Page 42 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

Klaus shifted on his feet.“Mother might have told Cook to be ready to bake the wedding cake.”

Nervous giggles erupted out of her like champagne bubbles.“Let’s do it then.”

He let out a whoop and spun her around again.“We better go find Mother, my beautiful bride.”

Klaus raced through the palace, Clara by his side.His cheeks hurt from smiling.Servants dodged out of the way with knowing looks on their faces.

“Klaus!Slow down!”She called through her laughter.He did as she asked when they reached the foyer.Oh dear.His bride was out of breath.

His bride.How wonderful that sounded.

When she nodded, they continued up the stairs that led to the family wing, albeit at a slower pace.“Do you want to see our rooms first?Where you’ll live with me?”

A sweet cherry blush came over her cheeks.“Maybe after we talk to your parents.”

“As you wish.”He kissed her knuckles and led her to his parents’ suite at the back of the hall.Knocking on the tall double doors, Klaus fought the urge to bounce on his toes.

Father was the one to open the door.“Come in,” he said with a smile on his face.

Clara pressed close to him, curtsying to Galiena.

She tsked.“None of that in private.We’re to be family, yes?”

His fiancée rose and nodded.Mother opened her arms and hugged Clara tight.“Thank you for making my son happy.”

Clara hugged her back, and he saw tears forming in her eyes again.

Father hugged her as well.“When do you want the wedding, you two?”

“Tomorrow, as Mother suggested.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, Your Majesty,” Clara added.

“Please, call me Galiena.Or Mother.”She took his fiancée by the arm and led her to the couch.“I believe we have much to discuss for tomorrow.I shall call for Cook and the royal Tinkerer so we can get everything prepared.”She waved Klaus off when he tried to sit next to them.“This is girl time.I believe your father has something he wants to discuss with you.”

His brow furrowed.He looked at Clara.She gave him a smile and a nod.“It’s fine, Klaus.I’ll be right here.”

“I wanted to give her a tour of the family suite.”

“You shall.After tomorrow.”His mother gave him a sly grin.“After all, you should have a wing to yourself for your wedding night.”She turned back to Clara.“If the guest suite suits you for it, that is.”

“That would be fine.”

“Come, son.I have to talk to you.”Alaric led him out of his parents’ sitting room and down the hall.Klaus opened the door to his own rooms, sensing his father wanted some privacy for this discussion.

He hated to leave his betrothed so soon after proposing, but they had a lot to plan and not much time to do it.

Alaric went to the bar cart Klaus never touched and poured himself a shot of liquor.

“Father?”

He looked back at Klaus.“You may want some for this discussion.Although I will start by mentioning that I had to have it with my father-in-law, which was supremely uncomfortable.So perhaps not.”Father poured a second shot, anyway.“We need to talk about your wedding night.”

Klaus laughed.“Father, we discussed this ages ago when I was a boy.I know what to do.”

Alaric sighed and drank his alcohol.“That’s not all you need to be aware of.Especially when you’re counting on Clara’s magic increasing.”

Now he was getting self-conscious.“What do you mean?”

---