In Her Majesty the Queen's room, someone had actually crawled out of the fireplace. If it had been anywhere else, someone would definitely have screamed, but there was only the little Princess here.
She merely felt curious.
"Grandpa Nicholas, why are you here? It isn't New Year yet, is it?"
"I found you, little Princess." The white-bearded old man had just gotten to his feet. After steadying himself, he exclaimed in delight, "I knew I hadn't taken a wrong turn."
"This is Mother Queen's room!" The little Princess shook her head.
"Her Majesty the Queen's?" Nicholas's expression changed at once, and he let out a bitter laugh. "I'm old and useless now... I must have remembered the way wrong."
As he spoke, the white-bearded old man began dusting himself off. Then he opened the large bag on his back and started searching for something.
The little Princess approached curiously. "Grandpa Nicholas, were you looking for me?"
"That's right." The white-bearded old man nodded casually. "Your wedding is coming up soon, isn't it? So I decided to bring you this year's New Year presents in advance."
"Really?" The little Princess grabbed Nicholas's arm in surprise and delight. "You're the best, Grandpa!"
"I'm the one who should be grateful." Nicholas smiled faintly. "As long as you still believed in my existence after growing up, you gave my existence even greater meaning."
The little Princess giggled. "That's the only reason you come to see me every New Year, Grandpa."
"You are Winter's treasure." Nicholas spoke softly. "Unfortunately, you'll be marrying into the Kingdom of Early Spring. I'm afraid I won't be able to bring you New Year presents anymore."
"Why not?"
"The two kingdoms have different affinities." Nicholas sighed. "I'm only Winter's New Year's elder. I can't set foot in the Kingdom of