So This is Love (Disney Twisted Tales) - Elizabeth Lim Page 0,53
isn’t so bad,” Cinderella replied. When Louisa gave her an incredulous look, she insisted, “Really.”
“Before any of you get any ideas,” continued Madame Irmina, “understand that anyone who is found sneaking off into the ball will be discharged immediately.” Her gaze swept across the room. “I will not be as forgiving as I was the last time.”
“Aunt Spoilsport,” Louisa muttered. She turned to Cinderella, whispering, “Don’t worry, we’ll find a way to go.”
“I don’t plan on going.”
“What?”
Before Cinderella could reply, Irmina announced, “You are all dismissed.” Then she spun to face the two girls. “Except you, Cinderella. A word.”
Cinderella blinked, unsure of what she could possibly want.
“Ahem,” said Irmina, looking pointedly at Cinderella until she glanced down and realized her sash was crooked. Irmina waited until it was fixed before continuing, “You’ve lasted longer than I expected, and it appears Her Highness actually finds you a competent royal attendant. I have determined that you may stay—at least for the duration of Her Highness’s visit.”
“Oh, thank you!” Cinderella clasped her hands together and nearly hugged Louisa’s aunt. It wasn’t a permanent position, but it was a start. She’d continue to earn wages, and if she saved wisely, she might even be able to open a shop one day, like Louisa’s mother.
“Don’t thank me.” Madame Irmina didn’t smile, but she didn’t frown, either. That was a start, Cinderella supposed. “You do your job, and you don’t cause any mischief. Eyes to the ground and ears tuned to the bells, understood?”
As if on cue, the duchess’s call bell tolled, clattering loudly against the wall.
“Now, off with you. Make the duchess happy so she doesn’t give my girls any extra work before the masquerade.”
“I’ll try,” Cinderella promised, buoyed by Madame Irmina’s newfound trust in her.
Unfortunately, when Cinderella returned to the royal apartments it appeared the duchess was not in a better mood.
“There you are,” huffed Genevieve. “I thought I’d have to send a search party to get you.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. Madame Irmina called us for a staff meeting.”
“I didn’t ask for an explanation. Only that you be prompt.”
Cinderella’s shoulders fell. Whatever rapport she had established with the Duchess of Orlanne seemed long forgotten; for whatever reason, the king’s sister was preoccupied by something that greatly vexed her.
“It’s getting late, and there is much for you to do before tomorrow.”
“Will you need a gown fitted, ma’am?” Cinderella asked as she tidied up the spread of teacups and empty plates scattered around Genevieve’s sitting room.
“A gown? Whatever for?”
“For the ball tomorrow night. Madame Irmina told us it was to be in your honor, so I thought you might want to try on your gown in advance—”
“Not now, Cindergirl. I will tell you when I need a gown fitted. You do not decide.”
Thinking it would be wise to change topics, Cinderella said, “Did you have an enjoyable ride out into town yesterday?”
She almost added “with the prince,” but she bit her tongue.
Genevieve powdered her nose, then snapped the compact shut. “What did you do during your morning off, Cindergirl?”
“Me?” she stammered. “I . . . I went to the library.”
“What for? I didn’t ask for any books.”
“For myself, ma’am.” Cinderella bit her tongue. Much as she liked the duchess, she didn’t dare tell her she’d been trying to learn more about magic to help her fairy godmother. “Now that I’m working in the palace, I wanted to learn more about Aurelais’s history, and about the people in the portraits I’ve seen in all the halls.”
“Bah. My family is hardly worth reading about.”
“Is that what’s been bothering you, ma’am?”
“What’s bothering me is my own business. Let me be. No, wait.” A sigh. “I’m not rankled at you.”
Is it the Grand Duke? Cinderella wondered. But she didn’t dare ask.
“I would have thought that after ten years the palace would have changed. Honestly, had I known that everyone here was still churlish and narrow-minded, I would never have come. Even George . . . oh, he’s been cordial enough to me and I to him, but we’ve been dancing around our past, as if it never happened.”
“Maybe you should talk to him about it.”
“I should.” She gave a morose smile. “But pride has always been my strong suit, you see, and George’s, too. I don’t even remember who started the argument, not that it matters. Thankfully, Charles is more like his mother. He will make a fine husband and father one day.”
Cinderella’s heart quickened a beat, but she said nothing.
“One day soon,” added the duchess. “George is eager to have