corridor.
“Oh, oui , ma chére ,” Stepmamá began.
Cinderella was taken aback by her pleasant tone, but she’d already identified the evil in her expression . Stepmamá advanced toward her like a large cat bent on attack . She was here to thrash her, but good . The ‘why’ would not matter.
But, by the grace of God, and miracle of all miracles, colossal relief assaulted her in a commotion commencing just beyond Stepmamá ’s broad shoulders . Both Stepmamá and her clone whipped about sharply, dipping into deep curtsies as Queen Thomasine made her way toward their small entourage . Cinderella and Esmeralda quickly followed suit .
With a wave of her hand, Queen Thomasine said, “ R ise, rise , sil vous plait . ” To Hilda, “My dear, i t has occurred to me you and your daughters might enjoy an informal tour of the Royal Portrait Gallery . It has been some time since I myself have toured that wing of the castle and would very much enjoy conducting you through the gallery , as you will become family soon enough. ”
Cinderella tried to hold back her gasp . Without much luck, however . The queen was offering a tour to Stepmamá and her stepsisters, personally . Only the sight of Esmeralda’s open mouth had Cinderella snapping hers shut . She shrank back . This would not include her, of course. The candlelight in the sconces flickered wildly.
Stepmamá drew herself up to an unprecedented height, the skin beneath her chin wriggling like a small animal . “That…that would be lovely, your majesty . Pricilla? Esmeralda?” she g asped . Stepmamá’s gaze swept to each . They both nodded their assent s , eyes wide, no words spilling forth . Her gaze raked over Cinderella in acute displeasure . An expression Cinderella knew Queen Thomasine could not see from her vantage point . She flinched at the silent assault .
The awkwardness of the moment became palpable . She had best be prepared to pay for this infraction later . An infraction inferred by her very presence . Because, although Stepmamá had never actually admitted that Cinderella was her stepdaughter, ’ t would be nothing but social disaster were they to find she had blatantly slighted one under her own care . Cinderella had a feeling Queen Thomasine’s vehement approval would be for naught . An unforgiveable fau x pas . However, one never knew where Royalty stood o n these smaller domestic matters.
To Cinderella’s absolute amazement, Esmeralda stepped forward . She rose to her graceful height, chin slightly tilted in a most…defiant manner . An intense charge simmered . Cinderella felt lightheaded as a twirl of stars seemed to swim above her head .
“This is our oth…other sister, Cinderella,” Esmeralda stuttered to the q ueen .
Oh non . No. no. no . Cinderella started shaking her head back and forth in abject denial stepping back . She would not be invisible with that statement and neither would Esmeralda after this brave stance . Stepmamá would kill her . If not Esmeralda, t hen most certainly Cinderella.
“Our st-st-stepsister,” she corrected, when Stepmamá’s direct gaze seared her .
“Ah, excellent,” Queen Thomasine responded without surprise . She bestowed a genial smile on Esmeralda .
Cinderella gained her own bit of courage watching Queen Thomasine closely . She noted a small tilt to her lips and slight inclination of her head. The queen turned that piercing glimpse to her .
“Of course, my dear . You shall join us as well. ” Cinderella felt her face flame as her gazed blazed over her patched, worn clothing . “ I am certain you will want to change clothes from your walk in the gardens this morning. ”
Cinderella swallowed with an audible gulp . How had she known about that ? Had she seen him kiss her ? Oh, saints ! The prince kissed her .
Then reality gripped her insides with rising panic . She had no clothes to change into
“Oh, oui , ma chére ,” Stepmamá began.
Cinderella was taken aback by her pleasant tone, but she’d already identified the evil in her expression . Stepmamá advanced toward her like a large cat bent on attack . She was here to thrash her, but good . The ‘why’ would not matter.
But, by the grace of God, and miracle of all miracles, colossal relief assaulted her in a commotion commencing just beyond Stepmamá ’s broad shoulders . Both Stepmamá and her clone whipped about sharply, dipping into deep curtsies as Queen Thomasine made her way toward their small entourage . Cinderella and Esmeralda quickly followed suit .
With a wave of her hand, Queen Thomasine said, “ R ise, rise , sil vous plait . ” To Hilda, “My dear, i t has occurred to me you and your daughters might enjoy an informal tour of the Royal Portrait Gallery . It has been some time since I myself have toured that wing of the castle and would very much enjoy conducting you through the gallery , as you will become family soon enough. ”
Cinderella tried to hold back her gasp . Without much luck, however . The queen was offering a tour to Stepmamá and her stepsisters, personally . Only the sight of Esmeralda’s open mouth had Cinderella snapping hers shut . She shrank back . This would not include her, of course. The candlelight in the sconces flickered wildly.
Stepmamá drew herself up to an unprecedented height, the skin beneath her chin wriggling like a small animal . “That…that would be lovely, your majesty . Pricilla? Esmeralda?” she g asped . Stepmamá’s gaze swept to each . They both nodded their assent s , eyes wide, no words spilling forth . Her gaze raked over Cinderella in acute displeasure . An expression Cinderella knew Queen Thomasine could not see from her vantage point . She flinched at the silent assault .
The awkwardness of the moment became palpable . She had best be prepared to pay for this infraction later . An infraction inferred by her very presence . Because, although Stepmamá had never actually admitted that Cinderella was her stepdaughter, ’ t would be nothing but social disaster were they to find she had blatantly slighted one under her own care . Cinderella had a feeling Queen Thomasine’s vehement approval would be for naught . An unforgiveable fau x pas . However, one never knew where Royalty stood o n these smaller domestic matters.
To Cinderella’s absolute amazement, Esmeralda stepped forward . She rose to her graceful height, chin slightly tilted in a most…defiant manner . An intense charge simmered . Cinderella felt lightheaded as a twirl of stars seemed to swim above her head .
“This is our oth…other sister, Cinderella,” Esmeralda stuttered to the q ueen .
Oh non . No. no. no . Cinderella started shaking her head back and forth in abject denial stepping back . She would not be invisible with that statement and neither would Esmeralda after this brave stance . Stepmamá would kill her . If not Esmeralda, t hen most certainly Cinderella.
“Our st-st-stepsister,” she corrected, when Stepmamá’s direct gaze seared her .
“Ah, excellent,” Queen Thomasine responded without surprise . She bestowed a genial smile on Esmeralda .
Cinderella gained her own bit of courage watching Queen Thomasine closely . She noted a small tilt to her lips and slight inclination of her head. The queen turned that piercing glimpse to her .
“Of course, my dear . You shall join us as well. ” Cinderella felt her face flame as her gazed blazed over her patched, worn clothing . “ I am certain you will want to change clothes from your walk in the gardens this morning. ”
Cinderella swallowed with an audible gulp . How had she known about that ? Had she seen him kiss her ? Oh, saints ! The prince kissed her .
Then reality gripped her insides with rising panic . She had no clothes to change into
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