Page 25 of Once Upon A Royal Christmas
“Will you be there?” she asked.
“With bells on,” he said in a tone that was strangely flat. For someone who loved San Glacera so much, he didn’t seem too enthusiastic about what was supposed to be one of the kingdom’s biggest holiday traditions.
He’d been so kind to her, and she wanted to reciprocate in some small way. And if she was being honest with herself, she also wanted to see him again.
Mittens peered up at her and cocked his cute little head. If Gracie didn’t know better, she would’ve thought the spaniel could read her mind.
She glanced up at Nick. “Can you keep a secret?”
He chuckled. “Better than you could possibly imagine.”
Never in her life had Gracie disclosed her Princess Snowflake identity to a total stranger. Back when she’d started Perfect Party Princesses, she’d read an article about theme park characters and how the actors portraying them weren’t allowed to disclose their real identities. Not in real life and not on social media. It was a way to make visiting the park as magical as possible for the attendees.
Gracie had adopted the same policy for all the party princesses, including herself. And here she was, about to break her own rule.
She leaned close to Nick—close enough to breathe in his crisp evergreen scent. Like he’d been off somewhere chopping down Christmas trees. Then she reached inside her coat and pulled out the VIP badge that hung from the lanyard the palace had left at the B&B in her welcome packet, with strict instructions to wear it every time she left the hotel.
She flashed Nick the purple badge and whispered, “I’m the princess.”
Mittens dropped into a play bow and wagged his tail. Nick’s eyes glittered.
“What an astonishing coincidence.” Nick shook his head. Then he dropped his voice to a murmur that sent a chill up and down Gracie’s spine. A chill that had nothing to do with the cold. “I’m the prince.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
What Kind of Princess Doesn’t Believe in Happily Ever After?
“I met Prince Charming,” Gracie blurted. She shut the door to their room behind her and leaned against it, still the slightest bit weak in the knees.
Clara sat up in her twin bed and pushed her satin sleep mask onto her forehead. “What did you just say?”
“Oops.” Gracie winced. “I’m sorry. Go back to sleep. We can talk about it later.”
She still couldn’t believe it. Gracie had practically floated all the way back to the B&B. She’d never imagined that Nick might be the actor who’d been hired to play Prince Charming opposite her, but looking back now, it made perfect sense. He’d spoken so sincerely about playing a part and echoed everything she felt about being Princess Snowflake. They really were kindred spirits, fake crowns and all.
“Too late. You’ve definitely got my attention.” Clara yawned, then spotted the small plate in Gracie’s hand and perked up considerably. “Are those more of Ingrid’s cookies?”
“Yes. She just made a new batch. The entire lobby smells like sugar and cinnamon.” Gracie unbuttoned her coat as she crossed the room to hand Clara the plate.
Their room was a double, with dark wood paneling and two twin beds piled high with patchwork quilts and faux fur throws. Directly across from the beds was a sitting area with a pair of tufted, overstuffed chairs facing a stone fireplace strung with woolen knit stockings. A blue spruce Christmas tree sat in the corner, laden with mercury glass ornaments shaped like mushrooms and pinecones.
Clara sat up, scooted over, and patted the empty space beside her. “Come. Sit. Tell me everything. Only you could go out in search of hot cocoa and meet someone who seemed like Prince Charming.”
Gracie tossed her hat and coat onto her bed, settled beside Clara, and took a deep, pine-scented inhale. She could smell the Christmas tree clear across the room. Her thoughts immediately went to Nick—his fresh pine scent, his chiseled features, the warmth of his breath fanning her cheek as he’d whispered in her ear.
I’m the prince.
She shook her head. “No, he didn’t just seem like Prince Charming. He is Prince Charming. He’s the actor playing the prince opposite me at the Ice Festival.”
“And you just happened to bump into each other? That’s crazy.” Clara bit into a shortbread star decorated with royal icing and gold sprinkles. “How did you know it was him?”
Gracie hesitated.
“What?” Clara frowned. Cookie crumbs dotted her chin.
“I sort of told him I was the princess.” Gracie winced. She couldn’t believe she’d outed herself like that. “Once I showed him my VIP badge, he spilled the beans.”
“Whoa. That’s so unlike you.” Clara’s eyes danced. “He must have made quite an impression.”
