So This is Love (Disney Twisted Tales) - Elizabeth Lim Page 0,88
and I will do what I can to help you feel at home with the role.”
Genevieve continued, “You have only hours until you go from palace servant to the future queen of Aurelais. Many will not take the news well, particularly not the blue-blooded young ladies who will resent the prince for rebuffing them for you.”
Cinderella thought of her stepsisters, who’d reveled for years in tormenting her. “I can handle it.”
When she did not elaborate, Genevieve appraised her. “When Charles declares that you are to be the princess of Aurelais, all attention will be on you. This is the first impression everyone will have of you.
“You have natural grace, which most princesses take decades to learn, but it won’t be enough. Nothing would ever be enough, even if you had been born royal.” The duchess lifted Cinderella’s chin so their eyes were level. “In my time, we stood by the three Ps. I thought it was a bunch of hogwash, but I’ll impart it to you anyway. It was essential that a princess be poised, pleasant, and—”
“Pretty?” Cinderella guessed.
“Presentable,” corrected the duchess. “That’s what all the wigs and powder and rouge were for. Nowadays, women are more after the natural look. Which, I suppose, isn’t a problem for you.” She hummed approvingly. “Now, what color gown should you like to wear tonight?”
“Something blue,” replied Cinderella thoughtfully. “It was my mother’s favorite color, and I wish with all my heart she could have met Charles and seen us together.”
“That’s a beautiful thought, Cindergirl.” She patted Cinderella’s shoulders. “Let it be one of several happy thoughts that hold you strong tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“Charles and I may not care that you’re a servant in the palace, but the rest of the court will. We must give everyone as little opportunity as possible to find fault with you. The Grand Duke, especially.”
It was the second time Genevieve had mentioned the duke. Cinderella decided it couldn’t hurt to voice a question that had been nagging at her.
“When I went to the library last week, I came across an old page in a book. It was torn off from an adventure novel. I think it might have been one of yours, from your husband. . . . There was a message: ‘We must bring magic back.’ ”
A note of surprise touched the duchess’s features. “You found that?”
“I was curious about magic,” Cinderella confessed at last. “You see, I have a fairy godmother, and I’m afraid she’s gotten into some trouble for helping me go to the ball. Charles has promised to take me to the council to speak in her defense, but I worry that they won’t listen to me.”
“They won’t,” confirmed Genevieve, “not with Ferdinand there.” She pressed her lips tightly. “Arthur used to leave me notes among the library’s art books so Ferdinand wouldn’t catch us trying to save as much of magic as we could: the art and the books and the gifts from the fairies. Alas, in the end we couldn’t save the fairies themselves.”
A cloud passed outside, darkening the duchess’s expression. “In spite of the risks, my husband dedicated himself to reinstating magic into the kingdom. He actually had a bit of fairy blood in him—nothing that would amount to any power, per se—but it was something he was proud of.
“I believe Ferdinand saw him as a threat, as someone who might have more influence on my brother than he would like. It was looking more and more like George would turn to Arthur as his adviser instead of Ferdinand when the former Grand Duke passed. So Ferdinand accused my husband of treason for helping fairies hide in Aurelais, and for being magical—and therefore dangerous—himself. Arthur used the passageways in this very castle to get as many fairies out of Aurelais as he could. When he wouldn’t give up their locations, Ferdinand further smeared his reputation. My brother listened, desperate to find some way to channel his grief, I suspect. And lo, we were banished.”
A hard lump formed in Cinderella’s throat, but she wasn’t surprised. “That’s . . . that’s terrible.”
“Ferdinand is terrible,” Genevieve replied in a steely tone, “but Aurelais is the one that’s suffered most without magic. Then again, I suppose you youngsters don’t remember what it was like to have magic in the kingdom. It was like seeing sunshine on the other side of the storm or having a little extra wind beneath your feet as you ran home.”
“I can imagine,” Cinderella said softly. “When I had