Page 44 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

Her soon-to-be mother-in-law slid the tiara into place in the intricate up-do that Trixie had done.Then she turned her to face the mirror on the wall.Clara’s mouth fell open.She really looked like a princess!

“Thank you, Galiena.”She fought back the tears.

The Sugar Plum Fairy herself gave her a watery smile and a gentle kiss to the forehead.“Welcome to the family, my dear.”

Another knock at the door.“Clara, are you ready?”

“Godfather!”

“She still needs her veil!”Trixie sniffed, her voice teary, and flew into the bedroom to retrieve it.

“Well, look at you.Friedrich’s going to be so angry with me when he finds out about this.”Ludwig grinned despite his words.

“If it weren’t so urgent, I’d have told Klaus I wanted to bring my parents.”Clara bit her lip, starting to second-guess herself.“But I really don’t want to wait.”It would take too much precious time to explain everything to her parents, and then there was the fact they were a realm at war.As upset as she’d been over their promise to the von Galens, she didn’t want them in danger.

“You let me worry about that.I can handle your papa.”He patted her hand as Trixie flew over her head, laying a long, sheer, white veil over her head.The lace on the edge of the floor-length veil matched the trim of her gown.Crystals, like sugar on gumdrops, sparkled in the light among the lace design.

She couldn’t wait for Klaus to see her.

“Just let me pin this in place,” the blue pixie said, sticking her tongue out as she eased the hairpin to hold it down.“I’ll find you after the ceremony and help you take it off.”

“Thank you, all of you.”Clara fought back tears.

“No crying until we’re all seated, young lady.”Godfather Drosselmeyer wagged his finger as he teased her.He’d shed his usual attire for a formal black silk coat and trousers.“I don’t want to lose my composure in front of the entire kingdom.”

Her throat threatened to close on her.“The… theentirekingdom?”

“Ludwig!”Galiena smacked his shoulder.“You’ll scare the poor girl.”

Clara breathed in and out slowly.She could do this.She’d better get used to the whole kingdom having an interest in her.After all, that was part of marrying Klaus.

And he was waiting.

“Let’s not keep Klaus waiting.”

Galiena smiled.“I’ll see you down there.”

Godfather Drosselmeyer led her down the stairs and through the hallways to the courtyard.That was where the couple had chosen for their ceremony, under the arbor with the mistletoe.They felt it would be a good omen, and honor the Goddess he’d spoken of.

“So should I call you uncle after this?”she teased.

“Godfather is still fine.I’ll answer to pretty much anything except ‘late for dinner.’”

She giggled, then sobered.The door to the courtyard was coming closer.

“I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?”

“Do you feel you are?”

“I can’t imagine marrying anyone else.I just hate to lose my parents, too.”

Ludwig shook his head.“You won’t lose them.I can take you and Klaus back every Christmas Eve with me.”

“Promise?”

“I swear to you.”

A few steps closer.“You loved my grandmother.”

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