"Tommy," Clara admonished gently, looking into the crestfallen little boy's face, "you know you have to be more careful with your toys. Grandfather can't afford to replace them as quickly as you're breaking them!"

"But they were new!" Tommy wailed.

"I know," Clara said, "but there's nothing to be done. Maybe next year Aunt Elizabeth will replace them for you."

"Or maybe," said an unexpected voice from the doorway, "she'll replace them now."

Clara turned, her expression joyful. "Auntie Elizabeth!"

She smiled as Clara rushed forward to hug her. "Hello, my dear girl. And hello, Tommy. I had a feeling those new toys weren't going to last long after Christmas, considering how fast you broke that Nutcracker." Her voice was warm, but Tommy ducked his head as she teased him. Holding out a cupped hand, she asked in a solemn tone, "Tommy, do you promise you won't break these?"

Tommy nodded, his face unusually serious.

Aunt Elizabeth smiled. "Here you are, then." She dropped two toy soldiers into his eager hands, chuckling as he raced off to play with them. Turning to Clara, she took her favorite niece by the shoulder. "Now, come, my dear. We need to talk."

"While you may be happy, I have no doubt you wonder why I returned before Christmas," Aunt Elizabeth said as they stepped into the parlor. She slid the doors closed behind them. "I was asked to come on a mission so important that I decided my travels could wait."

"What is it?" Clara asked, eyes wide.

Aunt Elizabeth turned to Clara with a demure smile. "Why, a rather dashing young man asked me if I would kindly inform you that your presence is requested at a ball."

Clara's eyes lit up at once. "Eric!" Suddenly, her expression clouded, and she looked downcast. "But... how will I get there? And home again?"

"You still wear your locket every day, right?" Aunt Elizabeth asked.

"Of course!" Clara said, her hand unconsciously raising to touch the locket. "I only take it off at night."

"Open it, and you will return to Parthenia," Aunt Elizabeth said with a smile. "Once the ball is over, you just have to open it again to come back home."

Clara stared at her aunt in surprise. "R-Really?" Having discovered that the king Aunt Elizabeth had danced with was Eric's father, Clara never doubted anything Aunt Elizabeth told her about Parthenia. When her aunt nodded, she grinned.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. "But... what about Grandfather?"

"I've already spoken to him," Aunt Elizabeth responded. "He believes we're spending the day out on the town having some girl time. I'm to bring you back by nine o'clock."

Clara threw her arms around the woman. "Thank you, Aunt Elizabeth!"

Aunt Elizabeth hugged her back. "You're welcome, my dear." Taking her by the hand, she led Clara out the door as Grandfather watched, chatting about what they were going to do that day. They got outside and into the carriage, and as soon as they were out of site, Aunt Elizabeth said to her, "Go on, my dear. I'll fetch you when nine comes."

With one last grateful smile, Clara turned her attention to the locket. She carefully pulled it open, and at once several yellow lights shot out of it. She faded rapidly from the carriage, and with a smile, Aunt Elizabeth kept driving.

Opening her eyes, Clara looked around, confused for a moment. After a few seconds, she realized that she was in the castle courtyard. She glanced down at herself to see that, once again, she was arrayed in the dress of the Sugar Plum Princess.

"Is that – It IS! Clara!" Hearing her name, Clara turned. There stood the peppermint girl and gingerbread boy she had met before.

"Ethan and Mara, right?" she asked with a smile.

"Yup!" Mara beamed. "Oh, King Eric is going to be so excited that you're here! Come on!" She scurried off, leaving Ethan and Clara no choice but to follow.

"King Eric!" Mara raced through the throne room doors. However, she was quickly stopped by Major Mint.

"Young lady," he said sternly, "the king is busy. Surely you've heard of getting an audience?"

"Let her in," a familiar voice called. A bolt of warmth shot through Clara on hearing it. The two kids rushed ahead, but she hung back, suddenly nervous.

"Hey there," Eric said to the kids as Mara hopped on her lap and bounced with excitement.

"Eric! We brought you a surprise!" she shouted, excited.

"Great googly!" came a cry of surprise from the door. Eric looked up and stared for a long moment at Clara. Mara slid off his lap.

"Clara!" He jumped up and ran towards her. She ran towards him, and when they met in the middle, he caught her around the waist and lifted her, spinning her in the air. Then he drew her close, and their lips met.

They had a wonderful time at the ball, and Clara made it home on time, though she wanted to stay forever.