“When I asked him to tell me of his daughter, he happily obliged. I had met her once as a child, and I regretfully admit that I was not kind to her. I apologized to her father, for the terrible words I spoke to her, but I never saw her come to the castle again. In fact, I did not see her anywhere until a few sad weeks ago when I told the girl of her father’s death. I must seem horrid to you, don’t I?”
“No,” she replied softly. His response had taken her aback. Prince Julian knew much more than she realized. He’d said she had a fierce beauty, even with her marked face, and it seemed that he knew more about her than she knew of him.
“What did you mean, when you said people called her cursed?” she asked.
“She was born with a mark on her face. Something like that would cause most people to grow up cold and hard towards the world. As her father described her, she is anything but that, and has never used her mark as something to hide behind. I find that fascinating. I live in a world where everyone is masked, and rarely does anyone show their true feelings. She lives in a world behind a mask, but she always shows her true feelings, even to a prince,” he said, smiling. “Remarkable.”
The conversation was not flowing as she had anticipated. She didn’t know what she had expected of the prince, but it certainly wasn’t this. He spoke of her with admiration, and fondness. Her heart was confused. Just a few moments ago she had felt fully alive in the arms of Prince Leon, and now she felt herself tingling with feelings of tenderness towards his younger brother, a man she had spent many of her years hating.
“Are you quite alright, Leidy?” Prince Julian asked. “You seem upset. Did I say something to offend you?”
Adelaide felt as if she couldn’t breathe. She’d never dared hoped for someone to see past her birthmark, and he’d done it without her knowing.
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but I must leave.”
“Already? It’s not even midnight yet.”
Adelaide looked at the clock. She had forgotten the time. She had only a few minutes to spare before the clock would begin to strike.
“It’s most urgent, Your Majesty.”
“Will you come again tomorrow?” he asked. “There are two more nights of celebration. I’m sure my brother would be very happy to see you again, as would I,” he added.
Adelaide looked across the hall, and saw Prince Leon staring at her and Prince Julian. When her gaze met his, he began to walk towards her.
“I will try,” she answered, and walked out the door.
She quickly ran down the stairs, nearly losing one of the glass slippers. She placed it back on, ran to the bottom of the stairs, and found herself once again in front of her own front door.
The old woman was there, waiting.
CHAPTER 6
Adelaide stared at the fairy godmother.
“Did you dance with the prince?” the old woman prodded with a smile.
Adelaide nodded.
“And do you love him?”
Adelaide thought of how Prince Leon had looked at her. He had made her feel more beautiful than she had ever felt before. But, the face that he was staring into was a mask. It was no more hers than the clothes she was wearing. He wasn’t really looking at her, not the real her. How could she possibly love him, when he didn’t even know her?
Adelaide slipped off the glass slippers. Instantly, her clothes reverted back to her shabby cotton dress. Untamed tresses of red, curly hair fell down around her shoulders. She didn’t need to touch her face to know that her birthmark was back, as well.
“No, I do not love him,” she said, handing the shoes back to the fairy godmother.
The old woman looked stunned. She stammered for a minute, calmed, and then smiled. “There are still two more days of the ball left. There is time yet. Keep the glass slippers for now. Tomorrow night is another chance to win his heart, and for him to win yours.”
“I told you, I didn’t go to fall in love with anyone. I simply wanted to apologize,” Adelaide said, still holding the shoes out for the old woman to take.
“You did say that. And did you get a chance to apologize to the prince?”
Adelaide had been too caught up in the charade to have the chance to talk to Prince Julian as herself, to let him know how much she appreciated his kindness, and how sorry she was for her actions.
“No, I didn’t.”
“Then, keep the shoes. Tomorrow is another chance. I’ll be very surprised if you’re not head over heels in love by then. I’ll see you again tomorrow at midnight, dear. Don’t be late.”
Without a sound, the old woman disappeared.
As the bells of the clock began to chime midnight, Adelaide made her way inside and off to bed.
When Adelaide awoke, daylight was already streaming through her small, bedroom window. “Oh, no. I’m late,” she groaned as she pulled herself out of bed and into the kitchen to make breakfast. Luckily, Celeste and Thalia had not yet roused themselves.
She had not heard them come home last night. It was already mid-morning, so they must have come home very late indeed.
A knock came from the front door. Adelaide’s heart jumped in her throat. Had Julian come again, wondering why she hadn’t come to the ball? Adelaide ran to the door, and threw it open.
Merelyn stood there, smiling at her. “Good morning, Adelaide. Ready to learn proper cutting techniques?”
Adelaide sighed, disappointed it was not Prince Julian on her doorstep, after all. She was, however, very grateful to see her new friend. “You have impeccable timing. I’ve just started making breakfast. I’m going to be in trouble, though, if anyone wants something more to eat than boiled eggs.”
When Celeste and Thalia finally awoke, breakfast was ready, thanks to Merelyn’s help. Adelaide took her breakfast in the kitchen, and continued talking with her friend.
“So did you honor the prince’s request and meet him at the ball last night?” Merelyn finally asked.
Adelaide nodded. “I did.”
“How was it?” her friend asked.
Adelaide desperately wanted to tell Merelyn all about the ball, the glass slippers and the fairy godmother. She had never had a girlfriend to share her secrets with before, and she longed to talk about the strange night with her friend. She wasn’t sure, though, what Merelyn’s reaction might be to the story of the fairy godmother, and the use of magic. She still wasn’t sure what she thought of the whole thing herself. She trusted Merelyn, though, who had already proved herself to be a good friend.
“If I show you something, will you promise to keep an open mind?” she asked. Merelyn nodded. Adelaide walked to her room. When she returned, the glass slippers were in her hands.
Merelyn stared at the shoes while Adelaide finally told her the entire story of the fairy godmother, the glass slippers and the ball.
“Are they really magic?” Merelyn asked in a voice just above a whisper.
“Yes, quite.”
Merelyn’s fingers hovered above the glass slippers. “May I?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Wondrous,” Merelyn said, her fingers lingering on the glass shoes.
“The fairy godmother said I should go to the ball again tonight. Then, I can apologize to Prince Julian, and she thinks, fall in love. The problem though, is how to talk to him. When I put the shoes on, he didn’t recognize me at all.”
“Does it really change you so much?”
Adelaide stood, and slipped her feet inside smooth glass shoes. The change was instant. Her hair loosened into soft curls about her shoulders. Callouses from two days of household labor disappeared and left hands that were soft and white. She knew her birthmark had disappeared as well.
“Amazing,” Merelyn whispered. She couldn’t stop gazing at Adelaide’s face. “May I?” she asked, her hand hovering just above Adelaide’s cheek. Adelaide nodded. Gently, Merelyn touched Adelaide’s face where her birthmark had been.
“Now you see why I can’t exactly show up looking like th
is, and then tell Prince Julian who I am. He will think I’m mad.” Adelaide removed the slippers, and felt her body return to normal. “What a shame I can’t stay like this forever.”
“What do you mean? I don’t think it’s a shame at all. The change is stunning, but it’s not real. You told me yourself that Prince Julian called you beautiful, and spent the night tending you at your bedside. That was for you, not some glamorized copy of you.”
Adelaide stared hard at the glass slippers, sitting in her hands. Merelyn was right. The shoes were amazing, but they were a lie. And what would she do once the night of the third ball ended? She couldn’t very well keep wearing the glass slippers all the time. Though she might like the change, it wasn’t really her, and it certainly wasn’t something she could continue indefinitely.
Adelaide had an idea. “Would you like to wear them tonight and go to the ball in my stead?” she asked her friend.
Merelyn’s eyes widened. “What you said is right,” Adelaide continued, “I want to speak to the prince as myself, not someone he won’t recognize. But, I can’t exactly enter the ball myself. Even my finest gown would have me sticking out like a sore thumb. Celeste made it clear that she doesn’t want me there. However, if I had a friend who could blend in perfectly, and could use my invitation to the ball to get a message to the prince, and would let him know that I was waiting right outside the castle, that might solve everything.”
Adelaide’s eyes gleamed with excitement, and not just a little bit of mischief. Merelyn did not seem convinced. “Do you really think that would work?” she asked.
“Well, probably not,” Adelaide conceded. “But at least we can give it a try. The worst that can happen is that you spend a fabulous evening dancing with handsome men, wearing an extravagant gown and eating delicious food.”
“Do you think the slippers’ magic will work for me, too?” Merelyn asked.
Adelaide held the shoes out to her friend. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Merelyn smiled hesitantly, stepped out of her work boots, paused briefly for a moment, and then placed her feet into the glass slippers. Just as with Adelaide, the change began with a pulsating light, and ended with a bright flash as Merelyn’s appearance completely changed.
Long, blond hair cascaded down Merelyn’s back in glossy waves. Her work dress was gone and in its place was a long, red ball gown dotted with sparkling bits of glass. She looked amazing, but still very much like herself. Unlike Adelaide’s face, hers had no marks or scars to disappear. Adelaide thought wistfully how nice it would be to know that it was possible to be beautiful without the help of the magical, glass slippers.
Merelyn gasped. “This is incredible. I’ve never been dressed like this before.” She turned her head to take in the full view of the dress. “Do you think the Elder Prince will notice me?”
“How could he not? You’re stunning. He’ll be asking you to dance the moment he sees you.”
Merelyn’s face beamed. “I hope so. I’ve always dreamed of meeting Prince Leon. I can’t believe this is really happening. Adelaide, are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“Yes,” Adelaide answered assuredly. “I think this plan is best.”
Footsteps clicked through the hallway, towards the kitchen. “Quick, it won’t do to have you looking like that if someone comes in,” Adelaide warned.
Merelyn slipped off the shoes, and was instantly restored to her normal self. She handed the glass slippers to Adelaide just as Celeste, opened the kitchen door. Celeste stopped still, one hand holding the door open, the other raised and pointing a long, trembling finger at the glass slippers in Adelaide’s hand.
Bursting into the kitchen she towered over the two girls. “I thought I recognized those eyes, but I couldn’t let myself believe that it was truly you. Stupid, thoughtless girl! Do you know what happens to young girls who get mixed up in magic?”
Adelaide, too startled to speak, shook her head.
“Heartbreak! Ruin! That’s what happens for you, and for everyone you love. Stupid, careless imbecile!” Celeste snatched the shoes out of Adelaide’s hands.
“Those were a gift!” Adelaide protested.
Celeste raised a hand, and slapped Adelaide across her birthmarked face. “You have no idea what these are,” Celeste said. She turned and stormed out of the kitchen.
“I’m so sorry,” Merelyn whispered, her hands shaking. “If you hadn’t shown them to me, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s all my fault.”
“Nonsense,” Adelaide said, holding her hand to her cheek. “She likely would have found them anyway. I think Celeste is more interested in keeping me away from the ball than keeping me safe from magic.”
Adelaide hoped her friend wouldn’t notice how her voice trembled when she said that. She didn’t want to admit how shaken she was by Celeste’s outburst. “Besides,” Adelaide said, “it doesn’t matter what she says. You’re going to that ball tonight. With the glass slippers.”
“How?” Merelyn asked. “She’s probably hiding them away right now.”
“I’m not quite sure how, yet, but I’m not willing to give up quite that easily.”
Adelaide spent the rest of the day searching for a way to steal into her stepmother’s bedroom. She was certain that was where Celeste had hidden away the glass slippers. It was the only room in the house that was locked. Celeste did not keep herself hidden, though, and Adelaide found her constantly hovering near, barking orders for something to be cleaned or washed every few minutes.
As evening drew nearer, Adelaide worried that she might not be able to find a way into Celeste’s room after all. She considered the possibility that Celeste would wear the glass slippers herself, or give them to Thalia. After all, Thalia was supposed to be on the hunt for a suitable suitor to wed. What better way could she find for catching a man, than wearing magical slippers that would make her irresistibly beautiful?
Just before sundown, Thalia called Adelaide into her room to help her dress. “This will be perfect for tonight,” Thalia remarked. “Help me with the buttons in the back, Adelaide, and hand me my shawl. There’s a chill in the air. I want my fire warmed and ready for when I return home.”
Adelaide rolled her eyes. The air had just begun to bear the crispness of the coming autumn. A thick comforter would be plenty to keep Thalia warm. A fire would be overkill, but taking the time to start one would be preferable to an argument.
Adelaide returned a few minutes later with some wood, and regarded the fireplace with new eyes. It was large. Adelaide had swept it out earlier that day, and was able to stand up completely inside it. She wondered if the width of the fireplace continued all the way to the top. As she placed the firewood in the hearth, she looked up. She could see the darkening sky, and though it seemed that there might be some narrowing as the chimney grew, she was certain she could fit through it.
Adelaide smiled. Celeste’s room held an identical fireplace as well.
CHAPTER 7
The idea of breaking her neck was not appealing. Adelaide needed to find some way to get on top of the roof and climb down twenty feet of chimney without becoming stuck or falling and breaking a bone.
Once again, Celeste made no mention of Adelaide accompanying them to the ball. Adelaide watched both of them carefully as they prepared to leave. It did not seem that Celeste planned to take the glass slippers with her. Neither she nor Thalia were wearing them, and her bedroom door remained locked.
The carriage pulled away from the manor, and Adelaide continued her search for a piece of rope long enough to help her climb down the chimney. Finding nothing helpful inside the house, she continued her search outside. She passed the morning’s laundry still hanging from a clothesline in the yard, and stopped. It was at least 30 feet long. Adelaide did some quick calculations. The rope would probably be short. She’d have to drop the last few feet onto the hard, stone hearth.
Is this really worth it? Are you really doing all of this just to apologize? She
had to admit, this whole plan was ludicrous, just to give an apology. Why is this so important to me?
The conversation she had with Prince Julian the previous night ran through her head. She analyzed each sentence, and recalled how he spoke about her. She could not get over the fact that he stayed with her the night her father died. That alone kept drawing her in, causing her to question why he would care so much.
Because he did care. About her. She didn’t understand why, or how, but he cared for her, and that meant something. Do I feel the same? The familiar tingles that danced up her spine when he spoke to her yesterday made their way up her back again as she thought of him. If I’m willing to risk my life, I suppose that’s a good indication that I do.
A floodgate of confusing feelings opened. She’d kept her heart guarded for so long, allowing few to get close, so that no one could hurt her. When she opened her heart to the idea of caring for Prince Julian, feelings of fear, panic and uncertainty mixed with excitement, wonder and elation.
Adelaide untied the rope from the clothesline, coiled it into loops, and threw it over her shoulder ready to try the impossible.
Gaining access to the roof proved easier than finding the rope. The dormer window in Thalia’s bedroom would allow her to get onto the roof fairly easily, as long as she didn’t tumble off and fall to her death. The pitch of the roof wasn’t too steep, but Adelaide doubted that she would be able to catch herself if she faltered.
Holding the top of the window frame for balance, Adelaide took one step out onto the wooden shingled roof. Her foot slipped, and Adelaide clutched the window, holding herself still. Shoes would be too slippery. Bare feet might prove to be better. She quickly removed both shoes, kicked them inside Thalia’s room, and hoped she wouldn’t get too many splinters before the night was over.
Slowly, she tried the process again and took one cautious step onto the roof, holding tightly to the top of the dormer. Her toes grabbed the wood shingles. She climbed as high as she could while holding onto the dormer. There would be nothing but tiled roof to hold on to as she made a final scurry up to the top of roof. Adelaide took a deep breath in, and scrambled for the top.
Cursed Beauty (A Fairy Retelling #1) Page 5
