So This is Love (Disney Twisted Tales) - Elizabeth Lim Page 0,87
he is.” Something screeched outside, and Genevieve winced, gesturing at the windows. “Close them for me, will you? I have important things to tell you, but who can concentrate with all that racket?”
That “racket” turned out to be because of flowers, hundreds of them, arriving by the cartful. Roses, orchids, lilies, daffodils, irises, and a dozen other varieties that she could not name. Heavy porcelain vases were mounted all around the grand ballroom and the royal gardens, displaying the arrangements in all their grandeur. But one arrangement stood out from the rest.
From the duchess’s window, Cinderella watched the gardeners erect a trellis studded with roses. When the palace staff wheeled out a barrow of flowers, white pearlescent roses intertwined with pink ones as flushed as the height of sunrise, she nearly gasped.
Her parents’ favorite flowers. White and pink roses, with a touch of myrtle.
Charles had been listening.
“Are you paying attention to a word I’m saying?” Genevieve rapped Cinderella’s shoulder with her fan. “A princess must be engaged and focused, not prone to daydreaming.”
Cinderella jerked her head away from the window. “I’m sorry. I was looking at the flowers.”
“Charles’s doing, isn’t it?” Genevieve clucked her tongue at the sight. “He’s a romantic, like his father. Not all kings see the value of marrying for love, as my brother and nephew do. But sometimes love isn’t enough. It’ll take more, much more, for the court to accept you.”
Now Genevieve had Cinderella’s full attention. “Aurelais has never had a commoner for a princess. I know.”
“That will not be your only challenge.”
The heaviness in Genevieve’s tone made Cinderella frown. “What do you mean?”
The duchess put on her tiara, and her voice turned grave. “This is between you and me, Cinderella, but the king is unwell. No one knows how ill—the blasted physicians here won’t answer any of my questions directly. All they’ll say is that he has taken a turn for the worse.”
Cinderella’s hand jumped to her mouth. She couldn’t believe it. “But he seemed fine at the masquerade and at breakfast.”
“Yes, I wasn’t even aware myself that anything was wrong with him. But I suppose now it makes sense—his wanting to abdicate and everything.”
Does it? Cinderella couldn’t shake the feeling that something was not right, but maybe it was simply her surprise. “Will he recover?”
“I hope so, my dear. But Dr. Coste wants him to rest, and to steer clear of affairs that will strain him.” Genevieve placed a gentle hand on Cinderella’s arm. “You do realize what this means, don’t you?” she said quietly. “My brother may step down sooner than anyone anticipated, meaning Charles will become king.”
That meant if Cinderella married him, she would become—
She swallowed hard. Queen.
“I’m not even ready to become a princess,” she said. “I can’t even imagine—”
“I believe that’s part of the reason my nephew chose you. Why he loves you.” The duchess’s voice remained gentle. “Few would even have second thoughts about becoming a princess, and that you do is a great sign of wisdom. The crown can be a heavy responsibility, but most girls won’t understand that. They only see marrying the prince as an opportunity to wear pretty gowns, live in a palace, and become a member of the royal family.”
Cinderella reflected on the duchess’s words. She remembered how eager her stepsisters had been to go to the ball, how conniving her stepmother had been for them to get the prince’s attention. She’d never stopped to consider why Lady Tremaine had been so ruthless.
You’ve never known hardship, Cinderella, her stepmother had told her once, years ago. You had a roof over your head, food to eat at every meal. Your father spoiled you from the day you were born.
A ragged breath caught in Cinderella’s throat. “I do not wish to marry the prince as a way to better my status.”
“I know, my dear. But others will not understand that. In fact, if you accept my nephew’s proposal, you will face great opposition, particularly from the Grand Duke.” Genevieve grimaced. “The question is, do you love Charles?”
“Yes,” Cinderella said without hesitation. “Of course I do.”
“And he loves you. I have no doubt that you are the right companion for him, and the right princess for Aurelais.”
The duchess bestowed Cinderella with a rare smile. “Ruling Aurelais will not be easy for Charles. At times, it may even feel like a terrible burden, one that he should not have to bear alone. Now that he has you, I pray the two of you will help each other,