A Different Cinderella

Elliot made a show of being cheerful the next morning, but almost every nerve in his body was drawn tight. What if he messed up and they found out he knew what they were up to? What if he didn’t find anything out and Freda got hurt? What if Thea got hurt because she tried to help them? These and similar questions swam in his mind, filling the time until he could excuse himself and head to the palace.

He scanned the corridors as a footman led him to Thea’s personal waiting rooms. A tea tray was already set up, waiting to be served while a freshly lit fire crackled in the fireplace. Elliot nervously shifting from one foot to the other, his gaze traveling over the sunset lit room. He wished Thea would come faster; he was starting to reach his wits’ end. He logically knew that there was nothing his stepfamily could do to her, but that didn’t stop him from imagining horrible things happening to her.

The door opened and Elliot turned, relaxing as he watched Thea glide into the room. She wore her signature blue and had a series of books and papers in her arms. She set the pile on her writing desk and dismissed the footman. The moment the doors were closed, Elliot drew her close to him, desperately capturing her lips. She leaned into him, her fingers lacing through his hair and pulling him closer into the kiss. She was all right. There was nothing wrong with her. Elliot relaxed at the reassurance his emotional mind needed. Eventually, they parted for air.

“Are you all right?” Thea asked, gently resting her palm against his cheek.

He leaned into the touch, smiling slightly. “I’m supposed to say that.”

“This is the first time you’ve had to deal with a conspiracy. I want to make sure you’re holding up all right.” Her eyes scanned his face. “You look ragged. You should sit down.” Thea led him to the settee, guiding him down next to her. She set about pouring him some tea and he simply watched her movements. She was so calm and collected. There didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary with her. It was as if this happened every day.

“I’ve grown up in a world where conspiracies are common place, Elliot,” Thea said as she handed him his drink. “I’ve experienced more than my fair share of problems like this.”

Elliot stared at the dark liquid in his cup. “Freda made it safely here, then?”

“The moment she settled her things into her room, she came to see me. She explained everything and I have to agree with her. An overheard conversation won’t do you any good on the legal front. It doesn’t mean it’s not of any use to us, but we can’t charge them with anything until they give us something that states an actual intent to harm someone.”

“But I know them. I know what they’re like. They are going to try to do something to my best friend.”

Thea took his hand, bringing his attention up. “I’m sorry. But that’s not good enough. You’re too close to them for your word to mean much and it will end up a conversation of ‘he said, she said’. And they weren’t planning to harm Freda. They were talking about the Mystery Woman. Our hands are legally tied on this.”

Elliot set his cup down and ran a hand over his face. “Freda’s always been there for me when I was growing up. She was my rock, my best friend. She looked after me. And when she needs me the most, I can’t do a single thing.”

“Well, not exactly.” He looked up at Thea. There was something in her eyes. Was there hope? “We can still do something.”

“But you said-”

“I said we can’t do anything legally. But we can do something a bit on the less than honest side.”

Elliot stared. “Like what,” he asked hesitantly.

Thea turned to him more. “Are you familiar with the Royal Spymaster?”

Elliot nodded. There were always stories about spies and their adventures floating around the storytellers. He’d heard a few about the spymaster now and then. “You mean to spy on my stepmother?”

“Information is being gathered as we speak. I had them start as soon as Freda told me what happened.”

“But…but spying is…”

“It’s necessary sometimes.” Thea stared, worry creeping into her eyes. “You’re not used to this.”

Elliot shook his head. He and Freda used to spy on people when they were little, but that was in fun. No one got hurt. Very few times was good news attached to the Royal Spymaster. They were usually used on traitors or people who posed serious threats to the kingdom. He knew his stepmother was mean, but it was still hard to wrap his mind around the fact someone was being spied on because of him. He studied Thea’s unchanging expression. She didn’t think this was odd; she admitted herself that she was used to this. It hit him again how much she lived in a different world than him.

“I wish,” Thea said, bringing him back to the moment, “that there was something I could do to ease your mind. I don’t like seeing you so concerned.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to relax until something’s been done. When I worry, I really worry.” He sighed, squeezing her hand. “I’m not the best company right now.”

Thea reached up and turned his head so he could meet her eyes. “Freda’s your family and you’re worried about her. I understand. I’ll still be right here.”

Elliot drew her close, holding her to his chest and resting his cheek against her hair. She returned the embrace, saying nothing and just allowing him to know that he wasn’t alone in this. That was probably the best thing she could have done for him right then.

§∞§

Caelen yawned as he left the latest meeting on the ball preparations. Everything seemed to be flowing smoothly and everyone was quite competent enough in their duties, but the update and planning had still taken a lot out of him. He knew it would be worth it when his Lady Mystery showed and he could finally learn who she was.

He came to a part in the corridor and paused. He really should go to bed and get some sleep. The meetings had really drained his energy the past few days and a good night’s rest would do him wonders. But he hadn’t been able to do any work on his new jacket like he wanted to do. He doubted there would be anyone in the workroom at this time of night. A few moments of work to relax him wouldn’t hurt. He turned and strolled in that direction.

A bit of light was shining from under the door when he arrived. So there was someone who was working late. Should he leave them to their work? He wouldn’t be bothering them if he did his own thing, right? Caelen pushed the door open, looking for the owner of the light. A woman knelt in front of a dress Caelen believe to be Thea’s. Her hair was pulled out of her face and her back faced him. She hadn’t realized he was there, then. He gently cleared his throat, announcing his presence. The woman looked over her shoulder and he stared.

“Miss Gail?”

She smiled and stood, bobbing a small nod toward him. “Good evening, Your Highness.”

“I didn’t know you were the one in here.”

“I thought I’d work on Thea’s gown. I’m still getting used to everything and the quiet helps me concentrate.”

“Getting used to things?” Caelen stepped further into the room. Coming closer, he noticed that she was wearing an official work apron. The insignia of the Royal Seamstress stood out against the beige fabric. “You work here now?”

“Madam Vivian offered me the position yesterday and I moved in this morning. It’s a dream come true.” She smiled brightly but there seemed to be something clouding her enthusiasm. Was something troubling her? “What are you doing here so late, Your Highness?”

Caelen blinked. “I thought I might get some of my own work done while no one was around. The meetings for the ball have been a bit draining and I thought keeping my hands busy would help me unwind.”

Miss Gail nodded. “I can understand that. Is that your project, then?” She pointed to a corner where a mannequin was dressed in a sharp dark blue double-breasted jacket. “Madam Vivian told me not to touch it.”

Caelen nodded. “I’ve been working on it for a while but there is something missing. I can’t seem to figure out what, so I haven’t gotten far.” He looked at the dress. “Is Thea going to reuse a old dress for the ball?”

“It’s faster than making a new one.” Miss Gail turned to the garment. “There’s a bit of work that needs to be done, but I’m glad for the challenge.” She looked over at Caelen. “You’re welcome to help, if you want. I wouldn’t mind the company.” She raised an eyebrow up in a silent challenge. “That is, of course, if you aren’t going to grumble about my designs.”

Caelen smiled slightly. There was no hostility in her voice and it was mostly just light teasing. It felt nice to be treated like any other person. “I’ve learned my lesson. I trust your judgment, Miss Gail.”

She smiled and nodded. “Call me Freda.”

He nodded. “Freda.” She turned to the dress with a smile, pulling out a pair of scissors and tapping them against her chin as she studied the gown. He watched her as he retrieved his own work apron and tied it into place. Her focus was sharp and her gaze landed over certain areas of the dress with a practiced experience. He’d seen her finished work and could see she knew what she was doing. There was much he should make up for.

“Freda,” he said after a few moments of silence. She turned to him. “I never apologized for how I acted at our first meeting. It was wrong of me to snap at you and criticize your work like I did. I’m sorry.” She stared, blinking in shock. It was rare for a royal to full out apologize and he was a bit ashamed it took him so long to do so. It should have come much earlier.

She lowered the scissors from her chin. “I…thank you.” A wide smile spread her lips, brightening her face and making her eyes shine. “That means a lot to me, Your Highness.”

He couldn’t help smiling back. “Caelen.”

She slowly shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly.”

He stepped closer. There was something familiar about her. He had noticed it earlier but the feeling seemed to have grown. “Please. I would like to hear you say it.”

“Do you usually allow strange women to be so casual with your first name?”

Caelen studied her carefully as he answered as he had at the ball. “Only those who refuse to give me theirs.”

Freda opened her mouth but paused. Something made her stop, for she closed her mouth for a moment, as if thinking something through. She smiled as she straightened her shoulders. “But you already have my name.” She shrugged. “I suppose it’s only fair I use yours, then, right?” Freda extended her hand to him. “Let’s get started on this gown, Caelen.”

She was so similar. It was almost word for word. Was Freda his Mystery Woman? He took her hand to shake.

Freda shook his hand and turned to the dress. “So, I was thinking we could get rid of the sleeves. Thea looked really good with bare shoulders and if she adds some long gloves, it’ll add a bit of elegance to her outfit, don’t you think?”

Caelen stared at his hand for a moment. Why did her hand feel right in his? Had he held this hand before? Or was he imagining things?

“Caelen.” He looked up at her. “What do you think?”

His fingers curled into his palm and he stepped up to the dress. “I like the image, but we might have to drop the waist a bit. It shouldn’t be too hard and we can use some of the black lace as a hem to the bodice.”

As they continued into the night, bouncing ideas off one another and slowly altering the dress, Caelen began to relax. He was used to working with assistants but very few of them had ever been this helpful and engaging with a project. Freda proved her range of expertise and even managed to show him a new trick once or twice. He was finding he enjoyed working with her.

“You’ve relaxed quite a bit since you came in,” Freda pointed out as they stopped for a break.

Caelen leaned back in his chair. “I’ve been in meetings for a while and I felt so drained by the end. I don’t know how Thea can do this day in and day out, but I have a better appreciation for her skills.”

Freda propped her feet up on a stool. “She’s been doing it for a couple of years. She’s probably grown used to it.”

Caelen nodded. “She’s going to make a good ruler.”

“Don’t you want to rule Ster some day?”

He shook his head. “I love Ster but I’ve never felt the pull to rule like my sister has. I could if I had to, but I’m completely fine with letting Thea succeed Mother when the time comes. Elliot will probably become a favorite of the people, too. He’s a nice guy and people tend to like him quickly.” He shrugged. “I find I’m more suited to my work in this room than most of anything else.”

Freda shifted in her chair. “I’m sure you could do much more if you really wanted. You’re kind and caring. Well, when you’re not making a bad first impression.” They shared a laugh over that. “But,” Freda added, “if you really don’t want to rule, it can’t be helped. If you have the option, do what you love. You can’t go wrong if you follow your heart.”

Caelen looked at her. “Is that what you did?”

She nodded. “I wanted to design and make clothes since I was small. I practiced on Elliot quite a bit when we were kids. I was so happy to become Mrs. Webber’s apprentice and I tried my hardest to be good. Now look where I am.” She spread her arms to indicate the workroom. “I’m working with the Royal Seamstress. It’s a dream come true and I finally made it.”

Caelen smiled, his heart lifting in his chest at her passion. “What will you do now that you’re here?”

She lowered her arms and smirked. “I think I might start by showing the prince up once in a while.”

“Oh?”

“I think he could use the competition.” Her lips turned up in a smile and the two of them shared a laugh again. Freda stretched her arms above her head and looked back at the dress. “I can’t believe we’re almost done.”

“Work goes faster with more people.”

She nodded. Her gaze traveled over the gown before turning to rest on him. “Thank you for helping me.”

“Thank you for letting me relax.” He stood and untied his apron. “We should work together again some time.”

Freda straightened. “I would like that.” He got to the door when she added, “Good night, Caelen.”

“Good night, Freda.” He nodded to her once more before leaving the workroom, silently closing the door behind him.

He’d judged Freda wrongly on their first meeting and he was glad he’d managed to clear things up. She was an honest and real person. He hadn’t even noticed he had relaxed until she’d pointed it out. But there was something else about his time with her. She reminded him of the Mystery Woman, how she had made him feel happy and warm when they’d spent the night of the ball together. It reminded him of his parents. They always seemed to light up and laugh more when the other was around. He’d like to believe he was the same when he was with the Mystery Woman. But he also felt the same with Freda. Besides Madam Vivian, she was the only woman who could be so engaging when talking about clothes. She also made him feel light and happy. Caelen looked at his hand. He could still feel hers in his. Why did it feel so familiar?