Crown for Christmas Page #2

Bye.

- You too.

- We'll miss you.

Merry Christmas.

- Bye, sis.

- See ya.

- Love you.

- Be safe.

Got you last!

Winshire is beautiful.

That, it is.

Would it be fair to say that

you've never traveled abroad?

Does Staten Island count?

- Here it is.

- It's like a castle!

That's because it is a castle.

It's been in the family

for three centuries.

- What kind of family is this?

- A royal one.

You'll be looking after

Princess Theodora,

the daughter of King

Maximillian III of Winshire.

And you're just

telling me this now?

Discretion is

of the utmost importance.

The palace wouldn't

want it getting out

that they're employing

yet another governess.

How many have there been?

Let's say the princess can be

a bit of a handful.

That many, huh?

What a warm greeting.

Yes. Tragically,

it's not for you.

The service entrance,

please, Thomas.

- Yes, sir.

- Uh, yeah, um...

This way.

Ladies, this is Miss Evans,

our new governess.

Mrs. Claiborne, our cook,

and Miss Wick,

our head housekeeper.

She'll show you

to your quarters.

Welcome, Miss Evans.

"Allie," please.

We use formalities here,

Miss Evans.

Sorry. Hi.

Carter, take the new

governess' bags to her room.

Yes, ma'am.

Follow me. I'm sure

you'll want to change

into something

more appropriate.

It's like a museum. Ooh.

Don't touch anything!

Sorry.

We adhere

to a strict schedule,

especially during Christmas.

Are you familiar

with court protocol?

I watch Downton Abbey.

Fergus will give you

a schedule,

and I'll have

your uniform sent up.

You won't see much

of His Royal Highness,

and I can almost guarantee

he won't see you.

These are your quarters.

This is all mine?

I wouldn't get too attached.

Chances are you won't

make it to Christmas.

Oh, my gosh.

- Your Highness.

- Fergus.

Welcome home,

Your Highness.

Thank you, Chancellor.

Where's Theodora?

I'm sure she'll be here

in a moment.

Oh, you gotta be kidding me.

Yeah, you'd better run!

Princess Theodora,

is that any way to welcome

your new governess?

Hello, Father.

Theodora.

Hmm.

I asked you to give her

a check, not a job.

She wouldn't take it.

Why not?

I believe she considered it

a handout.

I realize that she's not

the conventional choice,

but then again, we haven't

had much luck with convention.

You've always trusted

my decisions, Max.

Why don't I feel that

same trust right now?

I can't imagine.

Fergus, a moment, please.

Certainly, Chancellor.

I trust you had

an enjoyable holiday.

It was hardly a holiday.

Your hotel bill

says otherwise.

I don't need to remind you

that your popularity is down,

as well as our finances.

Well, I suppose

that's what happens

when no one in the family's

had a job for a thousand years.

Your father had no time

for frivolity.

Yes, I remember.

Well, now that you're back,

might I suggest that

we focus on Christmas Eve.

The gala would be

the perfect opportunity

for an announcement.

I'm not ready.

So that's the way

it's going to be, huh?

This is so weird.

I could've sworn I heard

somebody knocking on my door.

So weird.

Hmm...

- Boo!

- Hey.

Thanks for the snake.

I've given it some thought,

and I've decided

I don't need a governess.

Well, I don't blame you.

Lucky for you,

I'm not a real governess.

- What are you?

- A New Yorker.

Well, I don't need

one of those either.

You sure about that?

Because that snowball toss

out there was pretty weak.

Pretty weak?

You almost missed me.

Could you do better?

With both hands

behind my back.

Prove it.

No hands, through the door.

Yes!

Ow!

What's going on?

This is awkward.

I am so sorry.

Meet my new governess, Father.

Yes. We all saw her

yelling from the window.

Again, that was more

of a misunderstanding.

I believe we bumped into

each other in New York.

Allison Evans. Allie.

His Highness is not in

the habit of shaking hands.

You may as well

send her packing now,

save us all the tedious

"getting to know one another."

Off to your room, Theodora.

Miss Evans.

Not to make excuses,

but you are my first king.

Hmm. Yes. I believe

that's quite apparent.

I'm afraid Theodora's behavior

is my fault, Miss Evans.

My royal duties preclude me

from spending much time

parenting her.

As they should,

Your Highness, if I may.

The princess

is a rebellious child

who prides herself on

terrorizing those in authority.

We've all tried,

without success,

to understand her behavior.

Well, she is ten.

She's a princess,

and is expected to act like one

at all times.

Is that clear?

With all due respect, sir,

childhood is a short season.

If you try and make her

grow up too fast,

she just might do it.

Miss Evans, are you

trying to get fired?

No one's being fired,

Chancellor.

Miss Evans, you will supervise

Theodora to all royal events,

but kindly stay

in the background.

In other words,

be invisible.

Somehow, I doubt you're

the invisible type.

That'll be all.

Um, sorry! Excuse me.

Bye.

Tough room.

Who's the hatchet man?

Chancellor Riggs,

advisor to the throne.

I suggest you stay

in his good books.

- Is he always so...

- Insufferable?

I was gonna use

another word.

I'll have supper

sent to your room.

I'm not eating

with everyone else?

The governesses usually

keep to themselves.

We're looking at

his picture right now.

I cannot believe

that is the same guy

you hit with the maid cart.

Nice driving, sis.

He's not a guy.

He's a king.

And I also hit him

with a Christmas ornament.

So it's going well then.

Not to mention

the little girl,

she's exactly like

you guys were.

- Oh, no.

- Nice.

Good luck.

Gotta go. Come in!

Your supper.

Thank you. Um...

We don't tip here.

Right, sorry.

What's for dinner?

Hi.

Oh. Hmm.

Good evening,

Your Horse-ness.

Aww.

You want this?

Why the long face?

I think I know.

Talking to my horse?

No! Uh...

I mean y-yes.

Just small talk.

I do it all the time.

In fact, he likes it.

Don't you, boy?

It's a trick

we've been working on.

That's the first smile

I've seen since I got here.

Well, I should get back

to my overly-large room.

You know, it's not often people

speak their mind around here.

Sorry.

Don't be.

I'm not gonna try

to curtsy again,

if that's okay.

Good night, Miss Evans.

You like her, don't you?

Come in.

Mrs. Claiborne.

I was just headed down.

I see your survived

your first night.

It's only been one night?

I remember when

I first started here.

The king was just a boy

rushing around causing trouble.

But, you know, in a good way.

He was always the fun royal.

But then fate stepped in.

Thank you.

What happened

to Theodora's mother?

She took ill.

It was a long battle.

And soon after, he lost his

father in a riding accident.

It was dreadful.

I mean, poor Maximillian.

He suddenly found himself

thrust into

the role of widower and king,

and all before

his 30th birthday.

I don't think he's let

anyone or anything in since.

Good morning, Theodora.

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