A Different Cinderella

Thea owed Caelen big time. Everything out of Miss Marigold’s mouth was driving him insane and he couldn’t escape. He was suffering through endless drivel all so his little sister could make nice with the family of her intended. It was completely unnecessary, in his opinion. Miss Marigold and her mother were never going to risk their chance of becoming connected to the royal family by rejecting the match. They were too greedy for that. The only reason they had been invited for tea was because of the traditional meeting of the courting couple’s families to see if they approved of the match. Though he didn’t want to rush Thea’s time with Elliot, he would love to send this family away. How did his mother do it? At least the youngest Platt daughter wasn’t annoying. She wasn’t a lot of anything, really. She sat quietly, staring at the tablecloth and enjoying her tea. She quietly inhaled the tea’s scent, smiling slightly, and took a delicate sip.

“Are you enjoying your tea, Miss Lottie?” Caelen asked, ready to turn his attention to someone besides Marigold Platt.

Miss Lottie startled slightly, her eyes jumping up to his. “I-I-” She cleared her throat. “Yes, Your Highness. I was wondering which tea it was.”

“It’s from Lendon.” His mother looked at the amber liquid in her own cup. “A gift from a young merchant. It’s his first time at our court, I believe.”

“Was that Mr. Clain?” Caelen asked. He could work with this topic.

“You mean Neil?”

The table turned to Miss Lottie at the outburst. She ducked her head at the sudden attention but stammered out, “W-we met at t-the ball. H-he was telling m-me about t-taking over his father’s cloth business but he’s here to learn about other kingdoms’ trade practices.” Her smile was soft and gentle. “He was very nice.”

If that had been Mr. Clain with Miss Lottie at the ball, there was more behind that smile than girlish infatuation.

“That’s nice, dear,” her mother said, patting her hands as if she were a child speaking nonsense. “But we’re here to talk about Elliot’s relationship.”

Miss Lottie shrank in on herself a bit and nodded before sipping her tea. The excitement in the girl’s eyes had faded, her whole personality closing off in an instant. Caelen was beginning to really dislike Elliot’s stepmother.

Queen Serena smiled softly at Miss Lottie. “And what did you think of Mr. Clain, Miss Lottie?”

Miss Marigold shot her sister a sharp look to keep quiet, but Miss Lottie had the encouragement of a queen. Miss Marigold would just have to be quiet for a while longer. Caelen hoped his smile didn’t come off as smug. He turned to the younger Platt sister and listened as her small talk turned into a variation of light rambled about how much she enjoyed herself in Mr. Clain’s company. Once she got going, it seemed that Miss Lottie was able to be quite charming and engaging. Caelen was greatly enjoying the change of conversation. After a while, the queen turned to the mother.

“It seems as if your youngest might make herself a good match. That will be two of your children who will be looked after and taken care of. That must be such a relief to you.”

Mrs. McKinley nodded with a strained smile. “Very much so, Your Majesty. But I would have to meet this young man before anything official were to happen. It would be remiss of me if I didn’t make sure he could provide for my daughter the way she deserves.” There was a pointed message in her tone directed at Miss Lottie even if she wasn’t looking at her daughter. The young woman lowered her gaze to her tea, the cheerfulness leaving her at her mother’s words.

“Of course,” the queen said. “I can only wish for the very best for Miss Lottie and her happiness.”

Caelen did not envy the lecture Miss Lottie was sure to receive when the family returned home, but he was quite entertained at the ease of which his mother steered the conversation for the rest of their teatime. When it was time for them to part, after they had been forced to send a servant to find Elliot and Thea, Caelen couldn’t be happier to see Miss Marigold and Mrs. McKinley go.

“After that, I believe I will take a moment or two for myself,” Queen Serena said, standing from the table. She smiled to Thea. “Though it was unpleasant, the meeting went well and no objection was made to your suit. It is now up to you and Elliot on how you will proceed. I’ve heard June is a lovely time for weddings.”

Thea blushed and nodded happily. Caelen chuckled to himself at the look in his sister’s eyes. Whatever Elliot had done on their walk in the garden, it had put his sister in a good mood. “I hope you’re in such great spirits when you oversee the guilds’ meeting this afternoon,” he teased. She simply touched the locket around her neck and walked away.

The queen turned to her son. “And what do you have planned for the rest of your day?”

“With Thea taking over the meetings, I might as well help with the plans for the ball. I was the one who wanted it, after all.”

Queen Serena nodded. “Then I shall leave you to your plans. But I expect you at dinner.”

“Of course, Mother.” He kissed her cheek before departing to start on the long list of things that needed to be completed. Thea always made planning and organizing look easy. He was turning the corner when he almost ran into another person.

“Miss Gail,” Caelen said, surprised to see her at the palace. She was dressed in a simple but nice dress and had her usual tool bag slung over her shoulder. “I wasn’t aware Thea had a fitting today.”

“She doesn’t, Your Highness. I was asked to come by Madam Vivian.”

“Really?”

“You don’t have to sound so shocked, Your Highness,” Freda said with a frown.

“Forgive me. It’s just that Madam Vivian doesn’t usually send for others.”

Freda pulled a piece of parchment from her bag and held it out. He scanned the paper. That was definitely Madam Vivian’s letterhead and her signature. Miss Gail had been summoned for a chat, it seemed. “Congratulations,” he said, handing the parchment back and watching her tuck it back in her bag. “And, again, I apologize if I offended you. Let me escort you to the workroom.”

“You don’t need to, Your Highness. I know the way.”

He smiled slightly. “Humor me, Miss Gail. I need the company of someone pleasant after what I’ve been through in the past hour.”

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Difficult meeting?”

“The worst.” He turned and started down the corridor with Miss Gail falling into step. “I have had the unfortunate pleasure of entertaining Miss Marigold Platt and her mother for tea.”

“Congratulations on coming away without a scratch. Those women are some of the most conniving, evil-” Caelen turned to Miss Gail as she growled through her clenched teeth. She flushed slightly, straightening her back. “There is no love lost between us.”

“So I gather, Miss Gail.”

She tilted her head up at the hint of amusement in his voice. “I don’t mean Lottie, of course. She’s a sweet girl who tends to keep to herself and her interests, though I can’t say I blame her with a family like that.”

“She’s a nice girl but was very quiet during our meeting. She jumped when I asked her if she liked the tea. But I can see why Elliot cares for her.”

Miss Gail nodded, chuckling. “Elliot has a soft and loving heart that most people can’t help but want to know and love. Everyone in town loves and respects him. Thea couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

Caelen raised an eyebrow and not just as the easy use of Thea’s first name. “Do you have a romantic interest in Elliot? Because you should accept that he and my sister-”

Her laugher surprised him, her shoulders shaking as they slowly came to a stop outside of Madam Vivian’s workroom. When she calmed herself, she explained, “Elliot and I have been best friends since childhood. We’re close but he’s like an older brother. But you’re not the first person to think that. The entire town has a bet going to see if he’ll propose to me before harvest season is over.” She gave him a sly smile. “I have good odds on him never asking. I can collect earlier if he and Thea announce their engagement soon.”

Caelen studied the young woman in front of him. She was resourceful and optimistic, laughing her way through the situation while turning it around in her favor. He’d seen others do the same thing, but her motives seemed pure. She didn’t laugh at the others’ mistake but at the humor of the bet’s circumstances. This was all in fun and Caelen found himself easily smiling along with her.

“This looks like a cozy scene.”

An older woman stood in the workroom doorway, watching the two of them with an entertained smile. Her silver hair was twisted up into a bun and held in place with a thick strip of ribbon. A worn work apron with pockets filled with sewing tools was secured over a grey skirt and white blouse.

“Miss Freda Gail, may I present Madam Vivian, the Royal Seamstress. Madam Vivian, Miss Freda Gail.” Caelen gave a slight flourish as he presented Miss Gail.

The older woman chuckled and turned away from the prince. “Welcome, Miss Gail. I’m pleased to meet you. Lily has told me so much about you.”

“Lily?”

“Mrs. Webber. She’s been telling me quite a bit about you and your talents.” Madam Vivian stepped back and waved her arm. “Come in. Let’s have some tea.” Miss Gail stepped past the seamstress but Caelen was stopped with a hand on his chest. “Sorry, Caelen, dear, but you’re not invited. Maybe next time.” Madam Vivian stepped back and closed the doors.

Caelen chuckled and turned away, shaking his head. Madam Vivian had never had a problem treating him like any other person she worked with. Miss Gail would enjoy her visit. Caelen looked up and a sudden thought popped into his mind as he spotted someone down the corridor. “Mr. Clain.” The man jumped and turned, dropping into a low bow as he realized who had called him. “Stand, Mr. Clain,” Caelen said as he drew close. “You’re just the man I was looking for.”

“Me, Your Highness?”

“I believe we know the same young lady; a Miss Lottie Platt?” The man nodded. “How do you feel about the lady?”

Mr. Clain flushed slightly. “Respectfully, Your Highness, I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” he said defensively.

Caelen raised a hand. “Calm yourself. I have just come from a meeting with the young lady and she spoke very highly of you. I had the impression that you two might be interested in entering a relationship. If so, I would like to help.”

The merchant’s brow furrowed. “Why?”

“Two reasons. One, I think Miss Lottie deserves to have something good in her life outside of her embroidery. She is obviously smitten with you and, if you feel the same, I’d like to do some good. Two, her stepbrother, Elliot McKinley, is courting my sister and she would owe me a huge favor if I could get his family to focus their attention on someone else for a while.”

Mr. Clain was quiet for a few moments, running through everything said. “I care for Miss Lottie,” he finally said. “But I know that her family would never approve of me. They want her to catch someone with higher standing than a cloth merchant.”

Caelen grinned and clapped his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I can take care of that. I just need to know if you want to be with Miss Lottie.” Mr. Clain stood tall and firmly nodded at the prince. “Good. Now, tell me everything about your business and what you plan on doing with it in the future.”