letting the music overcome me.

"When my bones start breaking, my heart starts shaking, I need love, need love,"

"The coffee's cold, turned around and said 'I hope you know you're beautiful, have you ever been told?'"

I turned to smile at her as I sang the words.

"She's a little shy, as he walks away, she slowly breaks a smile. The skies are blue, haven't been for a while,"

"She looks into her mirror wishing someone could hear her, so loud"

"I need love to hold me closer in the night, just enough, to feel my body come alive,"

"When my bones start breaking, my heart starts shaking,"

"I need love, need love,"

I closed my eyes and looked to the night sky as I came to the bridge of the song.

"Oh, oh whoa, oh, oh whoa,"

"She closed the door, she hides behind the face nobody knows. She feels her skin touch the floor,"

"I need love to hold me closer in the night, just enough, to feel my body come alive,"

"When my bones start breaking, my heart starts shaking, I need love, need love,"

I finished off the song with a few more chords and let the sound die down a bit.

I turned to see Gracey, her eyes glossy and tears brimming her eyes. She had a small smile stuck on her face. "That was beautiful," She said, her voice cracking.

I smiled at her and looked up to the sky, unable to find the words to say. I didn't want to ruin the peaceful moment.

"I thought you didn't like singing for anyone?" She asked.

"I didn't, but you're — you're different. I can make an exception for you," I smiled.

I turned to look at her again, growing bored of the stars, wanting to see something brighter. She looked so radiant. Every second was so perfect. I wish I could freeze this moment in a frame and stay like this.

I suddenly felt the strong urge to kiss her; it was as if there was a magnetic force attracting me to her. I closed my eyes and quickly shook it off. Don't kiss her. It could ruin the trust. You're just friends, nothing more. You're just attracted to the mystery — yeah, that's it, the mystery.

"I should probably get to sleep, I don't want Melody screaming at me tomorrow," Gracey spoke up, thankfully interrupting my thoughts.

I led her through the palace and we stopped at her doorway.

"Thank you for tonight, really, it was very lovely. And your singing — it's stunning," She smiled.

"I had a lovely time as well, and um, thank you?" I responded — though it came out more like a question.

"Goodnight," She gave me one last smile as she closed the door behind her.

What am I getting myself into?

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a/n

oh c'mon niall just admit you like her already #graciall

CHRISTMAS EVE IS TMRW CAN YOU BELIEVE IT-
i don't think i'll get in all the Christmas chapters before the 25th, so y'all will be having Christmas after Christmas lmao

AND HOLY GUACAMOLE— I OPENED WATT TODAY TO SEE I HAVE ONE THOUSAND READS!?
AJSHDJSHWHDHD i LITERALLY CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! i can't believe i've come this far 🥺 your support means the absolute world to me! ilysm 🥺❤️

i hope you all have an amazing day ❤️