Page 62 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

They both breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, you certainly found a handsome replacement.”

“Indeed, I did.”Then she remembered the letters she’d written to her friends.They were unnecessary now.“Klaus is from Godfather Drosselmeyer’s country, and we have to return tonight.I won’t be able to come visit except for Christmas.And there’s no post out there.”Adelia blinked back tears.

Francesca was a bit more pragmatic.“Are you taking Heidi with you?”

“I can’t.She can’t follow me that far.”Clara looked into her friends’ faces.“If she’ll go, can one of you please hire Heidi away from here?She’s not exactly Mother’s favorite.”

Francesca nodded, a sneaky smile spreading across her face.“I’ll speak to the housekeeper and see what we can do.If she’s good with children, I’m going to need a nanny soon.”Clara grinned as Adelia squealed at the news.Then she led her friends back to their men so she could introduce Klaus to her friends properly, before her husband stole her back to the dance floor.

That night was the best party Clara had ever attended at her parents’ home.It had to be partly thanks to her husband’s presence, but also because of her newfound confidence.Her mother remarked once or twice at the change in her daughter, which Clara ignored.

Heidi would pack all of her dresses and jewelry in a trunk, which Clara promised to send a carriage for as soon as possible.Her mother didn’t seem to question her duty to this new queen, for which Clara was thankful.

At a few minutes to midnight came the announcement she’d once dreaded.

His unsuspecting father-in-law called for a toast just before the clock struck twelve.One week ago, Klaus had anxiously awaited that chime, so that he could take his flesh and blood form instead of his wooden Nutcracker.He kept one possessive arm around Clara’s waist as her Papa raised a glass.

“Good evening everyone.As the year changes, so do we.It is my pleasure to announce my daughter Clara’s engagement to the honorable Klaus von Süssland!Welcome to the family.”Applause broke out among the revelers.Klaus took his cues from Clara, and when she curtsied, he gave a small bow.

When the hour struck and the old grandfather clock sounded twelve, everyone shouted, “Happy New Year!”

Many women known to the family approached Clara to congratulate her on her engagement.They went with the explanation that they had given her parents, omitting his title.Trying to explain where the Land of Sweets and Toys was would ruin the secrecy that kept his homeland safe.It was easy to explain he was Drosselmeyer’s great-nephew and that he’d become enamored with her during their travels.

It wasn’t that far from the truth, after all.

As the hour grew later, and Clara yawned, he hooked her arm through his.“Darling, you wanted to show me the gardens, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”They strolled to the back of the room, where a set of French doors let them out onto a small patio.“They’re not very interesting in winter, of course.”

“I just wanted to get you alone for a few minutes.”

She giggled.“I need to try something.”

“What’s that?”

She walked backwards to the edge of the patio, closed her eyes, and then pushed her hand behind her back.With that, beautiful multi-colored magic shot up from her hand and burst into the sky.

“Clara!How did you…”

“You know how, Klaus.”She grinned at her achievement.“It’s traditional to set off fireworks for the New Year, but Papa was always worried about the danger.”

“My clever wife.”Klaus joined her at the edge of the terrace.“You’re going to freeze out here.Let’s go back inside.”

“First, look up.”

He did as she asked.A sprig of mistletoe had escaped the after-Christmas cleaning.“Well, we can’t ignore that.”Klaus drew her into his arms and held her close.“I’ll just have to keep you warm.”

Then he slanted his mouth over hers, and her giggles turned to a hum of pleasure.Regretfully, he kept the kiss short for propriety’s sake.They would have all the time in the world once they arrived back home.

Epilogue

TheSugarPlumPalacewas a whirl of activity, and Clara hated to leave them.

“Are you excited about tomorrow?”

Galiena had decided it was time to step down.Klaus had explained that since the land had accepted Clara, it was best for her to abdicate.She would still be around in an advisory capacity, which made her only slightly less nervous.

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