As if on cue, the Grand Duke turned to Kit, a princess and her escort behind him. “Your Highness,” he said. “May I present Princess Chelina of Zaragosa.”
Kit bowed deeply. But his gaze barely swept over the princess.
“You are as handsome as your picture, Your Highness,” Princess Chelina said. “And your little kingdom is enchanting.”
Hearing the Grand Duke clear his throat in warning, Kit turned and met Princess Chelina’s gaze. “I hope you will not find our little kingdom too confining.”
“It could be bigger...with the right friends. And enough soldiers,” she replied.
“I’m not sure I understand,” Kit said.
Princess Chelina put a hand on Kit’s arm. “Of course you do,” she said. “They tell me you are very brave in battle.”
Kit stifled a groan. This princess in front of him had no interest in him, just as he had no interest in her. All she wanted was the power an alliance provided. Kit certainly wanted the best for his kingdom, but he knew that this would not be won by war or strategic alliances. It would be won with kindess, courage, and love.
Suddenly, Kit noticed that while he and Princess Chelina had been talking, a hushed silence had fallen over the crowd. Everyone’s attention had been caught by a commotion at the grand staircase. As Kit turned to see what was going on, his breath caught in his throat.
For standing there, at the top of the stairs, was the girl from the woods.
Gone were her simple gown and her disheveled hair. Now she was wearing the most elegant dress Kit had ever seen. Her hair glistened and sparkled, diamonds peeking out of her long waves. While every eye in the room was on her, the girl was the picture of calm. She seemed unaware of her own beauty and the reaction she was inspiring in the crowd. It took every ounce of his self-control for Kit not to run to her side. Instead, he bowed to Chelina. “Excuse me,” he said, walking away.
Behind him, Kit could hear the Grand Duke making apologies on his behalf.
But Princess Chelina waved him off. “Who is that?” she asked, pointing at the woman who had so completely caught the prince’s attention.
“I have no idea, Your Highness,” the Grand Duke said. But he was determined to find out.
As Ella stood at the top of the stairs, her heart pounded in her ears. The crowd was a sea of bright colors below her, everyone’s face a blur. Except for his. Except for Kit’s. She saw him almost immediately. He stood at the opposite end of the room, dressed in a cream-colored suit that made his shoulders seem broader and his face even more handsome. As if pulled by an invisible string, Ella made her way down the stairs. At the same time, she saw Kit maneuver his way through the crowd.
Finally, after what felt like the longest walk of her life, Ella found herself face-to-face with Kit. They stood at the edge of the dance floor, both momentarily at a loss for words. Kit seemed oddly nervous, almost tongue-tied at the sight of her. Despite the butterflies in her stomach, Ella smiled and said a silent thank-you again to her fairy godmother.
“Mr. Kit...” Ella finally said.
Kit shook his head as if coming out of a dream. “It’s you...isn’t it?” he asked.
Ella nodded shyly. “Just so.”
“If I may—That is—” Kit stammered. “It would give me the greatest pleasure if you would, uh, that is, if you would do me the honor of letting me lead you through the—the next...” His voice trailed off, as though he was searching for the right word.
“Dance?” Ella guessed.
Kit nodded, relieved. “Yes, dance. That’s it.”
A wave of excitement washed over Ella. Nodding, she gave him a shy smile, and he held out his hand. She took it, and he drew her onto the dance floor. As he did so, the guests all around them bowed.
“They are all looking at you,” Ella said, a bit confused.
But Kit shook his head. “Believe me, they are all looking at you.”
Then, before she could say another word, Kit placed his free hand gently on Ella’s hip. She took a sharp breath and met Kit’s gaze. He was staring down at her, his eyes full of wonder. As the music began, they moved together. Soon other couples joined them on the dance floor. But Ella took no notice. She only had eyes for Kit. And while there were many things she wanted to say, Ella knew that she should just take in this perfect moment. So she let herself go, her steps in time with Kit’s, his hand warm in hers.
As Ella danced with her boy from the woods, she was unaware that her appearance was causing quite the fuss among certain guests. At the edge of the dance floor, Lady Tremaine stared at the girl, trying to figure out why she seemed so familiar. Beside her, Anastasia and Drisella were marveling at the girl’s gorgeous gown and were surprised when their mother snapped at them. “You must turn the prince’s head, you fools!” she hissed. “Get out there!”
“But no one’s asked us to dance,” Anastasia said.
Lady Tremaine sighed deeply. Seeing two gentlemen about to walk past, she shoved her daughters in front of them. The startled men bowed. Then, before they could protest, they found themselves being pushed onto the dance floor by Lady Tremaine. As she watched her daughters clumsily maneuver their way closer to the prince, she stifled a groan. Both girls batted their eyelashes and tried to smile alluringly. But the prince didn’t even notice. He could not take his eyes off the girl in his arms.
The crowd slowly exited the dance floor, leaving the prince and his partner alone. They made a beautiful pair as they swept over the floor, their steps in perfect sync. When the music came to a stop, there was a moment of silence, and then the crowd burst into applause, sure they had just witnessed the prince and his future princess in their first dance. The Grand Duke watched as Kit leaned down and whispered something into the girl’s ear. She nodded, and then the two of them walked off the floor, disappearing through one of the big ballroom doors.
Who is that girl? The Grand Duke started to panic in his spot on the balcony. Luckily, at that moment the Captain of the Guard returned. The Grand Duke had sent him to find out anything he could about the mystery woman.
“People are saying she is a princess,” the Captain reported. “Our prince seems quite taken with her. You do not approve?” he asked when he noticed the sour look on the other man’s face.
“He is already promised to the princess Chelina of Zaragosa!” the Grand Duke shouted manically.
Suddenly, a small noise came from behind them. The two men turned and found themselves looking at Lady Tremaine. She curtsied with a flourish.
“I didn’t mean to intrude,” she said, bringing her green fan to her face and moving to leave.
Then she suddenly spoke again. “Your secret is safe with me,” she added before hastily exiting the balcony.
The Grand Duke glared after her, wondering what to do about the mystery princess.
Meanwhile, unaware that anyone was looking for them, Kit and Ella walked down the long castle gallery. The walls were lined with portraits of previous rulers and their families, their faces looking down upon the pair.
Ella’s mind was reeling. As they had finished the most perfect dance, she was unable to miss the way the crowd had bowed low as they had passed. It had seemed odd to her, until she realized that as they bowed, they also said, “Your Highness.” She had looked at Kit in bewilderment. It was then that he had leaned down and asked her to join him in the gallery.
Now Ella was trying to make sense of it all. She had thought she was dancing with just a boy...an apprentice of some sort. But this was obviously no regular boy. Had he been playing her for a fool all along? He had seemed real and honest. Now she didn’t know. The promise she had made to her mother echoed through her head. Have courage. She took a deep breath. She would find out the truth.
“So you are the prince,” Ella said.
“Well, not the prince exactly. There are plenty of princes in the world. I’m only a prince,” Kit said, trying to lighten the moment.
“I see,” she replied. “But you are no a
pprentice.”
“I am,” Kit said quickly. “An apprentice monarch. Still learning the trade.” When Ella didn’t say anything, Kit scrambled to find the words. “Please forgive me. I thought you might treat me differently if you knew. I mistook you for a simple country girl. But now I see that you didn’t want to overawe a plain soldier.”
Ella looked down, thinking it through. This was Kit, even if he was really a prince.
“So,” Kit said, holding out his hand, “no more surprises?”
Ella paused and then took his hand. “No more surprises,” she repeated.
A relieved smile spread across Kit’s face, and Ella found herself once again captivated by his handsome features. Nervously, Ella looked away, her gaze landing on the portrait in front of them. It was a sizable painting of Kit riding a majestic horse. He was larger than life, his hand holding a sword high in the air, his eyes trained on something in the distance. She was surprised she hadn’t noticed before: he was every bit a prince.
“Is that you?” Ella asked.
Kit nodded. “I hate myself in paintings,” he said sheepishly. “Don’t you?”
Ella let out a nervous laugh. “No one has ever painted my portrait.”
“Well they should,” Kit said.
Ella felt her face flush. She looked back up at the wall. “What were you doing?”
“That?” Kit said, pointing at the picture. “Oh, I was about to charge the enemy.”
“How terrible!” Ella replied.
Kit raised an eyebrow. “Most people would say, ‘How exciting!’”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” the prince said. “You’re right. It is terrible. I’m not supposed to say that...but it is.”
Before Ella could ask him more questions, Kit took her hand in his. As she looked down at their interlaced fingers, all other thoughts left her mind. She followed as Kit led her out of the gallery and into the gardens behind the palace.
The full moon bathed everything in a silver glow. A large ornamental fountain stood in the middle of the grounds. Water sprayed out of the mouths of ceramic fish, and several Greek gods stood captured forever in stone. Cupid and his bow seemed to be aimed right at Ella and Kit as they walked past.
Kit smiled. “Here is where I played when I was little,” he said.
“With whom did you play?” Ella asked, imagining a young Kit, his dark waves disheveled and his knees covered with grass stains.
“The Captain of the Guard, kind fellow that he was,” Kit replied. “Who did you have to play with?”
“Oh, I had so many playmates!” Ella answered, a big smile spreading across her face. “Sheep and geese, and all the mice, of course.”
Kit looked at Ella, trying to see if she was teasing him. Then she added, “They are excellent listeners.”
Kit smiled. This girl continued to amaze him. She was so wise, yet so innocent. So sweet, yet he could tell she was strong. He felt as though he’d only scratched the surface, and he longed to find out more about her. Kit had to admit the ball had turned out to be quite the good idea after all.
They continued to walk around the grounds, past rosebushes, a grove of trees with ivory petals blooming on the branches, and various other well-manicured plants and flowers. Passing a particularly lovely ornamental urn, Ella clapped her hands. “How beautiful!” she exclaimed.
A sad smile tugged at the corner of Kit’s mouth. “My mother loved it here,” he said softly. “Since she died, my father can’t bring himself to visit the gardens.”
Ella squeezed his hand. “My mother is in heaven, too,” she said. “Do you suppose they know each other?”
Kit was touched by Ella’s sweetness. “I don’t see why not.”
“I think heaven is like this ball,” Ella declared. “Everyone is invited.”
“That’s because of you,” Kit replied. When Ella looked at him in confusion, he went on. “I made sure that everyone could come because...well, because I hoped to see you again.”
Ella looked up at him. He had planned all this for her? It was overwhelming. “And I came,” she finally said, “to see Mr. Kit.”
“Not the prince?” Kit asked, teasing her.
“Oh, no,” Ella replied playfully. “The prince is far too grand.”
“Surely not for someone like you,” Kit said. “I don’t suppose you have a large army?”
Ella shook her head. “I’m afraid I have no army at all.”
Kit shrugged. He hadn’t expected her to say yes, though it would have made things a great deal easier.
“Won’t they miss you at the ball?” Ella asked.
“Maybe,” he said. “But let’s not go back just yet.”
Ella looked worried. “What’s wrong?”
“When I go back, they will try to pair me off with a lady of their choosing,” Kit replied, his honesty surprising Ella. “I am expected to marry for advantage.”
“Surely you’ve a right to your own heart,” Ella said, shocked by this notion.
Kit shook his head. “I must weigh that against the king’s wishes. He is a wise ruler, and a loving father.”
“Perhaps he will change his mind,” Ella suggested.
Once again, Kit shook his head. “I fear he hasn’t much time to do so.”
Ella felt a pang of sympathy. She reached out a hand and gently touched his arm. Poor Kit. He was a good person, a sweet and thoughtful man who listened to what people had to say. He did not deserve so much pain.
“Would you like to see my very favorite place?” Kit’s question caught Ella off guard. She had been so lost in thoughts of what the future held she’d forgotten to enjoy the moment while she could. She nodded.
Kit led her away from the more formal gardens. As they headed farther down the path, nature seemed to take over. The bushes grew wilder, the trees’ leaves hung lower, and the grass grew higher. It was a romantic garden, full of life and wild beauty.
“A secret garden!” Ella said with delight.
“I’ve never shown this to anyone,” Kit said, pulling aside a few branches to reveal an old wooden swing. He offered the seat to Ella.
“I shouldn’t,” she protested.
But Kit wouldn’t listen. “You should.”
Ella gingerly took a seat, the wood creaking beneath her. Kit moved behind her and placed both hands on the small of her back, his touch hesitant. “May I?” he asked, his voice a whisper in her ear.
Ella’s heart fluttered and she felt goose bumps rise on her arms. “Please,” she said breathlessly.
Ever so gently, Kit pushed Ella forward. She tucked her knees under the seat, sending the swing back to him. As the swing squeaked, Ella laughed. She hadn’t been on a swing in years, and she felt foolish and alive. It reminded her of riding Galahad in the forest, the cool wind rushing past her.
Kit gave her an even harder push and Ella flew high into the air. As the seat reached its peak, one of her shoes flew off and landed in the grass a short distance away. Ella let out a surprised “Oh!”
Kit raced to retrieve the shoe as Ella slowed the swing until she was still. “It’s made of glass,” Kit said in a tone of wonder. He was holding the shoe very carefully in his hand.
“And why not?” Ella replied with a twinkle in her eye.
Kneeling down in front of Ella, Kit gently slid the slipper back onto her foot. Their eyes met. The garden suddenly seemed hushed. Ella felt herself holding her breath, lost in the beauty of the moment.
“There,” Kit finally said, his voice full of unspoken emotion. He stood up.
“There,” Ella said, her voice equally soft. Then she, too, stood up.
Face-to-face, they lingered. The moment was pure and simple. Beautiful and romantic. It was perfect. And then Kit spoke again and Ella realized it was not altogether real.
“Won’t you tell me who you really are?” he asked.
“If I do,” Ella began, struggling to find the right words, “I think everything might be...different.
”
“I don’t understand,” Kit said. “Can you at least tell me your name?”
Ella couldn’t seem to catch her breath. She felt as though her ribs were tightening around her heart. This was it. He had been nothing but honest with her that evening, and he was only asking her name. Once again her mother’s words echoed in her head. Have courage. Be kind. Now was the time. “My name is...” she began. “My name is...”
Ella’s eyes grew wide as she looked up at the large clock atop one of the palace’s towers. It was nearly twelve o’clock. “I have to leave!” she cried. Kit looked at her, confused. “It’s hard to explain. Lizards, pumpkins...” She didn’t bother to go on. Instead, with one last look at Kit, she turned and ran.
Ella ran as fast as her glass slippers would allow. She heard Kit call out to her to wait. Turning to see his bewildered expression, she knew she had to say something.
“You’ve been awfully nice,” Ella called. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I loved it. Every second.” Then she ran through the garden, to the terrace, and up the stone steps. She found herself standing in front of the door to the gallery where their walk had begun. Moving through the doors, she disappeared into the darkness of the gallery.
She raced past the portraits and burst into the ballroom a moment later. Ducking and weaving among the dancers, she safely made her way across the room, but then—smack!—she ran right into King Frederick.
“Oh!” Ella exclaimed. “Your Highness!”
He nodded at the pretty girl in front of him. “Young lady.”
“I’m...I’m so sorry!” Ella said, starting to rush away. But once again, she got the feeling that she couldn’t leave it there. She turned back. “I wanted to say, Your Highness, that your son, Kit, is the most lovely person I ever met. So good and brave. I hope you know how much he loves you.” Without another word, she raced off, leaving the king with a bemused expression on his face.
Cinderella Junior Novel Page 6
