“I’d love to.” Adelaide fingered her silver cross. “Because I agree, Father. The babe in the manger is why we celebrate Christmas. To honor him.”
His eyes glistened as he beamed at her. Was it because she’d supported his views or because she’d started to call him Father? Perhaps both. But it warmed her from head to toe,helping to defrost the queen’s cold vibes that chilled her to the bone.
As Georg enthusiastically offered to help Adelaide with the nativity project, Queen Johanna remained quiet, a smoldering silence that Adelaide felt responsible for. Although she regretted causing this disharmony within the royal family, she did not regret standing by her father. If the queen wanted a showdown, she might’ve met her match in Adelaide. But hopefully not in front of the king.
To Adelaide’s dismay, Georg made good on his offer to help with the nativity the next day. But she took charge by tasking him with the transport of the boxes and heavy wooden platform to the hall. Naturally, he delegated this chore to someone else. The same thing happened when she asked him to find some hay and the needed lighting. After she had everything necessary, Georg sat nearby, watching from a chair and chattering at her as she arranged and rearranged the pieces until she felt it was all perfect.
“So beautiful,” she said more to herself than Georg.
“Yes ...very.” Georg’s whisper was so close behind her, she imagined his breath on the back of her neck. She cringed and stepped away, pulling out her phone.
“I want pictures.” She moved away from Georg. “To show the king.”
“You did a good job with it.” Georg kept his eyes on her as she took shots from various angles, zooming in on the Christ child in the manger. “Too bad Mother will hate it.” He chuckled like this was humorous.
She pocketed her phone. “Yes, it is too bad.” She pointed to the stack of empty boxes. “I’m sure you’ll see that those get put away. I have an eleven o’clock appointment.” Beforehe could respond, she took off running up the stairs. Georg wasn’t a bad guy but his overly keen interest made her skin crawl.
She headed straight to the king’s private quarters but was met outside his door by Queen Johanna.
“The king is not feeling well this morning,” the queen informed her.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Adelaide glanced past her to the closed door. “Perhaps a little visit will improve his—”
“Do younotget my meaning?”
“I have an appointment with my father,” Adelaide declared.
“Your appointment is canceled.” Blocking the door, the queen crossed her arms in front of her.
“Then I will simply tell him good morning, wish him well, and be on my way.” Adelaide reached past her royal roadblock for the doorbell, but the queen swatted her hand aside.
“Excuse me?” Adelaide stared into the icy blue eyes, then, without another word, elbowed past the rude woman to ring the doorbell. If Queen Johanna thought Adelaide a pushover, she had another think coming.
“Frau Smith.” Herr Schneider sounded glad to see her.
“Is Father well enough for my visit?” She was still partly hidden by the queen.
“Yes.” He opened the door wider, peering curiously at both of them. “Your father eagerly awaits your arrival, Princess Adelaide.”
She smiled stiffly at the queen. “Seems you are confused. My fatherisexpecting me.” She gently but firmly pushed past the queen. “Please, excuse me.”
“Mein leiber!” the king called from his chair. “My sunshine has arrived.”
As she hurried to his side, she could see the queen still peering into the room as Herr Schneider closed the door. “Good morning, Father.”
The king beamed at her. “Thank you for calling me Father. It does my old heart good.”
She leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Thankyoufor allowing me to call you Father.” She sat across from him and started describing her busy morning in the great hall. “It’s the most beautiful nativity I’ve ever seen. Each piece is so wonderfully carved and painted so delicately. It’s so lifelike. I even chatted with some of the shepherds and angels.”
He laughed, clapping his hands. “I knew you were the right one to take care of that for me. Danke schoen, mein lieber. I wish I could see it.”
“Do you ever go down there?” she asked.
“Nein. My good doctor and nurse and Herr Schneider keep me locked up here like a prisoner.”
Herr Schneider, who stood by the door, cleared his throat.
“A well-cared-for prisoner,” Adelaide said. “They just want you to be well, Father. And I have a surprise.” She pulled out her phone and showed him the photos of the finished nativity scene.
