So This is Love (Disney Twisted Tales) - Elizabeth Lim Page 0,23
it all before. Your papa’s been here ever since you were born—and it’s always been your dream to work here with him.” Irmina huffed. “If it really is your dream, try being on time.”
“My ma’s shop needed extra help last night. I’ll do double my tasks—”
“How can you? You’re the slowest seamstress in the entire palace—”
“Yes, but that’s because my stitches are the neatest.”
“And your mouth is certainly the rudest.” Irmina glared at her. “Rules are rules. All I ask is that you be on time, and I will not make an exception for you because we’re family.”
“I’m the reason she’s late,” Cinderella spoke up. “Please don’t punish her on my behalf.”
No, Louisa mouthed, trying to wave her away. “Get back in the hall,” she whispered.
But it was too late.
Madame Irmina spun to face her. “And who are you?”
“Cinderella, ma’am.”
A deep frown set Irmina’s tight features. “There is no Cinderella among my girls.”
“I brought her,” Louisa said. “We’ll be in need of more staff if there’s to be a new princess, and she’s a decent seamstress—”
“And who are you to judge whether someone is a decent seamstress?” Madame Irmina said testily. “I make the decisions regarding the household, and we do not need another seamstress.”
“She has no other place to go. I found her on the street.”
“The street!” Irmina repeated with horror. “You cannot simply bring runaways into the palace. There is a long interview process. Not just anyone is fit to serve His Royal Majesty’s household. References must be made and inquired after.”
“Please,” begged Cinderella. “I have nowhere else to go. I can cook and clean and sew—”
“This is the palace.” Madame Irmina sniffed. “If we wanted just anyone who could cook and clean and sew, we would have asked for a wench from the local tavern.”
“Have a heart, Aunt Irmina,” repeated Louisa.
“That’s Madame to you,” Irmina snapped. “Rules are rules. She will have to go. There’s absolutely no room. And as for you, Louisa, it’s high time I had a word with you. If it weren’t for your mother—”
Before she could finish, a bell clanged behind Madame Irmina and she stiffened. Cinderella glanced behind her, noticing once again the wall mounted with dozens of bells, all coded with different stripes of color. The one ringing was in the top row, labeled with a stripe of blue paint.
All the servants immediately scrambled to form a long straight line in the reception room. Booted footsteps echoed down the hall, and a tall figure approached.
“What is this din?” entered a new voice. Aristocratic and exasperated.
Louisa nudged Cinderella to take a place beside her at the end of the line. Cinderella straightened and bent her head, copying everyone’s posture. But she peeked up at the last moment, curious what was going on and who this visitor might be.
As soon as the door into the servants’ quarters opened, she let out a quiet gasp.
It was the Grand Duke.
She had only caught a glimpse of him during the ball, and again when he’d visited the chateau. His black hair was smoothly combed, a monocle hung on a golden chain from his coat pocket, and his blue epaulets bounced slightly as he walked.
He looked tired. His eyes were bloodshot, mustache flat and uncombed.
“That’s the Grand Duke,” Louisa whispered, assuming Cinderella didn’t know. “He’s the king’s closest confidant and adviser. Some say he’s become the most powerful man in Aurelais.”
“Besides the king, of course?” Cinderella whispered back, but Louisa didn’t get a chance to reply.
“Your Grace,” blustered Madame Irmina, “I was not expecting you.”
The Grand Duke surveyed the line of female servants with a curled lip. “Disorder is the precursor of disgrace,” he said. “I expected more of you, Madame Irmina. Your girls seem to have forgotten their manners.”
At once, all the young women in the room curtsied. The move did not seem to mollify the Grand Duke, however, for he simply sniffed in disdain.
“He’s been in a foul mood ever since that mysterious princess vanished from the ball,” Louisa whispered.
At the mention of the mysterious “princess,” Cinderella’s knees stiffened. “Why?”
“The princess left a shoe at the ball. A glass slipper, so I hear. It’s all the prince has of her, so he sent the Grand Duke all over Aurelais to find her.” Louisa let out a quiet sigh. “It’s so terribly romantic. They say the prince will go to the ends of the earth to find her. All day and night the duke’s been searching, but no luck so far. Can’t be long now, though