A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christmas;FIC042040;FIC027290;FIC027450
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

A driver dropped Adelaide and Anton off next to the village square, where crowds were already gathered around musicians and food kiosks. A tall evergreen was situated in the center of the square. “What a beautiful setting,” Adelaide said. “The only thing missing is the snow.”

“I just heard the weather forecast has put snow a few more days out.”

“Well, it’s still lovely.” She smiled at a pair of cherub-like children waiting in line for a treat.

“And you are lovely too.” Anton held out his arm. “Like a real princess.”

More like a real Cinderella, she thought as she looped her arm through his. She’d already confessed to Anton how awkward she felt in furs and jewels. “I just hope I make the king proud,” she murmured as he led her toward a platform where Albert and several other dignified-looking citizens were seated.

“You’re to sit next to my uncle,” Anton explained.

“What about you?”

“I’ll be down here with the riffraff,” he joked, pointing to the end of the table.

“Willkommen, Princess Adelaide.” Albert stood to greet her. He shook her hand and pulled out a chair for her in the center of the long table. Then, taking his time, he politely introduced her to the others at the table, explaining who they were before he sat back down.

“Almost time.” As Albert checked his watch, Adelaide noticed Queen Johanna and Georg walking through the growing crowd. Both held their heads high as they smiled and nodded as various greetings were tossed their way. Clearly they were used to being treated like celebrities here and were comfortable in their element.

That is, until the queen noticed the platform. She actually stopped in her steps. A frown darkened her face as she stared at Adelaide. She said something to Georg and then led the way up the steps to the table. After a brief conversation with the man seated on the far end, the queen and her son took seats next to him. Queen Johanna was clearly unhappy with this seating arrangement.

Albert seemed oblivious to the queen’s demeanor as he stood and, after testing the sound system, welcomed everyone to the festivities. Next, he announced the youth choir, which instantly broke into a lively Christmas carol. After two more songs, which the crowd merrily joined into, Albert announced the next entertainment, a charming ballet troupe featuring little girls in fluffy, white tutus trimmed with red velvet. They were followed by a string quartet of white-haired musicians playing “Silent Night.”

A short silence followed the old hymn. Then a loud drum-roll sounded, and a strange creature—a cross between Bigfoot and a devil—ran through the crowd. Children screamed, some with delight and some in genuine fear. The adults looked mostly amused or feigned frightened expressions.

“What is that?” Adelaide whispered to Albert.

He laughed. “Krampus.”

“Krampus?”

The costumed creature continued running about dramatically, frightening the small children and making the grown-ups laugh before a kindly-looking bearded character dressed in a long white gown and a red satin tunic and headpiece showed up and majestically shook his scepter’s gold sphere.

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