So This is Love (Disney Twisted Tales) - Elizabeth Lim Page 0,92
could have been a family,” she said, her voice strong yet quiet. “Ever since my father married you, it’s what I wished for most. Instead, you neglected me, you made me serve you, and then you tried to sell me.” She paused. “But I’m not angry with you.”
Now she had Lady Tremaine’s attention.
“I thought I would be,” Cinderella admitted. “I was. But then I realized that it would only make me unhappy. And after being unhappy in your house for so long, I would never choose to feel that way again. I’ve accepted we aren’t a family, and that we never will be. I’ve also accepted that I cannot forget those years that you were cruel to me.”
The height of Lady Tremaine’s chin wilted ever so slightly. She wouldn’t look at Cinderella, but her stepsisters lowered their eyes, shame tingeing their cheeks.
“I forgive you, Stepmother, Anastasia, Drizella. I am not angry with you; if anything, I pity you. You can’t know happiness if your life is built around resentment. For your sakes, I hope your hearts change.”
There. That was all she wished to say, and a soft murmur swelled across the room. Their heads bowed, her stepmother and stepsisters hurried out of the palace, and Charles returned to her side. As conversation resumed among the court, the Grand Duke slithered toward Cinderella and the prince.
“Come now, Your Highness, you ought to take a moment for the unrest from this unfortunate debacle to settle down before you introduce your bride to His Majesty.”
Cinderella barely paid attention as the duke led the couple away from the ballroom and toward an anteroom blocked off by velvet curtains.
All her years with Lady Tremaine had come to an end, and she was free—for good. She’d never have to see the woman ever again if she didn’t wish to. Cinderella sank onto one of the cushioned chairs, glad she had a moment to collect herself before going back out to meet the king.
“Are you all right?” said the prince, sitting beside her.
A mess of emotions tugged at Cinderella’s thoughts—sadness, relief, pity. She wasn’t sure how to sort them out yet, but one thing she was sure of was her love for Charles, and she managed a smile for him. “Thank you for letting her stay.”
“Anything for you,” said Charles. “Though I have to say, she’s terrible, even more than you let on.”
“Indeed,” cut in the Grand Duke, reminding them both that he was there. Cinderella jumped in her chair.
“That was very elegantly done, Your Highness,” Ferdinand said. “Imagine, the nerve of making a maid out of her own stepdaughter! Best to expel such ruffians from the future princess.”
“Yes,” replied the prince stiffly. “And thank you for your help, Ferdinand.”
“It is my pleasure. I vividly recall visiting the Tremaine household.” He shuddered. “Who would have thought there was such a lovely maiden there?” He smiled widely at Cinderella. “Rest here now, and I will ensure that Pierre has retrieved the glass slipper for safekeeping. Allow me also to see to it that order in the ballroom has been restored, and then I will escort you both to His Majesty.”
“It’s unlike Ferdinand to be so helpful,” murmured the prince when the duke had left. Charles stroked his chin. “The Tremaine household was on his list of homes to visit. I wonder why he couldn’t find you.”
“He couldn’t find me because I was hidden away,” said Cinderella softly. “My stepmother locked me in my room when he came to our estate with the glass slipper. I shattered the one I kept so my stepsisters couldn’t use it to get you to marry one of them.” She swallowed. Her mouth was dry, her chest still tight from the encounter with Lady Tremaine and her stepsisters. “Your father doesn’t think I’m a thief, does he? I didn’t steal the glass slippers—”
“I know that,” replied Charles. “My father will understand once I explain it to him.”
“But will you ask him about my fairy god—”
“Ahem,” interrupted the Grand Duke from the doorway. He really had a knack for catching people unaware, and Cinderella wondered how much of their conversation he had heard. “Your father wishes to see you.”
Charles sent her an apologetic look. “I’ll tell Father everything, then send for you.”
“Go,” said Cinderella to the prince. “I’ll wait here for you.”
But as soon as the prince left with the Grand Duke, royal guards appeared out of nowhere, wearing dark and menacing glares.
Cinderella tensed, her thoughts sharpening with fear. They weren’t the same men