A Not So Royal Christmas

Charlotte Collins is a journalist for Royal Gossip Entertainment (RGE) who is desperate for a raise and a visa renewal. She pitches an impossible story: an interview with the reclusive Count Lars of Sorhagen, who hasn't been seen in public since he was a teenager. Upon arriving in Sorhagen, she lies to the locals, claiming she works for the prestigious 'Monarch Insider.' Meanwhile, Adam Pederson, a local man who has spent ten years backpacking the world, returns home for Christmas and finds the Count's royal medallion on the palace grounds. When Charlotte barges into the palace, she sees Adam holding the medallion and wearing a suit he was returning; she immediately assumes he is the Count. Sir Gustus, the Royal Advisor, is initially horrified but realizes the palace is in a crisis: the real Count Lars abdicated years ago to live with a woman he met during Spring Break in Daytona Beach. To prevent a tourism collapse and a royal scandal, Gustus recruits Adam to impersonate the Count for a brief interview. As Charlotte spends more time with 'the Count' for her exclusive Christmas feature, Adam finds himself enjoying the responsibility and the chance to improve the town's economy by suggesting the use of local vendors for the Yuletide Ball. The two bond over shared grief—Charlotte's mother and Adam's father—and a mutual love for history. However, the ruse begins to crumble when Charlotte's boss, Tony, arrives in town and leaks a photo of the 'Count' in casual clothes, leading to a public frenzy. The King and Queen of Nordin intervene, demanding Adam continue the charade through the Yuletide Ball to capitalize on the sudden surge in tourism. The conflict peaks when Adam discovers Charlotte is a tabloid writer, and Charlotte discovers Adam is a landscaper. Feeling betrayed, Charlotte quits her job and prepares to leave. At the Yuletide Ball, Adam decides he cannot live the lie any longer; he confesses his true identity to the public and the King. In a surprising twist, the King and Queen, impressed by Adam's popularity and his dedication to the community, bestow an honorary title of Count upon him. Charlotte decides to pursue her true passion for history by applying for a doctorate, and the two reconcile, beginning a real relationship based on their true identities.