I inhale and continue my rounds through the grounds for the Expo, checking on the preparations. For the most part everything is progressing superbly. My bodyguards; Alois, Benedikta, Bianka, Gebhard and Markus, have formed a flexible formation around me for my protection. Alois is right beside me, with the 'Bees' as I call them in front and the others flanking. Basil is with his brothers, father and Octavian, fulfilling royal obligations of some sort. I exhale a long sigh.

"Is everything alright, your highness?" Alois inquires. He's a stoic but gentle giant. I smile.

"Ja. I am fine. My mind was wandering." I admit.

"Where to?"

"My husband's whereabouts."

"Prince Basil is currently attending an official meeting with foreign delegates regarding the Expo." Markus informs me.

"Danke. Ich habe es gewusst [Thank you. I knew that]."

"Bitteschön." I pause, trying to stretch out my hips and lower back. They've been irritably tight the past few weeks. My guards tighten the circle.

"Princess Zipporah?"

"It's just... my back. I'm a little sore from my pregnancy. It's normal." I explain.

"Do you need to rest?"

"Nein, nein. Walking helps. Let's go." Basil was not joking when he said my security detail would be caring and attentive, in their own ways. I trust them all and I know them well enough to appreciate their work. I hear Markus and Gebhard exchanging codes and I look up at Alois.

"Do not worry yourself. It might be nothing." He coolly advises. I draw a breath and we finish the round. The circle stays knit. My sense of alert clicks on.

"Ah, Zipporah, there you are." Verena calls. I walk over to her and she puffs.

"How were your rounds?"

"Ach! Very well, everything in order. You?"

"Likewise." She nods. We have become friendly. Susi and Yvonne are warming up as well. I have convinced them that I'm not an evil witch after their riches and power. I'm very happy about our progress, so I'm cautious. I want our families to become friends and for the bonds to strengthen.

"Are you holding up well?" She eyes me curiously.

"Ja. I'm doing just fine. Thank you for asking."

"Prinzessinen Verena und Zipporah [Princesses Verena and Zipporah]." Uwe butts in with his customary chill.

"Ja, Uwe?"

"Eure Männer sind fertig. Sie kommen zurück [Your husbands are done. They are coming back]."

"Und die Expo [And the Expo]?" Verena questions.

"Es fängt bald an [It begins soon]."

"Dankeschön." He bows and disappears. He is replaced with Basil and Verena's husband Wilhelm. I kiss Basil's cheeks and he embraces me.

"Hallo, Edelweiss." I greet.

"Hallo, mein Schatz [My darling]."

"Did the meeting go well?"

"Ja. I had very little to do but stand and try not to twiddle my thumbs. Kunibert is an excellent diplomat. What about you?"

"Just fine, all of the booths are finished setting up," I attempt to relax my back muscles again, "My back is sore though."

"Do you need to sit down?" He presses his hand against my lower back, offering some relief.

"Nein."

"You're fine staying for the rest of the day?"

"Ja." He narrows his eyes.

"If it worsens, you must tell me and we'll head home."

"Natürlich." I assure.

The Expo opens and the Palace grounds flood with excited visitors. Basil and I alternate between greeting guests and managing RI's booth. By noon I'm fatigued, and exhausting my foreign vocabularies, "Ready for lunch, Edelweiss?" Basil inquires while we're on our merry way to lunch.

"Ja..." He firmly slips his arm around my waist, snugly encircling me.

"You look exhausted, Zipporah." He whispers. I shrug my shoulders.

"I am. My back and hips still aren't loosening up." I admit in a whisper. He exhales and tightens his grip.

"Well, I feel obliged to tell you that you outmatched me back there."

"No I didn't. We both did well." We share a quick kiss and enter the Royal Tent, where the wealthy, famous and powerful, domestic or foreign, are gathering. Because I lobbied so much, others are allowed to enter in small groups. Media, Press, and everyday people stream around the round tables, taking pictures and asking questions. Basil and I make our way to the extensive buffet with foods prepared by culinary participants in the Expo.

"So much talent and creativity, right before our eyes." Basil compliments with a whistle. We chuckle and move through the lines. Informal meet and greets along the way allow me to loosen up, network, exercise my language skills and disguise the sum of food on my plate.

"This all looks very wonderful." I sigh contentedly and we take our seats at one of the three family tables, opposite Kunibert and Silke. Our bodyguards materialize from the crowd and set a tight perimeter. Basil and I dig into our food, thoroughly amazed with every bite. We aren't bothered until Bianka approaches, leading a family up to me.

"Ihre Durchlaucht, sie haben Besuchern [Your highness, you have visitors]." I set my utensils down and turn in my seat to face the family, nodding affirmatively. Five in all, led by weathered and weary grandparents who are wrangling two boys and one girl. They must have pled hard enough for Bianka to let them come.

The girl, the youngest of the three, stares at me in wonder and slowly steps forward, holding a bedazzled pink and purple pen and pink Disney Princess pad in her petite hands. I smile at her and she grins back, toddling forward eagerly after attempting a curtsy. Her grandmother curtsies primly, nudging the others to bow. In a sing-song tone she asks in a well rehearsed voice; "Prinzessin Zipporah, würden Sie bitte mein Buch unterschreiben? [Princess Zipporah, would you please sign my book?]"

"Ja, natürlich! [Yes, of course!]" She places the book and pen in my hands, "Wie heißt du? [What is your name?]"

"Ich heiße Katha Ackermann [I am named Katha Ackermann]," I sign the book and write a little note for her before handing it back, "Dankeschön, Prinzessin!"

"Bitteschön, Katha." She bounces on her heels and giggles, then curtsies and is led away. When I turn back to my plate, I resume my lunch whilst Basil commends me. Dessert is served by waiters, and two platters are set on the table for us, Kunibert and Silke. I reach for a particularly tempting piece of chocolate cheesecake topped with fudge which calls my name and take a few good sized bites, aiming to savor the decadence.

"Wait, your highness!"

Please comment and vote, it means a lot! Happy Holidays!

~Uilosris