A Different Cinderella

Freda was so focused on the princess’ dress that she barely looked at any other projects. Thankfully, Mrs. Webber allowed her the time, amused at her assistant’s motivation and pleased to have something so entertaining to write Madam Vivian about. In a week, Freda had finished enough of the dress to present for a fitting. She sent a message to Princess Thea informing her of the progress and received a response in the form of a carriage.

“Go on, dear,” Mrs. Webber said as Freda waited at the door. “You’ve done a fitting on your own before.”

“But not for a princess. Shouldn’t you be coming with me?”

“It’s your commission, dear. Everything is in your hands, now.” When Freda continued to hesitate, Mrs. Webber gently pushed her out the door. “You better hurry. You don’t want to keep the princess waiting, do you?”

Freda climbed into the carriage with her bag of tools and the wrapped dress, settling back into the cushions as they started down the road.

§∞§

Elliot stared after the carriage. “Why is Freda going to the palace?” he asked Mrs. Webber as he stepped into the store.

The older woman looked up and smiled slightly. “What kind of greeting is that, Elliot McKinley?”

He smiled back and bowed with a grand flourish. “My most humble apologies, fair ladies. What a grand and glorious morning it is to look upon such wonder as the beloved Mrs. Webber and charming Miss Mary.”

The young girl blushed and ducked her head as Mrs. Webber gave out a boisterous laugh. “You must be in a cheerful mood today, my boy. I can’t think your stepmother’s dress orders would make you so happy.”

Truthfully, Stepmother had been so focused on her daughters that she’d been ignoring Elliot for the most part since she’d received the announcement for the ball. He did his chores, stayed out of her way, and he could do what he pleased with his free time, which was to usually take quick trips into town. Stepmother had told him to check on how their dresses were coming along and he’d gladly jumped at the excuse to leave the house.

“It just seems like a beautiful morning, is all. So why is Freda going to the palace?”

The seamstress smiled knowingly. “Are you worried that she’ll catch the prince’s attention?”

Elliot raised a patient eyebrow. “Mrs. Webber.”

The older woman chuckled. “I’m just fooling, dear boy. She’s doing a fitting for the princess.”

“The princess? Is that what she’s been working on so hard?”

“Oh, you’ve noticed, have you?”

Elliot knew what she was trying to imply, but he waved it off. She could believe he had intention toward Freda as much as she wanted; it wouldn’t change the fact that his love for Freda was completely familial. “I haven’t seen her when I come into town. I assumed she was working on a project and became caught up in it like she usually does.”

“Well, when we were summoned to the palace, the princess asked us to make a new dress for the ball since the Royal Seamstress is away. Freda presented one of her designs and the princess approved it. The prince, however, did not like it and challenged Freda’s skills. Let me just say that Freda was extremely motivated after that meeting.”

Elliot laughed. He knew very well how Freda’s temper could drive her. It had gotten them into a lot of trouble when they had been kids. It was no wonder that he hadn’t seen her on his town visits. “So she’s finished with the dress, then?”

“It’s just the first fitting to make any adjustments for the princess’ form. It’s a lovely design, really, but the majority of work will be the embroidery.” Mrs. Webber sighed gently. “That girl has the makings of a truly great seamstress if she would only control her temper. But, she’s stepped into this challenge and she’ll have to either sink or swim.” She shook her head slightly as if to clear it and returned to the moment. “In the meantime, Mary has really stepped in on the other orders.”

Elliot gave the young girl a soft smile, causing her blush to deepen. “I’m very glad to see you doing so well, Mary. Are you learning a lot?”

“Oh, yes, sir,” she said, barely stuttering now but not quite meeting his eyes as she turned her head in his direction. “Mrs. Webber is a good teacher.”

“I’m sure you’ll be doing great things in no time,” Elliot said, grinning at the pleased expression on Mary’s face.

“She will as soon as you allow her to get back to work, Elliot McKinley,” Mrs. Webber said, though there was no heat in her voice. “You can tell your stepmother that the dresses will be done in a few days. You can collect them then if there are no other changes.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Elliot bowed to her, making her laugh again, sent Mary one last comforting smile, and left the shop, heading down the road. With a lovely day as this, it couldn’t hurt to stay a little while longer and chat with the other business owners he hadn’t seen in a while.

§∞§

Freda smoothed the wrapping around the dress one last time before she took the coachman’s hand and stepped out of the carriage with a soft thank you. He nodded and gestured to the entrance before jumping up onto the bench and driving away. Freda curled her fingers around the package to keep them from shaking as she stared up at the towering palace walls. She took a breath to calm herself and headed inside. This was just a fitting; something she’d done a hundred times. The princess was just another customer. The repeated mantra helped her relax and her strides grew steadier as she entered the palace.

“I’m here to see the princess,” she told one of the servants when he stopped her. “I’ve come for a dress fitting.”

He nodded and gestured her to follow. She was led through a number of corridors decorated with centuries worth of history until her guide paused in front of a set of large wooden doors. He gently tapped his knuckles on the surface and waited for a voice on the other side to bid him enter. The servant pushed the door open and bowed.

“A lady here for your dress fitting, Your Highness.”

“Thank you. Please show her in.”

The servant turned and held the door open. Freda nodded her thanks and stepped into what looked to be the princess’ personal sitting rooms. With as much grace as she could muster while carrying a large package and bag of tools, Freda sank into a curtsy as the door closed behind her. “Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

“Hello, Miss Gail. I hope you are well.” Princess Thea rose from her writing desk, rounding the table with a soft rustle of her skirts. She was wearing a full pale blue skirt with a complimentary high-necked white shirt. A silver half jacket was draped over the back of the princess’ chair. Freda momentarily admired the stitch work before returning her attention to the task at hand.

“Very well, thank you.” Freda stood and held out the package. “Your dress, Your Highness.”

She set the package on a nearby table and gently pulled the wrapping away. The princess watched as Freda lifted the dress up and held it out for show. Princess Thea smiled as she touched the fabric.

“It’s beautiful.” She grinned. “I cannot wait to see how it looks. Would you mind helping me?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Once the princess was dressed in the new gown and standing in front of her full-length mirror, Freda fell into the comfortable motions of her work. At the moment, the dress was just sewn fabric until she started in on the embroidery, but she was very pleased to see that it was only going to need a bit of altering around the hips and waist. The neckline, which Freda had thought might be too low, proved to be perfectly placed. It displayed the princess’ neck nicely and even allowed for a necklace if the princess preferred one for the ball.

“How does it feel, Your Highness?”

“Very comfortable, thank you.”

“Would you mind walking to the desk and back so I may see how the dress moves?”

Princess Thea did as asked, her graceful movements the result of years of instruction. Freda watched for any unpleasant bunching of fabric or an uneven hang in the train. Once the princess returned to the mirror, Freda quickly pinned a bit of the train into a new position on the princess’ back. She made a few mental notes of things to change before she would start on the embroidery but was pleased with what she had accomplished so far.

“I believe I have everything I need to proceed, Your Highness. If you would remove the gown, please.”

The princess nodded and waited for Freda to undo the buttons on the back. She stepped out of the material and watched Freda carefully return it to the wrapping on the table. “Do you believe you will be able to finish it in three weeks?”

“If Mrs. Webber doesn’t mind my working on just one project for a little longer, I should be done by the morning of the ball.” Freda secured the string and smiled at the princess. “No worries, Your Highness. You’ll have your gown on time.” Then the prince could eat his words.

Princess Thea chuckled as she buttoned up her shirt. “I’m so glad you’re passionate about your work, Miss Gail. It reminds me of my brother.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I am honored.” Not so much for being compared to the prince, but the princess probably meant it as a compliment and so Freda would take it as such.

The princess met Freda’s gaze as she pulled on her skirt. “I believe it is what drove you to confront my brother, was it not?” Freda opened her mouth, ready to apologize if the display had upset the princess, but was stopped by a shake of the royal’s head. “My brother has been in a mood since the announcement of the ball. I’m glad that you were able to rattle him out of it for a bit. It’s certainly brightened my days.”

Freda chuckled. “I’m glad I could be of some service, Your Highness.”

Princess Thea smoothed her skirts back into place, checking herself in the mirror. Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she turned to Freda. There was a look in her eyes, something that made her appear years older than what she was, but it was gone before Freda could figure out what it meant. “Is there anything else you require of me, Miss Gail?”

“No, Your Highness. I have everything I need.”

With a nod, the princess walked over to her desk and returned to her work. Freda made her way to the doors, obviously dismissed, and had just reached for the handle when the princess spoke. “Hold onto your passion, Freda. Sometimes that is the only thing that keeps you going.” Freda turned back and found the princess staring, her eyes returning to the aged look she’d had on before.

Freda bit her lip, momentarily weighing her next move, and stepped away from the door. “Do you not have any passions of your own?” she asked as she moved further into the room.

A sad smile pulled at the princess’ lips. “I do, but I have learned to put them aside so I may be better able to help others. I’m afraid my lot in life is to serve my people and whatever joy I may be able to have will be quite a rare occurrence.”

“So you’re just going to roll over and let your duties get in the way of your happiness?” Freda frowned. “That’s ridiculous. I understand that you have responsibilities, but you can’t just let it completely take over your life. When will you say enough is enough? When you’re so tired and burned out that you can’t see any joy in the world? When you look in the mirror and can’t recognize the woman staring back? I refuse to let you become a husk. No, you need to have something joyful in your life, dammit!” She huffed and shook her head. Honestly, she was as bad as Elliot. Freda ran a hand over her eyes before freezing. She’d just yelled at the princess. No, she’d scolded the princess like she did Elliot when he was shrinking too much under his stepmother’s hold. Freda looked up, eyes wide, ready to apologize, but was surprised to find the princess far from offended. Instead, she looked pleased.

“I see caring for others is your passion, as well.”

Freda cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was reminded of my friend, who is very similar to you in that thinking, and I just reacted. He’s always doing things in the name of duty, but those things constantly drain him of his energy. I usually have to pull him back up. I am sorry for yelling.”

“It’s all right. I don’t mind. Your friend is very lucky to have you to help him.”

Freda smiled softly. “I’ve been looking after Elliot for some time. We’re family by choice, but family all the same. And sometimes you need your family to kick you back into shape. Lord knows I’ve done it enough times for him. It seems I have no qualms about doing the same for you, Your Highness.”

The princess laughed and nodded. “I believe you and I will become good friends, Miss Gail.”

“Freda, please.” Might as well do without the formality of being called ‘Miss’. Freda seemed to have thoroughly crossed that line of propriety.

“Then you must call me Thea. At least in private.”

The two women smiled at the forming of what they believe would become an unusual but good friendship.