Crown for Christmas Page #6

we'll be doing that anymore.

Shall I take Theodora

to the ballroom?

I think I'll do it.

Father, may I invite

Miss Evans?

She's never been to a ball.

Thank you, sweetie, but I

really don't belong there.

I disagree.

We'll see you downstairs.

Cheers!

You're an invited guest.

What are you doing

in the corner?

Hoping to get uninvited.

Oh, you'll do no such thing.

Royals make an entrance,

and you're going to, too.

Ah, Your Highness.

You look lovely.

Just like a queen, Lady Celia.

Thank you, Theodora.

And you look every bit

the princess. Shall we?

If you don't mind,

I'd like to walk Theodora in.

Chancellor, would you

escort Lady Celia?

It would be my honor.

Lady Celia, this way.

Are you ready?

Yes.

Whose is it?

Oh, I was young once.

I wore it

to a very special dance

with a very handsome man

years ago.

It's beautiful.

My mother was a seamstress.

She spent months making it.

Uh, but I can't possibly...

You can and you will.

Thank you, Mrs. Claiborne.

- It's Helen.

- Allie.

Go on. Hurry up and put it on

before the ball is over.

So what happened

to that very handsome man?

Oh...

we were far too young,

I'm afraid.

He was in the army,

and he was sent away.

We just lost touch.

You never saw him again?

Yes, I saw him,

but by then, I was married,

and my husband passed,

so too much time.

Anyway, at my age,

thoughts of romance

are about as unlikely

as an eclipse of the moon.

You do realize there are

several eclipses every year.

Announcing His Royal Highness,

King Maximillian

and the Princess Theodora.

May I have the first dance?

She really is

rather beautiful.

- She's very sweet.

- Yes.

Yes.

Is that true?

Announcing Miss Allison Evans

of Brooklyn.

Brooklyn?

I've never heard of her.

What's she doing?

She's a governess.

Not tonight.

So much

for being invisible.

Dance with me.

Your Highness, may I have

Lady Celia for a dance?

Of course.

It seems like you're the only

one who hasn't danced yet.

Fergus hasn't.

I think I'd rather

dance with you.

Your judgment is

obviously impaired.

It has been for some time.

I'll definitely remember this

for the rest of my life.

So will I.

May I borrow him back,

Miss Evans?

Of course.

She looks quite beautiful

in your dress.

She looks lovely.

As did you once, I recall.

- I'm not blind.

- Celia...

I know you don't love me,

at least not like you used to,

and I'm okay with that

for now

'cause I think one day you will.

And that's enough for you?

We're going to have

a wonderful marriage.

Please just give us a chance.

Now, let's take a peek

at that ring.

Isn't it bad luck to see it

before the proposal?

I'll take the risk.

That's strange.

Where is it?

When did you last see it?

Earlier this evening,

in my study.

Well, I hate to state

the obvious.

I trust my staff implicitly.

They've been with me for years.

Not all of them.

Miss Wick

came from your staff.

Well, I'm not talking

about Miss Wick.

- That's ridiculous.

- Is it?

- She's not a thief.

- I know you're fond of her,

but what do you

really know about her?

Excuse me, Your Highness.

A few pictures

with the Duke and Duchess.

It'll be good for relations.

Lady Celia.

As you were.

Seriously...

Lady Celia.

Could I have a word

between bites?

Of course.

It appears my engagement ring

is missing.

Really? That's awful.

Yes, I thought you might be

able to shed some light

on the situation,

before it escalates

any further.

Me? No.

I have no light to shed.

Because there will be

a room search,

and if it's found

amongst your things,

the authorities will be called.

What are you trying to say?

I think it's clear.

Be clearer.

Last week you're a maid.

Now you're a governess.

Where will this dazzling

climb up the ladder end?

A 19-carat diamond

could buy a whole new life.

I have a life.

Do you?

Look, I might be

a lot of things,

but I've never taken

anything in my life.

She doesn't steal.

She's an Evans.

Thank you, Teddy,

but I think it might be best

if I just leave.

You can't!

We have another week!

I think under the circumstances,

Miss Evans,

leaving now would be best.

Excuse me.

It's all my fault!

I've ruined everything!

Give me the ring, Teddy.

I just didn't want Father

to put it on her finger.

I know.

I'm sorry.

I'll tell them it was me,

and you can stay.

I can't stay, sweetie.

I've caused enough trouble

as it is.

What's going on?

The ring's been found.

So I see.

I'm sorry, Father.

Do me a favor.

Tell them it was me.

It's important that

Theodora and Lady Celia

get off to a good start.

It was found on my dresser,

where I left it.

I'll pack my bags.

You don't have to do that

I'm pretty sure I do.

Promise we'll stay in touch.

I promise.

And you can come visit me

anytime your dad lets you.

They're waiting for us

downstairs, Theodora.

I'll miss you.

I'll miss you too.

Thank you for making me

feel like a princess,

even if just

for a little while.

Thomas will drive you

to the inn when you're ready.

Thank you, Fergus.

I'm sorry.

I've always prided myself on

being a good judge of character.

I was right to hire you,

and I'd do it again.

Would you hand these out?

Oh, you shouldn't have.

I never dreamed that

halfway around the world

I'd make such good friends.

I'm gonna miss you.

It's time, Your Highness.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

This is normally when

I would make my traditional

"Night Before Christmas"

speech,

which you've no doubt

memorized by now.

But tonight I would like

to say something else.

Christmas is a time

to come together.

It's about family, giving,

and love.

And recently,

I've come to realize

that while I am your king,

first and foremost,

I'm a parent.

I know this realm

needs a queen,

but right now,

my daughter needs a father.

I know many of you

were expecting

a wedding announcement,

and I hope that one day soon

you'll have that.

But not tonight.

I'm sorry.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Enjoy the ball.

Celia, please, wait.

No. I've waited

long enough for you.

Listen, you deserve more than

an arrangement. We both do.

I really am very sorry.

I hope one day

we can get past this.

I can assure you we won't.

And I'm relieved I don't have

to spend the rest of my life

with that child.

That child is my daughter!

And unlike you,

one day she will be queen.

Do you have any idea

what you've just done?

Yes, I do.

This is my house, my family.

Who I marry and when

is my decision.

Your father would be

so disappointed.

I can live with that,

and if you can't, you can leave.

- I love you, Father.

- I love you, Teddy.

And you're not going

to boarding school.

You're gonna stay

right here with me.

Holidays, they come and go

Life is so uncertain

That's what

I want you to know

I wish we had more time

Don't wanna leave again

Why can't our story be

a story with a happy end

You're always in my heart

Life is sometimes

like a song

You sing the words

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote