Royal New Year's Eve Page #8

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to expedite a conversation.

Oh, it's ok.

It's not every day that a king

shows up at your doorstep.

I hope you don't mind

talking here.

Oh, not at all.

It's probably best we keep Doris

away from you.

She gets a little excited

around royalty.

Yes, I gathered that after

she attempted to kiss my ring.

Sorry.

I'll get straight to the point.

I came to New York

a little early

after a call from Lady Isabelle.

About what?

Well, she's concerned that

your relationship with Jeffery

may be complicating things

between them.

No, Your Majesty,

it's- it's not like that at all.

We've just been planning the

New Year's Eve ball together.

That is- that is it.

So you don't have feelings

for Jeffery then?

The more pressing question,

of course, is whether those

feelings are reciprocal.

Jeff, um... Jeffery

is a good man,

and he's going to ask

Lady Isabelle

to marry him tomorrow night

as planned.

Good.

I'm pleased to hear it.

Can I ask you a question?

Of course.

Have you been happy as king?

Leading a nation is about

tradition, humility, sacrifice.

These are things

that last a lifetime.

Happiness can be measured

in moments.

Happiness is fleeting.

Isn't that why we should

hold onto them

for as long as we can?

Well, it has been very nice

meeting you, Caitlyn.

It has been a pleasure

to meet you, Your Majesty.

Hello, father.

Ah, Jeffery.

You weren't supposed to be here

'til tomorrow.

Yes, well I thought I'd come

a little early,

make sure things are still

on track.

Why wouldn't they be?

I spoke with Caitlyn Enderby

a little while ago.

You- you did what?

It's alright, relax, Jeffery.

I didn't banish her from

the kingdom, we just talked.

About what?

The nature of happiness,

it seems.

What?

Never mind.

She seems like a lovely

young woman.

She is.

And if circumstances were

different then perhaps...

look, I have been a king

for a very long time.

I was 18 when your grandfather

passed away.

I know.

It's in the history books.

Yes. But I prefer not to be

carried off the throne,

I would prefer to step down

gracefully.

But in order to do that

I need to know

that my successor

is ready to step up.

I know all of this, father.

Having a stable king is very

important to the country.

That's why I married

your mother

so soon after I became King.

And I learned to love her.

You don't need to convince me,

father.

I'm prepared to step up.

But father, if circumstances

were different.

Your life is so weird.

I know.

It would be so much easier

if I thought that Jeffery

would be happy but

he doesn't love her.

I don't think she

loves him, either.

Well then do something

about it.

What can I do?

Tell him that you're

in love with him.

I've known him

for four days.

I'm not in love with him.

Ok, well then tell him that

you're falling in love with him.

Tell him that you think

he's your soul mate.

Tell him that you want to live

happily ever after with him

because you can't deny

that any of that's true.

Even if it's true,

it doesn't matter.

Happily ever afters

don't exist

and I don't believe

in fairytales.

Look at that dress.

That is a fairytale waiting

to come true.

But not for me.

I'm sorry about my father.

Oh, don't worry about it.

He's just looking out for you.

It's his job.

Still.

Caitlyn.

Are you sure everything's ready

for the ball tomorrow

since you won't be there?

Oh, I'm sure.

It's going to be wonderful.

Well then thank you

for everything.

No, thank you.

Isabelle?

We have a huge problem.

What's wrong?

Look familiar?

That's my dress.

No, it... it can't be.

Obviously it is.

Caitlyn stole someone's design

and she's trying to pass it off

as her own.

What?

No, that's- that's not true.

I promise.

Isabelle, I am so sorry,

but it appears that you are

a victim of a hoax.

Caitlyn?

I swear to you, Isabelle,

this is my design.

Caitlyn, just stop the act.

No one's buying it.

There must be some

kind of explanation.

I don't understand

what's happened, but it has.

Isabelle, if you'll just give

Caitlyn the chance to-

I'm sorry.

The idea was to have

something original

and regardless of the

circumstances I can't wear this.

Well, luckily you have

a back-up.

You have a Leighton Miller

original.

Would you like to go

try it on now?

Oh, and Caitlyn?

You're fired.

Jeffery, I didn't steal

that design.

I believe you.

You do?

Of course.

This dress could only have come

from you.

I'm sorry.

Your Highness-

Don't try to stop me,

Barnaby.

I wasn't.

I was going to wish you luck.

You're going to look

amazing in that.

Well, I suppose

it's good enough.

I need to speak to Isabelle.

Oh, well we were

just talking-

Abigail.

I don't know

what just happened

but I am certain

that you are behind it.

I suggest you leave quickly

before I call the royal guard

to have you arrested.

The royal guard can't arrest

anyone in this country.

I assumed that she wouldn't

know that.

Well played.

Well, considering

the circumstances

I think we should

go double check

all the arrangements

Caitlyn made.

I don't think that

will be necessary.

Jeffery, I know the two of you

became friends

over the last few days

but we must ensure

that everything goes

smoothly tonight.

I'm not going to ask you

to marry me.

What?

Isabelle, what just happened?

Jeffery, I can't wear

that dress.

It's not about the dress,

it's not about Caitlyn

for that matter.

It's about us.

You and me.

Are you breaking up

with me?

Isabelle, I am sorry.

But what about the throne?

Your father will never

accept this.

Then I'll give up the throne.

Oh, Jeffery.

Isabelle, you just called

the dress "good enough".

None of this is good enough.

And yes, we care about each

other but I don't love you.

And I don't think that you

love me, either.

I know that I can't just be

a regular person

but if happily ever after exists

then I want to find it.

Doris, I need to speak

to Caitlyn.

It's too late.

What do you mean?

She's gone.

She took a bunch of her stuff

and left.

Gone where?

She went to go stay

with her folks.

I don't think she's coming back.

I see.

Well... if you speak to her,

tell her...

tell her thank you

for the hot dogs.

They were indeed

life-changing.

What does that mean?

It means goodbye.

Come here.

Barnaby, I'm going to spend

some time with the staff

to make sure everything's in

place for the ball this evening.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your father has gone out,

he asked me to tell you

he wishes to speak to you

when he returns.

Right.

Yes.

Is it childish of me to put

that off as long as possible?

Not at all, Your Highness.

And I need you to run

an errand for me.

Certainly.

Please deliver this to Doris.

Ask her if she will send it

to Caitlyn at her parent's home

in Connecticut.

Sir, if I may?

Perhaps you should deliver this

in person.

Connecticut isn't far.

I didn't get a chance

to say a proper goodbye.

I don't know if I could do that

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