The New Year's celebration had reached its peak. Colorful lights sparkled in the snowy capital under the night sky. The sounds of laughter, music, and joy echoed through the farthest alleys. People stood around small fires, whispering good wishes to one another.
Albert and Sara, their cheeks flushed from running and playing, stood beside one of the bands playing music. Sara clapped with her woolen gloves and danced to the rhythm. But her heart was still focused on something else… seeing Diana.
Albert leaned down and whispered in her ear:
"Now's the time. Let's head toward the palace."
Sara nodded excitedly, and the two carefully slipped away from the noisy celebration. The winding alleys of the capital were wrapped in the silent winter night. Occasionally, the light of a lantern shone out from behind a window. Their footsteps crunched softly on the snow, but they walked so quietly it was as if even the snow didn't realize someone was walking on it.
The royal palace stood in the distance, atop a tall, snow-covered hill, like a crown on the city's head. Its stone walls gleamed in the torchlight. The sound of elegant music and aristocratic laughter drifted from the tall windows. The royal flag fluttered gently in the night breeze.
Albert said,
"We have to go through the royal garden at the back. There are fewer guards there."
They climbed over the stone wall, passed through the bare trees of the garden. The frozen leaves crunched beneath their feet. Finally, they reached the back of one of the tall windows. Albert lifted Sara up so she could see inside.
Inside the hall, magnificent chandeliers, velvet carpets, and tables laden with colorful dishes were visible. Live music played, and nobles in silk garments danced.
And there, among the crowd, was Diana.
She wore a simple but elegant dress. Her black hair was tied with a silver ribbon, and a warm smile graced her face. Unlike the others, her behavior was full of simplicity and kindness. Sometimes she stood next to a servant, speaking softly, and they both laughed.
Sara, still clinging to Albert's shoulder, whispered softly,
"That's her… Diana!"
Her eyes sparkled as if all her childhood dreams had come true.
Diana's gaze accidentally fell on the window. At first, she looked surprised, but quickly her face softened. It was as if she recognized them. She came toward the window, leaned gently, and smiled.
Sara waved. Diana's lips silently whispered,
"Happy New Year."
Albert became a bit flustered and tried to lower Sara, but Diana raised a hand to reassure him there was no danger. She turned away, spoke with a servant, and moments later the servant came to the garden's back door carrying a small tray.
Albert and Sara approached the back door. The servant smiled and said,
"The princess said this is a New Year's gift for friends with big hearts."
The tray held two cups of hot chocolate, a new woolen clothing set, and a small card. On the card, beautifully handwritten, it said:
"To my two little friends,
May this year be full of hope, warmth, and joy.
– Diana"
Sara, tearful, kissed the card.
Albert, with a heart warmer than any fire, looked at his sister and said,
"I think tonight will be one of the most memorable nights."
That snowy night, under a star-filled sky, the hearts of two children were warmer than ever. The princess might live in a grand palace, but that night she shared part of her happiness with those who had become precious friends to her.
The next day, Albert woke up early before sunrise. Sara was still asleep with a smile on her face — it was clear she was happy because of seeing Diana and the precious gift. Albert ate a little bread and then left the house.
A cold wind brushed Albert's face, and the streets were still covered with snow. The sky hadn't brightened yet, and some soldiers were going door to door waking people up. This was because some citizens paid soldiers to wake them in the morning since many didn't have clocks.
The birds' singing gradually started. The wind shook the tree branches. Albert began walking toward the knights' headquarters. The crunch of snow beneath his feet was audible. He stepped carefully because the ground was slippery and the light was still dim.
The knights' headquarters was a large building with stone towers where soldiers stood guard, and red flags hung bearing the emblem of a golden star.
When Albert arrived, he grabbed a shovel and began clearing snow from the training field. His hands were freezing even through the gloves; the cold wind stung his face and his nose turned red.
By sunrise, Albert had cleared half the snow. His forehead was sweaty and he was tired; the field was large, but he worked quickly to finish before the knights arrived. Without stopping to rest, he continued shoveling.
An hour after sunrise, Albert managed to clear the entire field before the knights came. After clearing the snow, he went inside one of the towers — the place he always went after cleaning so the knights could stay there when they arrived.
Albert began climbing the stairs to the top of the watchtower. At the top sat an old man, about 60 years old with blue eyes, and a young man with black hair, brown eyes, and a long beard. Both wore blue clothes with a lion emblem on their backs.
When Albert reached them, his face brightened.
He smiled warmly and called out,
"Hello!"
The young man looked at Albert but said nothing, only gave a small smile and resumed his watch.
The old man smiled and said,
"Ah, the boy is here. Come, have a seat, you must be tired."
The old man held a cup of tea, magically keeping it warm. He handed the cup to Albert.
He continued,
"I saw you clearing the field from up here, so I brought you some tea from the building to warm you up. You must be cold. Drink it before practice starts, you'll need energy."
Albert smiled warmly and bowed his head respectfully.
"Thank you very much, thank you for your kindness."
The old man grinned and waved his hand,
"Don't mention it, you remind me of my grandson."
Then he smiled again and pulled out a cloth from his basket — a paper wrapper that held some pastries.
The old man said,
"I got these pastries last night from the celebration. I can't eat sweets — the doctor told me not to — but I got these for you. Eat them with the tea; they're delicious."
Albert hesitated for a moment, then said,
"But…"
The old man interrupted,
"Eat up. You're a boy; you need strength to train."
Albert lowered his head, a warm smile spreading across his face as he began drinking the tea and eating the pastries. He started chatting and laughing with the old man about the previous night's celebration. After half an hour, the knights gradually gathered in the training field…