A Christmas Carousel (2020) - full transcript

This program is rated G

and is suitable for
general audiences.

[Melodic holiday music]

[vocalizing]

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas,
we wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you
a Merry Christmas ♪

Ooh, what do we have here?
We have a flying reindeer

and a snowman and a house
full of presents... great job.

Ooh, I love this. Is this your
whole family?

-[girl] Yes, Ms. Thomas.
-You've got a magic castle...

-is this your family?
-Yeah.



Okay, let's pack up...
it's time

for that surprise
I was telling you about.

What is it?
Can't you tell us now?

-Please, Ms. Thomas?
-Well, you know how

you're drawing
your favourite Christmas memory?

-Yes?
-Well, the surprise

is MY favourite
Christmas memory!

-Are you ready?
-[kids] Yeah!!

Let's go!

Say right here...

-[soft whirring]
-[gasps] What is it?

I'll show you!

-[soft holiday music]
-[kids cheering] Wow!

My great-grandfather
built this carousel,



and when I was little,
every Christmas my parents

would bring me here,
and we'd all ride together.

-It's so cool!
-It is, isn't it!?

-Who wants to ride?
-[all] Me!

Yay! Come on in! [laughs]

Your grandpa really
made this whole merry-go-round,

-Miss Thomas?
-My GREAT-grandpa did!

My dad and I did
the restoration, though.

-The restor-what?
-Res-tor-ation.

It's a big word for
making something old new again,

so kids like you can
have fun on it, just like I did!

-This one's my favourite!
-Mine too!

This is called
the Wishing Horse,

and my great-grandpa
put one on all of his carousels.

So you get
to make wishes on it?

You do, yes!
OK, everyone,

pick out
your horses and we'll go!

[woman] Speaking
of wishes coming true...

Nicole!
What are you doing here?

Well, it just so
happens that our wonderful

assistant principal
gave me a visit today.

... you're gonna
make me guess, aren't you?

[laughing]
OK, I'll give you a hint:

it's something you've
wanted for a very long time.

-World peace.
-Think more in the area of...

ultimate dream job?

The program director role
isn't opening up, is it?

You're a better
guesser than I thought!

[laughing]

[soft Christmas music]

[man humming]

Hands of a surgeon,
right, Dad?

-[Dad] Hmm, not too shabby, eh?
-Not bad for an old-timer.

What do you think,
honestly?

I think it's really nice.
Um, maybe...

could add
a little flourish on the edge?

Hmm.
Blue or chartreuse?

I'd go with blue.
A little more subtle.

-But still a statement.
-[Lila] Exactly.

So, how was
the last day of school?

Oh, great! The kids
loved the carousel, of course.

Of course. Hey, did you
show them the Wishing Horse?

Sure did.
They all made a wish, too.

-What about you?
-What do I need to wish for?

Oh, I don't know.
Mr. Right, maybe?

Seriously? Dad, no.
You did not just go there.

You can't blame
a dad for looking out

for his daughter's
best interest.

Well, I am so sorry
that I'm so busy

enjoying my life, I don't
have time to find Mr. Right.

Besides, I don't see you
burning up the dating apps.

Yeah, well. I had my
happily ever after. Your mom.

It's been eight years, Dad.
Maybe it's time.

Well, the only
thing I know right now

is I could
do with a peppermint mocha.

-What about you?
-Does Santa wear a red hat?

-Hmm?
-It's a joke.

-I'm making a Christmas joke.
-[both chuckling]

-Come on.
-I'll work on that one.

So I, um,
walked to Nicole today.

-Oh yeah? How's she doing?
-Good! Busy, as usual.

She said the program
director role was opening up.

Really?
You know anybody who's applying.

-Maybe.
-[cell phone ringing]

Oh, sorry, honey.
Let me see who this is.

-Yeah, of course.
-Thomas Carousel Restoration.

Yes, this is Roy Thomas.

Excuse me?

Hmm... No, no,
we can make the time.

W... when?

Yes.
No, we'd be honoured.

-[chuckling]
-Thank you!

Thank you very much.

"We would be honoured"?
Who was that?

The King of Ancadia.

[laughing]
Seriously, Dad, who was that?

She said she was the King's
royal assistant from Ancadia!

They want us to restore
your great-grandfather's

-Christmas carousel.
-Wait, what?

We're gonna be spending
Christmas in Ancadia!

[both laughing excitedly]

[Nicole] You're gonna
spend Christmas in Ancadia?

I guess so!
I just finished packing,

and now I'm furiously
wrapping Christmas presents.

Wait... Ancadia's
the one with that prince?

-What prince?
-He's in all the tabloids,

with his arm
around a different woman

at every
different red carpet event?

They call him
the "Casanova Prince."

[dryly] Great,
can't wait to meet him.

Anyway, you're gonna
apply for that program director

position
before you leave, right?

Um... yeah,
I... I don't... I don't know.

[Nicole] You really should!

With all
the programs you put together,

you're practically
a program director now!

-You'd be perfect.
-Thank you.

It's just that
it's a full-time job,

and I don't know
if I can realistically do that

and still help
my dad out with the business.

Is it really an either/or?

Yeah.
I... I really think it is.

[sighing]

["Joy To The World"
instrumental]

[bell chiming]
[train whistle blowing]

♪

-Ah! Mr. Thomas, Miss Thomas!
-Yes, that's us.

I'm Heidi,
the royal family's assistant.

-Welcome to Ancadia!
-Thank you for having us!

Of course.
The prince is delighted

you're able to fit us into your
schedule on such short notice.

Well, we're
delighted that you're delighted.

-Aren't we, honey?
-Yes, we're both very delighted.

-Wonderful! Shall we?
-Yes.

[chuckling]

♪

Prince Whitaker will be
the one overseeing the project.

He's quite
grateful for your help.

He feels very strongly that you
are the best in the business.

Well, that...
that's quite a compliment.

Well, I hope you feel
that you're able to achieve

the same standard of excellence
in such a short period of time.

A short period of time?

The carousel's
restorations are to be

a Christmas gift for
the King's granddaughter, Maya.

-A Christmas gift?
-Yes, we would like the carousel

to be presented
at the conclusion

of our traditional
Christmas Eve Gala.

Christmas... eve?
That's just two weeks away!

[Heidi]
Is that going to be a problem?

Would it be possible
to stop by the carousel first?

[Heidi] Absolutely!

♪

[Heidi] Almost there.

[Roy] It's definitely
seen better days.

Paint's peeling, and it looks
like there's some wood rot.

And that's my grandpa's
trademark Wishing Horse.

King Franz
had this carousel built

over 100 years ago
as a Christmas present for...

-His bride, Katherine!
-Of course.

You would know the story!
It was built

-by your grandfather...
-Grandfather!

[Heidi]
The prince started restoring

the exterior this year.

Oh... His attention
to detail is beautiful!

They're just
like the originals.

Yes, it was
very important to the prince

that we maintain the carousel's
historical integrity.

You've arrived just in time.
It's suffered so much neglect.

[Lila] The paint's
really in bad shape.

-OH!
-[man exclaiming]

I am SO sorry!
Are you OK?

Perfectly.
Is it safe to come down?

[flustered]
I just got distracted.

By the carousel, not...
by you.

Do you...
are you sure you're OK?

Absolutely. See?
[chuckling] No worse for wear.

[Lila] I, uh...
I think you dropped this.

Yes. Constantly trying
to make its escape, I'm afraid.

-It's a little dirty.
-Well, a dirty brush

is a small price to pay
for meeting a beautiful woman.

Alright!
Well, I should get back to work.

Well, I don't think
I've ever enjoyed

nearly crashing to
my death quite so much.

[chuckling] Good! I think.
It was nice bumping into you!

Oh, ha ha!
Yes, I see what you did there.

-[laughing]
-As for the working,

what do you,
uh, working at, exactly?

My father and I were just
hired to restore this carousel.

Oh, yes! From America.

-I've heard a lot about you.
-You have?

Well, yes. I'm an artist myself,
which explains the, uh...

the brush,
and the rather colourful outfit.

[laughing] Yes.
Well, I'm very impressed.

So will all
of these murals be repaired?

Uh... most.

Unfortunately,
the originals

were too badly
damaged to restore.

That's too bad. So you must
know the prince, then.

Um... quite well, actually.

-I hear he's a real ladies' man.
-Oh, yes, yes.

That... that rumour
does seem to get around.

Although, I would say he's more,
uh, friendly than roguish.

And that
is what every ladies' man says.

Mm-hmm...

well, I'll just go,
uh, wash this out, then.

♪

-[chuckling]
-Did you see the Wishing Horse?

-I did! Pretty incredible, huh?
-[Roy] Mmm.

-So, what do you think?
-Some of the stays are broken,

and the machinery
needs a little work.

And the weather
damage will take some to fix.

Is the Christmas
deadline still a possibility?

I don't think that
will be a problem at all.

I hate to toot
our own horn, but I'd agree.

Oh, I'm so pleased!

Maya has always
taken a great interest

in the carousel,
but mum's the word.

-We won't tell a soul.
-Wonderful.

Now, let's get you to the
cottage so you can freshen up

before your audience
with the royal family!

Oh.
I'm glad I brought a tie.

♪s

[Lila] We should get
our own royal cottage, Dad.

-This is lovely!
-I'll say!

[Heidi] You'll find
it has everything you need

to feel at home
during the holidays.

There's fresh
gingerbread in the kitchen,

and we'll be by in
the morning with a traditional

-Ancadian breakfast.
-[chuckling excitedly]

In the meantime,
if there's anything you need,

-just let me know.
-Thank you very much.

You're welcome.
We'll be back in an hour.

♪

We have Roy and
Lila Thomas from America

here to restore the carousel,

followed
by the Duke of Sterling

to discuss the Christmas
initiative with the prince.

Very good...
and where is Whitaker?

I'm sure he's on his way.

I suppose I should
be grateful he showed at least

some interest
in his royal duties.

But apparently
I'm asking far too much

-that he attend his own meeting!
-He'll be here.

The Duke will
not tolerate lateness.

How's my tie?
It feels a bit askew.

[Heidi] Uh... It's perfectly
straight, Your Majesty.

-Thank you, Heidi. Heidi...
-Yes?

Do you suppose
I'll ever be able to retire?

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♪

Maya! Please!
What are you doing here?

You can't retire, Grandpa.
You're too young.

I'm too young...
Maya, you can't simply

burst in here like this.
We have protocols.

[sighing] Fine. It was time
for singing lessons, anyway.

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la! ♪

I'll have you know,
a King certainly can retire!

I'd turn the kingdom
over to Whitaker in a heartbeat.

-If I felt he was ready.
-He could be ready.

[scoffs] The first
thing a King needs is a Queen.

I've never seen anyone
drag his feet quite like my son.

The time has come
for him to have a proper wife.

♪

[Heidi] Right this way.

♪

♪

♪

Presenting Miss Lila Thomas
and Mr. Roy Thomas.

His Majesty,
King Coventry of Ancadia.

[King] Welcome to Ancadia.

[Heidi] And his son,
His Highness Prince Whitaker.

[breathing heavily]

♪

[Whitaker] No need to bow.

[exhaling] Please,
feel free to call me Whitaker.

Mr. Thomas.
Miss Thomas.

This carousel
means a lot to our family.

-And to ours!
-Prince Whitaker has made

arrangements
for a delivery of the paints

and the additional
materials you requested

-for tomorrow morning.
-Thank you. Very much.

[Heidi]
Oh, uh, His Grace Haddingford,

the Duke of Sterling.
And his daughter, Lady Margaret.

Let's skip
the formalities, shall we?

-Ah, Sterling!
-Your Majesty.

I hear
you're interested in my manor.

[Whitaker] That's correct. Um,
as you know, every year the King

has a Christmas
initiative in order to bring

positive change
to our kingdom, and I have

been working all year
on plans of the creation

of a first-rate
art school here in Ancadia.

So, naturally, when I heard
of your intention to donate

the manor to a worthy
cause, well, I thought...

We already
have plenty of schools!

But this is no ordinary school.

My proposed school
would provide programs

across all artistic disciplines,

serving our people,
both... er, old and young.

Uh, and your manor
would be a perfect fit.

I'm a military man.
I have no interest

in drawing pictures and...
scampering about in tutus.

[nervous chuckling] Yes.
I took the liberty of preparing

a, uh, a proposal,
where you can see, uh...

[clearing throat] the...
the outlines of the programs,

and how it might
benefit our kingdom.

Eh, give it to Margaret, please.
She's managing the donation

of the estate...
I want to make it very clear:

yours is not the only proposal
we will be considering.

Right.

♪

Whitaker!

[indistinct conversation]

[sighs]
My apologies about my father.

Oh, no, no, no.
No apologies necessary, darling.

-Would you show us?
-Ah, Margaret,

please meet
Mr. and Miss Thomas.

They've come
to restore the carousel

as a surprise
Christmas gift for Maya.

Oh, how sweet of you, Whit!

The prince
has always had such a soft spot

-for that silly old thing.
-[Whitaker chuckling]

Well, I do hope
you can join us for tea.

Oh, actually...

we were hoping to get
started on the carousel tonight.

Oh, well, surely you
can spare a few minutes!

Our Christmas
scones are quite famous.

OK.
A few minutes would be great.

Great. Fantastic.
See you in there.

["The First Noel" plays]

Our, uh, special holiday recipe.

The chef adds
just a hint of ginger,

and a few other
secret ingredients.

-Can I ask you something?
-Of course.

When do you
get used to all this?

I can't help feeling
a little out of my league.

Don't worry.
When I first came to work here,

I felt as though I had marbles

in my mouth
every time I tried to speak!

Well, I'm glad
I'm not the only one.

Oh, trust me, Mr. Thomas,
you're doing just fine.

Would you mind calling me Roy?

Mr. Thomas sounds
a little bit like my dad.

Roy, then.

Margaret, I'm curious.

What do you think of
Whitaker's plans for the manor?

Well, I'm sure you know,
I've always loved the arts.

Such a wonderful... diversion.

Don't you agree?

♪

Ah.

If you'll excuse me.

♪

You know, I'm... just...

♪

So.

I feel as if
I owe you an explanation.

No, no, no.
No need.

I appreciate that,
but I must apologize

if I wasn't exactly...
[chuckles] forthcoming

-in our first meeting.
-Well, would have been

preferable if you had
mentioned that you are my boss.

And also the fact that
you happen to run a country.

Yes, well, of course.
Uh, it's just that,

if given the chance, I prefer
not to lead with my title.

I find that it's a bit
of a conversation stopper.

Is there anything
else that I need to know?

Uh, I don't believe so.

Like, I won't find
out tomorrow morning

that you're an international
spy, or something like that?

I'm not going to
rule out that possibility,

but for now, the only thing

that I hadn't told
you is that I was royalty.

So, tell me,
Miss Thomas,

have you and your father
been in the toy business long?

Actually,
Lila and her father

are professional
restoration masters.

And in my opinion,
the best there are.

Well, it's mostly my father.
I just... I help out when I can.

Oh!
You only work part-time?

No, I'm also an art teacher.

Really? I have the highest
respect for teachers.

They're quite
treasured here in Ancadia.

Ah, yes, they
most certainly are.

[both chuckling]

♪

[Lila] Well, we've got nine
legs that need to be replaced.

[Roy] And that mechanism's
rusted up pretty good.

I need my crescent wrench,
I left it back at the cottage.

-You need anything?
-Nope, I'm good.

-[Whitaker] Hello.
-Oh, hello!

Well, looks
like you've come for work.

Ha! Only if you don't
mind me getting in your way.

[Roy] Not in the least.
I'll see you in a bit.

-See ya.
-[Lila] Bye, Dad.

Well!

How are you
settling in at the cottage?

Fine, thanks.
Art school sounds great.

Oh! Yes. Yes,
I do hope it finds a good home.

The Manor would be perfect.

Well,
I am sure your girlfriend

will put in a good
word with her father.

-Girlfriend?.
-Yes, Margaret.

Tall, beautiful,
very put together?

Right, that Margaret.
No, she's not my girlfriend.

Oh, I must have
gotten that wrong, then.

There's no worries.
It's perfectly understandable.

Because if she was your
girlfriend, that pickup line...

-Pickup line?
-Mhm. The paintbrush?

You calling
me a beautiful lady?

Oh.
Ah, that wasn't a pickup line.

Oh! I must have
gotten confused, then.

That was simply
me being friendly.

Oh, yes, right. That...
that part. That was confusing.

Well, not too
confusing, however,

-since it wasn't a pickup line.
-Exactly.

Excellent.
Well, it appears

-we're all sorted, then.
-Completely sorted.

We can carry on,
the air cleared, so to speak.

Carrying on like you never
said anything to begin with.

Perfect.
Ah, yes, well...

♪

Carousel's
already looking better.

You and your
father work quickly.

a good team, weren't we?

-[Lila] Like peanut butter!
-And jelly!

You know, I've been thinking...
You need to get that?

[Lila] Um, no, it's OK.
What were you saying?

Well, just that
maybe you should think about

cutting back on the teaching
and those art programs of yours.

You know,
it might not be a bad idea

to invest a little
more time in the business.

-Hadn't really thought about it.
-Well, maybe you should.

When I do decide to
turn in the old shaping tools,

there's only one
person who could take my place.

-That's very sweet, Dad.
-[Roy] Sweet nothing.

You got a gift, honey.
You always have.

-You don't wanna waste that.
-Thank you.

Well,
speaking of wasting time,

we best get back.
You know what they say:

-"You gotta make carousels..."
-"...while the sun shines!"

You know that
doesn't make any sense, right?

[Roy] No.

So!

-Enjoying the cottage?
-We are!

A bit confused
by the herring breakfast.

Ah, yes,
an Ancadian tradition.

Truly terrifying
in the mornings...

fish eyes just
looking up at you,

first thing
with your coffee.

-It's the worst.
-[chuckling]

[soft music]

Something wrong?

Something's
just not quite right.

I think it looks
like a fine tomahawk.

-[Lila] This is a horse's leg.
-Oh.

Yes. It doesn't have
the right movement to it.

Oh... hmm.

Yes, it must
be difficult to make something

static look like it's
about ready to gallop off.

That's it exactly.

May I show you something?
I think it might help.

-This isn't a pickup line.
-[laughing]

[galloping]

♪

[Lila] That is movement!

They're so beautiful.
Are they yours?

[Whitaker]
They belong to the crown.

But I do have
my own personal favourite.

-[horses neighing]
-[smooching]

[whispers] Hey...

Oh!
[laughing]

-Hi!
-Hi.

Wow!
[laughing] I think someone...

-I think someone likes you.
-Well, I have a secret weapon.

Not as high-tech
is the rest of my international

spy gadgets,
but effective nevertheless.

-So the truth finally comes out.
-Ah, not entirely.

I'm afraid
if I reveal all my secrets,

you may be forced
into witness protection.

I'm sorry to say, he is quite
motivated by food more than me.

It's a little disappointing.
Would you like to feed him?

-I would love to.
-Here. Keep your hand flat,

-flat and open, like this.
-Alright.

Make sure all your
digits are protected.

-[Lila squealing]
-[both laughing]

At least until
the carousel's complete

Back, back. Good boy.

-For the record...
-Hmm?

I think I may have
jumped to conclusions about you.

-Is that right?
-Yeah, I kind of lumped you in

with some
of the guys I used to date.

Ahh. Dated a lot
of princes, have you?

[laughing]
Let's just say, a few of them

were pretty proud
of their Casanova status.

Hmm. Well, since
this is true confession time,

any rumours you
may have heard about me...

-In the tabloids?
-They really are just friends.

International spy's honour.

[chuckling]
[horses neighing]

Tell me more
about your teaching.

Well, it started
seven years ago,

when the restoration
business was a little slow.

-Mmm. And you enjoy it?
-I love it.

I never would have guessed it
at the time, but there's nothing

I would rather do than teach art
and plan programs.

-Do I sense a "but"?
-No. I'm just...

at a pretty big crossroads
right now, that's all.

♪

[Whitaker] So, what type
of crossroad is this of yours?

Is it exciting or agonizing?

-[Lila] Agonizing, to be honest.
-[Whitaker] Oh no.

A program director position
at my school just opened up.

It's my dream job,
and I can't even bring myself

-to apply for it.
-Why not?

I guess I can't
imagine leaving restoration.

It's always defined
my relationship with my dad,

and I don't know what either of
us would have done without it

-when my mom passed.
-Mmm. Which makes taking

the program director
position quite complicated?

Let's just
say it was always assumed

-I would carry the mantle.
-Ah, yes. Mantle-carrying.

Quite a strenuous job,
isn't it?

Speaking from experience?

[chuckling]
Suffice it to say, my father

never expected his only
son would have more interest

in a paintbrush than a crown.

♪

Your paintwork
is really exquisite.

[Lila] Thanks.
So, what about you?

How does a prince
become a painter, exactly?

Well, actually, I have
Margaret to thank you for that.

Or, more specifically,
Margaret's grandmother.

-Really?
-[Whitaker] Ah, yes.

Um, back when the Duke and his
wife used to use the manor,

Margaret's grandmother would
set up easels for Mags and me.

-That sounds lovely
-Ahh. For me, it was heaven.

But the Duke found his
mother-in-law's art session...

how should I put it...
uh... perplexing, I suppose.

But you became an artist!

Yes, painting
has become my main focus,

but I've studied
nearly all the arts.

Erm,
painting, sculpting, music,

art history,
intense basket-weaving.

-[laughing]
-It all started at the Manor.

So that's why
the manor means so much to you.

It's not just a space for
the school, this is personal.

I suppose it is.

However, I'm facing
an uphill battle with the Duke.

[Lila]
He's a military man, right?

Through and through.

He views the world
in a... how should I put it...

-a rather concrete manner.
-And art is abstract.

It's too bad
we can't make him see

-how life-changing art can be.
-Indeed.

I've seen a lot
of people change their mind

about the arts when
they experience it firsthand.

That must be wonderful,
but difficult to imagine.

Not if you present it in
a way that people can relate to.

Hang on.

-You've just solved everything.
-I have?

We're both going to
get exactly what we want,

and you're
going to help me do it.

I'm not...it,.

I'm not following.
What's the "Art Of Christmas"?

It's the name of
the event we want to put on.

So,
the Duke loves Christmas,

but isn't so
sure about the arts.

-OK, I got that part.
-Right, so, Lila and I

are devising a program
that features singing,

instrumental music, painting...

It'll basically give
the Duke a first-hand experience

of what Whitaker's
School will actually be like.

Essentially, we'd be
bringing the arts to life

in order to persuade the Duke
to give his manor to the school.

-And what about the carousel?
-I will be here every day

from 7:00 to noon,
and then I'll call you

as soon as we're done,
and I can come back after.

Sounds like
a pretty busy schedule.

Have I ever let you down before?

Never.

♪

[Heidi]
Hello? Is anyone here?

Hey, Heidi!

I came to invite you
and Lila to our Christmas tree

lighting tonight,
but where is everyone?

Have you got a minute?

Are you
concerned that the carousel

-won't be finished in time?
-A little.

But it's not really that.
I... I don't know.

What is it?

Just that Lila's
been so busy teaching lately.

I was kind of looking forward to
spending a little time with her.

I know it probably sounds silly.

No, not at all!
I know that feeling very well.

-You have kids?
-Four.

All in
different countries.

Different countries?
How do you handle that?

Carefully. I learned a long time
ago that the best way of keeping

my children close was by
letting them go, I suppose.

-But don't you miss them?
-Terribly.

Especially since my husband
passed away several years ago.

But I love my work,
and we visit whenever we can.

I'm sorry to
hear about your husband.

I'm a widower.
Eight years.

It's almost five for me.

It's funny how it
seems like just yesterday.

But on the other hand,
time has flown by.

Isn't that the truth.

Do you mind if I ask
you kind of a personal question?

Well, it depends.
What is it?

Do your kids
ever try to set you up?

Ah! Yes.

They created a profile for me
on one of those dating apps.

Lila did the
same thing for me, too!

Did you ever
go on one of those dates?

I did.
He spent the whole of the night

trying to sell me insurance.

Mine tried to read my aura.

It's blue...
whatever that means.

I guess we're both
just a little old-fashioned.

I suppose we are.

So, I hope
that you will be able to attend

the Christmas
tree lighting tonight.

I wouldn't
miss it for the world.

[soft piano music]
[laughing]

[Lila] OK! So I will
call around to schools

and see if
we can get some student artwork.

Is the venue gonna allow us
to hang paintings on the wall?

Yes, that won't be a problem.
Ah, you know, on that topic,

I actually
teach monthly art class.

We could feature some
of the paintings, if you'd like.

-Really?
-What, you don't like the idea?

No, I love the idea.
[hushed] I'm just surprised

that a prince
would do something like that.

Well, what can I say?
I'm a man of my people.

Can you have them do some winter
scenes for our Christmas theme?

Yes, that will
be our next class.

Perfect! OK, so now
we need to pick out music.

-[Whitaker] Mhm.
-We need to find a guitarist,

audition some singers,
get decorations for the space...

And how do you feel about giving
a speech the opening night?

Hmm. Um... mmm.
Can I think about it?

It's just, public speaking
and I have never been friends.

[chuckling] OK. Adding
"speech" to the list. Check!

Um so, how many, uh, items does
that spreadsheet have so far?

Um, we've got...
four, seven, twelve, twen...

twenty-four...
And we're not done.

Um, what do you think
of the idea of adding

an acapella solo
to the Christmas Eve gala?

I love it.
So we can focus on fine art

and instrumental
music the first night,

and save all the soloists
for the Christmas Eve gala.

On that topic...
[exhaling]

My niece studies voice.
Would it be far too nepotistic

for me to give her
the Christmas Eve solo?

-I think that is very sweet.
-[Whitaker] Good.

Great. So, it's five o'clock.
If we get started now...

Oh my gosh, I completely forgot.
The Christmas tree decorating.

-Christmas tree decorating?
-That's a great idea...

No, no, no, no! The royal
Christmas tree decorating

-at the... at the palace!
-Oh.

-You're gonna love it.
-[Lila] OK!

♪

-I just love all the detail.
-[Whitaker] Yes, of course.

-Madame. Good evening, sir.
-[Lila] Hello.

[Whitaker] So, the thing
about these frescoes

is they were painted
with egg yolk.

Which makes some of the yellow...
The same thing that DaVinci...

-Whoa, there, Stringbean!
-Hi, Uncle Whit!

-Lila, this is Maya, my niece.
-Hello!

Maya's perhaps
the only person in the world

who can both skip and sing
at full volume at the same time!

Well, that is quite a skill.
Congratulations!

It's sort
of a habit of mine, really.

Maya's parents are
good enough to let us have her

all to ourselves
this Christmas holiday.

But mother and father
will be back for Christmas.

They love to ski, but not me.
Are you working with Uncle Whit?

-I am.
-Yes...

Lila is helping me
plan the Art Of Christmas.

What's the Art Of Christmas?

Well, I will
tell you all about it,

but we shouldn't keep
your grandfather waiting.

Come on. Follow me,
I know all the shortcuts.

♪ Deck the halls
with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la-la,
la-la-la-la! ♪

[Whitaker] Well, now
that the tree is decorated,

it's time to light the
traditional Christmas carousel.

Ah, look how pretty it is!

Do you like our
Christmas carousel?

Well, it isn't
exactly what I expected,

-but yes, I like it very much!
-Good.

Now, it's time
for my favourite part:

-Christmas cookies!
-They're so good!

Maya makes them
with Whitaker every year.

[King] Whitaker,
tell me more about this

program
of yours and Miss Thomas.

It sounds,
er, quite ambitious.

Well, I don't disagree.

But in addition to teaching,
Miss Thomas

has quite a bit of experience
planning art programs.

So she assures me
that we can manage it.

Miss Thomas,
you are a woman of many skills.

She's been that way ever
since she was a little girl.

I had her working alongside me
when she was... well, Maya's age!

Well, it's only
because I have a father

who always believed I could
do anything I set out to do.

[Maya] What about singing?
You've got to have singing

at the art event, right?

We were actually hoping
that you could sing a solo.

At the Christmas Eve Gala.
What do you think of that?

A solo?!
Did you hear that, Grandpa?

-I did indeed.
-I've never sung solo before.

I mean,
in front of an audience.

Well, from
what I've heard so far,

I think you
are the person for the job.

She caught
me singing in the hall!

But I can do much
better if I'm not skipping.

Yes.
What do you say, Stringbean?

Can we pick a song?
I have a song book in my room.

-Come, let me show you!
-She doesn't waste any time...

No.
You two will make a great team.

Whitaker?
A moment, please.

Miss Thomas...
er, your involvement is, er,

strictly professional,
I assume?

Yes, of course.

Good.
Very good. Carry on.

♪

♪ We wish you a merry Christmas,
we wish you a merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year ♪

Oh!
That was wonderful, Maya!

It was a bit
shaky in the middle part.

You do not worry. By the time
the gala rolls around,

you're going to be able to sing
this backwards in your sleep.

I think that's
a wonderful rehearsal technique.

But then, I've always
been a proponent of singing

-backwards in one's sleep.
-He's just joking.

Me?!
Joke? Uh-uh.

[deep, goofy voice]
Princes don't joke.

Only you,
but I'll allow it.

Well, if you will allow me
to say so, we have a lot of work

to do today,
so we better get going.

She's a wicked taskmaster.
You don't want to cross her.

♪

Here you go.

-It's gonna be right here.
-Oh, yeah.

It really is exquisite,
Roy.

Well, it better be.
It's a Wishing Horse

A Wishing Horse?

Oh, that sounds
quite scientific.

Are you doubting
the power of the Wishing Horse?

No, of course not. No,
it sounds entirely foolproof.

Alright.
So how does one go about

-wishing on a Wishing Horse?
-Well, the first rule

is you need a wish.
And the most important rule

is that you wait until the third
rotation to make your wish.

Got it. Only promise not
to reveal any of this to Maya,

or she'll have
a horse living in her closet.

She's coming to
our art class today... oh, wait!

-Yes! Speaking of which...
-Oh, yes.

Dad, we've got to go,
but I will come back later

-and help clean all this up.
-You two go. I'll get it.

Mmm, you're the best.

I love what you're doing there.
It's very bright.

Now, you have really
captured the moment! Keep going.

-Yes?
-I can't seem to get

-the feeling I want.
-Which is?

[student] I want it
to feel welcoming and warm.

The way you do at Christmas!

Um... I would, um, focus
on the light in the windows.

[Whitaker] You know,
light is always a challenge.

I've often run into
the same problem myself.

-May I suggest a trick?
-I'd be honoured, Your Highness.

Er, please, just Whit. Um, so,
let's start with the base colour

you're working with,
which is already quite good.

Now, let's switch
the blending brush.

[overlapping chatter]

It is refreshing
to remember that there's

-more to life than simply work.
-Absolutely.

-This is nice, isn't it?
-It is.

[Whitaker, Lila, & Maya singing]

♪ We wish you a merry Christmas
and a happy new year ♪

[laughing]

Heidi! Roy!

You're taking
a little break finally, I see.

No, no,
we're actually hard at work.

We painted
our Christmas paintings,

and now helping pick out
decorations for the art event!

Well! Wouldn't
want to interrupt your work.

-You guys have fun.
-[Lila] You too!

[Maya] Whoa!
What about these decorations?

Can we get some, Uncle Whit?

-Alright. Two boxes, please.
-[girl] Hi, Maya!

[Whitaker] I never
hear the end of it with you.

[Maya] That's my friend Rachel.
Can I go say hi?

As long as
you stay in the market...

-[Maya] I promise!
-Really?

Thank you very much.
Merry Christmas.

OK, so I don't think I told you,
but one of the choirs

has a scheduling conflict,
but I'm working on that.

And I'm hoping you
know some other painters,

because I'd like to fill all
the walls for the opening night.

What? Do I have
something in my teeth?

Just... I don't
believe I've thanked you.

-For what?
-For helping me.

Well, I'm glad I could.

This gave me a chance
to do something I love.

Good. I feel the same way.

Wow!
This is beautiful.

That is perfect for Christmas.

-Good. It's yours.
-What?!

Oh, no, no, no!
I shouldn't have said anything.

-[Whitaker] Please, I want to.
-This is WAY too much.

Ah, well,
I'm sorry, I'm afraid I want to.

-[cell phone chiming]
-[Lila inhales sharply]

Oh, don't tell me one
of the choirs is cancelled.

No, it's my colleague.
She's asking if I've applied

for that program
director position yet.

And something
tells me you haven't.

I feel bad enough leaving my
dad as much as I do right now.

I can't imagine
leaving the business entirely.

Well, I could be wrong,
but, uh, perhaps your father's

-more resilient than you think.
-Maybe.

But I do know that
fathers can be tricky business.

Yeah, that's
a good way of putting it.

-Shall we?
-[Lila] Yes.

I had a wonderful time.

Us too!
Right, Uncle Whit?

We most certainly did.
Goodnight.

-Goodnight. Goodnight.
-Goodnight!

[Lila chuckling]

[door creaks & clicks shut]

I really like her! Do you?

Can you keep a secret?

[hushed] I do too.

♪

♪

OK.
Off to bed with you.

-Goodnight, Uncle Whit.
-Goodnight, Stringbean.

♪

Father.
What are you still doing up?

We need to talk.

[ominous music]

I'll get right to the point.

I believe you're spending
too much time with Miss Thomas.

We're working
on palace business, Father.

I thought you'd be pleased.

Initiative aside,
I feel I must be frank:

Miss Thomas
is not my only concern.

Is that so?

I can't help thinking...
your lightheartedness

and creative
pursuits on the whole...

well, they detract
from more serious concerns

you should be
attending to as prince.

I... I understand.
You like to have a good time

-and dabble in art...
-Dabble?

Is that what you
think of what I do?

Whitaker...
there is a certain gravitas

the future
king must demonstrate.

All his activities
must reflect a seriousness

and decorum worthy of the crown!

And in that regard... well, you
have fallen short of the mark.

I'd hoped that I wouldn't
need to explain all that,

-but perhaps I do.
-No, no, no, Father.

You have made that
perfectly clear for years.

Then you must
know that marriage

is a part of accepting
your position in life.

And Margaret is perfectly suited
for the role of your wife.

I don't love Margaret, Father.

It's time you signified
your intention to marry.

I only have your best
interest at heart, Whitaker.

[chuckling dryly]

Whether you believe that or not.

Ask Margaret to the gala.
Goodnight.

[sighing]

♪

♪

♪

-Oh, hello!Good morning!

You're off
to an early start.

Yes, well, the event
starts tomorrow, and, uh...

I had a bit of a hard time
getting to sleep last night, so.

It looks like
you pretty much finished!

Oh, yes. Well, ah,
one or two more touch-ups,

but the murals should
be all finished by Christmas.

Well,
I brought you some coffee.

Oh, thanks!
Well, I'm... I'm off.

Where to?

Uh, Heidi's meeting me at the
gallery to hang the paintings.

I thought you and I were
gonna do that together?

Yes, but, you know,
I just figured that you,

er, you know,
you had your hands full here,

and she's already
planned to meet me.

-Right.
-[Whitaker] Yeah.

-OK.
-Keep up the good work, you two.

♪

♪

I would have thought
that Lila would have been

-the one to help with this.
-Yes, well,

she's quite busy
at the moment, so...

Whitaker, has your
father spoken to you about Lila?

Ah. Ah-ha-ha.

Ah,
you've heard about that, huh?

No. No,
um, but I did see the aftermath.

[exhaling]

Your Highness, I know this
is an extremely personal matter,

-but may I be candid?
-Of course.

At my age,
you begin to understand

that there truly
is nothing of value except love.

And all the rest, even an entire
kingdom, pales in comparison.

If you get a chance at it,
don't let it pass.

[exhaling]

[Roy]
You seem awfully quiet today.

I do?

You're a lot like your mom.
You know that?

She had a hard time
asking for what she needed,

even though she
was a very strong woman.

Are you saying I'm not
asking for something I need?

I may be way off base here,
but my guess

sis you need to figure out
where you stand with Whitaker.

-Am I right?
-You're right.

It's just...
it's all pretty confusing.

Honey...
if you don't know something,

the easiest
way to find out is to ask.

It's that simple.

♪

-Hello!
-Hello.

Thank you
for letting me stop by.

Of course.

I know you
were busy this morning.

Yes, yes. Now, I've...
I've wanted to talk to you too.

♪

There you are.

-Thank you.
-My pleasure.

It's hard to believe
the art event starts tomorrow.

Yes. Even harder to believe
that everything is done!

Right?
No more planning.

-So, I wanted...
-[Whitaker] Lila...

You first.

Ah. Well...
[uncomfortable chuckling]

Yes. Um...

[sighing]
Well, I thought...

perhaps,
before we went any further...

Look, anyone
that entertains any

sort of relationship
with me needs to understand

that things
are going to be complicated.

Complicated. How?

Well, um, take,
for instance, my father.

He expects
quite a lot of me,

and, uh, for instance,
he's rather keen

that I should take Margaret
to the Christmas Eve gala.

-I didn't know that.
-Yes, well, you see the...

the gala has historically
been a venue for royalty

to announce
one's intentions to marry.

And you're taking
Margaret to the gala.

Well, I hadn't planned on it,
no, but I'm...

I'm getting off track here,
so let me...

let me
try this another way. Um...

♪

For years, I have
avoided marriage,

because if I did marry,

I would be expected
to ascend the throne.

Are you saying you
don't want to be king?

No.

No, it's not that.
It's just that I...

I don't want to be forced
to become someone that I'm not.

And you would
have to do that as king?

Yes. There is a certain
mould that one must fit into.

I would essentially be
required to give up everything

that is dear to me:
My art, my creativity,

even my sense of humour.

But if you are king,
couldn't you be anyone you want?

[chuckling]

I only wish
it were that simple.

Um... the point is this.

Uh...
Because I have avoided marriage,

for years
I made women my friends

rather than get involved, which
is why I wanted to talk to you.

Uh, I felt it was only
fair to tell you how I feel.

OK. I...
I understand.

I... I mean,
I feel the same way.

You do?

Yeah. I... I do.

Good.

Then we can
both agree that we're...

Friends.

♪

Exactly.

♪

Well, I guess
that calls for a toast.

-Um, to... friendship?
-To friendship.

[clink]

♪

♪

Thank you
for showing me the lights.

-Of course.
-And...

I guess we'll
both see each other tomorrow.

-Yes.
-Good.

Tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Yes.
Goodnight.

♪

♪

How did it go?

Not as I hoped.

[soft sombre music]

♪

[sighs and clears throat]

[phone ringing]

[sighs]
Hello, Margaret.

No, no, no, no.
I'm well. Just a bit tired.

Yes, well,
I, uh... [laughs]

sorry to do this at such a late
date, but you know, You know me!

Um, I was wondering,
if you're not otherwise engaged,

if you might
consider accompanying me

to the Christmas Eve gala.

Christmas" instrumental]A y

-[guests laughing & chatting]
-Oh, wow!

Hi! Welcome to the first
annual Art of Christmas.

Boy, you sure
did it up right, hun.

-Has the Duke arrived yet?
-Yes.

He's over there
with Margaret and the King.

I will go
and put in a good word.

-[Roy] Everything looks great!
-Thanks.

♪

Very nice.
Very Christmassy.

Yes, they are, aren't they?

This one's quite nice,
isn't it?

There's something about it...

it reminds me
of when I was young.

It really
is quite lovely, isn't it?

Yes. Uh...

-Grandpa, have you seen mine?
-I don't believe I have.

Look,
it's you and me and Uncle Whit

and Lila
at the Christmas tree lighting.

-Why it is, isn't it?
-Do you like it?

No, I don't like it.
I love it!

[muttering under breath]

I believe
it's time for your speech!

Right. About that.
Um...

I'm just not sure if it's right.

It's what you said
last night, it stuck with me.

-What did?
-Just because I'm royalty

doesn't mean that I'm required
to be something that I'm not,

and this speech, I...
I'm afraid it sounds

like something
my father would say, not me.

Well, it's up to you, but I vote
for being the real you.

-The real me?
-Yes, the real you.

Just be your warm,
witty, charming self.

That's truly how you see me?

That's truly how I see you.

♪

-No pressure.
-[Lila] Thank you so much.

Hello!

Can I have your attention,
please?

Welcome to
the opening night

of the first annual
Art of Christmas celebration.

I'm Lila Thomas,
and I have had the pleasure

of helping Prince Whitaker
organize this event.

So, without further ado,
Prince Whitaker has a few words.

-Your Highness?
-[exhaling]

[attendees applauding]

Uh... [nervous laughter]
[clearing throat]

Ah, sorry.
Good evening.

Hello. Alright...

Uh, thank you
for coming out to the...

the first annual
Art of Christmas event,

um, celebrating Ancadia's
wonderful young artists,

uh, and... and old artists.

As many
of you know, we are, um, uh,

starting an art school
here in the community,

and tonight
is just a small snapshot

of what that school will be.

[scattered muttering]

[soft music]

Hmm... I must admit,
I... I had a much longer

and somewhat formal
speech prepared, but I, uh...

well, the truth is, I'm...

I'm not actually
a very formal person.

In fact, I spend most
of my days covered in paint.

-[attendees laughing]
-It's true!

I suppose you
could say that, um,

pomp and circumstance
aren't important to me.

But art is.

People are.

And as Miss Thomas,
my partner in this event,

so beautifully put it:
"once someone really connects

with art,
there's no going back."

Lives can be enriched forever,
just as my life

has been enriched
from my involvement in the arts.

And I hope
tonight's event is a...

is evidence of that.

♪

With that said,
um, may your holidays

be noisy and merry, if you
like them noisy and merry.

May they be quiet
and peaceful

if you like
them quiet and peaceful.

But mostly, I hope
they are filled with love...

♪

And maybe
a little less herring.

[attendees laughing]

Alright, enjoy the event.
Merry Christmas, everyone!

[all applauding]

And what do
you think of Whitaker's

-school project, Miss Thomas?
-I think it's a testament

to his creativity,
generosity, and imagination.

-You were incredible!
-Ah.

Couldn't have
done it without you.

♪

-Goodnight. Thank you.
-Goodnight.

-Lovely night. Very festive.
-Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Sorry Margaret
had to leave so early.

Oh, um, well, um...
we have several lovely

vocal performances tomorrow
night, including my niece.

I look forward to it.

Ah, may I assume
you are still entertaining

our proposal
for the Christmas initiative?

I am. In fact,
I've narrowed my decision

-to you and one other proposal.
-Well.

Uh, hopefully it wouldn't
be too forward of me

to say that I hope
we come out the victor.

Yes.
Well. Goodnight, everyone.

Goodnight.

Whitaker! I believe
everyone enjoyed the evening.

-I hope so, Father.
-And thank you, Miss Thomas.

-I was quite impressed.
-[Lila] Thank you.

-Goodnight.
-Goodnight, Your Majesty.

♪

That was the first
time I've ever heard

my father approve
of one of my endeavours.

Even if he did
say to you, rather than to me.

He's never told you
that he's proud of you?

Actually, no...
not that it matters.

No, but it does matter.
To both of you.

We don't share
the same kind of closeness

-that you and your father do.
-Well, maybe this is his way

of taking
a step in the right direction.

-[Whitaker exhaling]
-So, what about the Duke?

You think
we have them convinced?

I think
we made some inroads,

but in the end,
he seemed quite non-committal.

If only there was some
way we could tip the scales.

Well, it's as you said.
I mean, a truly personal

connection to
the arts would be best, but...

What if we had Maya sing
his favourite Christmas song?

I think
that might be a good idea.

-Do you know what it is?
-No. But...

-I know someone who might.
-[laughing]

Hang on.

-[phone line ringing]
-[Margaret] Hello?

Margaret!
Sorry for calling so late.

Um, I was wondering,
does your father have

-a favourite Christmas song?
-Favourite Christmas song?

Yes,
I believe there was one!

It involved a family tradition.

They would gather around
the fireplace on Christmas Eve,

open a single gift,
and then close it with a song.

-Excellent.
-Do you remember

-the name of the song?
-Uh, actually, no.

No, it's always
actually frustrated Father.

He wanted
to reprise the tradition,

but he couldn't remember
the name of the song. I'm sorry.

Thank you for trying.
We appreciate it.

Uh, yes, we do, very much.

You're welcome.
Well, goodnight.

Goodnight.
I have an idea.

Ah! Follow me.
Come on!

["Joy To The World"
instrumental]

Ah!
Can't sleep, eh?

I think I'm nervous
about my solo tomorrow.

-What are you doing?
-I wanted to check

something
in the royal histories.

Searching the records
about a certain song.

Ancadia has long-kept
handwritten accounts

of all the royal
houses and their traditions,

and I was always
fascinated by these as a child

because they were so detailed,
and some even came with these

-beautifully-rendered drawings.
-Can I help?

Sure. We're looking
for the Sterling House,

something about
a song sung on Christmas Eve.

Come on!

Oh, it's gotten late.

To bed with you, Stringbean.

Wait, come look at this.

Do you think
this could be the song?

Sterling Christmas Eve...
yes, I think this might be it.

And the tradition started
in 1909 and ended in 1959.

"The Coventry Carol." Hmm.

♪

-[giggling]
-Maya, do you think

you could sing this
for your solo tomorrow instead?

A new song?
I don't know.

Well, why don't you sleep on it,
and we can try it tomorrow?

-Off you go.
-Yes.

-Goodnight.
-Goodnight!

[wind whistling softly]

I don't feel good.
My stomach feels funny.

[Whitaker] I think they call
that stage fright, little bug..

It took me almost two weeks
to get the other song perfect!

I can't get
a new one perfect in one day.

No one expects
you to do it perfectly.

Look, I know
that sometimes it feels

like people
expect a lot of us,

-but all we can do is our best.
-And you love singing!

So you just have to
let that shine through.

Sometimes it's important for us
to do what's difficult for us.

We wouldn't want our
fears to hold us back, would we?

How does the other one go?

Do you want me to sing it,
and then you can try?

Alright.
It goes like this:

♪ Lu-lei-bell little,
tiny child ♪

♪ Bye-bye lu-lee,
lu-lei ♪

-You wanna sing with me?
-Yeah! [laughs]

♪ Lu-lei-bell
little, tiny child ♪

♪ Bye-bye lu-lee,
lu-lei ♪

You were
wonderful with her in there.

[Lila] Oh, thank you.

Lila, Whatever happens, I just
want you to know something.

I think you're wonderful, too.

I feel the same way.

I mean, about you,
not about... me.

-Did I just ruin that?
-[laughs] No.

-Good.
-No, not at all.

No, you did just fine.
[chuckling]

Um...
oh, and, by the way...

-What is it?
-Well, it's a thank you.

And a, uh, bit of an early
Christmas present, I suppose.

[Lila gasping]
Oh, Whit!

It's the necklace
from the Christmas market.

[laughs] Do you like it?

I love it!
[giggling]

-Good. May I?
-[Lila] Of course.

♪

I want you...
I want you to wear this...

♪

...whenever you feel that you
don't have the proper courage

to ask for whatever
it is you truly want.

Thank you.

I love it.

Yes, well...

♪

I've really
enjoyed our time together,

so thank you
for everything.

♪

OK. Well,
I should get back to my dad.

Indeed.

Thank you.

♪

♪

[Whitaker] Father?
I've been doing some thinking.

[King]
Whitaker. Afternoon.

I know we haven't seen
eye-to-eye on many things.

I also know
that it's not our way

to discuss our differences,
let alone our feelings,

but someone, namely Lila,
has encouraged me to at...

well, at least try.

-She did, did she?
-Yes.

And look, I know how
you feel about Miss Thomas,

but the fact is,
I've developed certain feelings.

Look, the long
and short of it is,

I can't take
Margaret to the gala.

-Good decision.
-Please, just...

listen to me for once!
I...

Excuse me?

[soft music]

[sighing]
I owe you an apology.

You do?

I should never have
forced your hand with Margaret.

Clearly you and Lila
had an affinity from the start.

But it wasn't until the art
show when I finally understood

how important it
was for you to be with someone

who not only understands
and compliments you...

♪

...but who makes you shine.

♪

I only wish I could have
done the same many years ago.

♪

Um... so...

You have my blessing, son.

♪

♪

[sniffling] Ah.

[chuckling]
That was awkward, wasn't it?

No. No, not at all.

I'm very
proud of you, son.

Thank you, Father.
That, uh...

[clearing throat]
means the world to me.

♪

-Excuse me, Lila?
-Oh, hi!

I was actually
hoping to find Whitaker.

Oh. He...
he just left a little while ago.

Oh. Yeah, I just... I needed
to speak with him before we go

-to the gala tonight.
-"We"?

Yes. He asked me last night,
didn't he tell you?

Oh. Well, if you see him,
will you please tell him

I need to speak with him?
It's important.

Thank you.
And, um, merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

♪

[melancholy music]

♪

Hey!
[sniffling]

♪

-Hey, Dad
-Hey, honey.

-You OK?
-I actually need to talk to you.

I just got off
the phone with Nicole.

-From your school?
-Yes. And I have an interview

for a full-time
position as program director.

I'm gonna leave tonight
right after Maya's performance.

-What?
-Please don't be angry.

Angry?
Why would I be angry?

-Is it what you really want?
-Yes, it is.

Then it's what I want.

All I've ever wanted
was for you to be happy.

-But Dad, the business.
-Oh, honey,

I'll handle the business myself.
You need to live your own life.

Like I live mine.

Have you told
Whitaker you're leaving?

No.

He's announcing his engagement
to Margaret at the gala.

You're sure? Unless I'm nuts,
that man has feelings for you.

That's why
I'm leaving tonight.

There's certain things
that he's obligated to do.

Things that
are very hard for him,

and he doesn't need
me making it even harder.

♪

-[chuckling]
-[Roy] I love you.

[Margaret] Thank you.

Ah, yes, Margaret.
I was just coming to you.

Whit,
something has been bothering me.

-Terribly so.
-Oh.

Well, please.

Mags, look...

Before we begin,

I do hope you know
how much you mean to be.

I do.
And you to me.

You're my oldest friend.

We have an entire
childhood we share together.

And yet...

You're not in love with me.

I'm so sorry.

Please!
Don't be, Whit.

I came here to tell you...

that I'm not
in love with you either.

[Margaret exhaling]

[chuckling]

To think,
there we were, hours away

from announcing
our engagement!

Well,
it's what we do, isn't it?

Follow the
path set to us by others.

Until now.

Are you Alright?

You know what? I am.

And I have you
and Lila to thank for that.

You know, you made me
realize that I deserve to be

with someone I'm besotted with,
and who appreciates me as well.

So thank you.

♪

["Deck The Halls"
instrumental]

[indistinct conversation]

Have you seen Lila?

No.
I'm sure she's here somewhere.

It's just,
Maya's solo is about to begin,

and I can't
imagine where she is. Hmm.

I'm sorry
I can't stay for Christmas,

but my plane leaves tonight.

But you're saying
to hear me sing, aren't you?

I wouldn't
miss it for the world!

I hope you
know this isn't goodbye.

I do. But right now, your
daughter needs you by her side.

Come.

-I'm really going to miss you.
-Oh, I'm gonna miss you, too.

You know,
it's almost time.

My stomach
feels funny again.

You are gonna be wonderful!

[party din]

♪

Lords and ladies, if I may
have everyone's attention.

For our next presentation,
we have a very special treat.

Princess Maya is to sing for us
a beautiful Christmas classic.

-[attendees applauding]
-Whoo!

Tonight, I will be singing...

Tonight, I will be
singing the Coventry Carol.

I was going to sing
We Wish You A Merry Christmas,

-but I changed my mind.
-[all laughing]

Now, I haven't had
much practice for this song,

so I hope you don't mind
if I don't do it perfectly.

[scattered chuckling]

♪ Lu-lei-bell
little, tiny child ♪

♪ Bye-bye lu-lee,
lu-lei ♪

♪ Lu-lei-bell
little, tiny child ♪

♪ Bye-bye lu-lee, lu-lei ♪

♪ Frost on
the pane and candy canes ♪

♪ Children count down
[voice cracks] the d... days ♪

[crowd murmurs]

♪

♪ Carols sung
and stockings hung ♪

[both]
♪ Bye-bye lu-lee, lu-lei ♪

♪ Come all
to see this noble tree ♪

♪ Celebrate
Christmas Day ♪

♪ And spread good
cheer from far to near ♪

♪ Bye-bye lu-lee, lu-lei ♪

[all clapping & cheering]

Brava!

Oh, you were brilliant!

Well done, Maya.
Very, very well done.

[Maya] Thank you.

♪

Your song has meant
the world to me, Maya.

You've made an old man feel
like a child at Christmas again.

-[chuckling] Thank you!
-You're welcome.

I'll have you know,
it takes quite a lot to crack

-this crusty old shell of mine.
-[Maya giggling]

I believe I finally see the
merit of that school of yours.

-The manor is yours.
-Really?

Oh, um, thank you very much.

We can discuss
the details later,

but for now, congratulations.
Well-deserved.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

[excited laughing]
Well done, Stringbean!

Alright, um,
let's go find Lila and tell her

-the good news, eh?
-She's already gone.

She's gone?
What do you mean?

[Lila] Thank you.

♪

♪

[panting]

♪

[overlapping chatter]

-[King] What's going on?
-She's left.

-Why?
-I don't know.

[Margaret] Oh, dear.

I believe I know
what all this fuss is about.

[melancholy music]

[cell phone buzzing]

Don't you want
to see who that is?

It's probably Whit again.

[sighing]

It is.

He seems awfully
anxious to get a hold of you

for someone
who's about to be engaged.

Dad, he made his choice.

[Lila] Hi, this is Lila!
Leave a message. Thank you!

Either they're in the mountains,
or she won't pick up.

Well, there must
be some way to convince her.

Wh... what? I can't
just magically change her mind!

♪

What is it, son?

♪

When did you
get that necklace?

Whit give it to me.

He told me
to wear it whenever I needed

the courage to ask
for what I really want.

[wind whistling]

[ethereal music]

♪

Well.

I realize this is slightly
more than a little unorthodox,

but...

[click]

[machinery whirring]

♪

♪

One...

[overlapping chatter]

♪

I'm so sorry, son.
What now?

I don't know.

Oh, my...

[melodic music swells]

Lila.
[laughing]

I'm not asking
you to change your mind,

but I couldn't leave without...
at least telling you how I feel.

I've fallen
in love with you.

♪

♪

You're not going to
believe this. But it worked.

[laughing] What worked?

The Wishing Horse.

I wished
for you to come back.

[chuckling] You did?

I did ask Margaret to this gala,
but it's only because

I thought you didn't
feel the same way that I did.

But there is no
one on this Earth

that I would
rather be with than you.

-But, Whit...
-Lila.

♪

♪

Don't you know?
I've loved you

since the moment you nearly
knocked me off that ladder.

[both chuckling]

I knew it!
You're in love!

Can you cancel that
very important interview now?

What? The program director
position at your school?

Yes. I took your
advice and I talked to my dad.

-I have an interview this week.
-Well, um...

what if I were
to offer you the same position

at the Royal Academy
of Art here in Ancadia?

It's to be housed
at a wonderful manor I know of.

Wait, the manor?!
Did you get it?

No, WE got it.

And I would also be honoured
to hire a certain someone

as the carousel's
royal caretaker.

You never know when it's going
to be in need of a restoration.

You don't have to twist my arm.

Good!
Now that that's all sorted,

what do you say
to giving this little one

-her surprise just a bit early?
-[Lila] Ooh!

-A surprise? For me?
-For you!

I think
that is a brilliant idea.

-Good. Come on.
-Come with us! Come on!

OK!

-Don't you dare look!
-No peeking, no peeking.

[Whitaker]
Alright, no peeking!

Alright,
Stringbean, merry Christmas!

[Maya] The carousel!
It looks brand new!

You've outdone yourself, son.

[Heidi] It's outstanding
work, everyone, truly.

-Can we ride it? Can we?
-Yes, of course!

I'd be disappointed
if you didn't.

[Maya] I'm gonna
ride on the Wishing Horse!

I'm gonna wish for a pony!
He can live in my closet.

I warned you.
Alright, everybody! All aboard!

♪

♪

♪

-Merry Christmas, Lila.
-[chuckling] Merry Christmas.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

[upbeat, festive music]

♪

♪

♪

♪