HOLIDAY
The annual royal holiday was underway at the Winter Castle. Well, in a much smaller part of the Winter Castle than usual, due to the setting up of the Genovian Orphanage there in the fall. Even so, the family and a small number of staff were quite comfortable in the East Wing, leaving the children and their caregivers the rest of the Castle to call home.
Charlotte had seen to it that the Queen got settled in her suite, and Joe too of course, but he was not as much her responsibility as was the Queen. Charlotte had made her escape to the West Wing of the Castle to see the children. Mia, of course, now Queen Mia, had gotten there first and was already playing with the little ones.
Joseph was showing Nicholas around the property and grounds, and Clarisse was occupying herself with the delightful discovery of long-forgotten books of family photos. Shades, of course was in charge of all security, and spent much of the day putting his staff through drills and installing cameras and computers in various locations.
It was indeed time for a rest for all the royals and their small circle of staff. The hectic pace of the past six months had taken a toll on each of them. Indeed, after the summer, which included a wedding and a coronation, and the fall with the opening of the new orphanage and a steep learning curve for the new young queen, not to mention the silly season of Christmas and New Year's, everyone needed down time.
The new Queen declared their first evening meal should be shared by all, and hosted a pizza party. The ladies maids and security staff ate and relaxed with the family until nearly 9 pm. Afterward it was just the family, and Charlotte of course, in the parlor relaxing by the fire. Clarisse sat next to Joseph on the sofa in front of the fire, her hand in his. Mia and Nicholas, having announced their engagement at the pizza party were cuddled up on the rug closest to the fire. Mia was barely able to take her eyes off her sparking new diamond. Charlotte sat in the wing chair off to the side, watching the love shared by both couples, and smiling to herself.