So This is Love (Disney Twisted Tales) - Elizabeth Lim Page 0,48
his true love.”
Ferdinand detected an elusive strain in George’s voice, but he looked better than he had the past month. When his son had returned, so had the bloom in his cheeks and some of the vigor in his personality. Certainly, his stubbornness.
Ferdinand would bide his time. Carefully.
In the meantime, he had more important issues to press. “Perhaps, sire, we’d be better off trying to arrange a marriage for the prince with the Princess of Lourdes.”
“An arranged marriage? You remember how that turned out for Genevieve. Also, the Lourdes royal family is unbearable.”
“Yes, but I’m sure the prince will see reason once we explain.”
“Bah, reason. Does a young man pining for a girl with a glass slipper sound like someone who is prone to reason?”
“No, sire, but—”
“And didn’t you doubt that my plan would work? If it worked once, it can work again.” King George clasped his hands together and rubbed them. “All we have to do is create the right mood, invite the right girls.”
Ferdinand’s brow furrowed. “But why a masquerade?”
“Genevieve has this idea that the boy will find true love better if he’s not blinded by the girl’s beauty.” King George coughed. “Always practical, my sister.”
“Sire, are you all right?”
“I’m fine!” barked the king. “Stop questioning me, and do what I ask.”
Calm, Ferdinand. If the king is going to be dead set on Charles marrying, you must see to it that he selects your bride. A bride the council will thank you for choosing.
“I don’t think that another ball is the answer. Give Charles some time, and he’ll forget the girl. Then we can arrange a marriage for him with a proper princess from one of the neighboring—”
“The ball’s been decided,” interrupted the king. “This is your last chance, Ferdinand. Don’t disappoint me again.”
“Certainly, Your Majesty.” The Grand Duke swept a bow, but as soon as he turned away from the king, he scowled. Things were not going as he had planned. Not at all.
When he returned to his chambers, Ferdinand sank into his chair and drummed his fingers on his desk. If the king wanted to be foolish and take Genevieve’s advice over his, then more drastic measures needed to be taken. The duke needed to prepare for the worst: it stood to reason that when Charles ascended the throne, he would kick Ferdinand out of the council and replace him with some radical fool he’d met at university.
Ferdinand needed to cement his power, and now. If he could finagle Charles into marrying the Princess of Lourdes, her father would reward him handsomely, maybe even insist on making him ambassador to Lourdes. The council would laud him for being the engineer of such a desirable royal union: his legacy would be established, and his power impossible to undermine—even for Charles.
But first, Ferdinand needed an informed report from his sources within. No, “sources” wasn’t quite right. He preferred to think of them as involuntary emissaries.
The first one he would call for would be that doe-eyed servant girl, Cinderella.
Cinderella had a feeling, as the Grand Duke peered at her through his monocle, that he was mildly displeased she did not fear him.
She had dreaded their meeting, to be sure, but she wasn’t afraid of him and she wouldn’t pretend to be. The only person she’d ever been truly afraid of was her stepmother, but those years with Lady Tremaine were over.
“Young lady, I see no point in beating around the bush. I have called you here regarding a matter of critical importance to the state.” The Grand Duke drummed his fingers on the gilded desk. “Have you learned anything of value from Genevieve?”
Cinderella straightened in her chair, lifting her chin so she could meet his eyes. “I don’t understand what you mean, Your Grace. Mostly, I brush Her Highness’s hair and help her dress. She doesn’t talk to me about important matters.”
“She does not need to talk to you. That is why I installed you as her personal attendant.” The duke glowered at her. “You have every opportunity to eavesdrop on her conversations, read her mail, record her comings and goings. Why, when she was away with the prince, you should have been searching her room for indications of treachery!”
“Treachery?” Cinderella repeated with a frown. By that, did he mean magic? “Sir,” she said carefully, “why would the king’s sister be a traitor?”
The Grand Duke leaned back against a plush cushion, steepling his long fingers before answering. “Because of her husband! How else but for subterfuge do you think