A Different Cinderella

Thea pushed her eggs around on her plate while Caelen pulled his toast into tiny pieces. Both were lost in thought and Queen Serena had a fairly decent idea about what.

“So how was the ball last night?” she asked.

Her children looked up from their musings. Thea gave her mother a slight smile. “It was very nice. Well organized, Mother.”

“Well, thank you,” the queen said with an amused smile. “But I don’t think that is the cause of your lack of appetite.” Thea blushed and returned her attention to her plate. The queen turned to her other child. “And you, Caelen? Did you have a nice time or were you as miserable as you said you would be?”

Caelen smiled softly, setting his toast pieces to the side. “I think I’d like to have another ball. Hopefully by next week.” Both women looked at him with surprise.

“Another ball?” Thea asked. He nodded. “Is this because of the Mystery Woman?”

“Oh?” Queen Serena had noticed her son’s attention toward the starry clad woman. He’d spent the whole night with her. It wasn’t hard to see he was smitten. “Does she have a name, this Mystery Woman?”

“She wouldn’t tell me and she wore a mask.”

“So your solution to finding her is to throw another ball and hope that she appears wearing the same outfit?”

“If she had left any clues on how to find her, I would have used those.” He sank back into his chair. “But she left me nothing. Nothing but a yearning heart and a burning need to behold her beautiful smile once more.”

Thea smirked. “She also left you with bad poetry.”

He narrowed his eyes in her direction before resting his arms on the table and leaning closer to his sister. “And what about you? How did things go for you and your young suitor in the garden?”

Her cheeks turned red and she sat taller in her chair. “Mr. McKinley was a perfect gentleman, I’ll have you know. We talked. Nothing else.” She set her fork down and folded her hands in her lap. “At least I know who he is and I’ll be seeing him again. He’s coming for a visit today.”

“What kind of visit, dear?” Queen Serena watched her daughter closely.

Thea hesitated, realizing what she’d let slip. “He’s…he’s coming to answer a question I had.”

“A man coming all the way to the palace to answer a question? My, he sounds interesting. I look forward to meeting him.” If the queen took a little pleasure in her daughter’s suddenly wide eyes and pale complexion, hiding her smile behind the rim of her teacup, then she could just keep that little bit to herself. “What question did you ask him?”

“Nothing…too important.” Thea picked up her tea and gave the smile she usual had on when she tried to subtly persuade a delegate to do something she wanted. “Certainly not important enough to skip your meeting with the head of the blacksmithing guild.”

“I can’t wait to meet this man of yours, too,” Caelen said, grinning at his sister’s discomfort. Thea was usually so put together and in control of herself. It was interesting to see such a change in her.

She snapped her gaze to him. “But isn’t Madam Vivian coming back today? I’m sure you’ll want to get everything in order for her return. Maybe check to make sure her workroom is in order.”

“She’ll understand if I am occupied. She might even want to meet your gentleman friend, too.”

Thea was ready snap at her brother, but a steward gently cleared his throat from the dinning room entrance. “There is a young man here who wishes to see the princess, Your Majesty.”

“Oh?” The queen watched Thea straighten in her chair. “What does his card say?”

“There was no card given, Your Majesty. He says the princess asked him to come this morning.”

Queen Serena smiled as she watched Thea quickly pat her hair into place. “Please direct him to the council chamber. We will be with him momentarily.” The steward bowed and left. Thea quickly finished her tea and stood, smoothing her dress free of nonexistent wrinkles.

“You look fine, Thea,” Queen Serena said. “Just relax.” Thea nodded and left the dining room with a little bit less grace than she usually had but with more enthusiasm than she’d displayed in weeks. The queen sighed gently. She remembered being just as nervous when William had first come calling on her. He’d been so nervous when he’d presented the matching pearl necklace and earrings as his first courting gifts that he’d dropped them. It was still one of her more treasured memories of her husband.

She turned to her son with a mischievous smile. “I think we should listen in, don’t you?” Caelen grinned and the two royals silently left their breakfast in search of better entertainment.

§∞§

Thea couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so nervous, but she shoved it down and pushed the door open. Mr. McKinley rose from his seat, running a hand through his hair. His plain clothes suited him far better than the ones he’d worn to the ball. Although he looked handsome in both styles, he seemed far more real as he was dressed now.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

She smiled at his gentle tone. “Good morning, Mr. McKinley,” she said, closing the door. “I hope you are feeling well this morning.”

“Yes. Thank you. I hope my visit has not inconvenienced you.”

“Not at all, I assure you. Please, sit.” She took the chair next to his and waited until he was ready to talk.

“Why do you want me,” he suddenly asked, dropping the small talk and jumping right to the heart of the matter. “You could literally have anyone you want but you chose me. I’m nobody important and I have nothing I could possibly give you. I would probably be bringing more trouble because of my stepmother’s scheming. Why would you want any of that?”

Thea stared. He truly believed he was nothing? She couldn’t contest the look in his eyes. He was convinced he wasn’t good enough. “When I first saw you at the ball, I watched you comfort your stepsister. You were there for her through the walk up to the thrones, through the presentation, and even when you moved off to the side. You were her rock and even made sure she had a chance to enjoy the rest of the ball. You cared for her and I’m sure that she doesn’t see you as a nobody. It was that action that caught my attention, but when I saw you, I felt like something in me slid into place, making me feel completed. I only acted on it when we were together in the garden and I was sure about my feelings.” She reached out and took his hand, making him fully look at her. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you and that feeling only grew the longer we talked in the garden. I’m not choosing you for what you can give me but for who you are. I realize that you may not feel the same way as me or even believe in love at first sight, but I have to be honest about everything to make sure that you understand what I’m saying and offering.”

Mr. McKinley stared at her and she was sure she was redder than a tomato, but she didn’t look away. He had to see and hear the sincerity of her words. She hoped that he wouldn’t reject her but if he did, she would try very hard to hide her tears until she got to the privacy of her rooms. Tears would only make him feel guilty for his choice. Her heart skipped a beat as he turned his wrist and curled his fingers around her hand.

“I have never felt romantic love,” he said. “But the feeling you described is what I felt when you came up to me and when we walked in the garden. I would like to see if this is really love… and, if you are willing to bear with my stepfamily’s ulterior motives, I would accept your offer of courtship.”

Thea grinned and quickly nodded. “Yes,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Yes. Thank you, Mr. McKinley.”

“Elliot,” he corrected with red cheeks. “Please, Your Highness.”

“Thea.” Her cheeks hurt from smiling but she didn’t mind. She was just so happy. But one thought made her smile vanish. “Courting gifts! I forgot all about them.”

Elliot reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen but I brought this just in case. It’s not very grand but it was my mother’s. It’s one of the few pieces I managed to save when my stepmother cleaned out my parents’ things after my father’s death.” He placed it on the table. “I wish for you to have it as my courting gift to you.”

Thea undid the string and pushed the plain paper aside, her lips parting as she stared at the silver locket inside. It was the size of a thumb but had a delicate rose engraved on the front with the chain resembling climbing vines. The craftsmanship was stunning and she brushed her fingers over the metal ridges.

“It’s beautiful.” Thea looked up, holding it out to Elliot. “Would you mind putting it on?” He smiled, a look of relief crossing his face, and he took the necklace with his fingers grazing her palm. Warmth covered the area he’d touched, sending a pleasurable shiver up her spine. She turned and waited as he secured it around her neck. The pendant rested just below her collarbone. Thea touched it once more, turning back to face Elliot. “I wish I had thought about your courting gift. I’m usually more organized.”

He shook his head. “It is not important-”

“But it is.” Thea took his hands again. “You deserve a courting gift and it’s on me for not thinking of one.” She shook her head. “And I was the one who asked you. I’m so sorry.”

Elliot chuckled and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. She blinked, surprised at the soft gesture as he pulled back. He cleared his throat as a blush crept over his cheeks. “I don’t mind what you give. I’m just honored that you chose me.”

Thea leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. He stilled for a heartbeat. A heated thrill zipped through her body and she slid to the edge of her chair, resting a hand over his heart. It pounded against her touch, matching the wild rhythm of her own heart. His lips were slightly chapped but warm. She slowly pulled back, her fingers curling into his coat as her head spun. Licking her lip, Thea opened her eyes and stared into Elliot’s dazed stare. “Consider that a temporary holder until I can give you a proper gift.” Elliot could only nod, finding it a bit difficult to speak after such a powerful kiss.

The door of the council chamber opened to reveal a very pleased queen and prince. The newly courting couple stood, Elliot paling at the sudden meeting of the rest of the royal family while Thea blushed at being caught. He dropped into a bow but the queen only chuckled. “Rise, Mr. McKinley. I would speak eye to eye with the man who has stolen my daughter’s heart.” The color did not return to his face when he met the queen’s gaze. She slowly looked him over and he tried to stand as still as possible. The queen finished her evaluation and gave him her full attention. “Does your family know of your intent to accept the courtship offer?”

“No, Your Majesty. I did not want them to have a chance to influence my decision more than they already do.” Thea squeezed his hand, drawing his gaze. “I know that this courtship will be in the public eye, but this relationship will always involve the two of us. I wanted to know if you were still interested in me before I said anything.”

The queen nodded. “Very wise. And well said. I would hate to think that my sensible daughter had given her heart away to a man intent on using her for the throne.”

“I have no aspirations for the throne.”

“But you realize that Thea might take the throne one day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. But I am a far cry from a qualified ruler.”

“Mother,” Thea interjected. “If Elliot does not want to take the crown as king, he can always be the Royal Consort. I would never pressure you into anything you did not want to do,” she added to the man at her side. He sighed in relief, his rigid body slowly relaxing and color returning to his cheeks. “We should be partners in this. It affects both of our lives before anything or anyone else.” He matched her caring smile. She would be there for him when he needed her. It was nice. He would try his hardest to be there for her, as well. That’s what a partner did and he really wanted to be her partner.

“I suppose the only thing left to do is have your family over for a meeting.” Caelen frowned. “Is there any way that we can do that without your stepmother or stepsister? The one who wore that awful red dress?”

“It must be with the whole family, I’m afraid,” the queen said. She sounded just as dejected as Caelen. Noticing Elliot’s uneasy expression, she shook her head. “It’s nothing against you, my boy. I just don’t trust those who would present their children as she has. I also find your stepsister highly improper.” His body relaxed, only to stiffen once more when she continued. “In the meantime, I would like to talk to you about your intentions.”

“Mother-”

“Caelen, be a dear and find something for you and your sister to do for a few minutes. I’d like to talk to Mr. McKinley alone.”

“Gladly.” He turned to his sister and pulled her away from Elliot. “Come along, Thea. Let’s go stand in the hallway for a little while.” Her eyes narrowed at him. “We’ll let you say goodbye before he leaves. It’s Mother’s turn to talk to him, though.” He pulled her out of the room and closed the door behind them.

§∞§

Elliot swallowed hard. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so tense in one day and it was barely late morning. He’d been excitedly nervous with Thea, but her mother was a different matter. How was he supposed to react when the queen wanted to privately speak with him? What if he offended her and she refused to allow him to court her daughter? His palms started to sweat and he pressed them to his side. They’d start shaking soon if he didn’t calm down.

“Please take a seat,” Queen Serena said as she took Thea’s original seat. He retook his chair with a stiff body. “Relax, Mr. McKinley. I am not going to order your head be stricken from your shoulders. I only want to talk to you without the presence of my children.” His nod was shaky and he curled his fingers into his palms.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The queen smiled. “I remember your father. He was a good man and my dear William enjoyed his company very much when he came to the palace. He was such a caring man and he loved you very much. I’m sorry that you have to suffer his lose.”

Elliot nodded slowly. His chest warmed with the same mix of pain and happiness that usually appeared when someone talked about his father. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I looked up to my father and miss him. I’m sorry you had to lose your husband.”

“Thank you.” Sadness passed through her eyes but was quickly pushed away and her smile brightened. “Let us not talk about the past. It is the future I want to know about. Especially what you intend to do when my daughter ascends the throne.”

That was a big issue. Elliot knew in theory how things worked in the court and politics, but the closest he’d ever come to solving important issues was when he had to step in between quarrelling merchants. He didn’t know how to run a kingdom. “If Thea wishes to rule, I will try to become a supporting husband, but I do not know how to do most of what she does. I help in my little town, but nothing to the grand scale as a kingdom.”

“I know that. I’m not asking you to be the perfect ruler, for there is no such person. Besides, Thea has everything well in hand when it comes to politics. What I’m asking is what you will do should your future wife become the Queen of Ster.”

“I-” He wasn’t prepared for this kind of questioning. If he had ever married, he had supposed it would be to a simple woman from a town like his; maybe the daughter of a merchant or farmer. He’d never dreamed that it might be the princess, so he’d never thought of what he would do if he were to become the Royal Consort. His mind was starting to turn blank and he found his mouth talking without his control. “I’d like to say that I would be fine with her becoming the queen, but I’m not sure how I would react. With no experience in politics outside a few yelling matches between the butcher and baker of my hometown, I do not think I would ever be able to match Thea. But I don’t want to match her in the political arena; she’s capable enough to stand tall all on her own. What I can give is my love and support to the woman that she is, because she is a woman and not just a royal. And she’s going to need someone to be there for her when she stops being a royal for the day and just wants to be a simple woman. At the very least, I can be her partner in our relationship.” His heart was still pounding in his chest when he finally stopped talking. He really hoped his rambling made sense.

Queen Serena nodded slowly, her smile turning remembrance and gentle. “That is what I was hoping you would say.” At his confused expression, she continued. “Do you know why William and I were so good together? It was because we were partners on and off the throne. Any couple can rule their kingdom into prosperity, but they are usually unhappy in their marriage because of the lack of love. This leads them to taking lovers and causing all sorts of political strife. I do not fault them, for it is the best they can do in their situations, but William and I were a team. Our marriage was a partnership based on love and respect. There were days when William was too flustered from his duties that all he wanted was someone to rant to.” She chuckled, her eyes no longer focused in the present. “He would sometimes crawl under the covers of our bed and whine like a little child if he had had a bad day. I would have to coax him out with hot chocolate and sweets. He’d complain about something an advisor said or how he just wanted to go out riding and leave everything behind. I’d let him way what he wanted, of course, and it made him feel better. I did it because I loved him and I knew that he would do the same for me when I needed it. We did not think less of the other because of these moments and that kind of safety was what gave us the wonderful life we had together.” She returned her attention to Elliot. “There is a lot of pressure on royals and we strive to always meet that pressure for the good of our people, but we are also humans who want to be loved and held and sometimes told that everything will be alright even when it won’t be. Can you honestly say that you will love and care for my daughter in that way?”

“Yes.” Elliot didn’t even need to think. The longer he heard the queen talk about her husband and how the two had loved one another, he had pictured the same with him and Thea. His heart had swelled in his chest and a wave of peace had consumed his very soul; a peace he hadn’t known since his father was alive. Those feelings had been there and had only needed the right words to be realized. Now he knew. He needed to talk to Thea.

“Go,” Queen Serena said as if he had spoken his thoughts out loud. “I know enough about you for now. I approve and you have my blessing to court my daughter.”

Elliot stood and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” He left the room, quickly scanning the hall. He heard voices coming from his right. One sounded like the princess. It didn’t take him long to find Prince Caelen and Thea. Her brother was making sure she didn’t move from the chair next to a large suit of armor. Elliot grinned as he heard her threat of using the nearby axe to hack something precious off of her brother’s body. She was so beautiful and became even lovelier when her entire face turned cherry red when she noticed him listening.

“Is everything all right,” she asked as she stood. The prince stepped aside to let her pass. “What did Mother say?”

Elliot strode up to her, his body powered with the full acceptance of his feelings. His hands gently cupped her cheek and neck, pulling her close, and he pressed his lips to hers. She didn’t hesitate to throw her arms around his waist and match his passion with her own. Unlike their last kiss, where Elliot had been too shocked to really respond, he sank into the heat and pleasure of having Thea in his arms. It felt right; it felt like home.

“Ahem,” Prince Caelen said loudly, as if he’d been trying to get their attention for a while. Elliot reluctantly pulled away but didn’t pull away from Thea’s embrace. “I’m glad you’re comfortable enough for such displays of affection, but could you not do that in front of me? I don’t want to think of my sister in that way.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Elliot said, blushing.

The prince smiled and waved his hand dismissively. “Call me Caelen. By the looks of things, you’ll be family sooner than you think.”

Thea looked at her brother. “Could you give us a moment?”

“It’s not exactly proper, Thea,” Caelen said with a smirk. “But, then again, nothing about your courtship so far has been proper. Which I think is a good change for you, by the way. I’ll leave you to see him out.” He turned slightly serious as he looked back to Elliot. “Don’t try anything with my sister. You’re not married yet.” Elliot nodded and the prince left them alone in the corridor.

Thea couldn’t help but smile up at Elliot and he pressed another kiss to her lips. It wasn’t as passionate as the one before, but held just as must meaning. Thea pulled away slightly. “What did Mother say?”

“She wanted to know what kind of husband I would be to you.” His eyes traveled over her face with new perspective, committing every gentle curve and soft angle to memory. “Our talk made me realize what my feelings mean. They were originally just strange stirrings, but she helped me put a name to them.” His hand rose to gently cradle her cheek. “Thea, I love you.”

Her lips parted slightly before turning up in a grin. “I love you, too, Elliot.” She threw her arms around his neck and captured his lips. He slid his arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet. They would have stayed in that corridor, trapped in one another’s embrace, if the clock chimes hadn’t reached them.

Elliot pulled away and slowly lowered her to the ground. He rested his forehead against hers as he regained his breathing. “I have to get home. I’ve been gone too long.”

Thea slid her hands down his shoulders to rest on his arms. “Is it wrong of me to wish that time had never been invented?”

With a slight chuckle, Elliot pressed a kiss to her brow. “We’ll have time later. You can count on that.” He breathed out softly. “But now I have to go home and tell my stepmother what has happened. She’ll want to meet you all very soon.”

“Tomorrow. Come for tea and we’ll have our families meet.” She leaned against his warm chest. “The sooner we get the meeting over with, the better.”

The two stood there for a while before Elliot slowly pulled away. He brushed a kiss against her lips. “I love you,” he said softly, lips curling at the words that felt so right to say, and reluctantly left. Thea wanted to walk with him, but knew that she wouldn’t be able to leave him at the door. This parting was better.

She turned in the opposite direction and headed for her room. There were things to be done for the ball next week if Caelen was going to insist on holding one to find his Mystery Woman. She should send a message to Freda. Thea needed a new dress and a friend to share the good news with.