The queen held the door open as Kaylie zipped inside.
“I really am sorry,” Kaylie said, looking guilty. “That was a co-worker from New York and she had some important news to tell me.”
“Good news, I assume, by the way you were dancing around,” the queen said as she started to walk toward the drawing room.
“Great news,” Kaylie said, still beaming. “I have a lead on a new possible job as an investigative reporter for a national news show. It’s a huge longshot, but I might have a chance.”
“Then I wish you good luck,” the queen replied. “If this is what you really want.”
Kaylie, still on cloud nine, nodded vigorously. “Oh, it is. It’s what I want more than anything. My job is the most important thing in my life.”
As they entered the drawing room, Kaylie saw the princess sitting at a coffee table by the fireplace where a spectacular silver tea service was set up. There were exquisite crimson china plates and teacups that all had the gold swan crest. In the center of the table, there was a collection of three-tiered silver stands that were filled with festive treats, from scones, and chocolate éclairs, to gingerbread biscuits, and frosted Christmas cookies. There was also an assortment of mini-quiches and crust-free little sandwiches cut into the shapes of stars. Kaylie also immediately noticed a selection of Christmas chocolates from Jean Pierre’s shop. Her smile grew even more when she saw sparkling crystal champagne flutes.
“Hello, Kaylie, welcome to our Christmas tea tasting,” the princess said, smiling. She was the perfect little hostess.
“Well, hello, princess. Thank you so much for having me,” Kaylie said.
Chef Jake and Elsa entered carrying even more trays of treats. Chef Jake had a warm smile for Kaylie. “We’ve heard you’ve been very busy visiting our village and cutting down a Christmas tree and even making snow angels…”
“And that there was even a snowball fight with the prince,” Elsa said with a laugh.
“That we won,” the princess said gleefully. “Because of girl power, right, Kaylie?”
Kaylie laughed as she took a seat next to the princess and they high-fived. “That’s right.”
“Of course,” Elsa said. “That makes perfect sense. Girl power always wins.”
The queen nodded. “Always.”
Chef Jake chuckled. “Is that so? Well, remind me not to take any of you on.”
Elsa gave him a knowing smile. “I thought you learned that a long time ago.”
When Kaylie saw a spark between Chef Jake and Elsa, her smile grew, thinking about what a cute couple they’d make.
“Is there anything more I can get you?” Chef Jake asked the queen.
The queen gave him a grateful smile. “This looks wonderful. You’ve clearly outdone yourself again. Thank you both so much.”
“My pleasure,” Chef Jake said as he and Elsa headed toward the door. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” Kaylie said as she eyed all the treats. Her mouth was watering.
“Please, help yourself,” the queen said, catching Kaylie’s gaze. “We would love your thoughts on our tasting menu for our Christmas tea.”
“Is there any special order I should try things in?” Kaylie asked, wiggling her fingers in anticipation.
“No, we’re not that formal here,” the queen said. “You just try whatever is calling out to you and tell me what you think.”
Kaylie couldn’t take her eyes off the gingerbread biscuits. “Well, honestly, these biscuits are calling out to me saying I need to try them because they’re yummy.”
The princess giggled. “They are talking to me, too, Grandmother.”
“Then, by all means, let’s all start with the gingerbread biscuits,” the queen said. “It’s an old family recipe. Very simple, only a few ingredients, with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. They’re a local favorite. I hope you like them.”
Kaylie happily picked what looked like a puffy gingerbread cookie and took a bite and her eyes lit up with surprise. They were soft and chewy with just the perfect hint of ginger. “These are delicious.”
“They’re one of my favorites, too,” the princess said. “Everyone loves them.”
“So, tell me more about this Christmas tea, because I’ve never seen such amazing treats in my life,” Kaylie said. “I’ve never really been a tea person, but I think I might convert if this is all part of it.”
The queen smiled back at her. “We put on the Christmas tea every year to recognize and give thanks to our schoolteachers, medical staff, military, and first responders in Tolvania for all they do. It’s a Christmas tradition my father started, and while I realize it’s only a small gesture of our immense gratitude, I’m told that people very much look forward to it.”
Kaylie was once again impressed by how many of the royal family’s Christmas traditions included the entire village of Tolvania and focused on giving back and bringing people together.
“And we get to get all dressed up,” the princess chimed in. “I have a new Christmas dress just for the tea, and Blixen also gets dressed up.”
Blixen, who was sitting right next to the princess, wagged his tail.
Kaylie laughed a little. “Does Blixen have a Christmas tea sweater that he wears?”
The princess giggled. “No, of course not. He only wears his Christmas sweaters outside. But he does have a special red Christmas ribbon he wears when he dresses up, and even some bowties for formal occasions,” the princess continued. “He loves dressing up, don’t you, Blixen?”
When Blixen barked, Kaylie laughed.
“So, what did you think about our little village, Kaylie?” the queen asked.
“It was amazing,” Kaylie answered, still in awe. “Everyone was so warm and genuine. They all love the prince and both of you so much. Everyone said to make sure to wish you a Merry Christmas from them.”
“That’s very kind,” the queen said. “We have a wonderful, caring community. We are very blessed and you will get to see even more tonight for our tree lighting ceremony.”
“I can’t wait,” Kaylie said. “You mentioned earlier it’s very unique? I saw a giant tree in the center of the village that was all decorated. I’m guessing that’s the one that’s going to be lit up for the tree lighting?”
“That’s the first tree,” the princess said with a twinkle in her eyes. “There’s more.”
“More?” Kaylie asked, confused.
“Yes,” the queen replied. “We start with lighting our main tree that you saw, but that’s only the beginning of our ceremony. We then also light up the trees along the lake, one by one.”
“With Christmas carols,” the princess jumped in.
“Wait, what? How do you light up a tree with Christmas carols?” Kaylie asked, intrigued.
“It’s a tradition that’s almost two hundred-years-old,” the queen answered. “We love our Christmas carols in Tolvania. They are part of our history and our heritage. We have Christmas carolers in the village during the holidays that stroll around, singing and bringing joy, but for the tree lighting night, they do more.”
“It’s my favorite part,” the princess said, enthusiastically.
The queen gave her granddaughter a loving look. “As the tradition goes, after the carolers sing at the main Christmas tree lighting in the square, everyone in the village then follows the carolers down to the lake to our Christmas trees there.”
“Like the one you painted that I helped you with,” the princess said with a proud smile.
“Exactly,” the queen agreed. “The carolers then start at the first Christmas tree along the lake and sing an abbreviated version of a Christmas carol and that tree is lit up. They then move on to the next tree and sing a new Christmas carol and that tree is lit up.”
Kaylie looked impressed. “That’s incredible. I’ve never heard of anything like this before.”
“And it gets better,” the princess said. “Because we get to sing with them.”
“That’s right, Anna,” the queen said, smiling at the princess. “Everyone in the village gathers with candles and follows the carolers down to the lake and we all sing along as each Christmas tree is lit up with a new carol. We believe this is a way to bring light and love, and unite everyone together as we all fill our village with the sound of Christmas music. We always sing the classic carols because those Christmas songs are the ones that have their own unique history and story and we like to honor that.”
“That’s really beautiful,” Kaylie said. Her mind was already spinning with ideas for how she could include all this in the Tolvania Christmas feature she was going to try and write for Gerry. She also knew this would be the perfect thing to get video of. Maybe, she thought, she could even interview some of the carolers, because it seemed like everyone in Tolvania had a special story to tell.
“You can sing with us,” the princess said, bringing her back to the moment.
Kaylie laughed. “I’m afraid I don’t know many carols and my voice is about as good as my painting.”
“It’s easy,” the princess said with confidence. “You just sing what the carolers sing. I’ll help you.”
“And who picks the songs?” Kaylie asked.
“We do, as a family, together,” the queen said.
“I always pick “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” the princess said proudly.
“What about Rudolph?” Kaylie asked. “That’s one I know.”
The princess giggled. “Of course, we pick Rudolph, that’s Blixen’s brother.”
“Wait, what?” Kaylie asked with a laugh. “His brother?”
The princess looked at Kaylie like it was obvious. “Santa’s reindeer, they’re all brothers. They’re all family.”
Kaylie glanced at the queen who was smiling and nodding. “Of course,” Kaylie said, joining in on the fun. “What was I thinking? You are right, and they are a great family.”
“The best,” the princess said. “Because they have so much Christmas spirit.”
Kaylie laughed. “Christmas spirit, huh? So, that’s pretty important?”
The princess laughed. “Of course, it’s the most important, right, Grandmother?”
“Christmas spirit is the heart and soul of Christmas because it celebrates family, faith, friends, community, hope, and love,” the queen said. “You can tell a lot about someone by the way they celebrate and honor Christmas.”
The queen picked up a crystal champagne flute and handed it to Kaylie and then picked up her own. “And there’s one more tradition you need to know about when it comes to our Christmas tea.”
“What is that?” Kaylie asked.
“It’s one I started,” the queen said. “Where we always have a champagne toast.”
The princess didn’t miss a beat picking up her sparkling glass of water and holding it up.
“To Christmas spirit, and always keeping the true meaning and magic of Christmas in our hearts,” the queen said.
“To Christmas spirit,” the princess eagerly agreed.
When they both looked at Kaylie, she quickly joined in. “To Christmas spirit,” she said, and even though it had been years since she’d even thought about Christmas spirit for herself, she found there was a place in her heart now that ached for it, and so much more…
“How do you like our Christmas tea tradition?” the princess asked, bringing her out of her daydream.
Kaylie held up her champagne glass. “I love it. I didn’t know you could have champagne at a tea.”
“That just makes it more special, don’t you agree?” the queen asked.
“Absolutely.” Kaylie said. “And that reminds me of another tradition I heard about this morning in the village, your Christmas Crown event. What is that?”
The princess’s smile grew. “That is my favorite event!”
Kaylie laughed. “Wait, I thought you said the tree lighting was your favorite event?”
“That one is, too,” the princess answered, happily. “I have a lot of favorites, but the Christmas Crown is so pretty and magical, I think it’s my most favorite.”
Kaylie’s eyes widened. “So, there’s a real Christmas Crown?”
“Oh, yes.” The queen nodded. “The Christmas Crown is very real and very important to my family and to everyone in Tolvania. My great-great-great-grandfather, Henry, had it made for his wife, Mary, so he could propose to her on Christmas Eve. Now, every Christmas Eve, we display the crown here at the castle and invite everyone from the village to come and see it.”
“Because it’s full of Christmas magic,” the princess added, excited.
Kaylie laughed until she saw the queen and princess weren’t laughing. Her eyes widened. She looked at the queen. “Magic? What do you mean by magic?”
The queen smiled back at her. “The kind of magic that makes Christmas wishes comes true.”
The princess nodded eagerly. “That kind of magic. The very best kind.”
“Wait, what?” But Kaylie’s question was cut off when the prince entered the room, looking like he was on a mission.