Crown for Christmas Page #3

You're still here.

I don't scare off

that easily.

I suppose this is when

you start trying to turn me

into a little princess.

I don't have nearly

enough time to do that.

Besides, when I was your age,

the last thing I wanted to be

was to be a princess.

What did you want to be?

An artist.

Then why didn't you?

Weren't good enough?

Something like that.

So what do you want to do?

You're letting me decide?

It's your castle.

Do you like this one?

Yeah. It looks kinda like you.

You're not afraid of bugs?

Are you kidding?

New York has the toughest

cockroaches in the world.

My last governess

was scared of bugs.

She also said I was annoying.

All kids are annoying.

That's their job.

How old are you?

How old do you think I am?

Close. 31.

Are you married?

Nope.

No one ever asked?

Someone asked once,

in sixth grade.

Are you an old maid?

Well, I'm a maid.

I mean I was a maid.

I mean I was...

I was fired.

I'm not anymore.

Are you here just 'cause

you want to marry my father?

A lot of women do.

That's why they're nice to me.

Well, you can rest assured,

if I'm nice,

it's because I like you.

And I'm more likely to marry

Santa Claus than your father.

Santa Claus

is already married.

As he should be.

This is a great greenhouse.

It was my mother's.

People say I look

a lot like her.

You must miss her a lot.

I guess.

You know, I lost my mom too.

And my dad.

Back home,

when things get tough,

my brother and sister and I

put our hands together

and we say,

"We're the Evans."

It makes us feel like

we can get through anything.

So are the Evans special?

We're just a regular family.

Do you think...

we should put a few

in Miss Wick's bed?

This one looks like

an Allie to me.

Miss Evans!

Oh, there you are.

Theodora is late

for the Christmas photograph.

What?

I left a schedule

under your door.

I didn't get any schedule.

Hmm.

She'll be ready

in five minutes.

Make it four.

Let's go!

Hurry!

Come on, come on,

come on, come on!

Okay, let's go!

Off with the jacket.

Ah! Miss Theodora, at last.

Fergus will show you

to your place.

Apologies.

Miss Evans.

Can I sit in the chair

with you, Father?

Not this time.

I suppose we can airbrush her

jeans from the final photograph.

A little closer in.

Ready and...

So how many will be

in attendance

at the Christmas gala?

A few more than last year.

The Count of Ashbury,

I assume?

With his new wife.

You mean

his second new wife.

Or is it his third?

Hard to keep track.

Father's taking me

ice skating tomorrow,

just the two of us,

aren't you, Father?

I'm afraid that'll

have to wait, Theodora.

The day after tomorrow?

Perhaps after the holidays.

Did you just put that

back on her plate?

- It was under three seconds.

- Excuse me?

Oh. The three-second rule.

If it drops on the floor and you

pick it up within three seconds,

it's still good.

I-I take it you don't

have that rule.

When I was at university,

we had the three-minute rule.

My roommate barely made that.

In fact, a toast.

If there is Christmas

in your heart,

then there is most definitely

Christmas in the air.

Hear, hear.

Perhaps you'd like to add

a toast of your own, Miss Evans.

It's considered unlucky

to toast without a glass.

Fergus, would you get a glass

for Miss Evans, please?

And one for yourself.

Straightaway, Your Highness.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Merry Christmas to those

who've seen us at our best

and at our worst

and can't tell the difference.

Cheers.

- Cheers.

- Cheers!

Well said, Miss Evans.

Good morning, Fergus.

Good morning.

Perfect timing.

Your schedule.

Holiday tea

in the blue room,

followed by the

Nativity Scene unveiling,

the Royal Charity

Christmas visit,

and a late supper

in the gold room.

- And that's just for today.

- It is, it is.

As you can see,

preparations are underway

for the Christmas Eve gala.

It's a time-honored

tradition.

Nothing has changed

in the last 300 years.

Not even the guest list?

If they're still standing,

they'll be here.

You won't be attending,

of course,

but you will be

in the background

in case a problem occurs.

I'm very much hoping

it won't.

Ah, here comes the tree.

Carter, put it down

at the far end, will you?

Straight down there.

Yes, in front of the mirror.

Can me and Miss Evans

decorate the tree?

The royal decorator

is in charge of the tree.

He's scheduled in tomorrow.

- We could get a head start?

- Please?

Oh, I suppose you can

put up a few things,

at least until Miss Wick

takes them down.

That's it. Straight up there

in front of the mirror.

The ornaments are locked up,

but I know where the key is.

Or we could make our own.

Why would we want to do that?

Come with me.

Deck the halls

with boughs of holly

Fa la la la la

La la la la

This old lace looks great.

And so do those pinecones.

Add a little gold paint

and some ribbon, voil.

I challenge any royal decorator

to outdo this.

My mum used to decorate

the tree with me.

Mine too.

I'm starting to forget

what she was like.

You know what I do

when I feel like that?

I think hard

about one memory,

like the last time

we were together.

When was that?

Christmas,

a lot of years ago.

We were opening presents,

and we all sang

"Grandma Got Run Over

by a Reindeer."

Which is

a pretty twisted song.

And we couldn't

stop laughing.

That's what I think about,

and it all comes back.

Have you come to a decision?

Yes.

I'm postponing it.

Indefinitely.

Maximillian, you've had

four years to grieve.

A royal wedding will

strengthen the country.

Lady Celia's family

is a crucial link

to our relations

with the northern provinces.

I'm sure we can

find another link

whose chain isn't attached

to an arranged marriage.

She's beautiful,

she's educated,

and she's royal.

- She's perfect in every way.

- Exactly.

And you have history together.

Had you not run off

to school in America

and met someone else,

we wouldn't...

But I did!

I like Celia,

but I don't love her,

and I'm not sure

that I ever will.

Winshire needs a queen.

Not to mention, Theodora

could use a mother figure.

May I remind you,

your duty is to your country,

not your heart.

Where have I

heard that before?

Your father was a great king!

So I've been told.

Ready? 1, 2, 3, go!

Oh, darling,

what do you think of this?

- Beautiful.

- Ah, thank you, darling.

I know what we can use

for the top of the tree.

- I'll be right back.

- Okay.

Miss Evans,

what exactly is going on here?

Decorating.

Apparently.

How about this

for the top of the tree?

Is that your father's crown?

His Royal Highness

will not be happy.

Thank you.

Here. You try.

I'm a butterfly!

Wait!

I wanna be one too.

"Now, Dasher, now, Dancer,

now Prancer and Vixen.

On, Comet, on, Cupid.

on, Donner and Blitzen."

To be continued.

I think the decorations

look absolutely wonderful.

Yes, absolutely.

Superb, superb.

Do you think I've ordered

enough vintage champagne?

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